SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW AUG 11-12

This week my children's book reviews include a Beano book of mischief, a picture book about good manners, a collection of summer stories from Enid Blyton and an exciting Egyptian adventure.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

BEANO BOOK OF MISCHIEF, MAYHEM & FUN
CHILDREN 7+

Banish summer holiday boredom and join Dennis and Co. for over 100 fantastic indoor and outdoor activities! Children can build their own catapult or periscope or learn about codes and cyphers. Ideal for all weathers it will undoubtedly encourage creativity, but I am not entirely sure it will keep them out of mischief! Also look out for Beano Builds a Secret Den or Go-Kart. They include four DIY projects and some seriously awesome stickers.
ISBN 9781787411616 PB Studio Press £14.99

MIND YOUR MANNERS BY NICOLA EDWARDS & FERONIA PARKER THOMAS
PICTURE BOOK 3+

The jungle is full of misbehaving animals, from messy monkeys to grumpy grizzly bears. The upbeat rhyming text will help children learn why good manners are essential. They can see in each different scenario why it pays to say please, thank you and excuse me. The message is handled with a delightful lightness of touch and humorous and quirky illustrations, which will make children (and adults!) feel that they are not being preached to.
ISBN 9781848577183 HB Caterpillar Books £10.99

SUMMERTIME STORIES BY ENID BLYTON
CHILDREN 7+

A new collection of 30 sun-drenched short stories from one of the worlds best-loved storytellers. Packed with Blyton's trademark magic, fun and adventure they are the perfect length or reading at bedtime and early readers. Look out for the companion |puzzle book, Brain Games and a reboot of the Secret Seven series in Mystery of the Skull, written by Pamela Butchart who brings the much-loved gang up to date while retaining its legacy.
ISBN 9781444942590 PB Hodder £6.99

SECRETS OF A SUN KING BY EMMA CARROLL
CHILDREN 9+

1922. London. When Lilian finds a parcel on her Grandad's doorstep, she doesn't realise it holds the key to an Egyptian king, who's tomb archaeologists are hunting for. She and her friends embark on an adventure of a lifetime as they travel to Egypt in the hope of breaking a deadly Pharaohs curse. The perfect combination of nail-biting excitement, family secrets and friendship brings the fate of the young Tutankhamun and the discovery of his tomb to life. Enthralling.
ISBN 9780571328499 PB Faber & Faber £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW AUGUST 4-5

This week my children's book reviews include a war time adventure for horse lovers, a book of mesmerising masks, a picture book based on a Grimm's fairy tale and an exciting mystery based on a video game

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

FLIGHT BY VANESSA HARBOUR
CHILDREN 9+
Austria 1945. A young Jewish boy, Jakob and his guardian must smuggle a group of rare Lippizzaner stallions to safety across Nazi territory. Can they survive the perilous journey across the Austrian mountains with the help of a Roma orphan, Kizzy? Based on a true story readers will genuinely care about the plight of the beautiful dancing horses in this heart-stopping adventure. This is ideal for animal lovers and fans of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Carroll.

ISBN 9781910080764 PB Firefly £6.99

THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A VINEGAR BOTTLE BY RUMER GODDEN & MAIRI HEDDERWICK
PICTURE BOOK 5+
An old woman saves a charming fish prince who grants her wishes in return. At first, her wishes are humble, but soon they become more extravagant. Can her wishes truly bring her happiness? Based on a Grimm's fairytale this charming and pertinent tale is brought to life by Hedderwick's ink and watercolour illustrations who is best known for her beloved Katie Morag stories. A perfect bedtime story to share.
ISBN 9781782505105 PB Kelpies £6.99

MYTHICAL BEASTS MASKS BY GAVIN RUTHERFORD & TANYA BATRAK
CHILDREN 8+
Transform into your favourite mythical beasts with these fantastic 3D masks. Children can pick from ten strikingly beautiful paper masks such as a unicorn, a griffin, a mermaid and, my favourite, a dragon. Press out and construct each mask by using the easy to follow instructions. Great for costume parties, dressing up or holiday activities. Also, you can read fascinating stories about each mythical beast which will inspire children to play make-believe.
ISBN 9781782406211 PB Ivy Kids £12.99

KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT
CHILDREN 9+
Demelza and her best friend Nessa must uncover the mysteries of the Penfurzy Knights. Together with their pet goose, they must solve puzzles and face danger only with the aid of frisbees, water balloons and a toilet-plunger! Will they be able to lift an ancient curse? This mystery adventure is based on a computer game and is boisterous, exciting and full of fun. An engaging read full of witty illustrations, perfect for the holidays.
ISBN 9781999642501 Knights of Media £6.99

BLOG TOUR KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT AUG3RD

BLOG TOUR FOR KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT. 

I was thrilled to interview Gabrielle about her new middle grade book, Knights and Bikes. Read about her book and her life as an author below.

Can you describe your book Knights and Bikes in once sentence.

An action packed adventure set in the 1980s following two bike-riding, fun loving heroines and a pet goose as they search for the fabled treasure of the Penfurzy knights as a curse creeps across the island.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was asked to write this book to tie in with the videogame. I decided to do it because the characters are all brilliant and so much fun to write.

What is your favourite part of the book?

The first chapter when Nessa meets Demelza and Captain Honkers. It also involves a very gross handshake that I'm proud of.

What character do you most relate to?

I'd love to be as cool as Nessa, but I very much relate to Demelza. I was a socially awkward, comics reading, videogame playing, art loving kid who was always putting my foot in my mouth and charging headfirst into potential adventures without thinking. I didn't have a pet goose, but I was often chased by the geese on my granny's farm.

Are you working on your next book? Can we have a sneaky clue to what's it about?

I'm working on a book featuring a British Asian Girl and her Mauritian grandma who follow a treasure trail to solve a mystery in an attempt to win a very valuable prize.

As a professional writer what has most surprised you that you didn't expect?

Fan letters! It's so strange and utterly lovely to hear how much someone loves the characters and worlds you have created.

What's a typical writing day for you?

I haven't had a whole day to write since my daughter was born. I can only write when she is sleeping, so I squeeze it in between feeding and cleaning her, playing games, singing silly songs and chasing her around the living room trying to put a nappy on her.

Who is your favourite literary hero or heroine?

Granny Weatherwax from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series – an incredibly powerful and stubborn witch.

Which is your favourite bookshop?

The Book Corner in Saltburn. It's a lovely little shop with a very friendly owner and in close proximity to excellent fish and chips.

Your favourite quote?

"The space between the young readers' eyeballs and the printed page is a holy place, and officialdom should trample all over it at their peril." Sir Terry Pratchett

MANY THANKS TO GABRIELLE FOR HER FASCINATING INTERVIEW. FIND MORE INFO ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND BOOK ON TWITTER @_KnightsOf @GabrielleKent and #KnightsandBikes 

KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT

CHILDREN 9+

Knights and Bikes is based on the video game of the same name. Set on a Cornish island in the 1980’s, Knights and Bikes follows the story of new best friends Demelza and Nessa as they explore the island on their trusty two wheeled steeds to uncover the cursed treasure of the Penfurzy Knights.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JULY 28-29 2018

This week my children's book reviews include an empowering fantasy adventure, a stunning picture book exploring our imagination, an activity book showing how to draw sea creatures and a thought-provoking contemporary tale for teens. 

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

GRACE & FURY BY TRACY BANGHART
YOUNG ADULT 12+
In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi face two different fates. One in the palace and the other on an island prison where women must fight to survive. I loved the relationship and differing journeys of the two sisters and how they deal with a shocking change in their circumstances. This thrilling fantasy adventure has female empowerment at its centre with a touch of romance. A reluctant Cinderella meets The Hunger Games.
ISBN 9781444941951 PB Hodder £7.99

OCEAN MEETS SKY BY ERIC & TERRY FAN
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Finn is missing his Grandfather, so he builds a boat to explore the magical place in his stories where Ocean meets Sky. This enchanting book captures whales and jellyfish soaring into the sky and birds and castles floating past on Finn's adventure. This unique world is woven around a gentle message of how to remember those we've lost. The illustrations are mesmerizing and will draw any child into its mythical dreamlike world.
ISBN 9781786032058 HB Lincoln Childrens Books £12.99

INTO THE BLUE: HOW TO DRAW BY NICOLA DAVIES & ABBIE CAMERON
PICTURE BOOK 5+
Children can quickly learn how to draw their favourite sea creatures such as seahorses; jellyfish and seals. Fascinating facts accompany each picture. Did you know that jellyfish are one of the oldest forms of life on earth? Budding artists and animal lovers will easily follow the simple well thought out instructions. It is ideal for encouraging and appreciating the natural world and providing fun and engaging activities for the holidays.
ISBN 9781912050550 PB Graffeg £7.99

A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES BY C.G. DREWS
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Beck lives for one thing: music. But his mother also yearns to live her aspirations through him. Her passion shows itself to Beck through violent words and blows, if he does not fulfil her expectations. Can his new friend August help him escape his mother's wrath and achieve his musical dreams? An intense thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful story that deals with domestic violence, family and friendship. This cast of characters is etched in my memory.
ISBN 9781408349908 PB Orchard £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 21-22ND

This week my children's book reviews include a fascinating guide to the seashore, a young boy on a journey of discovery, a book of new slime recipes and an exhilarating boys own adventure.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

SEASHORE WATCHER BY MAYA PLASS
CHILDREN 7+
This activity and guidebook is a brilliant introduction to the seashore. It is packed full of inspiring and fun ideas for children to learn about life at the edge of the waves. Activities include how to make sand or shell art, learn how to spot tracks and identify marks and discover secret hideaways. This illustrated guide is thoughtfully packed into a waterproof covering to stop it from becoming wet. Perfect for family and school outings.
ISBN 9781784938703 PB QED Publishing £9.99



JULIAN IS A MERMAID BY JESSICA LOVE
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Julian dreams of becoming a mermaid. To look like one, he tries on makeup, styles his hair and even fashions a mermaid tail for himself. However, what will his Nan say? A celebration of self-confidence, diversity from gender stereotypes to family dynamics and different body types. This inspiring book celebrates the variety of life with exuberant carnival inspired illustrations that explode with colour and energy onto the page.
ISBN 9781406380637 HB Walker £11.99

NEXT-LEVEL DIY SLIME WITH KARINA GARCIA
CHILDREN 7+
Celebrate a summer of slime as this craze continues to grow. Follow YouTube sensation, Karina, as she prepares fifteen new recipes with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. Children will love getting their hands dirty creating new mesmerising scents, textures and shine. They can pick from Teddy Bear Cloud Slime, Holographic or Super Gloss, amongst others using harmless, household ingredients. Parents will be glad to know there are tips on removing slime from clothing as well!
ISBN 978178743733 PB Studio Press £7.99

WHERE THE WORLD ENDS BY GERALDINE MCCAUGHREAN
CHILDREN 9+
Every summer Quill and his friends are put on a remote sea stack to hunt birds. But when no one arrives to take them home how will they survive? An extraordinary and unpredictable adventure that will pull at your emotions makes you laugh and have you on the edge of your seat all at the same time. This well-deserved winner of the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal is a must read for the holidays.
ISBN 9781474943437 PB Usborne £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 14-15TH

This week my children's book reviews include a young boy's adventure on a magical island, a little bear going on holiday, a team of llama's who become footballers and a chilling murder mystery. 

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

THE STORM KEEPER'S ISLAND BY CATHERINE DOYLE
CHILDREN 9+
While Fionn and his sister Tara are staying with their grandfather on a remote island for the summer they discovers he is a Storm Keeper who protects the magic of the island from its enemies. As his heir apparent Fionn must embrace his destiny and face his fears. I loved the perfect balance of the author's sensitive portrayal of family dynamics with an enthralling adventure that will fire your imagination and draw you into an enchanted world.
ISBN 9781408896884 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

FERGUS BARNABY GOES ON HOLIDAY BY DAVID BARROW
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Fergus and his parents are off on holiday but first he must retrieve all his holidaymaking things that he lent to his friends in his apartment block. Follow Fergus as he collects his swimming goggles, bucket and spade and kite from each differently coloured floor where his friends live. However, has Fergus forgotten the most important thing of all? This celebration of friendship and kindness is perfect for the holidays.

ISBN 9781444929058 PB Hodder £6.99

LLAMA UNITED BY SCOTT ALLEN
CHILDREN 8+
After unwittingly eating the ashes of one of the greatest footballers of all time a herd of llamas develop footie skills that would rival Kane. Trained by their mates Tim and Cairo can these hairy players reach the Cup Final? Or will jealous rivals call foul on their dream? Accompanied by irreverent ink illustrations by Sarah Horne, this hilarious tale will have you in stitches. You can continue to follow the team in the sequel Llamas Go Large.

ISBN 9781509840908 PB Macmillan £6.99

NEVERWORLD WAKE BY MARISHA PESSL
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Bee hasn't spoken to her best friends since her boyfriends' mysterious death. One year later at a reunion, she is determined to find out the truth. However, her beautiful friends at the elite prep school are keeping secrets. When a mysterious man knocks on the door, they must make a choice, who must live and who will die. A slick murder mystery with a touch of Stranger Things that is perfect for poolside reading.
ISBN 9781407187952 PB Scholastic £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 7-8 2018

This week my children's book reviews include a beautiful picture book championing female friendship, a story about the importance of kindness, a summer craft book and an hilarious super hero adventure. 

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE GIRLS BY LAUREN ACE & JENNY LOVLIE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

When four little girls become friends, they share dreams and support each other through their struggles. This sensitive book champions female friendship by uniquely showing how the girls bond over the years. The illustrations are fresh and charming paired with warm and heartfelt words. An emotive story encouraging empowerment that will appeal to all ages and it would make a lovely gift for a friend of any age. An inspirational story with a universal message.

ISBN 9781848577190 HB Little Tiger £11.99

BETWEEN TICK AND TOCK BY LOUISE GREIG & ASHLING LINDSAY

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Liesel notices things that everyone else is too busy to see. A lonely boy, a stray dog, a cat stuck in a tree. Liesel decides to help and pauses time itself. While the city freezes, she quietly carries out acts of kindness and breathes colour, life and happiness back into the city. A beautiful lyrical tale about the importance of kindness and taking time to appreciate the world around you especially in this digital age.

ISBN 9781405286596 PB Egmont £6.99

FLAMINGOS, LLAMAS & OTHER COOL THINGS BY KATE MCLELLAND

CHILDREN 6+

An innovative spiral-bound activity book featuring twenty stunning press out designs intricately decorated with bright turquoise foil. Create magical three-dimensional ornaments or garlands from cool llamas, tropical toucan's, pineapples, cactuses or flamingoes. This sturdy book is great for all ages to colour in and would make a lovely gift for the artistically minded. The sturdy press-out pieces are perfect for decorating your home and would be ideal to amuse on holiday.

ISBN 9781788003148 HB Nosy Crow £9.99

ALEX SPARROW AND THE FURRY FURY BY JENNIFER KILLICK

CHILDREN 9+

Alex is a super agent in training and a human lie detector. His friend and sidekick, Jess can communicate with animals, and they are about to embark on their second adventure. When Jess volunteers at the local animal sanctuary, she discovers the animals are terrified and are also going missing. An hilarious adventure full of friendship, courage, jokes galore and an adorable hedgehog, Mr Prickles. Another perfect holiday read.

ISBN 9781910080740 PB Firefly Press £6.99