This week my children's book reviews include an magic train, a dog who plays the violin, a wizard and warrior fighting an evil spell and a boy brought up by dogs in time of war.
THE TRAIN TO IMPOSSIBLE PLACES BY P.G. BELL
CHILDREN 9+
Science-loving Suzy is horrified to find a grumpy troll building a railway through her house for The Impossible Postal Express. Newly recruited Suzy will whisk children away into an enchanted world of talking packages, exploding bananas, witches and ghosts. Peppered with playful illustrations this magical adventure that turns science on its head is a helter-skelter ride providing enormous fun and the belief that anything is possible. The Wizard of Oz meets The Polar Express.
THE BEAR, THE PIANO, THE DOG AND THE FIDDLE BY DAVID LITCHFIELD
PICTURE BOOK 4+
When fiddler-playing Hector retires his dog Hugo, also his best friend, learns to play instead. When Hugo is invited on tour by a world-famous bear will their friendship survive? The opulent and luminous illustrations take us from the bustling city to the intimacy of performing in a theatre. An empathetic tale of true friendship and following your dreams that will wrap itself around you like a giant bear hug. A gorgeous tale to treasure.
ISBN 9781847809179 HB Lincoln Children's Books £11.99
TWICE
MAGIC BY CRESSIDA COWELL
CHILDREN 9+
A young Wizard Xar and a young girl warrior Wish are supposed to hate each other but instead they form an unlikely alliance to thwart an Evil Spell. I loved the mysterious narrator that whispers in the readers ear while the scratchy ink illustrations provide pause for thought in this fearless and velocious adventure. Children will be plunged into an all-consuming world described with a breathless urgency that never slows down. Perfect for hungry little bookworms.
DOGCHILD BY KEVIN BROOKS
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Wild dogs raised Jeet. Recaptured and rehumanised Jeet now lives in a besieged town with the last of his people. As he records the events of their final battle, he struggles to come to terms with who he is and where he belongs. Will his struggles with his own identity help his people to survive? The story creates a visceral thrill as we are absorbed in the story's wild, brutal and sometimes violent world.
ISBN 9781405276207 PB Electric Monkey £7.99
Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!
BOOK OF THE WEEK
CHILDREN 9+
Science-loving Suzy is horrified to find a grumpy troll building a railway through her house for The Impossible Postal Express. Newly recruited Suzy will whisk children away into an enchanted world of talking packages, exploding bananas, witches and ghosts. Peppered with playful illustrations this magical adventure that turns science on its head is a helter-skelter ride providing enormous fun and the belief that anything is possible. The Wizard of Oz meets The Polar Express.
ISBN 9781474948616 HB Usborne
£12.99
THE BEAR, THE PIANO, THE DOG AND THE FIDDLE BY DAVID LITCHFIELD
PICTURE BOOK 4+
When fiddler-playing Hector retires his dog Hugo, also his best friend, learns to play instead. When Hugo is invited on tour by a world-famous bear will their friendship survive? The opulent and luminous illustrations take us from the bustling city to the intimacy of performing in a theatre. An empathetic tale of true friendship and following your dreams that will wrap itself around you like a giant bear hug. A gorgeous tale to treasure.
ISBN 9781847809179 HB Lincoln Children's Books £11.99
CHILDREN 9+
A young Wizard Xar and a young girl warrior Wish are supposed to hate each other but instead they form an unlikely alliance to thwart an Evil Spell. I loved the mysterious narrator that whispers in the readers ear while the scratchy ink illustrations provide pause for thought in this fearless and velocious adventure. Children will be plunged into an all-consuming world described with a breathless urgency that never slows down. Perfect for hungry little bookworms.
ISBN
9781444941401 HB Hodder £12.99
DOGCHILD BY KEVIN BROOKS
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Wild dogs raised Jeet. Recaptured and rehumanised Jeet now lives in a besieged town with the last of his people. As he records the events of their final battle, he struggles to come to terms with who he is and where he belongs. Will his struggles with his own identity help his people to survive? The story creates a visceral thrill as we are absorbed in the story's wild, brutal and sometimes violent world.
ISBN 9781405276207 PB Electric Monkey £7.99
