A Riveting High Seas Adventure - A Ship in the Dark by Yarrow Townsend

Book Review

In the latest novel from the Branford Boase Award-shortlisted author of The Map of Leaves, readers are transported to the remote Windrose Island. Here, Anna's life takes an unexpected turn when her stepfather, Caleb, is accused of smuggling. Determined to clear his name, Anna, alongside her friend Mina, embarks on a daring quest aboard the mysterious Albatross, a missing whaler.

This masterfully written adventure unfolds with a blend of mystery and intrigue. Anna and Mina navigate the high seas, relying on migrating birds and the haunting songs of whales to guide them. Their journey is fraught with danger, especially with the relentless Bartholomew Rime in pursuit.

The novel's themes of female empowerment shine brightly, making it a perfect read for fans of The Girl of Ink & Stars and The Lost Whale. With its rich narrative and compelling characters, A Ship in the Dark is a classic literary adventure that captivates from start to finish.

 Let's Celebrate the Sun with a Trip Around the World! 🌞✨ #SolsticeBookTour

Solstice Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day written by Jen Breach and illustrated by 14 Global Artists

Forget boring textbooks; this summer solstice adventure takes kids on a whirlwind tour of 14 countries! ☀️ In "Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day" by Jen Breach, illustrated by a team of 14 global artists, kids join fictional characters celebrating the solstice in unique ways.

Imagine chilling (literally!) in Antarctica for the longest night, or feasting at a bonfire bash in Sweden. ❄️🔥 This book is bursting with cultural titbits (did you know pandas get sad if they don't play?!), geographical facts (infographics explain the science!), and beautiful artwork that reflects each location's unique charm.

Perfect for curious minds aged 7-11, "Solstice" celebrates our shared experience of the sun while highlighting the amazing diversity of our planet. This is a must-have for any young explorer's bookshelf! 📚🌍

Key words. Exciting, Informative and Accessible. 

**Price:** £15.99  

**Age Range:** 7 – 11 years old  

**Key Stage:** 2  

**Format:** Hardback  

**Pages:** 64  

**Language:** English  

**ISBN:** 9781913750770

#Solstice #ChildrensBooks #NonFiction #GlobalAdventures #KidsLit #Illustration #SummerReading #AroundTheWorld #Bookstagram #KidLitArt

 Blog Tour Britannica's 5 Minute Really True Stories for Family Time

Authors Alli Brydon, Catherine D. Hughes, Jackie McCann

Illustrators Anneli Bray, Vivian Minekar, Sofia Moore, Skylar White

Publisher Britannica Books

I am delighted to be invited on the Book Tour for this Amazing book. 

Book Review

This wonderful book makes the ordinary extraordinary for curious little minds.  

30 Amazing stories featuring baby dinosaurs , helpful dogs, play ground science and family celebrations and much more. Each of the bitesize stories can be read in 5 accessible minutes that will introduce a child to the wonders of family life including how other cultures and animals live.

What did the worlds first playground look like? 

Who build the first apartment block?

What different cultures eat for breakfast and how they eat?

How animals look after their own families?

Lavishly accompanied by colourful and playful illustrations on every page this fascinating compendium is the perfect gift for curious little minds everywhere. Wonderful to share with both family and in the class room. 

Blog Tour When Shadows Fall by Sita Brahmachari Illustrations by Natalie Sirett

 Blog Tour 

When Shadows Fall 

by

 Sita Brahmachari

 Illustrations by Natalie Sirett

Publisher Little Tiger Press  

When Shadows Fall is a timely, lyrical and impactful story of disaffected youth and the vulnerability of teenage years, the importance of friendship, care and community and of urban green spaces. An empathetic and inspirational tour de force that seamlessly combines art, verse and prose  to portray a powerful message and story. 

I was delighted to be invited on this Fabulous Blog Tour for this wonderful book. Below is this fascinating Interview with Sita talking about  the importance of Art which is an integral part of her story.

Do you think art has the power to heal?
Yes. I have always felt that since childhood. As a member of the refugee centre art and writing class said once 'Art is a good way to tell, a good way to express.' Art can transport and reconnect you to many emotions including awe hope and joy.

Can art give a more powerful message than writing in certain circumstances? Eg Guernica by Picasso "A picture is worth a thousand words
Omid expresses in art what he cannot yet speak in words in the English Language ... but in many ways what he cannot express in any language. He sees in pictures.  A visual, symbolic language appears to me before I write... later the words come. I suppose this is true of being human... we begin with the image and grow into language. It is a struggle to express in words... you see this in Kai's writing. He has many questions and asides, his mind is always in motion. In art the mind can still and settle.  In this story when Kai's world fractures and he can only piece together a few ideas in words Omid fills the gaps with his pictures and imagination. He could not have given Kai a better gift than his art. Natalie Sirett could not have given this story a greater gift either.

 
Can you discuss the refugee element connected to the art in the story?

Both myself and Natalie have worked with refugee survivor children and families in our work. Natalie as a teacher and myself as Writer in Residence at Islington Centre, and in a mentor role. At the centre I have worked with illustrator Jane Ray for over a decade and we are now joined by Ros Asquith.

From the start we held the writing element of our work in the Art and Writing Room  in communal poetry. Now members are writing their own poems and having their art shown in exhibitions.

You can support the centre with their Christmas cards which are available to buy from this online link: Islington Centre Christmas Cards (charitycardsonline.com) 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes, a small green space in a sprawling grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future – until Kai's family suffers a huge loss.
Trying to cope with his own grief, as well as watching it tear his family apart, Kai is drawn into a new and more dangerous crowd, until his dreams for the future are a distant memory. Excluded from school and retreating from his loved ones, it seems as though his path is set, his story foretold. Orla, Zak and new classmate Om are determined to help him find his way back. But are they too late? 

“How quickly teenagers fall apart – and how fast they can heal. This is the hopeful message from Sita Brahmachari, a writer who mixes verse and prose to tell stories that stick.” – Alex O’Connell, The Times

A heart-breaking and poignant novel from award-winning author Sita Brahmachari, for fans of THE BLACK FLAMINGO, AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY and POET X.

Sita Brahmachari is an award-winning author. She has been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal five times, won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2011 and has been bestowed with the IBBY Honour. WHERE THE RIVER RUNS GOLD was Waterstones Children's Book of the Month in 2019 and Sita has a World Book Day title in 2021. An ambassador for Amnesty, Sita is passionate about safeguarding human rights and diverse voices being heard, which comes through in her thoughtful and sensitive storytelling. She is based in North London. http://www.sitabrahmachari.com

Natalie Sirett is a multimedia artist with a multi-faceted practice exploring us, our icons, our stories. http://www.sirett.com

 Blog Tour Thimble and the Girl from Mars by Jon Blake Illustrated by Martin Chatterton

The fourth hilarious and epic adventure of Thimble monkey who's first adventure was shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Awards. These great books can be read as a series or stand alone. 

Children will adore the madcap adventure of Thimble and his inspiring disabled hero Jams. But this time there is a new girl on the block better know as the Girl from Mars who is determined to have Thimble for herself. Can Jams stop her? 

Characterful illustrations throughout by Martin Chatteron and clear text make this very readable for 7+ upwards and for reluctant readers who like a giggle. They will love the dastardly effect beans have on Thimble's bum amongst the many other naughty japes!!

Family and friendship are at the centre of the never-ending madcap zany adventure. Another laugh out loud winner!

Book Description

Yes! Thimble monkey is back, causing the usual chaos for Jams and family. But when t he Girl From Mars appears, thing take a sinister turn. Will she stop at nothing to make Thimble her own? Our disabled hero will have to use all his wits to stop her!

BLOG TOUR Rita Wong and the Jade Mask by Mark Jones Illustrated by Seamus Jennings

 Book Review 

 Rita Wong and the Jade Mask 

by Mark Jones Illustrated by Seamus Jennings

Publisher Everything With Words 

A fantastical crime caper for middle grade readers upwards. 

When Rita Wong meets a dragon called Lester they travel to the sinister Neon City where they must solve a mystery involving two vampires, a stolen jade mask and a Baron drowning in a vat of lemonade!

Children will love spotting the clues and the extraordinary cast of familiar character with a twist. It has a richly created film noir feel which dresses the plot and its characters with great style. From Vampires to  werewolves to dragons parading as detectives or femme fatales this will keep readers completely captivated until the end. I especially loved the endearing friendship between Rita and Lester and the knife sharp humour throughout. 

A must read and the perfect present for young detectives. 

 

My Top Early Reader Books of 2020 6+

 This is a list of my top Early Reader books of 2020. These are suitable for newly confident readers and reluctant readers and great for a Christmas stocking!

(in no particular order) 

 #thesecretexplorersandthelostwhales #thesecretexplorersandthetombrobbers #thesecretexplorersjurassicrescue #thesecretexplorerandthecometcollision @dkbooks
New series for #earlyreaders 7+ including a diverse cast of characters from the four corners of the world all with different skills.. Full of illustrations and fascinating facts that will reinforce STEM topics. A brilliant series.

#the130storeytreehouse #lasereyesandannoyingflies @andygbooks @terrydbooks @macmillankidsuk

The continuing hilarious adventure
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#alifestory #davidattenborough by #lizziehuxleyjones @scholastic_uk

 explore the world and life of the national treasure. With details of his career and adoration of the natural world children will adore this introduction. Full of fascinating facts and well laid out to interest reluctant readers.#

#thepiratecaptainscat #theninelivesoffurrypurrybeancat @philipardagh @rbiddulph @simonkidsuk
A new highly illustrated series for young readers 5 +. Each one of her nine lives introduces us to a new adventure whether she be a railway cat or a witches cat or a pirate captain's cat.

#adancersdream  #Katherinewoodfine #lizzystewart @simonkidsuk 

The real story of the Nutcracker A beautiful gift 

#PIZAZZ #SOPHYHENN 7+ Simon Schuster
An hilarious and irreverent highly illustrated adventure about a 9-year-old superhero who just wants to be normal!

#thewitches by #roalddahl reimagined as a #graphicnovel by #penelopebagieu
celebrating #roalddahlstoryday Sept 13th and #halloween #roalddahlday with my original copy of #thewitchesIllustrations #quentinblake 

#thimblewongabonkers @jonblakeauthor @fireflypress

 latest instalment of the madcap comedy adventure series.

 #butterfliesforgrandpajoe @nicolakidsbooks @themikebyrne .

perfect for emergent reluctant and dyslexic readers

#ecorangers #wildfirerescue @candicelemonscott @askaillustration @newfrontierpublishinguk 

An eco friendly adventure. Great series.

#HorribleHistories #allatsea #terrydeary illustrations #martinbrown Simon Schuster

The ultimate horrible history of Britain and Ireland seafaring heritage !

#theadventuresofharrystevenson Guinea Pig Superstar @alipyeillo @simonkidsuk

The adventures of a Super Guinea Pig

#rabbitandbear A Bite in the Night @_jimfield #juliangough @hachetteuk 

the continuing adventures of the two best friends .

#boottherustyrescue @shanewhegarty illustrations @benmmantle @hachettekids 

the second book about the further adventures of the lovable robot Boot. Love this series!
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