SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 23-24

This week my children's book reviews include a middle grade school mystery about why St David's Day celebrations are cancelled, a picture book about the joy of reading, a book guide about how to avoid stress and an exciting adventure about brotherly love that is also good for dyslexic and reluctant readers. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

ST DAVID'S DAY IS CANCELLED! BY WENDY WHITE
CHILDREN 8+
Seren Wen and her school newspaper team are on a mission. They suspect their headmistress has cancelled St David's Day and they must find a way to stop her. This witty adventure with a diverse cast will have wide appeal for children. The chatty prose and short chapters peppered with cartoonish illustrations by Huw Aaron are excellent for young readers. A lovely message about friendship, the power of teamwork and being proactive.

ISBN 9781785622083 PB Gomer £5.99

SHHH! I'M READING! BY JOHN KELLY & ELINA ELLIS
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Bella is determined to finish reading her book. But just as she is getting to the exciting bits she is disturbed by adventure seeking pirates, tap-dancing penguins and visiting aliens! The joyous and energetic illustrations practically overflow from each page and perfectly capture the chaos and eclectic cast of characters. An entertaining celebration of the joy of reading, perfect to share on World Book Day.
ISBN 9781788810944 HB Little Tiger £11.99

THE UNWORRY BOOK BY ALICE JAMES

CHILDREN 8+
We all worry and this illustrated activity book is an essential toolkit that will help remove distress. You can pick from colouring, writing or designing exercises plus a guide to relaxation techniques. Advised by a clinical psychiatrist it explains and demystifies anxiety. It also gives the tools to manage and overcome them especially if someone is having difficulty talking about their feelings. At the same time, it would help to start a conversation if needed and is good for the classroom.

ISBN 9781474950770 HB Usborne £8.99

LARK BY ANTHONY MCGOWAN
YOUNG ADULT 13+
An exhilarating adventure about the power of family love. Brothers Nicky and Kenny go on a trek across the moors with their dog to take their mind off a troubled home life. But as the freezing weather closes in danger lurks. A beautifully crafted story about the bond of family and pets that will stay in your memory long after it's finished. It will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. Suitable for dyslexic and reluctant readers.
ISBN 9781781128435 PB Barrington Stoke £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW FEB 16-17 2019

This week my children's book reviews include an enchanted historical adventure set just before the French Revolution, a fascinating book about the weird and wonderful animals in nature, a very lazy horse with an amazing sense of smell and a fragrant young adult fantasy.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

ENCHANTEE BY GITA TRELEASE

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Set just before the French Revolution orphaned Camille must care for her frail sister and wastrel brother by using the little magic her mother taught her. In the glittering court of Louise XVI Camille transforms herself into an aristocrat enabling her to steal to survive. But at what price? A deliciously decadent historical romance set in Paris that is awash with enchantment, deceit and adventure. It will set your heart racing. C'est magnifique!

ISBN 9781509895977 PB Macmillan £7.99

ODD SCIENCE: INCREDIBLE CREATURES BY JAMES OLSTEIN

CHILDREN 5+

Children will marvel, laugh and learn from all the amazing and weird facts about the animal world packed into this small handy hardback. From sharks who listen to Death Metal to dinosaurs who use camouflage and purring elephants. Find out all about their colours, perception and speed which are illustrated with an amusing and quirky retro style. A fascinating compilation of wonderment from insects to dinosaurs. Great to share with family or the classroom.

ISBN 9781843654025 HB Pavilion £9.99

POPPY THE POLICE HORSE BY GAVIN PUCKETT

CHILDREN 7+

When Poppy, the horse is born without sight she develops an amazing sense of smell. The police want to recruit Poppy to help track down criminals, if only she wasn't so lazy! But when Poppy's precious pie is stolen she's forced into action. An engaging and hilarious rhyming couplet story that is perfect for new readers and reading out loud. Accompanied with illustrations by Tor Freeman children will adore the zany humour and rhythmic text. A classic series.

ISBN 9780571337781 PB Faber & Faber £6.99

SHADOWSCENT BY P.M. FREESTONE

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Seventeen-year-old Rakel has a talent for scent in a land where scent has power. While looking for a cure for her dying father the crown prince is poisoned and she is the prime suspect. Can Rakel find an antidote to save herself, her family and the empire? A richly envisioned epic world that blossoms into a bouquet of romance and Machiavellian intrigue. A fantasy adventure to enrich the senses.

ISBN 9781407192154 PB Scholastic £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 9-10 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a magical middle grade adventure based in a Victorian London frozen in time, a picture book about the gift of kindness, an illustrated little book of hugs and a young adult book about finding your own path. 

Great books for children and some lovely gifts for Valentine's Day suitable for all the family. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR BY BENJAMIN READ & LAURA TRINDER
CHILDREN 9+
Emily must find her parents who have vanished into the Midnight Hour, a Victorian London frozen in time full of monsters and magic. With only a stowaway hedgehog and her infamously big mouth to aid her, Emily must uncover family secrets and save this enchanted world. This weird and wonderful fantasy adventure with its quirky cast of characters will delight children who will love being scared and thrilled all at the same time. For fans of Nevermoor.
ISBN 9781911490906 PB Chicken House £6.99

THE KISS BY LINDA SUNDERLAND & JESSICA COURTNEY-TICKLE
PICTURE BOOK4+
When Edwyn gives a kiss to her Grandma, her Grandma keeps it to bring joy to others. When a rich man wants to buy the kiss at any price, what will she do? An endearing story about the power of love and kindness complimented by a strong message that to give is to receive. The warm, seasonal illustrations and its multi-generational characters will appeal to the whole family. A lovely gift for Valentines and Mother's Day.
ISBN 9781788811026 HB Little Tiger £11.99

100 HUGS BY CHRIS RIDDLE
CHILDREN 8+
An endearing little gem of a book full of illustrated hugs from the familiar to the unexpected. It will raise a smile as you linger over a panda with its cub, a dragon and princess or a hare and tortoise, all hugging. These imaginative weird and wonderful pictures are laced with heartwarming quotes from Shakespeare to Tennyson. Suitable for all ages this is a charming token of affection for those who like a cwtch on Valentines Day.
ISBN 9781509814312 PB Macmillan PB £5.99

ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART BY KATHERINE WEBBER
YOUNG ADULT 14+
Reiko escapes from her claustrophobic home life and loss of her sister to spend time in the Californian desert. Seth shares her love of the desert but is it enough? An emotional rollercoaster about family and friendship, love and loss. This coming of age drama is about finding your own path in life regardless of outside pressures. Set against a dramatic backdrop this self-affirming tale is full of hope, no matter what life throws at you.

ISBN 9781406369052 PB Walker £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW FEB 2-3 2019

This week my children's book reviews include an exciting middle grade adventure about three cursed sisters, a picture book teaching how to tell the time, a beautiful retelling of the Disney's Little Mermaid and an hilarious middle grade story about a young boy who keeps turning into animals at times of stress!

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A PINCH OF MAGIC BY MICHELLE HARRISON

CHILDREN 9+

Three cursed sisters. Three magical objects including a bag, a mirror and a set of dolls, which potentially have the power to change their fate. One mysterious prisoner who can help but at what price? Readers will be swept up in this gripping adventure as Beth, Fliss and Charlie embark on a quest to put a wrong to right. Brimming with excitement, fast paced action and strong heroines this is perfect for fantasy lovers.
ISBN 9781471124303 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

NO TIME FOR CLOCKS BY MAX LOW

PICTURE BOOK 4+
Ceri the cat and Deri the dog are two best friends who want to learn how to tell the time so they will not be late for lunch. Their friend Gwen explains what a clock is and how it can help them. This educational story with it's big bold pictures is perfect for teaching children to tell the time. The series includes Good To Be Sweet about learning division and both would be useful for the classroom.
ISBN 9781912213740 PB Graffeg £7.99


THE LITTLE MERMAID BY DISNEY
CHILDREN 6+
Celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Disney's Little Mermaid with this charming retelling in a gorgeous cloth bound, gold foiled hardback. I loved seeing some of the initial sketches, paintings and concept art for the film plus the biographies of the unsung artists who worked on the animation in the back of the book. This would make a lovely gift for Disney fans, young children as well as for Valentines with it's Happily Ever After message. A real treat.
ISBN 9781787414686 HB Studio Press £12.99


CHARLIE CHANGES INTO A CHICKEN BY SAM COPELAND
CHILDREN 8+
Not only is Charlie's brother in hospital but he's being bullied at school. Unfortunately stress makes Charlie change into an animal such as a spider, a pigeon or even a rhino! Can Charlie learn to control his new powers with the help of his friends? This slapstick comedy which is complimented by the cartoonish illustrations of Sarah Horne, is quick-witted and fast paced. It will have children chuckling from start to finish.
ISBN 9780241346211 PB Puffin £6.99