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

This week my children's book reviews include a funny novella celebrating World Book Day, a picture book celebrating female trailblazers, a middle grade book about a hotel for animals and an adventure which has a contemporary slant on Oliver Twist.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE GREAT ROCKET ROBBERY BY FRANK COTTRELL-BOYCE
CHILDREN 6+
Laika and her fellow street dogs are being trained for a trip to the moon. But they want to go now so they steal a rocket! A lovely novella for children that was written especially for World Book Day and is one of twelve titles to pick from. This fun adventure is a must for dog lovers and also mentions Swansea Jack! This initiative is a great introduction to Frank's hilarious books as well as other children's authors.
ISBN 9781529012651 PB Macmillan £1

FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN WHO WORKED WONDERS BY KATE PANKHURST
PICTUREBOOK 4+
A wonderful introduction to extraordinary women from all corners of the world who were trailblazers in their chosen profession. From mathematician Katherine Johnson who enabled the first men to go into space to Katia Krafft, a fearless volcanologist to Junko Tabei who was the first woman to climb Mount Everest, these women will inspire young readers to dream BIG. With sumptuous illustrations, this is perfect to celebrate International Women's Day and Mothers Day.
ISBN 9781408899274 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

HOTEL FLAMINGO BY ALEX MILWAY
CHILDREN 6+
Anna is the new owner of a dilapidated hotel which caters for animals. With the help of T.Bear the doorman, Madam Le Pig, her demanding chef and Lemmy the lemur receptionist can Anna restore it to its former glory? A quirky delightful tale of friendship, acceptance and teamwork decorated throughout with vibrant grey and pink illustrations. The menagerie of eclectic characters will have a huge appeal for early readers. I want to visit!
ISBN 9781848127753 PB Piccadilly £6.99

THE HAVEN BY SIMON LELIC
CHILDREN 11+
Ollie is on the run and finds sanctuary in a secret city below London ruled by kids fighting for justice. Can they stop 'Mad Maddy' Sikes from destroying their city? And who is the traitor in their midst? A modern slant on Oliver Twist this high octane adventure full of danger, camaraderie and disregard for authority will appeal to fans of CHERUB and Alex Rider. This thriller really hits the bullseye!
ISBN 9781444947601 PB Hodder £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 16-17

This week my children's book reviews include a boy who grows dragons, two picture books featuring a dinosaur daddy and a Tiger daddy that are both perfect for Father's day and a scarily funny adventure in which a young boy must ask for some ghostly help.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE BOY WHO GREW DRAGONS BY ANDY SHEPHERD
CHILDREN 7+
Tomas is shocked to discover a strange tree at the bottom of his grandparents garden which hatches dragons! Flicker, the first dragon is an excellent pet but like all baby's very unpredictable. He eats everything, and even his poo is highly flammable! An hilarious rip-roaring adventure complemented by Sara Ogilvie's lively illustrations which will fire the imagination for independent readers. An alternative way to encourage children into the garden. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Cressida Cowell.
ISBN 9781848126497 PB Piccadilly £5.99

I LOVE YOU DINO-DADDY BY MARK SPERRING
PICTURE BOOK 3+
It's not easy being dino-daddy but it's a lot of fun. Whether it's a trip to the park or playing games at home he always has time for his two roaring little dinos... This funny and endearing story show the lengths dads will go to entertain their little ones. This delightful padded board book is a celebration of a father's relationship with his children and is the perfect gift for Father's Day.
ISBN 9781408893449 Bloomsbury HB  £7.99

RAJ AND THE BEST DAY EVER! BY SEB BRAUN
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Raj and Dad are going on an adventure, and they have big plans. But then Dad leaves his wallet at home and Raj thinks their day will be ruined. But all they need is their imagination and each other's company. This is the perfect celebration of a father and son relationship and how being together is more important. The energetic and colourful illustrations really bring their escapades to life. A great gift to share on Father's Day.

ISBN 9781787412347 PB Templar £6.99

EMBASSY OF THE DEAD BY WILL MABBITT
CHILDREN 9+
When Jake opens a box containing a severed finger he accidentally summons a reaper who is determined to drag him into the Eternal Void. To escape his grim fate, Jake must ask for protection from the Embassy of the Dead, but it comes at a price. This illustrated adventure is full of excitement, friendship and ghosts! A great combination of funny and scary perfect for fans of Skulduggery Pleasant and Who Let the Gods Out?
ISBN 9781510104556 PB Orion £ 6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 9-10

This week my children's book reviews include a magical middle grade adventure, a story of evolution, a thriller for car fans and an hilarious coming of age tale based in a bookshop.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MIRROR MAGIC BY CLAIRE FAYERS
CHILDREN 9+
Orphans Ava and her brother move to Wyse, set between England and Wales, and are catapulted into an ancient mystery. Wyse connects to the magical Unworld through mirrors. But why is the magic disappearing? In this Victorian adventure, Ava joins forces with a fairy, Howell, to protect a magic book of prophecy that could save them all. The charismatic cast of characters, creepy skeletons, enchanted hats and a snappy dog will keep young readers spellbound.
ISBN 9781509870066 PB Macmillan £6.99

NB. Watch out for my interview with Claire on on my blog June 11th.

MOTH BY ISABEL THOMAS & DANIEL EGNEUS
PICTURE BOOK 4+
A remarkable evolution story of the Moth. It captures the struggle of animal survival against the background of an evolving human world. A unique and fascinating introduction to Darwin's theory of Natural Selection. The striking inky illustrations imagine the peppered moths adaption to it's surrounding world of light and dark. The glorious atmospheric pictures of nature versus the city are dramatic and evocative. A visual spectacular that is a fascinating introduction to the extraordinary resilience of our natural world.
ISBN 9781408889756 HB Bloomsbury £12.99

THE STIG PLAYS A DANGEROUS GAME BY JON CLAYDON & TIM LAWLER
CHILDREN 8+
Sam arrives in a strange new school to find a kid has gone missing and everyone is addicted to a mysterious computer game. When he meets some new friends including Ford Harrison and Minnie Cooper events take a dangerous turn. Can the man in the white suite help them? The Japanese style illustrations drive this action-packed adventure forward and will have you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for car and computer game fans.
ISBN 9781848126459 PB Piccadilly £5.99

BOOKSHOP GIRL BY CHLOE COLES
YOUNG ADULT 14+
Paige Turner is determined to save the bookshop that she works in from closing down. Can she run a successful bookshop campaign while fighting her attraction to a beautiful fellow artist, Blaine? A ribald, anarchic contemporary tale of the ups and downs of being a teenager, set against the backdrop of our declining high street. Genuinely laugh out loud moments and a feminist heroine that will have a considerable appeal. A perfect Summer read.
ISBN 9781471407116 Hot Key £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS FEB 10-11TH

This week my children's book reviews include a celebration of girl power, a picture book about finding love, a wild robot adventure and a romantic comedy for the modern teenager.

Perfect reads for Valentine's Day and something for everyone!

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

Enjoy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MAKE MORE NOISE! BY NOSY CROW

CHILDREN 8+

An empowering anthology from best-selling children's authors including Emma Carroll and M.G. Leonard which celebrate strong girls and women. There are stories for everyone from historical to adventure. One hundred years ago, this week, women won the right to vote. These stories, some based on real people and some imagined, will hopefully help inspire a new generation of girl power and equality. A must for every school library. Each book donates £1 to Camfed.

ISBN 9781788002394 PB Nosy Crow £7.99

THE POESY RING BY BOB GRAHAM

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Love is always there, it just needs to be found. A whimsical and romantic journey of a poesy ring that was thrown away. The reader travels with it far and wide, through the seasons, over land and sea until it finds a loving home again. The visual narrative through the beautiful pen and wash illustrations add depth and empathy to an endearing story making it a perfect gift for Valentines Day.

ISBN 9781406378276 HB Walker Books £11.99

THE WILD ROBOT BY PETER BROWN

CHILDRENS 9+

Roz the robot is stranded on a wild island and to survive she must befriend the animals who live there. When her owners come to take her home, she must fight to protect all she holds dear. Children will love Roz the robot, her adopted duck, Brightbill and the menagerie of talking animals. Striking illustrations and short, snappy chapters give this action-packed adventure a broad appeal. The Iron Giant meets Jungle Book.

ISBN 9781848127272 PB Piccadilly £6.99

MOVIE NIGHT BY LUCY COURTENAY

YOUNG ADULT 13+

When Hanna sees her boyfriend kissing another girl she turns to her best friend Sol for support. They watch a film together once a month to work out life's hardest questions. Told from Hanna's and Sol's alternating points of view it gives insight into their characters and their struggle with unrequited love. This heart-warming comedy of errors and misunderstandings makes it a perfect read for romantics and movie lovers. Pretty in Pink for the modern teenager.

ISBN 9781444930733 PB Hodder £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS'S BOOK REVIEW OCT 14-15

This week my children's book reviews include an extraordinary futuristic adventure, a picture book about a grumpy bat, an enchanting new series for early readers and an alternative take on classic villains. Perfect for Halloween.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE EXTRAORDINARY COLOURS OF AUDEN DARE BY ZILLAH BETHELL

CHILDREN 9+

Moving to his deceased uncle's house Auden makes an extraordinary discovery. Under the garden shed he finds a human-like robot called Paragon, but what is he for? Will he help Auden see colour again? Paragon leads him on a thrilling journey of discovery set against a totalitarian society which is fighting over water. A captivating, futuristic adventure about friendship, family and hope. A wonderful gift and perfect for book club discussion. Artificial Intelligence meets ET.

ISBN 9781848126084 PB Piccadilly Press £6.99

I AM BAT BY MORAG HOOD

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A simple, charming story about a little bat who loves cherries but does not like sharing. When his cherries keep disappearing Bat must find out who is taking them. A pertinent story about the pros and con's of coveting and sharing you possessions. Despite all his failings, children will love this grumpy, little bat. The bold, luminous illustrations add layers and humour to the story about learning to share.

ISBN 9781509834617 HB Two Hoots £11.99

WITCH FOR A WEEK BY KAYE UMANSKY ILLUSTRATED BY ASHLEY KING

CHILDREN 7+

When Elsie offers to house-sit for the local witch, Magenta Sharp, she doesn't expect a talking raven, some very high-maintenance neighbours and a box of magic, with a sell by date. A spellbinding new series for young readers who will be absolutely charmed by the hilarious story of mishaps, mayhem and magic. This cauldron of endearing characters, adventure and laughs reminded me of Shrek but with witches!

ISBN 9781471160905 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO HATE ME EDITED BY AMERIIE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

An alternative anthology of short stories from the point of view of famous villains. Featuring the biggest names in young adult fiction, they have written their own spins on classics, inspired by well known BookTubers. Stories that have inspired them include King Arthur, The little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, amongst others. Thirteen morsels of wickedness to feast on for Halloween, if you dare?

ISBN 9781408882764 PB Bloomsbury £7.99