SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 22-23 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a modern day Dr Dolittle for 9+, a picture books about friendship, a collection of stories inspired by Alice in Wonderland and a contemporary coming-of-age drama for teenage bookworms that is perfect for the holidays.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

EVIE AND THE ANIMALS BY MATT HAIG

CHILDREN 9+

Eleven-year-old Evie has a secret super power. She can hear the thoughts of animals! But this can be dangerous especially when she comes up against a mysterious man with a similar talent. Can she save the animals and her Dad? Emily Gravett's wonderful illustrations throughout will appeal to all animal and adventure lovers. The thrilling adventure emphasises the importance of courage, kindness and empathy. Dr Dolittle for a new generation.

ISBN 9781786894281 HB Canongate £12.99

PAPER PLANES BY JIM HELMORE AND RICHARD JONES

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Mia and Ben are best friends but when Ben has to move away will their friendship survive? A whimsical and lyrical picture book about the powers of the imagination. Children will love the idea of flying up in the sky as free as a bird, shown through stunning pastel illustrations. The story will help children understand the importance of keeping in touch with friends and family who've moved away. A lovely book to share.

ISBN 9781471173875 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

RETURN TO WONDERLAND BY VARIOUS

CHILDREN 8+

A collection of original stories inspired by Alice in Wonderland written by today's leading children's authors. Tumble down the rabbit hole again and reacquaint yourself with the Queen of Hearts, a rather sad Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat amongst other beloved magical characters. Peter Bunzle, Piers Torday and Robin Stevens are just some of the authors who are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice with alternative viewpoints. A gorgeous gift and introduction to this classic.

ISBN 9781529006032 HB Macmillan £10.99

THE PAPER & HEARTS SOCIETY BY LUCY POWRIE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

When Tabby joins a book club she finds a group of friends who share the same interests. She would rather enjoy a good doughnut, Jane Austen and literary road trip over a party! A heart-warming holiday read that will appeal to all book worms and encourage readers not to feel guilty for exploring their own interests despite the pressures of social media. A coming-of-age romantic teen drama filled with humour and literary nods. Thoroughly entertaining!

ISBN 9781444952377 PB Hodder £7.99

South Wales Evening Post Children's Book Column Jan 30th

South Wales Evening Post Children's Book Column Jan 30^th

My childrens books for this week include an Arabian, Wild West fantasy, a naughty purple bear, an even naughtier menace and a chilling psychological thriller


BOOK OF THE WEEK

REBEL OF THE SANDS BY ALWYN HAMILTON
YOUNG ADULT FICTION

This is a unique Wild West meets Arabian Nights mash-up. Amani is desperate to escape Deadpool and a chance meeting with an exotic stranger gives her that opportunity. But thrown into the middle of a rebellion with an evil sultan Amani has tough choices to make . Untold magic, striking imagery and a crackling romance this epic delight will sweep you away into a desert storm and lose you in the sands of time. HOT

ISBN: 9780571325252 PB Faber & Faber £7.99

5/5 Stars

I AM BEAR BY BEN BAILEY SMITH AND SAV AKYUZ
PICTURE BOOK 3+
This wildly funny Bear will have you in stitches with his purple fur suit and talent for finding trouble wherever he is. Bear is seriously naughty, from stealing honey and doughnuts to playing fiendish tricks just for kicks. Great for reading aloud with punchy bold illustrations that really add to the jokes. This will be a sure fire hit with little rebels and wannabe rappers alike.
ISBN: 9781406359251 HB Walker Books £11.99
5/5 Stars

THE DIARY OF DENNIS THE MENACE: THE GREAT ESCAPE BY STEVEN BUTLER
CHILDRENS 6+
Dennis is back but unfortunately for him he has been sent off to boarding school! Surrounded by class swots and tasteless, inedible healthy food he really needs to escape. Help arrives in the form of some fart pellets and his Gran on a motorbike.! In sharp diary format punctured with hilarious cartoons this is great for those with a short attention span and lovers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Horrid Henry.
ISBN: 9780141355863 PB Penguin Books £5.99
4/5 Stars

THINGS WE HAVE IN COMMON BY TASHA KAVANAGH

YOUNG ADULT FICTION
A chilling psychological thriller that sees unfolding events through the eyes of a lonely and troubled teenager obsessed with one of her class mates. Claustrophobic and unsettling, Kavanagh slowly feeds the reader morsels of information racking up the tension to the shocking finale. A gripping read not only suitable for teens but also adults who loved Gone Girl and Notes of a Scandal. You will want to devour this in one sitting.
ISBN: 9781782115977 PB Canongate Books Ltd £8.99
5/5 Stars

Top Ten Christmas Books for Middle Grade Children and Young Readers

1. A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS BY MATT HAIG

CHILDRENS 8+

Have you ever wondered what Father Christmas was like as a young boy? Your wait is over! A modern day classic with adventure, snow, elves and an eleven year old boy called Nikolas who believes in magic. For fans of Dahl and Walliams this will add festive cheer to the whole family. The message it delivers is that being good is better than being rich. Special mention for the imaginative illustrations by Chris Mould

ISBN: 9781782117896 HB Canongate Books Ltd £12.99

5/5 Stars

2. PUGS OF THE FROZEN NORTH BY PHILIP REEVE
CHILDRENS 7+

The Race to the Top of the World! It comes around once in a lifetime, and the prize? Your heart's desire. Shen and Sika can't resist the chance to win, but competition is fierce.

The path to victory is littered with snow trolls, sea monsters, and a gang of particularly hungry yetis.

But Shen and Sika have something the other contestants don't have.

Actually, they have 66 other things; pugs to be exact.

That's a 264 paw-powered sled. Let the race begin! This beautifully illustrated story by the award-winning team of Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre will enchant fans of their previous books, 'Oliver and the Seawigs' and 'Cakes in Space'.

• ISBN: 9780192734570 HB Oxford University Press £8.99
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3. ON A SNOWY NIGHT BY VARIOUS AUTHORS 
CHILDRENS 6+

A charming collection of animal winter tales by a selection of top childrens authors. Will the young Arctic foxes find food? Can a zebra help Santa? Perfect for little animal lovers everywhere and great for bedtime stories with its adorable illustrations. Also perfect for teachers to discuss in class and inspire creative writing stories before Christmas. Fascinating facts also in the back.
ISBN: 9781847156426 PB Little Tiger Press £5.99

4.THE STORM LEOPARDS BY HOLLY WEBB 
CHILDREN 7+

From best-selling author Holly Webb comes a charming wintery story just in time for Christmas. The countdown to Christmas has begun, and Isabelle is enjoying a family day out at the zoo. As her sister watches the penguins, Isabelle is the only one to catch a glimpse of a snow leopard, with its beautiful spotted silver-grey coat and long fluffy tail.

 Fascinated by these rare and endangered creatures, Isabelle tries to find out what she can do to help protect them. Little does she know she's about to be whisked into her very own magical snow leopard adventure, where a mother and her cubs are in danger... 

• ISBN: 9781847156075 HB  Little Tiger Press Group £8.99
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5.THE ABOMINABLES BY EVA IBBOTSON
CHILDRENS 7+

CHILDREN 8+

A hundred years ago, in the Himalayan peaks of Nanvi Dar, the daughter of an English earl is kidnapped by a huge hairy monster. In a secret valley Agatha Farley is introduced to a family of motherless yetis and devotes her life to their upbringing. She teaches them to speak, tells them stories and insists on polite manners.

But as the decades pass, tourists come to the mountains, a hotel is built and yeti-hunters arrive. Agatha knows that there is one place in the world where they would be protected - her ancestral home at Farley Towers. When a boy and his sister stumble upon her hidden valley, she knows she has found the courageous people who will carry out her plan.

The excited yetis are smuggled into the bridal suite at the hotel.

A freezer lorry is waiting to put them into semi-hibernation on the long trip home. But the baby yak that has fallen in love with the youngest yeti foils the refrigeration plan and they set off on a hugely entertaining road trip half way across the world.

In the Sultan of Aslerfan's kingdom the yetis release all the animals from his zoo. In the Alps they rescue a lost child in a blizzard.

In Spain, the yak creates chaos at a bullfight. But when they arrive in England, a terrible shock awaits them at Farley Towers...This early novel, never submitted for publication, contains all the trademark qualities that made Eva's subsequent books so successful; comedy, loveable and eccentric characters, perfectly-crafted plotting, and inspiring themes of tolerance, kindness to animals, and the defeat of cruelty.

• ISBN: 9781407133027 PB Scholastic £6.99

6.THE ENCHANTED SNOW PONY BY SARAH KILBRIDE

CHILDRENS 5+

Join Evie and Silver on a wintry adventure to see the Northern Lights at the Mid-Winter Ball.

There's so much to do before the Ball - sledging, making magical snow dresses and catching up with old friends.

Can Evie and her friends make it to the Ball and rescue one of the Queen's fairies on their way?

Turn to the back for pony facts and activities. With a free poster too!

• ISBN: 9781471121821 PB Publisher: Simon & Schuster £4.99

7.THE SNOW BEAST BY CHRIS JUDGE

CHILDRENS 5+

Beast has been robbed! And so has the whole village. Without tools the villagers can't put on their legendary Winter Festival, so Beast sets off to solve the mystery.

Discovering that a stranded Snow Beast is behind the robbery, Beast has to decide whether to help this odd-looking stranger

• ISBN: 9781783441143 HB Andersen Press Ltd £11.99
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8.THE BRAMBLY HEDGE COMPLETE COLLECTION

CHILDRENS 5+

Celebrate the 35th anniversary of Brambly Hedge with this exquisite slipcased volume containing all eight well-loved, classic picture books.

The mice of Brambly Hedge made their first appearance in 1980 when the four seasonal stories were published.

Ever since, readers have loved exploring the miniature world of the hedgerow and meeting the families that live there.

In this collection the mice have many adventures, but they always have time for fun and relaxation too.

Whatever the season, and whether they are by the sea, in the High Hills, or simply at home by the fire, there is always someone ready to lend a helping hand.

Contains: Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, Winter Story, Poppy's Babies, Sea Story, The High Hills, The Secret Staircase

• ISBN: 9780008147815 HB HarperCollins Publishers £35

NB. ALSO AVAILABLE ARE THE INDIVIDUAL STORIES SUCH AS OUT THIS YEAR IS THE BRAMBLY HEDGE COLLECTION CELEBRATING ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY  WHICH CONTAINS ALL THE STORIES OF THIS DELIGHTFUL COLLECTION. 

• ISBN:9780001837119  £7.99. WHICH ALSO MAKES A WONDERFUL GIFT AND STOCKING FILLER. 
• I FOUND THESE ILLUSTRATIONS MAGICAL AS  A CHILD AND STILL DO NOW. 

9.SQUISHY MCFLUFF SECRET SANTA BY PIP JONES

CHILDRENS 5+

Ava and Squishy are back and this time their adorable chaos hits Christmas preparations for Mum, Dad, baby Roo, the local Christmas fete and much, much more...In her letter to Santa, Ava only has one wish.

Will she get what her heart desires on Christmas day?

Rising star Pip Jones continues to give her quirky twist to everyday experiences in this warm and humorous series.

The jaunty rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, and Ella Okstad's gorgeous, distinctive illustrations will help more confident readers learn to read by themselves for the first time.

• ISBN: 9780571302567 PB Faber & Faber £5.99

10.OLD BEAR'S BEDTIME STORIES BY JANE HISSEY

CHILDRENS 3+ 

A new picture book to treasure featuring beloved characters from the Old Bear series. The endearing illustrations will continue to enchant a new generation of children. Gentle soothing stories full of delightful adventures, old friends, theatre, the seaside and a circus make it the perfect book to share with little ones before they go off to the land of dreams. A beautiful present suitable all the year round from Christmas to Birthdays and Christenings.

NB. THIS HAS A MIX OF LEVELS FOR READING FROM SIMPLE POEMS TO LONGER STORIES SUITABLE FOR UP TO 5 OR 6+ WHICH IS WHY I ALSO WANTED TO ADD IT TO THIS LIST!!

ISBN:9781910706152 HB Salariya Book Company Ltd

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Childrens Book Review column in The South Wales Evening Post Dec 5th featuring lovely christmas presents for children

A selection of books for The South Wales Evening Post for Dec 5th. My book of the week is one of the fantastic Ella Bella ballet picture books, not surprisingly, focusing on The Nutcracker!! Also this week I picked a wonderful drawing and colouring book for all budding artists of all ages,   a story about Santa as a young boy and a great romance for the young adult market. All lovely presents for Christmas.


BOOK OF THE WEEK

ELLA BELLA BALLERINA AND THE NUTCRACKER BY JAMES MAYHEW
CHILDRENS 4+

The perfect introduction to a festive favourite and a treasure for little prima ballerinas everywhere. This is one of a delightful series, written and illustrated enchantingly by Mayhew, that explains famous ballets through a a young dancer, Ella Bella. This time she twirls into a magical world of dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Some great ballet facts are at the end, especially useful if any kids are going to see the ballet on stage.

ISBN: 9781408314081 PB Hachette Children's Group £6.99

5/5 stars

CHILDRENS ACTIVITY 5+

DRAW IT! COLOUR IT! CREATURES BY VARIOUS ARTISTS

A unique opportunity for budding artists of all ages to draw and colour with a collection of top children’s illustrators. The theme is creatures, featuring every animal imagined which you can complete or colour in. A brilliant idea and an ideal present for those with a creative gift as it will be sure to keep them very busy through the holidays. This will appeal to all levels and ages with wonderful and varied art work.

ISBN: 9781447290704 PB Pan Macmillan £10

5/5 Stars

CHILDRENS BOOK 8+

A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS BY MATT HAIG

Have you ever wondered what Father Christmas was like as a young boy? Your wait is over! A modern day classic with adventure, snow, elves and an eleven year old boy called Nikolas who believes in magic. For fans of Dahl and Walliams this will add festive cheer to the whole family. The message it delivers is that being good is better than being rich. Special mention for the imaginative illustrations by Chris Mould

ISBN: 9781782117896 HB Canongate Books Ltd £12.99

5/5 Stars

YOUNG ADULT FICTION 13+

TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE BY JENNY HAN

Lara has sent out love letters to five of her old crushes by mistake. How will they react? Especially when one is her sister's boyfriend. A novel about the pitfalls of first love, sisterly rivalry and coming of age. Combines the family dynamic of Little Women with the romance of films, Pretty in Pink and Ten Things I Hate About You. Engaging and heart warming for lovers of Rainbow Rowell and Stephanie Perkins.

ISBN: 9781407149073 PB Scholastic £6.99

5/5 stars