SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW AUG 3-4

This week my children's book reviews include an imaginatively gothic adventure for middle grade plus two lift-the-flap board books: join a postman as he delivers his parcels and an introduction to an airport. Last but not least a middle grade mystery must be solved by a detective editor!

Happy Summer Reading!

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

BOOK OF WEEK

THE MONSTER WHO WASN'T BY T.C.SHELLEY

CHILDREN 9+
An Imp who looks human is born into an underworld of monsters. Some grumpy yet adorable gargoyles adopt him because he can steal chocolate without being noticed. Can Imp find his place in the world or will the King of Ogres use him for his evil plan? A wonderfully Gothic fantasy full of good and bad monsters which will enthrall children. I especially loved Imp's hilarious adopted family. Spiderwick Chronicles meets Labyrinth.

Bloomsbury PB £6.99

MARCEL'S PARCELS BY KATE HINDLEY

BOARD BOOK 3+

Marcel Trunkmore has parcels to deliver and he needs someone to help him. A lovely lift-the-flap book introducing children to all the characters on Treacle Street. They will delight in visiting Prima Pavlova's dance school, Grease Monkeys Garage and the pie shop. But does Marcel also have a surprise package? Full of entertaining and amusing bright illustrations that children will love to explore. A charming book for pre-schoolers which is followed up with Prima's Missing Bunnies.

Simon & Schuster HB £ 6.99

AIRPORT BY JONNY MARX & CINTA VILLALOBOS

BOARD BOOK 3+

A fun large format board book that introduces young children to what to expect when they go to the airport. With dozens of flaps to lift and lots of information to uncover there is plenty to interest as children leaf through the different areas of a bustling airport. There are lists of things to spot while they explore the terminal, discover how an aeroplane takes off and what to expect on arrival. Great for someone's first trip abroad.

360 Degrees HB £11.99

SCOOP MCLAREN: DETECTIVE EDITOR BY HELEN CASTLES

CHILDREN 8+

Scoop and her best friend Evie run an online newspaper. When an evil reporter Sonny starts to cause havoc by predicting dastardly events such as raining frogs they must uncover his true identity before it's too late. Children will love tenacious budding journalist Scoop and her determination to get to the bottom of a story. A witty fast-paced mystery for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine. Can you follow the clues?

New Frontier Publishing PB £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JULY 27-28

This week my children's book reviews include  a science fiction adventure for middle grade, a summery sticker book perfect for the holidays, an emotional second world war thriller and a teen romance set in the Tuscan hills. 

Happy Summer Reading!

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

THE STARLIGHT WATCHMAKER BY LAUREN JAMES

CHILDREN 8+

Watchmaker Hugo is an android working in an elite academy. When a pompous Duke demands he mends his watch they uncover a sinister mystery while forming an unlikely friendship. An enthralling sci-fi adventure that has shades of Star Trek while exploring themes of discrimination and class. Hugo's journey to find his place in the world is uplifting. Perfect for book clubs and reluctant and dyslexic readers. I was whisked away into another universe.

Barrington Stoke PB £7.99

CLAUDE EVER-SO-SUMMERY STICKER BOOK BY ALEX T. SMITH

ACTIVITY BOOK 5+

Join in the seaside shenanigans with Disney Junior star Claude, Sir Bobblysock and their friends in Pawhaven. Packed with fun games, intriguing puzzles and 250 sunny stickers this is guaranteed to keep children busy in the holiday. From drawing sandcastles to creating a picnic, the joyful illustrations will put kids in a summer mood even on a rainy day! A perfect companion to Claude's new picure book, Anyone for Strawberries?

Hachette PB £4.99

ANNA AT WAR BY HELEN PETERS

CHILDREN 9+

Young Jewish girl Anna must leave her family to flee persecution in Germany to the safety of England but the war follows her. Trapped in a web of betrayal can Anna prove whose side she's on without exposing her own secrets? Full of historical facts children will be riveted by Anna's journey to freedom. A nail-biting and affecting adventure which explores themes of the plight of war refugees and prejudice. For fans of Emma Carroll.

Nosy Crow PB £6.99

UNDER A DANCING STAR BY LAURA WOOD

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Seventeen-year-old Bea is sent in disgrace to Italy in the 1930s for being too outspoken. She'd rather study insects than look for a husband. Can Bea enjoy a lazy summer romance with handsome artist Ben without falling in love? Will the creeping onset of fascism ruin their plans? Be transported to the Tuscan hills and see this delightfully geeky and adorable heroine transform into an independent young woman. The perfect holiday read.

Scholastic PB £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW AUG 25-26

This week my children's book reviews include an epic quest reminiscent of Indiana Jones, a little owl's first day at school, a Nigerian teenager surviving a terrorist attack and an origins story about Catwoman. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE CRADLE OF ALL WORLDS BY JEREMY LACHLAN

CHILDREN 9+

Jane Doe must embark on a perilous mission into a labyrinth connecting different worlds to find her troubled father. Jane must navigate the shifting rooms, dodge booby traps and find secret gateways. This epic quest is full of dizzying excitement with nods to family favourites such as Indiana Jones, The Goonies alongside Narnia and His Dark Materials. A perfect read for both boys and girls who have the ambition to be explorers and adventurers.
ISBN 9781405291330 PB Egmont £6.99

LITTLE OWL'S FIRST DAY BY DEBI GLIORI & ALISON BROWN
PICTURE BOOK 4+
It's Little' Owl's first day at school, but he prefers to stay at home with his Mummy. When he arrives he's builds a rocket, learns to fly and even makes a new friend. Maybe school can be more fun than he thought? Partnered with cheerfully cute illustrations, this will help give gentle comfort to a young child's first day at school and also help start a discussion about any worries they might have.
ISBN 9781408892213 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

THE GHOSTS & JAMAL BY BRIDGET BLANKLEY
CHILDREN 13+
Thirteen-year old Jamal is the only survivor of a terrorist attack on his village. He only survived because he had been banished to live on the fringes due to his epilepsy marking him out as 'the bringer of bad spirits'. An intriguing book, touching on religion, terrorism and Nigeria's internal conflicts which follows a young orphan negotiating an unforgiving society. A thought-provoking and memorable coming-of-age story of survival and bravery. Ideal for book clubs and classroom discussion.
ISBN 9781908446633 PB Hope Lane Publishing £8.99

CATWOMAN: SOULSTEALER BY SARAH J. MAAS
YOUNG ADULT 13+
An entertaining coming-of-age story of one of my favourite comic heroines and it certainly has claws. Selina Kyle is back in Gotham and determined to cause trouble as her alter ego Catwoman. The only one who can stop Selina and her friends, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, is Batwing. This has all the perfect ingredients of high octane adventure, romance and friendship to make this a “purrfect” holiday read. While the Bat's away the Cat will play!!
ISBN 9780141386898 PB Penguin £7.99