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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CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST SEPT 8-9

This week my children's book reviews include a heart-warming football adventure, a bird spotting activity book, a tale of a mean cat for young readers and a terrifying alien adventure for young adults. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

KICK BY MITCH JOHNSON

CHILDRENS 9+

Bud has the same hopes and dreams as any twelve year old but he lives in the slums of Jakarta working in a sweat shop. When Bud is forced to steal, he faces losing everything. A story of the love of football and how it can highlight the stark differences between rich and poor. An exciting debut full of action and excitement whilst raising social awareness about global issues, such as consumerism. A must for football fans.

ISBN 9781474928151 PB Usborne £6.99

DREAD CAT BY MICHAEL ROSEN

CHILDREN 5+

Dread cat is fed up trying to catch mice so decides to giving up the chase and feed them cheese instead! Or is it a cunning plan? Bounding with sharply observed wit and wisdom the tension racks up slowly through the story until the climactic funny ending. Full of Disney style illustrations by Nicola O'Bryne, this is purrfect for early readers and has added extras including jokes and a game hiding in the jacket flaps.

ISBN 9781781125885 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

THE BIG BIRD SPOT BY MATT SEWELL

CHILDREN 6+

This seek-and-find guide is cleverly designed to inspire children to birdwatch in the real world as well as on the page. Richly illustrated double-page spreads cover a range of habitats with a native bird hidden in every scene. Travel the world from jungle to desert, woodland to ocean, to see if you can spot the birds hiding there. It's harder than you think! Children will spend hours pouring over the intricate details and vibrant colours.

ISBN 9781843653264 HB Pavilion £9.99

I AM TRAITOR BY SIF SIGMARSDOTTIR

YOUNG ADULT 12+

One teenager's fight against extra terrestrial invasion. How much will Amy sacrifice to save the teenage population from a grim dystopian future? Her freedom? Her chance at love? Can Amy really trust the Resistance and allow herself to be 'taken' on a spaceship in order to save the planet? A tense and exciting adventure that is a romantic twist on War of the Worlds. Imaginative and chilling. For fans of Michael Grant, Suzanne Collins and Michael Muchamore.

ISBN 9781444934472 PB Hodder Childrens £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST BOOK COLUMN SEPT 17TH-18TH

My children's books this week for The South Wales Evening Post include a magical retelling of an ancient folk tale, a hungry worm determined to get his apple, a tutu wearing guinea pig and a magical mash up of literary fairytales full of adventure for older children .  All in the Weekend Magazine Section. Enjoy! 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE WHITE HARE BY NICOLA DAVIES
CHILDRENS 9+
The first of the Shadow and Light series, this is a retelling of ancient folk tales that will weave a spell over a new generation. In a time when people lived off the land and were closer to nature Ostra must watch helplessly as her would be suitor slays her family to force her hand in marriage. Will Ostra's connection with her animal friends come to her rescue? Accompanied by ethereal watercolours from Anastasia Izlesou. Enchanting.
ISBN 9781910862483 HB Graffeg £8.99
5/5 Stars

TOTO'S APPLE BY MATHIEU LAVOIE
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Toto, a tenacious worm is determined to get his apple. Plan after plan fails but he never gives up. The bold and dynamic illustrations will engage little minds in this fast paced story as we follow in his escapades and root for his determined spirit. Really reminded me of Scrat, the acorn obsessed saber-toothed squirrel in the Iceage films. They share a similar obsession to obtain their favourite food by any means necessary. Perfect for Autumn reading
ISBN 9780714872513 HB Phaidon £11.95
5/5 Stars

SOPHIE'S SQUEAKY SURPRISE BY HOLLY WEBB
CHILDRENS 6+

This book is a little bundle of cuteness that deals with bigger issues. Sophie has moved to Paris and is being bullied in her new school. Then she meets Josephine, a new friend who happens to be a macaroon loving, tutu wearing guinea pig who lives under the Sacre Coeur!! A delightful adventure with characterful illustrations by Clare Elsom that will warm your heart. Perfect for beginner readers while exploring themes of moving house and making new friends.

ISBN 9781407154329 PB Scholastic £4.99

5/5 Stars

BEYOND THE KINGDOMS BY CHRIS COLFER
CHILDRENS 11+
A tantalising fourth book in this imaginative series that is a mix of Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson and Shrek. Alex and Conner enter the Land of Stories where fairy tales are real but not quite as they remember. Can they stop The Masked Man from recruiting an army of literature's greatest villains? Aided by legends like Goldilocks, Jack and Red Riding Hood they battle through Neverland, Wonderland and Oz. Will it be happily ever after? Fantastical
ISBN: 9780349124407 PB Little Brown £7.99
5/5 Stars

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