SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW OCT 26-27 2019

This week my spooky children's book reviews include an imaginary friend who becomes real, a scarily good Halloween party, a young witch off to witch school and an autumnal graphic novel set in a pumpkin patch. 

Fangtastic books to enjoy over Halloween for all ages. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

SKELETON KEYS: THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND BY GUY BASS & PETE WILLIAMSON

CHILDREN 9+

Ben can't believe his imaginary friend the Gorblimey has become unimaginable. The narrator of this scary tale, Skeleton Keys is convinced Gorblimey is not kind and loyal but dangerous and needs banishing into the void of Oblivian. Can Ben save his friend? Prepare for monsters, pirates and weird occurrences in an even stranger tale. It is crawling with inky illustrations that will feed children's imagination to create their own imaginary friend. Creepily good for Halloween.

Stripes PB £6.99

THERE'S A TROLL ON MY TOILET BY CATHERINE JACOB & MIKE BYRNE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

In a spooky house, a Halloween party is in full swing, and all the freaky guests are having a frightfully good time! Children will love exploring each room, and it's dastardly occupants, but not all is what it seems. Spooktacularly good to read out loud for Halloween with rhyming and repeating text. The bold and fun illustrations are hilarious. Watch out for the witch, the mummy, the ghosts and especially the smelly troll on the toilet!

PB Scholastic £6.99

GRACE ELLA: WITCH CAMP BY SHARON MARIE JONES

CHILDREN 7+

Nine-year-old new witch Grace-Ella is nervous and excited to go to Witch Camp with her cat Mr Whiskins. When her new friend Dilys's broomstick flying goes wrong can Grace-Ella find a way to help her? What's in the deep, dark wood? This enchanting sequel full of friendship and magic is perfect for young readers and sprinkled with charming illustrations. Children will love the camaraderie and high jinks. For fans of The Worst Witch.

Firefly PB £5.99

PUMPKIN HEADS BY RAINBOW ROWELL & FAITH ERIN HICKS

YOUNG ADULT 12+

A new graphic novel bursting with autumnal colours. Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every Autumn they work together at the best pumpkin patch in Nebraska.But this Halloween it is their last season together before leaving school. Deja is determined she and Josiah are going to go out with a bang! A heartwarming, funny story about missed connections with two endearing leads. Curl up with a pumpkin spice latte to enjoy this sweet romance over Halloween. 

PB Macmillan £9.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW OCT 19-20 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a riveting middle grade Russian inspired quest, a picture book about a magical Halloween pumpkin, an exploration of the human body for little scientists and a dystopian adventure with a ecological message for middle grade.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE TZAR'S CURIOUS RUNAWAYS BY ROBIN SCOTT-ELLIOT

CHILDREN 9+

In Eighteenth-century Russia, Katinka a dazzling ballerina with a hunched back is part of Peter the Great's Circus of Curiosities. But when the Tzar dies, she and her extraordinary friends must flee for their lives from the Winter Palace to find a new home. A vivid and daring quest that is full of myth and mystery. Children will love Katinka, an inspiring heroine full of courage and loyalty. For fans of Katherine Rundell and Sophie Anderson.

Everything With Words PB £8.99

CHRISTOPHER PUMPKIN BY SUE HENDRA & PAUL LINNET & NICK FROST

PICTURE BOOK 4+

When a witch magicks her Halloween pumpkins into life for the scariest Halloween party ever, she does not expect any of them to be nice!But Christopher Pumpkin wants to make fairy cakes and hang bunting not cobwebs and cook curried slugs! Can he find a way to scare everyone and stay true to himself? Bold, funny illustrations will delight children and encourage them to blaze their own trail. Perfect for reading out loud at Halloween.

Hodder PB £6.99

ANATOMICUM BY DR JENNIFER Z PAXTON & KATY WIEDEMANN

CHILDREN 9+

Have you ever wondered what the inside of your body looks like? Children will be transported right around the human body through amazing illustrations that show every vivid detail as never before. This large-format book demonstrates the workings of the body from the muscles to the delicate complexities of the brain. A fascinating and intriguing look at the human body, it's structure and how it all fits together. The perfect present for budding doctors, scientists, biologists and artists.

Big Picture Press HB £25

MOTHER TONGUE BY PATRICIA FORDE

CHILDREN 10+

After global warming, the new order wants to silence speech forever. Letta is a wordsmith and rebel, teaching children language, music and art. But when babies start to go missing, she must find a way to save them. This taut dystopian thriller has a strong environmental message at its heart. It also questions the balance between political power and corruption. This vivid world and courageous heroine will enthral readers and is ideal for book clubs.

PB Little Island £7.99

CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN BOOK REVIEW FOR THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST OCT 27-28 2018

This week my children's book reviews include the grand finale of Goth Girl, a little ghost desperate for attention, a young witch's further adventures and two friends who must save their gargoyle-infested school!

Happy Halloween

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

HALLOWEEN BOOK OF WEEK

GOTH GIRL AND THE SINISTER SYMPHONY BY CHRIS RIDDELL
CHILDREN 7+
The fangtastic finale of the Goth Girl series is a real treat. Lord Goth is holding a music festival but who will be the 'headline' act? This satirical tale is liberally sprinkled with contemporary references that will appeal to both adults and children. It is full of witty puns and a play on words, such as Tailor Extremely-Swift, which are woven in between Riddell's masterly illustrations. Monstrously good for Halloween that is perfect to share and read aloud.

ISBN 9781447277965 PB Macmillan £6.99

THE RIGHT ONE BY VIOLETA NOY
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Roderic is the smallest ghost in his family and is continually ignored. He doesn't want to wear a white sheet like all the rest so how can he stand out? The vibrant, bold illustrations capture the endearing little ghost as he tries on different hats, scarves and various patterned sheets to make himself look different. Children will relate to being the smallest in a family. A friendly, funny ghost story for Halloween.
ISBN 9781787412705 PB Templar £6.99

WISH FOR A WITCH BY KAYE UMANSKY & ASHLEY KING
CHILDREN 7+
Elsie is excited to return to Magenta Sharp's magical tower for her second adventure. The witch needs her help to save her magic license and to deal with a grumpy genie. This adventure is a cauldron of excitement, bubbling with wit, wishes and witchcraft. The endearing illustrations cast a spell with their characterful detail and will leave children bewitched. I especially loved Nuisance the loyal stray dog and Corbett, the irascible raven. A charming Halloween tale.
ISBN 9781471160936 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

TREASURE OF THE GOLDEN SKULL BY CHRIS PRIESTLEY
CHILDREN 8+
Mildew and Sponge must save their gargoyle-infested school from closure. If they can find the buried treasure, avoid a pirate pretending to be a teacher and deal with the mysterious new boy they might save the school. This caustically funny, deliciously creepy quest will make kids cackle with laughter. The scratchy illustrations creeping through the text add to the enormous fun making it perfect for Halloween. The Munsters meet Roald Dahl.
ISBN 9781408873106 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN BOOK REVIEW OCT 20- 21 2018

This week my children's book reviews include an enchanting Christmas tale based in Wales, a troublesome witches' cat, more adventures from the world's worst vampire and a monstrous tale inspired by Frankenstein.

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

BOOK OF WEEK

THE CLOCKWORK CROW BY CATHERINE FISHER
CHILDREN 7+
Seren, a young orphan is taken in by a mysterious family living in wildest Wales. A mysterious package, a lost boy and a magical snow globe lead Seren into an enchanted Winter wonderland where all is not what it appears. Children will especially delight in Seren's cheeky, talking mechanical bird as she continues on her quest to find a true home. The poetical text is spellbinding and a perfect story for Christmas. The Secret Garden meets Narnia.

ISBN 9781910080849 PB Firefly £6.99

MRS BLACKHAT BY CHLOE AND MICK INKPEN
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Mrs Blackhat is a witch who loves the colour black. Everything is black except her cat...who's ginger! Unfortunately, when she uses the internet to buy a spell, it leads to hilarious results. This story will appeal to adults who appreciate the hazards of internet shopping and children who will delight in the tongue twisters and repetitive text with laugh out loud humour. Perfect for reading out loud with bold, explosive illustrations this is Spooktastic for a very Happy Halloween.

ISBN 9781444940091 HB Hodder £12.99

MIDNIGHT FRIGHT BY ANNA WILSON & KATHRYN DURST
CHILDREN 7+
Vlad, the worlds worst vampire is not looking forward to his annoyingly perfect cousin Lupus coming to visit him. Can the school play help reveal who's got the real talent? This relatable story deals with issues such as the perils of trying to fit in and appreciating our talents with a comical twist. Punctured with inky illustrations this feel-good little book about friendship and family is spookily good for early readers at Halloween.

ISBN 9781847159571 PB Stripes Publishing £5.99

THE MONSTERS WE DESERVE BY MARCUS SEDGWICK
YOUNG ADULT 13+
An author searches for inspiration in the Alps villa where Shelley wrote Frankenstein. This claustrophobic monstrous tale will lure you in to witness the tortured mind of a writer. Do our creations define us? Who is the real monster? The creator or the people who judge and jury it? Who knows what is real and what is imagination? Ripe for book clubs and discussion, this will intrigue, infuriate and inspire. It will prey on your mind.
ISBN 9781788542302 HB Zephr £12.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST HALLOWEEN CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW OCT 28-29

This week my children's book reviews include a much anticipated return to Philip Pullman's world of 'His Dark Materials', a picture book celebrating the moon, a hairy scary adventure for early readers and a cheeky heroine who would much prefer to be an actress rather than a witch!  

Perfect for Halloween.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE BOOK OF DUST BY PHILIP PULLMAN

YOUNG ADULT 13+

The much anticipated return to the parallel world of, 'His Dark Materials' does not disappoint. When eleven year old Malcolm's meets a baby called Lyra he must make a dangerous journey which seals his fate. A vividly painted world, with huge dollops of Pullman's colourful imagination, carries you away into a spellbinding odyssey full of magic and mystery from the very first pages. A true embroiderer of words that will enthral young and old.

ISBN 9780385604413 HB David Fickling £20

MOON BY BRITTA TECKENTRUP

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A stunningly atmospheric die-cut picture book which takes readers on a journey into a nocturnal world celebrating the moon. As you turn the dusky peek-through pages it reveals the shimmering foiled moon changing shape as it goes through the lunar cycle. The world below is busy with night-time animals;foxes;turtles and birds. This is a luminescent tale of shared hopes and dreams that will captivate little readers at bedtime.

ISBN 9781848696679 HB Little Tiger Press £10.99

RISE OF THE HAIRY HORROR BY KES GRAY

CHILDREN 5+

Jack Beechwhistle is no ordinary boy, he's a junior secret agent and he has a new mission. There is a new hairdresser called Valentino in town and he is acting very suspiciously. Is he really an evil villain? Packed with comic book style art work and hilarious survival tips that will thoroughly entertain fans of the bestselling Daisy series. Suitable for new, independent and reluctant readers it's perfect for little mischief makers.

ISBN 9781782953043 PB Red Fox £5.99

YOU CAN'T MAKE ME GO TO WITCH SCHOOL BY EM LYNAS

CHILDREN 7+

Daisy Wart is definitely NOT a witch. She is going to be an actress! Can she escape Toadspit Towers to follow her dreams? A new magical school series full of sprightly illustrations by Jamie Littler. Daisy is a delightfully cheeky and determined heroine who is really endearing and funny. A cauldron of colourful characters who will charm it's young readers. Mallory Towers meets The Worst Witch with a dollop of theatrics thrown in,”Darling!”

ISBN 9781788000130 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW OCT 21-22

This week my children's book reviews include a time traveller, a witch looking for love, a ghostly tale and a gothic fantasy. Perfect for Halloween.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE WITCH OF DEMON ROCK BY GABRIELLE KENT

CHILDREN 9+

When Alfie Bloom travels back to the 1400's to begin training with Orin, a great druid, he begins to understand how powerful the magic he protects really is. It seemed like a good idea to take some friends back in time but when they start falling victim to a creature of shadows he must undertake a quest to find help. A thoroughly entertaining fantasy adventure series full of thrills and intrigue, perfect for Harry Potter fans.

ISBN 9781407155814 PB Scholastic £6.99

PRETTY BY CANIZALES

PICTURE BOOK 3+

The witch has been invited on a date but some well meaning animals think she should make herself prettier. Can she cast a spell on herself? A magical and funny story showing why it's always best to be yourself, not what others want you to be. A timely lesson for today's growing 'selfie' generation. It finishes with a surprisingly shocking twist that children will love. Thought provoking and great for reading out in class.

ISBN 9781783707942 PB Templar £6.99

THE GHOST IN ANNIE'S ROOM BY PHILIPPA PEARCE

CHILDREN 5+

Emma has to stay in the attic room of her great aunt's small house. Her brother insists it's haunted by her aunt's missing daughter and no one will tell Emma the truth. Could he be right? Emma must face her fears and uncover the mystery. This is a gently spooky story for Halloween, full of atmospheric colour illustrations by Cate James and clear spaced out text. Perfect for new readers with activities inside the flaps.

ISBN 9781781126851 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

ONE DARK THRONE BY KENDAR BLAKE

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Three sisters are still fighting over one throne, only one can win, the other two must die. Powerful and emotive, you're heart will quicken as tensions rise and surprising twists and turns keep you guessing until it's final epic conclusion. Feast on this darkly Gothic world with it's large cast of dramatic and troubled characters. No one is safe. The gripping and brutal sequel to Three Dark Crowns.

ISBN 9781509807734 PB Macmillan £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

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST HALLOWEEN CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW COLUMN OCT 29-30

This week for Halloween my book column reviews a seductively dark teen fantasy, a wickedly wizardly sticker book, a young witch trying to break a curse and a futuristic adventure that will ensnare you with its evilly good plot!

BOOK OF THE WEEK
THREE DARK CROWNS BY KENDARE BLAKE
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Three triplet sisters, all heirs to a crown, each possessing a particular talent. Katherine, the poisoner, Arsinoe, the naturalist and Mirabella, controller of the elements and the most powerful. One must murder the others to rule. As each girl finds out who she can trust and what they will do to win which one will lure you under their spell? Seductively dark and deliciously decadent the fast paced and intricate plot builds up to an spine tingling climax.
ISBN 9781509804559 Pan Macmillan PB £7.99

WITCHES AND WIZARDS STICKER BOOK BY SEB BURNETT AND KIRSTEEN ROBSON
CHILDRENS 4+
Another excellent addition to this series, this spooky sticker book is full of entertainingly creepy scenes that children will love to decorate. Fill the air with cackling witches and stock the shelves of Master Mistletoe’s magic store with gruesome potion ingredients such as pickled mice and vampire bats. Add very scary guests to The Pickled Pumpkin Tavern to discuss their shady business. The hours will spookily slip away before you know it!
ISBN 9781409598527 PB Usborne £6.99

HOW TO CATCH A WITCH BY ABIE LONGSTAFF
CHILDRENS 9+
Charlie is a witch but doesn't know it yet. When she moves to a village with her family to a creepy cottage her stutter returns to her dismay. After a series of strange events involving one of the villagers 'glowing' Charlie discovers Agatha, a retired witch troubled by an ancient curse which must be broken. Is Charlie strong enough to break it? A bewitching new series that is a cauldron of friendship, family and potions.
ISBN 9781407162515 Scholastic PB £5.99.

THE DIABOLIC BY S.J. KINDCAID
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a futuristic warrior who 's sole task is to protect her mistress Sidonia. Caught up in the Emperor's machinations and a ruthless, backstabbing court will Nemesis be the lamb to the slaughter or is she really a Trojan Horse? A potent mix of Star Wars and The Hunger Games, this high octane epic stand alone will ensnare you in its web of intrigue right up to the nail biting finale.
ISBN HB Simon and Schuster £10.99


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Halloween Childrens Books for All Ages as featured in The South Wales Evening Post Oct 31st

Fiendishly Good Books For Kids at Halloween. 

HAUNTINGLY GOOD BOOK OF THE WEEK

KNITBONE PEPPER-GHOST DOG BY CLAIRE BARKER

An endearing tale about a ghost dog called Knitbone who wants to reconnect with his owner Winnie Pepper whilst stopping dastardly thieves from steal their family home. Helped by other ghost pets called 'Beloveds', can Knitbone save the day? A charming and sensitive story for animal lovers and any child who has lost a pet. The hardback format and adorable illustrations make it a great gift for Christmas and Birthdays.

ISBN:9781409580379 HB Usborne Publishing Ltd £9.99

PICTURE BOOK 3+

PUMPKIN SOUP BY HELEN COOPER

A richly illustrated rhyming book about three friends Cat, Duck and Squirrel who make pumpkin soup every day. Cat prepares, Squirrel stirs, Duck adds salt. But what happens when Duck wants to try Cat's job? A warm comforting read about friendship and sharing. The stunning artwork of copper colours make it the perfect Autumnal read as the nights close in. A veritable feast that is great for class room discussion plus a pumpkin soup recipe.

ISBN:9780552545105 PB Random House Children's Publishers UK £7.99

CHILDRENS 7+

THE WORST WITCH BY JILL MURPHY

An hilarious children’s classic and a perfect read for little girls always getting into trouble without meaning to! Many children will empathise with Mildred, a disastrous trainee witch who keeps messing up with hilarious results. My favourite was when she put a bucket of water on her teachers head! The colourful characters and beautiful illustrations in this special hard back edition bring Mildreds story to life and paves the way for when they start reading Harry Potter.

ISBN:9780141344515 HB Penguin Books Ltd £10.99

CHILDRENS 11+

THE BOX OF DEMONS BY DANIEL WHELAN

Winner of the Write Now! Children’s book award ,this ambitious fantasy is a cross between Alice in Wonderland and His Dark Materials. Ben has always been in possession of a box of demons which has caused him nothing but trouble. How can he get rid of it? Touches on difficult issues, including the loss of a parent, which are interwoven into a complex and dangerous world of demons and angels.

ISBN:9781447267263 HB Pan Macmillan £10.99