SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW April 18-19 2020

This week my children's book reviews in the South Wales Evening Post include an epic young adult historical fantasy set in the French Revolution, a picture book adventure about a little dog set in Rome, a hilarious coming-of-age welsh adventure as well as an enchanting Victorian quest for middle grade readers. Enjoy.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

DANGEROUS REMEDY BY KAT DUNN

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Camille a daughter of the French Revolution leads a band of outcasts to rescue a girl with strange powers. The friends uncover devious plots and treachery in the action-packed historical adventure. Will they pick love, loyalty or their country? Sizzling with tension this dazzling story with fantastical twists blends science with magic and power with romance to reach an explosive finale. Frankenstein meets The Musketeers. C'est Magnifique!

Head of Zeus HB £12.99

PAOLO EMPEROR OF ROME BY MAC BARNETT & CLAIRE KEANE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Paolo the dachshund is trapped in a hair salon. One day he escapes and drinks in the wonderful sights of Rome. He visits the theatre, the coliseum, fights fearsome cats and rescues a nun. Even when Paolo is rewarded with a plush apartment all he desires is freedom. This inspiring tale of a big-hearted dog captures the importance of freedoms we usually take for granted. The beautiful and bold illustrations encapsulate La Dolce Vita in Rome.

HB Abrams Books for Young Readers, £12.99

THE SUPER MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF FREDDIE YATES BY JENNY PEARSON & ROB BUDDULPH

CHILDREN 8+

Freddie loves facts. They don't let you down. Freddie is on a quest to find his father in Wales with two friends but he sets off a chain of events which forces them on the run. They enter an onion eating competition and meet a sheep called Sheila. A heart-warming and hilarious adventure of three boys, one summer holiday and a few miracles thrown in. For fans of David Walliams and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

PB Usborne £6.99

THE VANISHING TRICK BY JENNI SPANGLER

CHILDREN 9+

Leander is an orphan so when the mysterious Madame Pinchbeck promises him a job and home in return for his mother's locket he agrees. But it's a trap. Leander is imprisoned in an enchanted prison with two other stolen children, Charlotte and Felix. It's a race against time to escape. A magical Victorian adventure full of peril, friendship and hope. Children will be hooked by their daring quest against a spectacularly menacing villain.

PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 15-16 2020

This week my children's book reviews include a middle grade mystery for train lovers, a picture book about a fiendish fox, a out of the world story about a boy who doesn't like potatoes and and a insightful and gripping young adult novel highlighting homelessness.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

HIGHLAND FALCON THIEF BY M.G. LEONARD & SAM SEDGMAN

CHILDREN 9+

Eleven year-old Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his Uncle Nat on the last journey of the royal steam train, The Highland Falcon. When a priceless diamond brooch goes missing can he solve the mystery before the end of the line? A stowaway, a lonely dog and some rather eccentric guests lead Harrison and the readers on the ride of a lifetime. Can you pick up the clues? A first-class mystery for train lovers and adventurers.

PB Macmillan £6.99

THE TERRIBLY FRIENDLY FOX BY SUSANNAH LLOYD & ELLIE SNOWDON

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Gerald is a newly reformed vegetarian fox and guest of honour at the Woodland Creatures Ball! He charms all the guests with songs and games but has he really changed his ways? A classical dark and funny tail. Children will be intrigued by the characterful pen and wash illustrations. But will they notice who is missing page by page? The text and illustrations tell different stories. A darkly hilarious tale with Roald Dahl humour.

Simon & Schuster PB £6.99

THE NIGHT OF THE SPACE SPUD BY KAYLEY WILLIAMS

CHILDREN 5+

A young boy hates potatoes so much he sneaks out to bury them in the garden at night. But when an alien called a space spud whisks him off to Potato Planet can he see potatoes in a more positive light! Can the boy be persuaded to love potatoes as well? A quirky funny story that will help fussy eaters and inspire children's imagination. Great to share with the family or in the classroom.

Olympia PB £6.99

SOFA SURFER BY MALCOLM DUFFY

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Fifteen-year old Tyler rebels against his family's move from London to Yorkshire. When he befriends a girl called Spider it exposes her life living on the streets. Can Tyler help Spider escape or be drawn into a dark and dangerous world? This powerful and insightful story highlights the rise of homelessness while never losing humour or heart. It's about family, belongs and the importance of kindness and understanding. Great for book clubs and topical discussion in class.

HB Zephyr £12.99

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 CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW MAY 19-20 TH

This week my children's book reviews include a thrilling cycling adventure, a board book about all different types of boats, a kids introduction to vegetarianism and a coming of  age drama dealing with domestic abuse. 

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS BY DAVID BRAYLEY

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Professional road cyclist Daniel must remember what inspired his love for racing if he want's to succeed in the toughest race of his career. This adventure is interwoven with family loyalty, betrayal and a mystery surrounding legendary racer Fausto Coppi. Peppered with sporting facts it transports us through the beautiful Gower Peninsula to Italy as we follow Daniel's quest. This is perfect for enthusiasts of all ages as it captures the agony and ecstasy of cycling.

ISBN 9780993510199 PB Scratching Shed £7.99

BOARD BOOK 3+

BOATS ARE BUSY BY SARA GILLINGHAM 

An illuminating board book identifying different types of boats from oil tankers to cruise ships. Young children will love the bright primary colours and strong shapes capturing seafaring life. It is also fascinating to learn how boats communicate with each other. Different nautical flags show a variety of messages such as when fishing nets are in the water or when dangerous cargo is on board. A brilliant, informative book for little sailors and sea lovers alike.

ISBN 9780714876719 HB Phaidon £7.95

CHILDREN 9+

LIVING ON THE VEG BY CLIVE GIFFORD & JACQUELINE MELDRUM

It's National Vegetarian Week and this is a fun accessible guide for children on how to live a vegetarian life. It's full of tips, facts and delicious recipes that clearly outline what it means to live without eating meat and how to do it healthily. It explores different terms such as pescetarian and vegan, while looking at animal welfare, pollution and key information about nutrition. The jazzy layout and bullet point facts make it easily digestible.

ISBN 9781526306098978 HB Wayland Books £12.99

YOUNG ADULT 12+

ME MAM. ME DAD. ME. BY MALCOLM DUFFY

Danny's Mam has a new boyfriend and life seems good until cracks start to show. This tense thriller tackles issues of domestic violence which brings to light a subject that is too often hidden away. At it's heart is a teenager's love for his mother and the lengths he will go to protect her. The story doesn't pull its punches but is liberally laced with hope and humour which makes it a memorable and touching read.

ISBN 9781786697646 HB Zephyr £10.99