SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 22-23 2020

This week my children's book reviews include a middle grade historical adventure, an exquisitely illustrated picture book, a dark and dangerous middle grade fantasy adventure and a thrilling and topical teen drama set in the world of olympic gymnastics. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE HOUSE OF ONE HUNDRED CLOCKS BY A.M. HOWELL

CHILDREN 9+

Helena and her parrot Orbit are swept off to Cambridge where her father is appointed clock-winder to the wealthiest man in England in 1905. But the house of one hundred clocks is haunted by many mysteries. Can Helena work out its secrets before time runs out? An atmospheric and intriguing tale laced with science and social change against an Edwardian backdrop. A modern fairytale with family love, loss and the healing power of friendship at its heart.

Usborne PB £6.99

THE ANTLERED SHIP BY DASHKA SLATER & THE FAN BROTHERS

PICTURE BOOK 4+

An inquisitive fox, Marco sets off on a seafaring voyage with a crew of hungry deer and courageous pigeons in this enchanting tale of friendship and adventure. Can Marco find the answers to his questions? How deep does the sun go when it sinks into the sea? Why don't trees talk? Children will adore diving into the exquisite and fanciful illustrations of Marco's odyssey. The detailed artwork is sublime. A stunning gift to be treasured.

PB Lincoln Children's Books £7.99

ORPHANS OF THE TIDE BY STRUAN MURRAY

CHILDREN 9+

When a mysterious boy washes in with the tide the citizens believe he's the Enemy. A God who creates chaos. Only Ellie, a fearless young inventor believes he's innocent. Can Ellie prove who he really is while keeping her own dangerous secret? Readers will submerge themselves into a mythic and dark world atmospherically illustrated by Manuel Sumberac. The gothic overtones and themes of friendship and loyalty will suit fans of Philip Pullman and Frostheart.

Puffin PB £7.99

BREAK THE FALL BY JENNIFER IACOPELLI

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Seventeen-year-old Audrey dreams of swinging her way to Olympic glory. A gold medal will be worth all her aches and pains. But when her trainer is accused by a fellow gymnast of the unthinkable her team starts to fall apart. With pressure mounting can Audrey hold her nerve until her final dismount? A powerfully told novel about one girl's determination to push herself to the limits. A topical and insightful drama for fans of gymnastics and athletics.

PB Hodder £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 1-2 2019

This week my children's book reviews include an adventure with a  Welsh secret dragon, the story of how the unicorn got his horn, an adventure handbook for the seaside and a fun coming-of-age drama for teens.  

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

THE SECRET DRAGON BY ED CLARKE

CHILDREN 8+

Mari is fascinated by the fossils near her coastal home in South Wales so when she finds a tiny dragon alive she wants to study it. But Gweeb, the mischievous little dragon just needs a friend to help him find freedom. An hilarious adventure full of family and friendship with a pertinent message about animal rights at its heart. Children will also love the fossil facts and the cute illustrations on the head of each chapter. Magical.
ISBN 9780241360514 PB Puffin £ 6.99

ONCE UPON A UNICORN HORN BY BEATRICE BLUE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

When little girl June enters an enchanted forest she finds little horses learning to fly. But one can't seem to fly however hard he tries. Can June help him find his own special talent with some kindness and a bit of something delicious? Children will be entranced by the adorable illustrations. A gorgeous and unique re-telling of how a unicorn gets his horn. A lovely book to share and read out loud.

ISBN 9781786035882 HB Quarto £12.99

GO WILD AT THE SEASIDE BY GOLDIE HAWK & RACHAEL SAUNDERS

CHILDREN 7+

The ultimate adventure guide to the seaside and how to enjoy it. Packed with activities such as rock pool safaris, quizzes and learning how to spot molluscs, birds and shells, this book can be shared with the whole family. In addition, kids can read about water safety and conservation. In association with the National Trust, this colourful handbook is perfect for the holidays and shows how to have fun on the coast responsibly.

ISBN 9781788003322 HB Nosy Crow £7.99

SUMMER OF NO REGRETS BY KATE MALLINDER

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Four sixteen-year-old friends pledge to enjoy the summer without regret. But it can be a challenge. Sasha is meeting her fathers' unfriendly new girlfriend, Hetal is off to science camp, Cam is determined to find her birth father and Nell must learn to deal with her panic attacks. This entertaining holiday read is bursting with friendship, romance and fun. I especially love the 'seize the day' theme and felt inspired to do the same!

ISBN 9781910080948 PB Firefly £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW APRIL 20-21 EASTER

This week my children's book reviews include a book filled with kindness, a simply told story of Easter, an art class with a master Impressionist and a dystopian adventure for teens. 

Some Great Books for the Easter Holidays. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

KIND BY ALISON GREEN & VARIOUS

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A gorgeous picture book celebrating kindness with pictures by 38 international illustrators including Quentin Blake; Axel Scheffler, Lydia Monks and Britta Teckentrup. Each picture shows children a different way that they can show kindness to make a better world. It highlights that everyone is valuable and we all have gifts to share. £1 per copy is donated to Three Peas, a charity helping refugees. A beautiful and thoughtful gift that will be treasured for generations.

ISBN 9781407194561 HB Alison Green Books £12.99

 

THE EASTER STORY BY HEATHER AMERY & NORMAN YOUNG
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A charming retelling of the Easter story told in very simple language that is accessible for story time and early readers. The colourful illustrations add to the narrative so that children can easily follow the story along with teachers and family members. The expressive and clearly defined characters will help children understand the emotions of the story. There is also a sticker book available in this series as a companion.

ISBN 9780746071533 PB Usborne £3.99

ART MASTERCLASS WITH CLAUDE MONET BY KATIE COTTON & HANNA KONOLA
CHILDREN 7+
Learn how to paint like the Impressionist master Monet with this fact-filled activity book. Children can follow each of the twelve lessons including drawing, colouring and sticking activities while learning to use all their senses to appreciate art. Learn how to draw water lilies or paint different light depending on the time of day. Brilliant projects for home or in school full of Monet's wonderful art and lots of space for kids to experiment with.

ISBN 9781786037961 PB Wide Eyed Editions £9.99

THE SECRET RUNNERS OF NEW YORK BY MATTHEW REILLY
YOUNG ADULT 14+
When Skye and her twin brother Red move to Manhattan they join a secret elite school gang who have discovered a portal to the future. But they discover a horrifying reality and must figure out how to survive impending annihilation. A fast-paced explosive dystopian adventure that will have teens hooked from the beginning. It's edgy, disturbing and darkly imaginative plot brims with characters to love and hate. Stranger Things meets Gossip Girl.
ISBN 9781471407956 PB Hot Key £7.99
 

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW DEC 22-23 2018

This week my Christmas children's book reviews include a baby's first book for Christmas, a retelling of The Night Before Christmas, an interactive mystery on a ship and a Dr Who adventure.

Perfect presents for Christmas  Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

CHRISTMAS BY LISA JONES & EDWARD UNDERWOOD 

CLOTH BOOK 6 MONTHS+This is the perfect first Christmas book for a baby. The bold and bright images, high-contrast patterns, first words and a simple narrative will be a welcome distraction this holiday. The soft squishy pages are lovely to handle and my particular favourite is the crinkly sounding snowman page. It also had a handy buggy strap. A combination of iconic and simple pictures including Christmas trees and Santa Clause will be a welcome first gift for any baby.
ISBN 9781788002639 PB Nosy Crow £10.99

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS BY KES GRAY & CLAIRE POWELL
PICTURE BOOK 3+Santa and his elves are rushed off their feet preparing for Christmas Eve. There are presents to wrap, reindeer to wake and a sleigh to start. But will Santa be ready on time? A twist on the original festive poem, the funny rhyming text and cheerful illustrations will add to the anticipation for Christmas Day. It also mimics the typical festive chaos in every family so is perfect for sharing and reading aloud.

ISBN 9781444939231 PB Hodder £6.99

ALL ABOARD THE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY BY EMILY HAWKINS & TOM ADAMS & TOM CLOHOSY-COLE
CHILDREN 7+It's 1927 and you are about to set sail on an extraordinary journey of discovery. Uncover fascinating facts from the passengers and crew onboard specialising in fields of science, engineering, geography and history as they explain their greatest inventions. But the reader must also help them solve the mystery of the missing movie. This lavish book is an interactive adventure that kids will be completely absorbed by. A fascinating Christmas gift.
ISBN 9781786033406 HB Wide Eyed £14.99

DOCTOR WHO: THE SECRET IN VAULT 13 BY DAVID SOLOMONS
CHILDREN 7+The Doctor and her companions are shocked when their potted begonia sends out a distress signal. In a far off galaxy they must uncover the shocking secret hidden within an ancient vault before disaster strikes. In a race against time the Time Lord and her friends fight off a deadly headteacher and terrifying robots. The action-packed plot with fantastic and unforgettable characters is the ideal gift for fans of Doctor Who, old and new.
ISBN 9781405937610 PB Puffin £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW NOV 17-18 2018

This week my children's book reviews include a Christmas mouse, dogs in space, a non-fiction book about poo and a young footballer facing his biggest challenge. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

HOW WINSTON DELIVERED CHRISTMAS BY ALEX T. SMITH
CHILDREN 7+
Winston must deliver Oliver's letter to Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. Told in twenty-four and a half chapters this is the perfect alternative to an advent calendar. You can read a chapter every night up to Christmas Day which includes an activity such as making decorations or mince pies. This is a heart-warming book to share as the excitement builds and a brilliant idea to bring the family together for a new festive tradition.

ISBN 9781509851522 HB Macmillan £14.99

DOGS IN SPACE BY VICTORIA SOUTHGATE & IRIS DEPPE
PICTURE BOOK 5+
This is an incredible and true story of two heroic stray dogs Belka and Strelka, who were the first living creatures to orbit the earth. A fascinating story about how they were trained for their mission, followed by their survival and ultimate celebrity. The bold illustrations and text really capture the sixties and the two enchanting little dogs. I particularly loved Strelka's one floppy ear. Ideal for kids who love science, space and animals.

ISBN 9781526360571 HB Wren & Rook £12.99

THE CLUE IS IN THE POO BY ANDY SEED & CLAIRE ALMON
CHILDREN 7+
A hilarious and informative guide to animals and their poo and all the other tracks they leave behind. Did you know Canadian geese poop every twenty minutes and hyena poop is white because they eat so many bones! This illustrated compendium of poops, pellets and prints is not to be sniffed at! This is education at it's best with quizzes plopped throughout. The witty illustrations permeating the pages just add to the fun.

ISBN 9781784935733 HB QED £12.99

THE SILENT STRIKER BY PETE KALU
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Marcus is the best player in his football team and might be signed by Manchester United. But when he starts to lose his hearing his hopes and dreams seem to disappear too. It will test both himself and his friends. A powerful story about learning to deal with disability and the effects it can have on friendship and family. This engaging and passionate tale captures the euphoria and energy of the beautiful game.
ISBN 9781908446695 PB Hope Road Publishing £7.99