SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 8-9 2020

This week my children's book reviews include a spookily good middle grade mystery and a selection of books perfect for Valentines for all ages. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

DEMELZA & THE SPECTRE DETECTORS BY HOLLY RIVERS

CHILDREN 8+

Demelza Clock loves science and inventing. But she has a distinctly unscientific skill: Spectre Detecting. When Grandma Maeve is kidnapped can Demelza summon the ghosts to help solve this deadly mystery? A spookily good mix of humour, science, the supernatural and talking skulls! It deals with the subject of death sensitively and has family and friendship at its heart. I especially loved the bond between Demelza and her grandmother. For fans of Skulduggery Pleasant.

Chicken House PB £6.99

I LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE BY NICKY BENSON & JONNY LAMBERT

BOARD BOOK 1+

A bear leads their cub on a beautiful journey through nature. Past the blue mountains, gushing waterfalls and under starlit nights. A stunning little board book to share the love between parent and child. The adorable collaged illustrations capture their bond while exploring the surrounding twilight wilderness and meeting the woodland animals. Children can spot foxes, deer and fish. A gorgeous little gift for the family for Valentines.

Little Tiger HB £4.99

A CUDDLE AND A CWTCH BY SARAH KILBRIDE & JAMES MUNRO

CHILDREN 7+

A dear little book celebrating the Welsh cuddle. On each page, the rhyming text introduces the reader to all the ways a cwych can be understood. The fun and original illustrations are charming and full of a wide variety of relatable characters. It is full of words of comfort, compassion and love. The perfect token of love, friendshp or as a thank you. It is suitable for everyone whatever the age at any time of year.

Graffeg HB £6.99

SHE IS FIERCE EDITED BY ANA SAMPSON

CHILDREN 10+

An outstanding collection of 150 poems written by women across the ages celebrating the centenary of women's suffrage. The subjects include friendship, protest, body image and mental health, joy and loss. Readers will enjoy their favourite poets such as Maya Angelou, Carol Ann Duffy and Christina Rossetti while discovering lesser-known female poets. Fascinating short biographies are included on each one. A celebration of girl power that would make a beautiful and inspirational gift.

Macmillan PB £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 9-10 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a magical middle grade adventure based in a Victorian London frozen in time, a picture book about the gift of kindness, an illustrated little book of hugs and a young adult book about finding your own path. 

Great books for children and some lovely gifts for Valentine's Day suitable for all the family. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR BY BENJAMIN READ & LAURA TRINDER
CHILDREN 9+
Emily must find her parents who have vanished into the Midnight Hour, a Victorian London frozen in time full of monsters and magic. With only a stowaway hedgehog and her infamously big mouth to aid her, Emily must uncover family secrets and save this enchanted world. This weird and wonderful fantasy adventure with its quirky cast of characters will delight children who will love being scared and thrilled all at the same time. For fans of Nevermoor.
ISBN 9781911490906 PB Chicken House £6.99

THE KISS BY LINDA SUNDERLAND & JESSICA COURTNEY-TICKLE
PICTURE BOOK4+
When Edwyn gives a kiss to her Grandma, her Grandma keeps it to bring joy to others. When a rich man wants to buy the kiss at any price, what will she do? An endearing story about the power of love and kindness complimented by a strong message that to give is to receive. The warm, seasonal illustrations and its multi-generational characters will appeal to the whole family. A lovely gift for Valentines and Mother's Day.
ISBN 9781788811026 HB Little Tiger £11.99

100 HUGS BY CHRIS RIDDLE
CHILDREN 8+
An endearing little gem of a book full of illustrated hugs from the familiar to the unexpected. It will raise a smile as you linger over a panda with its cub, a dragon and princess or a hare and tortoise, all hugging. These imaginative weird and wonderful pictures are laced with heartwarming quotes from Shakespeare to Tennyson. Suitable for all ages this is a charming token of affection for those who like a cwtch on Valentines Day.
ISBN 9781509814312 PB Macmillan PB £5.99

ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART BY KATHERINE WEBBER
YOUNG ADULT 14+
Reiko escapes from her claustrophobic home life and loss of her sister to spend time in the Californian desert. Seth shares her love of the desert but is it enough? An emotional rollercoaster about family and friendship, love and loss. This coming of age drama is about finding your own path in life regardless of outside pressures. Set against a dramatic backdrop this self-affirming tale is full of hope, no matter what life throws at you.

ISBN 9781406369052 PB Walker £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS FEB 10-11TH

This week my children's book reviews include a celebration of girl power, a picture book about finding love, a wild robot adventure and a romantic comedy for the modern teenager.

Perfect reads for Valentine's Day and something for everyone!

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

Enjoy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MAKE MORE NOISE! BY NOSY CROW

CHILDREN 8+

An empowering anthology from best-selling children's authors including Emma Carroll and M.G. Leonard which celebrate strong girls and women. There are stories for everyone from historical to adventure. One hundred years ago, this week, women won the right to vote. These stories, some based on real people and some imagined, will hopefully help inspire a new generation of girl power and equality. A must for every school library. Each book donates £1 to Camfed.

ISBN 9781788002394 PB Nosy Crow £7.99

THE POESY RING BY BOB GRAHAM

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Love is always there, it just needs to be found. A whimsical and romantic journey of a poesy ring that was thrown away. The reader travels with it far and wide, through the seasons, over land and sea until it finds a loving home again. The visual narrative through the beautiful pen and wash illustrations add depth and empathy to an endearing story making it a perfect gift for Valentines Day.

ISBN 9781406378276 HB Walker Books £11.99

THE WILD ROBOT BY PETER BROWN

CHILDRENS 9+

Roz the robot is stranded on a wild island and to survive she must befriend the animals who live there. When her owners come to take her home, she must fight to protect all she holds dear. Children will love Roz the robot, her adopted duck, Brightbill and the menagerie of talking animals. Striking illustrations and short, snappy chapters give this action-packed adventure a broad appeal. The Iron Giant meets Jungle Book.

ISBN 9781848127272 PB Piccadilly £6.99

MOVIE NIGHT BY LUCY COURTENAY

YOUNG ADULT 13+

When Hanna sees her boyfriend kissing another girl she turns to her best friend Sol for support. They watch a film together once a month to work out life's hardest questions. Told from Hanna's and Sol's alternating points of view it gives insight into their characters and their struggle with unrequited love. This heart-warming comedy of errors and misunderstandings makes it a perfect read for romantics and movie lovers. Pretty in Pink for the modern teenager.

ISBN 9781444930733 PB Hodder £7.99