SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MAY 11-12

This week my children's book reviews include a fantastical maritime adventure, a cute kitty who wants to be a superhero, a young mouse who joins the Resistance in World War Two and a contemporary coming of age drama that is compelling and thought provoking. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MALAMANDER BY THOMAS TAYLOR
CHILDRENS 9+
Herbert Lemon, the Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel must help find Violet's parents in the strange town of Eelie-on-Sea. Is the Malamander, a legendary sea-monster the cause of their disappearance twelve years ago? A wondrous and fantastical seaside adventure awash with magically Gothic overtones. I loved the curious bookshop, home to mysterious mermonkey. A captivating cast and imaginative mythical creatures will have young readers hooked from start to finish. Tim Burton meets Treasure Island.
ISBN 9781406386288 PB Walker Books £6.99

SUPERKITTY BY HANNAH WHITTY & PAULA BOWLES

PICTURE BOOK 4+
Kitty works for the Sensational Superhero Agency answering the phone. But all she wants to be is a crime busting superhero like her friends. When a dinosaur bone is stolen from a museum can Kitty save the day? Children will love 'pawing' over the adorable illustrations including double page spreads. They will relate to Kitty trying to be brave and learning to believe in herself. Small can be MIGHTY! A great book to share about Girl Power.
ISBN 9781471175091 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

THE UMBRELLA MOUSE BY ANNA FARGHER

CHILDREN 9+
When Pip loses her family and home in the London bombings of 1944 she must find a new home in Italy. On her quest, Pip joins Noah's Ark, a secret gang of animals fighting the resistance in France. An extraordinary World War Two adventure as seen through the eyes of a tiny mouse that children will be immediately relate to in a big world. Sam Usher's ink drawings beautifully capture the endearing cast of brave animals.
ISBN 9781529003970 PB Macmillan £6.99

WE ARE NOT OKAY BY NATALIA GOMES

YOUNG ADULT 14+
Four teenage girls are trying to survive the pitfalls of school, love and friendship in a ruthless and unforgiving digital age. A raw account which deals with difficult issues including bullying, sexual assault and suicide. The four compelling and interwoven tales lead up to a heartbreaking climax and a reminder of how important it is to be supportive of your friends without judging them. A thought-provoking book that would be good for a book club.
ISBN 97810008291846 PB Harper Collins £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 1-2

This week my children book reviews include the long awaited return of Dragon Rider, a picture book about a naughty bug, books perfect for little explorers and a mystery to be solved by an intrepid lady's maid .

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE GRIFFIN'S FEATHER BY CORNELIA FUNKE

CHILDREN 8+

A roaring return to the best selling world of Dragon Rider. The last of the winged horses face extinction. Only a griffin's feather will save them. Ben and his dragon, Firedrake volunteer to make the perilous journey to find a feather but Griffin's are a dragon's fiercest enemy. Can they save them? In a vividly portrayed world, richly illustrated throughout, their quest will thrill all middle grade readers. For fans of C.S. Lewis and Harry Potter.

ISBN 9781911077886 PB Chicken House £6.99

BUG BEAR BY PATRICIA HEGARTY

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A small stripy bug wants a warm place to stay. Look out bear, he might ruin your day! Hilarious tale about an uninvited guest who takes a shine to bear's warm, thick fur. The little bug's constant buzzing is distrupting bears day, he can't sleep or relax. Can he find the annoying bug a new home? Funny, rhyming text with bold, expressive illustrations. Great fun for reading out loud.

ISBN 9781848694514 HB Little Tiger £10.99

COMPLETE NIGHT EXPLORER'S KIT BY ROBYN SWIFT

CHILDRENS 6+

Become a night time nature explorer with this fantastic backpack, containing a book; a torch, constellation guide and glow in the dark stickers. Identify nocturnal insects, animals, birds and stars. A great excuse for parents to detach themselves from their phones and get the kids out, connecting with nature. Also available in the series is, Go Wild in the Woods. In association with The National Trust, packed full of activities and facts, it's perfect for little adventurers.

ISBN 9781788000215 PB Nosy Crow £12.99

THE LAST DUCHESS BY LAURA POWELL

CHILDRENS 8+

When thirteen year old Pattern, a lady's maid, is sent to work for royalty, mystery and welsh dragons await. Is the Duchess imagining plots against her or is there something more sinister afoot? A vivid, action packed mystery brimming with nail biting twists. Full of friendship and loyalty with an intrepid heroine at it's heart. Laced with silhouetted illustrations by Sarah Gibb, this is perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine.

ISBN 9781509808908 PB Macmillan £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MAY 20-21

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a thought provoking story about a young miner's son, a fascinating look at life on the farm, a rip roaring pirate adventure with dragons and a magical fantasy about a young witch coming of age. 

My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

TOWN IS BY THE SEA BY JOANNE SCHWARTZ & SYDNEY SMITH

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A beautiful and haunting story of life in a seaside mining town seen through the eyes of a young boy. While he enjoys playing, on a Summers day, breathing in the sea air, he thinks of his father deep underground digging for coal. Stunning ink illustrations show the striking contrast between the sparkling seaside day and the dark claustrophobic mining tunnels underground. This moving story will resonate with readers in Wales with it's strong mining history.

ISBN 9781406377385 HB Walker Books £11.99

FARM BY HEATHER ALEXANDER & ANDRES LOZANO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

What are tractors used for? Where does milk come from? What grows in the fields? Find out all about life on the farm with one hundred questions and answers and seventy lift-flaps. The bold illustrations in this sturdy, board book will fascinate children and ignite their interest in the countryside. A perfect introduction to a farmer's life and for talking about where food comes from and how it is grown.

ISBN 9781847808998 HB Wide Eyed Editions £9.99

JOURNEY TO DRAGON ISLAND BY CLAIRE FAYERS

CHILDRENS 9+

Twelve year old, Brine and her two friends, a magician and an ex librarian, accidentally hatch a dragon after joining the pirate ship, Onion. They are determined to find it's family and discover Brine's mysterious past. Sail into uncharted waters in this second of the series. Full of danger, excitement, friendship and laughs. A swashbuckling adventure that includes floating castles, ghosts and dinosaurs. This vivid and imaginative quest has something for everyone. Great fun.

ISBN 9781447290629 PB Macmillan Childrens £6.99

BETWEEN THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE BY SOPHIA KINGSHILL

CHILDRENS 10+

Thirteen year old Mag lives with her father in a home for the mentally ill. When one of the patients claim she is not only her mother, but a witch as well, Mag's world is turned upside down. Does she also have special powers? This atmospheric tale has whispers of myth and folklore. Nothing is what it seems. A feisty heroine and an intriguing magical world, this is suitable for fans of Alice in Wonderland and Hex Hall.

ISBN 9781786154804 PB Accent Press £7.99

Interview with Katy Cannon, Author of And Then We Ran

My interview with the author Katy Cannon, author of  And Then We Ran.

A road-trip story about following your dreams and embracing the unexpected.

Out now with Stripes Publishing.

Where did your idea for two teens eloping come from?

This book was unusual in that I woke up one morning with the idea right there in my head - so I have no idea where the initial spark came from! But once it was there, I knew it was something I definitely wanted to write, and I knew that I wanted the main characters to be friends, not in a relationship, when they decided to do it. Which meant I had to do a lot of thinking to figure out why they’d do such a thing!

What's your favourite part of the book?

I love the scene with Megan and Elliott in the caravan, I have to admit. But my absolute favourite part might have to be the text message based flirting between Megan’s best friend, Becca, and Elliott’s brother, Sean! Stripes have done a fab job in presenting those parts of the text so they look like real messages, and I just love looking at them. 

Do you empathise with Elliot or Megan more?

Probably Elliott. Megan is far wilder, more impulsive and more confident than I’ve ever been! Whereas Elliott, dreaming of a future he knows he can’t have - until Megan suddenly gives him hope again - feels a lot more like I did when I was younger, dreaming of being a writer but not believing it was possible. 

Why did you base it in Wales? What part of Wales inspired you?

I grew up in North Wales, but I’ve spent a lot of summers (and springs, and summers, and winters, actually) in South Wales on holiday - mostly in Pembrokeshire, where the book is partially set. It’s an area I know well, and I loved the idea of writing about a seaside tourist town in the off season, when it’s just the locals there. Plus I know how difficult it can be to get in and out of the area! I’ve spent hours stuck behind a tractor on the winding roads through the Brecon Beacons, or in miles of holiday traffic trying to get into Pembrokeshire from the East. I knew I wanted to write a road trip story, but there really isn’t an awful lot of Britain to road trip through - you can drive from end to end in a day if you really wanted to. But getting from Pembrokeshire to Gretna Green is difficult enough for Megan and Elliott to get into some real trouble on their journey... 

What are your fondest memories of growing up in Wales?

Mostly being with my large and extended family. We have a lot of family get togethers with singing and great food. 

Also, a lot of holidays on the Welsh coastline, in caravans and cottages mostly. I love the Welsh seaside, and visiting the castles, hills and villages of the country. I’m just fascinated by its history and mythology. Also the language - learning Welsh at the age of nine, when we moved home to Wales, was a revelation! I’m trying to brush up on my Welsh now, actually, as my daughter has decided that she wants to learn to speak it, too. 

Why did you want to become a writer and has anything surprised you about being a professional writer that you didn't expect?

I’ve always had stories in my head, and I’ve always loved books more than almost anything, so being a writer just felt like what I was meant to do. Making stuff up for a living, finding a way to make those stories run in other peoples’ heads as well - it’s the best job ever. What surprised me most, I think, is how many other people are involved! I might write the stories, but that’s just the beginning of the process of getting books into readers’ hands. I couldn’t do it without a fabulous team, from my agent to my editor, to everyone at my publisher, to the booksellers, librarians, book bloggers - and the readers themselves!

What's your favourite quote?

Are you working on your next book and if so can we have a sneaky clue what its about?

I’m just starting work on it this week! So all I can tell you right now is that it will be wildly romantic...

Many thanks to Katy for such a great interview. For more information on Katy and her books visit her website on www.katycannon.com/

Film Review: Pride starring Bill Nighy, Dominic West, Ben Schenetzer, Menna Trussler and Imelda Staunton

Synopsis

UK gay and lesbian activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.

My Musings

We were lucky to be given early bird tickets for this film for a showing at 10.30 am on Sunday morning. There are not many things that will prize me away from my coffee and sunday papers but I was dying to see the film featuring a star turn from our very own local actress Menna Trussler and so off we zoomed, blurry eyed and coffeeless. 

We were so glad we made the effort. Definately one of the best films this year.

Setting the stage we meet the first half of a large ensemble cast, a gay London activist group led by Mark played by the brilliant Ben Schenetzer, (recently seen in The Book Thief) and includes older couple, Andrew Scott(Sherlock's Moriarty) and Dominic West, Freddy Fox and George Mackay with Faye Marsay as the token lesbian. They all have their own personal issues to deal with but also decide to show solidarity with the Welsh miners and raise funds for them during their fight against the closure of the pits.  It would sound very far fetched if it wasn't absolutely true and because of that it is immeasurably heartwarming. 

When they raise enough money the group feel they should go and give it to a community in need and after picking a welsh mining village they all head off to donate their support in person.

This is where the fun really begins, seeing two cultures clash as each side go on a journey of discovery about the other. Set against the backdrop of the fragmentation of these tight welsh communities and the emergence of AIDs and the backlash that came with it the many individual stories that are weaved throughout the film could have been a mess but was told sensitively and intelligently. 

It was also nice to see no stereotyping on either side and all the ensemble cast were fantastic. The Welsh contingent was led by Billy Nighy who underplayed the quiet stern Welshman with a sensitive side and Mena Trussler innocently playing the perfect foil to the gay activists while on a steep learning curve. One of my favourite parts of the film was Mena and Imelda Staunton dancing with Dominic West. Who knew he had moves like that! Brilliant. Talking of which the music score of 80's hits are brilliant and will have you toe tapping through out. 

This isn't your usual comedy as it is touched with a serious message and note of sadness in that the miners lost so much with their community and work and the gay community had to deal with aids and the hysteria and ignorance that came with it. The ending was very unhollywood in that the miners lost their fight and the gay community continue to fight ignorance on several fronts however in the film many of the individuals won on personal levels. The film ends with a really positive and extraordinary true scene showing the Union joining the 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Rally in London, and helped push through gay rights policies at the 1985 Labour Party Conference, in the face of opposition from that Party’s National Executive. 

This film will make you laugh and cry and more importantly leave the cinema filled with PRIDE

So spread the word it's well worth it.