SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW SEPT 7-8

This week my children's book reviews include a giant book of Greek myths, a princess who parps, a world of maths explained to young children and an exciting middle grade adventure based on Russian folklore.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

MYTHOLOGICA BY DR. STEVE KERSHAW & VICTORIA TOPPING

CHILDREN 10+

Uncover the lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, legendary mortals and terrifying monsters from ancient Greece. Children will learn about Zeus, the King of Gods and his wife Hera amongst others living on Mount Olympus. They will be amazed by heroic tales such as The Trojan War and The Odyssey. The magnificent and vibrant illustrations burst from every page and bring the mythology to life. A present of epic proportions.

Wide Eyed Editions PB £20

PRINCESSES DON'T PARP BY PETER BENTLY & ERIC HEYMAN

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A princess is living in a palace full of parpers. The butler squeaks, her troops' trumpet but you will never catch the princess doing bum blasts! However when the princess becomes nervous about her party, she starts to feel a bit gassy. Kids will have a blast reading this hilariously witty and somewhat windy tale. The lively illustrations are full of irreverent and wry visual gags (and gasses!)

Simon & Schuster PB £6.99

THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNIVERSE BY COLIN STUART & XIMO ABADIA

CHILDREN 8+

A visual exploration of mathematics, divided into four clear sections. Understand how maths is used in the natural world, physics and engineering, space as well as technology. From atoms to beehives to the movement of planets, everything revolves around maths. But how? Children will be taken on a visual journey with easy to read text and stunning surrealist art. A real eye-opener and a fantastic way to interest children in the world of maths.

Big Picture Press HB £16.99

THE GIRL WHO SPEAKS BEAR BY SOPHIE ANDERSON

CHILDREN 9+

Yanka grows up knowing she is different. Why do the trees whisper to her? Abandoned as a baby in a bear cave, she must find her true origins and embark on an epic quest. An enchanting adventure laced with Russian folklore and an extraordinary cast of characters. The atmospheric illustrations peppered throughout capture her snowy world perfectly. I loved Yanka's fearless spirit, her bond with nature and her determination to write her own story. Inspiring and heartening.

Usborne PB £6.99

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 CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS FEB 17-18

This week my children's book reviews include an accessible and entertaining book on politics, a board book on how to count from 1-5 in five languages, an exciting welsh biking adventure and an historical romance with a feminist twist.

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

Enjoy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

USBORNE POLITICS FOR BEGINNERS BY LOUIE STOWELL, ALEX FRITH & ROSIE HORE

CHILDREN 8+

Understanding politics is essential for our younger generation. In a rapidly changing world it is crucial our children (and adults) realise how governments and our votes can impact our lives. The colourful and appealing style of this brilliant book explains and covers key topics such as different types of government and ideologies, human rights and freedom of speech. Politics is everywhere and if we don't understand how it works how can we improve it? A must read.

ISBN 9781474922524 HB Usborne £9.99

HOW TO COUNT 1-5 IN FIVE LANGUAGES BY KENARD PAK

BOARD BOOK 4+

An educative and fun interactive sound book with which you can learn to count from 1-5 in French, Japanese, Mandarin, English and Spanish. Push the button which collates with a matching page and count with each child in their respective language. Pastel illustrations and clear text make this introduction to different languages very entertaining. Also available is How to Say I Love You in Five Languages, which is a cute present to someone you love.

ISBN 9781786030801 HB Wide Eyed £8.99

SCRAMBLED BY HUW DAVIES

CHILDRENS 10+

Fourteen year old, Davidd enjoyed school in the South Wales valleys, until he becomes a victim of bullying by the local gang. Things are not great at home either. Unfairly labelled a troublemaker he discovers motorcycle scrambling and everything changes. Will Davidd win fame and fortune? Or is he heading for a fall? A coming of age tale full of dark Welsh humour with family at its centre and the importance of finding your own path.

ISBN 9781910080368 PB Firefly Press£6.99

UNVEILING VENUS BY SOPHIA BENNETT

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Artist's muse, Persephone Lavelle flees scandal from 19th century London to Venice. When she meets a mysterious stranger, he offers her the world but at what price? This decadent historical romance with a feminist twist is like a jewelled casket of chocolates waiting to be opened. This will sweep you away into masked balls and high society to a Dickensian underworld of decadence.

ISBN 9781847158253 PB Stripes £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW NOV 25-26

This week my children's book reviews include a book of dastardly pirates, a magical journey on a dragon, Santa taking a holiday and a gigantic book of dinosaurs.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

PIRATES MAGNIFIED BY DAVID LONG & HARRY BLOOM

CHILDREN 5+

Let's embark on an exciting pirate adventure! Grab the magnifying glass included and search for treasure to see how pirates lived and what cargo they stole. Look out for the Welsh pirate Black Bart, as well. Each double spread contains ten things to look for within the intricate and detailed illustrations that fill the pages. So hoist the mainsail me hearty's and enjoy a rollicking adventure! Hours of fun, perfect for the holidays!

ISBN 9781786030276 HB Wide Eyed Editions £14.99

ONE MOONLIT NIGHT BY ZANNA DAVIDSON & SEO KIM

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A little girl goes on a magical journey with a dragon through the night. On every page, there is an exquisite pop up picture; intricately designed to show her riding over stormy seas and visiting magical islands. It is partnered with poetic prose that is perfect for bedtime, igniting children's imagination. Bursting with dragons, stars and adventure, sail away in a 'silvery boat of dreams'. An enchanting gift and a pleasure to share at bedtime.

ISBN 9781783705818 HB Templar £14.99

SANTA SELFIE BY PETER BENTLY& ANNA CHERNYSHOVA

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Santa needs a holiday so he leaves his elves in charge of Christmas to relax in the Winter Sun. But when everyone wants a selfie his holiday slowly becomes a disaster! An alternative Christmas story about the perils of being famous. A lovely touch is the pull-out photo frame included so you can have your own 'selfie' with Santa. Great fun is seeing Santa in unusual settings, from Paris to Brazil to the Grand Canyon.

ISBN 9781509831142 PB Macmillan Children £6.99

DINOSAURIUM BY CHRIS WORMELL & LILY MURRAY

CHILDREN 8+

Journey back millions of years to discover the largest and most ferocious animals that ever lived. This beautiful large format book brings an enormous range of dinosaurs to life. From favourites such as Tyrannosaurus Rex to lesser known such as Coelophysis, dinosaur lovers can explore the striking artwork and learn from the plethora of facts for hours. How did they evolve? Why did some have scales and others feathers? A Jurassic sized gift suitable for all ages.

ISBN 9781783707928 HB Big Picture Press £20