Childrens Book Review column in The South Wales Evening Post Dec 12th featuring lovely christmas presents for children

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN DEC 12^th

A selection of books for The South Wales Evening Post for Dec 12th. My book of the week is Wolf Wilder, painting a mysterious and evocative world of wolves and a 'dark and stormy' girl. Also this week I picked a delightfully illustrated picture book about the changing seasons, a drawing book for future artists and a thrilling magical adventure that will delight Harry Potter fans at a loss to what to read next 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE WOLF WILDER BY KATHERINE RUNDELL
CHILDRENS 10+

High octane adventure set in snow bound Russia. A 'dark and stormy' girl called Feo fights for survival alongside a pack of wolves who's ultimate goal is freedom. Feo teaches tame wolves to fend for themselves but when the Russian Army threaten their very existence they must go on the run. A beautifully written modern day fairytale laced with Russian culture and folklore and evocative little drawings inside.

ISBN: 9781408862582  HB Bloomsbury Publishing £12.99

5/5 stars

PICTURE BOOK 3+

ROBINS WINTER SONG BY SUZANNE BARTON

From the award winning author illustrator of Dawn Chorus comes another beautiful tale of the changing seasons through the eyes of a young Robin. His friends are all disappearing because Winter is coming and he doesn't like the sound of 'him' at all! But soon Robin is enjoying the new season with new friends. I love Robin's courage in the face of change. Stunning illustrations using mixed media which will delight little nature lovers. 

ISBN: 9781408859148 HB Bloomsbury Publishing PLC £10.99

5/5 stars

CHILDRENS ACTIVITY 5+

STICKER DOLLY DRESSING CHRISTMAS BY LEONIE PRATT

Containing various festive scenes and over 600 reusable stickers to dress the dollies, this is another great addition to the expanding Usborne series. Little girls will love the mix and match clothes and accessories as the dolls dress for different Christmas occasions from parties to ice-skating. There are also great titles for boys such as Sticker Dressing Action Heroes. These books are great stocking fillers which will provide hours of fun!

ISBN9781409595298 PB Usborne Publishing Ltd £6.99

5/5 stars

CHILDRENS 10+

LEGACY OF THE CLAW BY C.R. GREY

Everyone that twelve year old Bailey knows has a bond with an animal who guides them but he hasn't found his yet. With a mythical tiger hunting the school grounds and dark forces surfacing can Bailey fulfil a prophecy without his? With colourful engaging characters in a setting appealing to Harry Potter fans, this is an enthralling beginning to a new exciting adventure series. Great for boys and girls who love animals and magic.

ISBN: 9781471401299 PB Hot Key Books £ 6.99

5/5 stars

Childrens Book Review column in The South Wales Evening Post Dec 5th featuring lovely christmas presents for children

A selection of books for The South Wales Evening Post for Dec 5th. My book of the week is one of the fantastic Ella Bella ballet picture books, not surprisingly, focusing on The Nutcracker!! Also this week I picked a wonderful drawing and colouring book for all budding artists of all ages,   a story about Santa as a young boy and a great romance for the young adult market. All lovely presents for Christmas.


BOOK OF THE WEEK

ELLA BELLA BALLERINA AND THE NUTCRACKER BY JAMES MAYHEW
CHILDRENS 4+

The perfect introduction to a festive favourite and a treasure for little prima ballerinas everywhere. This is one of a delightful series, written and illustrated enchantingly by Mayhew, that explains famous ballets through a a young dancer, Ella Bella. This time she twirls into a magical world of dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Some great ballet facts are at the end, especially useful if any kids are going to see the ballet on stage.

ISBN: 9781408314081 PB Hachette Children's Group £6.99

5/5 stars

CHILDRENS ACTIVITY 5+

DRAW IT! COLOUR IT! CREATURES BY VARIOUS ARTISTS

A unique opportunity for budding artists of all ages to draw and colour with a collection of top children’s illustrators. The theme is creatures, featuring every animal imagined which you can complete or colour in. A brilliant idea and an ideal present for those with a creative gift as it will be sure to keep them very busy through the holidays. This will appeal to all levels and ages with wonderful and varied art work.

ISBN: 9781447290704 PB Pan Macmillan £10

5/5 Stars

CHILDRENS BOOK 8+

A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS BY MATT HAIG

Have you ever wondered what Father Christmas was like as a young boy? Your wait is over! A modern day classic with adventure, snow, elves and an eleven year old boy called Nikolas who believes in magic. For fans of Dahl and Walliams this will add festive cheer to the whole family. The message it delivers is that being good is better than being rich. Special mention for the imaginative illustrations by Chris Mould

ISBN: 9781782117896 HB Canongate Books Ltd £12.99

5/5 Stars

YOUNG ADULT FICTION 13+

TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE BY JENNY HAN

Lara has sent out love letters to five of her old crushes by mistake. How will they react? Especially when one is her sister's boyfriend. A novel about the pitfalls of first love, sisterly rivalry and coming of age. Combines the family dynamic of Little Women with the romance of films, Pretty in Pink and Ten Things I Hate About You. Engaging and heart warming for lovers of Rainbow Rowell and Stephanie Perkins.

ISBN: 9781407149073 PB Scholastic £6.99

5/5 stars

Evening Post Childrens Book Review Column Nov 28th The Reading Chair

EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW NOV 28TH

My childrens books of the week. Old bears tell bedtime stories while a little bear wants to know if its Christmas yet. Young animals find adventure in the snow and a young boy strives to find his place in the world.

BOOK OF THE WEEK
CHILDRENS PICTURE BOOK 3+

OLD BEAR'S BEDTIME STORIES BY JANE HISSEY

A new picture book to treasure featuring beloved characters from the Old Bear series. The endearing illustrations will continue to enchant a new generation of children. Gentle soothing stories full of delightful adventures, old friends, theatre, the seaside and a circus make it the perfect book to share with little ones before they go off to the land of dreams. A beautiful present suitable all the year round from Christmas to Birthdays and Christenings.

ISBN:9781910706152 HB Salariya Book Company Ltd

CHILDRENS 2+

IS IT CHRISTMAS YET? BY JANE CHAPMAN
A little board book with a soft squidgy cover perfect for preschoolers who keep asking that familiar question, Is it Christmas yet? Featuring only a Daddy bear and his son it will appeal to single parents as well. I really like, leading up to the big day, that they work together to avert disaster making the little bear forget about what day it is when it actually arrives! Very appealing in the run up!
ISBN: 9781848691513 HB Little Tiger Press Group

CHILDRENS 6+

ON A SNOWY NIGHT BY VARIOUS AUTHORS
A charming collection of animal winter tales by a selection of top childrens authors. Will the young Arctic foxes find food? Can a zebra help Santa? Perfect for little animal lovers everywhere and great for bedtime stories with its adorable illustrations. Also perfect for teachers to discuss in class and inspire creative writing stories before Christmas. Fascinating facts also in the back.
ISBN: 9781847156426 PB Little Tiger Press £5.99

CHILDRENS 10+

GEORGE

BY ALEX GINO

 This is a gently story of a young boy George who knows she's really a girl.

A transgender book for kids that gives support to those who need it and informs those who have little knowledge of this area which included me! Sensitive, thought provoking and heartbreaking. A simple but powerful message for acceptance and about not being afraid of who you are which will, I hope, invite much discussion and appeal to a wider audience.

ISBN: 9781407158273 HB Scholastic £8.99

Book Review: George by Alex Gino

BOOK REVIEW: GEORGE BY ALEX GINO

SYNOPSIS

BE WHO YOU ARE.

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.  

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

MY MUSINGS

This is a transgender book aimed for kids that will help support those who need it in this situation and inform those who have little knowledge of this area which includes me. I really didn't know what to expect and fully admit my ignorance on the subject in general apart from seeing the news on certain celebrities.

 This is a gently story of a young boy George who knows she really should be a girl.

George's best friend is fully understanding and aims to help George be true to herself but the part I found particularly endearing was the relationship with his older brother. When George tells him that he is transgender his brother feels like he is seeing his sibling for the first time and its as if a weight has been lifted from him and he can have a closer more honest relationship with his brother.

Sensitive, thought provoking and surprisingly endearing. A simple but powerful message for acceptance and about not being afraid of who we are.

I also think it will speak to a much wider audience than just the transgender community regarding feelings of isolation and struggling to 'fit in'. It is a great, heartbreaking, sensitive, thought provoking story that I hope will invite much discussion and greater understanding. 

Childrens Book Review Column for South Wales Evening Post Nov 21st #TheReadingChair

My selection of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post for Nov 21st.
Includes a beautifully illustrated visual poem to innocence and kindness, a farmyard caper, a guide for little budding astronauts and an Arabian adventure. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

FOOTPATH FLOWERS BY JON ARNO LAWSON
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A wonderful wordless book about finding beauty in unlikely places if we just take the time to look. As the little girl collects flowers from urban cracks and crevices unbeknownst to her dad she redistributes them to those who would most appreciate them. As the book slowly fills with colour we are reminded of what we can miss in our fast paced lives. A visual poem to the importance of small but significant acts of kindness.
ISBN 9781406362084 HB Walker Books Ltd £11.99
5/5 Stars

CHILDRENS PICTURE BOOK 3+

WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD NEXT BY JULIA DONALDSON AND LYDIA MONKS

The hilarious sequel to bestselling picture book What The Ladybird Heard. This farm yard caper is bursting with colour and fun. Ladybird hatches a plan with her farmyard friends to capture two dastardly robbers trying to steal Hen's eggs. Donaldson's witty rhymes paired with the bold illustrations of Monks will delight all their little fans again and again. Its all about team work!
ISBN: 9781447275954 HB Pan Macmillan £11.99

5/5 stars

CHILDRENS 9+

THE ASTRONAUTS HANDBOOK BY LOUIE STOWELL

With a forward by the British Astronaut, Tim Peake this is perfect for little stargazers. Colourful pages and fascinating facts that include the rigours of the astronauts training, the International Space Station and fun bits that everyone wants to know such as how they go to the toilet! It covers all the aspects that you can think of and more regarding the technology and experiments. Inspirational and entertaining.

ISBN: 9781409590743 PB Usborne Publishing £6.99

5/5 stars

YOUNG ADULT FICTION 12+

A THOUSAND NIGHTS BY E.K.JOHNSTON

A richly embroidered tale of family loyalty, bravery and adventure. Based on Scheherazade, a young woman saves her sister by becoming the new wife of a demon king but how will she survive her imminent death? This is an empowering story showing that the mind can be mightier than the sword. Brimming with magic and myth this will sweep you away into an ancient desert kingdom with a bold and beautiful heroine. Epic.
ISBN: 9781447284116 HB Pan Macmillan £12.99

5/5 stars

Childrens Book Review: Return To The Secret Garden by Holly Webb

SYNOPSIS

Return to Frances Hodgson Burnett's timeless classic, The Secret Garden, in this magical sequel by bestselling author Holly Webb.

It's 1939 and a group of children have been evacuated to Misselthwaite Hall.

Emmie is far from happy to have been separated from her cat and sent to a huge old mansion.

But soon she starts discovering the secrets of the house - a boy crying at night, a diary written by a girl named Mary, and a garden.

A very secret garden...

MY MUSINGS

A welcome return to one of my favourite classics is sure to weave its spell over a new generation. Set against the backdrop of World War Two it tells of a lonely orphan Emmie sent to Misselthwaite for safety. She is  isolated and desperately unhappy. Her only friend was a little stray cat which she was forced to leave behind in London. Holly Webb really captures the atmosphere of what it must have been like as a child to be sent away from home to 'safety' in the country. None of the children, orphan or otherwise knew what to expect. 

However Emmie is one of the lucky ones and despite pining for her cat there is a secret garden to be uncovered and a little robin to befriend. This is a book that can be read with or without reading the original story. For me however it was a delight to revisit old familiar characters and see what happened to them and what their future holds.  

The realities of war are never far away however heralding new beginnings and endings. Holly Webb had a great deal of courage to write a story that was truthful to its period while still retaining the magical idyll of The Secret Garden. I won't reveal any spoilers but there was an exceptionally sad part of the story that I recognised had to be told and understand why Holly wrote it this way. This only adds to the richness of the story and it does end with feelings of hope and new beginnings.  This is an atmospheric, beautiful read I thoroughly enjoyed and a worthy successor to the original.

 A beautiful gift to give to any little book worm. 

ISBN 9781407144856 Scholastic HB £8.99

My Childrens Weekly Book Column for The South Wales Evening Post Nov 14th

My Childrens Weekly Book Column for The South Wales Evening Post Nov 14th


BOOK OF THE WEEK

RETURN TO THE SECRET GARDEN BY HOLLY WEBB
CHILDRENS 9+
A welcome return to one of my favourite classics is sure to weave its spell over a new generation. Set against the backdrop of World War Two it tells of a lonely orphan Emmie sent to Misselthwaite for safety. Whilst pining for her cat left behind in London there is a secret garden to be uncovered. The realities of war are never far away however heralding new beginnings and endings. This is an atmospheric, beautiful read I thoroughly enjoyed.
ISBN 9781407144856 Scholastic HB £8.99

PICTURE BOOK 3+

THAT'S POO! BY BOBADEG

A charming and unique book that you can personalise with your own child's photo and name throughout. The kids will love being part of the bold and colourful illustrations in this laugh out loud story about animals and their different types of poo! There is a whole range of books suitable for girls and boys for you to pick from. A great personalised way to help develop your childs learning.
www.bobadeg.com PB £9.99


CHILDRENS BOOK 9+

FIRE GIRL BY MATT RALPHS

An historical magical adventure about friendship, loyalty and bravery. Set in an alternative Cromwellian England Hazel, a young witch and her grumpy familiar, a dormouse called Bramley search for her kidnapped mother. She is forced to team up with two witch finders while trying to keep her true identity a secret. But will they help or betray her? Aimed at a younger audience, its great for boys and girls who are confident readers
FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
ISBN 9781447283553 PB Pan Macmillan £6.99




YOUNG ADULT FICTION 13+

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE BY LEILA SCALES

A lot of teen readers will relate to Elise's feelings of being the outsider when she goes to a new school. How can she become popular whilst staying true to herself? Only when Elise discovers a secret warehouse party where she can DJ does she start to feel accepted as well as finding her own niche. Can she juggle her double life? Some great life lessons wrapped up in a coming of age story.
FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
ISBN 9781447252832 PB Pan Macmillan £6.99