South Wales Evening Post Childrens Book Review FEB 25-26

This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post include a contemporary behind the scenes romance, an introduction to insects and early learning, an inspiring book about women scientists who were trailblazers and an hilarious adventure featuring the Greek Gods.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

UNCONVENTIONAL BY MAGGIE HARCOURT
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Lexi helps her Dad organise events and fan conventions. But when a cute author tumbles into her life he manages to upset her carefully organised plans. There's also the small matter of her Dad's remarriage to contend with. A really funny insight behind the scenes and its eye opening demands. This is an entertaining tale of errors and misunderstandings that borders on a French farce. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Stephanie Perkins.
ISBN 9781409590156 PB Usborne Young Adult £7.99

FOLLOW THE TRAIL: MINI BEASTS
PICTUREBOOK 2+
Preschoolers will delight in following the different insects using their fingers along the textured trails. This multi sensory book allows the children to peek through the holes at butterflies, ladybirds, bees and dragonflies while learning about shapes, matching and sorting. The mix of photography and illustrations keeps the visuals crisp and clear. Other subjects in this sturdy board book series include trucks, animals, the farm and dinosaurs. Great fun for early learners.
ISBN 9780241275948 HB Dorling Kindersley £6.99

WOMEN IN SCIENCE BY RACHEL IGNOTOFSKY
CHILDREN 7+
A wonderful celebration of pioneering female scientists covering fields from science, technology, engineering and maths. Included amongst these trailblazing women are physicist Marie Curie and the lesser known British palaeontologist, Mary Anning. It is truly inspiring to read stories about such a determined group of women from all different nationalities, backgrounds and social classes. Proof no matter what the obstacle, if you are determined enough you can achieve great things.
ISBN 9781526360519 HB Wren & Rook £12.99

WHO LET THE GODS OUT? BY MAZ EVANS
CHILDRENS 9+
Elliot's Mum is ill and they could also lose their home. As if life couldn't get an worse a young Zodiac goddess crashes into Elliot's life and they both accidentally release a wicked daemon. Will the Olympian Gods help them or have they become too comfortable in the modern world? An absolutely hilarious romp infused with mythology and fast paced adventure that will appeal to children and adults. Perfect for Percy Jackson and David Walliams fans.
ISBN 9781910655412 PB Chicken House £6.99

South Wales Evening Post Childrens Book Review Feb 18-19

This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post include a magical dessert adventure, a lumberjack with a problem, a young girl at a very odd boarding school and a scary fantasy full of assassins and monsters.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

TRAITOR TO THE THRONE BY ALWYN HAMILTON
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Scheherazade meets the Wild West in this superb magical fantasy adventure. In this enthralling sequel we follow Amani, known as the Blue Eyed Bandit as she fights for survival. Betrayed and kidnapped by a ruthless sultan can she avoid the intrigue and treachery in his harem? Torn between passion and patriotism what will she choose? This intriguing heroine combined with a Machiavellian plot and intricate world building will continue enchant.
ISBN 9780571325412 PB Faber & Faber £7.99

THE LUMBERJACK’S BEARD BY DUNCAN BEEDIE
PICTURE BOOK 3+
When Jim Hickory, the lumberjack chops down all the trees in the area he makes a lot of woodland animals homeless. Where can they live? In his beard of course! Cue mayhem and lots of laughter. Endearing and very cute illustrations combined with slapstick humour makes this perfect for sharing. It also has an appealing and very important environmental message at its heart about being more thoughtful of others and to remember to replenish for the future.
ISBN 9781783706884 PB Templar £6.99

 ST GRIZZLE'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, GOATS AND RANDOM BOYS BY KAREN MCCOMBIE
CHILDRENS 7+
Dani is horrified to be packed off to boarding school while her Mum is studying penguins bottoms in the Antarctic. Except the school isn't quite what she expected. No uniforms, no rules and a very eccentric headmistress. A wacky cast full of quirky humour (including a naughty goat!) are perfectly captured by the witty illustrations of Becka Moor. A contemporary Mallory Towers with a healthy dollop of St Trinians thrown in.
ISBN 9781847157768 PB Stripes Publishing £5.99

DARK ASSASSIN BY JOSEPH DELANEY
YOUNG ADULT 12+
The third chilling instalment of the Starblade Chronicles, this is a classic tale of good versus evil. Tom Ward is a fully trained Spook who must keep his county safe from the beasts determined to bring war. With humankind's very existence hanging in the balance who will help them? Inspired by ancient myth, folklore and ghost stories this is perfect for older Harry Potter or Tolkein fans who love to be scared.
ISBN 9780370332192 HB Penguin £12.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN FEB 11-12TH

This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post have a Valentine theme. They include a young dragon who loves chocolate,  a night gardener who finds his artistic passion, a Venetian tale inspired by the composer Vivaldi and the story of the young Queen of Hearts from Alice of Wonderland.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART BY STEPHANIE BURGIS

CHILDRENS 9+

Aventurine, a young dragon, defies her family to find a human feast but instead she finds something more delicious, chocolate! The problem is it's enchanted and has turned her into a human. Will her new found love for chocolate come to her rescue? This rip roaring fantasy adventure and feisty dragon will melt your heart. Perfect for girls who dream of finding their passion and inner dragon. For fans of Eva Ibbotson and chocoholics.

ISBN 9781408880319 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

THE NIGHT GARDENER BY THE FAN BROTHERS

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A young orphan's creativity is ignited when he meets The Night Gardener. Together they create extraordinary topiary that delights and unites the villagers of Grimloch Lane. Stunning and delicate illustrations that enrich this evocative story will enthral children as they pour over the pictures. The twilight colours perfectly capture their midnight adventures. Sleeping cats and serpentine dragons fill you with wonder. The perfect book for inquisitive minds. A story to treasure.

ISBN 9781 HB Frances Lincoln £ 12.99

HEARTSONG BY KEVIN CROSSLEY-HOLLAND

CHILDREN 9+

Set against 18^th century Venice a young mute orphan Laura finds her own special way to communicate with the world. Discovering a talent for music will she find what she is looking for? This inspirational tale is inspired by the real life composer Vivaldi who helped those in need through music. It is accompanied by the jewelled watercolours of award winning artist Jane Ray. A lovely gift for music, art and history lovers.

ISBN 9781408336076 PB Orchard Books £7.99

HEARTLESS BY MARISSA MEYER

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Why was the Queen of Hearts so mad, bad and dangerous to know? Revisit Wonderland before Alice and discover the young ambitious girl who had a passion for baking and a soft spot for the mysterious Court Jester. There's also a little matter of the fearsome Jabberwocky on the prowl. Will Cath lose her heart or listen to her head? A twisted fairytale with a touch of Brothers Grimm full of magic, madness and monsters.

ISBN 9781509814138 PB Macmillan Childrens Books £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS FEB 4-5TH

This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post include a gothic dystopian fantasy fiction for teens, a new adventure with The Storm Whale, two very different queens finding friendship for early readers and a contemporary thriller based on true events for dyslexic and reluctant readers.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

INK BY ALICE BROADWAY

In an unforgiving world where your life story is tattooed onto your skin Leora must make sure her father’s memories are preserved when he dies. Posthumously a persons tattoos are made into a Life Book so why are parts of her fathers book missing? Who was he really? A dark dystopian novel with gothic overtones that mixes myth with memory and the meaning of life. A richly imagined world that will leave it’s mark.

ISBN 9781407172842 PB Scholastic £7.99

THE STORM WHALE IN WINTER BY BENJI DAVIES

PICTURE BOOK 3+

When Noi’s father doesn’t return from a fishing trip Noi braves the arctic weather to find him. But who will find Noi when his little boat is lost on the freezing sea? Will the Storm Whale he saved last summer return the favour? The superbly atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture their snowbound escapade using beacons of light and colour in a cold wintery setting. A heartwarming story of friendship, family and faithfulness.

ISBN 9781471119989 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

QUEEN MUNCH AND QUEEN NIBBLE BY CAROL ANN DUFFY

CHILDRENS 5+

Queen Munch likes noise and fun, Queen Nibble likes quietness and making jewelry from raindrops. Can such different queens ever be friends? A wonderfully lyrical fable by Poet Laureate Duffy with bright and bold illustrations by Lydia Monks. Beautifully observed about how we can learn from other peoples differences. Great for reading out loud and early readers.

ISBN 9781509829262 HB Two Hoots Books  £12.99

THE LIAR’S HANDBOOK BY KEREN DAVID

CHILDRENS 13+

River is a liar. It is the only way he can find out the truth. That is why when he meets his Mum’s new boyfriend he knows he’s a fraud. Can River prove it before it’s too late. A super readable psychological thriller that has huge appeal. Inspired by real life events the story challenges our perceptions of identity, truth and family. A cracking plot with an explosive finale. Accessible reading for emergent , reluctant and dyslexic readers.

ISBN 9781781126806 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW COLUMN JAN 28-29

This week in my children's book column for The South Wales Evening Post I feature an adventurous pidgeon, a fun memory game, a colouring book for Asterix fans and a magical wintery adventure. My column can be found in the weekend section. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

DAVE PIGEON (NUGGETS!) BY SWAPNA HADDOW

CHILDRENS 6+

This plucky pigeon makes a whirlwind return in an hilarious sequel with his best friend Skipper. When they run out of food they must find an new owner but is Reginald Grimster all he seems? Why is he feeding them and what is with all the cookery books? The new adventure is peppered with wonderful cartoon style illustrations by Sheena Dempsey as the pair directly address the reader in between chapters. This is a flurry of feathery fun!

ISBN 9780571324439 PB Faber & Faber £5.99

PAIRS! UNDERWATER BY SMRITI PRASADAM-HALLS

PICTUREBOOK 2+

This lovely new series combines informative rhyming text and a fun memory game all in one. Explore the underwater world of crabs, starfish and seahorses. Lift the flaps to find matching pairs and discover the odd one out. The stylish and bright illustrations by Lorna Scobie are really attractive adding to the enjoyment. Also in the series is ‘In The Garden’ in which you can look for caterpillars, butterflies and beetles. Perfect for inquisitive pre-schoolers.

ISBN 97891847808820 HB Frances Lincoln £6.99

ASTERIX: A WHOLE WORLD TO COLOUR IN

CHILDRENS 6+

A big, bold colouring book bursting with beloved scenes and characters from the iconic Asterix series. With over eighty drawings from the famous strip cartoons you can choose to colour battles, banquets and favourite characters. You can even find the odd Roman…Being able to personalise the illustrations will delight children and the titbits of backround information will also satisfy adults. This is a treasure trove for Asterix fans young and old.

ISBN 9781510102385 Orion Childrens Books PB £16.99

A GIRL CALLED OWL BY AMY WILSON

CHILDRENS 9+

A magical debut about a girl called Owl who discovers she is the daughter of Jack Frost. Entering a magical winter world can she control her own icy powers and will her father help or reject her? Can Mother Nature nurture their bond or will the others powerful elements thwart their relationship? A chillingly good adventure about family, friendship and the delicate balance of nature. An engaging read for fans of Narnia.

ISBN 9781509834068 PB Macmillan Childrens £6.99

CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS FOR THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JANUARY 21-22

This week for my children's book review column in The South Wales Evening Post I have picked an endearing tale of friendship for fans of Winnie the Pooh, a fascinating book on football and all that surrounds it, a picture book for young creative minds and a fictional account of the refugee crisis inspired by real life. My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!



BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE PEST IN THE NEST BY JULIAN GOUGH & JIM FIELD
CHILDRENS 5+
Rabbit just wants some peace and quiet but everyone is SOOO NOISY! Especially his new neighbour Woodpecker. The second in the series, the witty banter and thoughtful storyline is perfect for reading out loud along side the endearing and magical illustrations. This little book has hidden depths that will really strike a chord. Adults will be begging to read it at bedtime. The same camaraderie and worldly wisdom as Winnie the Pooh. A modern classic.
ISBN 9781444934267 HB Hodder Childrens £9.99

DUCK GETS A JOB BY SONNY ROSS
PICTURE BOOK 4+

Duck wants a job so he gets one in the city the same as his friends. But trying to look the same and act the same as everyone else makes Duck very bored. What else could he do? This will really appeal to all creatives and those who feel different and don't want to follow the crowd. With charming illustrations that follows Duck's progress this endearing story will encourage young minds to follow their dreams.

ISBN 9781783705771 PB Templar £6.99

FOOTBALL SCHOOL BY ALEX BELLOS AND BEN LYTTLETON
CHILDREN 8+

This fascinating book even got me interested in football. It's packed full of an eclectic mix of interesting facts covering subjects such as biology, geography, nature and science. What makes the perfect pitch or player? Why are there mascots? Illustrated with hilarious cartoons this is the ideal gift for footy fans. Its amazing how much the beautiful game can inspire and teach by investigating the history, origins and customs. I’ll watch with new knowledge and enthusiasm!!

ISBN 9781406367249 HB Walker Books £8.99

WELCOME TO NOWHERE BY ELIZABETH LAIRD
CHILDREN 9+

Where do you go when its too dangerous to return home? This fictional account of the Syrian Refugee Crisis told through the eyes of twelve year old Omar is sensitively portrayed. This accessible and thought provoking read is inspired by the authors own experiences volunteering at refugee camps. Hopefully it will encourage empathy and understanding into the crisis. It certainly opened my eyes. 50p from each hardback will be donated to a refugee charity.

ISBN 9781509840496 HB Macmillan Children’s Books £9.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JANUARY 14-15

 This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post include two inspiring coming of age tales, a fascinating book about space and a fun story for girl gamers.   Enjoy!


BOOK OF THE WEEK

WING JONES BY KATHERINE WEBBER
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Wing is struggling with her Chinese and Ghanaian heritage, feeling caught between two worlds. However when Wing's talented brother is involved in a tragic accident its time for her to shine and bring new hope to her family. Finding freedom in her running can she also find her true self? The story deals with a wonderfully dysfunctional family, a clash of cultures and generational gaps. An emotional roller coaster of family loyalty, overcoming tragedy and self belief. Inspiring.
ISBN 9781406374995 PB Walker Books £7.99

DESTINATION: SPACE BY DR CHRISTOPH ENGLERT
CHILDRENS 7+
Are you fascinated with outer space? Do you wonder how planet earth came into being? This educational book answers all your questions and more. From black holes to life on other planets the facts are cleverly and vibrantly illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole. There is also a huge pull-out poster at the back so hop on board the space shuttle to explore. Short listed for the Blue Peter Book Awards this will satisfy every little budding astronaut.
ISBN 9781847808240 HB Wide Eyed Editions £12.99

AMY LEE AND THE DARKNESS HEX BY AMY LEE
CHILDRENS 7+
YouTube superstar Amy Lee brings to life her hugely popular Minecraft world. It will appeal to girl gamers and encourage them to read as well. A strange purple cloud is threatening Amy's kingdom. Can she save her land from this poisonous dark magic? An exciting, dramatic adventure with familiar characters richly illustrated in black and white. Also an interesting interview about the author and her creation at the back.
ISBN 9781407172231 PB Scholastic £6.99

A QUIET KIND OF THUNDER BY SARA BARNARD
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Steffi doesn't talk and Rhys can't hear. Struggling to fit in they understand each other perfectly. A valuable tale about how important it is to communicate. Sometimes the quietest voice is the most powerful. A coming of age story full of vivid characters that are empathetic, heartfelt and sensitive. Will inspire lots of discussion in book groups and class. There is no such thing as perfect but you can be fabulously and brilliantly unique.
ISBN 9781509810987 PB Macmillan Childrens Books £7.99