SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW AUG 18-19

This week my children's book reviews include a little fish finding his own special talents, a little badger discovering the importance of kindness, a young girl learning to deal with change and a group of friends discovering a wolf and the importance of nature. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

TROPICAL TERRY BY JARVIS
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Terry is a small grey fish who is shunned by the other colourful fish who swim in Coral Reef City. When his friends make him a flashy costume, he suddenly becomes the centre of attention, including from a very hungry Eddie the Eel! Children will love looking for Terry playing hide and seek alongside the kaleidoscopic illustrations. This joyful tale is perfect to share with its gentle message about individuality and friendship.
ISBN 9781406378627 PB Walker £6.99

OOTCH COOTCH BY MALACHY DOYLE & HANNAH DOYLE
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Little Skunk has lost his family at the railway station. He only speaks Skunk and only Bel; a young Badger is determined to ignore her nervousness about his differences and try to help him. The cheerful and bright illustrations will endear this range of diverse characters to young readers. This topical tale is perfect for discussing a variety of themes in class and within families about prejudice, tolerance, language and differences.
ISBN 9781912213382 PB Graffeg £7.99

WHERE DO YOU GO, BIRDY JONES? BY JOANNA NADIN
CHILDREN 9+
Eleven-year-old Birdy Jones feels abandoned by her father who is far more interested in his new wife and child. Her grandpa's pigeon loft is the only place she can go to feel wanted. Now her father wants to move far away from everything she loves. When Birdy runs away will she find what she is looking for? A poignant and contemporary tale of dealing with loss and new beginnings and the importance of family and communication.
ISBN 9781510201262 PB Little, Brown Books for Young Readers £6.99

RUN WILD BY GILL LEWIS
CHILDREN 8+
Izzy and her friends want to find a place to call their own. When they start using a derelict building site for skateboarding they find an injured wolf. How can they help him? A compelling and thought-provoking adventure about the importance of connecting with nature. It highlights the healing and positive impact of outside spaces for children to play in away from the stresses of the modern world. Suitable for reluctant as well as confident readers.
ISBN 9781781128282 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW AUG 11-12

This week my children's book reviews include a Beano book of mischief, a picture book about good manners, a collection of summer stories from Enid Blyton and an exciting Egyptian adventure.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

BEANO BOOK OF MISCHIEF, MAYHEM & FUN
CHILDREN 7+

Banish summer holiday boredom and join Dennis and Co. for over 100 fantastic indoor and outdoor activities! Children can build their own catapult or periscope or learn about codes and cyphers. Ideal for all weathers it will undoubtedly encourage creativity, but I am not entirely sure it will keep them out of mischief! Also look out for Beano Builds a Secret Den or Go-Kart. They include four DIY projects and some seriously awesome stickers.
ISBN 9781787411616 PB Studio Press £14.99

MIND YOUR MANNERS BY NICOLA EDWARDS & FERONIA PARKER THOMAS
PICTURE BOOK 3+

The jungle is full of misbehaving animals, from messy monkeys to grumpy grizzly bears. The upbeat rhyming text will help children learn why good manners are essential. They can see in each different scenario why it pays to say please, thank you and excuse me. The message is handled with a delightful lightness of touch and humorous and quirky illustrations, which will make children (and adults!) feel that they are not being preached to.
ISBN 9781848577183 HB Caterpillar Books £10.99

SUMMERTIME STORIES BY ENID BLYTON
CHILDREN 7+

A new collection of 30 sun-drenched short stories from one of the worlds best-loved storytellers. Packed with Blyton's trademark magic, fun and adventure they are the perfect length or reading at bedtime and early readers. Look out for the companion |puzzle book, Brain Games and a reboot of the Secret Seven series in Mystery of the Skull, written by Pamela Butchart who brings the much-loved gang up to date while retaining its legacy.
ISBN 9781444942590 PB Hodder £6.99

SECRETS OF A SUN KING BY EMMA CARROLL
CHILDREN 9+

1922. London. When Lilian finds a parcel on her Grandad's doorstep, she doesn't realise it holds the key to an Egyptian king, who's tomb archaeologists are hunting for. She and her friends embark on an adventure of a lifetime as they travel to Egypt in the hope of breaking a deadly Pharaohs curse. The perfect combination of nail-biting excitement, family secrets and friendship brings the fate of the young Tutankhamun and the discovery of his tomb to life. Enthralling.
ISBN 9780571328499 PB Faber & Faber £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW AUGUST 4-5

This week my children's book reviews include a war time adventure for horse lovers, a book of mesmerising masks, a picture book based on a Grimm's fairy tale and an exciting mystery based on a video game

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

FLIGHT BY VANESSA HARBOUR
CHILDREN 9+
Austria 1945. A young Jewish boy, Jakob and his guardian must smuggle a group of rare Lippizzaner stallions to safety across Nazi territory. Can they survive the perilous journey across the Austrian mountains with the help of a Roma orphan, Kizzy? Based on a true story readers will genuinely care about the plight of the beautiful dancing horses in this heart-stopping adventure. This is ideal for animal lovers and fans of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Carroll.

ISBN 9781910080764 PB Firefly £6.99

THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A VINEGAR BOTTLE BY RUMER GODDEN & MAIRI HEDDERWICK
PICTURE BOOK 5+
An old woman saves a charming fish prince who grants her wishes in return. At first, her wishes are humble, but soon they become more extravagant. Can her wishes truly bring her happiness? Based on a Grimm's fairytale this charming and pertinent tale is brought to life by Hedderwick's ink and watercolour illustrations who is best known for her beloved Katie Morag stories. A perfect bedtime story to share.
ISBN 9781782505105 PB Kelpies £6.99

MYTHICAL BEASTS MASKS BY GAVIN RUTHERFORD & TANYA BATRAK
CHILDREN 8+
Transform into your favourite mythical beasts with these fantastic 3D masks. Children can pick from ten strikingly beautiful paper masks such as a unicorn, a griffin, a mermaid and, my favourite, a dragon. Press out and construct each mask by using the easy to follow instructions. Great for costume parties, dressing up or holiday activities. Also, you can read fascinating stories about each mythical beast which will inspire children to play make-believe.
ISBN 9781782406211 PB Ivy Kids £12.99

KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT
CHILDREN 9+
Demelza and her best friend Nessa must uncover the mysteries of the Penfurzy Knights. Together with their pet goose, they must solve puzzles and face danger only with the aid of frisbees, water balloons and a toilet-plunger! Will they be able to lift an ancient curse? This mystery adventure is based on a computer game and is boisterous, exciting and full of fun. An engaging read full of witty illustrations, perfect for the holidays.
ISBN 9781999642501 Knights of Media £6.99