Walk like an Egyptian: part two

Caboodle books, 9781919614809

“The Ancient Egypt sleepover” by Stephen Davies follows young Mo when he wins a place at a sleepover at the British Museum. However there are villains about and the young students find themselves having to stop a robbery, after all the adults have been drugged by the robbers. A great read, especially if you are about to visit the Museum itself.

Maverick, 9781848868144

“The Heart Scarab” and “The Crocodile Curse” by Saviour Pirotta and Jo Lindley are the first two adventures in a series by this superb writer of historical fiction for younger readers. This series is set during the reign of Ramses II and features two brothers, who find themselves in danger from a villainous magician. A brilliant addition to the list of books about this civilization.

Maverick, 9781848868946

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, , 9780618756384

“Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos” by R L LaFevers is the first in a series featuring a young girl, whose mother is an archaeologist and her father is curator of a large Egyptian collection. When a mysterious amulet seems to bring the threat of magic and destruction, Theodosia finds herself caught up in the fight to save the country. There are four books in this series and a theoretical fifth volume, although I have been waiting for quite a few years for this to appear.

Buster books, ‎ 9781780557519

“Sherlock Bones and the Curse of the Pharaoh’s Mask ” by Tim Collins follows the canine detective and his assistant Dr Catson as they take a well earned holiday in Egypt. But when a gold mask is stolen, they become the chief suspects. They have to prove their innocence and find the true thieves to avoid going to prison. This is full of action and adventure and is great for 7-9 year olds who are exploring Egypt for the first time.

Barrington Stoke, 9781800900073

“Tutankhamun’s treasure” by David Long is Barrington Stoke book aimed at introducing young readers to the story of Howard Carter and Tutankhamun. This is an information book that is told in an easy to read and understand way. There are plenty of pen and ink illustrations that help the reader to get the feel of the story.

Welbeck Flame, ‎ 9781801300230

“The Mummy’s Curse” by M A Bennett is the second in a series featuring three young explorers, who can use a time machine to help change history. In this book, they find themselves travelling forward to 1922 and being present at the opening the tomb of Tutankhamun; but what can they do to prevent robbery and more? This is an excellent series and is unusual in that the heroes travel FORWARD in time for their adventures.

Faber & Faber, 9780571328499

“Secrets of a Sun King” by Emma Carroll is written by an author who is one of our most highly regarded history writers. In this story, the heroine Lilian finds herself caught up in the suspect death of an archaeologist, a mysterious package and the discovery of a new tomb in Egypt. The year is 1922 and the world has got Egypt mania, but are there some real dangers to be faced and new stories to be told? This is a favourite story for use in KS2 studies of Egypt.

Sweet Cherry, 9781782268161

“Tombful of Trouble” by Pip Murphy. This is the third in the series of stories featuring the twins, Christie and Agatha (yes, they have lived in Torquay!) and this time they find themselves in Egypt at the same time as Howard Carter discovers his famous tomb. When precious objects start to disappear from the tomb, the girls (who run a Detective Agency) decide to find the culprit and retrieve the treasures. This is a great read for younger readers and definitely for those who will go on to read Robin Steven.

Candlewick, 9781536205237

“Julius Zebra: entangled by the Egyptians” by Gary Northfield is the third book in the series featuring the less than fearless Zebra called Julius. The stories are set in the ancient world and so far the hero and his friends have been taken to Rome, then Britain and now find themselves ship wrecked off the coast of Egypt. They start by being treated as gods, but things rapidly go downhill. This is a fun filled story that young readers will love.

Elmside Publishing, 9781999364113

“The Adventurers and the Temple of Treasure” by Jemma Hatt follows a group of young people as they follow clues left by their father and persuade their uncle to take them to Egypt, to search for hidden ‘treasure’. The adventurers love to detect and this story allows them to do just that. This is the second in the series and will add more fans to the books.

CreateSpace, 9781478305705

“Mystery of the Egyptian Scroll” by Scott Peters (Kid Detective Zet) is first in a series featuring a young boy called Zed, who lives in ancient Egypt. He is the son of a potter, but would much rather be solving mysteries and is actually quite successful at what he does. This series is great for showing a world that is not just in palaces, but also shows the lives of ordinary people. there are four stories to be read, but I am sure that readers would love some more in the future.

Puffin, 9780141325507

“The Kane trilogy” by Rick Riorden is an absolute must for fans of Percy Jackson. Set in the same world, this is based around the Egyptian gods and features Carter and Sadie, the children of Egyptologists as they are caught up in a war between the gods. This is a fantastic series for middle grade readers and it is a shame that there are only three full length novels in this series, although there are also several short novellas.

Crescent Vista Press, 9781734155211

“The Eye of Ra” by Ben Gartner features American siblings, John and Sarah, who accidentally stumble on a cave and find themselves drawn back to Ancient Egypt. There they find themselves up against a mysterious character and need to find a way of getting back to their home, without changing the course of history. This is the first in a series of three titles in which the children visit the Roman Empire and the Aztec Empire.

b small publishing, 9781911509097

“An Egyptian Adventure” (The Histronauts) by Frances Durkin and Grace Cooke is part of a graphic novel series centred around the major ancient civilizations. In this book, the heroes are taken back to Ancient Egypt and make friends with a girl who shows them what life is like. The book is full of factual information and excellent illustrations that bring the period to life. This makes for a really good introduction to the life and beliefs of the Egyptian people.

CreateSpace, 9781544763774

“The Cleopatra Curse” and “The Great Pyramid Robbery” by Katherine Roberts are part of a series called the Seven Fabulous Wonders. they are adventure stories full of action and history, but also with a magical and mystical element that really hooks the reader. the Pyramid robbery is set during the reign of Khufu in early Egypt, whereas the Cleopatra Cure is set in the final days of this great civilization, as Rome flexes its military might.

A & C Black, 9780713674552

“Casting the Gods Adrift” by Geraldine McCaughrean is a short story by a Carnegie winning author. It is an exciting adventure story, set during the reign of the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten, when he built his new capital city Amarna out in the desert and away from the Nile river. This is great for those who prefer shorter books and it deals with a time that is not written about as much.

Andersen Press, 9781849395748

“The Lost Prophesies” by Michael Malaghan When siblings Callie and Nick go to stay with their uncle at the museum he curates in Egypt, the last thing they expect is to find a message from 4000 years ago and addressed to them. What follows is a tale of mystery and magic, as they try and unravel centuries of intrigue and danger.

HarperCollins, 9780007514083

“Time Hunters; Egyptian Curse” by Chris Blake. the main character, Tom, finds himself on time travelling adventures to the past after he accidentally breaks a statue at the museum, he sets free a young girl called Isis who had been imprisoned there since ancient times. They find themselves on a quest to go back in time, retrieve some amulets and in this, the sixth and final adventure Tom finds himself fighting in the forces of Tutankhamun. Hopefully he will solve the riddle and break the curse that has held Isis captive.

Orion, 9781842556054

“Scribes of Alexandria” by Caroline Lawrence is part of her long series about a small group of children and their detective adventures during some important events in Roman history. This book sees them in Egypt and having to travel down the Nile in their quest to find the answers to their questions.

Walker books, 9781406361445

“Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake” by Rob Lloyd Jones is about Jake and his sister Pan as they try and find their parents in the deserts of Egypt. They face all kinds of problems including thieves and high tec dangers. This is the first in the series and Jake is not your usual hero, in fact he has some real issues that he has to deal with.

Simon & Schuster, 9781471147197

“Violet and the Mummy Mystery” by Harriet Whitehorn this is the fourth adventure for the young sleuth, Violet and her friends. After a mummy is stolen from the British Museum, Violet hunts for the culprits and is desperate to help her Aunt Matilde, who is an Egyptologist. This is a delightful and exciting story for young enthusiasts.

With the centenary of the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb taking place on at this time, there is a real resurgence in interest; although the fact that it is on the National Curriculum means that there is always a good range of materials available. I hope that these two blog posts about the subject will spark your interest and that people will discover some new authors to enjoy.

December 9, 2022 by margaretpemberton

Walk like an Egyptian

This year has seen the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as the bi-centenary of the finding of the Rosetta stone and the translation of hieroglyphs by Jean-Francois Champollion. This has given me the impetus to compile this list of books featuring that fascinating civilization. It is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. However I am amazed by the sheer volume of books about the subject. Mainly I have kept to those published in the last year or so, but I have included some long term favourites from my own library. I hope you enjoy reading some of them

“The Mystery of the Golden Pyramid” by Adela Norfan and Aaron Cushley is a delightful introduction to Ancient Egypt. When Sophie moves to Egypt, she is surprised to find a dog in her bedroom, but this is a talking dog who gives her a quest to find and return four lost amulets to the tomb of King Nebra. It is full of action and humour and will appeal to all KS1 children. The illustrations are excellent, with some great ‘lift-the-flap’ elements.

“The Curse of the Tomb Robbers” by Andy Seed and James Weston Lewis is an exquisitely illustrated story of intrigue and tomb robbery, in which two children are able to foil the robbers and bring them to justice. It highlights the importance of reading the hieroglyphs and also the respect that was given to the dead, by the Egyptians.

“Secrets of the Dead” by Matt Ralphs and Gordy Wright is produced by the British Museum and looks at the various forms of mummification found around the world. Egypt is only one of those places, but the chapter in this book looks at the methods used and at some famous examples such as Tutankhamun and Ramses II. The book makes for a fascinating read.

“The magnificent book of Treasures: Ancient Egypt” by Philip Steele and Eugenia Nobati. I have written a full blog post about this book and you can see it by looking for the title on the blog site. It is a gorgeous book.

“King Tutankhamun tells all” by Chris Naunton and Guilherme Karsten is written by one of our most well-known and knowledgeable Egyptologists. The illustrations are cartoon style and full of colour and is written in the form of a memoir by the dead Pharaoh. There is a great deal of humour in the way that it is written, but it is still full of information about the king and also Ancient Egypt itself.

“Mummies Unwrapped” by Tom Froese is written in conjunction with the British Museum and is a fascinating look at the various processes that a mummy underwent; asking many of the questions that young people want to know.. The illustrations are bright clear and have elements of humour, which really adds to the enjoyment. The cover is gold, which will add to the attraction for the intended audience.

“Egyptology” by Dugald Steer is the first in a series of truly sumptuous books, full of illustrations, lift the flaps, added artifacts and information about a range of topics. this book has a gold cover and really gives the reader a sense of the grandeur that was found in Egyptian tombs. Whilst this is not a new title, it is one that should be the basis of anyone’s collection about Egypt.

“Egyptian diary: The Journal of Nakht” by Richard Platt and David Parkins is the story of a young boy living in Memphis with his family and how he helps foil a gang of tomb robbers and eventually get to meet the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, only to discover that they are a woman (one of very few female pharaohs). this is a large size book with some fabulous illustrations. Since its publication in 2005 it has become a staple of all school libraries.

“Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx” by Joe Todd Stanton is the second tale in the “Brownstone’s Mythical collection” series and follows the adventures of Marcy, the daughter of the original hero Arthur, as she attempts to save her father from the clutches of the Great Sphinx. Children will love the graphic novel format and the fast pace of the action.

“I was there: Tutankhamun’s Tomb” by Sue Reid is a great read for younger audiences. It is based on the fact that a young boy was involved in finding the stairs which led to the tomb discovery. it is full of action, villains and of course introduces the audience to Howard Carter and his patron Lord Caernarvon.

This is just the first section of this rather mammoth post, but I found it o difficult to cut down on the titles to be included. Join me again for part two of this collection.

January 27, 2022 by margaretpemberton

Picture Book Update

Parents, librarians and teachers are always on the lookout for new picture books to read to their young readers. Whilst most children have favourites that they have to have read almost every day, it is important that they are introduced to a wide range of the fabulous works which are out there. Teachers in particular are looking for books that have themes that they can integrate into their curriculum work, as well as being a fun and lively story. I hope that some of these books will meet the needs of many of you reading this. Give them a go, I am sure you won’t be disappointed.

Two Hoots, 9781509889839

“Three Little Vikings” by Bethan Woollvin tells the story of three children who struggle to get the adults to believe that they have heard something big and dangerous outside; the chief is particularly irritating as he repeats that he is a grown up and he knows best. You can see that many children would find that message very frustrating. The story uses Viking mythology to brilliant effect, as the children try and save their village from a destructive troll and eventually the adults have to believe them.

Uclan, 9781912979608

“The Bear and her Book” by Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O’Connor. This is a truly magical story of adventure and also about the joys that books can bring to our lives. When bear decides to see the world, she takes her copy of “Bear’s Big Book of being Wise” and finds it very useful in many of the situations that she finds herself in. It is a fabulous addition to my collection of books about books and libraries and I really recommend it.

Big Picture Press, 9781787418769

“Ratty’s Big Adventure” by Lara Hawthorne is a lovely story of a small vegetarian rat called Ratty, who decides he wants to explore beyond the mountain crater that he lives in. He meets a wide range of animals and faces many dangers and challenges. However he decides that home and friends are what he really wants in life. This is full of information about the wild life of Papua New Guinea, but above all, it is a tale of adventure and finding your place in the world.

Pikku Publishing, 9781999639891

“The Happy Hedgerow” by Elena Mannion and Erin Brown tells the story of Old Oak and the changes that he sees, when the hedgerow is grubbed up to make larger fields. It is a story about the seasons and also about the changes that we see in the countryside. Happily this story has a happy ending, as the humans realize the importance of the hedges and re-plant them. This will work well as part of environmental studies in KS1.

Chronicle Kids, 9781452173191

“Inside Cat” by Brendan Wenzel is the story of one of those cats who lives indoors and only sees the world through the prism of the windows that enclose him. However, he discovers that seeing something from the inside is not the same experience as being out there. This book makes us more aware of our senses and how we can explore our world, even if we are limited in some ways. It increases our understanding of the world around us and how we perhaps need to challenge the limits and perhaps go outside our comfort zone. The quirky illustrations and the limited text make the whole story relatable to the small child. This is aimed at very young children and would be brilliant for encouraging Early Years children to try new experiences.

Andersen Press, 9781783448944

“Scissorella” by Clare Helen Walsh and Laura Barrett. This is a truly magical re-telling of ‘Cinderella’, but with the twist being that the main character is an amazing paper artist. The art is inspired by the creative work of Lottie Reiniger, a German born artist who had a great influence on the development of film animation. The story has an art deco setting, with the costumes harking back to the 1920s; in fact, it reminds me in many ways, of the marvellous version ’Ella’s Big Chance’ by Shirley Hughes. However, we have the added beauty of the paper cutting, which gives a very lace like feel to many of the images. This is a truly beautiful book, which shows a determined female character, who is determined to succeed in life and is a wonderful addition to the Cinderella canon of books.

Pushkin Children’s, 9781782693154

“Shoo!” by Susie Bower and Francesca Gambatesa is the very funny story of what happens when a Zoo moves next door, to someone who doesn’t like animals. It is full of mayhem and laughter and is a great read for younger readers. It also reminds us that we all need friends and that our perceptions should be open to change. This will make a great book for story time, both in the school and in the library.

Templar Books, 9781787419179

“The Little wooden robot and the log princess” by Tom Gauld is a very modern interpretation of a fairy tale. The king and queen have no children and ask a witch and an inventor to create a child for them. The log princess, worked by magic, but turned back into a log every night. Whereas the Robot Prince was worked by mechanics and housed a family of beetles in his working. When the princess goes missing, it is up to her brother to go searching, but he faces many challenges before finding his sibling. Luckily, as with the best fairy tales we have a happy ending.

Farshore, 9780755502851

“Splash” by Claire Cashmore and Sharon Davey is written by the Paralympian athlete Claire Cashmore and is a version of how she overcame her fear of water, in order to become a gold medal swimmer. It is a story of determination and overcoming many challenges. Hopefully it will help many young people to focus on overcoming their own challenges, what ever they may be.

July 17, 2021 by margaretpemberton

Down to the Sea again

Over the last few years we have seen a rise in the number of books that talk about the environment. It is good to see that a lot of them have been aimed at the youngest age ranges, as we need to make sure that the need to change is embedded in all young people, as well as adults. Perhaps the main worry that this look at titles has raised is that Michael Foreman was talking about the problem so many years ago; it seems that the pace of change is still far too slow, however programmes such as “Blue Planet” have definitely raised awareness at government levels as well as with general populations. Here are a few titles that I hope will be useful for younger readers.

QED ‎Publishing, 9780711250055

“The Deep Blue” by Charlotte Guillain and Lou Baker Smith. Mankind has always been fascinated by the sea and the creatures that inhabit it. Since the coming of modern media, such as film, television and now digital resources we have become more aware of the environment and the effect we are having on the oceans and its inhabitants. From Jacques Cousteau to Sir David Attenborough, we have been introduced to the wonders that lie below the surface and a thirst for knowledge has been developed by many children and adults. We have also become more aware of what can happen to mankind if we don’t care for our oceans, ice caps and animals. This is a fascinating look at the world of water and those animals who depend on it.

Big Picture Press,‎ 9781787417755

“There are Fish everywhere” by Katie Haworth and Britta Teckentrup is a gorgeous, stunningly coloured look at the world of fish. Starting with what they are and then the history of their development from pre-historic times, the reader gets to understand the part that they play in the eco-structure that we live in. The author looks at all parts of the world and also covers the relationship between mankind and the aquatic world. Definitely one to browse and enjoy as well as looking up the facts.

Andersen Press, 9781849393041

“One World” by Michael Foreman is now over 30 years old, but it was re-published last year to celebrate the anniversary. This is full of stunning artwork by Michael Foreman and the use of watercolours provides a very individual feel to the pictures. It is such a tragedy that we still have the same concerns about the environment, after all these years, but given the movements being led by young people at the moment, it is appropriate that this book comes to the forefront for a new generation. Whilst this book works as a picture book for reading to young audiences, it also works at another level in pointing out the dangers we face from pollution, plastics, climate change and industry. This is yet another book that should be in all primary schools.

Pavilion, 9781843654513

“The Blue Giant” by Katie Cottle. This is a delightful allegorical story about cleaning up our oceans and landscapes. It is told as a picture book story, featuring Meera and her mum. When they go to the beach, they are surprised by a giant wave that speaks to them and asks them for help in cleaning up the sea. They start to help, but realize that it is a huge task. However, gradually they get their friends involved and the more people help, the more rubbish they can clear. This gives a strong message about us all doing our part and would be great as part of work about environmental issues.

Little Tiger, 9781912756148

“Goodnight Ocean” by Becky Davies and Carmen Saldana is a beautiful flap book for the youngest readers. It looks at a wide range of animals and environments related to the Ocean. the book was long-listed for the SLA Information Book Award in 2020 and works at both a story telling and an information level. It is a fantastic introduction to the watery world around us.

Scholastic, 9781407195100

“Somebody swallowed Stanley” by Sarah Roberts and Hannah Peck brings home to us the dangers that sea creatures face from plastic bags that are thrown away. Stanley is a striped bag and looks remarkably like a jelly fish, so sea creatures think that he will make a good meal. Unfortunately he can get stuck in their throat and prevent breathing, or get tangled up in parts of their body. This story really brings it home to us how dangerous plastic can be in the environment and is a must read title.

Andersen Press, 978-1783449149

“Clem and Crab” by Fiona Lumbers is about a young girl called Clem who has a day out at the beach with her sister. She finds a crab and takes it home as a pet. Of course, this turns out to be a bad idea and she has to take it back to its own habitat. She also discovers the dangers that it faces from pollution and rubbish and sets out to improve the beach and in doing so she gets lots of others involved in the process. This works beautifully as a picture book, but also acts as a starting point in discussions about the environment.

May 14, 2021 by margaretpemberton

Feast of the Evernight by Ross McKenzie

I absolutely loved the first book in the series, “Evernight” when it reached our shelves in early 2020. It introduced us to a new world that we very quickly became engrossed in. I was already a fan of the author, Ross Mackenzie through his series about the “Nowhere Emporium” and was delighted by this strange new world that he presented us with. The main characters are the young girl Lara(belle) Fox and her friend Joe; both of them are Toshers and much like the ones in Victorian London, they make a living finding lost items in the sewer below the city of King’s Haven. When the country is threatened by the Everdark and the evil Mrs Hester, together with the Silver King, who rules the land, they link up with the Westerly Witches in an attempt to thwart their evil plans. At the end of this book we get the impression that Mrs Hester has been eliminated and that a greater freedom is starting to seem possible for the general population. But is everything really better?

In this second book we find ourselves nearly a year further on in time; Lara has just passed her test and become a Witch, whilst Joe is getting over the death of his grandmother, as well as feeling rather out of place in the magical environment. He decides to return to King’s Haven and the world that he knows, but he is asked to meet up with Rob, a ‘resistance’ worker, in order to carry out a secret mission. At the same time Lara is also sent south, to work with another Witch and find out what has caused several mysterious deaths. The friends make the first part of the journey together and end up helping a young girl, who is showing startling signs of ‘out of control’ magic. We have two parallel stories going on throughout the book, but we gradually come to understand that they are linked and that there are some deeply evil minds trying to destroy the witches and keep the population under their control.

This is an absolutely brilliant book and a worthy successor to the first in the series and whilst I am sure that people can dive straight in to this book, I think it is better to have read the first book, so that you are totally immersed in the world. The cast of characters may be quite familiar, but they are having to cope with increasing danger and a whole range of villains. We see the young people mature as they have to cope with the terrifying events that surround them. Luckily they have strong friendship bonds that give them the strength to carry on, despite the dangers. I absolutely love the way that the author has created a world that is so different from our own and yet it is one that we can believe in. The action is fast paced and at times quite hard hitting; the author is not afraid to show that death can be a consequence of standing up to the evil that the heroes face. The atmosphere really sparks the imagination and I can see the book being used in school to encourage activities from writing and drawing, to music and drama. It is yet another fabulous read for the older ‘middle grade’ reader and I know it will become yet another firm favourite not only in the home, but also in the classroom. This is definitely a five star story.

Author Information

Contact: rossmacauthor@gmail.com

Local authority: Renfrewshire

Languages: English

19/10/18 . The Sunday Post, by Andrew Cawley.
Pics of staff designer Ross MacKenzie, who has written a children’s book. Location: Skypark, Glasgow.

Author type: Writer

I am a multi award-winning author of books for children, including The Nowhere Emporium, which won both the Blue Peter Book Award and Scottish Children’s Book Award.Stories have always been important to me. I can remember vividly how I felt as a child, curled up in bed, eager to set off on the next great adventure. I became a writer for children because I love the magic of great stories and my dream is that readers will one day feel the same way about my books.I regularly visit primary schools, libraries and literary festivals where I read from my books, discuss the power of stories and imagination, and hold Q&A sessions and writing workshops. I live in Renfrew with my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters – though I spend much of my time exploring other worlds.

thank you to Scottish Book Trust, who host this information

June 17, 2020 by margaretpemberton

Surviving lockdown

The last couple of months have seen huge changes in my ability to see forthcoming titles. First we had London Book Fair cancelled and then the wonderful Federation of Children’s Book groups Conference. This month I should have been attending the School Library Association Conference, but that is now online. All of this has meant that I could not meet up with the fabulous friends in publishing and look at the amazing books that they bring to the various exhibitions. However I will say thank you to the many publishers who have kept on sending review copies when requested, it is greatly appreciated. It has also been great to keep up with those books that appear as e-galleys on Netgalley and Edelweiss, this means that I am able to still read and promote the books that I think everyone will enjoy.

I am starting off with this look at some titles for younger readers and I hope they will enjoy this small group of titles featuring ghouls, vampires and witches.

Guppy Books, 9781913101060

“Ghoul Scouts, Welcome to Camp Croak!” by Taylor Dolan is the first in a new series about Lexie Wild, who finds herself at a summer camp called ‘Camp Croak’, because her grandma took a wrong turning on the road. Finding herself sharing a cabin with a ghost, a zombie and a werewolf definitely was not what she expected, but turned out to be great fun. This is a fast and furious story of a truly evil teacher and how the girls foil a plot to take over and then sell the camp. I loved the amazing illustrations, they are totally weird and wonderful.

Egmont, 9781405293921

“Amelia Fang and the Lost Yeti Treasures” by Laura Ellen Anderson is the latest adventure of everyone’s favourite vampire and her assorted friends. When they are all invited to the 350th birthday party of Florence the yeti’s great grandmother they did not anticipate that there would be a thief about, but finding the perpetrator and saving the Yeti mountain from collapsing will take all their ingenuity and see them facing great danger.

OUP, 9780192773579

“Victoria Stitch, Bad and Glittering” by Harriet Muncaster is not due for publication until September but it brings us a new heroine from the author of the ‘Isadora Moon‘ series; in fact we get two for the price of one, because Victoria Stitch has a twin sister called Celestine. Victoria thinks she should be in line of succession to the throne of Wiskling Wood but finds herself in all sorts of trouble, especially when a strange girl called Ursuline offers to help her. This is a delightful story about two girls who discover that, in general, people are a mix of good and bad and they just need to have the right motivation. the author has produced some wonderful illustrations that have a truly witchy and gothic feel.

David Fickling, 9781788450522

“King Coo, the Curse of the Mummy’s Gold” by Adam Stower is the second adventure for young Ben Pole and the unlikely hero King Coo who lives in the woods near his house. When an ancient treasure is stolen from the local museum Ben’s mother is under suspicion as she is a security guard; so it is up to Ben to try and find the real thieves and save the day. Yet again we have a hysterical tale of intrigue and adventure, where the totally incredible King Coo helps in their own inimitable way. This is definitely for those who love to laugh their way through their adventures.

Piccadilly, 9781848127654

“Beatrix the Bold and the Curse of the Wobblers” by Simon Mockler introduces us to an exciting and feisty young heroine called Beatrix. She has spent her life cooped up in a castle with her aunt and uncle, neither of whom seem the least bit interested in her. She know that there is some mystery surrounding her but doesn’t know what, so eventually she decides to leave the castle and discover who she really is. Of course we have all guessed the secret well before Beatrix cottons on to being the QUEEN; the problem is her aunt rather enjoys running the country and Beatrix soon finds that she is in danger. This is a funny fast paced and very enjoyable read for adventurous young people.

Andersen Press, 9781783448388

“Mermaid School, the Clamshell Show” by Lucy Courtney and Sheena Dempsey joins the surge of titles that have mermaids as their central characters. this series is aimed at younger readers and centres around Marnie Blue and her two best friends as they get used to attending mermaid school. This title tells us what happens when they are all auditioning to take part in a show, but then a new girl appears on the scene who wants the starring role by fair means or foul. This is great fun and also is a good way to help young people understand the dynamics of school life.

Gecko Press, 9781776572717

“Hattie” by Frida Nilsson and Stina Wirsen is the story of a young Swedish girl and her first year at school. It shows a very different life from that in the UK but the challenges of finding friends and learning about the wider world seem to reflect issues found around the world. This is a charming look at a young person just finding their feet as they start school.

Usborne, 9781474972178

“Unipiggle, Unicorn Muddle” by Hannah Shaw tells the story of how Princess Pea (Peony) has to choose a unicorn to become the Royal Unicorn. But Pea would rather be out playing and getting muddy instead of being dressed up in all her finery and sitting on a stage with her parents. Things take a hilarious turn as a pig joins the parade of unicorns, but he also has a horn, and most importantly he seems to have a great sense of fun. Of course Princess Pea decides that this creature, she calls the Unipiggle, has to become her companion. What follows is a lot of humour and the beginning of a delightful relationship between the princess and her magical pig.

Five Quills, 9781912923045

“Bug Belly, Babysitting Trouble” by Paul Morton is definitely a hilarious story for those just beginning to read alone. The main character is a frog called Bug Belly, who is called upon to look after his large number of nephews and nieces (tadpoles and froglets) whilst their parents are off at a frogspawn conference. The story follows his adventures as he tries to avoid numerous enemies whilst also moving the young offspring to a safer lower pool after he accidentally created a hole in the upper pond. Not only is this a great adventure but it also enables young children to understand some of the dangers that frogs encounter. There are great illustrations and lots of fun.

Piccadilly, 9781848127753

“Hotel Flamingo” by Alex Milway tells the story of young Anna Dupont who finds herself the owner of the Hotel Flamingo; unfortunately the hotel is rundown and the animals who are running it have run out of energy. They are also facing competition from the hotel on the hill, called “The Glitz” This is a great story about friendship, sharing and creating a sense of community. There are some delightful characters and charming illustrations that bring the story alive.

OUP, 9780192773630

“Mickey and the animal spies” by Anne Miller is a fabulous story for those who like mystery, spies and some very unusual characters. Mickey is a great fan of codes and spies and longs to follow in the footsteps of her hero Hildegarde L McTavish, so when she discovers a code taped to a bus window she just has to investigate. Cracking the code leads her to a mysterious office where she discovers a spy unit consisting of animals and called Cobra. Further adventures follow as they try and save the pet of a famous pop star as well as preventing a jewel robbery. This is an excellent first children’s book by the author and I was lucky enough to attend the book launch in London earlier in the year.

I do hope that you find some books in here that you would like to share with young readers. At a time of such uncertainty it is good to have books that we can really enjoy and which take us away from the restrictions that we have to face. I sincerely wish that we all have a happy and peaceful summer and that we can return to a new normal in the near future.

December 19, 2019 by margaretpemberton

In the Deep Midwinter

Once again we are on that countdown to the Christmas season and with the major publishing Thursday at the beginning of October we began to see all of the winter offerings arriving.

Andersen Press, 9781783448548

“Wolf in the Snow” by Matthew Cordell is a delightful story of a young child and a young wolf cub who both become lost in a dangerous snow storm. They find and support each other in finding their respective homes and show that helping each other is definitely the way to go. The book is almost wordless, with just the odd wolf howl, or a groan from the child, however the emotive and really strong illustrations give us all the information we need to interpret the story. A great book for reading on a one to one basis with the younger child.

Simon & Schuster, 9781471172465

“The Snow Dragon” by Abi Elphinstone and Fiona Woodcock. What a truly magical story with totally dreamlike illustrations to bring the story to life. Phoebe is the final child living at Griselda Bone’s orphanage and longs to find her forever family but she did not reckon on her snowman turning into an ice dragon and taking her off on an adventure to see the northern lights and other wonders she had only seen in books. There are glorious illustrations and an ending that will give everyone a very seasonal glow.

Hachette, 9781444940374

“A home in the Snow” by Peter Bently and Charles Fuge is not specifically a Christmas story, but it is about winter, friendship and giving. Bramble the Badger wants to share his birthday with his friends, but they all seem to have forgotten his special day. When they ask for help to go to another friend’s house, he willingly helps and there is a truly delightful surprise for him when they arrive at their destination.

Hachette US, 978-1525302039

“One Wild Christmas” by Nicholas Oldland features the wonderful characters of Moose, Bear and Beaver as they try and find a tree to decorate for Christmas. When the do find one they hit a problem; Bear loves their beautiful tree and will not allow the others to cut it down, so how are they going to celebrate the holiday? Bear comes up with a solution and with a lot of hard work and some sharing they manage to have a celebration that reflects the true meaning of the festivities.

Nosy Crow, 9781788005449

“Mouse’s Night before Christmas” by Tracey Corderoy and Sarah Massini is a heart warming tale that take as its starting point the famous story by Clement C Moore. Only in this version the mouse becomes the central character, helping Santa deliver presents after the reindeer became lost. How Santa grants him his greatest wish makes for a perfect ending and will help the book become a favourite for every Christmas.

Pikku Publishing, 9781999639822

“Father Christmas and the Donkey” by Elizabeth Clark and Ari Tokinen. This is a wonderful story about the true message of Christmas. A donkey has been left out in the snowy weather and is making his way to find shelter when all of a sudden he hears bells and then sees a figure trudging through the snow; it is Father Christmas and he is about to deliver the last presents before going home, having already sent his reindeer back. The donkey volunteers to help deliver the presents and begins to understand the joy of giving and sharing. The ending find the donkey having a gift that will happy and loved for the rest of his days.

HarperCollins, 9780008180362

“The Crayons’ Christmas” by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers sees the crayons preparing for the great day. Some of them have gone on holiday and send messages to their owner Duncan and the other crayons, whilst others have been busily shopping for presents. Yet again we have brilliant illustrations, and also an amazing set of envelopes full of festive surprises. this is bound to become an annual favourite for the young and not so young.

Macmillan, 978-1509854295

“The Most-loved Bear” by Sam McBratney and Sam Usher is the story of a much loved bear who was lost on a train and went through many years of adventures, moving between owners and gradually getting more worn. However he never gives up and eventually there is a miraculous reunion with his original beloved owner. This is the sort of story that gives you a warm Christmas feeling and will be perfect for those of us who have a favourite teddy or toy from our childhood.

Two Hoots, 9781509857296

“Meerkat Christmas” by Emily Gravett sees the meerkats preparing for Christmas, but Sunny has been reading about the ‘perfect’ holiday and decides that the Kalahari Desert is not the place for a real Christmas. He sets off to find the perfect ingredients: snow, singing, tree, presents and dinner, but nowhere has all of them. When Sunny falls asleep on Christmas Eve it is Father Christmas who grants him the wish he really wants – to be home with his family. One again Emily Gravett has produced a glorious book that I absolutely loved and which should be in everyone’s’ Christmas collection

Egmont, 9781405288453

“Countdown to Christmas” by Adam and Charlotte Guillain, and Pippa Curnick is a delightful countdown to the festivities. One day Bear announces that he has made a Christmas game and everyday leading up to the great day he will choose an animal and give them each a gift. Young mouse is desperate to get something but becomes increasingly despondent as others are chosen, however on Christmas eve he is given a box and nestling within it is a lovely star. Bear leads him to the clearing in the wood where all their friends have collected, having decorated and used their gifts to dress up for a nativity play. A wonderful story told in rhyme that children will love.

Egmont, 9781405294195

“Mimi and the Mountain Dragon” by Michael Morpurgo and Helen Stephens tells the story of a young Swiss girl Mimi who finds a baby dragon hiding in the woodshed at Christmas. She bravely climbs the mountain to reach the castle where the mother dragon live and reunites the two animals. However they are then startled by an avalanche that basically covers Mimi’s village burying everyone, including her parents. It is only with the help of the dragon that they are able to clear the snow and release the trapped villagers. The event is meant to have happened hundreds of years ago but it still forms the basis of a winter celebration in the village. It is a magical story about friendship and understanding and has been adapted for the stage.

Hodder, 9781444939231

“The Night Before the Night Before Christmas” by Kes Gray and Claire Powell is a look behind the scenes at the north pole on the day before Christmas Eve. The Elves are working their socks off, Santa is ticking his list and the reindeer are waking up and feeding themselves in preparation for the great night, but Santa is sure that he has forgotten something important. It is only after he has taken off on his round that Mrs Claus shouts to let him know that he has forgotten to shave! Which is why we always see him with a bushy beard. This is a truly delightful and funny story that is told in rhyme and is a real pleasure to read out loud.

Simon & Schuster, 978-1471183799

“A Cat’s Christmas carol” by Sam Hay and Helen Shoesmith. Clawdia has an important job as the night watchman’s cat in a large department store. On Christmas Eve everyone goes home, but she is left guarding the building and soon finds herself in a battle of wits with some very small and very cold mice. She chases them through departments full of Christmas decorations until finally they see an artificial cat patrolling the store. Feeling let down, Clawdia joins the mice in trying to enjoy the festivities but then in a truly lovely moment her owner tells her that the robot is her present and that Clawdia will be going home for Christmas with the family.

As you can see there are some really amazing books out there this year and I am sure that they will become family and library favourites in the coming years. I hope that everyone has a great time and that the true spirit of Christmas can be found wherever you find yourselves.

June 9, 2019 by margaretpemberton

Amazing Information: books to inspire and inform

Words & Pictures, 9781786038890

“The Race to Space” by Clive Gifford and Paul Daviz. The author has been writing information books for young people for a long time and is recognized as an important part of the non-fiction book world. This book looks at the chronology of the race to put men into space and then on to the Moon. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, with a somewhat retro-style, reminiscent of 1950s soviet art at times. The colour palette is very bright, although there is a flatness to the tones that reflect older methods of printing. This is definitely a book to sit and browse through. It is very much a book that will appeal to the artists as well as to the historians and scientists and it should be in all primary libraries.

Wide-eyed editions, 9781786030917

“When we walked on the Moon” by David Long and Sam Kalda is yet another book that has been produced to commemorate 50 years since man landed on the Moon. It looks at the missions, from Apollo 11 to Apollo 17, all of which had astronauts land on the surface of the Moon and undertake a series of experiments, as well as playing golf etc! This is a simple introduction that deals with the main characters and I particularly like the sketches of the crews, together with facts about missions, that are found at the back of the book. The illustrations once again hark back to the start of the space race, but they are much brighter than in some other titles and there is a greater use of a white background.

Usborne, 9781474950848

“The Usborne Book of the Moon” by Laura Cowan and Diana Toledano has a much wider look at the moon and is aimed at the bottom end of KS 2. It covers everything from the space race to mythology, as well as astronomy and geography. As you would expect from the publisher there are some brilliant illustrations and a lot of information, given in small bite sized chunks that will work well with the intended audience. This has a good index which makes it particularly useful for schools, although I think a lot of young enthusiasts will just enjoy dipping in to this lovely book.

Macmillan, 978509824090

“The Darkest Dark” by Chris Hadfield and the Fan Brothers. This is a picture book based on the childhood o the astronaut Chris Hadfield; it tells of his fear of the dark and how seeing Apollo 11 helped him realize that the darkness of space could be fascinating and inspiring rather that frightening. As a story, this can be read as a straightforward tale of space and imagination, or it can be used as a starting point when learning about space and the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings.

Nosy Crow, 9781788003391

“2019 Nature month by month” by Anna Wilson and Elly Jahnz has been written for the National Trust and takes a look at the fascinating things that are going on around us throughout the year. Anna Wilson is well know as a writer of fiction for children, but she is also keen on nature and wild swimming, so this is close to her heart. This is an absolute treasure trove of information and covers things such as festivals, food, events and crafts relating to many of these activities. The book is beautifully illustrated but perhaps the most striking part of my copy was the fluorescent orange end papers to the book, which made me want to hunt out my sun glasses. I look forward to seeing if there is a new book for 2020.

Andersen Press, 9781783447435

“Stubby” by Michael Foreman is another in his retelling of true stories set in the First World War. This recounts the story of of how American troops, sent to the front in 1917, made a mascot of a little stray dog they named Stubby. Miraculously the dog and his human carer survived the war and Stubby lived until 1926. This is a beautifully illustrated story with very simple text and it will make an excellent introduction to the subject of the war.

Pavilion, 9781843653745

“Adventures in Space” by Simon Tyler is a stunningly illustrated book about space and about man’s attempts to leave the Earth and explore our neighbours. The first half of the book looks at astronomy, the planets and the wider universe, so that we get a clear and well explained explanation of what is out there. The second half of the book gives a brilliant timeline of how space exploration was achieved and what each major power produced as its space craft. The information is truly up to date and even looks at prospective launches in 2020 and beyond. There is also information about satellites and the International Space Station, making this a perfect start for anyone who loves space. Unusually the pages are black, with white text, but the images tend to have been brightly coloured, so they stand out against the page. Definitely recommended.

WhatonEarth Books, 9781999802820

“Absolutely Everything” by Christopher Lloyd, illustrated by Andy Forshaw, Justin Poulter and Will Exley is the sort of book that I would have loved to have received as a child. It tells the history of the world in a chronological way, but with overlaps as we look at different parts of the world and what was happening in different civilizations. The illustrations have a feel of the 1950s but with a bit of a modern twist.

“Mary who wrote Frankenstein”, (originally called “Mary and Frankenstein”) by Linda Bailey and Julia Sarda is a beautifully told introduction to the life of Mary Shelley (as she became) and how she came to write one of the most enduring stories in English Literature. The illustrations are a tour de force by Julia Sarda and the sophisticated and highly stylized images really bring the text to life. This would make a really good introduction to the young reader who is about to read the story itself; it also works as a good basis for learning about ‘Gothic tales’ and their popularity at the beginning of the 19th Century.

“Wild facts about Nature” by Andy Seed and Scott Garrett is yet another brilliantly funny and informative book by this author. It is written under the auspices of the RSPB and is full of facts, jokes and stories all about nature. This is definitely one of those books that young readers will keep dipping in to and will become a favourite for quizzes, long journeys and sharing with friends. This is highly illustrated and definitely one for those who love books such as “Horrible Histories” etc.

Bloomsbury, 9781408889935

“The Silk Roads” by Peter Frankopan and Neil Packer is a truly delightful book bringing a fresh look at the developing history of the world; told through the development of trade routes along the silk roads and then wider trade routes. The original book was written for adults but then this junior version was created. The cover can only be described as sumptuous, with its blue and gold images and lettering. The illustrations throughout are complex, colourful and based on the artistic style of the civilization being discussed. This brings the history of the word into one book and helps us to understand the links between different countries and their development over the centuries. We often forget that history is a blending of all the influences that are in play at any given time and this book helps bring it all together. I really loved this and I look forward to reading “The New Silk Roads” which looks at these relationships as they are today.

There has been a real resurgence in the publishing of information books, mainly led by the rise in general interest books rather than in those intended for the curriculum. The winning of the Kate Greenaway medal by “Shackleton’s Journey” gave a real boost to this sector and there have been several new and innovative publishers who have revitalized the market. From this small selection you can see that there has been a swell in the number of titles looking at space and the moon, particularly as we reach the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. However there are plenty of books out there if you love, history, nature art and a whole range of fascinating subject, just go out and enjoy the delightful buffet of books.

May 27, 2019 by margaretpemberton

Some Spring Gems

It has been a while since I wrote about some of the latest middle grade fiction that have appeared recently. There has been a continued interest in all things crime related as well as mythical beasts, alternate worlds and of course witches. In fact we have all been spoilt for choice, with not just some brilliant new books, but also continuing adventures from some of our favourite authors of the moment

Nosy Crow, 9781788000260

“Dragon in the Library” by Louie Stowell, illustrated by David Ortu. Well anything about a library is going to get me interested and this is no exception. When Kit and her friend visit the local library to get hold of a book by his favourite author something strange happens. Kit starts reading an information book and suddenly finds herself transported into the pages of the book; the librarian Faith Braithwaite see all of this and brings Kit back, they then try and find out why this happened. It turns out that Faith is a wizard and the library and some of the books in it act as portals to travel to other magical libraries, but best of all Kit and her friends find out that there is a dragon called Draca sleeping under the building. When an unscrupulous developer Hadrian Salt tries to buy the library they will all have to find some way to thwart his plans and save the library and the dragon. This is a really great story and I hope that there will be more, so that we can follow Kit and her friends as they get more involved with wizards.

Kelpies, 9781782505556

“Guardians of the Wild Unicorns” by Lindsay Littleson is a fantastic story from Scotland and is published by the wonderful Kelpies. Lewis and Rhona are on a school trip staying in the highlands, far away from their homes in Glasgow, when Lewis sees what appear to be unicorns he thinks he is imagining things, but what if they are real? The two friends find themselves trying to save these wild unicorns from people who see them as a way to make money, but they find that the task is not as easy as they hope. The unicorns in this book are not at all like the glittery and colourful ones you find in younger age books; these are wild ones in the same sense that those in Harry Potter are and it brings an added fascination and sense of reality to the theme of the story. Behind all of this we have the stories of two young people who are each coping with major issues at home and are not telling anyone, but by the end of the story they have realized that sharing problems can have a positive effect.

Piccadilly, 9781848127616

“Potkin and Stubbs” by Sophie Green, illustrated by K.J.Mountford, is a crime thriller but with a decided difference. Lil has always wanted to be a reporter and because she lives in a city where schools have been closed and her mother is out at work, she has opportunities to follow her ambitions. One evening she sees a young boy at the bus station cafe and offers to buy him a drink because he looks cold and hungry, however the truth is much stranger than that; Nedly is a ghost and Lil decides to try and discover where he had lived and how he died. The story gets darker and more dangerous as they get closer to the truth and they find that there are citywide crimes that need to be resolved. This is a fantastic story for those who love crime stories, with that little added twist of the supernatural.

Stripes, 9781788950220

“The Star-spun Web” by Sinead O’Hart and illustrated by Sara Mulvanney, is a magical tale of parallel worlds that should not connect, but where someone has created a machine to travel between them. Tessa suddenly arrived on the doorsteps of an orphanage as a baby, but there were some strange circumstances, such as the snow on her blanket, even though it was not winter. The story picks up when she is twelve and is claimed by a man purporting to be a relative. What happens next is strange, as she sees a boy through a mirror in the summerhouse and eventually she is able to transfer to this alternative world. It is still a version of the city of Dublin, but one where there is a war and it seems that someone wants to bring bombers through the gateway in order to conquer her own peaceful version of the city and country. Sinead O’Hart has a wonderful imagination and has created a group of characters full of caring and friendship on the one hand and some dastardly villains on the other hand. It is a story that leaves you with a great big smile at the end.

Scholastic, 9781407191553

“Wildspark” by Vashti Hardy (illustrations by George Ermos and Jamie Gregory) is one of those books that you know will leave an impression and you will probably want to read again. It is set in a world where the spirits of those who have died are able to be transferred into the bodies of animals. It is also a world where robots are used to do a lot of the work and being mechanically talented is a real skill. Prue lives on her parent’s farm and is a great engineer, but she has one ambition and that is to try and find the ghost of her brother and have him brought back to this second life. When she is chosen (or rather her dead brother is) to become an apprentice in the main city of Medlock, she thinks that her opportunity has come. This is a beautifully written story about what it is to be human, the love of family and the way we use technology and I really recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy, steampunk or books of extraordinary imagination.

Quercus, 9781786540782

“A girl called Justice” by Elly Griffiths is definitely one for those who love books by Robin Stevens, Laura Wood, Katherine Woodfine and Fleur Hitchcock among others. After the death of her mother, Justice (because her father is a criminal barrister) is sent to boarding school and soon finds an opportunity to use her super sleuthing skills. One of the school maids has gone missing and Justice suspects foul play. As she gradually settles into the strange world of a girls’ boarding school and makes friends, she also investigates the mysterious goings on and whether they have any links to a death from the past. This was a great read for those who love this mix of school and crime and I can’t wait for further adventures from this absolutely ‘spiffing’ heroine.

Nosy Crow, 9781788004503

“No Ballet Shoes in Syria” by Catherine Bruton. This is an amazing, heart breaking and yet very hopeful story of Aya, a young refugee from Syria and her mother and young brother. The main part of the story deals with their struggle to be allowed to remain in the UK and the hope that one day they will find Aya’s father, who was feared drowned as the crossed from Turkey to Greece. The other part of the story is about her love of ballet and the people she meets in a ballet class at the centre where they go to meet the case worker helping them. We are given parallels between Aya and the ballet teacher Miss Helena, who had come to England on one of the last Kinder transport trains and there is a lesson to be learnt about honouring those we have lost by achieving the potential that they believed we have. There is so much hope in this book but it is laced with much sorrow and I really suggest you have a box of tissues at the ready; also don’t read it on the bus or train!

Macmillan, 9781509874217

“Kat Wolfe takes the Case” by Lauren St John, illustrate by Daniel Deamo is the second story about young Kat and her friend Harper as they are caught up in more adventures on the Jurassic coast where they live. When a dinosaur is found by Harper’s father and his team (they are paleontologists), it leads to theft and possible smuggling by a gang trying to find “Dragons’ teeth” which are supposed to cure those suffering from incurable diseases. Once again Kat needs the help of her grandfather (the Minister of Defence) and begins to know him better as a person. This is a great story that mixes geology, animals, mystery and also friendship and family. It is an ideal story for some adventure and crime fighting.

“Malamander” by Thomas Taylor is a tale of mystery and monsters set in a world similar to ours, but with some major differences. Young Herbert Lemon works at the Grand Nautilus Hotel as a ‘Lost and Founder’, but he did not expect that he would be asked to find two people who had disappeared 12 years before. Their daughter, Violet Parma thinks that it is linked to a monster called the Malamander that is said to inhabit the wreck of an old vessel in the bay. This is a fabulously creepy yet funny book with amazing characters (and that is just their names) and a bookshop that every town should want. I look forward to further adventures from this intrepid pair of children.

Simon & Schuster, 9781471178733

“Sea-ing is Believing” by Steven Butler and Steve Lenton, is the next episode in the goings on at yet another weird and wonderful seaside hotel; only this time the hotel is for non-human guests and I don’t mean it is a pet hotel. This hotel caters for yetis, mermaids, and other such unusual clients. In this adventure Frankie’s great grandfather reappears as a ghost during the celebration of his 175th birthday. However something is not quite right and it is up to Frankie and a cast of incredible friends to save the hotel and all of those in it. As always these two Steves have produced a hilarious and very quirky story that will have everyone in stitches and longing for more of the same

OUP, 9780192771605

“The last spell-breather” by Julie Pike takes us to a place where magic still happens and spells are created and then breathed over the recipient. Rayne is the daughter of a spell breather, who protects their village from an undefined plague that has ravaged the country. When her mother disappears it is up to Rayne to keep everyone safe, but unfortunately she is not very good at spells and the results leave her running for her life. Her aim is to go to the city where her mother trained as a spell breather in the hope that she will find her mother and reverse the problems that she has created. Along the way she meets several new friends, but not all of them are what they seem and there is also a dark and sinister villain who brought the original disaster to the country. This is a beautifully conceived story with a frustrating young heroine who battles to do the best for everyone, but because she doesn’t always know the full facts, she gets things wrong. It really is a lesson in communication, listening, trusting people and the importance of family and friends.

Barrington Stoke, 9781781128558

“The Disconnect” by Keren David is a new story from Barrington Stoke and is aimed squarely at the young teen reader, especially those who are attached to their smart phones. Esther’s year group at school have been asked to do without their phones for six weeks and the winners will each get £1000 and the opportunity to be on a panel looking at the use of social media. Many of the young people decide not to take part, many fall at some point during the trial but Esther and her friends are determined to win. This is a fascinating look at how people depend on social media and what it means to be cut off from it. It is also about fake news and making sure that we understand the consequences of believing anything we read without checking. This is altogether a very timely book from one of our top authors for young adults.

Andersen Press, 9781781783448043

“The Bolds go Wild” by Julian Clary and David Roberts. Once again we join our wonderful family of urban hyenas in Surbiton; however this time they get a surprise visit from Fred’s mother Imamu and she is very definitely a WILD hyena. Whilst the children, Bobby and Betty are delighted by the visit they nearly give away the family secret when they are seen by their headmistress, with their tails showing below their clothes. However all is not lost, as Mrs Dobson, the head, has her own secret; she has a son who wants to become a chimpanzee. So the next thing is for the Bolds to help him achieve his ambition and then get him and Imamu back to Africa. You can always guarantee that there will be zany goings on with this family, but beneath it all there is a real sense of caring about letting people and creatures find their own place in the world.

I do hope that you will find something here that you will enjoy. We really are so lucky that there are some splendid books being published for this middle grade range and many of them deal with some quite serious subjects but in a very understated way, so that the reader is carried by the story line, rather than feeling they are being lectured. This is just the start of a much bigger selection that I hope to bring to you in the next month or so. Happy reading!

June 18, 2016 by margaretpemberton

Spring has sprung

One of the joys of spring is finding out what tempting examples of picture books are heading our way. this year has been no exception and there are loads of fantastic picture books for all ages. These are just a few of the ones that have taken my eye in the last few months and I hope to be able to bring another selection to you in the near future.

Andersen Press, 9781783442027

“Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool” by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross is very much a cautionary tale in the style of Hilaire Belloc or Stanley Holloway’s ‘Albert and the Lion’ and from one of my favourite writing and illustration teams. Lucinda Belinda is a truly irritating character, who sees it as her duty to beautify those around her and to comment on what people look like. However when she meets a monster she discovers someone who will not be changed and she learns a very hard lesson. This is not a story for really young readers, but KS2 will love it.

Walker, 9781406362473

“Albert’s Tree” by Jenni Desmond is a gentle and humorous story of a bear and his adventures after he wakes from his long winter’s sleep. It is also about not being scared of the unknown and making friends when you can. It is beautifully illustrated and a great read for the early years.

Otter-Barry, 9781910959473

“The Seal Children” by Jackie Morris. this is a truly beautiful piece of art, something that you always find with Jackie Morris’s books. It is a story about a small fishing village in Wales and about a Selkie (seal woman) who marries a local fisherman. There is a melody to the words that link it to the movement of the waves on the shore and you have a real sense of the environment and the characters.

Andersen Press, 9781783443840

“The adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend” by Dan Santat is a magical tale of an imaginary friend called Beekle who goes on an adventure to try and find his one true friend. The illustrations are beautifully drawn and keep you really engaged with the story. this is all about friendship and the importance that it has in our lives.

Frances Lincoln, 9781847807601

“The world famous Cheese Shop break-in” by Sean Taylor and Hannah Shaw. This is the second book that I have seen recently that featured lots and lots of cheese. On this occasion the rats are trying to break in to a cheese shop but find that there are lots of problems getting in their way. The twist at the end will have everyone smiling.

Otter-Barry, 9781910959527

“I will not wear Pink” by Joyce and Polly Dunbar is an extravaganza of thoughts about the colour pink, but given that the main characters are pigs it is also about being happy with the skin you are in. The language and illustrations are exuberant and full of rhyme. This is one of the first titles from the new Otter-Barry imprint and with Janetta Otter-Barry in the driving seat we are in for some wonderful titles. Really great for story times I am sure.

Andersen Press, 9781783443383

“Life is Magic” by Meg McLaren is a truly wonderful story of a magician, his assistant Houdini and the rest of the group (all of whom are rabbits). When disaster happens and Monsieur Lapin (the magician) is turned into a rabbit it is up to Houdini (also a rabbit) to save the day. You really need to suspend you disbelief with this book but the illustrations and story are fantastic and will really appeal to young children.

Andersen Press, 9781783443390

“All aboard for the Bobo Road” by Stephen Davies and Christopher Corr. this is a truly exuberant story of life in West Africa. It is full of colour and movement as well as being a window into the life that people are leading. The journey itself is set in Burkino Faso and you could use the book to introduce children to work about this part of Africa. On top of all this the book is also a counting story as we see the luggage added and then removed from the bus as it travels along.

Andersen Press, 9781783443635

“Where my feet go” by Birgitta Sif is a look at a day in the life of a small creature, but seen from the perspective of where his feet take him. It is a gentle and joyful story that is great for reading to the youngest children.

Little Tiger Press, 9781848690394

“The first Slodge”by Jeanne Willis and Jenni Desmond takes us back to the beginning of the world and how we all had to learn together and understand that the world is for caring and sharing. This is a very simple story with a very profound message. A really great read.

Bloomsbury, 9781408854976

“The Cloudspotter” by Tom McLaughlin is the story of Franklin, a young lonely boy with a love of cloudspotting. then a scruffy dog starts following him around and even wants to join in with Franklin’s adventures. The charming ending when the two characters realise the importance of the friendship they have begun to share will appeal to everyone.

Little Tiger Press, 9781848691933

“Nibbles, the book Monster” by Emma Yarlett. When Nibbles the book monster escapes from his cage he creates havoc everywhere. He keeps eating into other books like Goldilocks and Little red Riding Hood and proceeds to change the stories. The physical book is wonderful with flaps, cut-outs and books within books. A fantastic read for children and adults alike.

Happy reading to everyone!

Margaret's reading shelf

a personal look at a reading life.

Andersen Press