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!

January 9, 2016 by margaretpemberton

A quiet time before Christmas?

Claire Barker

HarperCollins, 978-0007589203

As I had been through a fairly hectic period in September and October, I thought that the lead up to Christmas would be a lot quieter; how wrong could I be. During October and November I worked with publishers to organize school visits for two really great new authors. In October I took the lovely Claire Barker to four schools where she enthralled the year 3 and 4 children with tales of her new book “Knitbone Pepper, ghost dog”. Then in December I arranged for Sophie Cleverly to go into another four schools to talk about the second in her series about Scarlet and Ivy, this book is called “The Whispers in the Walls”. This series is aimed for the 8-12 age group and is full of mystery. The children thoroughly enjoyed both authors and I am sure that the fan base has increased considerably.

Sharon Tregenza

Early in November I was able to attend the award ceremony for the ‘North Somerset Teachers Book Award’ and it was an opportunity to meet friends such as Huw Powell and Sharon Tregenza (a Facebook friend)and also meet Sam Gayton and Tom Moorhouse, Thank you to all those involved in this award and in particular Sue Wilsher the energetic organizer.

Sam Hepburn and Barry Cunningham

At the end of November I spent a lovely day over in Cardiff, where Chicken House publishers were holding a Little Breakfast at which we were invited to hear from five of their authors about upcoming books. There was Sam Hepburn, Emma Shevah, Linda Davies, M G Leonard and Helen Maslin; a positive cornucopia of talent to look forward to. It was also great to see several old friends and to catch up with what is going on.

The lead up to Christmas was announced in December by the annual Andersen Press Christmas Party. This is an event that is not to be missed if at all possible. There were some amazing people there, all of whom are at the top of their professions as writers and illustrators; which only goes to prove that Andersen knows how to chose which books to publish.

Nosy Crow, 978-0857631466

My final book related event was a week before Christmas, when Tracey Corderoy and Steve Lenton were signing books at Waterstones in Weston-super-mare. Their adventures of “Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam” are becoming very popular and are really good to read to young audiences. this was also an opportunity for the two of them to receive the award for the ‘North Somerset Teachers Book Award’ which they won this year.

So much for a quiet month or so to prepare for the festivities. However I think I prefer the excitement of meeting all of these amazing people and hearing about the wonderful books that have just come out, or will be arriving in the next few months. I really am looking forward to what the new year will bring.

August 16, 2015 by margaretpemberton

Boldly Going…

Well, it might not be the final frontier but on Thursday there was a gathering at Daunts in Marylebone to celebrate the launch of the phenomenally funny book “The Bolds” by Julian Clary, with illustrations by David Roberts.

David Roberts and Julian Clary

A fantastic crowd at Daunts

The Bolds are a family of Hyenas who have found themselves living in Teddington with their two children Bobby and Betty. Once your brain starts to accept this fact it becomes easier to slide (laughing hilariously) into the story of their lives and the plot to save an elderly hyena, from the local safari park, from being put ‘to sleep’. David Robert’s illustrations are as always amazing and and bring the whacky characters to life in such a vivid way.

Tony and Miranda

Betty and friend Minnie

This is yet another fabulous book for what used to be a very neglected age range, the 7-9 year olds. I particularly like the very groan worthy jokes that Mr Bold creates for his job, writing the jokes for Christmas crackers and I am quite sure that the intended audience will be wowing their friends and family with them once they start reading.

A big thanks should go to everyone at Andersen Press, not only for the great party, but also for bringing together such a brilliant team as Julian Clary and David Roberts. I can only hope that this is one of many collaborations and I know that a follow up is being planned for the Bolds. I almost dread to think what they will be doing in suburbia next time around. The one thing that keeps passing through my mind is “what if they had lived in Surbiton and came across Margo Leadbetter?” A vaguely surreal and worrying prospect.

Andersen Press, 9781783443642

April 1, 2015 by margaretpemberton

Easter ‘eggs’ to enjoy reading

Spring is definitely bursting out around us. We have got the first of the daffodils and cherry blossom and from my window I can sit and watch the magnolia coming in to bloom. It is also the time that programmes start appearing for all the conferences and festivals taking place in the next few months. For publishers and real aficionados then Bologna is the place to be in the spring, closely followed by the London Book fair in April . Oxford is about to have its Literature festival and I am looking forward to the Federation of Children’s Book Groups conference just after Easter.

I can’t quite believe that Easter is almost upon us, but at least it hopefully brings a little time to sit and read a good book, or several if you are really lucky.

it seems amazing that it is about 4 months since I had the privilege of reading “The Astounding Broccoli Boy” by Frank Cottrell Boyce as a proof on Netgalley. A really great story with all the humour and adventure that we have come to expect from the author. The hero, Rory, always tries to be prepared for everything, but how do you prepare for turning green? He and two other children are put in isolation whilst the adults try and sort things out, but the children have other ideas make nightly escapes to see what is going on. A really great adventure.

“The Nowhere Emporium” by Ross Mackenzie is the latest offering from the Kelpies imprint so I was really keen to give it a try; it is fair to say that the publisher has never disappointed me with the stories they produce. This is the story of Daniel Holmes who is taken as an apprentice by the mysterious Mr Silver, the owner of the Emporium. There is magic in this book and it takes you on a roller coaster of a journey as the heroes try to evade the creepy and evil Vindictus Sharpe. A wonderful story which leads us through an amazing world of imagination.

“The Girl at Midnight” is a book for older readers, written by Melissa Grey and featuring a young girl called Echo who lives an underground life as a pickpocket and thief. This is a parallel world of the Avicen, who have a slight covering of feathers, and the Drakharin, descended from Dragons and with remnants of scales found on their hands and heads. There is a long history of warfare between the two peoples and it looks ready to flare again as they both search for the mythical Firebird. There is lots of action and unlikely alliances and whilst this took a while to get in to, I ended up loving it and I can’t wait for the next episode of the story to appear.

“The Sound of Whales” by Kerr Thomson

This is a superb first novel by Kerr Thomson full of action but also full of heart and emotion. There are several intertwined stories which all link to a teenager called Fraser and his slightly younger brother Dunny, who has never spoken and has a total fascination for whales. We are faced with people smugglers, a wonderful evocation of life on St Ninian’s, off Shetland and a reminder of the importance of friends and family. It is the kind of book that just creeps up on you and then really takes root. I have a feeling that I will be recommending this to a few people in the future.

Nicola Burstein’s “Other Girl”

this is a great read and is all about the strength of friendship, even when your BFF (best friend forever) happens to develop superpowers. There are times of great humour in this book, but the author has also included a darker side as the villain tries to force Erica (aka Flamegirl) into destroying buildings and people. Luckily the goodies live to fight another day and also get a first date. Whilst the heroines are in their teens I think this would be great for anyone from about 9 years.

“Completely Cassidy” by Tamsyn Murray

I have read some of the author’s books for teens but this is the first in a new series for the pre-teens and it is centred around the worries and fears of Cassidy as she faces her first term at secondary school. She also has to cope with the fact that her mother is due to have twins at Christmas and her elder brother is a complete pain. It is a lovely story which centres around the bonds of friendship and how things are not always as bad as we imagine they are going to be. It should almost be required reading for those just about to start ‘big school’.

Usborne,

February and March seem to have been particularly busy months when it comes to reading. Not all of the books have been long, difficult or challenging but I have had a great time looking at a wide range of books, which really shows the great strength of children’s publishing at the moment. Some books will become classics, whilst other will eventually gather dust, but it is just to wonderful to have the range of books which we can recommend to young readers and potential readers.

March 18, 2015 by margaretpemberton

A bunch of books for the Spring

The end of January brings the bi-annual listing of new children’s books from Bookseller magazine. It is always great to sit and check which of my favourite authors have got a new titles in the next few months. This latest offering has got me all excited about those books appearing over the next months, but also those that have been appearing in the post for me to look at. I still think we are lucky to live at a time where so much writing and illustration talent is on offer.

HarperCollins, 978-0007545766

The other week I was lucky enough to be invited to meet new Irish author Shane Hegarty, whose book “Darkmouth” has just been published. It is a dark and atmospheric book about a small seaside village in Ireland where there exists one of the last doorways between the world of ‘Legends’ and our world. The hero is a young boy called Finn, who is being trained as a Legend Hunter by his father, but he is not very successful. It is an action packed story for both boys and girls and there will be more to come in the series.

Corgi, 978-0552568531

For those who like their mysteries to be more linked to the modern world then the new book by Amanda Mitchison, called “Crog” might fit the bill. the ‘hero’ Wilf is something of a kleptomaniac, although he steals because he is bored. A less than inspiring person who has an extremely wealthy father and a very normal sister, he finds himself in real trouble when he steals a bowl from a local museum and the next morning finds a 3000 year old man in his room, who says he has to guard the bowl. There are great adventures and many
twists in the plot before the truth is discovered. A real page turner for the middle years.

“Big game” by Dan Smith is a really strong story, which has just been made into a film, starring Samuel L Jackson. Imagine being out in the snow in Finland, undergoing a trial to prove your manhood, and then finding a crashed escape pod containing the president of the United States. The problem comes when you find there are men out there who want to kill the president – and you. A great adventure thriller.

Chicken House, 978-1910002797

Walker books, 978-1406354928

One of my favourite books of the last couple of months is “Julius Zebra: rumble with the Romans” by Gary Northfield. This is a hysterical story of the less than brave Julius who is captured by the Romans and ends up fighting in the Colosseum in Rome. It requires a huge amount of disbelief around the idea of anthropomorphic animals. There is wonderful humour, mixed with a fair amount of information about gladiators, which will be great for young readers, both boys and girls.

Chicken House

For a young teen audience there is a really heart wrenching book being published by the great Chicken House. It is called “The Honest Truth” by Dan Gemeinhart and is the story of Mark, a twelve year old who is terminally ill with cancer and decides he is going on one last big adventure while he can. It is a fantastic story of grit and determination, fighting against the odds and also about the families and friends who care. I strongly recommend this one.

HarperCollins, 978-0007589180

“Scarlet and Ivy” by Sophie Cleverly is a first novel, by one of the graduates from the truly amazing Writing for young people course at Bath Spa. they have produced some of the best authors of the last few years. This story is about mysteries and missing people; with all kinds of twists and turns as Ivy tries to find out what has happened to her missing sister.

OUP, 978-0192737748

For younger readers we have the funny and truly imaginative story of “The Accidental Prime Minister” by Tom McLaughlin. The premise is totally impossible but it makes for a good read and I think some of the contenders for the real office might learn a thing or to about working for the people, if they read this book to their children.

Bloomsbury, 978-1408854136

“The Last of the Spirits” by Chris Priestley is a wonderful re-telling of the story of “A Christmas carol” but told from the perspective of a destitute boy and his sister. It is one of those books that just grabs you, and I finished it in one sitting. It is also going on my list of those books which have to be read every year; probably just after I have watched the ‘Muppet Christmas carol’.

Hot Key Books, 978-1471404597

“The door that led to Where” by Sally Gardner is yet another real winner from a truly superb writer. It is a time travel novel, set in modern and Victorian London, but with the twists and turns that keep you hooked into the story. The ending seems to give hope that there will be a follow up, I do hope so.

Randomhouse, 978-0552570732

“Arsenic for Tea” by Robin Stevens is the second in the series featuring the girl sleuths Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong and set in a Poirotesque time frame. I have to say that this one kept me guessing and I was really disappointed
when the murderer was announced, because all of the suspects were such nice people, in fact the only nasty person turned out to be the victim. I have just heard that a contract has been signed for more books by this author and I can’t wait.

Curious Fox, 978-1782022527

My last offering is the first in a new series by Vicki Lockwood, called ” The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom”. It is set in Victorian London and surrounds the adventures of Lizzie Brown, who runs away from her drunken father and finds herself joining a circus. Whilst assisting the fortuneteller, Lizzie discovers that she has a true ability to see into the future, not something she really wants. the story deals with her attempts to unmask a mysterious thief, with the help of her new circus friends. I am looking forward to the next in this exciting series for the ‘tweens’.

December 9, 2014 by margaretpemberton

Christmas is almost upon us.

Every year we seem to find Christmas preparations getting earlier, with the shops starting the marketing as early as the end of August. However I try and keep things in perspective until the beginning of December, although you do have to think of cakes and puddings a bit earlier. The build up to the festivities has always started with the arrival of the latest Christmas/winter themed picturebooks and ends with a surfeit of “Muppet Christmas Carol”. This year I am going to highlight a couple of new books and several ‘old’ favourites and I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have done.

The Christmas Eve Ghost by Shirley Hughes

Walker books, 9781406320633

This wonderful evocation of Christmas in the 1930s is really something special from the amazing Shirley Hughes. It is set in working class Liverpool and gives us an insight into how people were influenced by their religious upbringing. When their widowed mother has to leave them for a short while, Bronwen and Dylan are frightened by the odd thumping sound coming from their outhouse. Lucky their neighbour, Mrs O’Riley took them in to her home and found the reason for the sounds. The story is full of pathos and has a real lesson for us all about the meaning of goodwill to all men.

Alfie’s Christmas by Shirley Hughes

This book came out last year and stars one of the favourite characters in children’s picturebooks. Perhaps Alfie and Annie Rose live a somewhat idealized life compared to many, put they still have to go through all the worries and hopes about the coming festivities. This story perfectly shows the excitement that the children experience in the weeks leading up to Christmas. From Christmas carols and plays, to making decorations and mince pies, we join Alfie and Annie Rose in their preparations and their enjoyment of the big day.

Red Fox, 9781849416498

One Little Angel by Ruth Brown

Andersen Press, 9780862648467

Although this book was first published in 1998 it is still one of my favourites. The gentle humour surrounding the young angel is a reminder that not everyone wants a halo and wings. The twist at the end is something of a lightbulb moment that makes sense of the whole story and Ruth Brown did a magnificent job in leading us away from the real plot. It should be read in every primary school at this time of year.

Cat in the Manger by Michael Foreman

Andersen Press, 9780862649277

An enchanting retelling of the nativity story, but from the perspective of a cat who takes shelter in the stable on that cold winter’s night in Bethlehem. It is a very grumpy cat, so we get his opinions about cattle, donkeys, sheep and all the other animals and people who arrive to see the new baby that has been born. However, the lives of all there were changed by that event and even the cat is mellowed by his experience.

The Snow day by Richard Curtis and Rebecca Cobb (illust)

Whilst this new book is not specifically about Christmas it is about the simple joys of snow and the magic of imagination which can flourish when we change to our normal routines and attitudes. This really had me chuckling at the events and the two characters. It is a gentle book , full of hope and a belief in the simpler ways of enjoying life. I am preparing a longer review of this book for the School Librarian, but it had to make an appearance in my own listing for this year and will definitely be on my annual “to read” list.

Puffin, 9780723288923

Snow by Walter de la Mare and Carolina Rabei (illust)

I first spoke about this book in my previous review of picture books. It is a lovely re-drawing of the poem by de la Mare, with a slightly 1950s feel to the illustrations with their simplicity and limited colour palette. there is that really simple joy which comes from making the most of what surrounds us and which we often forget in the hustle bustle of the modern world.

The final two books have elements that bring them together. They have gatherings of people, although in some stories it is a greater number than in others. There is a strong sense of family and friendship and also of making the best of things when there are a few problems.

The first of the books is a very old favourite that I have told on endless occasions in libraries and schools

One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth

Harpercollins, 9780007146932

A wonderful story of friendship featuring the loveable Percy the Park keeper and the wide assortment of animals that live in his park. When the snow falls heavily the animals arrive at Percy’s hut for a bit of shelter, and how things work out makes for a magical tale which never fails.

Christmas in Exeter Street by Diana Hendry and John lawrence (illust)

Amazingly this book was first written in 1989 and I can only suppose I missed it because we moved to Cyprus at the end of that year. It is a very funny tale of what happens when a house if filled lierally to the rafters with people seeking shelter for the Christmas break. We end up with 18 children that father Christmas has to remember, never mind all the adults. It is rather like a festive game of ‘sardines’. Thankfully the book was republished last year by Walker books, so it is available to a whole new audience.

Walker books, 978406343038

I do hope that you get the chance to read some of these books and in particular have the chance to read them to a young audience because they really do add to that magical feel that we have for Christmas.

May 15, 2014 by margaretpemberton

Picture book fun

With a small grandson I am even more interested in picture books than I was before, and I have always loved seeing how writers and illustrators get the words and pictures to work together. Here are some of the books I have enjoyed over the last few months, and I just had to include two books with the same title!

The first of these books is by Angie Morgan and is a story about a rat who thinks he is actually a mouse. It is beautifully written and illustrated tale of knowing who you are inside and not being stereotyped. The second story is the story of a small kitten who joins the circus and has difficulties finding his place in the world. Then he has a BIG idea and becomes a triumph. Again this is about knowing yourself and also working with your strengths.

Egmont Books

Frances Lincoln Books

David Roberts must be one of my favourite illustrators, with a very distinctive style and pictures that are full of colour, action and a truly subversive sense of humour. I first saw a copy of his latest book, written by Peter Bently, at an Andersen preview evening last autumn and I was thrilled when a copy landed on my doorstep. It is about the adventures of a group of sheep who steal an airplane and have fantastic adventures, whilst being chased by the pilot, who looks remarkably like Dick Dastardly. The setting is early 20th century, so we have the open bi-plane and the link to the film ” those magnificent men….” It really is a great story and full of wonderful atmospheric pictures.

Andersen Press

Jo Hodgkinson is new to me but I really loved this gentle tale of friendship and parenting. Billy has parents who love magic, the trouble is, they are not very good at it. One day Billy saves Nigel the snail from one of their spells and they become firm friends. Unfortunately the parents think Nigel is unexciting and try to persuade Billy to have another pet; as a result Nigel decides to leave. Luckily, after a lot of excitement, all ends well. I think I am going to have great fun reading this to my grandson and I look forward to seeing more work by this author.

Bloomsbury

Alison Green Books
Scholastic

These final two stories really appealed to me and I have been talking about them to anyone willing to listen. “Herman’s Letter” is written and illustrated by Tom Percival, perhaps better know for his covers to the “Skulduggery Pleasant” books. It is a gently humorous book about what happens when best friends Henry Raccoon and Herman Bear are separated. Herman worries that his friend has forgotten him and Henry is concerned that he has not heard from his friend. How everything is resolved makes for a warm and enjoyable tale.

The final book is by Thomas and Helen Docherty and focuses on the importance of bedtime stories, family and friendship. In Burrow Down all the children enjoy stories at bedtime, but then their books start to mysteriously disappear. Who could be stealing their bedtime stories? A small rabbit called Eliza Brown takes on the challenge and finds a small creature called a “Snatchabook”. The resolution to the story is satisfying and reminds us of the importance of the bedtime story and the way it brings adults and children together.

Margaret's reading shelf

a personal look at a reading life.