tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91239641072598673652024-03-20T03:33:24.251-07:00The Breadcrumb ForestFind your way through the fantastic forest of children's stories with this book review blog of picture books, junior fiction and middle grade publications.LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-85959162102075403082024-03-20T03:32:00.000-07:002024-03-20T03:32:45.964-07:00What's new in lower middle grade?<p>We've done lots of reviews for chapter books recently - books that are aimed at the 5-8 age group - but there are some cracking 7-9 books around too! These books can also come under the banner of 'chapter books' but are often referred to as lower middle grade. It's a great space to find books of about 30,000 words which are packed full of humour and adventure. Here are three new releases that we think are corkers!</p><p><b><u>Sammy and the Extra Hot Chilli Powder by Charlie P. Brooks, illustrated by Steve May</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJLO9EtR92sMQaQoOMDekC4Ac4qlDi_xJ3vGSyZ5DXA3hi5zg3rRYje30Jnfq7-ilPPZc3x4mhTKG220K6k_5MHh79Giy72aJKOQiYObwoGIQgVUQEZOjmW7GAVw2UtjEw1K-4wte2osYzi7tMEHwCH91xmcvDYaNwjRn7hlIiOhoMGkX8VJLhzyJDis/s392/Sammy.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJLO9EtR92sMQaQoOMDekC4Ac4qlDi_xJ3vGSyZ5DXA3hi5zg3rRYje30Jnfq7-ilPPZc3x4mhTKG220K6k_5MHh79Giy72aJKOQiYObwoGIQgVUQEZOjmW7GAVw2UtjEw1K-4wte2osYzi7tMEHwCH91xmcvDYaNwjRn7hlIiOhoMGkX8VJLhzyJDis/w208-h320/Sammy.png" width="208" /></a></div><div><a href="https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/sammy-and-the-extra-hot-chilli-powder-sammy-book-1-charlie-p-brooks?variant=40545523335246">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div>Published by: HarperCollins, 15th February 2024</div><div><br /></div><div>In three words: humorous sniffer dogs</div><div><br /></div>This book was a brilliant read and right up both my street and my son's. Told from the point-of-view of Sammy, himself, it's pacy, funny and totally entertaining...<div><br /></div><div><i>Sammy the Setterpoo loves her life with her owner. So when she begins her training as a sniffer dog, Sammy struggles with the unfriendliness of the other dogs and the change in lifestyle. That is until she realises that she has such a brilliant nose, she can sniff out anything. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But when Sammy accidentally takes a whiff of some extra-hot chilli powder, she loses her sense of smell. Sent to live with Beanie while she recovers, Sammy wonders if she'll ever smell anything again. And when she gets wind that someone is planning on stealing a diamond, can she find a way to stop them?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Sammy is an instantly brilliant character with a hugely engaging voice. Although we love a story about an underdog - which is many ways Sammy is - we loved how she became top of her game at sniffing. Who would expect that of a setterpoo? </div><div><br /></div><div>Even when the trouble started and things started to go wrong, we were rooting for Sammy all the way through. Charlie P. Brooks has done an incredible job of capturing the bouncy, upbeat nature of a dog, which is reflected perfectly in the illustrations by Steve May. The plot is twisty and fun, the other characters - both four and two-legged - are great. There just wasn't anything not to like. Do I wish I'd thought of writing this story with this character? Absolutely 100% - Sammy is a winner. <br /><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Kevin the Vampire: A Wild and Wicked Witch by Matt Brown, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino.</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNIlHVw9QZmMgwvjEM6Mvl3Y3rKXga7JjqnGYNLuhyn-hn87-9-Th4NBcukABpx1kXu8_nO-qMmrc2VMjFltuuENVKTStFiyvsTVHiZyihn6iBoVgofsWdIzY-YaXPj9tTmn2zPP4V4WXrB171IFP0LMq0rAD-yvrEfTEE6XAKVQnAh1zjOoKpwtE1pc/s391/Kevin%20the%20Vampire.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNIlHVw9QZmMgwvjEM6Mvl3Y3rKXga7JjqnGYNLuhyn-hn87-9-Th4NBcukABpx1kXu8_nO-qMmrc2VMjFltuuENVKTStFiyvsTVHiZyihn6iBoVgofsWdIzY-YaXPj9tTmn2zPP4V4WXrB171IFP0LMq0rAD-yvrEfTEE6XAKVQnAh1zjOoKpwtE1pc/s320/Kevin%20the%20Vampire.png" width="209" /></a></div><p>Published by: Nosy Crow, 14th March 2024</p><p>In three words: carnivals, dragons, witches</p><p>Perfect for fans of <i>The Addams Family </i>and <i>Vlad, The World's Worst Vampire </i>by Anna Wilson or those just looking for a spooky story, <i>Kevin the Vampire </i>is a great new series that readers can sink their teeth into. Following on the adventure from <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2023/10/its-here-our-spooky-halloween-round-up.html">Book One</a>, this second story sees Kevin, his family and his new human friend, Susie, arrive at The Festival of Fear...</p><p><i>Arriving in Monstros City, Kevin is determined that his family will win Carnival of the Year. Performing a dangerous and daring dragon display alongside Susie and Gerald - the new member of Carnival Monstromo who is half-dragon and half-griffin - will surely win them the title. </i></p><p><i>But in their hurry to get to Monstros City, Carnival Monstromo travelled through the Wild Woods - home to a terribly wicked witch. Unbeknownst to Kevin and Susie, Dog did something to upset the witch and now she has followed them, determined to get her revenge...</i></p><p>This story has loveable characters and a fun, fast-paced plot that is big on world-building and imagination. We enjoyed the mists of time, the evilness of the villain and the spooky, high-stakes atmosphere. The narrator tells the story with a huge amount of humour. This mixes the fear with fun and creates the perfect tone for the age-group. We found Dog particularly hilarious!</p><p>If you're looking for action, then there's also a huge amount in this book. From high-speed chases to daring moves, tricks and traps, every chapter is designed to hold the reader's attention. There's also a lovely exploration of some relatable themes - feeling different, alone and out-of-place - and a fun sub-plot which involves wider members of the family. We can't wait to see what happens next. </p><p><b><u>Pirate Academy: New Kid On Deck by Justin Somper</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWipiEzxveMcyUWCUAZcHWuB_Z0boFHWxqbTRMlVXzy-l72YIroyu1QhFfyJRx1wWv7woxRPXLZBN64yzjLa9Wk_WIfAxZQj53XcrwX2bnl4TKt5VnUA8AiEGgC5oWTaNQVSXbbur7Hyb6aw-OTbdsiCUCXD_hD_OyEVog_CtRWZFa4nTtc1Wdo6bWHUI/s392/Pirate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWipiEzxveMcyUWCUAZcHWuB_Z0boFHWxqbTRMlVXzy-l72YIroyu1QhFfyJRx1wWv7woxRPXLZBN64yzjLa9Wk_WIfAxZQj53XcrwX2bnl4TKt5VnUA8AiEGgC5oWTaNQVSXbbur7Hyb6aw-OTbdsiCUCXD_hD_OyEVog_CtRWZFa4nTtc1Wdo6bWHUI/s320/Pirate.png" width="208" /></a></div><div><a href="https://uclanpublishing.com/book/new-kid-on-deck/">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div>Published by: UCLan, 7th March 2024</div><div>In three words: pirates, school, swordfighting</div><div><br /></div>If you're after less humour and more serious adventure then this new pirate series is for you. Fast-paced with some cut-throat action, the story-telling is slick and you can tell the author knows this world inside and out...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Step into the future. The year is 2507, seas have risen and pirates rule the waves. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Jacoby and Jasmine are students at the elite Pirate Academy. Their teachers are pirate legends and they train their students to be the best. But when Jasmine receives news that her pirate parents are missing and new student, Neo Splice, turns up, tensions quickly rise. New students don't just turn up at the academy. Who is Neo really and what alarming news does he bring from the ocean? Suddenly, no one is safe...</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I was taken by surprise by the fierceness of this story. The concept is both gripping and believable and the prologue sets the tone for the whole book. Unlike other school stories for this age-group, there is no messing about at pirate academy. Everyone means business and when danger comes a-calling, there's a whole lot of ruthlessness afoot. From kidnaps to swordfights to desperate chases across the ocean, every page is packed with action and adventure and yet it still remained appropriate for the age-group. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the perfect series for adrenaline junkies, pirate fans and those who just want to read a hard-hitting adventure. Although pirate stories are nothing new, this felt fresh, original and something you'd want to see on the big screen. <i>Pirates of the Caribbean </i>for kids - but a serious version.<i> </i>We LOVED it!</div><div><br /></div><div>A big thanks to <i>NetGalley </i>and the above publishers for allowing us a review copy. </div><div><p><br /></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-62234351059090854662024-03-12T02:36:00.000-07:002024-03-12T02:41:29.575-07:00New middle grade releases to get excited about...<p>This month is going to be a treat when it comes to new MG releases. There's a Barrington Stoke book from Katya Balen for those looking for a pint-sized, perfectly-packaged read, a nail-biting Parisien adventure and a new fantasy from Struan Murray, author of the <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2020/03/orphans-of-tide-by-struan-murray.html">Orphans of the Tide</a> trilogy. What's not to get excited about?</p><p><b><u>Little House by Katya Balen, illustrayed by Richard Johnson</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC03JphNBmAPDJHQI2H1xdkiT3A2YUcPe4ZzDTojnuOYkcqdAvQeDjQ8xkX2mLOMrUqzTW3AuUCYqWpZI0qSlGOnSJJ52s2z4xlT15NdieMVhSgmuX93k6_FvqfoqFnic6CukC5xUPO46lVl5RqCyrxF3e6q-KRQOc3Ul40OwU5EoPU2b2R80qfkSNhTo/s388/Little%20house.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC03JphNBmAPDJHQI2H1xdkiT3A2YUcPe4ZzDTojnuOYkcqdAvQeDjQ8xkX2mLOMrUqzTW3AuUCYqWpZI0qSlGOnSJJ52s2z4xlT15NdieMVhSgmuX93k6_FvqfoqFnic6CukC5xUPO46lVl5RqCyrxF3e6q-KRQOc3Ul40OwU5EoPU2b2R80qfkSNhTo/s320/Little%20house.png" width="210" /></a></div>Published by: Barrington Stoke, 14th March 2024<p></p><p>In Three Words: Grief, Grandparents, Dolls</p><p>As with all Balen's novels, this is a beautiful gentle story which explores grief and abandonment and hope. There's a lovely burgeoning relationship too between the main character and her grandfather as Juno comes to terms with her mum going away. </p><p><i>Juno is furious when her mum leaves her with her grandfather for the summer to go and help those in desperate need. Now Juno will miss a whole summer with her friends and it's all her mum's fault for choosing to leave. </i></p><p><i>But when Juno finds an old doll's house in the attic and decides to restore it, she begins to understand the reasons behind her mum's decisions. Can she find a way to forgive her?</i></p><p>This is a small novella which poses big questions. Is Juno or her mum the selfish one? Written with a huge amount of heart and hope, Katya Balen doesn't shy away from emotional issues, allowing her characters to rage, reflect and restore their sense of hope. </p><p>I loved the pure simplicity of this story, which is captured perfectly in the front cover by Richard Johnson. Aside from the big issues, Katya Balen writes about the everyday in such a unique and fascinating way - with incredible language and a soothing lyrical rhythm. We would absolutely recommend all her of previous novels and novellas. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4tGDH_4XD1FxdtdYUL4rNnPQSzz8pzk5ddIKwKpMzjH0rUjmqGsKbov2uPFf7-GOJNc-msUe9m_3MFEDoRQI8mGR1nyfinYqafNK4_GAlhrmLgLi-nKMVxNMw49-F_lreTM70kJ2NLr6gFkUtHEmvWzWqh5JOAgrICeKLg0LICOUZq1eVQjevA29YZI/s391/Snakestone.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4tGDH_4XD1FxdtdYUL4rNnPQSzz8pzk5ddIKwKpMzjH0rUjmqGsKbov2uPFf7-GOJNc-msUe9m_3MFEDoRQI8mGR1nyfinYqafNK4_GAlhrmLgLi-nKMVxNMw49-F_lreTM70kJ2NLr6gFkUtHEmvWzWqh5JOAgrICeKLg0LICOUZq1eVQjevA29YZI/s320/Snakestone.png" width="209" /></a></div><b><u>Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta</u></b><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><a href="https://nosycrow.com/product/secrets-of-the-snakestone/">Link to publisher</a></u></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Published by: Nosy Crow, 14th March 2024</div><div><br /></div><div>In three words: Paris, Sewers, Jewels<br /><p>If you're looking for a gripping, fast-paced fictional adventure that's set in 19th century Paris, has a backstory set in India and is inspired by historical places and events, then <i>Secrets of the Snakestone</i> is a must-read. It's dark and twisty narrative will whisk you away to the streets of Paris, the sewers of Paris and the rooftops of Paris and, if that isn't enough, then add in a circus, a railway and some secret passages for good measure...</p><p><i>Zelie doesn't believe in magic, despite people thinking she is a witch. But when she meets a boy, Jules, who is holding a golden locket which belonged to her missing father, Zelie is plunged into a sinister adventure.</i></p><p><i>A dangerous and secret society is on a ruthless search for the Snakestone - a powerful and mysterious jewel that was once kept inside the locket. If Zelie finds the stone, she knows she'll find her father. But can Zelie keep herself alive? She's going to need help to find it in time...</i></p><p>This is a novel that means business. The dark and sinister atmosphere hit me smack between the eyes and, right from the off, the pace is like a horse bolting from a starting gate. Zelie, a mistreated maid, is a great character facing overwhelming odds and Jules was the perfect - but very reluctant - sidekick. </p><p>The villains we meet are ruthless. From Madame Malaise to Brother Ombre, the author gives a clear sense of what the poor suffered at the hands of the powerful. There's lies, corruption, deceit as Zelie and Jules navigate an adult world that's as rotten and dank as the sewers. And yet there are lighter moments too with Madame Drusilla and Titicaca the baby sloth, whose wellbeing took up a lot of my thoughts.</p><p> There was a magical layer as well to this tale, with the evil power of the snakestone. Whether the story will develop into a series remains to be seen but there is definitely the potential for us to see the snakestone again. The backstory had been superbly plotted and really added to the story as a whole. It's a fast and furious read that you don't want to miss. </p><p><b><u>The Secret of Moonshard by Struan Murray, illustrated by Vivienne To</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpn01LpdUpO7ZvQbccV2sVJnW3qZByy8G8atbEZRqFUN7bdE6fdlfSXU319p3ATZQgJaPKJlVpXfXBJ4jEqGY5IsqINzZvgqdwYYygVw_feFlLXKe8oyjAElic20v282wCdadImWCooer1pcTikBtZwC1IGgDigbZBRrW-_V5zwpGj-9SH8SQbXGPacI/s391/Moonshard.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpn01LpdUpO7ZvQbccV2sVJnW3qZByy8G8atbEZRqFUN7bdE6fdlfSXU319p3ATZQgJaPKJlVpXfXBJ4jEqGY5IsqINzZvgqdwYYygVw_feFlLXKe8oyjAElic20v282wCdadImWCooer1pcTikBtZwC1IGgDigbZBRrW-_V5zwpGj-9SH8SQbXGPacI/s320/Moonshard.png" width="209" /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/445868/the-secret-of-the-moonshard-by-murray-struan/9780241535585">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div>Published by: Penguin, 29th February 2024</div><div><br /></div><div>In Three Words: Magic, Science, Deception</div><div><br /></div>Struan Murray won the Bath Children's Novel Award with <i>Orphans of the Tide </i>in 2017 and it went on to become one of the best upper middle-grade trilogies I've ever read - dark, twisty and atmospheric - which then won the Branford Boase Award. Now, his new fantasy is about to hit the shelves and I couldn't resist a sneak peek, courtesy of Netgalley. The length of this novel does mean that it's not for the faint-hearted but if you're after an epic adventure filled with magic, mystery and incredible characters, then it's absolutely worth a read:<div><br /></div><div><i>Domino has been held in a floating laboratory by scheming Science Barons ever since she was born, believing that a single drop of magic could kill her. But then she discovers everything she's been told is a lie and escapes to a wondrous city filled with magic, thunder lizards and scientific marvels.<br /><br />But a war is brewing between science and magic and the Barons are after Domino, possibly because she might be the key to saving everyone . . .</i><div><br /></div><div>This feels very different in tone to the <i>Orphans of the Tide </i>trilogy but the world-building is equally imaginative. Floating laboratories, moving hotels and imaginative creatures - I loved Oshi - are just some of the things you can expect in this meticulously plotted tale. Again, this sits at the upper end of MG and is perfect for more confident readers. There's a large cast of characters and the storytelling is ambitious. </div><div><br /></div><div>Domino is a character I immediately found myself rooting for and, for me, there were some gentle echoes of <i>Oliver</i>, although I can't quite put my finger on why. There's high stakes and ruthless baddies but the story overall has a more playful feel than <i>Orphans. </i>Some of the magic is really fun but I'm not going to give away any more spoilers - this is one readers need to explore for themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and the above publishers for allowing us review copies. All of these books are available to buy or pre-order now. </i></div><div><p><br /></p></div></div></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-83755793646821095252024-03-08T04:29:00.000-08:002024-03-08T05:13:51.466-08:00What's new in picture books?<p>With the youngest reader in our house turning 9 this year, you'd think we were well past the picture book stage. Wrong! In between everything else that we're reading, we love nothing more than curling up with a picture book for five precious minutes and delighting in the words, pictures and characters. From bouncy rhyming texts to stories that are more quiet and gentle - there's so much variety, it's impossible to get bored. Here are some upcoming releases that are really worth looking out for. </p><p> <b><u>Brian the Lion who Learned by Frances Stickley and Chris Chatterton</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoXNjQxyNvLAv5a3xoQk4QJo3PQ-Fi8yNBJIUn7BqsJG6_fHjdYiSMIB6fSE-fXeegCNKkO5GPXiICuUlqY_-LtJy5dI7oKXalHWDm6s15EQ6iH03UpZ5t-3DXHEt1rgy8HPY0QSZXzH3ugLQ84d_jhB2IL1V_h577cbNWjsz6Zrrd99P3B_4wSuXyiU/s400/Brian.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoXNjQxyNvLAv5a3xoQk4QJo3PQ-Fi8yNBJIUn7BqsJG6_fHjdYiSMIB6fSE-fXeegCNKkO5GPXiICuUlqY_-LtJy5dI7oKXalHWDm6s15EQ6iH03UpZ5t-3DXHEt1rgy8HPY0QSZXzH3ugLQ84d_jhB2IL1V_h577cbNWjsz6Zrrd99P3B_4wSuXyiU/s320/Brian.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Brian-the-Lion-who-Learned/Frances-Stickley/9781398513280">Link to publisher</a><br /><p></p><p>Published by: Simon and Schuster, April 11th 2024</p><p>If it's an upbeat rhyming text you're after, then look no further than <i>Brian the Lion Who Learned </i>by Frances Stickley and Chris Chatterton. Frances Stickley is a hugely versatile picture book author who writes lyrical rhyme, cautionary tales and fun texts that play with the power of illustration. This text, however, is perfect for fans of Lu Fraser 's <i>Mavis the Bravest</i>, illustrated by Sarah Warburton, and Catherine Emmett's <i>The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly, </i>illustrated by Claire Powell - both of which are also published by Simon and Schuster. </p><p><i>Brian is the king of the jungle and loves spending each day playing with his friends. But when he finds out that his friends don't feel the same way, Brian is confused. As he sets out to learn what he has been doing wrong, he begins to understand how he can consider the feelings of others as well as his own. </i></p><p>This is a fun text with great characters and a strong message. It centres around themes of appropriateness and consent but is told in a very child-friendly way. Frances Stickley uses animal characters to explore the topic and Brian the lion feels like the perfect choice for an 'in-your-face' main character. The catchiness of the title reflects the exact style of the story within the pages and it is the characters and the language that will make this story memorable, as well as the bold and brilliant illustrations.</p><p>As well as being a fantastic book to have on your shelf at home, this is also an excellent story for PSHE lessons. Through the exploration of Brian's behaviour, it encourages self-awareness, empathy and reflection, as well as the skill of speaking out. We've seen lots of picture books about fear and bravery and about overcoming shyness, but a picture book that centres around an overpowering character feels more unique. Brian is wonderfully endearing and loveable but it's great to see the other animals finding their voice too. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Help! Ralfy Rabbit and the Great Library Rescue by Emily MacKensie</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87SxVZQUyEo0NPPbdqwdJ47udlNMJsjWtuhsVAmQQIEok0kangjXcxYLm6cbZx1bLWDLaVD9QvkEoMIktss4UT2fHOIzVmwawtZt4NoxTkhc7O7cBle7Vx4YfDwTerfdxAK7BxUvTWfF93fPDqRAR-OvnL5gjmBrbVR-h07yAO-s1af4Gk_oJ5KnSQKw/s255/Ralfy.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="255" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87SxVZQUyEo0NPPbdqwdJ47udlNMJsjWtuhsVAmQQIEok0kangjXcxYLm6cbZx1bLWDLaVD9QvkEoMIktss4UT2fHOIzVmwawtZt4NoxTkhc7O7cBle7Vx4YfDwTerfdxAK7BxUvTWfF93fPDqRAR-OvnL5gjmBrbVR-h07yAO-s1af4Gk_oJ5KnSQKw/s1600/Ralfy.png" width="255" /></b></a></div><div><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/search/?q=HELP!+Ralfy+Rabbit+and+the+Great+Library+Rescue">Link to publisher</a></div><div>Published by: Bloomsbury, 25th April 2024 </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the latest in a series of stories about Ralfy Rabbit and although we have to admit to not reading the others, we definitely will now. With a loveable character on a noble mission, this is a gentle story which champions the power and importance of libraries.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ralfy Rabbit and his brother, Rodney, are horrified to learn that their local library is closing. The librarian tells them that only a magic dragon can save the library now...and so Ralfy and Rodney immediately set out to find one. But there doesn't seem to be a magic dragon anywhere! Is there anything else that can save the library?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>The plot of this story is really clever and we really liked how Ralfy's mission stemmed from a humorous misunderstanding and a throwaway comment about a magic dragon. This made the journey of the story more interesting and the resolution more satisfying, as well as adding a lovely touch of humour. We loved the themes of community and were reminded of how important it is to appreciate each other and also the special things we have on our doorstep. </div><div><br /></div><div>As well as the library, there's a variety of other settings in the story too. This allows the reader to enjoy a great range of illustrations, which are just as adorable as Ralfy and Rodney. It's a relatable story that encapsulates the small world of a child, promotes a love of reading and will make you want to visit your library straight away...probably for more Ralfy Rabbit books. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>The Hoys by Kes Grey and Mark Chambers</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrW7QEY8ZOMWZ2MEAfV03qzhJN29VnClTlJcDQv9SoNRRqbCKKCt6ijELjHCmQiU9lLmA_k32kG7jQeH_I0k7jqypmCaC-fgKgGYmjx6eHAqnBjKUQLTQmXhoQEdwDTMaoz52RCJ1QukbQ89EZh5YNJhyphenhyphen-GRm3QxMSu55aVK-uwzSx_7LzKqwCcUktkA/s255/The%20hoys.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="255" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrW7QEY8ZOMWZ2MEAfV03qzhJN29VnClTlJcDQv9SoNRRqbCKKCt6ijELjHCmQiU9lLmA_k32kG7jQeH_I0k7jqypmCaC-fgKgGYmjx6eHAqnBjKUQLTQmXhoQEdwDTMaoz52RCJ1QukbQ89EZh5YNJhyphenhyphen-GRm3QxMSu55aVK-uwzSx_7LzKqwCcUktkA/s1600/The%20hoys.png" width="255" /></a></div><a href="https://quarto.com/books/9780711287990/the-hoys" style="font-weight: bold;">Link to publisher</a><br /><br />Published by: Quarto, 2nd April 2024<br /><p>We love Kes Grey and Jim Field's <i>Oi! </i>series and this picture book is another fun idea based on a play of words. Perfect for pirate fans, it follows the character of Pirate Jake, who is more than a bit confused...</p><p><i>Pirate Jake is desperate to be a proper pirate. But how can he be when he doesn't know what a hoy is? Every pirate he meets talks about 'a hoy' so why he see or understand what they are on about? It's time for Pirate Jake to go on a search for a hoy!</i></p><p>This text, with its bold, bright and brilliant illustrations by Mark Chambers, is fun, fun, fun and takes young readers on an exciting quest. Will Pirate Jake find a hoy or will he realise his mistake? Things may turn out quite differently to what you expect!</p><p>As always, Kes Grey's genius use of language not only creates laugh-out-loud comedy but also encourages children to be creative and imaginative. However, there's a lovely tender undercurrent to this book too, which added depth to the narrative and increased our enjoyment of it. If you're looking for something uniquely different, then this is the book to pick. </p><p><b><u>Penelope Snoop, Super Sleuth by Pamela Butchart and Christine Roussey</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYpkzduKBP2SNi86JvZQFwLhaz3MYOxfR4X3RtzB7-hsN36Q6EMIqxWFjPcnBYo1b9R1bCzBu_sBgdbbbT9IlUPV2Ctr3c_AsuThgsl5H18oBI7CyrXkwiKKhvB3myfbuN9rwxzUMq6g8Y9MA4Qz3HyZbaAA73yrWIbBO_jj_Z_JCX3aUbXqboA2SljM/s285/Penelope.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="255" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYpkzduKBP2SNi86JvZQFwLhaz3MYOxfR4X3RtzB7-hsN36Q6EMIqxWFjPcnBYo1b9R1bCzBu_sBgdbbbT9IlUPV2Ctr3c_AsuThgsl5H18oBI7CyrXkwiKKhvB3myfbuN9rwxzUMq6g8Y9MA4Qz3HyZbaAA73yrWIbBO_jj_Z_JCX3aUbXqboA2SljM/s1600/Penelope.png" width="255" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/penelope-snoop-super-sleuth-9781526656674/">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 9th May 2024</p><p>Pamela Butchart is a comedy genius and this picture book series has her trademark humour in bucketloads as well as a brilliantly memorable character. With World Book Day happening on Thursday, we wonder how many Penelope Snoops there'll be skulking around schools and solving mysteries such as who stole the pencil sharpener and which teacher ate all the staffroom biscuits..?</p><p><i>Penelope Snoop has solved mysteries before but this one has her stumped. Sidney the Smelly Sock Snake has disappeared and Penelope wants him back. Can she, along with her pet dog, Carlos, find out what's happened to him?</i></p><p>This character led story is full of imagination and captures the world of a young child perfectly. With clues and suspicious things all around the house and garden, can Penelope work her detective magic - oh and throw in a trip to the moon as well. There's tons of extra humour lurking in the fantastic illustrations by Christine Roussey - just look at Carlos' expression - and the colour palette is incredibly effective. With sock snakes, mud monsters, frog fountains and super transporters, this is a mystery story you do not want to miss. </p><p><b><u>Wowzers! by Lou Carter and Magda Brol</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIwceipGCZE_yX1sSERfnAT7-fjq15VliwVKBHFGJ-yKSLmwEQtt_YrVEf0Ns6ZVeoCdfflxn6AzSvKk9GuXHQQOTXoWaSezBOsIqgjeQZSY3S5qnnSErxYiV8QmTPtzfR-xaxtDX8pRvl8mW1JDMwUSj3CVlPPsZGBWygdGYGcafxO_DX1FAJIgviJo/s286/Wowzers.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="255" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIwceipGCZE_yX1sSERfnAT7-fjq15VliwVKBHFGJ-yKSLmwEQtt_YrVEf0Ns6ZVeoCdfflxn6AzSvKk9GuXHQQOTXoWaSezBOsIqgjeQZSY3S5qnnSErxYiV8QmTPtzfR-xaxtDX8pRvl8mW1JDMwUSj3CVlPPsZGBWygdGYGcafxO_DX1FAJIgviJo/s1600/Wowzers.png" width="255" /></a></div><b><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/wowzers-9781408864937/">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 9th May 2024</p><p>Surprisingly, we've not come across many picture books about vehicles and so this text, with its dynamic title, instantly appealed. The front cover successfully delivers a taste of what lies within the pages - a fun rhyming text with bright, action-packed illustrations and lots of different types of transport!</p><p><i>Rabbit has saved up his coins to buy a flashy new car. But as he drives around town, everyone else's vehicle feels more special than his. Rabbit quickly adapts his car so he can show off all its special features. But is showing off more important than helping someone in need? Rabbit needs to decide quickly...</i></p><p>In the first instance, this story feels like its more about the vehicles than Rabbit. Little ones will delight in all the different types of transport and enjoy pointing out their special features. (The fire engine was a particular favourite.) What's even more entertaining is that Rabbit uses his initiative and lots of household items to make his car do what the other vehicles do. This not only adds a layer of humour but also encourages imagination, creativity and role-play.</p><p>Secondly, however, comes the story of Rabbit. Rabbit is so pleased with his new purchase that he can't help showing it off and comparing it to what everyone else has got - something that might resonate with both older and younger readers. Yet Rabbit has a lesson to learn, albeit in a gentle and joyful way. What is the point in your car having all these special features if you're not going to use them for good? And are material things more important than helping those who need it? Although these themes might sound quite heavy for a picture book, they are tackled in an engaging, child-friendly way that is light in touch.</p><p> Funny and thought-provoking!</p><p>A big thanks to <i>NetGalley </i>and to all the publishers for allowing us a review copy. All the above books are available to pre-order. </p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-31505017215568295172024-02-20T03:03:00.000-08:002024-02-20T03:03:59.679-08:00What's new in middle grade?<p> When it comes to middle grade novels, we have been absolutely spoiled for choice over the last few months. So much so that our to-be-read pile is about to topple over and our list of previews on NetGalley has us scheduled until the summer. If we could have a super-power, it would absolutely be the gift of reading faster. Still, we've been busy making headway and so let's get cracking with some new and upcoming releases:</p><p><b><u>The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDmVKqdZrHgMtiV_490bU78YI1lcI9dcUB3krM_IeUjRlTGKD-ksPrMAdRwRunw8RSFOD2Stm-c_FG51d_nWQ9gKhZvlPwmR2suqNiYPWL-wa6-5rJUYw0D73Pk4G5xneK7-vhOcqfLrzFJT2-gKRxlnWeUuk_CGaQd-T1xclJg9gdF_7paMnOPZy7GY/s553/Clockwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDmVKqdZrHgMtiV_490bU78YI1lcI9dcUB3krM_IeUjRlTGKD-ksPrMAdRwRunw8RSFOD2Stm-c_FG51d_nWQ9gKhZvlPwmR2suqNiYPWL-wa6-5rJUYw0D73Pk4G5xneK7-vhOcqfLrzFJT2-gKRxlnWeUuk_CGaQd-T1xclJg9gdF_7paMnOPZy7GY/s320/Clockwork.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/clockwork-conspiracy-9781526665416/">Link to publisher</a><div>Published by: Bloomsbury, 1st February 2024</div><div>In three words: Time, villains, mystery</div><div><br /></div><div>We jumped at the chance to review this book. Firstly, because the author is Sam Sedgman, who penned the fantastic <i>Adventures On Trains</i> series with M.G Leonard, and, secondly, because of the fantastic title. The words '<i>Isaac Turner Investigates' </i>also suggests that this is going to be a series and, after loving this first instalment, that makes us really happy. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Isaac Turner's dad is the horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when he mysteriously disappears, Isaac's world is thrown into utter confusion. How could his dad vanish from the belfry and why has he left behind a cryptic clue? With the help of a new friend, Isaac solves a series of puzzles which leads him across London in what is literally a race against time.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>If you enjoyed <i>Adventures on Trains, </i>then you will absolutely not be disappointed by this new novel. It is seamlessly and smoothly written with a super-cool, sophisticated plot. On a personal note, I was slightly worried about being bamboozled by the concepts of science and time, and although I did struggle to keep up in places, it never interfered with my enjoyment of the novel because the plot is so fast-paced and engaging. Sam Sedgman's explanations are fascinating and his knowledge of the topic is superb - something which only enhances the delivery of the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>If clocks are not of particular interest to you, don't worry. There are high stakes, a huge amount of peril and some very ruthless villains to contend with. The characters are big, bold and memorable and the ending is highly ingenious and tense. Sam Sedgman has made trains and now clocks exciting, dynamic and the backdrop for absolutely brilliant drama. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Yesterday Crumb and the Tea Witch's Secret by Andy Sagar</u></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_Gc64UEtuq8UvV5PRgoivmPrZVTMW43kRqlbPBxZuziUqlRZrCvcr4piHYxdTul-A7nivBpoqYLi4E9SQnZHrUcuRJzPe4xenlN4t8h0kLrrpcl0B0wDDc6aPNbbzO6hI6PZVSyxK1jjI-xSJ0BWRF4TnfCYOol2xaAUaI_ww8S6e5dcBEm_7SvfE0c/s391/Yesterday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_Gc64UEtuq8UvV5PRgoivmPrZVTMW43kRqlbPBxZuziUqlRZrCvcr4piHYxdTul-A7nivBpoqYLi4E9SQnZHrUcuRJzPe4xenlN4t8h0kLrrpcl0B0wDDc6aPNbbzO6hI6PZVSyxK1jjI-xSJ0BWRF4TnfCYOol2xaAUaI_ww8S6e5dcBEm_7SvfE0c/s320/Yesterday.png" width="209" /></a></div><br /><u><a href="https://www.hachetteschools.co.uk/book/yesterday-crumb-and-the-tea-witchs-secret/">Link to publisher</a><br /></u></b></div><div>Published by: Hachette, 15th February 2024</div><div>In three words: Tea, cake, witchery</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're after something more fantastical then the final instalment of <i>The Yesterday Crumb </i>series is out now. This has been a firm favourite over the last two years because Andy Sagar takes a wild and ruthless adventure, mixes it with tea and cake (and the wonderful Miss. Dumpling) and makes it feel completely cosy...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Yesterday Crumb and her friends are on an overwhelming mission - they need to find a way to defeat her father, Mr. Weep, before he storms the world of the living with his army. But as they search for allies, a mysterious flower seems to be turning people against them and freezing their hearts. Yesterday must find the courage to face a terrifying fight...but does the answer lie in a pot of tea?</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Never mind the fact that Yesterday battles with the ruler of The Land of the Dead or visits giants or is faced with her worst nightmares, this story will warm you from the inside out. We couldn't get enough of the tea magic and wanted Yesterday to make a new brew on every page. The characters are wonderful - Madrigal has become a particular favourite and it was great to see Miss. Dumpling back in the fray, but Pascal stole our hearts - and it was refreshing to see Yesterday explore her flaws as well as heandr strengths. </div><div><br /></div><div>The series finishes with some unexpected twists and turns, taking us to new places in the world. There's certainly never a dull moment, the pace is swift and the imagination is joyful. Watch out for the meeting of the tea shops - it's brilliantly visual and beautifully created. We only wish we could visit them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>The Artezans by L.D. Lapinski</u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifpFcAiZYEJVW1ihbZRajYgqkZUZ5oiXiy13Zg09k5BCgfYtM7LcWENA1sF73zSM6RklrvF0uHnc8cInNRGEAj1CB1QqXAbSNWASKdmFvUCuJcrMVR4UnibILJ3O6zZYlHrutY5zDAD1krqbb_MLrollOk3nX6tkbxgLv206X-6zcCv_So6cT92ztvx0/s675/Artezans.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifpFcAiZYEJVW1ihbZRajYgqkZUZ5oiXiy13Zg09k5BCgfYtM7LcWENA1sF73zSM6RklrvF0uHnc8cInNRGEAj1CB1QqXAbSNWASKdmFvUCuJcrMVR4UnibILJ3O6zZYlHrutY5zDAD1krqbb_MLrollOk3nX6tkbxgLv206X-6zcCv_So6cT92ztvx0/s320/Artezans.webp" width="209" /></a></div></div><div><a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/l-d-lapinski/artezans-the-forgotten-magic/9781510110090/">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div>Published by: Hachette, 29th February 2024</div><div>In three words: Magic, dreams, nightmares</div><div><br /></div><div>From the author of <i>The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, Jamie </i>and <i>Stepfather Christmas </i>comes a brand-new fantasy series about finding your magic. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Edward and Elodie Crane belong to a magical family but are they magic themselves? For the past 400 years, magic has been fading with only a few powerful gifts remaining. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But as Edward's magic is gradually revealed, much to his relief, he embarks on a journey into the land of dreams... until the dreams start morphing into nightmares. Now everything Edward hoped for is being challenged - can he work out what is happening before the nightmares become real?</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are a lot of magical middle grade novels out there but, yet again, L.D Lapinski has found a unique angle that has a strong backstory. Magic in this world has been dwindling, a mystery which needs solving in itself, and then the magic takes us into the realm of dreams and nightmares, which again offers a slightly different USP. Add in strong themes of family, identity and belonging - a topic that is highly relatable to the target readership, if not readers of any age - and you immediately get the sense that something big is about to unfold. </div><div><br /></div><div>L.D Lapinski's world-building is rich and imaginative, with the world of nightmares giving the story a dark, sinister and rather unsettling edge. We really enjoyed exploring the different types of magic and the unpredicatable plot kept us guessing. We also really liked that Edward was a underconfident, rather anxious character who desperately wanted to explore who he was and what he had to offer. We're looking forward to seeing what unfolds next...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and to the above publishers for allowing us a review copy. All of these books are available to buy or pre-order now. </i></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-88138373256065966132024-02-19T02:15:00.000-08:002024-02-19T02:19:06.300-08:00What's new in chapter books and graphic novels?<p>My son is now deep in the realm of searching for books he wants to read independently and chapter books and graphic novels are always a great option for him because they are short, accessible and very often funny. Although we have read together since he was tiny and he's enjoyed a wide range of picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels, building up his own reading has been more of a challenge. Reading for pleasure and enjoyment is, for us as a family, the most important thing and so we're starting this round-up with something he loved:</p><p><b><u>Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxf9jQtmBlDU09-jBmJZ7nGYts7HhtNFdPU7iqJoa-GMZpxR9y5E13kZpS2hqv98QFA21qiOnnNvYa7hire5ptdj95OAsjEpTva8pJBnXqDDyAbuyh2SYm3sm57zcfwJvLnm0N1jNgQmVEeUR0ovPinC1CH0dvAHyxtycVMPLJtiKU_tOUslDDlgvMHk/s383/Pablo.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxf9jQtmBlDU09-jBmJZ7nGYts7HhtNFdPU7iqJoa-GMZpxR9y5E13kZpS2hqv98QFA21qiOnnNvYa7hire5ptdj95OAsjEpTva8pJBnXqDDyAbuyh2SYm3sm57zcfwJvLnm0N1jNgQmVEeUR0ovPinC1CH0dvAHyxtycVMPLJtiKU_tOUslDDlgvMHk/s320/Pablo.png" width="213" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/pablo-and-splash-9781526662606/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 18th January 2024</p><p><b>👍👍👍👍👍<br /></b></p><p>Graphic novels are a great way of engaging reluctant readers and, after barely reading any graphic novels in my forty-something years, I have discovered a real love for them too! All of the ones we have read so far, including <i>DogMan, Agent Moose, Bumble and Snug </i>and <i>Pea, Bee and Jay </i>have been incredibly clever and hugely funny and this was no exception:</p><p><i>Pablo and Splash are the best of friends and totally different. Pablo likes his life in the Antarctic but Splash wants change and adventure! Fed up of the freezing weather, Splash persuades Pablo to go on holiday with him. But a series of unexpected events leads them on a time-travelling escapade to the dinosaur age instead. Was life in the Antarctic really that bad?</i></p><p>This is the first in a series of adventures for Pablo and Splash and we found them to be instantly loveable. If you're after a laugh-out-loud adventure that's fun and very silly then you've found the perfect pair of penguins. The illustrations are fab, the plot is twisty and turny and the humour is spot on for younger readers, whilst also appealing to anyone who fancies a giggle. Graphic novels really are the dream combination of words and pictures - exciting, unintimidating and totally page-turning.</p><p><b><u>The Dog Squad by Clara Vulliamy</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2j6kRhozPmXhPlJb1K-FSq_VZBA2bABNHidjkhDkeIvh0g0jFpzGCHZSB7xJEyztS7gjJmPYOte_psjpf-yocKGq9YSNqVc7z0O6LB0f9EI3FSAlX4Poxk12Ffsva9TgIoCZslgHsmh3vI7Pp5lOXI1FAGMHqLa6qO3S4HpiCRFLZddvrFrDcPK446U/s382/Dog%20Squad.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2j6kRhozPmXhPlJb1K-FSq_VZBA2bABNHidjkhDkeIvh0g0jFpzGCHZSB7xJEyztS7gjJmPYOte_psjpf-yocKGq9YSNqVc7z0O6LB0f9EI3FSAlX4Poxk12Ffsva9TgIoCZslgHsmh3vI7Pp5lOXI1FAGMHqLa6qO3S4HpiCRFLZddvrFrDcPK446U/s320/Dog%20Squad.png" width="214" /></a></div>Published by: HarperCollins, 18th January 2024<div><br /></div><div>👍👍👍👍<u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u><p></p><p>Perfect for dog lovers, this is the second in a really lovely series about dogs and journalism. It may seem like an odd combination but it really works! Penned by Clara Vulliamy, author of the <i>Dotty Detective </i>and <i>Marshmallow Pie </i>books, it's a simple but gentle story with a great twist. </p><p><i>When Eva and her friends take Wafer to a whippet racing competition, Eva is super proud of her pet. But something is amiss - some underhand cheating is going on and Eva smells a new story...</i></p><p>We really loved the characters in this series. Wafer, of course, is star of the show but Eva and her friends have a lovely dynamic. The author creates an ominous sense of peril with some grumpier characters and there is also an element of mystery which Eva must uncover if she wants to write her story. This is great for anyone who prefers 'real-world' stories. Eva's love for her pet, Wafer, is really relatable and the books fit really well into the pet genre that is really popular with chapter book readers, whilst also offering a new and specific angle. </p><p><br /></p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">The Magician Next Door by Rachel Chivers Khoo, illustrated by Alice McKinley</u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL9ChlH3R5VIq86q2uFSH8Grg4T1WgqA0tLoKN06gnUoveDcLAjGUU39r1li6mtkPHob9jTMy4ERcSttIagS-oI4qFcNGQgiybqLyYkJV9_MMaR1YaEjsMvtrqYwrihdLOyB0YFKjqq2bkmCzV-VRgRjB1cEq-fi01aMVoVAmulV2o17ABPYpkr9AlWQ/s356/Magician.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL9ChlH3R5VIq86q2uFSH8Grg4T1WgqA0tLoKN06gnUoveDcLAjGUU39r1li6mtkPHob9jTMy4ERcSttIagS-oI4qFcNGQgiybqLyYkJV9_MMaR1YaEjsMvtrqYwrihdLOyB0YFKjqq2bkmCzV-VRgRjB1cEq-fi01aMVoVAmulV2o17ABPYpkr9AlWQ/s320/Magician.png" width="229" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.walker.co.uk/The-Magician-Next-Door-9781529507911.aspx">Link to publisher</a><br /></p>Published by: Walker Books, 7th March 2024<div><br />If you're looking for something more fantastical, then this is the book for you. As with Rachel Chivers Khoo's first chapter book, <i>The Wishkeeper's Apprentice, </i>this has the magical and traditional feel of the stories I used to read as a child. With a magician and giants and spells going wrong, it is packed full of imagination, joy and delight. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ten year old Callie is struggling to settle into her new life in the mountains after living a life in London. But when a magical house crashes into her garden, Callie is pulled into an urgent mission. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Winnifred, the owner of the house, has lost her precious Wanderdust and if Callie can't help her find it, then her house is in terrible danger. But soon Callie learns that she might be the reason for the Wanderdust going missing in the first place.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>This story deals with big and relatable issues, such as grief, moving house and old and new friendships. And yet Rachel Chivers Khoo wraps these themes up in a captivating and immersive story that crackles with magic. The result is a rollercoaster ride of imagination, adventure, peril and emotion. There are high stakes and urgent missions at the same time as Callie is coming to terms with her past, present and future. However, none of it felt too heavy because there's a great balance of light and dark, humour and sadness mixed with a huge dose of imagination. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's a fabulous nod to folklore and famous stories too - giants, houses falling out of the sky, woodland and pixies all remind me of those old classics. And yet there's something incredible fresh and contemporary about the story too as well as a dynamic and exciting energy. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Princess Katie's Kittens: Ruby and the Royal Baby by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Sam Loman</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupcLSaH6qFx9zGRKhfof3n2iKQdjCfUTW22jEzIIshoziJpJq60pW7aQ9myNfpKWalAF1J90SmhNT6y38ZN1TixMTENmQjwEntkfLZv9MJbEzVsK3wqzDxVYzZXl61y0GyBfvtjsLkfRB89LtkMf8KSZj7xcNrkAVIim1ygqWlbG9XUZDvF-fvHKa848/s392/Ruby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupcLSaH6qFx9zGRKhfof3n2iKQdjCfUTW22jEzIIshoziJpJq60pW7aQ9myNfpKWalAF1J90SmhNT6y38ZN1TixMTENmQjwEntkfLZv9MJbEzVsK3wqzDxVYzZXl61y0GyBfvtjsLkfRB89LtkMf8KSZj7xcNrkAVIim1ygqWlbG9XUZDvF-fvHKa848/s320/Ruby.png" width="208" /></a></div><div>Published by: Piccadilly Press, May 9th 2024</div><div><br /></div><div>👍👍👍👍</div><div><br /></div>The fifth book in this series is just as delightful as the others and this time it is Ruby's turn to have an adventure. The last of the five kittens finds herself getting into trouble as she explores the wider world around her...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Queen is having a baby! Katie is over the moon that she is going to be a big sister again and she and her friend, Becky, launch themselves into preparing for the new arrival. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But it's not long before Ruby the kitten interrupts their plans by unintentionally causing mischief and mayhem. The Queen isn't happy either... Will Ruby be allowed to stay? And can Katie fix everything before the baby is born?<br /></i><div><br /></div><div>Told in a dual perspective which cleverly switches between Katie and Ruby, these stories are perfect for encouraging independent reading. The chapters are short, the illustrations are delightful and there are strong themes of family, friendship and how to care for animals. We really liked how some factual information is always woven into the text and, in this story there's a gentle warning about introducing cats to babies.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 'princess' aspect of the series is also very appealing and adds another layer of specialness to the concept. Despite this, however, Katie and her family still feel very relatable to readers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley<i> and all the above publishers for allowing us review copies of these new and upcoming chapter books. All these books are avaiable to purchase or pre-order.</i></div><div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><br /></div></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-64289768834663843822024-01-15T03:05:00.000-08:002024-01-15T03:10:22.851-08:00Exciting new products from Maverick Publishing<p>We've been big fans of Maverick publishing ever since the children were tiny and so, when we were offered the opportunity to review two new product lines, we jumped at the chance. </p><p>We found <i><b>Fusion readers</b></i> and <b><i>Tangled Tales</i></b> instantly exciting. Both have clear USPs and bring something new to the reading table. Readers will be dazzled by the dynamic titles, the bold, bright illustrations and the accessibility of the texts as well as by the energy and enthusiasm for reading that these books exude. In short, they are REALLY cool. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Fusion: Sandstorm Riders by April C. James, illustrated by Diobelle Cerna</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29P56Ml1dCaxTIWaXfDt3giKFzIVxynyb4KZmq1uFCPjsxrdOOI6w-zFN6Ixyf7LQWdP3R5XZxfeamu_nkqhXXcVD29c5VF0NMF1xn7CYKDEbmUJ9sZfQvTFEajwh3Su5GhfIXAljVGmARB4TL9wLMtZ57zSsbcz5fnBPWkdA4BqV1ES0WODgCPW7DWo/s445/Sandstorm%20riders.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29P56Ml1dCaxTIWaXfDt3giKFzIVxynyb4KZmq1uFCPjsxrdOOI6w-zFN6Ixyf7LQWdP3R5XZxfeamu_nkqhXXcVD29c5VF0NMF1xn7CYKDEbmUJ9sZfQvTFEajwh3Su5GhfIXAljVGmARB4TL9wLMtZ57zSsbcz5fnBPWkdA4BqV1ES0WODgCPW7DWo/s320/Sandstorm%20riders.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>Published: 28th February 2024<div><br /></div><div>Mixing fast-paced, action-packed text with highly illustrated 'graphic novel' style pages, this new reading scheme is perfectly pitched at reluctant readers and readers who are developing their confidence and independence. They are also a great option for anyone who fancies dipping into a short but gripping story. </div><div><br /></div><div>We absolutely loved this book. The text is easily accessible, but still offers a level of challenge in terms of the vocabulary. The graphic novel pages are bright, bold and instantly engaging and feel like an exciting reward after reading a bite-sized chunk of the story. The format sets up readers to enjoy their reading and to succeed in their efforts. </div><div><br /></div><div>The story itself was a fantastic whirlwind of adventure with a strong and determined female lead, a dangerous quest and a twist in expectations. My son is a fair reader but is daunted by longer texts and prefers graphic novels. This book is, therefore, such a great option for him (and one which made his eyes light up) because he can be encouraged to read and enjoy the graphic novel scenes as a pay-off. Furthermore, the rest of the titles in this scheme all scream action and adventure but are very different in terms of style, genre and colour palette. Why not check out <i>Nebula League: Nightbloom </i> or <i>Redfangs - </i>stories that both boys and girls will enjoy but which definitely pulled in my son.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Tangled Tales: Movies, Magic,Mayhem!/Bites, Camera, Action! by Jenny Moore, illustrated by Sarah Horne</u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxSsKW92uBaL1Gp-Fzk2dmAe54JZa4r-4g_2FBCgdvCB3MJl45doIxPvXf_N7kakhiNhw-BVqhgaB3IjU7PnmBLNd3XCAjRlliLmgDC3sXgilRij8a47D1r6RC1kBEVEW7qW1RuJFUUU76ul7ZlU209AWfaCNgXujUcL3tNhxfY7GGAJQaHTnHMiyqCE/s500/Tangled%20Tales.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxSsKW92uBaL1Gp-Fzk2dmAe54JZa4r-4g_2FBCgdvCB3MJl45doIxPvXf_N7kakhiNhw-BVqhgaB3IjU7PnmBLNd3XCAjRlliLmgDC3sXgilRij8a47D1r6RC1kBEVEW7qW1RuJFUUU76ul7ZlU209AWfaCNgXujUcL3tNhxfY7GGAJQaHTnHMiyqCE/s320/Tangled%20Tales.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />Published: 28th January 2024<br /><p>Aimed at chapter book readers, Maverick's new <i>Tangled Tales </i>series also offers a unique and exciting USP: two stories in one! Readers can pick up the book, open the front cover and begin to read and then turn the book over, flip it upside to find a second front cover and a second story waiting to lure them in. </p><p>With fabulous black-and-white illustrations, including a double-paged spread to separate the two stories from each other, readers will love the bite-sized length - each story is less than ten chapters - and the fast-flowing plots which are as sharp and snappy as the titles. I loved the play on <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer </i>with 'Puffy the Vampire Catcher' as well as some other cultural references which, although may go over reader's heads, adds in a note of humour for the adults who may be supporting their child's reading. The books feel special to hold also - slim and very undaunting with gorgeously-sprayed purple edges. </p><p>As withe <i>Fusion Readers, </i>this series offers a range of titles, all with a spooky feel. With <i>The Spectre Detectors </i>and <i>The Poltergeist's Problem</i>, we don't think readers will be getting bored anytime soon...and if they do, they can switch to the other side. </p><p><br /></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-14350048837757479302024-01-08T03:54:00.000-08:002024-01-08T03:58:31.712-08:00New year, New books: A sneak peek at 2024...<p>2023 seemed to pass in a blur of brilliant reads. From awesome adventures to laugh out loud comedy to some beautiful tear-jerking tales, we met characters - both human and animal - that will stick in our memories forever. </p><p>But a new year inevitably brings new books and we are already super excited to read some much-awaited sequels as well as some brand new offerings. In fact, over the festive period, we have taken the chance to take a sneak peek at what's a-coming and, from picture books to chapter books to middle-grade, it's already shaping up to being another fantastic year...</p><p><u>PICTURE BOOKS</u></p><p><u><i>We are the Wibbly! A Tadpole's Tail </i>by Sarah Tagholm and Jane McGuinness</u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIo9Uip7KitOkMIDJH-x2JaPylv70RHLI-UUVX4Z__1ajlqLa_EIGmrmbpOcm2soFHCLIVgsCnApAux4mvrqFKIwxkSIJ9slFQ4Zwlb8rPctZ1FglBxFJtvzFyXdACn6TQtp2xofpifhqfxKpejyXgY8eiO5uywwn9RiTFtfL5w7-YYMKuFjrFBCRdNAA/s285/wibbly.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="255" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIo9Uip7KitOkMIDJH-x2JaPylv70RHLI-UUVX4Z__1ajlqLa_EIGmrmbpOcm2soFHCLIVgsCnApAux4mvrqFKIwxkSIJ9slFQ4Zwlb8rPctZ1FglBxFJtvzFyXdACn6TQtp2xofpifhqfxKpejyXgY8eiO5uywwn9RiTFtfL5w7-YYMKuFjrFBCRdNAA/s1600/wibbly.png" width="255" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/we-are-the-wibbly-9781526627346/">Link to publisher</a><br /></p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 28th March 2024<p></p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In Three Words: Funny, Adorable,Educational</p><p>We've known about this one for a while and feel so lucky to have been able to read it early, courtesy of NetGalley, because it is ace. Telling the story of one tadpole's transformation from wibbly to frog, this is a picture book that every KS1 teacher will be crying out to have on their bookshelves...</p><p><i>OH MY CRIKEYS! Everything and everyone around me is changing. First we is the wibblies and now nothing is staying the same. What is happening to them...and what if it doesn't happen to me?</i></p><p>Nailing an hilarious voice and a child's anxious viewpoint perfectly, Sarah Tagholm explores what change can look like to little ones and the importance they place on those around them. If everyone is changing, then why aren't they? Can they do what everyone else can do? And what if they can't? Besides, what is this change anyway? What on earth is going to happen next?</p><p>Alongside all these humany questions, is also the simple but brilliantly executed tale - or tail - of a tadpole's journey from frogspawn to frog. Fitting in with topics such as life-cycles and nature, it will capture children's fascination and interest in a thoroughly entertaining way, enriching their understanding and curiosity. Even older children will be chuckling along and uttering the catchy catchphrase: OH MY CRIKEYS! Throw in the most adorable illustrations from Jane McGuiness and what you have is a perfect picture book package. <br /><u><br /></u></p><p><u><b>Please by Simon Philip and Nathan Reed</b></u></p><p><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqR0ZphuETkX3EuL5v7FLqefULT3Cp1NKL_AE44ufSH0REx92O2OZhnPFLA8JCVydu3BWKsFO__jdPf3iiiX03CvAcU4EcETLKKDbh-l5rNkBABbWkZ34hhhp7mjxYn3XIuRneaThk95LfnPLkTmFmmbzsKmGLwNQR4EsN2fSOaL2svfx40YzFvysMlQ/s286/Please.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="255" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqR0ZphuETkX3EuL5v7FLqefULT3Cp1NKL_AE44ufSH0REx92O2OZhnPFLA8JCVydu3BWKsFO__jdPf3iiiX03CvAcU4EcETLKKDbh-l5rNkBABbWkZ34hhhp7mjxYn3XIuRneaThk95LfnPLkTmFmmbzsKmGLwNQR4EsN2fSOaL2svfx40YzFvysMlQ/s1600/Please.png" width="255" /></a></u></div><u><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/please-9781526630872/">Link to publisher</a><br /></u><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 18th January 2024</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In Three Words: Brilliant, Bonkers, Manners</p><p>We've read quite a few stories about manners over the years but this is, by far, the most brilliantly bonkers one. If you struggle to remember to say 'please' then prepare to be whisked off on a rip-roaring journey that will never let you forget again...</p><p><i>Uh-oh! Bill wanted ice-cream but forgot to say please. Now he's been kidnapped by alien toads, crash-landed in a jungle and has had an unexpected encounter with a yak. What's going to happen next? Will Bill ever find a way to get his sweet treat?</i></p><p>Told in bouncy, upbeat rhyme, this cautionary tale will make readers laugh out loud whilst also imparting an important life lesson. Manners cost nothing and using them might save you from upsetting those around you. But instead of hammering the message home in a dull and didactic way, readers will have a whale of a time predicting what crazy thing will happen to Bill next. </p><p>The voice is as hilarious as the illustrations and the repetitive refrain is a delightful and funny treat. Each spread is as random as the next and you can just imagine the author having the time of his life writing this text. Little ones will surely want to invent their own scenarios too and the ending leaves you with another big laugh. This is exactly what everyone needs to read in January...as long as they remember to say please!</p><p><b><u>Meet the Dinosaurs by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJL4RjffN_Zexv31Eeq_BpXljynATABxntIAG6NXgSHUW5GvSC_W3OEh2jT2oejd4ka0BooE-qYOsB7Cz5DvcCG6Q5YzedhpcQbBGx1uHyZTWjOcbuyYqqjdw-3FCj2qNy48Jp3vVl-WGrBHrC_aVmgq8fdmjyfoSaiRF5wS3I6hj1NomU9lXdx0OJbo/s324/Dinosaurs.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJL4RjffN_Zexv31Eeq_BpXljynATABxntIAG6NXgSHUW5GvSC_W3OEh2jT2oejd4ka0BooE-qYOsB7Cz5DvcCG6Q5YzedhpcQbBGx1uHyZTWjOcbuyYqqjdw-3FCj2qNy48Jp3vVl-WGrBHrC_aVmgq8fdmjyfoSaiRF5wS3I6hj1NomU9lXdx0OJbo/s320/Dinosaurs.png" width="252" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/meet-the-dinosaurs-9781526639820/">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 18th January 2024</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In Three Words: Dinosaurs, Rhyme, Learning</p><p>Another great book for the classroom is the latest in the <i>Meet the... </i>series<i>. </i>Following <i>Meet the Planets, Meet the Oceans </i>and<i> Meet the Weather, Meet the Dinosaurs </i>is perfect for any dinosaur enthusiast but also a brilliant introduction to these prehistoric beasts. </p><p><i>Have you ever wondered where those old bones in the museum actually came from? Well, now is the time to find out! Why not get in the truck and travel back in time on a dino-safari to meet who those bones belonged to?</i></p><p>Perfectly pitched for young children, this well set-up picture book begins in a museum and explains the age of the dinosaurs in a fun but easily understandable way. The bold and vibrant illustrations by Bethan Woollvin have been joyful in all of these books but are perfectly suited to dinosaurs, allowing them to leap out from the page. From Bront-to-saur-us to Dip-lod-o-cus to the infamous Ty-ranno-saur-us, the rhyming text is packed full of factual information about the dinosaurs' diet, habitat and features and even helps new readers with pronunciation by breaking down the long names. The language is both child-friendly yet challenging with some brilliant sound words and dynamic verbs. This is a lesson that both children and adults will not want to miss, made even clearer by the fabulous timeline at the end.</p><p><b><u>Once Upon a Storytime by Gareth Peter and Natelle Quek</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Nv5h44EWYTeyP6Me9QVG6GyxghS9GggyoTwYa1iTi4bbLZGVVUdeeZW0EZ7P35UrZ0q58vhcS_Q-a-p47p_D2dzguHEpui5Nl0A9AvGwYu-ZIp6_qtOjWSE8ZDR1LMhn1SUOupc5W524fwf6DdEKeaGnYOBLeOiHOkkXX7Jb2jktCAuvTlMeUSRFEHM/s285/Once%20upon%20a%20storytime.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="255" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Nv5h44EWYTeyP6Me9QVG6GyxghS9GggyoTwYa1iTi4bbLZGVVUdeeZW0EZ7P35UrZ0q58vhcS_Q-a-p47p_D2dzguHEpui5Nl0A9AvGwYu-ZIp6_qtOjWSE8ZDR1LMhn1SUOupc5W524fwf6DdEKeaGnYOBLeOiHOkkXX7Jb2jktCAuvTlMeUSRFEHM/s1600/Once%20upon%20a%20storytime.png" width="255" /></a></div><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/once-upon-a-storytime-9781526619747/" style="font-weight: bold;">Link to publisher</a><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 15th February 2024</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In Three Words: Fairytales, Love, Reassurance</p><p>If you're looking for a lyrical, bedtime story then this gorgeous picture book is really special. With stunning illustrations and a heart-warming message, it's perfect for snuggling under a blanket with and reminding little ones how much they are loved.</p><p><i>Nia and her mum love reading adventure stories and fairy tales together. But Nia has some questions. If the scenarios in the stories ever happened to her, would Mum come and find her? Even if she stumbled across a wicked witch in a gingerbread cottage or was about to be gobbled up by a grouchy giant? </i></p><p><i>But Mum has a question too! What would happen if SHE ever got lost? Who would come and save </i>her<i>?</i></p><p>Told in beautiful, lyrical prose, this story draws on the fairy tales we know and twists them into a gentle tale of love and reassurance. Highlighting the special bond between a mother and daughter, it can also be used by any parent, grandparent, family relative or carer to help a child feel secure and settled before bedtime. We loved all the different settings and adventures, brought to life by the incredible illustrations, and it definitely left us with a lump in the throat and in need of a warm hug. Although real life doesn't always offer us the happy endings that fairy tales do, this shared story will empower readers, both young and old, with hope and the knowledge that they are special, unique and important. </p><p><b><u>When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth by Sean Taylor </u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIFRonS1WoMfMgulxllw46Zk4WvVOv4d9FliUaxRKNAcikdEvcDWn_aUOy8g4c8H8R8hWN7RecDnjO0KjWrIajNghxXD2KEJOcADoUP5ZgU9RPnSw_uaFV7X60cAkNEYo6WDU9AiGgTdKF-cSdY8eRxBOiP4YICv3IHGhjUQcHHObyfINfIUi4-aFaM8/s299/dinosaurs2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="255" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIFRonS1WoMfMgulxllw46Zk4WvVOv4d9FliUaxRKNAcikdEvcDWn_aUOy8g4c8H8R8hWN7RecDnjO0KjWrIajNghxXD2KEJOcADoUP5ZgU9RPnSw_uaFV7X60cAkNEYo6WDU9AiGgTdKF-cSdY8eRxBOiP4YICv3IHGhjUQcHHObyfINfIUi4-aFaM8/s1600/dinosaurs2.png" width="255" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://quarto.com/books/9780711277212/when-dinosaurs-walked-the-earth">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published: July 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In Three Words: Big and Small Dinosaurs </p><p>This picture book was actually published in 2023 but we missed it back then and thought it was too good not to point out. With a repetitive text and brilliant larger-than-life characters - called Smallosaurus and Badasaurus and Worseasaurus - it's the voice that makes this picture book absolutely hilarious.</p><p><i>Smallosaurus just wants to eat a patch of juicy ferns. But Badosaurus isn't going to let her eat them in peace. And that's the way it sometimes was when dinosaurs walked the earth...until Worseasaurus comes along...</i></p><p>This is a tale of a small dinosaur coming out on top in a laugh-out-loud hilarious escapade. It deals in facts in a totally deadpan way and is a definite must for Jon Klassen fans. Told with a very child-like perspective, it will appeal to the sense of humour of young listeners who are very likely to ask for it over and over. These are the picture books I am most in awe of; those with minimal text but which just get how to make children (and adults) laugh and laugh and laugh. </p><p>A big thanks to <i>NetGalley, Bloomsbury and Quarto </i>for allowing us to preview these texts. </p><p><br /></p><p><u>CHAPTER BOOKS</u></p><p><u><b>Princess Katie's Kittens: Poppy and the Prince by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Sam Loman</b></u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS4BnzMLMRBMx2hbXHFOoD6X_NVnd35tHkLlT8LaXwMG0hh3T-h_XTkTUzbt1h77IlBN72wBMztsHFSPLwCin1zUOPH-WDnowOQGCcIA5C7nadrTkJEBH08RRVyhJrMnBmsOWr_tZ68sgxJhzIj2cx3X11rBPZOtkWv6nWEkzaVBN_7QcawGiThYFJC4/s392/Poppy.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS4BnzMLMRBMx2hbXHFOoD6X_NVnd35tHkLlT8LaXwMG0hh3T-h_XTkTUzbt1h77IlBN72wBMztsHFSPLwCin1zUOPH-WDnowOQGCcIA5C7nadrTkJEBH08RRVyhJrMnBmsOWr_tZ68sgxJhzIj2cx3X11rBPZOtkWv6nWEkzaVBN_7QcawGiThYFJC4/s320/Poppy.png" width="208" /></a></div><a href="https://www.juliesykes.co.uk/">Link to author website</a><br /><p></p><p>Published by: Piccadilly Press, 4th January 2024</p><p>In Three Words: Princesses, Kittens, Adventure</p><p>The fourth instalment in this re-released series by Julie Sykes becomes available today, offering another gorgeous story which centres around palace kitten, Poppy. Following on from her siblings, Poppy is keen to find a way out of the boot room and explore...although a rather unpleasant experience is waiting for her. </p><p><i>When Princess Katie's cousin, Prince Edward, comes to visit, Katie is really excited to spend time with him again. But Prince Edward soon announces that he is far too grown-up to play with Katie anymore and sets about teasing her kitten, Poppy. </i></p><p><i>Poppy can't understand why this visitor is being so unpleasant to her. But when the pair go missing at the same time, things come to a head. Will Poppy find herself in danger or can she handle the situation?</i></p><p>This series has become a firm favourite in our house. With a familiar and reassuring format, gentle characters and a dual POV which switches between Princess Katie and her kitten, each book is easily accessible with a managable reading length and a heartwarming adventure with a subtle message. </p><p>In this story, Prince Edward's treatment of Poppy is both unkind and unacceptable and teaches children, through both Katie and Poppy's point of view, how important it is to treat animals kindly. This is all gently wrapped up in a lovely adventure which involves mazes and picnics and family. There's a lovely exploration of Prince Edward's character and a great resolution which I really didn't see coming. Great for newly independent readers, this oozes charm and warmth.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BerJ8JSv7acSFzhBsEzYJAmMizy6n1IA4sb8NfMdI4mQakj2yTDdMlKEctQoV_ncOTJp8pVE7rDNLc7cmaeRI7lxM8JJK-r6ABlgkSN4VVzBedzuaOhQmpCmOC2wUViu_xLXJW-HcKDjmkXzhnLttZZtOxCQHN5pPxRnBHF4vYexEFlz1pP8AyHmDWo/s648/Stitch.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BerJ8JSv7acSFzhBsEzYJAmMizy6n1IA4sb8NfMdI4mQakj2yTDdMlKEctQoV_ncOTJp8pVE7rDNLc7cmaeRI7lxM8JJK-r6ABlgkSN4VVzBedzuaOhQmpCmOC2wUViu_xLXJW-HcKDjmkXzhnLttZZtOxCQHN5pPxRnBHF4vYexEFlz1pP8AyHmDWo/w260-h400/Stitch.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><b><u>Middle Grade</u></b><p></p><p><b><u>Stitch by Padraig Kenny</u></b></p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.walker.co.uk/Stitch-9781529517781.aspx">Link to publisher</a><br /></p><p>Published by: Walker Books, 4th January 2024</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In Three Words: Frankenstein's monster, Friendship, Humanity</p><p>I've been in awe of Padraig Kenny's writing ever since I read <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2021/01/the-monsters-of-rookhaven-by-padraig.html">The Monsters of Rookhaven</a> and this new, relatively short novel inspired by Mary Shelley's <i>Frankenstein </i>absolutely tugged on my heartstrings. Simply told, the story takes us on an exploration of what it means to be human and what it means to be different. </p><p><i>Stitch and his friend, Henry, are alive - creatures created by Professor Hardacre. But when Professor Hardacre dies and his troubled and ambitious nephew takes the helm, things take a sinister turn. Determined to progress science by experimenting on Henry, Stitch is horrified by the professor's intentions. Can Henry and Stitch escape?And what will become of them if they do?</i></p><p>Both Stitch and Henry - but especially Henry and his innocence - are incredibly special characters who will leave a monster-sized imprint on readers' hearts. Yet, as the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear who the monsters actually are. Challenging attitudes and preconceptions of anyone who is 'imperfect' or 'different', Padraig Kenny's paired back narrative only serves to make the impact of the tale more powerful - the simplicity of it allowing us to see the truth in a compelling yet clear way. </p><p>The length of the novel and the way it is told makes this rather literary story accessible. There's twists and turns and lots of hooks, an exploration of motives, conscience and the reasoning (or justification) behind actions and, most importantly, an exploration of acceptance. I was really sad when the novel ended and am wondering if we'll ever get to see more of Stitch and Henry's adventures... </p><p><b><u>Beastlands: Race to FrostFall Mountain by Jess French</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz5E5pgJnhYbKxQwtDBgCjPvertf3h0LWJ5ngbSAax2ce5LU91VH-Fon-U7YiWKrNXaUOJ2buvil7OCjPDdefOaIzlYnBY8Cv8f8tKSKnNEdNoq8XVhBh7VhPrQuwrNzoXJo0ZdYtzdnCtPBTCnMdLsenTBWTqwCGnzfHXXkOfS1hai-O1kBHlZXcAgw/s389/beastlands.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz5E5pgJnhYbKxQwtDBgCjPvertf3h0LWJ5ngbSAax2ce5LU91VH-Fon-U7YiWKrNXaUOJ2buvil7OCjPDdefOaIzlYnBY8Cv8f8tKSKnNEdNoq8XVhBh7VhPrQuwrNzoXJo0ZdYtzdnCtPBTCnMdLsenTBWTqwCGnzfHXXkOfS1hai-O1kBHlZXcAgw/s320/beastlands.png" width="210" /></a></div>Published by: Piccadilly Press, 18th January 2024<p></p><p><b>👍👍👍👍👍</b></p><p>In three words: Beasts, Quest, Adventure</p><p>If you're looking for a novel that's full of danger, pacy adventure, thrilling beasts and exciting flora and fauna then this is an absolute must-read. Despite reading a lot of 'magical beast' stories recently, the imaginative world-building and confident writing of this fantasy novel hooked me in faster than a beast could bite me. Not only that but the narrative, as fast-moving as a river, kept me absolutely gripped. As the story of three different main characters evolve, their stories soon collide in a epic quest of discovery and realisation. </p><p><i>Before people, there were beasts. But now people have arrived on the island of Ramoa, beasts are feared and the cities keep the citizens locked in and the terrible beastlands outside. But when sky-rider Kayla's beloved pagron is stolen, she is desperate to find him. Alone in the beastlands, she soon encounters a failed warrior, Rustus, and a healer, Alethea, who are each on their own missions. Can the three of them unite to find what they are looking for and have they been told the truth about these terrifying beasts?</i></p><p>Although a fantasy novel, the expertise of author Jess French - who is a veterinary surgeon, zoologist and children's TV presenter - is plain to see. The world-building is edgy and the beastlands are fierce and yet there is a plethora of exciting beasts and plants for the reader to encounter. Each of the three main characters bring something different to the novel in terms of personality, drive and motive and there are certainly fireworks when their paths cross. I loved the plotting and the pace and found myself thinking about the world long after I had finished reading. </p><p>In terms of theme, there is a definite exploration of the impact humans have on their surroundings. Fear, survival, prejudice and disease are also prominent as is social hierachy and control. I loved the character's burgeoning respect as they unravel the truth and also the gentle eco message. This is a cracking novel and definitely one to watch.</p><p><b><u>Libby and the Manhattan Mystery by Jo Clarke</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Iap9NZVtaJaCPeUEWwc8J9bmf4w6hiZMUkLnDBdlxbuzY6_DNskR-odbglt4jfgFGjPR9mqPcCIr0-bK3rx6hqd1XedWy3XZGBa3UQa1Dk8f5BShvyJgfC7Nssh2o9l_6Isq2fUegSWr9QDH7oBLNkr6NIHAJUSdDSk35Ehr3B_WzvoUYmcCX2RgRU/s386/Libby.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Iap9NZVtaJaCPeUEWwc8J9bmf4w6hiZMUkLnDBdlxbuzY6_DNskR-odbglt4jfgFGjPR9mqPcCIr0-bK3rx6hqd1XedWy3XZGBa3UQa1Dk8f5BShvyJgfC7Nssh2o9l_6Isq2fUegSWr9QDH7oBLNkr6NIHAJUSdDSk35Ehr3B_WzvoUYmcCX2RgRU/s320/Libby.png" width="211" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://fireflypress.co.uk/books/libby-and-the-manhattan-mystery/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by: Firefly Press, 4th January 2024</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>In three words: New York, Actresses, Jewels.</p><p>There is something so utterly charming about this mystery series. Perhaps it is the concept of a travelling school or the relatability of the characters or just the cosy and unthreatening atmosphere that Jo Clarke evokes in her writing, despite there being plenty of peril for Libby to contend with. Whatever, the secret ingredient is, this series has gone down a storm with both myself and my ten year old and this third instalment, set in New York, is full of danger and excitement... </p><p><i>Libby is looking forward to settling in New York for the next school term and things get off to an exciting start when Connie's godmother - famous actress Eloise Fitzwilliam - asks them to help her and her friend, Count Alverez, organise a charity auction. But Libby soon spots that Count Alverez is acting oddly and might not be all he seems. Is he planning something unsavoury or is there someone else behind the puzzling palava?</i></p><p>This is the perfect read for younger middle-grade readers or for anyone who just wants to cosy up and do a bit of sleuthing. The fact that each mystery is set in a different part of the world instantly makes the books exciting. Throw in food, friendship and the coolest boarding school you'll ever encounter and you have all the ingredients for a corker of an adventure. Just like with <i>Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire </i>and other school detective novels for this age-group, there is also something reassuring in the format - each adventure is different and yet we know what we're getting. The level of peril is just right on the notch-dial and readers know they are in capable hands with Libby. I also really enjoyed the more personal mystery, regarding her own family, that Libby is encountering throughout the novels. This has left the series open to even more interesting developments. </p><p><br /></p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">City of Spies by Iszi Lawrence</u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBNA-VTRp9y4ZvYd7L3TG1rCDBU3zZU2A0EU5wtCxfjTwQCXhnXFzmHY1WWsSXFa0t7lxEA3kzGzjvWDQTOsVVRxtNBJ8_tzwlKiQ3iXmjlfrseJ4vDOUJyRBuGlXuNxLeZ3yOECjt_UJyIRU0QwPnv4VB0ipo-IeMbrCOn1Mdwlnjxg79YWCj8Uc3zk/s391/City%20of%20Spies.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBNA-VTRp9y4ZvYd7L3TG1rCDBU3zZU2A0EU5wtCxfjTwQCXhnXFzmHY1WWsSXFa0t7lxEA3kzGzjvWDQTOsVVRxtNBJ8_tzwlKiQ3iXmjlfrseJ4vDOUJyRBuGlXuNxLeZ3yOECjt_UJyIRU0QwPnv4VB0ipo-IeMbrCOn1Mdwlnjxg79YWCj8Uc3zk/s320/City%20of%20Spies.png" width="209" /></a></div><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/city-of-spies-9781801991018/">Link to publisher</a><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 4th January 2024</p><p>👍👍👍👍<br /><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></p><p>In Three Words: History, Plots, Spies</p><p>Set during the American War of Independence in the year1780 and based largely on facts, this is a gripping historical novel full of spies, traitors and difficult decisions. Packed with action and compelling twists and turns, the costumes and corruption created an atmosphere of such danger and intrigue, it was hard to put down. </p><p><i>The war for American independence is raging in New York and twelve year old Aiden Blaise is sure that the British are on the verge of winning. But Aiden's certainty is soon shaken as he discovers that the city, where he is desperate to prove himself, is full of spies and secrets. As Aiden gets drawn into a tangled web of lies and deceit, can he decide what is right and wrong and can he hold his nerve?</i></p><p>It was really exciting to see a middle-grade historical novel set outside both the First and Second World Wars and outside of British soil. However, occasionally the language was a little confusing and it might have been useful to begin with a short historical overview to help readers establish who was on which side, although I was reading a proof copy. However, the characters carried the story brilliantly and the level of danger and deception felt immediate and gripping. </p><p>There were a lot of key figures and historical detail in the narrative. I was fascinated by the end papers and the information about the Culper Spy Ring, George Washington, Benedict Arnold and James Rivington. There was a lot to learn and absorb and Iszi Lawrence achieves this by placing readers right in the thick of the action alongside Aiden Blaise. I loved Aiden's realisation of not necessarily being on the 'right' side and the subsequent exploration of the complexities, justifications and devastation of war. The personal and human cost really rang clear and I'd highly recommend this to competent readers who are looking for something a eye-opening and different.</p><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u><p></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-79787464448797183182023-12-04T02:23:00.000-08:002023-12-04T02:38:45.657-08:00It's Christmas! Our seasonal round-up for 2023..<p> <b><u>You Can't Let An Elephant Pull Santa's Sleigh by Patricia Cleveland-Peck and David Tazzyman</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyR3o16aNs0AN_x3RQJEtjnOpeNOKQBSFtCIU9JYipo4t1UU67VskViZ9n3pq0_p4c62DptKbT3BFOFGEkICHsolExDLVvWqfZvFSn68yRx12Gu6kNc47pAdCsIsCsRLjF7nTHFfZhPukRe2Q0uIFOSyJCiXSQT4YnYGTviZrlhnnuGfry7wfjlDp5GI/s403/elephant.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyR3o16aNs0AN_x3RQJEtjnOpeNOKQBSFtCIU9JYipo4t1UU67VskViZ9n3pq0_p4c62DptKbT3BFOFGEkICHsolExDLVvWqfZvFSn68yRx12Gu6kNc47pAdCsIsCsRLjF7nTHFfZhPukRe2Q0uIFOSyJCiXSQT4YnYGTviZrlhnnuGfry7wfjlDp5GI/s320/elephant.jpg" width="286" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/you-cant-let-an-elephant-pull-santas-sleigh-9781526635433/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p><b>Published by: Bloomsbury, 12th October 2023</b></p><p>We always enjoy reviewing <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/04/upcoming-release-you-cant-let-elephant.html">books in this series</a> and this festive edition will ensure your Christmas gets off to a jolly start. Full of silly scenarios, rather than an actual story, it's a book that readers of all ages can enjoy together and one which will have you turning the pages in delight again...and again...and again...</p><p><i>An elephant pulling Santa's sleigh? Raccoons decorating your Christmas tree? And a walrus putting up your Christmas lights? Oh no, no, no, that will never do. If you want your Christmas to go smoothly, you'll need to adhere to the warnings and find some sensible alternatives. Otherwise, who knows who you'll end up kissing under the mistletoe...</i></p><p>Packed with hilarious illustrations by David Tazzyman, this is a book that celebrates both words and pictures. You only have to look at Santa's expression on the front cover to get a glimpse of the riotous fun in store. Plus, little ones can use the silly inspiration to create fantastic scenarios of their own. Who do they think should pull Santa's sleigh...or not?</p><p>Every page-turn builds on the last, escalating the excitement, with a lovely conclusion that pulls everything together at the end. As always with this series, the animals steal the show, making it extra appealing for younger readers. Animals + Christmas + a bit of bonkers humour = you CAN'T let this book go unread.</p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Bloomsbury <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b><u>There Was a Young Reindeer Who Swallowed A Present by Kaye Baillie and Diane Ewen</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_Y4mIOwrg6GORKQbk6WJodIG5to8MxvX6wvcBLhrcJ7e-a9kw1kHtFy6aU0E7k8GaUwG0H4iG6nkBKz5gPRLRCx23dYtgJclqNih5C62dtLGZdMhmijtxXJsci8PQxWjYuttWM2sQoNkMYSZel7ew2HRcyJRqhJnxoQnri0P5yWi2iWAE53Ckslf8oE/s317/reindeer.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="255" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_Y4mIOwrg6GORKQbk6WJodIG5to8MxvX6wvcBLhrcJ7e-a9kw1kHtFy6aU0E7k8GaUwG0H4iG6nkBKz5gPRLRCx23dYtgJclqNih5C62dtLGZdMhmijtxXJsci8PQxWjYuttWM2sQoNkMYSZel7ew2HRcyJRqhJnxoQnri0P5yWi2iWAE53Ckslf8oE/s1600/reindeer.png" width="255" /></a><b></b></div><b><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/diane-ewen/there-was-a-young-reindeer-who-swallowed-a-present/9781529068597">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by MacMillan, 26th October 2023</p><p>Keeping the mood light-hearted, <i>There Was A Young Reindeer Who Swallowed A Present </i>offers another dose of festive fun. Based on the well-known rhyme, <i>There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, </i>this is the Christmassy version - although there is also an Easter and Halloween one as well!</p><p><i>There was a young reindeer who swallowed a present. Did it fill them up? Obviously not because they then go on to swallow a elf, a bauble and a tree. Surely they won't swallow Santa himself..?</i></p><p>Nothing screams fun more than cumulative rhyme and this treat of a book has all the joyfulness of the original version. The illustrations from Diane Ewen are a delight, adding in lots of brilliant detail AND an extra layer of adorability to the narrative - just look at those reindeer's butter-wouldn't-melt eyes! There's mounting tension as the story progresses and little ones will be turning the pages faster than this reindeer can gobble things up to see how the story ends. No spoilers here though! You'll have to find out for yourselves. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Macmillan <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b><u>Ho, Ho, Ho! A Pirate's Christmas for Me by Red, illustrated by Jack Button</u></b></div><div><a href="https://sweetcherrypublishing.com/ho-ho-ho-a-pirates-christmas-for-me/">Link to publisher</a></div><div>Published by: Sweet Cherry Publishing, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz4fqR934odBJt1tQtp8raBSnOLMJUR3v7zfrUQDUkGU1QsCeQTHjdVszKXcqLbfZNLzIbZImxboEsDJBTjJHzW4Of7SVn8vgiHk8TayLkHgXYOvqLOvViKDugG5Mk-7JjDvAgzv1GNH9dWDpiUsdz_7NonVNqnQG3EQwAcyJYRlnMT5zHxtwpBY92r0/s602/HoHoHo_Cover_FRONT-600x602.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz4fqR934odBJt1tQtp8raBSnOLMJUR3v7zfrUQDUkGU1QsCeQTHjdVszKXcqLbfZNLzIbZImxboEsDJBTjJHzW4Of7SVn8vgiHk8TayLkHgXYOvqLOvViKDugG5Mk-7JjDvAgzv1GNH9dWDpiUsdz_7NonVNqnQG3EQwAcyJYRlnMT5zHxtwpBY92r0/s320/HoHoHo_Cover_FRONT-600x602.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>This rhyming story is great for anyone looking for a Christmas story with a difference. How do a pair of pirates link to the concept of Christmas? You'll have to read it to find out but it's a lovely and original idea which also celebrates the love between siblings...<div><br /></div><div><i>Nic and Kris Beard are twins who are very, very different. While Nic is naughty, Kris is nice. But when Nic's actions lead Kris to fall overboard, he gets washed up on an island of woodworking elves. Will remorseful Nic ever find his brother again and what does the future have in store for them?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Inventive, thought-provoking and full of piratey fun, the warmth of this story comes across in the gorgeous illustrations by Jack Button. The fact it's so different makes it instantly memorable and it's a perfect read for warring siblings who, underneath it all, love the bones of each other. The ending is wonderfully imaginative and plays on the idea of Saint Nick and Kris Kringle - names which little ones may have heard of but may not be so familiar with. Christmas + Pirates = A winning combination!<br /><div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: 400;">A big thanks to </i><span style="font-weight: 400;">NetGalley </span><i style="font-weight: 400;">and </i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sweet Cherry Publishing</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><i style="font-weight: 400;">for allowing us a review copy. </i></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></i></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><u style="font-weight: bold;">Gnome Alone at Christmas by Nick Pine, illustrated by Di Brookes</u><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/nick-pine/gnome-alone-at-christmas/9781408371541/">Link to publisher</a><br /></u></b><p>Published by: Hachette, 12th October 2023</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9Ema6rdM3iW_q_h9wVsW7lBuhgtdpm0-kISfSukXkF42Q2d6KcuT9j_nJ_0p6LMn_RTaQVaXmVB0riFzk8fg18uMa6_DRB2bDfSfuuW1QdJfN0o7cBP9myhZ9gJm1H9dAFSW_Emf0eBhoPDTMbF9-KSa-UrhhIf0p5HKZrgD3bTflfFSkNP-65GO2_0/s675/Gnome%20Alone.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9Ema6rdM3iW_q_h9wVsW7lBuhgtdpm0-kISfSukXkF42Q2d6KcuT9j_nJ_0p6LMn_RTaQVaXmVB0riFzk8fg18uMa6_DRB2bDfSfuuW1QdJfN0o7cBP9myhZ9gJm1H9dAFSW_Emf0eBhoPDTMbF9-KSa-UrhhIf0p5HKZrgD3bTflfFSkNP-65GO2_0/s320/Gnome%20Alone.webp" width="209" /></a></div>If you're after a comical Christmas caper then this may be the Christmas story for you. Perfect for 5-9's, this is a simple, humorous and heartwarming story set at home. But, if you're expecting anything like the famous film, <i>Home Alone,</i> there are more differences than similarities, starting with Tommy the gnome. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Noah loves Christmas more than anything. But this Christmas, his gran is poorly, his sister doesn't want to join in with anything and everything feels completely unfestive. </i></div><div><i>So when his parents go and visit his gran on Christmas Eve, Noah takes the opportunity to make the most of things and decorate the house to cheer everyone up. But when Tommy the magical gnome appears on the scene to help, things might not go the way Noah planned... <br /></i><p>In some ways this feels like a cumulative story just like <i>There Was a Young Reindeer Who Swallowed A Present.</i> Tommy's magic keeps going wrong and the ensuing chaos goes from bad to worse. From an army of gingerbread people going on the rampage <i>inside</i> to a reindeer rampaging around <i>outside, </i>how is Noah going to put everything right before his parents come home?<br /><br />Tommy and Noah are a great duo and we'd definitely love to read more adventures involving Tommy. Full of warmth as well as magical mishaps, he's the sort of help you'd love at Christmastime, even if he does make a mountain of mess...</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard, illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkOJlwEnyJI1CfooQuJ7SFymiJ26pnsPhMTVg8l8-FlTVwwYXE2h8W40CVlPf65sFf-1Eg8hQoR7n4mcuDVtAuHLhKCDC8GG2RtQ8QZdeQVlVWya9K4H4hJ0C46oVxzT7UG19LhI7fwJp7mXU_cPAhNgZ_YPRuWuYOoGEYtJ1Utdh9AQNoA2Pcqb5PMY/s435/Ice%20Children.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkOJlwEnyJI1CfooQuJ7SFymiJ26pnsPhMTVg8l8-FlTVwwYXE2h8W40CVlPf65sFf-1Eg8hQoR7n4mcuDVtAuHLhKCDC8GG2RtQ8QZdeQVlVWya9K4H4hJ0C46oVxzT7UG19LhI7fwJp7mXU_cPAhNgZ_YPRuWuYOoGEYtJ1Utdh9AQNoA2Pcqb5PMY/s320/Ice%20Children.webp" width="199" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/m-g-leonard/the-ice-children/9781035014217">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by: Macmillan, 2nd November 2023</p><p>If you're looking for something more wintry than Christmassy, then this icy cold story is a great alternative. Don't worry about freezing though. It might be about a magical land filled with frost and snow but there's enough love in it to keep you toasty warm.</p><p><i>When children are found frozen in a London park, including Bianca's own brother, no one has a clue why such a terrible thing is happening. But when they realise the children's hearts are still beating, Bianca decides that there's still a chance to save them. </i></p><p><i>Her determination to solve the mystery takes her on a journey to a winter wonderland where some sinister characters are determined to thwart her attempts to find the truth. Can Bianca find a way to free the Ice Children without becoming one herself...</i></p><p>With strong echoes of <i>The Snow Queen</i>, this a fantasy story about sibling love but with an urgent eco message too. Grounded in the issues of today's contemporary world, it whirls fiction and fact together to create a magical yet thought-provoking adventure. The world-building is enchanting and reminded me of both <i>Narnia </i>and the <i>Moomins Winter Wonderland </i>and while some of the parallels to <i>The Snow Queen </i>are clear, it isn't necessary for today's generation to know the original story. </p><p>I particularly loved the villains in this adventure. Cleverly crafted and complex, they really hooked me in. As the mystery unravels and the pieces slot together, it becomes clear that the ending is going to be slightly different to conventional fantasy tales. Yet, with more twists and turns than a ski slope, this one will keep you guessing until the very end. </p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Macmillan <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b><u>Step Father Christmas by L.D Lapinski</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC_xakXRMQmxW75yi44oLNX08WKXEjPuYHNenHjKFNAVFOvzFcZXkJ6DOvda0eOL6bUI-QYeiKzw-lvqs4sjvpvfy5QtO8Os8MnsNR7iMgXOhu2w5I-Zlq5OBoJRziMNRu4Aiu0W7hyphenhyphenHEiImzjWxvGM_wZmWF2tsvJNWXDJOtOnco9XkxJBvz5R-I0v8/s674/Step%20Father%20Christmas.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC_xakXRMQmxW75yi44oLNX08WKXEjPuYHNenHjKFNAVFOvzFcZXkJ6DOvda0eOL6bUI-QYeiKzw-lvqs4sjvpvfy5QtO8Os8MnsNR7iMgXOhu2w5I-Zlq5OBoJRziMNRu4Aiu0W7hyphenhyphenHEiImzjWxvGM_wZmWF2tsvJNWXDJOtOnco9XkxJBvz5R-I0v8/s320/Step%20Father%20Christmas.webp" width="209" /></a></b></div><b><u><a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/l-d-lapinski/stepfather-christmas/9781510112681/">Link to publisher</a><br /></u></b><p></p><p><b>Published by: Hachette, 12th October 2023</b></p><p>If you're looking for something short, sweet and a little bit different then <i>Step Father Christmas </i>is a must read. Split into 25 chapters, to match the countdown to the big day, this is a concept that's so brilliant, it makes you wonder why it hasn't been done before...</p><p><i>Harper loves spending Christmas with her mum and brother. So when her mum announces that she's invited her new boyfriend to stay for the Christmas period, she's taken aback. She's even more taken aback when she discovers that Nick bears a striking resemblance to Santa. The more time she spends with him, the more Harper becomes convinced that he actually IS Santa. But can she prove it or will she be proven wrong?</i></p><p>This novel was such a joy to read that I struggled to put it down. It's has great characters, a fast-pace and the text is super accessible - never mind reading it over 25 days, my middle daughter read it in a weekend! Both of us loved the strange occurances, the Christmassy vibe and the constant musing of 'is he or isn't he Santa?'.Whatever the answer is, this is a great portrayal of family life which explores the challenges, emotions and postive elements of changing dynamics. Add in the magical elements like a random reindeer on the roof and snow in ONLY Harper's garden and you've got something really special. The extra good news is that this might be returning next year...</p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Hachette <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b><u>The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent, illustrated by Selom Sunu</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-6o4I4DOqQid3na2GT_VHonMuXM4BCMxfuuekCttmFC_JRjmWsjLSOm1XTaaOOiL9pq8mA1vXyPYQrNXfqqEy8BQYc7IUhyD7BnSTCJcjpVbT98thP68PM1eFEwxBKdvtwXeVtrs0Y0ODfrQrmMp9lmMbHSktJKTuyzHYO5tH2titoA0BtK7OXoPeXM/s611/Carrolls.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-6o4I4DOqQid3na2GT_VHonMuXM4BCMxfuuekCttmFC_JRjmWsjLSOm1XTaaOOiL9pq8mA1vXyPYQrNXfqqEy8BQYc7IUhyD7BnSTCJcjpVbT98thP68PM1eFEwxBKdvtwXeVtrs0Y0ODfrQrmMp9lmMbHSktJKTuyzHYO5tH2titoA0BtK7OXoPeXM/s320/Carrolls.jpg" width="209" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.farshore.co.uk/products/the-christmas-club-the-christmas-carrolls-book-3-mel-taylor-bessent-9780755503773/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p><b>Published by: Farshore, 12th October 2023</b></p><p>If you're looking for a completely over-the-top, in-your-face, all-out Christmassy story, then the Christmas Carrolls series is a must-read. Following the success of <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2021/12/its-time-for-our-festive-seasonal-round.html">Book 1</a> and <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/11/seasonal-round-up-christmas-is-coming.html">Book 2</a>, The Christmas Club is the third novel to look out for...</p><p><i>Holly Carroll and her family are off to New York after winning the competition for 'Most Christmassy Family'. But when they get invited to audition for the mysterious and highly secretive Christmas Club, the family is forced to make a difficult decision: fulfil their commitment to the New York Christmas parade or chase their only chance to bring about their biggest dream ever...</i></p><p>For me, thanks to its brilliant characters - particularly the animal ones - this series has got more hilarious with each instalment. Riotously funny but with a serious message at it's heart, it offers at least several laughs on each page, as well as a massive dose of upbeat Christmassy cheer. </p><p>As ever, Holly - with all her optimism and warmth - is on a mission to help others and spread as much festive love as possible. But again, she is faced with difficult questions and truths: what is Christmas really all about and is she missing the point? I really enjoyed her inner struggle and the way Holly learns from others around her. Seb and his daughter are great characters and watch out for a cameo appearance from Santa himself - adding a great fun twist to the end of the story. </p><p>The setting of New York was perfect, enabling the story to go BIG. Reggie, Sue and gorgeous Chilli may be the shining stars of the story but The Big Apple also felt like an incredible character in itself. With the city acting as a backdrop for lots of Christmassy action, the story ramped up to a tense conclusion which celebrated both failure and success. With themes of being true to yourself, friendship, love, compassion and connection, reading <i>The Christmas Carrolls</i> is like stopping for a warm marshmallowy hot chocolate in the middle of a frenetic Christmas market. Oh, and watch out for the real name of Holly's mum - it's brilliant!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Juniper's Christmas by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86gwHpa3l48l6vIvYqvP5mk6YB0sBCitxQAHFqkNgbSgHvw27YYSBRX08QNxF-NldZpHf9i5hPDJp-jkLyi1ny_tMRE5-l0zpFKQI-JLQ9AHFmIBBqGs5LMlTPSOP88Dq0tNFyPvPYSAUTa_NSpLfQnMgnhCjeTAPpHOodXbxWHu-31WOAWbfHlEMtug/s550/Juniper.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86gwHpa3l48l6vIvYqvP5mk6YB0sBCitxQAHFqkNgbSgHvw27YYSBRX08QNxF-NldZpHf9i5hPDJp-jkLyi1ny_tMRE5-l0zpFKQI-JLQ9AHFmIBBqGs5LMlTPSOP88Dq0tNFyPvPYSAUTa_NSpLfQnMgnhCjeTAPpHOodXbxWHu-31WOAWbfHlEMtug/s320/Juniper.webp" width="204" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/junipers-christmas-eoin-colfer?variant=40236852281422">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Published by: HarperCollins, 26th October 2023</b><br /><br />The hardback edition of this book, with its incredible cover by Chaaya Prabhat, is one of the most beautiful Christmas books I've ever held in my hands. Open the pages, however, and you'll find a gorgeously unique story told in a classic storytelling style...</p><p><i>It's been ten years since Santa hung up his sleigh reins and went into hiding. But when Juniper's mum goes missing, she stumbles across a mysterious man called Niko in a London park and realises that he must be the Santa that gave up on Christmas. </i></p><p><i>Desperate and alone, Juniper takes on the task of persuading Niko to help her find her mum and protect the park from its ambitious new keeper. But it's not long before she's saving Christmas itself. Will Santa return to his duties or will the world lose the festive season forever..?</i></p><p>This is a beautifully complex tale, perfect for those looking for a more challenging read. Eoin Colfer takes us on a journey that follows both Juniper's story and explores what Christmas means on a human level. With lots of magical and real-life elements colliding - such as flying reindeer, magical sacks, a criminal gang and a London park housing a community of homeless people - it allows readers to consider whether the human world is better off with or without Christmas and how true magic can spread love, hope and empathy to those who need it and those who think they don't. </p><p>There's a cracking mix of characters to discover between the pages of this book and I particularly loved both Duchess and the villains. There's adventure, humour, grief, heartbreak and hope - oh, and some elves on an urgent tracking mission across Europe. I loved the contemporary setting of London and particularly the London park and it's been wonderful to read a range of Christmassy books this year that are set in different locations to the North Pole and which focus very much of the human element of Christmas.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>And we're still reading...</u></b></p><p><b><u>The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAepnu7BH3qUcvLmn6PGpzajfGYTGFuUm50AvwTijPAvCIRTq-24gOaefkIlRTCv2R0G0APXgzUoxFrPdYQovf5rdzKeTABMbONminSWaXqJggtka9HXnqlHC78EtGGMehlu1bQgQc622FmyD0zqeHBPTpQu9SlLSW9HxofrFlD-C8QqQbGPHFOKXOvA/s1112/Snow%20girl.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="823" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAepnu7BH3qUcvLmn6PGpzajfGYTGFuUm50AvwTijPAvCIRTq-24gOaefkIlRTCv2R0G0APXgzUoxFrPdYQovf5rdzKeTABMbONminSWaXqJggtka9HXnqlHC78EtGGMehlu1bQgQc622FmyD0zqeHBPTpQu9SlLSW9HxofrFlD-C8QqQbGPHFOKXOvA/s320/Snow%20girl.jpg" width="237" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://usborne.com/gb/the-snow-girl-9781803704357">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p><b>Published by: Usborne, October 2023</b></p><p>We're only halfway through this novel, which is a new release from one of our favourite authors, Sophie Anderson. However, from what we've read so far, this is set to become another wintry classic with stunning descriptions and a timeless feel...</p><p><i>When Tasha moves to her Grandpa's farm, she finds the first fall of snow incredibly special and, based on the story her grandpa has told her, she builds a snow girl. </i></p><p><i>Desperate for a friend, Tasha wishes with all her heart that her creation will come to life and soon, she is spending the winter nights having adventures with the magical Alyana. But winter isn't going to last for ever... What will Tasha and Alyana do when spring comes? </i></p><p>Based on Russian folklore, this is definitely the sort of novel you'll want to curl up with in front of the fire. Its soothing, lullaby-infused language whirls around you like snow in the air and transports you to a winter wonderland that feels both beautiful and intoxicating. Tasha is a relatable heroine who is experiencing very real fears and anxieties and yet, as we accompany her on her journey, we see her connection with both the natural world and Alyana begin to heal her. We're going to have to read on, though, to find out how the story progresses...<u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></p><p>From what we're read so far, there's strong themes of community woven throughout the story as well as a focus on that special relationship between child and grandparent. There's also a wonderful celebration of the beauty of winter as well as the real acknowledgement of how harsh and dangerous it can also be. We are particularly loving the rural farm and woodland setting and the strong sense of wonder. </p><p><b><u>Also recommended: </u></b></p><p>The Christmasaurus series</p><p>The Snowman by Michael Morpurgo</p><p>Tinsel by Sibeal Pounder</p><p>And why not look at our previous Christmas round-ups to get some further inspiration:</p><p><a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/11/seasonal-round-up-christmas-is-coming.html">Round-up 2022</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2021/12/its-time-for-our-festive-seasonal-round.html">Round-up 2021</a><br /></p><p><b><u><br /></u></b></p></div></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-51392766202969308412023-11-19T13:54:00.000-08:002023-11-20T06:57:59.804-08:00UPCOMING RELEASE! Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds<p>What with our Halloween round-up and some fantastic new middle-grade releases taking up all our attention, it's been hard to fit anything else into our reading slots. But we can never resist a chapter book and, along with the return of some of our favourites, there is something new to get excited about in 2024. YA author, Bex Hogan, has a debut CB series launching on the 1st February and it's definitely one to watch out for...</p><p><b><u>Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds by Bex Hogan, illustrated by Hannah McCaffery</u></b></p><p><b><u><br /></u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_tdpwtAPr7j7I-iy5icImRvy1me0PkMfmHaKlNReipopgcAm4F9ZW6fxOO3SxgvMHy-q-a5CutZICxhiXhF6477zU7I-PW918TK7_gMMeg6VlDt6QAVutQKUk6YyRSiBy8r3XKmBcLiKsAcJxlBSnsL8KoisrpjB0et0atMdLJQ31_mN7pDvCqJN42g/s2339/BronteTempestraLightningSteeds_Cover.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_tdpwtAPr7j7I-iy5icImRvy1me0PkMfmHaKlNReipopgcAm4F9ZW6fxOO3SxgvMHy-q-a5CutZICxhiXhF6477zU7I-PW918TK7_gMMeg6VlDt6QAVutQKUk6YyRSiBy8r3XKmBcLiKsAcJxlBSnsL8KoisrpjB0et0atMdLJQ31_mN7pDvCqJN42g/s320/BronteTempestraLightningSteeds_Cover.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bexhogan.co.uk/bronte-tempestra-the-lightning-steeds/"></a><a href="https://bexhogan.co.uk/bronte-tempestra-the-lightning-steeds/">Link to author website</a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Published by: Piccadilly Press, 1st February 2024</p><p style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍👍</p><p style="text-align: left;">Packed full of pacy action, the first in this new series sees Bronte Tempestra follow her dreams of being a knight. But what does being a knight entail exactly..?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Bronte, Princess of the Storm Kingdom, knows what she wants...to be the first princess to ever train to become a knight. But when she heads off to knight school, she is surprised to find that the knights are more interested in bravado than being brave. Is saving and protecting kingdoms really second to showing off? </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>But when Bronte finds out that the Lightning Steeds from her kingdom have gone missing, leaving the thunder trolls to cause havoc in their absence, Bronte takes matters into her own hands and sets off on a quest to find the root of all the strange happenings in the realm. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;">This is a great concept which places a strong, female character centre stage. We loved how Bronte knows exactly who she wants to be and how much she cares about her kingdom. With bags of agency and a fighting spirit, you just know that this is a girl set for lots of adventures and that we, as readers, are definitely going to enjoy riding along with her. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The world-building is brilliantly done with a cleverly constructed setting (again paving the way for lots of future adventures) and a cast of fun and creative characters. We loved the pompous griffin lord and the fire cats and we also loved the plot twist which centred around Bronte's own cat. There's a real sense of tension and imminent threat running right from the start and this escalates into a villain-busting climax which will leave readers as breathless as if <i>they</i> were the knights on a mission. </p><p style="text-align: left;">There's so much to love about this new story and we can't wait to explore more of the world. We're particularly keen to meet the thunder trolls and find out what kind of peril Bronte will be facing next. You can bet it's not going to be anything like we expect... </p><p style="text-align: left;">Highly recommended for 6-8 year olds and fans of <i>Hotel of the Gods </i>and <i>The Naughtiest Unicorn.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Call the Puffins: Tiny's Brave Rescue by Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad</u></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj-dfpGmYJ967-cMmLN1JfF0ILtvW6WNoBIBzT8GZFVECc6C3vJTM9U24FoJYBOVmzH6CMqE8avOKQ04WxwbT02CbzhwXcMlO5lJGVinQzV9MGcsi24ovtjjM27GgCVZHtz5MAon_qzCKf5IZfeFFRg7vHA6hNYGqfAa063TnKW8av2irT-JrQ8cHy_M/s390/Puffins.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj-dfpGmYJ967-cMmLN1JfF0ILtvW6WNoBIBzT8GZFVECc6C3vJTM9U24FoJYBOVmzH6CMqE8avOKQ04WxwbT02CbzhwXcMlO5lJGVinQzV9MGcsi24ovtjjM27GgCVZHtz5MAon_qzCKf5IZfeFFRg7vHA6hNYGqfAa063TnKW8av2irT-JrQ8cHy_M/s320/Puffins.png" width="209" /></a></div>Published by: Welbeck Children's Group, Hachette, 12th October 2023<p></p><p style="text-align: left;">👍👍👍👍👍<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This second book in the series is as charming as the <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2023/02/new-and-upcoming-releases-young-fiction.html">first</a> and places Tiny, not Muffin, as the main character in this adventure. Perfect for 5-7s, this is a gentle story with gorgeous characters and strong eco themes. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Tiny, Muffin and the other puffins on the Island of Egg are on to the next stage of their training. But Tiny is still worried he's not up for the job, especially as his sight is limited. </i><i>When a wild cat turns up on the beach during an important rescue, Tiny is convinced he's messed up. Will he pass this level of training and be able to stay one of the team?</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">This series is just a pure delight and perfect for fans of <i>Adventuremice. </i>The setting is simple and easy to visualise and the characters are amongst the sweetest you'll ever meet. We particularly love the representation of different disabilities amongst the puffins; from limited vision to feet that are different to everyone else's. The plot is pitched perfectly for the age-group but still has surprisingly high stakes - this is nature and nature's emergencies are serious. Saying that, there's still a lot of fun and friendship to be had and the power of teamwork is forefront! We love it!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Suki in the Snow (Princess Katie's Kittens) by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Sam Loman</u></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJuP23XyfSO0AyyOaOJjJdFrQBbhXjndRN_9m306RKuz1wFVrtzbTxVH1Bou47EJGzZrwv5z3t5z9FA0oedrNOSq-FnLHqBZGVAvEZIdJ2gtt69adRDQ9ZJva9rsyr9lbliO2N_xWo9r-LkgVVf8hDK5AgTWFX7vCmbI9vYpntjcHwO5qweE0kZV_bQg/s394/Suki.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJuP23XyfSO0AyyOaOJjJdFrQBbhXjndRN_9m306RKuz1wFVrtzbTxVH1Bou47EJGzZrwv5z3t5z9FA0oedrNOSq-FnLHqBZGVAvEZIdJ2gtt69adRDQ9ZJva9rsyr9lbliO2N_xWo9r-LkgVVf8hDK5AgTWFX7vCmbI9vYpntjcHwO5qweE0kZV_bQg/s320/Suki.png" width="207" /></a></div>Published by: Piccadilly Press, 12th October 2023<br />👍👍👍👍👍<div><br /></div><div>With winter on the way, the third instalment of <i>Princess Katie's Kittens </i>feels particularly seasonal. If you're a big fan of the white stuff, then <i>Suki in the Snow </i>is a must-read; a gorgeous story with a holiday setting told from both Katie and Suki's perspective...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Katie is off on her annual holiday to the mountains but is sad to leave the kittens. But when Suki sneaks into her backpack, Katie finds her winter break is rather more stressful than usual. Suki sneaks out into the snow and it's not long before she is lost. Can Katie find her before frostbite sets in as well as keeping her family and friends happy?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>With strong themes of pet care, this is a gorgeous series for young animal lovers or those who love a princess story. Katie and Becky are caring characters who mix having fun with responsibility. Suki being lost in the snow creates naturally high stakes but also whisks readers away to a magical snowy landscape full of festival fun, ice-skating, igloos and all the best things about winter. This change of setting was refreshing and all the stories offer a very different adventure. Allowing readers to see things from Suki's point of view as well as Katie's is a genius move and adds a whole special USP to the series. We can't wait to see what the next kitten will get up to.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-69928143941718545662023-11-06T01:28:00.000-08:002023-11-06T01:28:09.590-08:00A Medley of Middle-Grade Mysteries...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW9Fe5dyKsBSEe8mlqu9sbstbaIizLtnED-omDX5tarBnAjbXG7aFA-xD3eYX9ljIpWckHm0XjQJgv5cbk8vcRrxc6bs1pUF9umYcGiFkeLIWx_NdhKj-avnVjRKvd0ZXtBCU2_YfEwSG3ryO9yQg4RNChixbG5_QDZwpFoCwfNIG5nEvX9-GK95C/s648/Bonbon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW9Fe5dyKsBSEe8mlqu9sbstbaIizLtnED-omDX5tarBnAjbXG7aFA-xD3eYX9ljIpWckHm0XjQJgv5cbk8vcRrxc6bs1pUF9umYcGiFkeLIWx_NdhKj-avnVjRKvd0ZXtBCU2_YfEwSG3ryO9yQg4RNChixbG5_QDZwpFoCwfNIG5nEvX9-GK95C/w208-h320/Bonbon.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div>Whether it's a book aimed at adults or children, mystery stories never seem to go out of fashion. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is that, although they tend to follow a specific set of rules, mystery stories can be presented in a plethora of different ways. Fancy a mystery that will make you laugh? Or maybe a mystery set in an historical setting? No? Then maybe a spooky ghost mystery is what you're after? Whatever is on a reader's wishlist, they're bound to find something that fits the bill.</div><div><br /></div><div>This medley of middle grade mysteries is only a very small selection of what's currently on offer in the children's book market but they are all books we've recently enjoyed. Each story contains the elements we love in a classic mystery story and yet they couldn't be more different from each other in tone and style. This is why we will <i>never</i> get bored of this versatile genre.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">1.Funny</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalNL5I3L_lk4zal9GBWeGyCXqDtv__DlQLcSbC1IsACw-_i-CU6BvHpO35sNXILXMA7eXGsJq4eXRVA5UdBkj9mWB6muNCJoYLrCoC4ZyA-33LL_a3T1C0_ZORxiM2ueDDsNrj9mR-rPK9zZWaY_9PvlpL1No1nt2M4r6S8FNmvXAhJ_aCTNIUFCmApE/s648/BonBon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalNL5I3L_lk4zal9GBWeGyCXqDtv__DlQLcSbC1IsACw-_i-CU6BvHpO35sNXILXMA7eXGsJq4eXRVA5UdBkj9mWB6muNCJoYLrCoC4ZyA-33LL_a3T1C0_ZORxiM2ueDDsNrj9mR-rPK9zZWaY_9PvlpL1No1nt2M4r6S8FNmvXAhJ_aCTNIUFCmApE/w208-h320/BonBon.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><b><u>Montgomery Bonbon by Alasdair Beckett-King, illustrated by Claire Powell</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.walker.co.uk/Montgomery-Bonbon-Murder-at-the-Museum-9781529501049.aspx">Link to publisher</a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyvOhysEUNtpOiwXglc4Qf01LSI-vCkYjPfGRhZBeYd9K5O4yk6acz-AbkWFM1hKg-QKAgccU8RgEHR-y4RBvm97yEVkOdsZ7qZxIxrWjpM01Py0U91jjs_FhAV6tmmQXCLuTL1IFy0GTT4aIaC2jihqbUgz16m8tNIvHz2qG6QBPRe_sUsJHqSUTiks/s648/BonBon.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br />Published by: Walker Books, February 2023, October 202</span></a>3</div><div><p>If you're after a mystery series that has an hilarious main character, complete with an endearing sidekick, then the Montgomery BonBon series is a must-read. A spoof of the famous Agatha Christie series, <i>Poirot </i>(I think it's even funnier for adults who are familiar with David Suchet's depiction of this astute detective), it follows a young girl with a mystery-solving alter-ego...</p><p><i>Bonnie Montgomery is a brilliant detective. But no one has a clue who she is because children can't be detectives...can they? Maybe not! But Montgomery BonBon can. </i></p><p><i>Disguised as a gentleman, complete with moutasche and hat, Bonnie looks nothing like a ten-year-old girl. Only her Grampa Banks knows her secret and, with his help, BonBon is on a mission to solve as many cases as possible...cases that might involve priceless artefacts and...onions.</i></p><p>This is a brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud series which combines murder with mayhem...bonkers mayhem. Bonnie's alter-ego, BonBon, will keep you giggling while the plots in both books will keep you guessing. Grampa is the perfect pairing for Bonnie and it is their relationship which gives both books real warmth and heart. We particularly enjoyed the setting of book two and the fact that it was even more bonkers than the first.</p><p>It's hard to talk too much about the stories without leaking spoilers. However, everything about the series oozes personality; from the larger than life characters to BonBon and Grampa's unusual set of wheels to the scenarios they find themselves in. We particularly loved the chapters where Bonnie was as stumped as we were and yet we knew the small details would lead her to the correct conclusion. Bonnie - or BonBon - should I say is endearing, charming, smart and one step ahead of the constabulary. You really don't want to miss her - er, him - in action. </p><p><br /></p><b><u><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Historical</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_o8aWp6wjVIqktAmyUwDBUHMLyDLW4oXJNqzfq129DAreFvFNWzS40LCQsfgHZ8HNbJEp13gNV3RarSUgkHMkclphI3YaPu1NgEqJ4BOi4g0n2lkDVawQ4I_01DkEDtfKkPhhmRSr2M8gESfa8vu6xf9suVRulvKWtw3wP7sa3su-vXMVopGieCPBkQ/s300/Body%20in%20the%20blitz.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_o8aWp6wjVIqktAmyUwDBUHMLyDLW4oXJNqzfq129DAreFvFNWzS40LCQsfgHZ8HNbJEp13gNV3RarSUgkHMkclphI3YaPu1NgEqJ4BOi4g0n2lkDVawQ4I_01DkEDtfKkPhhmRSr2M8gESfa8vu6xf9suVRulvKWtw3wP7sa3su-vXMVopGieCPBkQ/w266-h400/Body%20in%20the%20blitz.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>The Body In The Blitz by Robin Stevens</u></b><br /><p></p><a href="https://robin-stevens.co.uk/books/the-body-in-the-blitz/">Link to author website</a><br /><p>Published by: Puffin, 12th October 2023<br />👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>Following on from the <i>Murder Most Unladylike </i>series, Robin Stevens has continued her success of writing mysteries by introducing readers to Hazel's younger sister, May. In the second of <i>The Ministry of Unladylike Activity </i>series, May, together with her new friends Eric and Nuala, are plunged into a baffling mystery set in the terrifying but fascinating backdrop of The Blitz...</p><p><i>When the ministry calls May, Eric and Nuala back to London, the three spies-in-training find themselves staying in a street full of eclectic people thrown together by the war. But there's more than the nightly air-raids to contend with for, when they find a body in the wreckage of a bombed house, they find themselves in the middle of a strange and complex mystery. Will they ever begin to fit the pieces together or will their suspicions collapse like the houses around them?</i></p><p>Told in first person, in diary format, this second release switches the narrative responsibility to Nuala, rather than the previous dual narrative of May and Nuala. This allows readers to see things through the eyes of a wonderfully gentle and earnest character whilst also giving us all the best - and humorous - bits of strong-willed May. Eric is the calm, practical and tender link between the three, making them a great trio to get on board with. </p><p>Although the novel is on the longer side in terms of length, it is so tightly and brilliantly plotted that it bounces along at a terrific pace, keeping us guessing until the very end. The atmosphere and tension of the setting made this mystery particularly electric and, thanks to Robin Stevens sensory and detailed description, I almost felt like I was in the midst of war-time London myself.</p><p>The cast of characters is large and yet compelling. Each one - both on and off the page - is distinguishable and the street where the mystery is set is practically a character in itself. This is a classic mystery centred in a city full of bombs and rubble and offers a huge amount of historical accuracy as well as the fictional element. This might just be the most atmospheric mystery I've ever read. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Spooky</span></u></b></p><p><b><u>The Witchstone Ghosts by Emily Randall</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-yzYKGqOVdzh2EN8xIxJBtm_EqLmV2UMPouwGsizWH-M8FuLOqxF27ITxNDSQE6bGKYJP4US6YlxRRn8CLBNNhfY_ear5dlxQwzpa-nRXlX5PY7YlqcQmFs1-_V-0hiFIbfag7ki463iXCv2-qta51eP40gIqpFqRBQDZwU1KG-ikmnSEUQwVsdvuBs/s1000/The%20Witchstone%20Ghosts.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-yzYKGqOVdzh2EN8xIxJBtm_EqLmV2UMPouwGsizWH-M8FuLOqxF27ITxNDSQE6bGKYJP4US6YlxRRn8CLBNNhfY_ear5dlxQwzpa-nRXlX5PY7YlqcQmFs1-_V-0hiFIbfag7ki463iXCv2-qta51eP40gIqpFqRBQDZwU1KG-ikmnSEUQwVsdvuBs/w261-h400/The%20Witchstone%20Ghosts.png" width="261" /></a></b></div><p><a href="https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/books/the-witchstone-ghosts/">Link to publisher</a><br /></p>Published by: Chicken House<p></p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>Halloween might have been and gone but this story has stayed with me. Creepy and unsettling, it combines all the thrills and chills of a ghost story with a corker of a mystery. But can Autumn solve it before the darkness comes for her..?</p><p><i>Autumn sees dead people - they invade every part of her life. But when her Dad dies very suddenly and mysteriously, he is the one ghost who doesn't appear. Then his will sends Autumn and her mum to live on an isolated island called Imber and Autumn finds herself in a race against time to work out how Imber and her father's death are connected.</i></p><p>This mystery kept me guessing. It's highly original plot builds slowly to an incredible ending with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Once again, there's a cast of fabulously memorable characters - Fred and Jack being my personal favourites - and it's unsettling and haunting atmosphere offers a darker take on this popular genre, making it perfect for the higher age-range of middle grade or those who just want to be spooked. </p><p>The setting in this novel, as with Robin Steven's<i> The Body in the Blitz,</i> is also incredibly atmospheric. The fictional island of Imber is located just off the coast of Cornwall and Emily Randall taps into the wild, and often brutal, coastal nature of my home county, giving it a timeless and almost historical feel. Whereas some mysteries are quite linear and progress logically, the supernatural element of this story means that a lot of unusual events and characters collide together like waves in an ocean, creating intrigue, suspense and an outcome that is much harder to predict but which makes perfect sense when all is revealed...</p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-23691521444867667262023-10-12T02:41:00.017-07:002023-10-12T03:26:21.914-07:00It's here! Our spooky Halloween round-up 2023...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT04saupFnYEGdouDzWMrwyOuRN1qYMjQTcmPy2l8yrKMkkz7DRlaRKvmLWGM-_Rfa_ZQPTNdqU0KMqkDLOVVjtevu31yOrY9Xkl0hzbiaE0eWUkWxUQt-OyzRbLMzB-pnSCXtDsJSRUjgZtK8p7IYHuPbt1pTbiFdhJA4VdJUOLg2Oz6V_ZJPTZx14J0/s648/Vlad.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="558" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT04saupFnYEGdouDzWMrwyOuRN1qYMjQTcmPy2l8yrKMkkz7DRlaRKvmLWGM-_Rfa_ZQPTNdqU0KMqkDLOVVjtevu31yOrY9Xkl0hzbiaE0eWUkWxUQt-OyzRbLMzB-pnSCXtDsJSRUjgZtK8p7IYHuPbt1pTbiFdhJA4VdJUOLg2Oz6V_ZJPTZx14J0/s320/Vlad.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><b><u><i>Vlad, The Fabulous Vampire </i>by Flavia Z. Drago</u></b><p></p><p><a href="https://www.walker.co.uk/Vlad-the-Fabulous-Vampire-9781529509175.aspx">Link to publisher</a><br /></p><p>Published by: Walker Books, September 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>Following on from <i>Gustavo, The Shy Ghost </i>in 2021 and<i>
Leila, The Perfect Witch </i>in 2022, <i>Vlad, The Fabulous Vampire </i>is a heart-warming
and endearing story about a vampire who tries to hide his uniqueness. The fear
of being different to other vampires is something that terrifies him. But,
maybe he’s not as different as he thinks…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><i>Vlad has a passion for fashion and being a vampire means black fashion is his preference. But Vlad has something other vampires don't...ROSY CHEEKS! Can Vlad find a way to hide the embarrassing thing that makes him different or is that what makes him special?</i><br /><p class="MsoNormal">These stunningly-produced picture books have become our
annual Halloween treat. Flavia Z. Drago uses startling Halloween colour
palettes and yet proceeds to turn well-known ‘spooky’ characters into highly
loveable, gorgeously-endearing characters. Not only does the artwork steal your
heart but also the genuine earnestness of each character; a shy ghost, a witch
who strives to be perfect and an embarrassed vampire. These are not bold,
in-your-face heroes but ones that are quieter, gentler and more reserved in
tone, making them highly relatable and humbly appealing. <o:p></o:p></p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">
</u></p><p class="MsoNormal">This was probably our favourite story of the three. Partly
because we loved the combination of black and pink, but also because it has
such a great twist that we actually didn’t see coming. Simple but cleverly
plotted, it is the perfect story for whole families to enjoy together. Little
ones can enjoy spotting the familiar faces from Gustavo’s world and there’s
something new to spot in the illustrations with every repeated read. If you’re
after something unique and memorable which will give you a distinct feeling
when you read it, this is definitely it. <o:p></o:p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u><i>Grim Falls Academy </i>by Louise Forshaw</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFRkIRu40JS2bM2YB4HLDvGpU61gkfco5lXiKaajRdK1KW1vGaeGTsFjPKTWpudwg8f89bFLOY1XJyQB-s14EnT_vIxJXqf4mAE-QsIiMnyE7s7E2-geeScKjZmvpnO1ejHUsJW_oBn4kHrbrcf1ASG_aqze2Qr9jvcQZkOBykNhwxkbq4FklxCiD9jQ/s1200/Grim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="766" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFRkIRu40JS2bM2YB4HLDvGpU61gkfco5lXiKaajRdK1KW1vGaeGTsFjPKTWpudwg8f89bFLOY1XJyQB-s14EnT_vIxJXqf4mAE-QsIiMnyE7s7E2-geeScKjZmvpnO1ejHUsJW_oBn4kHrbrcf1ASG_aqze2Qr9jvcQZkOBykNhwxkbq4FklxCiD9jQ/w255-h400/Grim.jpg" width="255" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://maverickbooks.co.uk/junior-fiction/introducing-grim-falls-academy/">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by: Maverick Publishing, September 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p class="MsoNormal">This trilogy of chapter books from Louise Forshaw is not
only supernatural, it’s SUPER spooky as well. Set in a boarding school for
supernatural kids, it has a loveable trio of main characters – a werewolf, a vampire
and a…er…human? – with a supporting cast that includes a mummified bully and a
living skeleton for a headteacher…<o:p></o:p></p><i>Don't Eat the Soup - something very weird is happening at Grim Falls Academy. Teachers are losing their memory and growing tentacles! Can Seb and his friends get to the bottom of this tangled mystery?</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Don't Feed the Glob - When their Mad Science teacher, who is acting weird, gives Seb and his friends some tiny globs of slime to look after, it's not long before they grow completely out of control. Seems that Seb, Victor and Tabby have a STICKY situation on their hands...</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Don't Open the Box - when Seb finds a hidden box in the school, he just has to open it. But suddenly a troll is wrecking havoc and the school has turned into a giant maze. Just what has Seb unleashed and can he, Victor and Tabby sort it before the school is destroyed?<br /></i><p class="MsoNormal">This is Louise Forshaw’s debut as an author-illustrator
(previously an illustrator only) and she’s done a sensational job with both the
words and the highly engaging pictures, which drew all of my kids in with one
glance. For me, the stories felt like <i>Goosebumps </i>for a younger audience
and they are perfect for readers who don’t mind feeling just a little bit
scared. Each book is packed full of twists and turns, a fast-moving,
high-stakes plot and wacky scenarios that are deliciously devilish and highly thrilling;
characters that sprout tentacles, a sinister knotweed maze and greedy growing
globs. What’s not to love? <o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">As well as having strong themes of friendship and teamwork, each
story includes a gentle exploration of accepting who you are, controlling emotions
and taking responsibility for your actions. We loved the familiar feel of a spooky
setting combined with endearing characters and imaginative and original plots.
Even better, it appears that the last page ends on the possible promise of more
to come. We really hope so because three books just wasn’t enough. We want to
see more of the characters, spend more time in the school and see the trio of
heroes battle more villainous shenanigans.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p><b><u><i>When Frankie Made A Human</i> by Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by Maite Schmitt</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmDRTJk5W1fU21J67UPc_lHSX0l7AFnUrN--RnZvB7xzpqPf576oORZ6wPVLveaARmGt6Gxnanj-GZSK36ikZ5RhMuL8SUEXbIXVWqF3Zzbch_fmM5uKUBH2wWr0wPGqgbCwR1LkE8MzUGVCUc24sy_9iQQhy2ouy3NV2clKXfS9Q2oCaftwmgfBoKtA/s619/Frankie.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmDRTJk5W1fU21J67UPc_lHSX0l7AFnUrN--RnZvB7xzpqPf576oORZ6wPVLveaARmGt6Gxnanj-GZSK36ikZ5RhMuL8SUEXbIXVWqF3Zzbch_fmM5uKUBH2wWr0wPGqgbCwR1LkE8MzUGVCUc24sy_9iQQhy2ouy3NV2clKXfS9Q2oCaftwmgfBoKtA/s320/Frankie.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><a href="https://sweetcherrypublishing.com/when-frankie-made-a-human/">Link to publisher</a><br />Published by: Sweet Cherry Publishing, September 2023<p></p><p>👍👍👍👍</p><p>Perfect for the spooky season, this twisted tale of <i>Frankenstein</i> sews together a very clever concept with an endearing main character, fun world-building and an exploration of human behaviour. </p><p><i>Frankie is lonely. He's not like the other monsters in Monsterweld and he wants a friend. But when he decides to grow a human, will things work out the way he hoped?</i></p><p>This is a really sweet story and just the book for young readers, aged approximately 6-8 years, who love monsters but don't want to be scared. Frankie is an instantly loveable and relatable character who feels left out because he lives high up on a mountain and is a different sort of monster to everyone else. We also loved Igor and Frankie's scientist mum who insists on Frankie studying science. </p><p>By creating a world where monsters and humans are now separated, Rachel Delahaye is able to explore some great themes. The set-up of Monsterweld is really interesting, where everyone is respectful of their environment and has just enough food to sustain them. Humans live differently, however, and this is cleverly shown through Fido's character. It was nice to see he wasn't all bad though and that change is always a hopeful possibility. There's definitely a lot packed into the short word count and we'd love to see more stories from this world. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u><i>Kevin the Vampire</i> by Matt Brown, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MypbEWNQ3PmgZgidghQAmt4kz8wH5opO-a8gjGdggq5u5nUC6kVRygCuUKGXuguyqtfRplqejb_Ot-Hp2WNGIOHzqYkANCT05iEqkvwlumK1tB5tQHy0YBwTNyNtaUo9XjoYvPY_cagcpl-IXh2n0mkcSj_pnAGL3JzeyonMqGpnCxQtguujAhwHM_o/s1175/KevinTheVampire_frontcover300dpi-768x1175.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MypbEWNQ3PmgZgidghQAmt4kz8wH5opO-a8gjGdggq5u5nUC6kVRygCuUKGXuguyqtfRplqejb_Ot-Hp2WNGIOHzqYkANCT05iEqkvwlumK1tB5tQHy0YBwTNyNtaUo9XjoYvPY_cagcpl-IXh2n0mkcSj_pnAGL3JzeyonMqGpnCxQtguujAhwHM_o/s320/KevinTheVampire_frontcover300dpi-768x1175.jpg" width="209" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://nosycrow.com/product/kevin-the-vampire-a-most-mysterious-monster/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by: Nosy Crow, 14th September 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍</p><p>We are big fans of Flavia Sorrentino's cover art and this brightly-coloured number drew us in like a vampire is drawn to blood. Except for Kevin, that is. Kevin is not your average bloodsucking vampire. His family run a carnival and it's Kevin's dream to be a dragon rider like Gogmagog. But an unexpected adventure is about to befall him...</p><p><i>Kevin and his family are on the way to Monstros City. But when their Batnav goes wrong, they end up in a human town called Lower Drudging. In desperate need of gold to continue their journey, they decide to put on a show for the locals. But humans from Lower Drudging don't want anything to do with monsters and, besides, they might be hiding a monster secret of their own...</i></p><p>Full of great world-building, fun and charm, this, for me, has a Roald Dahl vibe to it. With horrible aunts, a miserable mayor and a cast of unusual and memorable characters, it is a high-stakes, fast-paced adventure that readers of all ages can enjoy. Other comparisons include <i>Vlad the World's Worst Vampire </i>and <i>The Addams Family, </i>making it a book that is perfect for the spooky season but which can also be enjoyed all year round. </p><p>Matt Brown has created some lovely twists that set this story apart from other vampire stories. Kevin is able to enjoy daylight, for example, and although his family have little experience of humans, they are excited to meet them (although, unfortunately, the humans don't feel the same way.) Kevin and Susie are great characters and I liked the way the narrative switched between their two stories. This enabled the pace to stay strong and made the climax of the story more satisfying, as we were invested in both characters. There's some great little fact-files to break up the chapters and lots of scope for future adventures. </p><p>So, if you're looking for a fun, light-hearted and spooktacular new series to get hooked on, this is definitely worth a read. </p><p><u><b><i>Bella Bright and the Ghost Game </i>by Carolyn Ward, illustrated by Beatriz Castro</b></u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtskJO7mMtJKFlTj_JojhgVaMQaNm9gkM-M1qAOI0zA8JDKVEWMuhlCqbOuUxjUB_mY5x-Fnc5_oVT6KVY1e7v3JDdwmHkVZhajSLIh5N6QGXpLG1o4SDsIBz7KzxCEXfD1izhWj1JMrmXwq4fokoQjQz4HLwpW3F-MvKsW9LLPX8a70n9mMHlKwRGhbo/s500/Bella%20Bright.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtskJO7mMtJKFlTj_JojhgVaMQaNm9gkM-M1qAOI0zA8JDKVEWMuhlCqbOuUxjUB_mY5x-Fnc5_oVT6KVY1e7v3JDdwmHkVZhajSLIh5N6QGXpLG1o4SDsIBz7KzxCEXfD1izhWj1JMrmXwq4fokoQjQz4HLwpW3F-MvKsW9LLPX8a70n9mMHlKwRGhbo/s320/Bella%20Bright.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/bella-bright-and-the-ghost-game/carolyn-ward/9781801300957">Link to Waterstones</a><br /></p>Published by: Welbeck Publishing<p></p><p>👍👍👍👍</p><p>If you're looking for a traditional type of ghost story set in a haunted house with cobwebs, flickering lights and slamming doors, then this is the book for you. <i>Bella Bright and the Ghost Game </i>will give you all the feels; hair-raising thrills and chills mixed with a warm injection of friendship and a poignancy that will make your heart ache...</p><p><i>Bella Bright moves from place to place, fixing up old buildings with her mum. So when they first arrive at Darkling Manor in Castleton, Bella is simply faced with another new school, more mean girls and the reality of not fitting in. But Darkling Manor clearly has secrets and, when the 'deadly duo' Skylar and Regan, invite themselves round for a Halloween sleepover, things quickly take a sinister turn. Soon, Bella and her visitors are drawn into a game of Hide and Seek with a ghost called Alice. But can they solve the mystery behind the game in time and will Bella have a shot at finding real friends at last...or lose them all?</i></p><p>This is a cracking story that doesn't hold back on the fear factor. Carolyn Ward pushes the boundaries of scary for middle-grade readers whilst balancing it beautifully with the trials and tribulations of the life of a 12-year-old. The characters are real and relatable (I loved Lex but watch out for Skylar!) and Alice's story is simple but heart-breaking. </p><p>The novel has a strong, pacy structure with clever plotting and a definite escalation of spookiness. I really liked Bella's story arc and her over-riding longing for friends. With secret passages and tons of creepy crawlies, Carolyn Ward's imagination was both fantastic and atmospheric. This is a novel you need to read under a blanket by firelight. Alternatively, you may want to keep the lights firmly on!</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><i>The Vanquishers </i>by Kalynn Bayron</b></u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwJJoUFsYMnJwkPakXD2Ies1yaDrBOLShNmFJlww0oMvt-jUwSFmhg4li7PMEL1LiZD4FysUcv1KMxw8Sng6oB3Zu5XVVKL6YF0iyU15aORtB0P0KzV6CstKc6jvZ5gRcyLGijBAJh4xz10xi0GVknlXpnsoWipGWKpo9UTp8t62boSNrWZQTQm-BDwc/s554/Vanquishers.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwJJoUFsYMnJwkPakXD2Ies1yaDrBOLShNmFJlww0oMvt-jUwSFmhg4li7PMEL1LiZD4FysUcv1KMxw8Sng6oB3Zu5XVVKL6YF0iyU15aORtB0P0KzV6CstKc6jvZ5gRcyLGijBAJh4xz10xi0GVknlXpnsoWipGWKpo9UTp8t62boSNrWZQTQm-BDwc/s320/Vanquishers.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/vanquishers-9781526655974/" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Link to publisher</a></div><div><br /></div><div>👍👍👍👍<br /><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 28th September 2023</p><p><i>Cinderella Is Dead </i>is one of my favourite YA reads and Kalynn Baron's middle-grade debut is Waterstones Book of the Month for October. I can see why! This is a vampire series for younger readers, offering all the spookiness, adrenaline and tension that you'd expect but with friendship and family at its heart...</p><p><i>Malika - or Boog as she is known - and her friends, Jules and Cedrick, live in a close community in San Antonio, Texas where their parents and elders are struggling to shake the fear of a past where vampires existed. But everyone knows that every vampire was wiped out by the Vanquishers during The Reaping so Boog can't understand why they are still acting so strangely. </i></p><p><i>But when their new friend Aaron goes missing, it triggers an unsettling chain of events. Could it be that history is about to begin all over again..?</i></p><p>This story has a fairly gentle start, building to a gripping, cliffhanger ending. It hooks readers in by inviting them into the lives of a tight circle of friends who don't quite fit in and who are dealing with all the usual, everyday things most pre-teens are. But the ordinary is about to become extraordinary as we begin to learn about the community's past and the rules around how vampires existed. Kalynn Baron builds the tension slowly but brilliantly - drip-feeding information and making the readers piece the clues together for themselves. I definitely had goosebumps before the action even began!</p><p>This is definitely the beginning of an epic series. Ultimately, the characters are really likeable and I was fully invested in them by the end of the novel. I loved how there were references to well-known, much-loved vampire stories but that Baron has twisted the established vampire rules into new ones, whilst keeping all the things we love/fear about them. I also loved the exploration of the unbreakable bond of true friendship.</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b><u><i>Dreadwood: Deadly Deep </i>by Jennifer Killick</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EvJhwoQj0MfZAGsMVY85h0ZqeXV5AQoraX1Y9Z00XU8pvpfIffak7MgBsfj6baaNrbJYFoKULPssxhnMfQg69TOJXw-ehFGsm5K3LbRf_ENk3CXy_9SHq8HAUCPx4uSvjT11wcGoNzidXgaK-axqLRVoCMJSkbSHprPDlF73lvGeQIkxsJUf723u_C8/s620/Deadly%20Deep.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EvJhwoQj0MfZAGsMVY85h0ZqeXV5AQoraX1Y9Z00XU8pvpfIffak7MgBsfj6baaNrbJYFoKULPssxhnMfQg69TOJXw-ehFGsm5K3LbRf_ENk3CXy_9SHq8HAUCPx4uSvjT11wcGoNzidXgaK-axqLRVoCMJSkbSHprPDlF73lvGeQIkxsJUf723u_C8/s320/Deadly%20Deep.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><a href="https://www.farshore.co.uk/products/deadly-deep-dread-wood-book-4-jennifer-killick-9780008538583/">Link to publisher</a><br /><p>Published by: Farshore, 31st August 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>We've reviewed Jennifer Killick's fabulously spooky novels many times on the blog and choosing to read one around Halloween will guarantee to give you the shivers. The fourth book in the <i>Dread Wood </i>series is definitely one of our favourites (although we love them all!) due to the very different setting and chilling, thrilling monster...</p><p><i>Angelo and his friends are on the school trip of a lifetime - a research trip aboard a boat in the Mediterranean. But their unease soon turns into horror when they find themselves face-to-face with a creepy man on a sinister mission and a deadly sea monster with the power to kill them all. How will the four get out of this one?</i></p><p>This is <i>Titanic </i>mixed with Halloween - a deliciously chilling read with a cracking pace and lifebuoys of humour to stop you from sinking into absolute terror. For me, the absolute star of the show was Karen - a brilliant and almost loveable villain who will stick in my memory for a long time to come. But, as always, the banter of the group and the brilliant Mr. C were also completely on point. Jennifer Killick is a genius when it comes to writing teens and Gus especially becomes more endearing with every book. </p><p>I really enjoyed the slight change in format with Book 4 and the way the future of the series has been secured with a cliffhanger. We're really excited that <i>Dread Wood </i>has been extended to at least two more books because, as long as they keep being written, we'll definitely keep buying them for the guaranteed jitters and jokes. </p><p><br /></p><p><u><i><b>Read, Scream, Repeat</b></i><b> created by Jennifer Killick</b></u></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd4ig2FIbXqIfi3bvJKZJ-aC_hElVqeUPgJ6k50pI3JUS6UvfWSSiNWHyRuW0PmlIK6na2I8QGMpMDhztI6zwsOBsRaDDZ5Mbru8ZoXe7EgUatlHAtYYRdiIYgUgsy9hFHjV4zq94EyyuR_iVmDczez34oIDdN_uJ2cpSeiWd-mABVSAulhyphenhyphendX_Z7qdc/s614/Read%20scream%20repeat.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd4ig2FIbXqIfi3bvJKZJ-aC_hElVqeUPgJ6k50pI3JUS6UvfWSSiNWHyRuW0PmlIK6na2I8QGMpMDhztI6zwsOBsRaDDZ5Mbru8ZoXe7EgUatlHAtYYRdiIYgUgsy9hFHjV4zq94EyyuR_iVmDczez34oIDdN_uJ2cpSeiWd-mABVSAulhyphenhyphendX_Z7qdc/s320/Read%20scream%20repeat.jpg" width="208" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.farshore.co.uk/products/read-scream-repeat-9780008527808/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by Farshore, August 2023</p><p>This collection of THIRTEEN spooky short stories is a Halloween TREAT! You only have to look at the list of incredible authors who have contributed a tale to get excited. From Kirsty Applebaum to Phil Hickes to Jasbinder Bilan and Jennifer Killick herself - these are just a few of the exceptional writers who have penned an original story for the collection. </p><p>If you don't fancy reading a full-length spooky novel, this is the perfect book to dip in to. The stories can be read in any order or can be savoured over several Halloweens if you'd rather just enjoy one or two. There's a great selection to choose from. Titles include <i>Wolf Moon, The Light Bulb, Underlay Underlings </i>and <i>The Green Ghost, </i>but it feels a shame to only highlight one or two in the collection when ALL the stories are incredible and every reader will bring their own personal preferences. This is a trick or treat lucky-dip that you can explore yourself. Which tale will be your favourite and which will give you frightmares?</p><p><br /></p><p>In our house there are always too many books to read in too short a time. Sadly, we didn't manage to fit in every spooky read we were hoping to. However, these books are on our pile to enjoy over our Halloweeny half term: </p><p><a href="https://www.farshore.co.uk/products/ghost-rescue-dead-good-detectives-jenny-mclachlan-9780755503353/">Dead Good Detectives: Ghost Rescue</a> by Jenny McLachlan - we really enjoyed the first in this series and Jenny McLachlan is one of our favourites. <br /></p><p><a href="https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/books/the-witchstone-ghosts/">The Witchstone Ghosts</a> by Emily Randall - Emily Randall won the Times Chicken House Prize 2021 with this story (then called <i>The Flood Child</i>) and we've heard all good things.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-20001389114716286962023-09-25T16:30:00.091-07:002023-09-25T16:30:00.147-07:00BLOG TOUR: SAVING THE SUN by Emma Pearl and Sara Ugolotti<p>Hooray! It's our stop on the blog tour for <i>Saving the Sun, </i>written by Emma Pearl, illustrated by Sara Ugolotti and published by Page Street Kids. We were lucky enough to be part of the blog tour for <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/11/blog-tour-mending-moon-by-emma-pearl.html">Mending the Moon</a>, Emma's debut picture book also illustrated by Sara Ugolotti, last November and so it's lovely to part of the celebrations again...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCBIyQfSf656EEhlvhCEnqVjUaEMlmIvWizkRrhAuoOQepV1zLjqn448AIP61VAuGwLr8z7m4RRtD9jXxQLBujszyuK4Vo7Nbk5dBJLJH5ZEp5lRXXZiIculrmoE-VWeCUdFom9U_ghLKtogP3-4nRdRbHg7xoi6AMV3lvzYASrAcr8LPHlgeu0F3olE/s770/Saving%20the%20Sun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="770" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCBIyQfSf656EEhlvhCEnqVjUaEMlmIvWizkRrhAuoOQepV1zLjqn448AIP61VAuGwLr8z7m4RRtD9jXxQLBujszyuK4Vo7Nbk5dBJLJH5ZEp5lRXXZiIculrmoE-VWeCUdFom9U_ghLKtogP3-4nRdRbHg7xoi6AMV3lvzYASrAcr8LPHlgeu0F3olE/w400-h328/Saving%20the%20Sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><i>When the sun sinks into the sea and loses its fire, it's up to Luna and Poppa to save it, just like they saved the moon. But how can they possibly fish the sun out of the water and get it back into the sky? And how will they set it ablaze again? It looks like Luna and Poppa may need some help along the way...</i></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></div><div>Just like <i>Mending the Moon, </i>this is a beautiful story with stunning illustrations which encourages problem-solving, teamwork and which highlights the importance of perseverance. With Poppa's gentle reassurance and Luna's love of the natural world, children will be able to enjoy a story with a BIG problem whilst feeling soothed by the lyrical language and safe in the pages of such a joyful setting. </div><div><br /></div><div>With whales and dolphins, fireflies and bursts of colourful birds, this text is a feast for the eyes. But what we particularly loved was that, although being a fictional story, it alludes to the humongous questions of science, activating the curiosity of younger readers. Why does the sun burn so hot? How does it stay in the sky? Where does it go at night? And what if it ever burns out? After reading such a playful and fun take on these ideas, hopefully little learners will be interested in finding out more about these big questions whilst also considering their own ideas on the matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a picture book with a big imagination, wonderful words and colourful characters and we highly recommend it. Great for fans of <i>The Boy Who Switched Off The Sun </i>by Paul Brown and Mark O'Hanlon and <i>The Boy Who Unplugged the Sea </i>by Paul Brown and Chris Capstick, this also doubles up as a calming bedtime story which will hopefully lull them to sleep as though they're bobbing on the waves themselves. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Saving the Sun </i>is available to pre-order now and is released in the UK on 24th October 2023. </div><p></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-50069170126973829462023-09-18T02:53:00.001-07:002023-09-18T02:53:01.872-07:00UPCOMING RELEASE: FOXLIGHT by Katya Balen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEPbPuzhJwYDZ4d3p8AFCfQYPOra381nY6IBJB7j_Esd_3p2uV_kB_OFDzgq3frkRcOJS4LzRiFMjciashsaiR5n_SEMGXLtIQSqPaQrQh_1Fi1-fSNrQyBig1kj8KUF0jWXa1uV4BuVaOCUeimVz2h50KUKsP89zKifBIKLmVp3jUEoUTV8k1g_9OT8/s552/Foxlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEPbPuzhJwYDZ4d3p8AFCfQYPOra381nY6IBJB7j_Esd_3p2uV_kB_OFDzgq3frkRcOJS4LzRiFMjciashsaiR5n_SEMGXLtIQSqPaQrQh_1Fi1-fSNrQyBig1kj8KUF0jWXa1uV4BuVaOCUeimVz2h50KUKsP89zKifBIKLmVp3jUEoUTV8k1g_9OT8/w261-h400/Foxlight.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/search?q=katya+balen">Link to publisher</a><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 28th September 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍<br /><br /></p><p>With the most incredible autumnal front cover - I would love to know who the illustrator is - this new novel from Katya Balen is utterly breathtaking. For any readers who are already familiar with Balen's writing, it is delicate, fierce, raw and exquisitely beautiful. Her use of language is unlike any other author I have read and this is probably my favourite novel she's written yet...</p><p><i>Two red-headed sisters, Fen and Rey don't have a mother. They were left at foxlight at the edge of the Wildlands, tucked amidst the fiery fur of a fox.</i></p><p><i>But now the Wildlands are calling to the girls and, desperate to find the out the truth of their story, they trek into the unknown to find it. But the Wildlands are harsh and brutal as well as beautiful. Will the sisters manage to survive, let alone find what they're looking for..?</i></p><p>Yet again, Katya Balen weaves a spellbinding tale of familial love, found family and the wild but healing power of nature. As in <i>October, October, </i>winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022, and <i>The Light In Everything </i>(both novels I absolutely loved but somehow never reviewed on this blog), her heroines are brilliantly drawn - gentle, furious and full of raw emotion - with their very natures intertwining and connecting with the nature around them. Balen's novels encompass the very essence of what it is to be a child in a complicated world, exploring how they navigate seeing the world differently, how they navigate blended families and families that found them rather than gave birth to them. Using her background of working in special schools and in social care, Balen creates characters who make us <i>feel</i>, who ignite our understanding and empathy and who help us to distill the most important truths in our lives. </p><p>This is a quieter, yet extremely powerful read, different to your average middle-grade novel. The narrative is windier and less driven by action than many stories for 8-12 year olds but, for me, it still felt pacy. It's completely character-led, enhanced by a potent and intoxicating setting and words that fizz and sing and bite and scratch. The visual storytelling is a delight and I particularly loved the warmth of the character Lissa and the home she'd created. If any reader is in two minds whether to give this novel a try then it's definitely worth checking out Balen's novella, <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/search?q=katya+balen">Nightjar</a>, for Barrington Stoke, another incredible piece of writing with very similar themes. </p><p>A big thanks to <i>NetGalley </i>and <i>Bloomsbury </i>for allowing me a review copy. <i>Foxlight </i>is available to pre-order and is released on 28th September. I can't recommend it highly enough. </p><p><br /></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-91880255134453002742023-09-04T14:07:00.000-07:002023-09-04T14:07:11.586-07:00UPCOMING RELEASE: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtdB6mBnysf11Sb-CVynU3gSTcmXWCOd7G3YWM3l08-oLA7UMG26Rmg_LlN_p-11nIgw8LPOLA3sHhb0pEwHPQOKxQfieqVL6_EpO9H23b5Ivn1E1q70f94twJ0BMh9zdYq84o7mACqlz-TL49Nom9L_tHzCXllECjQX46d0jDxj3pIU7NN0LWCsoeOw/s580/Impossible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtdB6mBnysf11Sb-CVynU3gSTcmXWCOd7G3YWM3l08-oLA7UMG26Rmg_LlN_p-11nIgw8LPOLA3sHhb0pEwHPQOKxQfieqVL6_EpO9H23b5Ivn1E1q70f94twJ0BMh9zdYq84o7mACqlz-TL49Nom9L_tHzCXllECjQX46d0jDxj3pIU7NN0LWCsoeOw/w249-h400/Impossible.jpg" width="249" /></a></div> <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/impossible-creatures-9781408897416/">Link to publisher</a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Published by: Bloomsbury, 14th September 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you love fantastical creatures, then this is the fantasy series for you. Inspired by an unfinished poem written by John Donne, Katherine Rundell combines unicorns with griffins with dragons and a plethora of other incredible creatures and whisks us away to a hidden realm: the Archipelago...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When Christopher goes to Scotland to stay with his grandfather, he is startled to see a thunder of mythical creatures tearing down the hill towards the house, leaving his grandfather no choice but to reveal the truth: he is a guardian of a portal between the human world and the Archipelago, a place where creatures of myth are protected. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>But the magical protection is weakening and when he encounters a strange, flying girl called Mal who is in desperate need of help, Christopher accompanies her back to the Archipelago where a dangerous quest awaits them...</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a fast-paced adventure that moves at the speed of a dragon on a mission. The world-building is dazzling, the characters instantly loveable - Mal and Nighthand being firm favourites - and Gelifen, well, will steal your heart. There's sphinxes and manticores and karkadanns to reckon with as well as well as dark human power. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As with other recent fantasies, one of the most prominent themes of the novel is the human destruction of the planet and the creatures within it. There's also an interesting exploration of the theme of power including, of course, the power of friendship. This first novel covers more ground than I initially thought it would, leaving it open for the next instalment to go in an unknown and exciting direction. There's certainly lots more places to explore and lots more creatures to meet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a different genre to Katherine Rundell's other fantastic novels: <i>Rooftoppers, Girl Savage, The Explorer </i>and <i>The Good Thieves </i>(<i>Wolf Wilder </i>being the one we haven't read) but the magical element is truly magic. I always enjoy Rundell's characters, including the adult ones she weaves into her stories, but this time it's the creatures that will make your heart soar, make your heart break and fill you with the wonder of imagination. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Bloomsbury <i>for allowing me a review copy. </i>Impossible Creatures <i>is available to pre-order and is released on 14th September 2023. </i></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-52363741154677337552023-08-30T05:39:00.003-07:002023-08-30T05:39:54.444-07:00NEW RELEASE: In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0AurRWCHUkN9gdAUDPM4EyCzHV2_ZWmT8lWmrSC60ktfGlxFGd-WvqZ1ZkPJPT_j3JIbQ-LNqTaXcKgvJMC5_zwfNk6IGC_6T3X0ZU_BHnMp1Oq38J00H91VLJDjXyPwRdLyOsD6IlEMhBu6B2Xkt6mnbfdmTDauhXHXc_mPLy6iU3RJTndqYrDenPc/s675/Geomancer.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="442" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0AurRWCHUkN9gdAUDPM4EyCzHV2_ZWmT8lWmrSC60ktfGlxFGd-WvqZ1ZkPJPT_j3JIbQ-LNqTaXcKgvJMC5_zwfNk6IGC_6T3X0ZU_BHnMp1Oq38J00H91VLJDjXyPwRdLyOsD6IlEMhBu6B2Xkt6mnbfdmTDauhXHXc_mPLy6iU3RJTndqYrDenPc/w210-h320/Geomancer.webp" width="210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/kiran-millwood-hargrave/geomancer-in-the-shadow-of-the-wolf-queen/9781510107816/">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Published by: Hachette, 31st August 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍👍</div> <p></p><div>Anything that Kiran Millwood Hargrave writes goes straight onto our TBR pile and so, when the opportunity to review the first in her new fantasy series came up via NetGalley, I couldn't resist. Following on from <i>The Girl of Ink and Stars </i>and <i>The Way Past Winter, </i>this is a fantasy adventure centred around a journey through unknown lands...</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ysolda lives in a forest that borders the Wolf Queen's territory - a tyrannical ruler whose reputation precedes her. But when the safe haven of the forest is shattered by an earthquake and Ysolda realises the queen's ryders have taken her beloved sister, she sets out on a quest to save her. But nothing is ever that simple! Soon Ysolda finds herself forced to make a deal with the Wolf Queen herself, accompanying her on her quest for a terrifying and unimaginable power.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Packed full of lyrical and beautifully descriptive language, Kiran Millwood Hargrave weaves a captivating story with strong ecological themes, driven by sisterly love. <i> </i>For the most part, Ysolda is a solo protagonist, comforted by the presence of her loyal sea hawk, Nara, although the power of the earth feels like a character in itself. From mountains to forests to coastal caves and ancient islands, the storytelling feels as timeless as the landscape, each chapter reverberating with a deep, rumbling power which both soothes and disturbs and which leaves an echoing impact long after you've finished reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from Ysolda, however, there's some great characters that give the story its heart and depth; tender Hari, heart-wrenching Sami, the mysterious general, bold and mischievous Eira and Seren, the ruthless Wolf Queen. I loved that we saw the Wolf Queen up close from early on in the novel - a strong, intriguing presence rather than a distant threat who reminded me of a more complex White Witch. Her relationship with the sea wolves, who I absolutely loved, raises a lot of questions about her character, drawing the reader under her spell. Then there's the brutal Thane Boreal, who provides some of the harder-hitting scenes of the novel. This is not an adventure for the faint-hearted!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kiran Millwood Hargrave builds a lot of suspense and intrigue in this first instalment, setting the tone for the future books in the series. There's some seeding of the geomancer concept and murmurings of an ancient power, with the unspoken promise that the full darkness of this world is still yet to unfold. Then there's the lies Ysolda has spun to stay alive and to ensure her sister's safety. This feels like the beginning of something intoxicating and enthralling...and I am already enchanted. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Hachette <i>for allowing me a review copy. </i>In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen <i>is released tomorrow, August 31st 2023. </i></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-64009874439679514662023-08-21T14:54:00.001-07:002023-08-21T14:57:14.556-07:00UPCOMING RELEASE: Peanut Jones and The End of the Rainbow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWEMZTB_VtIFUvaChjtdZULP_-M5Y61Bxa_Boll3YSoCPxtLroGD-sYNgC3PTCFRQtygO_UIZX_Pv1Zhkb7K0HkAKD41PBu1A7td41ypxD_jhwgdTsCItG1xTFWz68SFggkbOeAj9DmWrEtsKi9hMzBb3qnVXKix_Xk6Yg3nA6ci0cTcH2A7ZGEAQ6uI/s458/Peanut%203.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWEMZTB_VtIFUvaChjtdZULP_-M5Y61Bxa_Boll3YSoCPxtLroGD-sYNgC3PTCFRQtygO_UIZX_Pv1Zhkb7K0HkAKD41PBu1A7td41ypxD_jhwgdTsCItG1xTFWz68SFggkbOeAj9DmWrEtsKi9hMzBb3qnVXKix_Xk6Yg3nA6ci0cTcH2A7ZGEAQ6uI/w236-h400/Peanut%203.webp" width="236" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/rob-biddulph/peanut-jones-and-the-end-of-the-rainbow/9781529040609">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Published by: Pan Macmillan, 28th September 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍👍</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Draw With Rob</i> may have kept us entertained through lockdown but we were quite late to his highly successful lower MG series: <i>Peanut Jones</i>. Beginning book one, <i>Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City, </i>in </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQomOcLq21K5qhwu0nKNyPnWZwv2GJGE05-1f4yn71CGdctvGLUw_XvX-UtPt_YYgdHuwto-wlImkP-aeaIAYy7hJTSnUs2y9RELPEtXyGxl0BYAamMXCplmVjrWVGVisfITDBBQ3tWmXUAJKJeUOgpQ6QuQkmvMhtsTS8-E6yZ4Ob5uKJABNxi-BcLUk/s409/Peanut%201.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQomOcLq21K5qhwu0nKNyPnWZwv2GJGE05-1f4yn71CGdctvGLUw_XvX-UtPt_YYgdHuwto-wlImkP-aeaIAYy7hJTSnUs2y9RELPEtXyGxl0BYAamMXCplmVjrWVGVisfITDBBQ3tWmXUAJKJeUOgpQ6QuQkmvMhtsTS8-E6yZ4Ob5uKJABNxi-BcLUk/s320/Peanut%201.webp" width="211" /></a></div>January 2023, we quickly realised that we'd been missing out and galloped through book two, <i>Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals, </i>just in time for my daughter to decide to dress up as Peanut for World Book Day. Not wanting to wait until September for the final instalment, we then jumped at the chance to read an early copy of <i>Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow,</i> courtesy of <i>Pan Macmillan </i>and <i>NetGalley...</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When Peanut Jones, her sister, Little-Bit and her sort-of-friend, Rockwell, create a portal into an illustrated city with an unusual pencil, little do they know that they're about to embark on an incredible adventure. The city of Chroma is the source of all artistic creativity but does it have anything to do with why her dad has up and left the family home?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Peanut soon discovers that Chroma is in terrible danger. A villain called Mr. White has taken over the city and is trying to destroy it. Not only that, but the pencil Peanut has in her possession seems to be the key to stopping Mr. White. Can Peanut keep it out of his possession, join the resistance and find out where her dad is? Time is running out! Her mum has been kidnapped and Mr. White may not be quite who he seems. Does he have the upper hand after all? The fight for Chroma may come down to the luck of the draw...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddPEyOvvmiM4wBcMDK4kM9we-j8-UUyjZtRi1EboSju_unxHEZ1Mj1WIOPwz__76maPk2UgZDTOAxoWedFuXEn3vSq6EwOSQS2KGSCp6KGnbwAaGj_HmNpfXlwHJ5o3R0viTQ_WOOQG0AFkWM1Wo9Qkv52E3IpkUjlBGZ-HH_7S_UIOd98RMl3i5k6tw/s456/Peanut%202.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddPEyOvvmiM4wBcMDK4kM9we-j8-UUyjZtRi1EboSju_unxHEZ1Mj1WIOPwz__76maPk2UgZDTOAxoWedFuXEn3vSq6EwOSQS2KGSCp6KGnbwAaGj_HmNpfXlwHJ5o3R0viTQ_WOOQG0AFkWM1Wo9Qkv52E3IpkUjlBGZ-HH_7S_UIOd98RMl3i5k6tw/s320/Peanut%202.webp" width="189" /></a></div></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first thing to say is that these books are physically stunning. Having read the first two books in hardback, they are a feast for the senses; highly illustrated, full of tonal colours and incredibly satisfying to hold. Yet, woven through the beautiful aesthetics, is a story as bright and vivid as a rainbow. The world-building is incredible, Rob Biddulph's imagination jumps off the page and the characters - from Peanut to Little-Bit to Jonathan Higginbottom to Table Guy - are all highly memorable and lovable. The twists and turns are quirky and unpredictable enough to keep readers on their toes. But then, what do you expect from a world where anything you draw becomes real?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For a younger MG novel, the vocabulary is quite challenging in places. However, combined with the short chapter lengths and the extensive illustrations, this proved to be a positive thing, giving my nine year old the determination to persist and improving her reading level. I don't think I've seen her devour a series like this before and I believe that, as a rather reluctant reader, she was inspired by the whole package: the engaging story, the world and the very visual depictions of what was happening at each point. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The third instalment proved to be very satisfying. There were some great twists and turns and drama right until the very end. Although, this is a deeply thought-out world and plot, the overall tone is light, with an emphasis on the sheer joy of art and creating. In all three books and, indeed, through the very place names of the world he has created, Rob Biddulph pays homage to famous artists and to the history and importance of art in our culture and personal lives. The end-papers help to inspire and educate and, to our delight, it appears that this might not quite be the end of the end, even if we never return to Chroma. Watch this empty space...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a very special middle-grade fantasy series that is so utterly unique, I can't actually think of any comparison texts. What I do know is that is a celebration of the good stuff: of art, creativity, family, friendships and magical worlds. Of adventure and superheroes and joy. We really recommend you don't miss out. </div><div><br /></div><div>A big thanks to <i>NetGalley</i> and <i>Pan MacMillan </i>for allowing us a review copy. <i>Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow </i>is now available to pre-order. </div><br /><div><br /></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-31252228712128032022023-08-14T14:57:00.009-07:002023-08-14T15:08:11.769-07:00Short Story Gems from Barrington Stoke Books<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlflGKNphgI_DyzZaWEVo_Bf5gnVR8gjVLYUiZTflPgx0oHeEkyerCKuuYeoTkylKhcyDHeSQ-fXMTWfoBYltWn_pcUw5pPZosig4738YaS_2cvO0npwFrFP6zZ_P37lud0wYgorecUXJyYfUYfiZrdxqh-KeUPQlU1q8jyxtxSiKJ2Uqad01ZaLNH/s500/Bertie.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlflGKNphgI_DyzZaWEVo_Bf5gnVR8gjVLYUiZTflPgx0oHeEkyerCKuuYeoTkylKhcyDHeSQ-fXMTWfoBYltWn_pcUw5pPZosig4738YaS_2cvO0npwFrFP6zZ_P37lud0wYgorecUXJyYfUYfiZrdxqh-KeUPQlU1q8jyxtxSiKJ2Uqad01ZaLNH/w265-h400/Bertie.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />Some of the best stories we've read this year have been published by <a href="https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/books/">Barrington Stoke Books</a>. Dylexia-friendly and perfect for a reluctant reader, these books are much shorter than your average middle-grade novel but still contain the same engaging and age-related content. They also have an accessible layout and font, making them super-readable, and are usually written by already established authors.<div> <br />Thanks to NetGalley, we always jump at the chance to review these books. The lower word count makes the stories faster-paced than others and ensures they have a tight and gripping story arc. There's a wide range of different genres on offer, ensuring there is something for every reader. However, there isn't one we haven't enjoyed yet...<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Bertie and the Alien Chicken by Jenny Pearson, illustrated by Alexsei Bitskoff</u></span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/books/">Link to publisher</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Published by: Barrington Stoke, 5th January 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">👍👍👍👍👍</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This has to be one of the most funny, insightful and poignant books we've read. We're already a huge fan of Jenny Pearson but this is writing at its most brilliant. Set on his uncle's farm, Bertie's view of the world is about to be challenged in the wackiest way possible...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Bertie does not want to spend his summer on Long Bottom Farm. But his stay takes an unexpected turn when he meets Nugget, an alien chicken. Nugget has been charged with finding Earth's most valuable resource so he can transport it back to Nurgle 7. But if Nugget can't work out what that is, Earth will be destroyed. Can Bertie help the chicken to find answers before it's too late?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a dialogue-fuelled text that's full of hilarious banter. And yet, who'd have thought that a story about a boy and an alien chicken could tackle the biggest questions of life? Just what is Earth's most valuable resource and is it something that Nugget can steal? The ensuing discussions between Bertie and Nugget are laugh-out-loud and thought-provoking, providing the perfect balance of humour and heart. This is a text I would encourage everyone to read and which I would take into as many classrooms as possible</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><u>Budgie by Joseph Coelho and Dave Barrow</u></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><a href="https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/books/">Link to publisher</a><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/budgie/joseph-coelho/david-barrow/9781800901407"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/budgie/joseph-coelho/david-barrow/9781800901407"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-HAhjTtgmvcJsUbmpRNqFLuLE2YzEWSNHcBH-lXvVVdb2dLTLTgMJkjL34b2-s4cMpY7du3Hpg_3fjeuz9NtRQv5uYaXvugFpIJjx2lPRj_1vXH2P2UJECypswAEH8RIu50FGkPUxZSQWR7QQeYOa49mPNlugMuFX5f8ny_QO1icqlwKZX0r4yT9/s500/Budgie.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-HAhjTtgmvcJsUbmpRNqFLuLE2YzEWSNHcBH-lXvVVdb2dLTLTgMJkjL34b2-s4cMpY7du3Hpg_3fjeuz9NtRQv5uYaXvugFpIJjx2lPRj_1vXH2P2UJECypswAEH8RIu50FGkPUxZSQWR7QQeYOa49mPNlugMuFX5f8ny_QO1icqlwKZX0r4yT9/w300-h400/Budgie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Link to Waterstones<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Published by: Barrington Stoke, 6th April 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">👍👍👍👍👍</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div>This is a gorgeous short story about community, connecting with neighbours and grief. Joseph Coelho is another favourite author of ours because he evokes emotion in everything he writes. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Miles is fed up of his neighbour, Mr. Buxton, always telling him off for climbing trees and having fun. But when Miles finds an escaped budgie, he also unexpectedly finds a way to connect with his cantankerous neighbour.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Budgie</i> instantly took me back to the time my grandparents had a budgie, filling me with a childhood nostalgia and memories of climbing trees, grumpy neighbours and friendship. </div><div><br /></div><div>The connection between Mr. Buxton and Miles is not only touching but encourages those intergenerational friendships which seem to be so undervalued in society. As the elderly are forgotten, so are their stories. Yet Mr. Buxton reminds us that we can learn so much from older people and their experiences and that they need connection too. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nightjar by Katya Balen, illustrated by Richard Johnson</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGXXwdowGsbveD4knNxdMBYUKEiDcy_hm9UCzhcS_5DES9hEWprrX9M75JQBzsH9ZoSH5TSJS_TRrJw-99f54itV5jj1iVpA4Z1mYfmjSYdahgDhuNZ3nUZTBEPInx284eJp6eBLkS7lcPFFkGwNFofbFoFcYD7ERJ9d0kdZGIeiTmkjf1WyvXVs5/s389/nightjar.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGXXwdowGsbveD4knNxdMBYUKEiDcy_hm9UCzhcS_5DES9hEWprrX9M75JQBzsH9ZoSH5TSJS_TRrJw-99f54itV5jj1iVpA4Z1mYfmjSYdahgDhuNZ3nUZTBEPInx284eJp6eBLkS7lcPFFkGwNFofbFoFcYD7ERJ9d0kdZGIeiTmkjf1WyvXVs5/w263-h400/nightjar.png" width="263" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><a href="https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/barrington-stoke-swoops-for-poetic-novella-from-balen">Link to The Bookseller article</a><br /></b></div><div>Published by: Barrington Stoke, 1st June 2023</div><b>👍👍👍👍👍</b><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></div>Katya Balen novels are always exquisitely written, warm and insightful and <i>Nightjar</i> is no exception. In this wonderful story, every page is jam-packed with emotion, heart and beauty.</div><div> <br /><i>Noah's dad lives in America. They rarely see each other and barely get on because they don't understand each other. But when Noah's dad visits and the pair find an injured nightjar, Noah is determined to help it. Can his nurturing of the nightjar also set the broken relationship he has with his dad on a path of healing? </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Through this story, Balen speaks to any reader who has experience of challenging relationships, evoking hope and possibility that these relationships can change and evolve. There are also some interesting themes around nature, wildlife and whether it is okay to help and intervene. I particularly enjoyed the fact that both Noah and his dad had to compromise and challenge their flaws in order to move forward with their relationship. There is something beautifully delicate about the story and it's a text I will return to again and again. Inspiringly excellent. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Crow by Nicola Skinner, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-G4tyDH4i9RWBjzpg1MVvv9tQHiPNaTOFnONEF4z-m44JVxzVIw1ZNyIm0Q6dYew3xOLg0FUriwLqm-2LUuGJEjCPgu-WMtiMe7n1xZwa2n7rRqig22mHZvyQt8laI6Lwygk0sHP7fXZDYPxN4JOJDGDo-HlAhj3IEJ1D1AXPCmErsaYcn7Fw_-7GzQ/s400/Crow.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="262" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-G4tyDH4i9RWBjzpg1MVvv9tQHiPNaTOFnONEF4z-m44JVxzVIw1ZNyIm0Q6dYew3xOLg0FUriwLqm-2LUuGJEjCPgu-WMtiMe7n1xZwa2n7rRqig22mHZvyQt8laI6Lwygk0sHP7fXZDYPxN4JOJDGDo-HlAhj3IEJ1D1AXPCmErsaYcn7Fw_-7GzQ/w263-h400/Crow.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>Published: 6th July 2023</div><div><b>👍👍👍👍👍<br /><u><br /></u></b></div><div>The front cover sold this story to us before we'd even read the blurb. Spooky and slightly sinister without being too scary, <i>Crow </i>is a great tale about the difficulties of new beginnings.</div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><i>When Hattie starts a new school, she quickly decides that she doesn't fit in. To protect herself and her secret den, she builds a scarecrow and orders him to guard them. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Crow loves watching the other children have fun but orders are orders and he has to take them seriously. But as his behaviour gets scarier, Hattie finds herself becoming more and more isolated. Has she made a terrible mistake?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This is an entertaining tale about fitting in. Although Hattie, at times, comes across as unlikeable, Nicola Skinner keeps the reader connected to her by making her inner thoughts and feelings relatable. In contrast to Hattie's gruffness, we found Crow totally endearing, even when he was at his scariest. This was because we knew he wanted to be something different, and because of the brilliant way Rebecca Bagley brought Crow to life in the illustrations. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a fun story full of atmosphere and tension, perfect for the start of a new school year or for anyone struggling to make friends. We didn't want to say goodbye to Crow and thought there was masses of potential for further stories...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan, illustrated by Skylar White</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdIsgzm4lVUZqYQGJ_k6Ly6yKOS4oslzJuW1-EorTjhv9dgT3b7-q9B65voTBOAUrhPy-hfhKu7MYEeIBYn1uMzLA8zc-5V4WazsDlsUUBwGzHZ-95EBL8zyj7l4gTA3ySsBJnuX50FZIwIpYqBuA_vhbqUyFpO8uWiB2D3XIMTJDLaluCIJ8r4sWKQk/s500/whales.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdIsgzm4lVUZqYQGJ_k6Ly6yKOS4oslzJuW1-EorTjhv9dgT3b7-q9B65voTBOAUrhPy-hfhKu7MYEeIBYn1uMzLA8zc-5V4WazsDlsUUBwGzHZ-95EBL8zyj7l4gTA3ySsBJnuX50FZIwIpYqBuA_vhbqUyFpO8uWiB2D3XIMTJDLaluCIJ8r4sWKQk/w263-h400/whales.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><a href="https://www.foyles.co.uk/search?term=calling%20the%20whales">Link to Foyles</a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Published: 6th July 2023, Barrington Stoke</div><div><br /></div><div>👍👍👍👍👍</div><div><br /></div><div>Perfect for fans of Hannah Gold's <i>The Lost Whale, </i>Jasbinder Bilan has penned a dramatic and touching story with a strong ecological message. Set in Scotland, it is a race against time to see if Tulsi and Satchen can save a whale caught up in fishing gear. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>When Tulsi and Satchen set off in a boat to their favourite remote island, they soon find themselves embroiled in a desperate rescue mission. A whale is ensnared in the shallows and, with no way of calling for help, it's up to them to save it. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But when a vicious storm hits, it's not long before Tulsi and Satchen realise that they are the ones in serious danger. But is it too late for anyone to help them?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This is a lovely, gentle story about nature and friendship and about the bonds humans can forge with animals. Tulsi and Satchen demonstrate the level of love and care we should all have for the planet's wildlife, albeit in the most hair-raising way possible. Jasbinder Bilan doesn't let this slide, however, by showing us the dangers of the elements. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's some beautiful descriptions of the setting throughout the book and we particularly loved Tulsi and Satchen's friendship. There are also some tender family issues for the characters to deal with, which adds an extra layer to the story. If you're looking for something powerful and enchanting, then this could be one for you.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>The Storm and the Minotaur by Lucy Strange, illustrated by Pam Smy</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QytmaOr9pSs6h3VNtRuOiBaLeRW0K4iBsmPSZC0G4yYGoDP0IRNvfg2igoObUjfKXGwG3p8LHBwTyo5-r9BGy0lsqEHOAzvECXiunGXaWCXeoqXkv3Hsaf7eEvRzVPdpBnO5C4-Bg_0IHwqQ6mc90yuWWTzLkVkD63oqQgnTILmhjm5MWObmCluMyVQ/s389/Storm.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QytmaOr9pSs6h3VNtRuOiBaLeRW0K4iBsmPSZC0G4yYGoDP0IRNvfg2igoObUjfKXGwG3p8LHBwTyo5-r9BGy0lsqEHOAzvECXiunGXaWCXeoqXkv3Hsaf7eEvRzVPdpBnO5C4-Bg_0IHwqQ6mc90yuWWTzLkVkD63oqQgnTILmhjm5MWObmCluMyVQ/w263-h400/Storm.png" width="263" /></a></div><div>Lucy Strange combines history with myth in this heart-stopping story about a young boy who works in a coal mine. </div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div><i>George's dad is super proud that his son is about to join him in the coal mine. But George doesn't want to work in the mine that was responsible for his death of his uncle.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Stuck in the dank, darkness that comes with being underground, George begins to see a strange figure. And when everyone is placed in sudden and desperate peril, George must make a quick decision. Should he put his trust in the creature or not?</i></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div>This is an enthralling story based on both <i>Theseus and the Minotaur </i>and a true-life mining event which Lucy Strange writes about at the back of the book. For me, reading this information only made the story more powerful and poignant, as we step back in time and experience what it was like to be a young miner. </div><div><br /></div><div>Merging fact and fiction felt very clever. It gave the story a magical feel, full of atmosphere and intrigue, which made it easier to digest the uncomfortable reality of George's daily life. It also reignited my respect and empathy for people in the past; honest, hard-working people who grafted everyday in difficult conditions. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a double history lesson in one and we highly recommend it. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>A big thanks t</i><i>o</i> NetGalley <i>and</i> Barrington Stoke <i>for allowing us review copies of the above books</i>. </div><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></div><div><u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></div><p></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-10712504132413108302023-08-10T04:40:00.002-07:002023-08-10T04:41:25.387-07:00Two Middle Grade sequels to get excited about...<p> <u><b>Crookhaven: The Forgotten Maze by J.J. Arcanjo</b></u></p><p><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1o-KeY3MS64iCVY_8j8jcdPV8LxWl3sUPpD1Uu5Wxres2An1D9W0FpQj9JkkijmTYDAO2uHwaBDoK8Ue4GvltXOiWXOJbbPnZs6Ye54JhvyA2ukrtjEgPqWhEfyPpvGGa7cniZtfa82fb8vMZdjTTxdzCoDYxqgs8XNaN571G-FwXi8KQ32ztfbEA2I/s675/Crookhaven.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="441" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1o-KeY3MS64iCVY_8j8jcdPV8LxWl3sUPpD1Uu5Wxres2An1D9W0FpQj9JkkijmTYDAO2uHwaBDoK8Ue4GvltXOiWXOJbbPnZs6Ye54JhvyA2ukrtjEgPqWhEfyPpvGGa7cniZtfa82fb8vMZdjTTxdzCoDYxqgs8XNaN571G-FwXi8KQ32ztfbEA2I/w261-h400/Crookhaven.webp" width="261" /></a></u></div><u><a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/j-j-arcanjo/crookhaven-the-forgotten-maze/9781444965759/">Link to publisher</a></u><p></p><p>Published by: Hachette, 17th August 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p><a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2023/02/upcoming-release-crookhaven-by-jj.html">Crookhaven: School For Thieves</a> got 2023 off to a cracking start. Now, after eagerly reading the second book in the series, which is due to be released next week, I have only one word to describe it: seamless - rather like the crooks themselves.<br /></p><p><i>Gabriel Avery is returning to Crookhaven for his second year. But with an impossible break-in to negotiate and a forgotten maze to conquer, the challenges facing him and his crew appear insurmountable. </i></p><p><i>But one thing Gabriel has is confidence. If anyone can do it, surely they can? But perhaps Gabriel needs to be wary of attracting too much attention...</i></p><p>Building on the first novel, J.J. Arcanjo weaves an hypnotic and enthralling storytelling web with criss-crossing strands that all intersect brilliantly. Ensnaring the reader with a cast of loveable characters and a razor-sharp plot which is hard to put down, there's banter, danger, mystery, deception and some seriously epic teamwork. I loved the loyalty of Gabriel, the softness of Amira and the hilarity of the Crim Brothers, which is completed by the gruff but vulnerable genius that is Penelope. There's also a great cast of teachers and various other adult characters that bring either an extra layer danger or warmth. </p><p><i>Crookhaven </i>is an edgy, familiar-yet-unique take on a boarding school set-up. Great for fans of <i>Harry Potter </i>or <i>Skandar, </i>it is also a great choice for those that love villainy and the darker side of adventure. Yet, the <i>Robin Hood </i>concept also gives the book a moral slant and offers up a great point for discussion: is doing wrong justified when you're trying to put things right? </p><p>I'm certainly counting down the months until the next instalment in this quest for justice.</p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Hachette <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i>Crookhaven: The Forgotten Maze <i>is released on 17th August 2023. </i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">Ember Shadows and the Lost Deserts of Time by Rebecca King</u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyE8EPgxZLz2lU1QUtMzq4Pkz3NIWrLIPZT3RIPj01KZtSFjfMnYRO19HyEPECbNdvS4TmfVKMtHrW_0npOLi3jTActJz71OkLXue-7n0Rip--WAnGwc-XJLzawHMJe2rgSPsvVvlXdwSiVVZdu-5aYArVJR4VvV078jfEGYv711eMpy5cXHgJLmyBPo/s675/Ember.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="435" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyE8EPgxZLz2lU1QUtMzq4Pkz3NIWrLIPZT3RIPj01KZtSFjfMnYRO19HyEPECbNdvS4TmfVKMtHrW_0npOLi3jTActJz71OkLXue-7n0Rip--WAnGwc-XJLzawHMJe2rgSPsvVvlXdwSiVVZdu-5aYArVJR4VvV078jfEGYv711eMpy5cXHgJLmyBPo/w258-h400/Ember.webp" width="258" /></a></div><a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rebecca-king/ember-shadows-and-the-lost-desert-of-time/9781510110038/">Link to publisher</a><div><br /></div><div>Published by: Hachette, 17th August 2023<br /><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>After reviewing Rebecca King's debut novel last year, the sequel to <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/08/our-summer-round-up-of-middle-grade.html">Ember Shadows and the Fates of Mount Never</a> was one I was particularly looking forward to. A fantastic fantasy for perhaps the lower end of middle grade, I was taken aback by Rebecca King's fantastic world-building, her fun <i>Wizard of Oz </i>type characters and her incredibly clever concept centred around Fate. Building on that was surely going to be tough...</p><p>But, apparently not! <i>Ember Shadows and the Lost Desert of Time </i>is a breathtaking journey through a parallel world which stunned me with its imagination. As Rebecca King moves us away from Mount Never, we are introduced to a recognisable but different world; one which is full of ingenuity, wondrous magic and delightful detail. I particularly loved The Tremoring Tropics and Emocean, which showcases Rebecca King's incredible talent for wordplay - or should I say worldplay? I also found, as with the first novel, that even though the concept is a very thought-provoking and serious one, every page oozes with energy and joy, as though the author has enjoyed every second of creating and writing this series. </p><p>And yet, don't be fooled. The concept of Fate is a tricky one and Rebecca King has left no stone unturned in her brilliant exploration of the subject. I particularly love that in this novel, Ember is struggling with the consequences of her actions in Book One and is forced to question the morality of her decisions. This offers up so many opportunities for young readers to engage in interesting discussions on what is a deep and complex topic.</p><p>As well as the favourites from the first novel, also prepare to meet some great new characters. Nick is particularly fun whereas Lacey made the hairs on my arms prickle. This is an author who knows and loves every inch of the incredible world she has created - maybe it was that and not Lacey which actually gave me goosepimples. </p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Hachette <i>for allowing me a review copy. </i>Ember Shadows and The Lost Desert of Time is released on 17th August. </p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-67894650850790337242023-08-08T15:20:00.002-07:002023-08-08T15:20:15.045-07:00Sticky Pines: The Series Finale<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4BUlDZm70JiI3xu79F4VGTcL_XpYlcSRONI_NlZSokDoxIifHZWPTbUg4gld0j_cj8yt-winm96j0tDMcO67uulgkxsexC1GxrX-hfzxT48Ld5dXv_cgB3Laf_iGWfwuBjsXp6SvpBKlv_KsOoVEhxwDjCyVUPofBsq9rm7T72axJD7Rb8OJ4ul2ysQ/s640/Sticky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="415" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4BUlDZm70JiI3xu79F4VGTcL_XpYlcSRONI_NlZSokDoxIifHZWPTbUg4gld0j_cj8yt-winm96j0tDMcO67uulgkxsexC1GxrX-hfzxT48Ld5dXv_cgB3Laf_iGWfwuBjsXp6SvpBKlv_KsOoVEhxwDjCyVUPofBsq9rm7T72axJD7Rb8OJ4ul2ysQ/w260-h400/Sticky.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dasheroberts.com/"></a><a href="https://dasheroberts.com/">Link to author website</a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Published by: Future Human Ltd, 3rd August 2023</p><p style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍👍</p><p style="text-align: left;">It feels forever ago that we reviewed the <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2020/10/our-spooky-october-round-up.html">first two books</a> in this fantastic, fun and very kooky sci-fi series. Perfect for fans of <i>Stranger Things</i>, <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/08/new-release-sticky-pines-valley-of.html">the third book</a> was one of last year's summer highlights and now, just in time for the holidays, the fourth instalment is finally upon us. Needless to say, it shot straight to the top of our TBR pile and kept us entertained from beginning to end. This is probably one of our most favourite middle grade series EVER...</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Lucy Sladan knows the world is in serious trouble. Her friend, Milo, has fallen inside a huge and mysterious blob, Milo's dad is doing everything he can to destroy the alien species that has been living alongside them and now an alien rescue mission is on its way - threatening to end the human race once and for all. After investing so much time and energy into exposing the Truth, can Lucy handle the consequences of it getting out and can she save the planet by finding a way for her fellow humans to ever accept it?</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">With vivid world-building and a retro feel, this clever twist on an alien invasion is tightly-plotted, funny and explores themes and observations which are razor sharp. Set in small town America, it offers a searing insight into the flaws of humanity whilst also delivering a warm and witty hope. Lucy Sladan may not always be a likeable character but, softened by Milo, her dogged determination combined with her love for her family is endearing. Mr. Fisher plays the ultimate arrogant AND ignorant imbecile you just want to - well - catapult into space and Tex and the rest of Lucy's crew bring the humour. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The plot is wacky and outlandish but in an utterly brilliant way: think Bigfoot and shapeshifters and slime and intergalactic lizard-type creatures. Plus, for those who have followed the series from the beginning, there is an hilarious revelation in the final chapter. The language and dialogue is on the money for pre-teens and the vibe of each novel buzzes with a coolness that is hard to define. </p><p style="text-align: left;">This is storytelling at its most unique and awesome. It's like stepping back into my 1980's childhood and yet it's not like anything we've read before. Spooky, atmospheric and nostalgic, it's one supernatural series you're not going to forget. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>A big thanks to Dashe Roberts and Future Human Ltd for offering me a review copy. </i>The Wrath of the Blob <i>is available to buy now.</i></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-7478029866688027292023-08-03T03:32:00.003-07:002023-08-03T03:33:39.892-07:00The House Trap by Emma Read<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjMa27Hwylx3Xmi5p0zwu4r78htxxB7tThNcGTGKYRRdfp1jOhGMThzTheXJXSAWpPP9o2o5NoSKZBVrv0DKhbhNjX0JaWCqcE6tMM89d6YPa1I6zWhroEQ9g9xsC_CaXqZ58Yf8Ea0awoZWuhzDxTrZpk9Mi3k2h2xo-Q7yRqmMaV_f0WQJlP9jJe6I/s1000/The-Housetrap-cover-compressed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjMa27Hwylx3Xmi5p0zwu4r78htxxB7tThNcGTGKYRRdfp1jOhGMThzTheXJXSAWpPP9o2o5NoSKZBVrv0DKhbhNjX0JaWCqcE6tMM89d6YPa1I6zWhroEQ9g9xsC_CaXqZ58Yf8Ea0awoZWuhzDxTrZpk9Mi3k2h2xo-Q7yRqmMaV_f0WQJlP9jJe6I/w261-h400/The-Housetrap-cover-compressed.png" width="261" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/books/the-housetrap/">Link to publisher</a><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">Published by: Chicken House,6th July 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍👍</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By Ebony, age 10</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My first summer read was <i>The House Trap</i>. I chose the book because the front cover looked like it had an adventurous and amazing story behind it. Another reason I chose it was because the blurb made <i>The House Trap</i> sound like every turn of the book's pages would be exciting. The book is an outstanding, page-turning story with puzzles the characters have to solve to defeat the game! Throughout reading the book, I felt curious about what would happen next and sometimes it was quite spooky but overall I absolutely loved it and I would 100% recommend it.</div><p></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-56249310331659041442023-08-02T04:36:00.007-07:002023-08-02T07:57:55.540-07:00New chapter book releases from Julie Sykes: Woodland Magic and Princess Katie's Kittens<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.juliesykes.co.uk/">Julie Sykes</a> is one of our favourite chapter book writers, penning exciting series such as <i>Unicorn Academy </i>and <i>Mermaid Academy. </i>After previously reviewing her newer series, <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/search?q=woodland+magic">Woodland Magic</a> and the re-release of <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/search?q=princess+katie%27s+kittens">Princess Katie's Kittens</a>, we jumped at the chance to review the latest releases courtesy of NetGalley.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Woodland Magic: Operation Owl</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2NML78ZDTQYi2IavswT1GEeOtv4qmis_CV-Ax4UbFAMdGI2v3HQ4ojZxW-skppd1u6kiWHTjtX71QyaDLTZgf8F9cL0t-QQQ2VmS7si96XuUstUCdaFKb2FFPcBpwT0dN4kfek0bVQr9VjGyCs85-Fk-0xMAndTObjx2AqY6OCNk7Bsh3tuxv9PMVXw/s391/Operation%20Owl.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2NML78ZDTQYi2IavswT1GEeOtv4qmis_CV-Ax4UbFAMdGI2v3HQ4ojZxW-skppd1u6kiWHTjtX71QyaDLTZgf8F9cL0t-QQQ2VmS7si96XuUstUCdaFKb2FFPcBpwT0dN4kfek0bVQr9VjGyCs85-Fk-0xMAndTObjx2AqY6OCNk7Bsh3tuxv9PMVXw/s320/Operation%20Owl.png" width="209" /></a></div>Published by: Piccadilly Press, 17th August 2023 👍👍👍👍👍 With autumn hovering on the horizon and the summer weather turning wet, book four in the <i>Woodland Magic</i> series felt like a great big woolly jumper hug. With tons of educational content regarding nature, wildlife and the environment, this charming story is probably the most heart-thumping and action-packed yet. <i>Cora and Jax are now fully-fledged Keepers but when they find an owl tangled up in wire, their skills and wits are put firmly to the test. To predatory owls, Keepers would make a scrummy meal. Can Cora and Jax try and find a way to help the creature without becoming dinner? </i>Each book in this series follows a cosy, familiar and comforting format and yet every story feels fresh. As Cora, Jax and their friends Trix and Nis grow in experience, the scenarios they encounter become more thrilling and dramatic. The owl is the first animal the Keepers help who is a direct predator. And, with the presence of Ruffins always lurking in the background, the stakes are high!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aside from the drama, the world-building and setting is charm personified. There's gorgeous, tummy-rumbling descriptions of food and lots of lovely craft and community activities for the Keepers to become involved with. The theme of teamwork is strong and we particularly loved the emphasis in this book that everyone has different skills to offer. As a result, the characters all feel unique and there's a lovely subplot in <i>Operation Owl</i> where Cora attempts to understand her the motivations of her nemesis more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again, this is perfect for young eco-warriors, nature-lovers and those who love fairy-type stories. The books are perfectly-formed packages with so much to offer. We absolutely love them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><b><u>Princess Katie's Kittens: Bella at the Ball</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_NnGzHSLftGBSSxPLPv7B3N4g1hfJjiM5fgXtidpLUhXJeUvlIyIIVD6n-9-yS5GkHe9WOj17QIyiNB82R-DN2iyQ0YUIcK-vAnahEmpfyN69JCtdLc9pBx35bdA9JDKs-7jb941232HmULIc2ufZWrwPznL6TXX4BnobJjFRwzZJZVm279wqbBLjlQ/s394/Princess%20Katie's%20Kittens.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_NnGzHSLftGBSSxPLPv7B3N4g1hfJjiM5fgXtidpLUhXJeUvlIyIIVD6n-9-yS5GkHe9WOj17QIyiNB82R-DN2iyQ0YUIcK-vAnahEmpfyN69JCtdLc9pBx35bdA9JDKs-7jb941232HmULIc2ufZWrwPznL6TXX4BnobJjFRwzZJZVm279wqbBLjlQ/s320/Princess%20Katie's%20Kittens.png" width="207" /></a></div>Published by: Templar Publishing, July 2023<p></p><p>👍👍👍👍<br /></p><p>The second book in this re-released series focuses on Bella, one of the five kittens that Princess Katie found in book one. With each book centring around a different kitten, Julie Skyes has created a great opportunity to show off the kittens different personalities...</p><p><i>Bella is up to mischief. Fed up of being stuck in the boot room with her brothers and sisters, she escapes and explores the palace. But everyone is busy preparing for a super important ball and it's not long before Bella's antics threaten to ruin the whole event. Can Katie catch the kitten before disaster strikes and how will she keep Bella entertained?</i></p><p>Unusually for a chapter book, the story flits between both Katie and Bella's viewpoints. This is a clever twist which definitely adds to its fun factor and which makes it the perfect read for cat-lovers and for those who are fans of princess stories. Katie is quite a traditional princess, expected to dress prettily and perform for her parents, but it is her love of the kittens which gives her an unique edge and the story a clear USP. The plot is light-hearted and pacey and offers pure joy and escapism for readers. We're excited to find out which kitten will be the start of the next book.</p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley, Piccadilly Press and Templar <i>for allowing us review copies. Both books are now available to order or pre-order. </i></p><br /> <p></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-5317100831738996482023-07-04T02:35:00.003-07:002023-07-04T02:40:08.305-07:00UPCOMING RELEASE: Finding Bear by Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ7rkuF5Zl7ni03cR0hf--62JHIJ-kzac9vdnvdb_0k8m8YZQQK1hyXVZVUa7WfpDqh1qj7QX30_yRVUi_1g_mdpHuEY83agcd1dmevRxOhjMPcs4EB5qFjnXoLdkDvwPtugnLhwNmkCr6dzrHz2dn3Dy2eK8DGCQCZc4IqHNoBbyPM3NnXPdRx4Fn6k/s502/Finding%20Bear.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ7rkuF5Zl7ni03cR0hf--62JHIJ-kzac9vdnvdb_0k8m8YZQQK1hyXVZVUa7WfpDqh1qj7QX30_yRVUi_1g_mdpHuEY83agcd1dmevRxOhjMPcs4EB5qFjnXoLdkDvwPtugnLhwNmkCr6dzrHz2dn3Dy2eK8DGCQCZc4IqHNoBbyPM3NnXPdRx4Fn6k/w279-h400/Finding%20Bear.webp" width="279" /></a></div> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9123964107259867365/531710083173899648">Link to Publisher</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Published by: HarperCollins, September 28th 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">👍👍👍👍👍</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Returning to a bestselling favourite is surely nervewracking for both author and reader. Will it be as good as the first? Will we like the new characters we're introduced to? What if it doesn't meet expectations? </div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, there's no need to worry about <i>Finding Bear</i>! This sequel to <i>The Last Bear, </i>written by Hannah Gold and winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2022 and Best Story in The Blue Peter Book Awards, is a triumph. Within a few minutes of reading, I was swept away on an epic Arctic adventure full of adventure, determination, heart and hope...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Over a year has passed since April left Bear in Svalbard and her life just isn't the same. So when April hears that a polar bear has been shot and injured in the place where they said goodbye, she knows she has to return. Desperate to make sure her beloved Bear is okay, she sets out on a dangerous journey across the icy tundra. But it's not only Bear that April finds...and soon the clock is ticking on an urgent rescue mission. Can April survive in one of the wildest places on Earth?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This story is action-packed and full of adrenaline. It is pacier than the first, with more characters and even higher stakes. And yet, Hannah Gold manages to retain all the gorgeousness of the first by filling it with hope and love and the same powerful magic that she created in her first novel, through the bond between April and Bear. Yes, it's a magical realism novel, where a girl sets off on a daring adventure with a polar bear, and yet Gold fills it with a truth and passion that will hopefully open the hearts and minds of young readers, fill them with wonder and magic and make them care about, not only the creatures we share our world with, but the planet itself. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">April is a fantastic character: bold, strong and determined to make a difference. Although some of her choices are reckless, almost disastrously so, we can certainly relate to her motivations. The story is also enhanced by the slightly humorous helplessness of April's father, the easy cheerfulness of Tor and the cuteness of one polar bear in particular. I also really liked the way April's father's new girlfriend, Maria, was portrayed. There's a wealth of educational material between the pages that can be used to promote discussion, again making it a brilliant novel for the classroom and the illustrations by Levi Pinfold have a raw, magical beauty all of their own. This is what sequels are definitely about!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>HarperCollins <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i>Finding Bear <i>is now available to pre-order and is released in September. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-83346358892091247692023-06-19T05:28:00.001-07:002023-06-19T05:34:15.221-07:00UPCOMING RELEASE: Michael The Amazing Mind Reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers and Tim Budgen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOmNQDKMoecf7Kpxi0NPJ5L5EyNmVfYsEtRwbLHQBAJ9mubgKuPwCtWzkYiw6rjN6x8FUkF9crz403C_ghzPDSqC1kvQBuTwh0FQWP6C0ZaQH027vx9HLeoGH9KTdSShKHw8T1UMA0M3RCSmduYNPZtDgViTNiLJFTduc8V60l70fpOMOmibHzLYq/s2339/Michael_CVR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOmNQDKMoecf7Kpxi0NPJ5L5EyNmVfYsEtRwbLHQBAJ9mubgKuPwCtWzkYiw6rjN6x8FUkF9crz403C_ghzPDSqC1kvQBuTwh0FQWP6C0ZaQH027vx9HLeoGH9KTdSShKHw8T1UMA0M3RCSmduYNPZtDgViTNiLJFTduc8V60l70fpOMOmibHzLYq/w260-h400/Michael_CVR.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://fireflypress.co.uk/books/michael/">Link to publisher</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Published by: Firefly Press, 8th June 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For any mind-readers out there, I don't need to tell you that we thought this chapter book was hilariously funny and you should absolutely DEFINITELY get hold of a copy. For those of you out there who do not have the same mind-reading skills as Michael the Sausage Dog, let me fill you in on why this is a great choice for the 5-8 age-group...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Michael is a small dog with a big ambition. He wants to be a su-paw-star and a Hollywoof legend. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>So when Michael discovers he can read the minds of other dogs, he knows it's not long before all his dreams will come true. But will the other residents of Snuffles-On-Sea be as quick to recognise his talent? It seems that the path to Hollywoof for Michael and his side-kick, Stanley Big Dog, might not be as smooth as he thought!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Told in the first person, this is a chapter book full of fantastic characters, big personalities and, as you can see from the blurb, lots of doggy puns. Michael's unusual talent, combined with his bold ambition, brings a lot of laughs and his side-kick Stanley Big Dog brings even more. This is a story that teaches young readers to dream big, to never give up hope but also to be prepared to fail before you succeed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Living in the shadow of super smug Susan (another hilarious character), Michael never fails to pick himself up, dust himself off and push himself forward. There's some knockbacks and disappointments and even some EPIC fails but kids will be hooting at Michael and Stanley's antics along the way. Perfect for dog-lovers and those who love a good laugh, this definitely gets a round of a-paws from us and we're definitely hoping to see another one in the series. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Firefly Press <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-42760660429405797612023-06-15T04:35:00.003-07:002023-06-15T04:40:38.091-07:00Summer's here! A round-up of some new middle-grade releases in time for the seasonal break...<p>Summer reading is all about finding a nook in a tree, cosying up on a nest swing or lazing on a hot, sandy beach. But what is on offer for middle-grade readers this season?</p><p><b><u>The Kingdom Over The Sea by Zohra Nabi</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Bj-iLkbwbL5wLkH5jYnPHQCzzzxYaTYVzpHQtJwYgkaO6Tdvq9TAOdtmf_KkpqMkuUA-JrdKJF2Swob-7YYl1myZ6UaH841Wtn1GIQfmAtNE6FDMiB-W04gIzNILNvjgXCWxgOrteKd62vlSBfUQSJAK4MVNVZQgIwMh_j7Z_pRnWgKoXZ2LXciz/s400/Kingdom.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Bj-iLkbwbL5wLkH5jYnPHQCzzzxYaTYVzpHQtJwYgkaO6Tdvq9TAOdtmf_KkpqMkuUA-JrdKJF2Swob-7YYl1myZ6UaH841Wtn1GIQfmAtNE6FDMiB-W04gIzNILNvjgXCWxgOrteKd62vlSBfUQSJAK4MVNVZQgIwMh_j7Z_pRnWgKoXZ2LXciz/w209-h320/Kingdom.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Kingdom-Over-the-Sea/Zohra-Nabi/The-Kingdom-Over-the-Sea/9781398517707">Link to publisher</a><br /><p>Published by: Simon and Schuster, 2nd May 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>Middle-grade fantasy is on fire this year and <i>The Kingdom Over the Sea </i>offers excitement and enchantment from the off. With an ambitious plot, cantankerous characters and a main character who has no idea where she belongs, readers will be pulled into an immersive and unpredictable magic carpet ride that will leave them reeling from its twists and turns.</p><p><i>Left alone after her mother passes away, Yara is left with nothing but a letter containing very strange instructions. Leaving behind her home, the bewildered girl travels to a place not on a map only to get on the wrong side of a ruthless alchemist. </i></p><p><i>It's not long before Yara learns that Zehaira is a dangerous place where magic has been strictly outlawed. But can she find out why her mother sent her here and where she belongs in this unsettling place?</i></p><p>Sharing Yara's confusion and complete lack of knowledge about her true identity, readers are in for a treat of revelations which unravel through pages that are laced with danger, magic and mystery. This is not a cosy fantasy that makes you feel you're being enveloped in a warm hug! Instead, Zohra Nabi has created something dark and edgy which simmers with powerful magic.</p><p>Yara is a great protagonist with the odds very much stacked against her. As she stumbles into a world she knows nothing about - with no family or friends - readers will find themselves rooting for her to uncover the truth and find a place she can call home. There's some great characters introduced along the way and I particularly loved Yara's dynamic with the formidable Leyla. The ending is definitely a firework finale and I think there's going to be lots more to come. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Until The Road Ends</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7aZIYvH2Sl9P_v2GhJ2OxXsd7cSLAdIRD30CrCG4EFMzkRc5RjtddOyD2A72u4EFP50Ck6vJKKKV0E-xJHKVQt5HGOZ5WV_TpC__OKmvDsydUYCXAGHpEOlHoRVxJEsLOuNw5-ErEmn-u9Yv_vsCiwDQscVbOgWdb46nxd5D-qsGSyYa973vl43w/s2339/Until%20the%20road%20ends.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7aZIYvH2Sl9P_v2GhJ2OxXsd7cSLAdIRD30CrCG4EFMzkRc5RjtddOyD2A72u4EFP50Ck6vJKKKV0E-xJHKVQt5HGOZ5WV_TpC__OKmvDsydUYCXAGHpEOlHoRVxJEsLOuNw5-ErEmn-u9Yv_vsCiwDQscVbOgWdb46nxd5D-qsGSyYa973vl43w/w260-h400/Until%20the%20road%20ends.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><a href="https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/until-the-road-ends/">Link to publisher</a><br /><p>Published by: Anderson Press, 1st June 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>Following on from <i>When The Sky Falls </i>and <a href="https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2022/06/new-release-while-storm-rages-by-phil.html">While The Storm Rages</a> comes Phil Earle's latest release, <i>Until The Road Ends. </i>In my own humble opinion, this is a masterpiece of a novel, exquisitely crafted and definitely my favourite one yet. </p><p><i>When Beau is saved from near death by a young girl, Peggy, he finally finds a home and a soulmate. But the happiness is not to last as war is declared and Peggy is evacuated.</i></p><p><i> Unable to go with her, Beau accompanies Peggy's dad on his warden duties, saving lives in his own right. But when tragedy strikes, Beau knows Peggy will need him more than ever. Accompanied by a cat and a pigeon, he sets out to find her, but how will they ever find their way safely?</i></p><p>This novel focusses once again on the fate and role of animals in WWII. Wartime novels can be a hard hitting read and this is no exception - there's horror and tragedy and several terrifying scenes which are not easy to digest. And yet, through a cast of incredible characters, Phil Earle peppers the darkness with light, hope and even humour. Mabel's razor-sharp cattiness is hilarious as is Bomber's positive attitude - watch out for his incredible intervention at the end. </p><p>However, it was Beau that stole my heart by magnifying all the things that make dogs magnificent. Based on the real life dogs who sniffed out people trapped in the wreckage of the Blitz, his loyalty, devotion and genuine goodness is both uplifting and moving. The journey of the three companions reminded me a lot of the classic film <i>Homeward Bound </i>but set in a far more treacherous time period. Their journey is gruelling and full of threat, both war related and not war related, but with some lighter moments too. The appearance of Koringa is a brilliant touch and the cinema scenes are gorgeous too! This is a story that is enthralling, terrifyingly immersive, educational and one I'll be talking about for a long time to come. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Fablehouse by E.L Norry</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bsJV3V_0TLL2jQDLG0PP-jA2LLfVJ-o5df3hZGUg-anAol2WMhawhK2wHHhV_X_fnF6gdCot-rd4Uyl9qYai87SdodwnI6YsWyj4ZdrHLi8rAFYcQTcqJuuQ_prIoeXSoVLuxqiMXOBBf05WYcn0PmM7kQGHM9TbxH-QKffVUes2zEwn0kSsTl_x/s553/Fablehouse.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bsJV3V_0TLL2jQDLG0PP-jA2LLfVJ-o5df3hZGUg-anAol2WMhawhK2wHHhV_X_fnF6gdCot-rd4Uyl9qYai87SdodwnI6YsWyj4ZdrHLi8rAFYcQTcqJuuQ_prIoeXSoVLuxqiMXOBBf05WYcn0PmM7kQGHM9TbxH-QKffVUes2zEwn0kSsTl_x/w260-h400/Fablehouse.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/fablehouse-9781526649539/">Link to publisher</a><br /><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 8th June 2023</p>With an incredible front cover, the voice and setting of this story grabbed me from the first page. It's a tale full of heart and love and friendship and, for me, I think the Arthurian adventure takes second place to this. The tight-knit bonds that form between the characters and the important message that EVERY child matters makes this a novel that sings.<div><br /></div><div><i>When Heather arrives at Fablehouse - a home for 'Britain's Brown Babies' - in 1954, she expects it to be as awful as all the other children's homes she's grown up in. But instead Heather finds a sense of belonging and an incredible group of new friends.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But when Heather and her group stumble across an injured knight from King Arthur's Round Table, it's not long before they realise a doorway between worlds has been breached. With the fae realm infiltrating Fablehouse. Heather must fight to save her new home and EVERY SINGLE child within it. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This is a story about belonging but it's also a great fantasy story perfect for anyone who loves stories about the fae or Arthurian legends. There's malice and mystery, which gave me goosebumps on the back of my neck, which Heather faces with the determination and bravery of someone who passionately cares for others. The book also has echoes of those traditional tight-knit group adventures I grew up with such as <i>The Famous Five. </i>We have now bought a physical copy so we can go back and read this as a family - it feels like another classic in the making. </div><div><br /><div><p><b><u>The Magician's Daughter by Caryl Lewis</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZTJi-C5CG6QQY3IxlKs8NiKbjRgF8ddoGPQhrHt4ULh1a-oemz1v_CVsdjYkv65YO6Wtr-OvID_sqszDfsNQ93135hPvy8xkJEN-10RWxUMc0T1aFuPLXy-IoQkHvVvyM97HMPaT2mHenb9mwxmcogbH5cEVt5z7gMMGlbEMCSKQ57mXnzNfcJKG/s409/Magician.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZTJi-C5CG6QQY3IxlKs8NiKbjRgF8ddoGPQhrHt4ULh1a-oemz1v_CVsdjYkv65YO6Wtr-OvID_sqszDfsNQ93135hPvy8xkJEN-10RWxUMc0T1aFuPLXy-IoQkHvVvyM97HMPaT2mHenb9mwxmcogbH5cEVt5z7gMMGlbEMCSKQ57mXnzNfcJKG/w264-h400/Magician.webp" width="264" /></a></div><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/caryl-lewis/the-magicians-daughter/9781529078169">Link to publisher</a><br /><p>Published by: Pan Macmillan, 15th June 2023</p><p>Ashamedly, <i>Seed </i>is still on our to be read pile but when NetGalley offered me the chance to take a sneak peek at <i>The Magician's Daughter, </i>I couldn't resist the title or the cover. This is another heartwarming story with family and friendship at its heart - the sort of slow burner that radiates warmth and gives you a toasty glow inside. </p><p><i>Since her mum died, Abby has watched her dad's magic shows go from bad to worse. But one day, after he has decided to give up magic altogether, Abby finds a magical book in a suitcase that belonged to her mum's family. </i></p><p><i>Soon, Abby and her dad are discovering real magic - a magic that not only reignites their own lives but which brings the whole community together. But there's only so much magic to go around and, with the spells disappearing after they have been used, Abby and her dad must use them in the best way possible. </i></p><p>There are so many wonderful touches to this novel - the fact Dad and Abby live on a bus, Linda, the care home, Myra and her love of fashion - and it all twists together in a magnificent ending that feels like magic itself. Compared to high-concept, fast-paced fantasy, this is a more subtle and gentle read with community at its heart. It's about learning to live again after loss, about finding magic in the community (and in the everyday) and about understanding what is really important - it certainly contains a very special kind of magic. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Gold Medal Mysteries: Thief on the Track by Ellie Robins</u></b>on</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA2gqCj6Txoa0ThZe96aZHY7Bxwez9ghgoOSkWb_u7nun_ePULo3rMEIczwnZoalJMhD5Duh99qc4xub3YFXYT_olbfxiHmVkbrpxo7aJ5Mlsl9KzG856xT3aq-QuwuHaLwr-kpGy6eGxeoNdV6-Mv6dSYbEyp42o1MIPxdsqcLPXhBasnptR_hyx/s400/the-gold-medal-mysteries-1-9781398519282_lg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA2gqCj6Txoa0ThZe96aZHY7Bxwez9ghgoOSkWb_u7nun_ePULo3rMEIczwnZoalJMhD5Duh99qc4xub3YFXYT_olbfxiHmVkbrpxo7aJ5Mlsl9KzG856xT3aq-QuwuHaLwr-kpGy6eGxeoNdV6-Mv6dSYbEyp42o1MIPxdsqcLPXhBasnptR_hyx/w261-h400/the-gold-medal-mysteries-1-9781398519282_lg.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/series/Gold-Medal-Mysteries">Link to publisher</a><br /><p>Published by: Simon and Schuster, April 2023</p><p>Written by paralympian, Ellie Robinson, this is a perfect read for those who love classic mystery stories and sport! The novel delivers what the front cover promises and a mystery set at the Tokyo World Championship Stadium feels fresh and exciting. </p><p><i>When Hannah, Maria and Seb meet at the Tokyo World Championships, their friendship is quickly put to the test when an athlete has his gold medal stolen. Can the three wannabee detectives solve the mystery before anyone else and claim the reward?</i></p><p>This story is fun with an atmospheric setting and lots of sporting detail. The characters all bring their own skill-set and I liked the newness of their friendship. Occasionally, the pace felt a little bogged down in detail but there's a plethora of suspects and lots of different places to explore.</p><p>Something I particularly liked about the story was the level of difficulty the detectives faced. They encounter a lot of challenges during their investigations and this felt authentic for a professional sporting arena. There's lots of twists and turns and a clear USP - we're definitely looking forward to the next sporting mystery. </p><p><br /></p></div></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123964107259867365.post-34194692283947934402023-05-18T03:32:00.004-07:002023-05-18T03:41:54.435-07:00Picture Book Round-Up<p>It's a while since we had a picture-book round up so one is well overdue. And, with so many amazing releases on their way, families are going to be spoilt for choice...</p><p><br /></p><p> <b><u>Mavis The Bravest by Lu Fraser and Sarah Warburton</u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyriTzOJeQ57iUoVKtVVV8sNhslr4QMMp7iSSl92ZLvXOVn10Iuu5NViXrCQKrvvVenCjJIPWK9US0y8JXzCGMUkBMufqtL_S1K1fNjzqCK1viz_dn0xC4o85Kg_VvdgrU-8nCBsCEVzcRXcAubm3sDteS_Lx9uzDG5qaqLmfG2U-JM5uO8c-oBI49/s258/Mavis.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="255" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyriTzOJeQ57iUoVKtVVV8sNhslr4QMMp7iSSl92ZLvXOVn10Iuu5NViXrCQKrvvVenCjJIPWK9US0y8JXzCGMUkBMufqtL_S1K1fNjzqCK1viz_dn0xC4o85Kg_VvdgrU-8nCBsCEVzcRXcAubm3sDteS_Lx9uzDG5qaqLmfG2U-JM5uO8c-oBI49/s1600/Mavis.png" width="255" /></a></div><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Mavis-the-Bravest/Lu-Fraser/9781471191428">Link to publisher</a><br /><p></p><p>Published by: Simon and Schuster, 11th May 2023</p><p>👍👍👍👍👍</p><p>Lu Fraser has fast become one of our favourite rhyming picture book authors. From <i>The Littlest Yak </i>to <i>One Camel Called Doug (</i>her previous collaboration with Sarah Warburton), her texts are always upbeat, fun and full of brilliantly memorable characters. </p><p><i>Mavis the Bravest is scared of everything. But when Sandra the sheep is stolen from the farm, can Mavis find the bravery she needs to save her friend..?</i></p><p>Feeling scared is such a relatable concept to young readers and with a clever play on the meaning of 'being chicken', Lu Fraser has created Mavis - an actual chicken who is feeling frightened of the big wide world outside her barn. With echoes of <i>What The Ladybird Heard, </i>there's some great action and adventure across the spreads with an empowering message at the end. We particularly loved the link between Sandra the sheep and Mavis' love of knitting and the illustrations by Sarah Warburton bring the whole story to life.</p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Simon and Schuster <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Snug As A Bug? by Karl Newson and Alex Willmore</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwFdE4sjBKPlDPUC01tY-Ul6v2tUCnO_6BZ7CgVrM3es1CpBj8CfdmIHyrDwAOEOjaCIN6Y5EplyVZ89ehvH-VEOIF86_pZ7RDBKKe1dF0Sd88aLxjAR6CyL80LWdRC9O15XRS_COw7s80-XvItE9R3pKOY-9AHsOu75EuCrWYpL_ctnXjK9MvaYY/s256/Bug.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="255" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwFdE4sjBKPlDPUC01tY-Ul6v2tUCnO_6BZ7CgVrM3es1CpBj8CfdmIHyrDwAOEOjaCIN6Y5EplyVZ89ehvH-VEOIF86_pZ7RDBKKe1dF0Sd88aLxjAR6CyL80LWdRC9O15XRS_COw7s80-XvItE9R3pKOY-9AHsOu75EuCrWYpL_ctnXjK9MvaYY/s1600/Bug.png" width="255" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://quarto.com/books/9780711274846/snug-as-a-bug">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by: Quarto, 6th June 2023</p><p>"Snug as a bug in a rug" is a particularly nostalgic saying that my grandmother used to say to me a lot. Well, established picture book author, Karl Newson, has made a whole picture book out of it! With a bright, bold colour palette, some nasty pasty villains and a not very snug bug, this is an hilarious chase across the pages. But, will bug escape..?</p><p><i>Bug is all snug until there is a knock at the door. Being a bug is not much fun when all your neighbours want to eat you! As Bug is chased through woodland, caves and even over a waterfall, will he ever be snug again?</i></p><p>This hilarious comic caper is pitched perfectly at young readers who will find both the text and illustrations highly engaging and hilarious - just look at Bug's face! There's a whole cast of predatory characters and a whole range of outdoor settings to explore and Bug's voice is a mix of sing-songy rhyme and humour. Karl Newson is excellent at creating loveable characters and if you enjoyed <i>I am NOT an Elephant, </i>then this is definitely one to read. The ending is particularly brilliant with an important message that small can be mighty!</p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Quarto<i> for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-26a1oSZ_vr02Fyl57YwUm7O68cUmQU7_ka1tfH_1nXdcEAswj01-dXLOYgj5qzGvSwQ60Ckor1VqdnYTmgbpiJH5PH74MKMNxO6ZIuPp1RGo0qufCRaMmZtggRA-leRSJP1TL3tBso1913kN2kTOWj8R9M-Icu_Pl00togV4hTQWdxIAstrDmdq/s286/Rhinos.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="255" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-26a1oSZ_vr02Fyl57YwUm7O68cUmQU7_ka1tfH_1nXdcEAswj01-dXLOYgj5qzGvSwQ60Ckor1VqdnYTmgbpiJH5PH74MKMNxO6ZIuPp1RGo0qufCRaMmZtggRA-leRSJP1TL3tBso1913kN2kTOWj8R9M-Icu_Pl00togV4hTQWdxIAstrDmdq/s1600/Rhinos.png" width="255" /></a></div><b><u>Rhinos Don't Cry by Mark Grist and Chris Jevons</u></b><p></p><p><b><u><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/rhinos-dont-cry-9781526628992/">Link to publisher</a><br /></u></b></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 20th July 2023<br /></p><p>Tackling the misconception that it is weak to cry, <i>Rhinos Don't Cry </i>is a fantastic new picture book that speaks to both adults and children alike. With gorgeous illustrations and an original plot, it's a great book for both parents and teachers to use in discussions about emotions. </p><p><i>Milo loves doing lots of things except crying. His movie-star hero, Spike O'Mcreeee says "rhinos don't cry" and Milo is determined to follow in his footsteps. But when his beloved cat, Pickles, goes missing, Milo certainly feels like he wants to cry. Can he be brave and hold back the tears?</i></p><p>This is a lovely story with a great message that shows it's actually okay for anyone to cry, whether they are young or old. Nick Grist links crying to different emotions and shows readers that we can shed tears when we are happy or scared or sad. Spike O'Mcreee is strong, bold character who allows us to explore what a hero really is and we really liked the characterisation of a movie-star as a role model, rather than a parent. There's a lovely resolution to the story and a surprising gentleness considering the story is about rhinos - busting another myth that they have to be 'big and tough'. This is a book we'd love to see in classrooms, libraries and homes everywhere. </p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Bloomsbury <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>More Peas Please by Tom McLaughlin</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7Ax0c_wlKVb6x0o7K_nBxIicqqQn5gN1DEttDBR7mCE1EjWrjT9JAmv-xreRBJGM3ockUJkFmH0ttT6cNLKG9MfbZYPHXf9JsG5Upqa8txWChWdPN8sOGZzfwcXS2KRVJ0VvnnXSrhPOfPkGvl3TtCEjPlM5DWwfFzQguGvrXgbobafApp2zQ2CA/s285/Peas.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="255" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7Ax0c_wlKVb6x0o7K_nBxIicqqQn5gN1DEttDBR7mCE1EjWrjT9JAmv-xreRBJGM3ockUJkFmH0ttT6cNLKG9MfbZYPHXf9JsG5Upqa8txWChWdPN8sOGZzfwcXS2KRVJ0VvnnXSrhPOfPkGvl3TtCEjPlM5DWwfFzQguGvrXgbobafApp2zQ2CA/s1600/Peas.png" width="255" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/more-peas-please-9781408899625/">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by: Bloomsbury, 25th May 2023</p><p>There are lots of picture books around about kids who don't want to eat their greens but what we love about Tom McLaughlin is the imagination he brings to his stories. How can a story about peas manage to incorporate a dragon and a two-headed robot? You'll just have to read it to find out...</p><p><i>Milo is adament that he is NOT going to eat his peas. Peas are green and disgusting. But will his sister, Molly, be able to change his mind?</i></p><p>The perfect text to support the 'Eat Them To Defeat Them' campaign, Tom McLaughlin centres the story around a relatable sibling relationship and adds in their pet dog who provides another layer of humour. There's plenty of reasons on display showcasing the benefits of eating peas and the illustrations are bright and entertaining. </p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Bloomsbury <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Julia Donaldson's Book Of Names, illustrated by Nila Aye</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUU1uRtZIcUPxZgEtSAvofB0IFAaju6REk7jCdMlnczhT28yUmFg30XZ4qJeJkowRZABfS6WyPnfbZMQMlG0uaVa4V3W2CU9sBllNCmFdO0nADz5FVlps4dw0OVhcTF8oIY0kMoKpAqZwiCPpbrvb0IUf6MFWfx19wai79yt3AeTjI9tl6rfNC0vT/s258/Names.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="255" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUU1uRtZIcUPxZgEtSAvofB0IFAaju6REk7jCdMlnczhT28yUmFg30XZ4qJeJkowRZABfS6WyPnfbZMQMlG0uaVa4V3W2CU9sBllNCmFdO0nADz5FVlps4dw0OVhcTF8oIY0kMoKpAqZwiCPpbrvb0IUf6MFWfx19wai79yt3AeTjI9tl6rfNC0vT/s1600/Names.png" width="255" /></a></b></div>Told in her infamous rhyme, this new release from Julia Donaldson has a gorgeous sentiment behind it. After years of signing picture books for her fans, she's now made a book dedicated to them...<div><br /></div><div><i>Are you looking for ideas to name a new baby or a pet or a toy? Well Julia Donaldson has kept a list of all the names she's ever signed and here is a round-up of some of them. Maybe your name is on the list or the name of someone you know or maybe there are names you've never heard of before...why not dive in and take a look?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Focusing on names from nature, names inspired by history, names that rhyme and names that are beautifully unusual, this is simply a celebration of readers and a book full of joy. Nila Aye's stunning pictures reflect the theme of the names on each page - from food to fairies to space - and it's impossible not to read it with a smile. Highlighting that each and every one of us are uniquely different, it brings readers together through their shared love of books. Even my daughter's name is in it, reminding us of the special time we were able to get a signed book. If you're a fan of beautiful names and rhyme then this is a book you won't want to miss. <br /><p></p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and Pan MacMillan</i> <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><b><u><br /></u></b></p><p><b><u>Victor, The Wolf With Worries by Catherine Rayner</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i_okANPK3ldDMiO7Yum1KZpfU6uoPM0Za22DErCkUwi2dPqyizoYZKgy_oDlrTFK3PHuXos_LL82uaHXjVVLJNhj-LIEwPnSVxD38jQMxyYIwiucdwn24mTfwyApT7oDAGKkiXqa47voktjUh4ZLv-SM-G6KTb0aYMyn16gQT6OxYwr8Z03nsG6b/s285/Victor.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="255" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i_okANPK3ldDMiO7Yum1KZpfU6uoPM0Za22DErCkUwi2dPqyizoYZKgy_oDlrTFK3PHuXos_LL82uaHXjVVLJNhj-LIEwPnSVxD38jQMxyYIwiucdwn24mTfwyApT7oDAGKkiXqa47voktjUh4ZLv-SM-G6KTb0aYMyn16gQT6OxYwr8Z03nsG6b/s1600/Victor.png" width="255" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/catherine-rayner/victor-the-wolf-with-worries/9781529051285">Link to publisher</a><br /></b><p></p><p>Published by:Pan Macmillan, 27th July 2023</p><p>Who could resist a book with such a gorgeous front cover? We certainly couldn't! Written by the winner of the Kate Greenaway in 2009, Victor the wolf won our hearts before we even opened the front cover...</p><p><i>Victor is a little wolf with some BIG worries. In fact, he worries about nearly everything. But, when he is encouraged to share his worries with a friend, he finds that not only do his worries grow smaller, but that he begins to feel more like himself. </i></p><p>Catherine Rayner's storytelling is classic and traditional in style, which perfectly matches her incredible illustrations. Again, there have been a lot of recent picture books about dealing with worries but maybe not one as adorable as this. Even though the story is about wolves, known for being big, strong and fierce, it's gentle tone is packed full of advice for young readers (and adults too) who are struggling with worries - after all <i>everyone </i>worries, even those who seem big, strong and fierce. I particularly liked the author's handling of 'pretending' and the strong emphasis she places on friendship and talking. Another great text to use in the classroom or to prompt discussion about emotions. </p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Pan Macmillan <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b><u>The Thing At 52 by Ross Montgomery and Richard Johnson</u></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFtsKIXr0j5a7sL4MXG4PMMXrVedQLOUMT9R48AWdxYiqhqPxR9YQpfSfIupfN0kRmS1Kr9SGTpJGT2q7OdH4-DRJwz3iSPj4WEiTqfWmLUkLZXf2RISP50JAy80muxmECDByCDcafZeARr2lAwCVXQBwr9yydJGvPjryXSZiM8_VVyYFZnQfiPdG/s660/Thing.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFtsKIXr0j5a7sL4MXG4PMMXrVedQLOUMT9R48AWdxYiqhqPxR9YQpfSfIupfN0kRmS1Kr9SGTpJGT2q7OdH4-DRJwz3iSPj4WEiTqfWmLUkLZXf2RISP50JAy80muxmECDByCDcafZeARr2lAwCVXQBwr9yydJGvPjryXSZiM8_VVyYFZnQfiPdG/s320/Thing.jpg" width="260" /></a></b></div><b><a href="https://quarto.com/books/9780711279148/the-thing-at-52">Link to publisher</a></b><p></p><p>Published by: Quarto, 6th July 2023</p><p>Reminding me a little of Maurice Sendak's <i>Where The Wild Things Are? </i>and one of our favourite picture books, <i>The Queen on Our Corner </i>by Lucy Christopher and Nia Tudor, this is another picture book that has both incredible illustrations and a beautifully moving story. Focusing on the themes of loneliness, kindness, unlikely friendships, community and grief, it has so many layers you'll come away with something new each time you read it. <u style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></u></p><p><i>When a girl's small act of kindness blossoms into a beautuful friendship, a whole community of Things are brought together. But everyone has to go some time and when their friendship comes to an end, will the girl be able to move on?</i></p><p>This is an example of words and pictures working together in perfect harmony to create a Thing that is quite extraordinary. Told through the curious and kind eyes of a child, it will allow readers to explore topics with a gentle hand, rather than providing answers. </p><p>Everything about this book is beautifully understated. It's a story where what is not said is as important as what is and every word on every page has been crafted. The illustrations reminded me a lot of David Litchfield's work and is rich in both colour and heart. Ross Montgomery and Richard Johnson have created something truly moving here and this is a picture book we have taken to our hearts. </p><p><i>A big thanks to </i>NetGalley <i>and </i>Quarto <i>for allowing us a review copy. </i></p></div>LittleCornishWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706619333940620256noreply@blogger.com0