Picture books

All at Once Upon a Time – Mara Rockliff (author), Gladys Jose (illustrator), Abrams Books for Young Readers (publisher)

What a gloriously fun book! It’s a hoot! A riot! A twist on all fairytales. And we do love a good fairytale in our house. 

Fairytale land has gotten a right royal shake-up in this book! Just when you think you know what’s coming, the fairytale world as you know it spins on its head (or should that be its spinning wheel?!). You’ll meet The  Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood, a giant and a beanstalk, Cinders, three bowls of porridge (and so much more) in a story like no other! 

It’s fresh, it’s fun, it subverts the fairytale conventions and it will keep your little ones guessing on every page about what might happen next! The illustrations are superb: colourful and bubbling with humour and fun and bursting from the page. It’s been a five-star hit in our house with all of my children (and the adults!) absolutely loving its tongue-in-cheek humour and unique style. Dare I say it, it would make a fabulous gift for (saying this very quietly) Christmas, especially because of the gorgeous hidden cover under the dust jacket. Superb.

Not Fair, Bear – Lorna Scobie (author and illustrator), Scholastic (publisher)

Squirrel and Bear are best friends. That means that they always love doing things together and always get along. Right?! Erm, no. 

Squirrel loves hide and seek but Bear doesn’t have the greatest of frames for hiding behind things! Bear loves fishing and Squirrel doesn’t. Bear loves digging but Squirrel finds it exhausting. When Bear only plays the games she likes, Squirrel gets fed up: “Not fair, Bear”. Will the two remain friends? Will they ever find a way of having fun together. You bet ya!!

This is a humorous, fun story packed with expression and meaning, gently reminding children about what good friendship means. It’s a story to let children know that friends don’t always have to do everything together all the time but that you don’t have to be the same to be friends. Because a good friend thinks of others alongside thinking about what feels right for us and a good friend can compromise and co-operate for the sake of a friendship. A lovely, heartwarming story with bold and bright illustrations full of expressions and humour.

Dig Dig Dinosaur – Professor Anjali Goswami (author), Maggie Li (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Who doesn’t love a good dinosaur book?! Your little ones can join three young explorers as they go off on an expedition in search of dinosaurs. With all the correct equipment in tow, they dig and they dig… but what will they find? A velociraptor, wow… but they’re searching for something even bigger… a Tyrannosaurus Rex, amazing…. But can they find something even more enormous?! With peep-through holes, large flaps to lift and an exciting, HUGE surprise fold-out ending, we love this educational and fun fossil-filled book for dinosaur fans. The illustrations are bold, bright and joyful. A beautiful, educational and fun book, perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts.

Poo in the Zoo – The Super Pooper Road Race – Steve Smallman (author), Adam Grey (illustrator), Little Tiger (publisher)

If you want a book to ensure a giggle a minute with your little ones then look no further!!  My children love this spooper series all about excrement, so you can imagine how excited they were when they found out there was another new book on the scene, and this one is all about a race around the world in a uniquely designed poo-powered car!  With Arabella Slater, Poo Investigator behind them (pun intended), and lots of different animal poo, the poop-tastic car is built but can Bob and Hector vroom to victory when Hector’s evil twin Ebenezer turns up to cause havoc? What will happen as they make their way around the course? They are desperate to win the Golden Poo but perhaps they will only come in as number 2 (snigger)?!  

I am not giving away anything but we love the really fun, very sweet ending to this picture book story. Packed full with humour and silly fun, brilliant and bright illustrations to go with the bouncing rhyming text, this story is a laugh out loud tale sure to bring a smile to your little reader’s face.

My Name is a Gift – Zeshan Akhter (author), Asa Gilland (publisher), Templar Books (publisher)

What a beautiful, heartwarming picture book. 

One day, a little girl, who can fit into the palm of her Daddy’s hand, is born. She is very loved and the first gift whispered to her is her name. It’s a beautiful name, filled with love and meaning. Sitara. 

As she grows, some people jumble up the letters in her name or say it incorrectly until it doesn’t sound anything like her name anymore. So, Sitara learns about her name, what it means, and the history and culture behind it, giving her the confidence to help others say it correctly if they just ask her. 

This is an achingly beautiful story, filled with gentle, soft illustrations, which teaches children and adults the importance of saying names correctly, and asking if you are not sure. Rooted in Muslim family traditions of Dads gifting their child a name, it teaches of the gift of a name, the love that goes into it and of the significance of names. It’s stunningly illustrated with whimsical drawings filled with colour and beauty. It also includes a spread to fill in about your own name too. A touching, lyrical story which we have loved. 

Superwolf – Helen Docherty (author), Thomas Docherty (illustrator), Scholastic (publisher)

Luna is a little wolf with a big ambition. All she wants is to be a superhero. But there’s a problem with that. All of the other animals are terrified of wolves. They only hear bad things about them. So whenever Luna, Superwolf, swoops in to save the day, the animals all scatter far and wide, screaming from the top of their lungs.

Can a wolf really be a Superhero then? Her brother is convinced they cannot and Luna is beginning to lose hope herself. Just as she is about to abandon her dreams though a family of rabbits is in danger and they need the help of someone very special. Someone like a Superwolf perhaps?! 

My son adores wolves so this is the perfect bedtime story for him. It’s vibrant, beautifully illustrated and has a gorgeous message about not judging by appearances or being swayed by pre-conceived ideas. The rhyming text bounces along, swooping and diving telling the story of Superwolf. Funny, heartwarming and beautifully illustrated, this book is a favourite in our house. 

Mrs Owl’s Forest School – The Moonlit Campout – Seb Braun (illustrator), Templar Books (an imprint of Bonnier Books) (publisher)

Written in consultation with forest childcare experts, this is a superb book to get your children outside and exploring nature. Join Mouse, Squirrel, Fox and Rabbit as they gather deep in the woods for Mrs Owl’s Forest School. We loved the first of these books and this one is just as good. Your children can learn along with the woodland animals as they find out about the wildlife surrounding them and cement friendships on a camping trip. Not only that but your little ones can get creative themselves in this unique “faction” book (a blend of fact and fiction). 

Your little nature enthusiasts can learn about making a campfire (with appropriate adult supervision), cooking tasty treats on it, recognising constellations in the night sky, going on a torch walk and much more. There are activities to try at the end of the story and symbols throughout to show to children when certain activities are more dangerous than others and to explain that they should never go to the woods without a responsible adult.

The illustrations are gorgeous: adorable animals and bright, colourful drawings of nature in all her glory. This is a gorgeous book for any nature enthusiast or forest-school lover. It’s perfect for us in our house!

Be Normal! – Ged Adamson (author and illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Theo is so excited! He’s getting his very own doggie. He can’t wait to throw the ball for it and take it for walks…. But when Geoff arrives, Theo is rather perplexed. You see, he doesn’t seem like normal dogs! He wants to drink smoothies, he doesn’t chase squirrels and he can’t see why Theo would want him to fetch a ball for him!! 

So when Theo bumps into his friends in the park when he is out with Geoff, he is so, cringe, embarrassed. I mean, why can’t Geoff just be like a normal dog? When Geoff does all he can to try and please Theo in front of his friends though, Theo begins to realise that it is much more important to be yourself than it is to be normal!

This a bright and beautiful story with a gorgeous message about accepting people just as they are. It gently encourages children to understand that perceived “norms” and others’ opinions of what they might be are not important, rather that friendship, acceptance, loyalty, fun and individuality most definitely are. The illustrations are joyful: bright pages of colour and humorous drawings of quirky characters. A pawsome story with a terrific message.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk – Anne Booth (author), David Litchfield (illustrator), Templar Books (publisher)

Everyone knew that a big, ole mean troll lived in the cave.  It always yelled at the children to leave it alone. So they did. All the children played at the other side of the park. All except one boy. He wasn’t going to be put off by the fierce troll. Day by day, he takes his chalks up to the mouth of the cave and encourages the troll to finish his drawings when he has left. One day, they each draw a portrait. A boy and a scary troll, holding hands. But the boy realises that the troll is just a boy. A frightened, scared boy who might just be persuaded to come out and play …

This is a stunning story. We absolutely adored it. It’s a heartwarming tale of hope and patience. It’s a tale with the power of art therapy at its heart. It’s a tale of friendship and love. It’s exquisitely illustrated (have you ever seen a book drawn by David Litchfield that is not a walking dream?!) with colour and light which echoes the gentleness of the story. The ending is truly beautiful. A book to treasure. 

Banana Hunt – Suzy Senior (author), Josh Cleland (illustrator), Templar Books (publisher)

Bernardo is a monkey that is looking for mischief! He just wants some fun. And what could be more fun than going on a bear hunt?! Well, his Auntie Dot thinks that sounds too scary so he goes off to hide some bananas instead. And when I say “some”, what I really mean is “a lot”!!  He hides them everywhere. Under rocks, in socks on washing lines, in trees, on turtles … you get the gist! He’s ready for his Auntie Dot to find them. But he might just have hidden a few too many …. It’s going to be messy finding them all… and they might stumble across someone else along the way!!

This is a laugh-out-loud rhyming romp of a story. It’s fun, it’s silly and it’s packed with good humour. The illustrations are hilarious: bold and bright drawings filled with expression and humour which pop out from the page. We’ve loved this story as a read aloud at bedtime and we really enjoy spotting the pink banana on each two page spread! 

Steve and Maggie – Maggie’s Birthday Surprise – Sr Sanchez (illustrator), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)

Everyone loves a birthday party, right?! Join Steve and Maggie on their hilarious trip to the shops to bake a cake, buy balloons and choose a costume in time for Maggie’s birthday party!

Your child can follow Steve and Maggie on their colourful, fun-filled adventure and laugh out loud at the chuckle-inducing antics of everyone’s favourite Magpie! Maggie and Steve are so much fun. 

Based on the YouTube hit, Steve and Maggie, the energy and humour of these sensations translates perfectly into this book. We have giggled along with the story and loved every minute of it. The illustrations are bright, fun and packed with joy and colour. We don’t want to spoil the surprise at end the but we loved it. Happy birthday Maggie. 

What Feelings Like Best – Tina Oziewicz (author), Aleksandra Zajac (illustrator), Pushkin Press (publisher)

You know when you instantly fall in love with a book, right from the first page?!  That’s what happened right here. With this book.  It is absolutely exquisite.  Not only is it a brilliant, new way to talk to children about feelings, but it really is the most adorable and visually beautiful read. But I am getting ahead of myself – you are probably wondering what it is about!  

Well, imagine if feelings were the cutest furry little grey creatures, what would they be doing, what do they like? That’s it, that’s what it is about.  So simple really and yet so, so, brilliantly clever.   I first read it with my nine year old and she loved it – agreeing with what each emotion was doing and querying when she didn’t understand what that emotion might mean and it prompted lots of discussions about feelings and how they felt to her. Stubbornness likes to stick himself to an impossible spot and refuse to come down, Nostalgia likes to decorate the Christmas tree and think of Christmasses gone by, Patience likes to make jam, Anxiety loves chatting for hours to his pal Curiosity and Malice likes to put on a wig and disguise herself, putting poison in her pockets. 

It’s the perfect way to discuss feelings in a calm manner with your children and to provoke fascinating conversations with them.  The illustrations are so powerful and engaging, really bringing the feelings to life. Clever, fun and fascinating, I cannot rate this book highly enough.

Chapter books

The Island Vet- Rescue at Seal Bay – Gill Lewis (author), Irina Avgustinovich (illustrator), Barrington Stoke (publisher)

There is absolutely nothing that I didn’t love about this book! Adorable animals – tick. Exciting adventure – tick. Gorgeous illustrations – tick. Sweet, charming storyline – tick. Larger font-size and short paragraphs for ease of reading – tick. This book just makes me happy. And it will be sure to make your little animal lover happy too.

It’s the beginning of the school holidays and Tia is excited for the summer to come, seeing all the visitors on Gull Haven Island. And when Nat arrives with her mum and marine biologist father, Tia is even more excited because she has a friend to show her beautiful island to. But the girls are so disappointed to see how much rubbish the careless tourists leave on the beach and when a selfish family upset a seal and her newborn pup, Tia’s temper gets the better of her and she lashes out at her new friend. Can Tia find a way to repair her friendship and also show the visitors how to respect the island and its wildlife? 

We loved this charming chapter book right from the first page. I think we enjoyed it even more than the first book. The story is sweet, the adorable black and white illustrations are plentiful and really bring the beauty of the islands to life. We loved the message about protecting and respecting wildlife and adore the organised beach clean in the story. A gorgeous story with important environmental messages, this is a perfect read for any nature fans. 

Jack-Jack – How to Train your Human – Ben Garrod (author), Charli Vince (illustrator), Zephyr books (publisher)

Is your child a dog lover? If so, this is the book series for them! Based on the real life story of Professor Ben Garrod’s falling in love with a scruffy dog whilst on trip to Africa filming Baby Chimp Rescue, this narrative is told through the eyes of Jack-Jack and is a hilariously fun adventure story.

Jack- Jack has been brought back to live with his human in the YooKay and now needs to train his human in the art of behaviour!! And his human has a lot to learn!! Hilariously told through Jack-Jack’s eyes and voice, your reader is taken on a giggle-fest of a ride as this loveable scruffy pooch teaches his human all about being generous with the treats and not expecting him to bring back a ball for him (I mean, why would he throw it away if he wanted it?!). With a new cat on the block and the disgusting poo habits of his owner (why, just why, is he picking up

Jack- Jack’s poo in a little black bag – gross!!??) to contend with, this is a riotously funny book.

This is a fun, quirky animal story, filled with lashings of brilliant black and white illustrations and hilarious insights into Jack-Jack’s loveable canine personality.   The story is funny – lots of bottom sniffing, treat-training, poo escapades, and feline fun which any animal lover will laugh out loud at. We love Jack-Jack’s roguish, fun personality – his loyalty and friendship, his laziness, his love of snacks and much more. We cannot wait for your next book in the series, Jack-Jack.

Wigglesbottom Primary – The Pirate Cat – Pamela Butchart (author), Becka Moor (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Have you read any of the books in this series before? If not, then you are in for a treat. My twins are really into these books, and they have adored this, the latest in the series. There are three perfectly pitched school stories told for those readers ready to move on from chapter books or starting out on their own independent reading journey. 

In this book there are three short stories centred around the hilarious goings-on at the never dull Wigglesbottom Primary School. In the first story your child can enjoy the fun-filled feline antics of a little pirate cat and his penchant for crisps! The second story sees the class marvelling at Miles McKay and his superpower of having seemingly miraculously started to grow excessively that day while in the third laugh out loud story, the children are terrified by the rumours of a real-life ghost at the disco! 

Not only are the stories incredibly humorous but they are written in an engaging manner, with lots of capitalised words and brilliant spacing and a larger font size, designed to maximise engagement for early chapter book readers. There are superb, side-splittingly funny illustrations on each page, bringing the stories to life and we adore the colour tones of grey, black, white and neon blue used throughout the stories really adding a pop of colour and fun to the text. We are sure to be joining Class 2R again in their next set of adventures and we hope you manage to get yourselves a copy of this book for some sensationally silly school-filled fun.

Sherlock Bones and the Mischief in Manhattan – Tim Collins (author), John Bigwood (illustrator), Buster Books (an imprint of Michael O’Mara Books Limited) (publisher) (recommended age range 7-9  

Sherlock Bones and Dr. Catson are BACK!!! Having absolutely ADORED the previous books in this fun, fast-paced detective puzzle book series, my eldest daughter and I were so excited to receive this, the fifth adventure in the series, and couldn’t wait to get stuck into it. All of the books can be read as standalone stories though so don’t worry if you have never heard of these puzzle adventure books before.

In this book we fly across the Atlantic for some mischief and mayhem in The Big Apple. There is a masked supervillain on the loose threatening to cause chaos in Manhattan and the local police chief calls in Sherlock Bones and his feline faithful, Dr Jane Catson, for help. This villain loves a puzzle and a game though. Will their tricks and games be too much for the detective duo? The puzzles will lead them on an epic chase across America, sharpening their wits against the clever mastermind criminal. Will they be able to catch the villain in time? 

Not only does this book have a superb storyline, with lots of twists and turns and hilarious puns but it contains 29 games and puzzles for your reader to crack along the way.   With its delightfully fun plot, engaging story and series of puzzles and games to solve, your young reader will really immerse themselves in this book.  There are mazes, search and find puzzles, maths problems, spot the differences and lots of other fun puzzles to help your young reader solve the mystery, as well as lots of fantastic and humour-filled black and white illustrations interspersed throughout this fast-paced mystery. Completely absorbing, totally engaging and very clever (with its puzzles and games and nods to the traditional Sherlock Holmes stories and famous real-life geography) we have loved this adventure and we cannot wait for the next one! A ticket to New York City awaits your reader, they will love tagging along on this adventure.

The Great Crisp Robbery – Pamela Butchart (author), Thomas Flintham (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Is it just me, or does anyone else like to snaffle a few snacks while they are reading a book?! Well, keep your snacks, particularly your crisps, close to you while reading this latest book in the Izzy and her friends series (which has been around for ten years!!🤯).

And what are they all up to this time?! Well, Izzy and her friends are all very excited to be going on the sleeper train to London. Think buffet trolley carts, beds that pull out from the wall, a tiny sink in a cabin… the whole exciting shebang! But there is a creepy hooded figure on the train who is scaring the passengers and then, when Gary Petrie’s posh bags of crisps go missing, Izzy and her friends begin to panic…… there’s a thief on the train!! Will they be brave enough to investigate and get to the bottom of this crisptastrophe?! 

Fun and laughter abound in this raucously funny book. It’s the perfect book to keep your children entertained and interested in reading. We love Izzy and her friends and the shenanigans that they get up to and highly recommend this joyful, fast-paced story with its amusing black and white illustrations which add to the giggle-fest. 

Marnie Midnight and the Great Critter Contest – Laura Ellen Anderson (author and illustrator), Farshore (publishers), recommended reading age 7-9

Fans of Rainbow Grey and Amelia Fang will absolutely adore this magical series all about Marnie Midnight and a miniature world of minibeasts.

I was captivated. I adored the previous book and I read this whole story in a day and loved every minute of it. Marnie is a newly hatched moth and she is having a blast at Minibeast Academy, a school for training little bugs to prepare them for the outside big bug world!  It’s time for the yearly Great Critter Contest and Marnie and her best friends, Floyd and Star, are determined to win. Marnie might even try a little bit of forbidden moon magic along the way!  But is winning really so important? When mean old Veronica butterfly needs rescuing, Marnie and her friends begin to realise (with the help of a certain Incy Wincy spider) that winning and success maybe aren’t the only things that matter….

We love the world created by Laura Ellen Anderson here. Clever, unique and filled with funny references to the world of minibeasts and hilarious puns, this book, like the first,  was a brilliant read from start to finish. We love Marnie and all of her friends and we thought the ending to the story was adorable. The black and white illustrations throughout the book make this magical adventure story even more engaging as they really help to bring this brilliant bug world to life. From maps of the contest, to drawings of the characters involved,  this story is a masterpiece for the eyes as well as for the imagination.  Bursting with friendship, environmental themes, kindness, self-belief, magic and wonder, this book gets a bug fat five stars from us.

He Says … She Says …. Anne Fine (author), Gareth Conway (illustrator), Barrington Stoke (publisher)

Skye and Harry really don’t want to go and visit their gran for the whole day but there is no one else to look after them so they are bundled off. It might seem a bit mean of them not to want to spend time with their gran but, you see, their dad has told them how strict she was with him as a child and has filled them with horror stories about the chores she made him do and the plain and boring food she made him eat. Not to mention the ban on screen time!

So, you can see that when Skye and Harry get to their gran’s house and are immediately allowed some screen time that they are rather puzzled. Who is the chilled out granny who offers them sweets and ice cream?! Maybe their dad has been telling a few porky pies! So maybe Skye and Harry should have themselves a little fun with that …

This was a fun, gentle story about family dynamics and intergenerational relationships which we really enjoyed. Printed on off-white paper with plenty of paragraph spacing, this book is accessible, engaging and filled with brilliant black and white illustrations to bring this fun story to life. 

Middle Grade 

Evenfall: the Golden Linnet – Alexander Armstrong (author), Tom Roberts (illustrator), Farshore (publisher)

Wow! Just wow! I am at a loss for words to describe just how amazing this book is. Give me more!! 

Almost 13 year old Sam thinks he is an ordinary boy leading a pretty boring existence. But on the day of his 13th birthday, things are going to change forever. You see, Sam is actually the leader of an ancient, secret society that has laid dormant for generations. This society has protected the world quietly for hundreds of years but has been diminished over decades by those who are threatened by its existence. But destiny foretells that now is the time for the order to rise up again. 

Sam must find the lost palace of the Order and seek out the powerful magic contained within it. But he is going to need help along the way. His friends Goz and Ish will have their parts to play. Will they be able to find the powerful magic, or will it fall into the hands of a blue-eyed enemy and his wizened old father? The danger is real and it’s closing in…. Make sure you read along for the ride of a lifetime.

Gosh, this book was like catnip to me. I had to know what was going to happen next. It’s fast-paced, it’s a page-turner, it’s an adrenaline- junkie’s ride and you don’t want to get off. Its writing takes you all round the world and, for me, it brought back many happy memories of my time at Durham University. It’s an absolutely epic adventure story filled with friendship, family, powerful magic, danger and treasure-hunting that also deals gently with strong themes surrounding parental mental health and the effect this may have on children. Above all though, it’s a story about the power of storytelling. And this is one story that I am desperate to continue and one story that I am desperate for you to read. The book of the year for me.

The Great Farm Rescue  – Helen Peters (author), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Ooo, just like the other books, I did not want this book to end!! It gave me Famous Five combined with All Creatures Great and Small vibes and it is JUST the kind of book I would have adored as a child!! I know that I would have wanted to live on Clayhill Farm (in fact, I kinda want to now!).

Hannah and her family live on a beautiful, dilapidated, old farm. While her father works the land, Hannah and her siblings have all kinds of adventures on the farm. But Hannah’s father has a terrible accident which means he cannot work on the farm and the children set up a farm shop to help raise money to survive. Then their landlord threatens to evict them from the farm and they have the impossible task of trying to raise two million pounds in six months. How will they ever manage it? Will trying to save the farm get in the way of Hannah’s dream part in the school play?

I raced through this third book in the series and think I even enjoyed it more than the others, if that is possible – it’s such a fantastic work of fiction which I think works so well because it has as its basis the author’s first-hand knowledge of the farming world. It’s a wonderful story with a heartwarming ending filled with friendship, working together, family and community spirit but it also packs a punch in terms of gritty themes too. This book, like the others, does not shy away from the harsh realities of the hardships that the farming community face. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful adventure story about sustainability, responsible farming, wildlife, ecological balance, a community pulling together, dreams and theatre. Perfect for any adventure and nature lovers. Five stars- we love books by this author. 

The Horse who Danced -Olivia Tuffin (author), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

If you have a child who is horse-crazy then this is the book for them! My daughter loves horses so we jumped (pun intended) at the chance to review this excellent equine adventure. 

Iona has a beautiful pony, Jinks, who was born just before her and was bred by her mother. Iona dreams of glory in the dressage arena for Jinks. When a dressage star and internet sensation, Jessica, comes to rest her horse at Iona’s mum’s stables and offers to train Iona and Jinks, Iona thinks all her Christmases have come at once. But strange “accidents” keep happening at the stables and Iona’s mum wonders how long she can continue running them. Jinks is having great success but pressure is mounting (all the horsey puns are coming out here!!) at home. As Iona’s world is turned upside down, she has a huge fight to save her home and those she cares about. Because Iona and Jinks are destined for great things… surely?! 

With its gripping plot and fast-paced storyline, we cantered our way through these pages. This equine adventure is filled with friendship and family and difficult decisions. There’s a heart-in-mouth, daring rescue and plenty of pace in this pony-filled ride of a book and we loved Iona’s spirit and resilience and her forgiving nature at the end of the story. If your young reader adores horses and ponies, or they love a great animal adventure, then this is the perfect book for them. We loved it. 

The Boy in the Suit – James Fox (author), Scholastic (publisher)

What an unforgettable and truly poignant book. I’m not going to lie, it’s not a comfortable read but it’s an incredibly sensitively written and important one. 

Ten year old Solo just wants to be like everyone else. To have a school uniform that fits, to wear school shoes instead of trainers, to have money to go on school trips, to have a mum who lets him call her “Mum” and who doesn’t have the “ Big, Bad Reds”….. But most of all, he wishes that he didn’t have to put on a black suit that is too big for him and crash funerals of people that he doesn’t know just so that he can get some food inside his belly. 

When Solo and Morag (his Mum) crash the wedding of a celebrity footballer and their ruse is rumbled in spectacular style, the story of their freebie funeral food humiliation goes viral with catastrophic consequences. Life will never be the same again for Solo.

This book is so incredibly moving. As a parent, I found it such an emotional and difficult read in some ways and yet so moving, unique and unforgettable in others. It shines a gentle spotlight on the cost of living crisis and on parental mental health and it deals with these in such a sensitive, profoundly moving and compassionate light that you cannot fail to be touched. I am

Looking forward to reading this book with my eldest daughter and interested in the conversations that this book will prompt. It’s a book which matters hugely. A book that will stay with you forever. A book which takes you to dark places but brings you back from them in the most heartwarming and touching of ways. A real beauty of a book. 

Heartseer – the Tale of Anise Star, Rowan Foxwood (author), Usborne Publishing Ltd (publisher)

What a beautiful, magical book. I am not sure that words can do justice to say just how much I enjoyed this story!

Anise Star is a Heartseer. Her job is to help humans, daemons and deities live together in harmony. But humans can only see daemons and deities if they believe … and most of them loose that ability when they are pretty young. When Anise’s home in the White Woods is under threat and her very existence and way of life is imperilled because of the villainous Mr Babbit, Anise must embark on a treacherous journey to see the High King to try and save the woods and the daemons living there. Accompanied by her loyal daemon-dog, Wolf, and some friends she meets along the way – Whin the foxgod and musician Robin – she faces trial after trial. As she makes her treacherous journey, evading the poisonous ink monster and the clutches of Mother Earth, the Maggie Queen (who turns lost children into magpies!), she realises that her task is much larger than saving her home and the daemons there: she must try to save all the daemons of the world from being forgotten. Can Anise manage it? Can she make you believe?

I absolutely raced through the 300-odd pages of this book and read it all in a day. It’s an absolutely spellbinding read; pages of enchanting writing conjuring a fantastical world that I just wanted to inhabit. It absolutely bursts with magic, captivating folklore and wonderful characters. I adored Wolf (but, oh, that ending!!) and the wonderful world that Rowan Foxwood had conjured up. It’s an absolutely captivating story featuring themes of conservation and the natural world being so important and how that can be balanced with innovation and technology, as well as themes of magic, love, friendship and found family. A huge five stars from us: we were spellbound! 

Friends Always and Forever (A Sunshine Simpson Story) – G.M.Linton (author), Fuuji Takashi and Asma Enayeh (illustrators), Usborne Publishing Ltd (publisher)

Sunshine and her family are off on the holiday of a lifetime. Her wild and wacky, fun-loving Auntie Sharon is taking everybody to Jamaica! Whoo hoo. Sunshine is so happy and excited: she cannot wait to see where her mum and grandparents grew up and to visit her relatives over there. 

And she’s also got a very important job to do. She’s chief wedding planner extraordinaire for her mum and dad’s secret vow renewal. She’s looking for a distraction from thinking about starting secondary school so she’s sure she is up to the job. But when a goat eats the wedding cake, her Auntie gets sick and she can’t decide what all the guests should eat, she starts to have doubts in her ability to pull off the special day. Will love be in the air, or will it be a disaster in paradise?! 

I loved this funny story which is joyful and moving  in equal measures. I loved the family dynamics, the feel of a warm, close-knit family that the book conjures up in your mind and I loved Sunshine’s personality and the fun relatives she has. It’s a heartwarming story filled with love, friendship and humour and will help to calm the nerves of children transitioning from primary school to secondary school. There are black and white illustrations throughout the book which spread joy through the pages and help to make this a book that you will want to read over and over again. 

The Secret of Golden Island – Natasha Farrant (author), Faber & Faber Limited (publisher)

An epic adventure filled with mystery, intrigue and charm, I raced through this book because I could not put it down. 

The pull of the island and the call of the sea bring two unlikely children together to become firm friends. They recognise in each other a loneliness and a heartbreak but also a reckless abandon to change things for the better. So, one day when a competition is announced to win Golden Island, a beautiful,  secluded island off their coast-line, the two children jump at the chance. Skylar is sad and feeling alone because her friends have moved on without her and her grandfather is still recuperating after his stroke and Yakov is suffering post traumatic stress from the war in his homeland and is struggling from being separated from his mother and sister so the children think that this island will be the answer to their prayers. 

But they will have to lie, cheat and steal along the way …… and surely two children won’t be allowed to win an island anyway, will they? And what about the other competitors? Maybe they are not all as nice as they are professing to be? What dangers lurk on the island and what risks will the children have to take to try and call it their own?

I adored this sensitively written, eco-friendly, uplifting, fast-paced adventure.  It’s filled with important themes about empathy and compassion, displacement during war, protecting our environment and fighting for what you believe in, as well as studying family relationships and highlighting the importance of love, friendship, community spirit and hope.  Its characters are full of resilience and determination and your reader will be flying through the pages desperate to find out what will happen in this gripping adventure.  Inspiring, relevant and hugely important in helping to educate our children about empathy and compassion, this book is a definite must-read. It contains the most beautifully written ending ever: “there is still much in the world that is wonderful – sunshine, and sea, and loved ones close enough to hug”. Golden words if I ever read them. Five big, fat golden stars from is.

The Houdini Inheritance- Emma Carroll (author), Faber & Faber Ltd (publisher)

The Queen of historical fiction is back with a dazzling fairground mystery adventure filled with illusions, secrets and danger.

It’s 1926 and the famous escapologist Harry Houdini is about to throw himself off Sidford-on-Sea’s pier, wrapped up in heavy chains. Glory and her friend Dennis are desperate to discover his secrets about the techniques he uses but when Glory, armed with an old pair of handcuffs, finds herself on stage with the Great Houdini himself, the two friends find themselves being dragged into a dark world of deception and danger. And after Houdini’s death, Glory and Dennis must do all they can to preserve Houdini’s secrets. This leads them on an exciting journey to the dark shadows which lurk behind the dazzling lights and bright amusements of Coney Island. Magic shows and mystery, handcuffs and history, suitcases and secrets abound in this historical adventure which will captivate your reader. 

I loved reading the author’s note about Harry Houdini as I hadn’t realised how much of this book is based on snippets of his life. I loved the feeling of danger relating to the darker, underside of the amusement parks and the time-period that this story was set in. A great read for fans of illusion, mystery and historical adventure. 

The Hollywood Kidnap Case – A.M.Howell (author), Usborne Publishing Ltd (publisher)

My eldest daughter and I adore this Mysteries at Sea series (there’s something we love about boats and the era that these books are set in) so this, the third book, went straight to the top of my reading pile when it came through the door.

It’s now September 1936 and Alice and Sonny’s luxurious steam yacht is in Egypt, ready to pick up a very famous passenger, the actress Estelle Fortune. But, although she is fortune by name, she is not very fortunate, for before The Lady Rose sets sail, Alice discovers that Estelle has been kidnapped. A threatening and ugly note left in her room promises that the actress will meet a watery end unless a vast amount of money is paid in Malta in a few days’ time. With the help of their new friend, Estelle’s niece Winnie, Alice and Sonny need to solve the mystery of the missing actress and save her skin before time runs out.  Will they succeed, or will this be the case to take the wind out of their sails?

The journey to the truth will have them taking to shore and questioning everything and everyone that has been on board the yacht… 

Ooo, I sailed through this marvellous mystery. I adored the glamorous setting aboard the luxurious yacht. As with all the other books, I adored the brilliant plot – which was filled with twists and turns – the mystery and intrigue and the characterisations of the main players. I loved the historical insights, the research into Malta and detail that has gone into this book. The black and white illustrated map of the yacht was a wonderful inclusion in a book brimming with secrets and sabotage. A marvellous maritime adventure (which also takes to land in this story), truly deserving of five stars from us. 

Di Island Crew Investigates- The Case of the Missing Person – Kereen Getten (author), Leah Jacobs-Gordon (illustrator), Pushkin Press (publisher)

If you have a mystery book enthusiast or a young budding detective in your household then this a brilliant read for them! You may remember from the other books in this series that this is a fun, mystery series featuring a band of would-be detectives set on a small island off the coast of Jamaica. Although it helps contextually to have read the other books in the series, you could read this book as a standalone mystery very easily.

Twelve year old Fayson Dawson has been dreaming of returning to Lighthouse Island and being reunited with her friends who form Di Island Crew. And it should be the best summer yet! The Crew are throwing her a decadent party for her birthday and she is looking forward to all the food, fun and laughter to take her mind off what her mother told her before she left for the Island. But a member of the gang is kidnapped and her friends want to do all they can to find him. Will Fayson want to help them out? Or is she keeping more than one secret? Will the crew stay friends, or will summer be ruined for good? 

I zipped through this mystery adventure in a day and enjoyed every minute of it. I love Fayson as the main character and her somewhat grumpy personality; I love the way the friends quarrel but are ultimately close; I love the family dynamics, the characterisations, the island life, the mysteries and the sense of adventure. It’s a brilliant book to whisk you away on an adventure.

Hercules – A Hero’s Journey (on a School Trip)- Tom Vaughan (author), David O’Connell (illustrator), Scholastic (publisher)

Jam-packed full of references to Greek mythology, hilarious anecdotes (the horse-poo scene!!) and masses of black and white illustrations, this book series is perfect for any fans of Loki or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 

We loved the diary-style of the laugh out loud story of Hercules Braver in the first book and we were so happy when this, the second in the series, came out. This time old Herky-Werky has sworn himself off Greek Gods but when his class win a trip to Greece and the site of Mount Olympus, Hercules’ curiosity gets the better of him because he is desperate to find out what his Demi-god super power is. So, of course, he has to summon a Greek God or two! But life is always troublesome when the Gods are involved. What should have been a fun trip turns into a hilarious epic voyage filled with ravens, wafers, poo and arrogant god-like half-siblings!!

But is Hercules so wrapped up in himself and his own problems that he fails to notice what is going on in his friend’s life?  Will Hercules discover where his talents lie? 

We loved the messages of friendship, love and strength in this book, as well as the representation of childhood friendships, familial love, blended families and the portrayal of a loving step father looking out for his son, and vice-versa. In part it’s a book about secret struggles and rejection but it’s also a book about friendship and love and discovering your hidden talents and strengths. And through all of this it is genuinely laugh out loud funny as Hercules gets up to some cringe-worthy antics. 

The plentiful black and white illustrations add to the humour and fun of the book and we hugely enjoyed reading it. Kalamata (if you know, you know!).

The Light Thieves and the Terrifying Dawn – Helena Duggan (author), Usborne Publishing Ltd (publisher)

Eeeeek! The third and final instalment in this science fiction adventure story is here!! If you remember from the previous books, the Earth has tilted on its axis, a dark mark has appeared on the surface of the sun, the whole world appears to be in danger and it is down to three children to save it! So you can see why I was desperate to find out the fate of the world! 

But let’s skip back a second. I mean, can I really remember exactly what happened in a series that I read over a year ago?! Well, that’s where this book is genius: I loved the fact that there was a fun, illustrated re-cap at the beginning of this book to bring you up to speed if you can’t remember what went on previously in the story. So, picture this …. The sunlight is being stolen, time is running out and it is up to friends Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli to try and figure out the final pieces in the puzzle and save the world. They know that the sinister scientist and tech genius Howard Hansom is behind it all but they can’t use any of his smart technology to try and stop him because it will track them. They know the only way to stop him is to  find the White Rose and bring together all the people that are dear to her. But who are they? Can they figure it out using her coded letters? Or will they simply run out of time? 

Goodness me, the writing in this book just exploded onto the first chapter and ensures you are on the edge of your reading seat from the off. I mean, this gripping adventure does not let up and you feel like you cannot turn the pages fast enough! 

I love this unique and imaginative world written out in the most creative and engaging of ways by Helena Duggan.  Yet it feels all too scarily possible at the same time. It’s really rather terrifying. Ultimately though, this is a book about love conquering all (although I was not expecting the final twists and turns (hankies at the ready!)). I love the important message about caring for nature and the environment which is threaded throughout these stories and weaves itself into the reader’s consciousness. This book is a fantastical, adventure-filled finale in a series about the importance of friendship, love, nature and mutual respect for our environment. Brilliant. 

The Beanstalk Murder – P.G.Bell (author), George Ermos (illustrator), Usborne Publishing Ltd (publisher)

Erm, what happens when a dead giant falls out of the sky and squashes your village?! Well, if you are meadow witch Anwen, you go off to investigate of course. Especially when you discover that the giant isn’t any old giant. He’s giant royalty. And he was murdered. Duh-duh-durrrrr!!

Anwen and arch-rival, trainee sorceress Cerys, are sent off up the beanstalk to the land of the giants to try and discover what happened to the dead giant. In a world where they are teeny-tiny compared to everything else, will they be able to super-sleuth their way to finding the killer, or are they more at risk of being squished under a giant slipper?! 

This book was genius. A really unique, fun murder mystery. I loved the world conjured up by the author: magic and fairytale combine with murder, mayhem and dastardly plots. It’s fast-paced, it’s heartwarming, it’s completely original and it has a brilliant ending. A wholesome, witchy whodunnit- we loved it.

Ghostlines – Katya Balen (author), Bloomsbury Children’s Books (publisher)

What a beautiful, moving story!

Everybody knows everybody on the tiny island of Ayrie. They know all about each other and their stories. They know all about the island and its songs. It’s a beautiful island filled with nature – seals and puffins abound- where nothing much changes. And that’s how Tilda likes it. To her, the island is perfect. So when newbie Albie arrives, she cannot understand why he doesn’t want to explore its wild beauty and why he just wants her to leave him alone. But she remembers the stories of the secret island just off Ayrie. The island that is forbidden. The island that is probably haunted. The island that is treacherous to get to. The island that sounds exciting and exactly the thing to get Albie interested in her homeland. She’s not worried about ghosts; she has been haunted by something else that has been following her around since her brother left the island.. will she be able to turn around and face up to it?

This is a beautifully written, evocative story which I raced through. Its powerful messages of friendship and community spirit filled me with warmth and I loved the idea of nature healing scars of the soul. The writing is so powerful that I could almost taste the salt on my lips from the sea-spray and feel myself on the shores of the beach near the seals. A stunning story about what it means to carry home in your heart and to realise that people can be fighting their own battles and that not everyone’s idea of perfect is the same as your own. 

Graphic Novels

Pluto Rocket – New in Town – Paul Gilligan (author and illustrator), Pushkin Press (publisher)

We are totally team Pluto Rocket here! We love her. And who wouldn’t love a cute pink alien who lands on Earth and wants to know all about it?! And who better to tell her what life is like than stylish hat-wearing Joe Pidge, pigeon-shaped king of “the Neighbourhood”?! 

Joe Pidge leads Pluto Rocket through tacos and sharing to top missions in town and teaches Pluto Rocket and himself some valuable lessons on the way. You know, like how actually the best thing is discovering that you might have made a new friend along the way.

Pluto Rocket is just so adorable: she has limitless energy, curiosity, optimism and such a sense of fun. She’s sure to win over everyone, even a streetwise, hat-wearing pigeon. 

The illustrations are filled with humour, fun and colour and really bring to life the Neighbourhood and the characters within it. A warm story filled with sharing, friendship and fun that we absolutely adored. 

Peng and Spanners: When Pigs Go Bad! – Steve Webb (author and illustrator), Faber & Faber Ltd (publisher)

If you have a child who loves Bunny vs Monkey or Dog Man then these are the books for you! My youngest daughter (who is 6, almost 7) loved the first book and couldn’t wait to get her hands on this, the second book. 

There’s an (mwah-ha-ha) evil villain (Mr Big, the pig!), two superheroes (a penguin and a cat with a toolbelt), lots of secret inventions and a cactus plant. Yes, you read that correctly. A cactus plant. Who plays a rather central role in the story actually! 

With the help of his trusty companions, a faithful sausage dog named Trusty Business and Pinhead the cactus, Mr Big starts stealing Peng and Spanner’s inventions and then blaming them for dastardly crimes. They realise all too late what is going on and that they need to work together to kick into action… Will they be able to save themselves…. And the world from this crazed porker?! 

Hilariously funny, filled with laugh out loud jokes and humour, this graphic novel is a riot of colour and fun. We love Pinhead. We love the tv presenters, we love the hapless Peng. The illustrations are a joyful, action-packed ride. It may not be the noise penguins make, but this book is a hoot. 

Cat on the Run – Episode 2 – Cucumber Madness! – Aaron Blabey (author and illustrator), Scholastic (publisher)

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Guys comes the second in a brilliantly funny new graphic novel series. 

This pampered kitty cat is the world’s most popular social media star. The famous feline is loved by all … until the day that she is not! And now she has vanished!! Or has she?! Princess Beautiful is immersed in a world she can’t recognise. She’s in the middle of nowhere with a goat, there are cucumbers everywhere and, heaven forbid, the WiFi is extremely patchy!! An end of world danger lurks round the corner … what has Princess Beautiful become embroiled in?!

Your reader will be lost in the funny black and white illustrations in this story and cheering on our feline friend as she fights to prove her innocence and clear her name. Is she really just a cute cat and a spoilt superstar? Or is there more grit and determination to her? You decide. 

We love the fun storyline of this new graphic novel which gently pokes fun at social media and we love Princess Beautiful’s tough character in the face of adversity. The story leaves you on the edge of a huge cliffhanger for the next time so we can’t wait to see what happens next. Perfect for fans of Dog Man and Bunny Vs Monkey, this is a great graphic novel.

Young Adult Fiction

Adelaide Just Wants to Help- Melinda Salisbury (author), Barrington Stoke (publisher)

From the author of the terrific tech thriller, Echostar is Always Listening, comes a stand-alone new novel from publisher, Barrington Stoke. And, once again, I found this book to be genuinely terrifying! But in the best way possible. It’s properly addictive reading.

Freya is desperate to become an online influencer sensation like her ex-best friend, Hye-jin. But no matter how much Freya seems to care about the environment and saving the world, her posts never seem to do very well and certainly don’t seem to bring her the online fame she craves so much.  Until, that is, her dad brings home Adelaide, a new robotic home-assistant.  Adelaide is fitted with the latest technology and has studied the human form… all she wants to do is to help her new owners. And Freya seems sad and in need of help to her.  As Adelaide’s ideas boost Freya’s profile to begin with, when she starts suggesting more outrageous and unlawful actions, Freya finds herself in a whole world of danger and trouble …

This is such a fast-paced short novel (it’s 137 pages of thoroughly gripping reading). It packs a huge punch in terms of subject matter and looks at criminal behaviour, criminal damage, internet safety, invasion of privacy, risks to personal safety, the perils of being an influencer, the rising use of AI in our world, jealousy, broken friendships and much more. I found it thoroughly fascinating and rather terrifying. It’s suspenseful plot builds with danger and threat throughout and leaves us with a chilling warning about the world of tech that we have all been so eager to accept as part of our lives (I mean, if my hoover – Jasper, we call him, starts behaving like this….!!). If nothing else, this book should be a reminder to question what we let into our lives. Utterly thrilling and totally absorbing. 

Twelfth Night – Alexene Farol Falmuth (author), First Ink (imprint of Pan Macmillan) (publisher)

I’m a huge romantic at heart. Romance was the genre that first got me into reading and I still love it now. And I love nothing better than a good-old enemy turning into true love story. And this one is just fantastic.

Meet Jack Orsino, all-American football star in his local town, Mr Popularity and THE worst student body president that Viola Reyes has ever seen. She finds him incredibly irritating and infinitely lazy – his lackadaisical attitude is so far removed from her dependable, organised nature that she finds him so annoying. In fact, she pretty much finds that most people get under her straight-talking skin. So, every night she escapes to an online role-playing game called Twelfth Night where she manoeuvres her masculine alter-ego, Cesario, into battle in the gaming world. 

But when a serious football injury leads Jack to start playing the game, their two worlds are going to collide with dramatic results. Can Vi keep her identity a secret? Should she? Will the two players see through their pre-conceived ideas of each other and admit their feelings? 

Ok, so at first I was a little lost with all the gaming references and play (not being big into gaming myself) but after I had got into that, I was hooked on this book. I was desperate to know what was going up happen next – whether the prickly Viola would end up with the seemingly laid-back Jack. And no, I am not going to tell you! It’s a brilliant, smut-free romance story set in the online and offline  worlds, filled with teenage angst, feminism, friendship and, above all, love.  And, gee, did we love it. 

Non fiction books

Happy Days – 365 Facts to Brighten Every Day of the Year – Emily Coxhead (author and illustrator), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)

This book just makes me happy. To look at it, the cover just makes me fizz with joy. And that’s before I have even opened the book! 

When you do, your bubbles of happiness will just overflow because this fabulously fantastic fact book has a joyful fact for every single day of the year. So, did you know that worms communicate by cuddling each other? Or that chimpanzees can be taught how to play rock, paper, scissors? Ok, how about this one: that we humans share 50% of our genes with bananas!! Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, “ go bananas”! 

Each fact is guaranteed an “aww” or a joyful gasp or to bring a smile to your face. It’s a brilliant book to read with the children on the exact date just before you are leaving the house for school to set them up with a happy fact for the day. 

It pops with colour, fun and vibrant illustrations and cannot fail to lift your mood, even on the darkest of days. It’s a book that I will be gifting over and over this year. This book is a big slice of happy with sprinkles and a cherry on top. Do go out and buy it.

Hardit Singh Malik – World War One Flying Ace – Bali Rai (author), Scholastic (publisher)

To be honest, I hadn’t realised that there were pilots and planes involved in WW1 so this book was a fascinating insight into that world. But, much more than that, this book showcases an inspirational and brave young man, Hardit Singh Malik, who wanted nothing more than to work hard, make his family proud and be respected for the fellow that he was. 

This book isn’t a “fact” book as such but it tells a gripping adventure story about the authentic past of this unsung hero. Hardit Singh Malik left his family behind and  arrived in England to attend school aged just 14 years old. When the war broke out, he was not allowed to join the British forces because he was a British Indian subject but he instead went to serve with the French Red Cross, doing his bit. What he really minded for though was to take to the skies as a pilot and he was about to join the French Air Force until his old teacher intervened and he was enrolled with the Royal Flying Corps (now the RAF). He showed grit and determination in the face of, at worst, blatant racism and, at best, ignorance about his religion (in particular because of the turban that he wore) and became one of the bravest and most skilled fighter pilots of the time. His courage and success were widely celebrated in India but his story remained largely unknown to many British people, until now. 

Actioned-packed and filled with history, this is a story which tells the authentic tale of one unique man and his amazing achievements in the face of adversity and prejudice. It’s a story that deserves to be told and highlights a remarkable, unsung hero of the First World War. Fascinating.

The Wild Life of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric animals – Mike Barfield (author), Paula Bossio (illustrator), Buster Books (publisher)

The Wild Life of Dinosaurs – we adore books by this author/illustrator combo and have loved the other book in this fun series. With comic-style strips, your child can embark on a colourful and funny tour through prehistoric times, taking a detailed look at the animals that roamed the Earth. There are wonderful details about the ginormous dinosaurs and incredible animals who lived millions of years ago. The cartoon-style of the vibrantly bright graphics are absolutely brilliant, adding a quirky and engaging style to this work of non-fiction which makes it brilliant for reluctant readers. It’s a superb book to dip in and out of, but would be a fun, fact-filled read all in one sitting as well (especially for those children who love a graphic novel, like my youngest). Fascinating, fun, colourful and clever: this is what all non-fiction books should be made of. We absolutely love it.

Science is Lit- Big Manny (author), Subi Bosa (illustrator), Puffin Books (publisher)

Boom!!! Tik-Tok science sensation Big Manny (aka Emmanuel Wallace) is here to make combustion cool again and the periodic table terrific! 

Split into 8 chapters, an introduction and a conclusion, this book will turn your child into a real-life scientist at home using everyday, ordinary ingredients. Each chapter fizzes with fascinating facts, brilliant black and white illustrations and exciting experiments. From cycling on sand, through chopping red-cabbages, to turning milk into plastic, this book encourages children to explore the objects around them, conduct experiments and record their findings using the method, conclusion and evaluation procedures. 

Using language that is “down with the kids” (and I appreciate that by saying this I am anything but!), this book creates an entertaining and educational read, really allowing children to engage with their elements and become crazy about chemistry. It’s chock-full of engaging experiments which will have your children excited to learn more. Who wouldn’t want to make elephant’s toothpaste, or create their own lava lamp?! 

A fresh, funky, fact-filled read to inspire young scientists aged 9-12. Innit. 

Welcome to our Playground– Moira Butterfield (author), Harriet Lynas (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Want to play Fruit-eating Wolf anyone?! Anyone?! Ok, what about Griptu, Pegar or Kap?! That’s “catch” in Icelandic, Portuguese and Albanian respectively!

We are in LOVE with this gorgeous book. It’s a feast for our eyes and manna from heaven for our brains! Celebrating the many different ways to play and have fun around the world, this is the most fascinating and interesting of non-fiction reads around at the moment. From egg-jousting to stuck in the mud, hopscotch to Hawaiian hula dancing, this book will broaden your little one’s horizons and help them celebrate playtime around the world. There are fascinating facts and lots of new languages from around the world introduced with phonetic pronunciations which my youngest has loved reading. 

The facts are set out in short paragraphs of information which surround the stunning illustrations of playtime and fun from around the world. The pages are bright and colourful, the drawings popping out from the page because of their detail and the adorable images of sweet children are just so beautiful. There’s a brilliant couple of pages at the end of the book with ways to say “fun” and “goodbye” in various languages as well as a beautiful two-page spread map of the world for your child to pore over.

We have loved exploring this book which takes us on a journey around the globe. We love the eye-catching and bright illustrations which accompany the fascinating facts and make for a truly engaging and enriching read.

Diwali – Sital Gorasia Chapman (author). Darshika Varma (illustrator), Words & Pictures (an imprint of Quarto) (publisher)

I am always on the lookout for books which will educate my children (and me!) about other cultures and religions. And now I have found  the perfect book about Diwali. Written in a fun style and an accessible format, this book is a blend of fact and fiction (faction, as I like to call it) explaining all about the joyful celebration of the festival of lights. 

Your reader can follow Sonali and her family as they celebrate the festival of lights – a time which is packed with yummy food, colourful and bright rangoli patterns, sparkling fireworks, beautiful outfits, gorgeous gifts and lots of time spent with friends and family having fun and displaying affection.

I love this book so much because not only does this book contain a detailed and magical story about Diwali but we love the fun facts at the back of the book, the explanation of the lunar and solar calendars, the interactive elements such as making a salt dough diva for a tea-light, a recipe for shrikhand, and ideas to create your own rangoli, as well as real life photos of the festival of lights around the world and a quiz to take at the end of the book. 

Educational, well-written, engaging and filled with love, life and joy, this is fantastic work of non-fiction. 

 Wilhelmina Barns-Graham – Kate Temple (author), Annabel Wright (illustrator) a Wilhemina Barns-Graham Trust publication 

Let Sing and Eros, two beautiful cats, tell you more about the fascinating artist that was Wilhemina Barns-Graham ( always known as “Willie”). Her two loveable cats will take you on a journey of her life and work, from her birth by the sea in St Andrews, Scotland in 1912, to her life by the sea in St Ives, Cornwall.  Willie fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a successful artist and took huge inspiration from the natural world, often using natural materials to create her works. She had synaesthesia, meaning she had a unique way of looking at things through her senses and she saw each letter of the alphabet as a colour. 

This book is so unique and engaging because, not only does it provide fascinating details and facts about Willie’s life and art, it offers your reader the chance to engage in a fun range of artistic and creative activities, based on Willie’s artwork, throughout the pages of the book. From drawing with a stick, to turning the music up loud and creating a work of art; painting each letter of the alphabet a colour, to sketching out your favourite place, this book is creative, engaging and inspiring. The illustrations are superb: wonderful depictions of Willie’s artwork and style added to engaging illustrations designed to inspire your child’s creativity. A wonderful book for any budding artist. 

Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night – Julia Kuo (author and illustrator), Greystone Kids (publisher)

This is such a visually stunning book! Come on a journey into the light. But not the man-made light of the human world. No, the light of the natural world. Because when it is dark out, we need to be able to see and wouldn’t it be cool if our bodies could make light, just like so many creatures in nature!

This remarkable work of art and words shines a light (pun intended) on bioluminescence- the light made from living things. It showcases lots of organisms and animals that make their own light: from fungi to fireflies, jellyfish to jewelled squid, clams to glow worms and introduces us to this extraordinary and beautiful world. 

There are fascinating facts – 3/4 of the animals in the open ocean can make their own light! – and breathtakingly beautiful illustrations on each page that you turn. A dazzling display of beauty and stimulation, we love this book. 

World of Sport – Lawrence Alexander (author), Violeta Noy (illustrator), Templar Books (publisher)

Did you watch the Olympics over the summer? Are your children now more into sport than ever?! Then this is the book for them!

Bold, bright and colourful, it’s a joyful celebration of sport in all of its varieties around the world. Split into sections for the different types of sport (such as track and field, ball games, martial arts, winter sports …), this book explores all kinds of sports and provides fascinating details about them. Your child can learn how each sport came to be, where in the world it originated from and how to play it. We particularly adore the “round the world” spreads which detail some fabulous facts about some of the more unusual sports… like camel jumping, kite flying and yak polo!!  This book is an exhilarating exploration of some of the most energetic sports in history and it provides mind-blowing records from around the globe. 

The illustrations are absolutely stunning: colourful spreads of joy and wonder, surrounded by text blocks of information making this an engaging read. From beer-can boating to boxing, snow skating to squash, this book is a fascinating read to celebrate our differences and enjoy what we all have in common in the wonderful world of sport.