Blog Archives
Author: Sarah Tyson

Kid’s Book Review: The Summer We Turned Green

Kid’s Book Review: The Summer We Turned Green

From William Sutcliffe this story is a fresh, funny look the battle to combat climate change. Entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time the “Greta’ effect will be enjoyed by young readers aged 11-14 years, in whose hands the future of our precious planet [...]

October 23, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Merry Kissmas to You

Kid’s Book Review: Merry Kissmas to You

This  inclusive contemporary rom-com by Jenni Jennings, published by Scholastic,  will get everyone in the mood for the festival season. Milly, Robert and Sam usually love Christmas. But this year, they’re all out of joy. Milly is worried about her dad. Sam is desperately trying to [...]

October 23, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Albert and the Wind

Kid’s Book Review: Albert and the Wind

Pet tortoise Albert is having a bad day. His sleep is disturbed by the wind in the trees and then, as he goes to tuck into his food, the wind blows it away. Can the other garden creatures rally round and help Albert retrieve [...]

October 23, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: The Queen on Our Corner

Kid’s Book Review: The Queen on Our Corner

This picture book could be a gateway to an interesting conversation with young children about homelessness and the people who are visible on the streets of our communities but are frequently ignored. It is written by Lucy Christopher and contains detailed illustrations by Nina [...]

October 23, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: My Pet Goldfish

Kid’s Book Review: My Pet Goldfish

My Pet Goldfish is a delightful story about a child’s first pet goldfish with stunning illustrations by Catherine Rayner. The child narrating this story has been given their first ever pet: a tiny fish with shimmering scales and bright beady eyes… Their very own goldfish! [...]

October 23, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Little Bear

Kid’s Book Review: Little Bear

This is a tender, stunningly illustrated fable about letting go with love from the talented Richard Jones who is best known as the creator of Perdu.  Not only are the pictures in this book simply beautiful the story is achingly lovely, reminding us of Puff the [...]

October 23, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Frankenstiltskin – Fairy Tales Gone Bad

Kid’s Book Review: Frankenstiltskin – Fairy Tales Gone Bad

This is the second title in the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series by award-winning poet Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Freya Hartas. In this book Frankenstein meets Rumpelstiltkin in this expertly-stitched story about a powerful king, a girl unafraid to stand up for her beliefs, and [...]

October 19, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Uki and the Ghostburrow

Kid’s Book Review: Uki and the Ghostburrow

From the fantasy author Kieran Larwood this is the sixth adventure set in the world of Podkin One-Ear. All the titles in the Five Realm series are published by Faber and illustrated by David Wyatt. After capturing Charice, there is only one spirit left for [...]

October 17, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: When Fishes Flew

Kid’s Book Review: When Fishes Flew

Michael Morpurgo has written a moving story of love and a heroic rescue that took place during World War Two on the Greek island of Ithaca. Australian-Greek girl Nandi travels to her ancestors’ home in Ithaca, and discovers – through a friendship with a magical [...]

October 17, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: SuperJoe does NOT do Cuddles

Kid’s Book Review: SuperJoe does NOT do Cuddles

This lovely picture book will resonate with the families of invincible young readers who resist their parent’s attempts to look after them! We love the originality of the concept for a story that is fun, where the character has cool adventures and also carries [...]

October 17, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Dogs in Disguise

Kid’s Book Review: Dogs in Disguise

Rhyming text, bright and bold illustrations and a fun story about dogs who love to dress-up in disguises – we have no doubt toddlers will love this story by Peter Bently and John Bond. Theo, our young reviewer certainly does. Publishers Harper Collins describe this [...]

October 17, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: The Beasts Beneath Our Feet

Kid’s Book Review: The Beasts Beneath Our Feet

This non-fiction picture book about prehistoric beasts is a great way to introduce children to dinosaurs and to poetry. It is published by Little Tiger Press and has a tactile hardback cover like a reptile’s skin. The rhymes by poet James Carter make the book [...]

October 12, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Mouse & Mole: Lo and Behold!

Kid’s Book Review: Mouse & Mole: Lo and Behold!

From the creative duo behind Mouse & Mole, Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew, this book contains the latest trilogy of charming stories about these endearing animal characters as they get ready to celebrate Christmas. This lovely collection of stories has a theme of friendship that [...]

October 11, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Watch Out Wolf! There’s a Baddie in Your Book

Kid’s Book Review: Watch Out Wolf! There’s a Baddie in Your Book

This is a great choice  for children who enjoy interactive stories because on every page there are flaps to list and imaginative cut-outs making windows and interestingly-shaped pages. We have photographed some of the pages which we hope will give you a sense of [...]

October 9, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Witch in Training

Kid’s Book Review: Witch in Training

This glossy picture book is a story, told in rhyming verse, about a little witch who is learning with her Mummy all the skills she will need to be a grown-up witch. It is written by Michelle Robinson and has atmospheric double-page full-colour illustrations [...]

October 9, 2021

Mission Possible: Locating the Stanza Stones

Mission Possible: Locating the Stanza Stones

Several years ago I was given a copy of Stanza Stones signed by our esteemed Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. I have the edition, co-written [...]

October 6, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: The Puffin Portal

Kid’s Book Review: The Puffin Portal

Vashti Hardy has written another mystery adventure for readers aged 7-11 years with a steampunk vibe. It is illustrated by Natalie Smillie and published by Barrington Stoke. Grace’s family are wardens of the incredible Griffin Map, using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland.  She [...]

October 4, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Dragons Don’t Share

Kid’s Book Review: Dragons Don’t Share

In this picture book by Nicola Kinnear a young dragon learns to share. She eventually realises, with a little bit of guidance from her friends, that sharing is more fun. Ruby the dragon follows all the rules in her Dragon Rule Book: she steals from [...]

October 1, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: Blossom

Kid’s Book Review: Blossom

As the title suggests, this story by Laura Dockrill, has a botanical theme at the centre of a modern day family drama. It is illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, published by Barrington Stoke so it is a slightly shorter book than many middle grade stories [...]

October 1, 2021

Kid’s Book Review: The Midnight Thief

Kid’s Book Review: The Midnight Thief

For readers who are fans of classic mysteries set in boarding schools such as the Malory Towers series by Enid Blyton, here is a modern story that has great characters and and lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. It is written [...]

September 24, 2021