This delightful picture book is by one of our favourite authors and illustrators – Helen Stephens. It is about a boy who has a special friendship with an owl that he calls from his bedroom to named Mr Hoot. The grown-ups think Mr Hoot [...]
September 22, 2021
In this happy, vibrant picture book the reader gets drawn into the excitement and anticipation during the preparations for the celebration of Diwali. The story touches on the relationships children have with their sometimes annoying siblings that kids will be able to relate to. [...]
This whirlwind of a brightly illustrated picture book incorporates classic fairytale characters that children may be able to identify. It is also exudes infectious enthusiasm by the main character Sophie for reading. She just wants one more story, and then another and another… (which [...]
Kaleidoscope by acclaimed author Brian Selznick is a unique book with intricate and imaginative black and white illustrations as you would expect if you are familiar with his Hugo Cabret. You can see some examples if you scroll down. Here is a message from the [...]
A fantasy story by Lauren James about three teenagers who join forces and use their superpowers to help to save the planet. Gabrielle is a climate-change activist who shoots to fame when she becomes the first teenager to display a supernatural ability to grow plants [...]
This is an adventure story about friendship and over-coming obstacles with determination by Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home. Both titles are published by Bloomsbury. Born with a serious heart condition, Dara has been waiting for his Big Operation forever, and this summer [...]
This is the concluding book in the Contender series by bestselling historical fantasy writer Taran Matharu. The trilogy, published by Hachette, features the hero Cade, who so far has just about managed to survive the duel with the Hydra Alpha – But the Games [...]
September 17, 2021
This sometimes exciting, scary and funny book by Juliette Forrest will appeal to children who enjoy reading fantasy adventure stories. It is published by Scholastic. Every night Ollo goes to sleep willing something wonderful to happen, like flying out of the window and soaring over [...]
September 15, 2021
This glossy vibrant counting book about teachers getting eaten by monsters one-by-one is especially perfect for toddlers to enjoy during this back to school season. The story is written in a catchy rhyming verse by Ross Montgomery and the zany illustrations by Sarah Warburton [...]
September 14, 2021
This is the third book in the Eerie-on-Sea series of fantasy mysteries stories for readers aged 7-11 years written by Thomas Taylor and published by Walker Books. Our young reviewer recommends reading the first books in the trilogy so you understand the characters’ backstories [...]
A funny book that is not as scary as you might think from its title. It is about an unlikely friendship between two loveable main characters Maggie and Miles who discover that they work well as a team. The author is Katy Birchall and [...]
This inclusive picture book is about families, showing how every member is different and has a unique contribution to make. Its message about valuing each other’s differences applies to communities and friendship groups too. It also shows that tensions and misunderstandings can sometimes arise, [...]
As the nights draw in so enters the season for spooky stories. Chris Priestley is an expert at writing and illustrations those! Frozen is a story aimed at readers aged 8 – 11 years who like a chilling page-turner. This fantastic introduction to the horror [...]
September 13, 2021
Gilded, by Marissa Meyer, is a wonderful reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin. It is about a young woman called Serilda, who has a talent for telling stories. But this talent gets her into far more trouble than she could ever have imagined… This romantic fantasy for teen [...]
September 9, 2021
This is the eighth book in the Kitty series suitable for young independent readers aged 5 years and above. If you don’t already know Kitty is a girl by day and a cat by night! These attractive little books are the perfect transition for [...]
September 8, 2021
This is an atmospheric, slightly unnerving story about a girl called Lily whose life is changing in ways that are beyond her control – she is unwell and now she’s about to become a reluctant sister. Lily just wants things to go back to the [...]
From multi-award-winning author and gender equality activist, Laura Bates, this thought-provoking story will trigger interesting discussions with and amongst older teen readers and young adults. It is published by Simon & Schuster and includes enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right up [...]
September 7, 2021
This is fun story about emotions, written in rhyming verse by Michelle Robinson with bright and bold illustrations by Tom Knight. Kevin the cucumber is so cool. Whenever anyone gets hot and bothered, Kevin is always there to cool them down. He even has his own [...]
Told by Sangu Mandanna and based on a traditional Indian story Kiki Kallira has always been a worrier. Did she lock the front door? Is there a terrible reason her mum is late? Recently her anxiety has been getting out of control, but one [...]
September 6, 2021
This short story for readers aged 7-11 years is about families and fun and mudlarking. It is written by Karen McCombie and contains lots of black and white illustrations that break up the text by Lee Cosgrove. It is published by Barrington Stoke, who [...]
