Kids’ Reviews

Kid’s Book Review: The Notorious Scarlett and Browne

The adventures of the notorious duo, Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne continues… As they continue to wreak havoc across the Seven Kingdoms neither is fully able to escape the shackles of the past – as they discover when a dangerous job turns sour. Soon old enemies [...]

November 24, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: The Accidental Stowaway

From Judith Eagle is a historical adventure set on a cruise trip bound for New York. When Patch runs up the gangway of steamship, RMS Glorious, she isn’t planning to hang around. But if she leaves her hiding place the constable might catch her: sitting [...]

November 24, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Fight Back

This is an epic book, full of action and adventure, but also personal growth. The main character is a Muslim girl called Aaliyah. When there is a bombing incident at her first concert, Aaliyah’s feelings threaten to bubble and explode. Can she sort out [...]

November 21, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Cheeky Worries

This is a book that will help parents and carers of young children to have a conversation with them about their worries. Hopefully it will be understood that it’s okay to feel worried at sometimes but there are ways of managing scary situations so [...]

November 21, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: The Christmas Doll

This nostalgic and beautifully illustrated Christmas story is about a girl called Susan who was given a doll from the family she was living with during the war. She was an evacuee and appreciated the kindness and generosity that this treasured present represented. It is [...]

November 17, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: The Unicorn Who Came to Breakfast

Readers who are familiar with the picture book classic by Julia Kerr  ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ will enjoy this story about a unicorn who makes a surprise visit, brightening an otherwise dull and rainy day. With illustrations by Mike Byrne this is a [...]

November 17, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: My Dog, Hen

From illustrator David Macintosh is a story about an adorable mixed-breed puppy called Hen, who is brought to the narrator’s home from a rescue centre in a cardboard box. The story of Hen’s antics is told in the voice of a young boy. As you [...]

November 17, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories

This is a bumper book of brand new stories from lots of fabulous children’s authors: Aisha Bushby, Ann Jungman, Ayesha Braganza, Claire Barker, Emma Carroll, Hannah Lee, Ingrid Persaud, Kate Saunders, Kieran Larwood, Lou Kuenzler, Lucy Farfort, Martyn Ford, Michael Mann, Natasha Farrant, Pip [...]

November 14, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Carnival of the Clocks

This is a fun Little Gem book written and illustrated by Nick Sharratt for young children about the Winter Solstice (on 21st December). It is published by Barrington Stoke. On a dark winter’s evening at the end of December, something strange is happening in the [...]

November 14, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: The Mystery of Raspberry Hill

This is historical story by Eva Frantz is set in Finland but inspired by the author’s visit to Hampton Court Palace in London. It has been translated into English from its original Finnish by Anna Prime and is published by Pushkin Press. Poor twelve-year-old Stina [...]

November 14, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Midwinter Burning

From the author of ‘Horse Boy’ here is another time-slip mystery…. It’s World War Two and Alfie is evacuated to the countryside. He stays with his Great Aunt and is happy to befriend Snidge, one of the local boys.  But a mystery surrounds Snidge that [...]

November 14, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Too Small Tola Gets Tough

This slim book contains three short stories about Too Small Tola, a young girl who, though small, is very determined. The Too Small Tola books by Atinuke are perfect for children who are enjoying reading independently as they are not too overwhelming in length [...]

November 14, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: There’s No Such Thing as Mermaids

Mermaid fans will love this sparkly-covered picture book where you are invited to find the mermaids on each double page spread. The fun rhyming text is written by Lucy Rowland and illustrated by Katy Halford. When a little girl is told there’s no such thing [...]

November 14, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Creeping Beauty – Fairytales Gone Bad

Following on from Zombierella and Frankenstiltskin, this is the third and final book in a deliciously dark trilogy of twisted classics, written in verse by award-winning poet Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Freya Hartas and published by Walker Books. We posted it to Violet and [...]

November 8, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Hurricane Summer

In this book, Tilla and her sister go to stay with their extended family in Jamaica. Although she was dreading seeing her mostly absent father, once she got there she began to realise the true beauty of the country. However, the good comes with bad [...]

October 30, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Last Gate of the Emperor 2 – The Royal Trials

From Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen is the second action-packed Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this epic journey to the stars. Thanks to Scholastic for sending us a copy for Jonah to enjoying reading. We think [...]

October 21, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: More Than Peach

This picture book should be in every pre-school and EYFS setting as a reminder that peach does not describe everyone’s skin tone.  A whole range of coloured crayons can be described as ‘skin-colour’. With colourful illustrations by Fanny Liem More Than Peach spreads Bellen’s message [...]

October 20, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Barb the Brave – The Ghost Blade

This is a graphic novel for children aged 6-10 years with a female lead character who is not afraid of action and adventure and our young reviewer loved it! It is the second book about the fearless Barb, who is a Berzerker, one of a [...]

October 12, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Mouse and Mole – Clink, Clank, Clunk

We were delighted to receive this book containing three whimsical Mouse and Mole stories that highlight the joy in everyday life. The stories are cleverly observant of human relationships and the ‘give and take’ dynamics that are important for functionality, often requiring humour and acceptance [...]

October 12, 2022

Kid’s Book Review: Fletcher and the Stars

This is a lovely picture book for young children featuring a friendly little fox called Fletcher.  In this story about friendship and discovery, written by Julia Rawlinson, when Fletcher looks up at the night sky, the stars flicker out, one by one. Soon, instead of [...]

October 12, 2022