These are both additions to popular series from Little Tiger – thanks to the publisher for sending them for review.

Star Friends: Enchanted Mist
Linda Chapman, illustrated by Kim Barnes

We’re back with the Star Friends, they who have a special secret in the form of magical animal friends – a young fox, a fallow deer, a red squirrel and a wildcat who help them learn magic and fight evil.
This group – Maia, Ionie, Sita and Lottie and their animals is being watched by four other forest creatures in need of their help.The following morning after a dream Maia senses that something is wrong; could something bad be about to happen?

Then at school, a classmate Maddie who has only recently joined and doesn’t really have any friends, approaches Maia and asks if they could team up for the Super Science Week, one of the exciting events being planned for the end of term and Maia agrees. Super Science is being organised by new teacher, Miss Amadi and the class have a session that involves using essential oils and making perfumes.
After this session, all of a sudden everyone wants to be friends with Maddie. Why is this? The Star Friends have a feeling that it’s something to do with magic. But from where is it coming? Maddie, or somebody else? They are determined to find out.

Cleverly mixing magic elements with real life issues about primary school relationships that readers will relate to, this is an addition to a series that continues to feel fresh and fun, made even more so by Kim Barnes’ illustrations.

Magic Keepers Tunnel Trouble
Linda Chapman, illustrated by Hoang Giang

Determined to learn all they can about the curios left by Ava’s Great Aunt Enid, she and her friends want to ensure that chaos-causing magic doesn’t break free again. They’re distracted at home by younger siblings, but then on the way to school Ava’s little sister, Mai, mentions seeing a monster at her window the previous night. Shortly after, Mai takes a tumble on the ice and as Lily goes to help her up, Ava notices movement in the undergrowth. An animal or something else?

Then again Mai speaks of a monster visiting her and their Tibetan terrier, Pepper is also acting anxiously. Little by little Ava becomes more convinced that something magic is going on. Can any of the crystals help her understand? It transpires that a stone gargoyle has apparently come to life and has been visiting the Curio Room and now a crystal has been taken.

Not long after, something much more important is taken by the gargoyle, which disappears with its catch into some underground tunnels. Readers will likely feel frissons of fear when this happens. The mystery deepens and the friends really must use all their resources to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on and why.

An intriguing tale of camaraderie and the importance of sibling bonds that established followers of the Magic Keepers will love; those new to the series would do better to read the previous two books first.