Grimogen Darkstar: Bat-Cat-Tastrophe
Emma Finlayson-Palmer
Tiny Tree Books

Young Grimogen Darkstar or Immi as she prefers to be called, desperately wants a pet, even more so when the team from Howler’s Rescue Centre bring animals into her school for a special day. “Maybe I’ll meet my future first pet,” she says. First though she has to prove to her parents that she is sufficiently responsible to care for one. So, when her class is called to the hall, she’s more than delighted to see all manner of magical creatures and she can hardly wait to feed some of them, declaring herself “ a bit of an expert at feeding animals.”

Pretty soon though things start to go wrong: Immi is certain she’s seen a bat-cat outside the window and refuses to accept the explanation that what she saw was just a bat. Almost immediately after, her classmates are running around as bats swoop in and get stuck in people’s hair. Fortunately for her though, things are quickly sorted out and an open day at Rescue Centre is announced, to be held the next day. Helping out offers another opportunity for Immi to prove she’s ready for her own pet. Can she do so without causing a catastrophe?

Impetuous, curious, brave and kind-hearted, Immi is a delight and young readers/listeners, especially animal-lovers, will enjoy meeting her. in this first story with its sprinkling of whimsical black and white illustrations.

Marv and the Funfare Fright
Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles
Oxford Children’s Books

Marv is excited when he hears that from the funfair has arrived at the local park for its annual visit and super-excited when he finds that he’s now tall enough to go on the Head Spinner roller coaster (rather him than me). Off he goes with his super-suit and sidekick, Pixel, in his backpack and Grandad at his side. It’s extremely crowded and noisy but it’s not long before while riding on the Spinning Teacups, Marv detects a supervillain – The Conjuror – with whom he’d had an unpleasant encounter before.

Time for Marv to don his super-suit and track down that Conjuror: assuredly she’ll be up to no good. And so she is. First a zombie is on the loose and then shortly after, there are seven cuddly toy pandas running riot in the Hall of Mirrors. Marv gives chase but his rocket boosters fail and the pandas escape causing chaos all around the funfair.

Can Marv put a stop to the panic and panda-monium and not only save his friends but all the other fair visitors. He’ll most certainly need to use every means at his disposal. Maybe he can change that Conjuror into an superhero instead of a supervillain too, or is that asking too much …

Dramatically illustrated by Paula Bowles, Marv’s ninth adventure – ideal for the upcoming spooky season – is every bit as exciting as his previous ones: established fans will love it and I’m sure he’ll gain plenty of new followers too.