These are both new titles from Tiny Tree Books – thanks to the publisher for sending them for review

The Subject Society: The Pythagoras Puzzle
Sarah Surgey, illustrated by Larisa Ivanković

Seven year old Mabel, who aspires to be a doctor, is fed up with being bossed around by her brothers Tom and Stan. She decides to turn the small shed at the bottom of the garden into a clubhouse. Her Dad agrees so long as it’s a place that grows her mind. Mabel ponders on this not really understanding what he meant. Science doesn’t seem to hold the answer but what about other subjects? Maybe her friends could help: on Monday morning Mabel’s Subject Society is formed. But do any of them have a problem to solve?

In dashes Theo telling his friends that he has a violin exam in a week and his teacher has told him he’s out of pitch with his violin. Being deaf, Mabel thinks this is something she can help with. At last: a problem that needs solving. Then Uma picks up a book called Pythagoras and Pythagorean Tuning. The latter ‘is all about the number 5. To find the perfect pitch, you have to count in fives (fifths) Nora writes in her notebook. Could this be the answer to helping Theo? If so, come exam day, will he be able to remember what he’s been told and not let his nerves get the better of him? Could maths help him pass?

STEAM, friendship, teamwork and determination are all important elements of the Subject Society in Sarah Surgey’s tale and with illustrations by Larisa Ivanković adding to the fun, this book is ideal for those just taking off as solo readers.

Ham Ed and Chips
Tom Phipps

This story is set in, around and over the village of Ham Green in the countryside of SW England. Therein reside a cat-like, squirrel-like alien, Ham, that crash landed on Earth, Ed, a blue-tit and Chips, a small dog that lives in Ham Green Pub and Restaurant with his family – Mum (i/c the business) , Dad (i/c the kitchen) and young Molly who views rules as things to be broken, especially those in the rule book Mum has compiled for her.

Ham too has rules, the first being, Saturday must include an egg and cheese sandwich. She’s also quite inventive (when needs be anyway) and her latest invention is a remote controlled sofa. It’s on this contraption that, much to Molly’s alarm, Chips is sent into space and lots of other dogs have also gone missing, seemingly vanishing into thin air. The following morning chaos breaks out on the Green and Molly is accused of being responsible for the dogs’ disappearance and confined to her room. Things get curiouser and curiouser and we meet the said villain of the story, one Treacle, a little pug that insists on being called Tre and owner Petunia Botton-Wells aka peculiar Bottom-Smells.

Eventually Molly’s time runs out and she has to face the now, exceedingly angry villagers in the pub restaurant when suddenly the old barn full of dogs floats past the window. How will all this end? Will the floating barn crash land on the pub or elsewhere? And the dogs – stinky or not?

The whole thing is decidedly daft with a smattering of canine logic. Altogether it’s lots of fun, has a fair few rules, is an easy read, and its presentation is spot on for new solo readers