Author jillrbennett

Again! said Rabbit

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Again! said Rabbit
Marjorke Henrichs
Scallywag Press

Rabbit is off to spend a day on the beach with Mum and Dad Rabbit. “Time to relax,” says Dad as they arrive; little does he know.
Rabbit has brought along his bucket and spade, a kite, Ted and Elephant and a ball. First, Rabbit and Dad kick the ball; “AGAIN!” Rabbit says. Dad then suggests they fly the kite. It starts well with the kite going higher and higher but thanks to a gull, Dad ends up entangled in the string and needing of a rest. Mum steps in to help Rabbit build a ‘beautiful’ sandcastle. That’s not quite what happens however, though Rabbit has a great time

and you can guess what he says.

Then into the sea they all wade. Initially Rabbit has fun jumping the waves and judging from what they say, so too do Dad and Mum; but then comes a very large wave and a change of response from Rabbit and parents. By now, Rabbit has had enough of their previous activities so his response to a snack is enthusiastic until, having shared his favourite bun with Bird, a lot of winged friends turn up and …

How will the rabbit family’s day end: will they be happy or fed up?

With its repeat ‘Again!’ this third story in the series is every bit as fun for very young listeners as the previous two: its simple patterned text also makes it great for beginning readers to try for themselves.

The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect

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The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect
Jack Kurland
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

This is the second book by author/illustrator Jack Kurland and this time it features a pooch (mainly). Meet dachshund Doris, a dog that is perfect in everything she does – skateboarding, swimming, stick fetching, squirrel chasing and lots more besides.
Each morning she wakes Bill, fetches his favourite slippers and then the two go for a walk, whatever the weather. After this Doris would do a new trick – perfectly as you might expect. But then one morning, disaster! Doris discovers she’s bitten a huge hole in one of Bill’s slippers. Panic! How will he react? Doris decides that there’s only one way to deal with this: off she dashes and hides the evidence so that nobody will ever know what she’s done. Or will they? Up comes another dog wanting to know what Doris is doing,

followed by several others all saying that they’ve done things much worse: one neighbourhood hound gobbled a large part of the sofa, another stole a string of sausages, a third caused a fire. Having heard all these confessions Doris hurries back to Bill and explains about the slipper and Bill is of course, ready to forgive her.

This engaging tale ends with a fun visual twist that will delight young listeners, and at the same time, remind them (and adult readers aloud) that we do not need to be perfect to be loved.

The Fluffy Futon

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The Fluffy Futon
Yuichi Kasano
Gecko Press

On the opening spread we see a rather rotund Grandma spreading a futon on the porch to air in the sun. Slightly closer observation reveals several animals lurking nearby: there’s a curly porcine tail, a pair of curved horns, a wing, tail feathers and two yellow claws. Almost as soon as the futon has been placed in the sun, up wanders a cat. She opens her mouth wide and ‘Yw-aahhn’, out comes a big yawn, and flat out onto the futon lies the moggy.The sight of the sleeping cat induces a great big yawn from Grandma and she immediately flops down onto the futon too. As she snoozes along come three little chicks and their mother hen;

more Yw-aahhns and ploffs as down they drop and fast asleep they go.

It’s not long before the fluffy futon is full and then flinging her arms wide, Grandma rolls over and her fellow snoozers are flung hither and yon, all except the black cat that is reluctant to move.

Yuichi Kasano’s simple scenes of the sleepers are delightfully droll and adults and young children will enjoy sharing the story, at bedtime or any other time. The latter will love joining in with the oft repeated ‘ploff’ and ‘Yw-aahhn’ sounds as the ever increasing cast of characters take advantage of the opportunity to snooze.

Cliff The Man with a Seagull on his Head

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Cliff The Man with a Seagull on his Head
Gareth Hopkins and Alex Latimer
Happy Yak

Cliff is the keeper at the old lighthouse, a lonely job until the unexpected arrival of a seagull that lands on his head and there it remains. Quite soon it feels normal to have this creature perched on his hat and wherever Cliff goes so does the seagull. All is well until the two pay a visit to the town across the water where everybody considers seagulls a bad idea and make it known in no uncertain terms how they feel.

Back at the lighthouse, the edible contents of Cliff’s cupboards are rapidly depleted (it’s been a case of Cliff’s food in exchange for a head massage from the gull.

That night the seagull decides Cliff would probably be better off without his hat attachment and off it flies. Cliff wakes to feel empty inside and can think of nothing else but his seagull friend. Away he goes to sea in a tiny rowing boat without first checking the weather forecast.. Consequently, Cliff is unprepared for the fierce storm that descends, smashing the little boat into pieces and tossing Cliff into the chilly sea, where he clung to a lump of driftwood fearing the worst. Meanwhile up in the sky the seagull searches when all of a sudden, way, way below it spies something woolly exactly the same shape as Cliff’s head. Off it swoops into the town and before you can say chips, there’s a trail of townsfolk following the gull towards the harbour, onto a boat and guided by clever pooping on the seagull’s part, they reach Cliff just in time to heave him aboard.

With Cliff and the seagull reunited, all feels right once more and hence forth, wherever Cliff’s head went, there too went the seagull, be it at sea or on land. That’s dedication for sure. And now it appears that in town, seagulls have become everybody’s crowning glory.

A warm-hearted, gently humorous tale where Alex Latimer’s comical caricatures of the avian antics show how how a normally dubbed, noisy, chip-stealing nuisance can instead become a faithful friend to a human.

Max and the Haircut

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Max and the Haircut
Samareh Azadi
Otter-Barry Books

This story is narrated by Max whose hair has grown so much it resembles a lion’s mane and he’s got the roar to go with it. Nw Mum has decided that it’s time for him to go for his very first haircut, destination Wendy’s Hair Salon. This is bound to be a very big challenge as Max is neurodivergent. When they arrive he finds the salon too bright, too noisy and it’s full of sharp, spiky objects As soon as Wendy puts a cape around his neck it feels uncomfortable as he finds it too tight. Max hates the water spray too and the sharpness of the hair clips.

Then Wendy starts snipping and very soon he calls out “STOP!” Wendy does so and then she has a good idea. She removes Max’s apron and offers him a cat to cuddle and a bubble- blower to play with. This makes things much, much better, so much better that Max announces, “ I like it!” Whether he’s referring to his new haircut or the cat/bubble experience, it matters not. What does matter is that Wendy accepted that Max needed a different approach from the usual one she would use with a neurotypical child and was willing to cater for that.

Tenderly told, Samareh Azadi’s first picture book beautifully captures the first haircut experience, but in addition gives it an extra unspoken element: an aspect of Max’s neurodivergence is his sensory processing and how this affects his new experience. (I love Max’s creative thinks bubbles during the first part of his haircut.)

Marcie and Giraffe

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Marcie and Giraffe
Kim Gregory
Little Tiger

Both Marcie and Giraffe each create a representation of the other, using paints and large sheets of paper. Initially Marcie feels proud of her painting of Giraffe; but then she sees Giraffe’s painting of her being happy. However, it doesn’t make the girl feel happy at all. She stamps all over it , rips it in half and tosses it aside saying, “Your art is better than mine,” Giraffe remains patient merely commenting, “My art doesn’t look like you any more, so it can’t be all that good.”

Marcie goes on to create a series of four pictures – her brain, stomach, legs and face – each portraying the emotional turmoil that she’s in. Giraffe understands how she feels, pointing out that she doesn’t usually look that way though he does like what she’s done.
Then in turn, Giraffe tries making a fierce scribbly picture but ends up planting his rear end in the paint

and the result bears a striking resemblance to himself, sans his head. This is then added, splat mode, and both Marcie and Giraffe are delighted. So much so that they both joyously make more art and more importantly, they love it.

A story about both creativity and emotions. Importantly it shows (not tells) that art is a means of expressing oneself and that it’s not appropriate to compare one individual’s work with that of another person ).

I love the messy appearance of the art room at the end of the story where it’s clear that both characters have had an enjoyable experience.

Mission: Bedtime

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Mission: Bedtime
Tracey Corderoy and Alex Patrick
Little Tiger

It’s bedtime in the bear household. All the adults are tired out but not so little Kit. She is wide awake, bursting with energy and eager to watch Agent Penguin on TV.

Grandpa may be feeling sleepy but not so much that it prevents him from having a clever idea. Off he goes into his shed to make some items for secret agents to use. He then turns the adult bears into a team of secret agents – there’s Agent Exhauster, Agent Bubble-Boss and Agent Gadget – and allocates each a special mission for Kit to undertake. Will any of them have the desired effect, calm the little bear down and send her on the way to slumberland, mission accomplished;

or will it be three cases of mission impossible? If so can Grandpa come up with an extra special bonus mission that can do the trick?

Little humans will laugh at Kit’s high-spirited behaviour probably enjoying her missions as much as the small protagonist, whereas adults who are accustomed to bedtime procrastination will recognise Kit’s delaying tactics with a smile and one hopes, employ that bonus mission like Grandpa did.

Assuredly a book for young and old to enjoy together savouring the wealth of detail in Alex Patrick’s scenes of the ursine family as they share Tracey Corderoy’s comical bedtime caper.

The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia

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The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia
Leia Ham
Puffin

Twelve year old Sparrow Xia lives in a world where children have magic but lose it when they become adults. Sparrow is a fire mage and is starting her first year at Zenith Academy for Magical Development, situated on the other side of the United Realms. However she feels inferior to her older brother Ainsley whose magic is far stronger than hers; he’s thriving at the Academy and is also her parents’ favourite, something she resents.

Hopeful that things might change once she settles in, Sparrow is determined to do her very best to strengthen her fire-magic, which is merely a tiny flame. Before long, she has started to form friendships with Lyndon an air mage and Orla, a nature mage, both of whom value kindness over strength.

As Sparrow endeavours to develop and master her talents, a mysterious illness starts to affect the school’s most powerful students, draining them of their magic. She and her friends take the opportunity to solve the mystery of its cause and search for a cure, and in so doing, win some respect from her brother who loves to belittle Sparrow.

With Sparrow’s unwavering endeavours to find self-worth, superb world-building, and powerful black and white illustrations at almost every turn of the page, Leia Ham has created a truly engrossing start to what promises to be a great fantasy series. I devoured it in a day and I’m sure readers around Sparrow’s age will love it too.

Where the Tide Lines Lead

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Where the Tide Lines Lead
Sophie Cameron
Little Tiger

Elio’s family owns a holiday resort on a Spanish island. Recently several teenagers have gone missing and as a result bookings in the town dry up and Elio’s parents decide to get rid of some of their staff. Then one day while walking on the beach, Elio unexpectedly sees a girl named Maria Riera. Despite his cries, she walks straight into the sea through its parting waves which then close over her. Expecting Maria to reappear, he waits a while but despite her being a champion swimmer, she doesn’t re-surface.

Nobody believes what he saw, other than Sam, a tourist whose sister Jess, had previously gone missing and so the two decide to investigate. That night they ‘borrow’ a boat and set off over the water and not long after, the sea starts to open just like it had for Maria and they are pulled under. They find a kind of underwater city ruled over by selkie-like beings that are in need to help from Sam and Elio, but are they to be trusted?

Just like the pull of the water, the pull of this story will quickly draw readers in to its mysterious happenings. Will Sam and Elio (and perhaps the others who are missing) be able to return to their normal lives or are they destined to remain below the sea?

With some great characters, themes of feeling alone, feeling different and learning to feel comfortable in your own skin, climate change and pollution, this is a book for those older readers who like mystery stories that blend fantasy and reality.

Edith

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Edith
Catharina Valckx
Gecko Press

When Edith is born she receives, at her parents’ behest, gifts from two fairies. The first fairy, Aisha is young and gives the infant the ability to bring things to life. The second, an old fairy, bestows on the baby the gift of everlasting childhood. However, remaining ten for ever eventually becomes boring so when she reaches one hundred, but with the appearance of a child, Edith decides that change is necessary.

Bolster her dog reminds her that she’s always wanted a friend but rather than one that wouldn’t understand Edith’s eternal youth, she decides to go against what her parents had told her. She animates a lemon from the fruit bowl and names it Squirt. Squirt is a fast learner and becomes extremely helpful as well as great friends with Bolster. The two of them decide that something needs to be done and that something is to find a fairy to undo the gift so Edith can grow up in the same way as other people.

A camping trip in the forest ensues and eventually becomes a quest to find the fairy whose name begins with A (the only remaining fairy, so a kindly gnome named Dwim tells them). Edith is determined and certain that what she wants is to grow old and eventually die and she tells her friends so. They stick together over land and sea, finally arriving on dry sand. Fortunately, Aisha, the fairy they seek, lives in one of the few houses there. She greets them, and not long after with a flick of her wand …

With an important philosophical question underpinning the story, this book celebrates determination, the changes during a lifetime, aging and eventually, death. Illustrated in soft hues this will generate much thought and discussion.

Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo / Legacy: The Shadow Rises

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Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo
Àlàbá Ònájín
Scallywag Press

This graphic novel debut is set in the coastal village of Makoko, in Lagos. That in itself makes it worth seeking out for the rarity of such a setting in a book for younger readers.

Korobá decides to become a detective when her friend’s Saidat’s treasured kolo (a wooden money box) mysteriously vanishes just before the annual harvest festival, also called Breaking Day as it’s when the childen of the village break open their kolos and spend the money on clothes and shoes for the festival.
Korobá and her friends have to handle both family responsibilities and looking for and following clues to solve the mystery of the missing Kolo.

Àlàbá Ònájín has done a great job bringing the coastal village to life and we see such things as laundry dangling on lines strung between homes built on stilts as those who live there walk on wooden walkways and canoe through the canals, as well as market stalls with vibrant umbrellas shading both both buyers and sellers.


A lively adventure story that deserves to gain a wide audience and it would definitely enrich primary school classroom collections.

for slightly older readers is:

Legacy: The Shadow Rises
Zak Simons-Hurn and The Fickling Brothers
David Fickling Books

The first of a graphic novel three part fantasy series. Herein Scarlett Thawn, heir to the city of Hightown receives the news that that her family has been attacked, she is forced to abandon all that she cares about , With dark forces already having taken hold of the city proving her lecgacy will be far from easy. Can Scarlett overcome these evil powers and take hold of what is rightfully hers? Perhaps with help from Rex Adamar, a stranger.

Great characters, help make this a hugely exciting series opener that should ensure readers will want
to follow events right through to the end of book three.

We Don’t Like Bertie

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We Don’t Like Bertie
Sally Anderson
Tiny Tree Books

The little girl narrator of this story has recently become a big sister and now she feels totally sidelined, invisible in fact. Her mother’s time is all taken up with the baby so the girl creates Boggle, an imaginary friend. Boggle has a number of ideas that should attract mum’s attention. They sing very loud; they make breakfast for everybody; they wash the cat and get dressed all by themselves.

None of these activities have the desired effect on mum and so they help paint the nursery walls.

At last the little girl is invisible no longer; however, she’s in serious trouble with her mum. “It wasn’t me, it was Boggle!” she insists to a puzzled parent, going on to explain when Boggle came and that like herself, Boggle is invisible. Now her mum understands, assuring her daughter that she’s not invisible, rather she is mum’s BIG girl. This is followed by an offer to show how they can all play together and so they build towers with nappies, give Bertie a ‘rocket bottle’ and share a bedtime story; they even do a bit of colouring.

After all this, big sister has decided that in fact, she and Boggle quite like Bertie, though not all the time.

This story with its theme of new sibling jealousy is just right for sharing with small children in a situation similar to the book’s young narrator. The attention-seeking antics of the narrator and friend are captured in the delightfully dramatic illustrations making the book all the more fun.

Hupo and the Doom Lagoon

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Hupo and the Doom Lagoon
Billy Partridge
Flying Eye

The intrepid Hupo returns for another exciting adventure. For those who haven’t met Hupo before, he’s a dog-rabbit and as this story begins he’s about to embark on his second fantastical undertaking, this time aboard an airship belonging to the great Humdingo. As he’s about to board the ship, he sees before him a stranger looking exactly like him and calling himself Zimmy. This creature knows about Hurtha’s powerful Gem and Humdingo invites him to join them as they set off in the great airship, destination Doom Lagoon. What though are Zimmy’s motives? Doom Lagoon is said to be a mysterious place where one’s worst fears can be trapped beneath its waters so they never have to be faced again.

It’s not long though before plans start to unravel and centuries of fear are unleashed upon Yip, then Humdingo announces that Hurtha’s Gem has been taken from the lagoon. He calls every creature of the Lagoon to board his ship and its engine bursts into life. Where though is Zimmy? Quickly Hupo goes to his rescue and the airship zips off into the gathering storm. Humdingo sends everyone below deck where Zimmy and Hupo tell stories to everyone while the Fears grow ever more terrifying. But then Hupo notices something in Zimmy’s backpack. It’s Hurtha’s Gem.

When a horrifying Fear and then more burst in, will this be of any use? It falls to Hupo and Zimmy to save everyone from the horrors of Doom Lagoon. Can they succeed?

But Will Hupo ever learn the real reason why Zimmy has the Gem and why he is on the Doom Lagoon expedition? With themes of finding your true self, jealousy and facing up to your fears and fantastic artwork, this second Hupo drama is both gripping and amusing.

Princess Pete

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Princess Pete
Zoey Allen and Frenci Sanna
Walker Books

Let me tell you about Pete who acts as the book’s narrator. Sometimes Pete is a prince; other times Pete is a princess. Pete loves to play with the boys and sometimes with the girls. Pete has a fair few friends but is yet to have a best friend. Some days Pete dresses in ‘pink shorts. yellow tops, and blue wellies.’ Other days Pete will be seen clad in ‘green jumpers, flowery trousers and butterfly sandals.’

Pete enjoys playing beauty salon with Mum,

and also enjoys getting mucky. Sometimes Pete likes playing alone bringing imaginary worlds and dreams to life perhaps having beautiful pegacorns flying round about while hedgehogs sing.

This behaviour, confuses some people who ask if Pete is a boy, others ask if Pete’s a girl. It’s difficult for Pete to know how to respond sometimes but mum and dad tell such people that Pete is Pete.”Princess Pete!” our narrator tells us. “I may have been born a boy, but I don’t always feel like the boys. Sometimes I feel more like the girls. Sometimes I feel somewhere in between.”

Such language might very well be used by non-binary or gender-fluid children who have yet to acquire those words; it’s a good way help them explain how they feel, age- appropriately, especially if, as is shown in one of Frenci’s scenes, people are finger pointing at the protagonist. An affirming story for all.

Crow: Thief of Magic

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Crow: Thief of Magic
Fiona Dixon
Harper Collins Children’s Books

Twelve year old Crow is a thief who barely makes a living working for the Reavers of the underworld, robbing the wealthy ruling class who live in the city. However, one day a seemingly mundane delivery takes him to a mysteriously quiet building wherein resides Viktor who says he’s a Dreamcatcher, a kind of sorcerer and he offers Crow a role as his assistant. Crow says he can’t accept but doesn’t forget the offer.

Then days later a planned heist goes horribly wrong, there’s a terrible fire and Crow is left alone, his friends gone and he’s nowhere to go except perhaps … the Dreamcatcher’s manor house. The Dreamcatcher discovers him asleep on his doorstep curled up with his cat, Nekima, takes him in and there, after drinking a herbal infusion, Crow falls asleep once more. Now Viktor is sure that this is the boy he’s been searching for, the one he wants for an apprentice.

At the start everything seems to be going well with the enigmatic Viktor who says among other things, that a Dreamcatcher has a responsibility to keep the balance between good and evil. But can this new master be trusted? Who is he really and what secrets is he hiding? What about the ghost that Crow keeps seeing. And what happens behind the door of the Nightmare Room? Then here’s the cat, Nekima, that the boy seems able to communicate with.

It’s not long before Crow learns of an ancient strain of nightmare magic that could devastate Stargard itself and everyone therein. With All Soul’s Eve fast approaching and the appearance of a new comet in the sky, Crow realises that he has to make a difficult decision: who can he really trust?

A thrilling, thought-provoking fantasy for older readers and a terrific debut novel for its author.

Alice with a WHY Return to Wonderland

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Alice with a WHY Return to Wonderland
Anna James, illustrated by Matthew Land
Harper Collins Children’s Books

It’s March 1919 and many years have passed since Alice’s adventures in Wonderland, of which this book is a kind of reimagining. The story follows Alyce, her granddaughter who, while sitting beside a pond, is hit in the face by a strange, smudged invitation that she thinks is meant for her. It’s signed ‘Your old friend’ and three sets of initials. She then falls into the garden pond and finds herself in a very strange world inhabited by the original Wonderland tale her grandmother had once explored. There, she has some weird conversations with the Dormouse, Hare and Hatter.

These eccentrics beg Alyce to search for the Time Being, said to be the only one able to halt the war between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. The latter being accused by the King of stealing an hour from her and the resulting celestial battle means that day and night come according to who is currently winning.

Unsure of where she’ll find the Time Being, off Alyce goes, hopeful and determined. Her journey takes her into illogical, ridiculous situations encountering on her way, other of Carroll’s characters and some new ones too.
What will the outcome be? Will Alyce succeed in her mission?

Superbly written with lots of whimsical touches (you’d expect that from Anna James, author of the Pages & Co series) and themes including courage and determination. Making it even more special are Matthew Land’s iconic, wonderfully detailed black and white illustrations that have echoes of John Tenniel.

A delight: both existing fans of the Lewis Carroll original and new readers, will enjoy this cracking book. It would make a smashing class read too.

How Many Babies? / Yummy Yummy

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How Many Babies?
Yummy Yummy
Forest Xiao
Walker Books

Those who have read Seven Babies will immediately recognise the Forest Xiao’s adorable infant depictions. However How Many Babies? goes three better and introduces, one per spread, ten tinies in playful mood (occasionally accompanied by mum or dad). We see the first one playing peek-a-boo, two high fiving each another, three in a tight squeeze, four holding on as tight to Dad as he is to them, and so on until having made a mess munching their meal, they settle down, or some do, to sleep, along with their exhausted-looking parents.
A must for the very youngest’s book collection.

So too is Yummy Yummy. Some things are certainly yummy – corn and watermelon for instance and milk. Other items prove equally yummy – if you happen to be one of the delightful babies in this board book. Take, music (not the sounds but the instrument itself), table or stool, mark-making colours, even your own tootsie; and for sure, your infant pal had better beware if within close tasting range.

Giggles galore will likely result if you read this fun offering to your own baby, maybe more from the adult than the infant though. That said, slightly older little ones will devour it and perhaps demand more.

You Be You

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You Be You
Chitra Soundar and Sophie Bass
Walker Books

Sadly there are all too many people who are not willing to accept others who are different from themselves; equally sadly or perhaps even more so, is that a fair amount of the language used in speeches (and the press) intended to influence others in the current climate, is designed to attack those with different ideologies, to mislead or create division.

Chitra Soundar has written a lively rhyming narrative that promotes being, and celebrating being, yourself, while at the same time allowing and respecting other people’s right to be themselves, and learning to celebrate the voices of others however different they may be.

To that end she uses two voices – ‘me’ and ‘you’. Peaceful, respectful co-existence is what matters. This is very evident in Sophie Bass’s powerful illustrations especially the finale wherein diverse people are shown in and around the rainbow, which acts as a symbol of harmony.

Anybody who has ever felt categorised for one reason or another will feel empowered by the universal message Chitra and Sophie have created. Having said that, this is an important book for everybody to read and discuss be that at home or in the classroom.

The Unchosen One

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The Unchosen One
Amy Sparkes
Walker Books

This is the first instalment of a new series set in the Isles of Peryll way back in time. At the start of this story twelve year old orphan, Tassalonia Monk, Tassie for short drops from a tree into the cart of a stranger who introduces herself as The Wisest of the Wise. The stranger takes Tassie to the tower to see the Chief Steward who is also the girl’s guardian. He informs his ward that according to an ancient prophecy she is the Chosen One, whose destiny being to save the people of Peryll from the awakening of a shadow banished around a thousand years ago. Could this be the adventure Tassie has been longing for?

Perhaps not, for her guardian goes on to tell her that the quest means that she will be locked in a highly guarded room at the top of a tower and have to read a protective spell every hour for the rest of her life. This feels like the exact opposite of everything this accident-prone girl would be suited for; she’s totally wrong for the task and equally unwilling. Surely she isn’t the Chosen One; however the supposed birthmark on her neck indicates that she is.

The answer she decides is to find somebody else for the job. She calls upon her best friend and inventor, Spin, a tiny golden griffin, to accompany her on her mission and off they set, two adventurers, or researchers, as Tassie calls them. Soon they encounter an elf, Darley; can he be trusted to lead them on the right path? Will they discover who is the true Chosen One?

Wonderful world-building, full of suspense and humour too; and with a well-meaning, kind-hearted, courageous protagonist, this is a captivating book for fantasy enthusiasts from around seven

It Won’t Be Forever

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It Won’t Be Forever
John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

At the edge of the forest lives a loving family of eight little fox cubs and their parents, Kit (the mother) and Rey (the father).Vixie, one of the cubs is exceptionally close to her dad; he cheers her up when she’s worried, lonely or sad.

One day Rey tells Vixie that he has to spend a short time away from the family; the little cub is horrified at the news of her father’s impending journey and he reassures her that their love has created a link that connects them no matter where he is and that she should look up at the sky and know that he is looking at the same sky and thinking of her. He also gives her a peacock blue feather as a reminder of his love and tells her to keep busy during his time away. a time that definitely won’t be forever.

Vixie remembers to do what her Dad has said, feels their loving connection and does her best to enjoy herself with the rest of her family. Then one day when she’s out playing she has the best possible surprise – her beloved Dad is back from his travels. Now she really does understand those words of his.

I remember as a child feeling very upset whenever my father (who worked for British Airways) had to go abroad and completely understand how Vixie felt. 
John Dougherty’s warm, lyrical text that reads aloud well together with Thomas Docherty’s highly expressive mixed media illustrations make for a book that shows young children that absence and loss are different, the former being temporary and that it’s natural to feel upset or sad when a loved one is away for a while but their shared love always reunites them.


Share and talk about at home and in the classroom. Perhaps a circle time session following a class sharing would allow young children to talk about their experiences and thus contribute to their PSED (Personal, Social and Emotional Development).

The Ministry of Manners

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The Ministry of Manners
David Solomons, illustrated by Hazem Asif
Piccadilly Press

This story is set in a dystopian world that may remind adults of 1984. The author’s world-building is superb.

Meet siblings Margot and Alfie Hawthorne who have grown up under the regime of the Ministry of Manners where politeness is not a choice but the law. Just one wrong word can change your life and don’t even think about laughing. Margot has never been one for being quiet and obedient whereas her brother prefers to stay out of trouble and has learned how to survive Both their parents work for the Ministry, which has some perks but means their offspring mustn’t ask too many questions. So when Margot speaks up she is sent to a Manners Retreat, the purpose of which is to reshape her ‘impolite’ tendencies. Can she remain true to herself no matter what?

This leaves Alfie torn between sticking to the rules and love for his sister. Before long he becomes involved with a resistance group called the Unsilenced. He’s also shocked by some of the things he discovers about what his father actually does.

With two terrific protagonists in Margot and Alfie, themes of finding your own voice, courage and bravery, this is a thrilling, absolutely gripping read that on occasion feels just a bit too close to reality. It would make a great class read for older juniors. Just remind everyone to say thank you to the author and illustrator and the publisher or beware!

Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives

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Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives
Jennifer Bell, illustrated by Sarah Horne
Walker Books

As this story begins Buck and loyal leporine Ears, have been dubbed the worst pirates ever by some members of the gull fraternity and are already deciding that their career as pirates is over. Now they’ve headed to Scuttleflint Bay and are perusing the place for alternative occupations when they hear the sound of crying. It turns out to be Captain Bloodfang, reputed to be the most fearful pirate on the Seventy Seas; but fearful pirates are not supposed to shed tears over the lack of a letter from a best friend, Valentina, and certainly not get caught so doing.

Rather than lose their lives, Ears announces that she and Buck are professional pirate detectives willing to search for Valentina and Bloodfang agrees to hire them but gives them just three days to find her. Ears hears that the missing friend is none other than the famous mermaid chef, Valentina Vermicelli. The detectives strike a deal, acquire a ramshackle ship and advertise for crew and thus the Case of the Missing Mer-chef is launched.

Their first hirings as crew members are Huggable Pete (a prickly porcupine), and Priscilla Fontaine, both lacking experience; then comes Apprentice Professor Darwin Montgomery (Darwin for short) who volunteers to navigate but is unable to swim. They set sail and after an eventful trip, catch sigh of Valentina’s restaurant. Before long Buck and Ears are speaking to the assistant head chef of the establishment (a lobster) who tells them that Valentina went off in search of a secret ingredient and hasn’t been seen since. Time is running out before Buck and Ears become pirate stew.

Can the two, aided and abetted by Pete, Darwin and Priscilla, follow the clues, find Valentina and save their own lives to become the only pirate detectives sailing the Seventy Seas?

With a cracking Agatha Fishy crew that are at once lovable and very funny, and a narrative that will have readers giggling throughout, Jennifer Bell has written a smashing read for those who love high drama, detective work and humour, made all the more fn by Sarah Horne’s illustrations of the cast, especially Huggable Pete with those marshmallows on his spines.

Fred the (Very Demanding) Deer

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Fred the (Very Demanding) Deer
Pépé Smit
Scallywag Press

As the title says, Fred the deer is extremely demanding, especially where his author/illustrator is involved.

Having lived in the forest at the beginning of his life, he suddenly decides to take a leap and off he heads to the city. As he strolls down a street, Fred is surprised to find that everybody looks at him in a strange way s he decides to walk on his hind legs. However this doesn’t stop the staring. Fred concludes that his lack of shoes is the issue. His creator kindly takes him to a shoe shop and Fred selects a pair of trendy trainers.

So enamoured is he with his new footwear that he fails to take notice of where he’s going. The result is an accident involving a motor cyclist. Fred, fortunately for him, ends up somersaulting onto a small area of grass and landing upside down. Unsurprisingly people stare at him even more but now that stop and throw money at him too, praising his ‘amazing performance’.

Suddenly Fred hears a rumbling sound – it’s his tummy telling him it needs for. Good thing he landed on the grass surely? But Fred doesn’t want to sate his appetite on grass. No way! Fred wants to eat chips. His creator suggests that sans hands this can’t happen. You can guess what Fred demands then.
A bit of a tiff ensues, but after a while Fred’s long-suffering creator gives in and off goes Fred, hands outstretched towards Charlie’s Chips. The chips certainly hit the mark but the sated dear lies down for his afternoon nap in the manner he would have in the forest. Before long his favourite tree comes into his mind and Fred says that he wants to return from whence he came. Out comes an eraser and away go Fred’s hooves. But what about his hands? Well, those are going to stay put.
back in the forest, Fred is happy and also famous.

Can you guess why? …

Deliciously droll: this corvine creature seems to have his author/illustrator wrapped around his hooves, or should that be fingers?

The World’s Last Mammoth and other Missing Marvels

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The World’s Last Mammoth and other Missing Marvels
Mike Barfield and Franziska Höllbacher
Templar

If you know a primary age child who thinks history is boring, try offering them this book. Divided into eight chapters, it looks at some of world history’s most mysterious marvels and amazing mysteries. Topics range from ancient civilisations, extinct animals, lost treasures, technologies, missing historical figures, mythical monsters and how people spend their non-working time.
Each chapter features comic strips.

Chapter 1, entitled The Magnificent Seven, revisits the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Only one – the Great Pyramid (on the outskirts of modern-day Cairo) still exists and also presented are other buildings past and present, and several statues.
The second chapter features Lost Leaders and you’ll meet – or perhaps you won’t meet the legendary King Arthur, (actually he reappears in the final chapter), Cleopatra, Genghis Khan, once a mighty Mongolian emperor (his body has never been located) famous for the number of people he killed in medieval times (around 40 million supposedly) and somebody I’d not heard of – Puyi who was made an emperor at just 2 years old – against his wishes I hasten to add. A wacky comic strip spread briefly outlines his story.

Have you ever wondered why the dodos met their demise? Or heard of another flightless bird, the Solitaire; they crop up in the third chapter. No matter which chapter you turn to, you’ll find humour aplenty among the missing marvels featured and it’s possible you’ll end up with aching ribs from laughing.

Add a copy or two to KS2 class collections and wait for the grabbing to begin.

Skipping to Sammy’s Beat

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Skipping to Sammy’s Beat
Coral Vass and Blithe Fielden
New Frontier Publishing

The year Sammy turned four she wore her pink tutu, her spotty yellow wellies, her big bat wings and her bike helmet. She spent time splashing in puddles, dangling from trees and searching for ladybirds; best of all though she loved to dance and was able to hear her very own tap, da-dum, tap, tap, da-dum beat.

However, when she turned five Sammy noticed that her friends were dressing more modestly causing her to feel silly in her tutu. Consequently she shed her usual gear but when she danced down the path now the other children made fun of her and so she stopped dancing altogether.

Instead she watched the others playing and enjoying all the things she once loved to do.
Her beat grew quieter and quieter until she couldn’t hear it at all and she felt full of sadness.

Then one day she slumped down beside a path near a large puddle and there as she dropped her head, she saw a dragonfly trying its best to get out of the water. Gently she scooped it out and held it carefully. The other children noticed and came over. They all watched the little insect take to the air that is what helped her find the courage to move to her own beat once more.

A sweet, sensitive story told in a lively manner with vibrant, detailed illustrations that show so well, Sammy’s changing feelings as the story progresses. One hopes that it will encourage young children to have the courage to be true to themselves and fully embrace what makes them unique, and allow others to do so too.

Greek Boy

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Greek Boy
Tony Bradman
Walker Books

This latest story in the “Boy’ series begins in BCE 481 and centres around Nikos. The boy has just encountered his father, Kleon, back from a trip. Kleon is not happy with the fact that his son hasn’t kept up with his studies, nor shown an interest in how the society he belongs to actually works. Having decided to do better, Nikos takes on the role of man of the house, taking care of his mother and sisters when his father leaves once more. But then his father is accused of being a ‘Medizer’ a traitor who has betrayed the Athenians to their enemy, the Persians who are threatening to invade. However Nikos and the rest of his family are also dubbed as traitors and he agrees to accept help from Themistokles, a friend of his father, who offers his country house as a safe place for the rest of his family.

He meanwhile intends to do all he can to prove his father’s and his own loyalty to the city state. Thus he signs up to become a marine in the Greek Navy and ten days later he’s off in The Sea Serpent, destination Artemisium, the Hot Gates and thence into the middle of the fighting; and pretty brutal it proves to be.

Nikos is told he should be proud of himself: can he do enough to save not only himself but his loved ones, father included, from the threat of execution, especially when he learns of Themistokles’s betrayals?

A thoroughly captivating story with themes of loyalty, treachery and betrayal, a wealth of memorable details and some splendid black and white illustrations by Alessandro Valdrighi, as well as a historical note at the end. Highly recommended for Y4 readers and beyond.

The Moon

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The Moon
David Hawcock, illustrated by Adam Linley
NuiNui

The first manned Moon landing was over fifty years back when NASA’s Apollo 11 mission took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the Moon, with Neil Armstrong being the very first human to walk on the Moon’s surface and adults will perhaps recall his “That’s one small step for (a)man, one giant leap for mankind” speech.” Now NASA’s Artemis Ⅱ Moon Mission has brought the moon very much into focus again and this timely pop-up offers an accessible, fun and informative way to educate young children about our nearest celestial body and Earth’s only natural satellite.

The aforementioned Apollo 11 landing is the subject of one of this book’s ten spreads – Walking on the Moon from which we learn that a dozen NASA astronauts from Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972 have walked on the Moon. (This spread is also the cover illustration, sans the flag jointly planted on the surface by Armstrong and Aldrin.)
Before that though is a spread entitled Man on the Moon whereon we have a pop-out of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module – Eagle.

I’ve rather jumped ahead of the book’s sequence, which begins with a look at the Solar System and youngsters will learn that there are in fact many moons therein. Next, following an introductory paragraph, The Moon spread explains that the Moon goes around the Earth and is one aspect of the movement (planet motion) helping to create night, day and the seasons. We also see diagram of the layers inside the Moon.

I won’t mention details of the other six spreads: (below is the illustration for one of them)

rather, I suggest that you get hold of a copy of this fascinating book and share it with young children – in small groups or individually. It’s sturdily built so should stand up to handling in a Foundation stage/KS1 classroom.

Nora Nightsky Double the Drama / Mirabelle and the Enchanted Sea Globe

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Nora Nightsky Double the Drama
Rebecca Lewis-Oakes, illustrated by Becka Moor
Scholastic

Nora Nightsky is no less keen to grant human wishes that she was in the first story but when she receives a wish letter handed to her by her sister Koko, seemingly sent by someone called From, she knows she must return to Earth. Her assumption is that the wisher, who wants to write comic books, is called From. Her intention is to convince the wisher that they can sort out their own wish. This time her Dad allows her to go so long as she agrees to write an essay on how humans behave when she returns.

On arrival Nora sees a little girl at a window holding up a sign saying, ‘Are you my star?’. Her name is Maya and Nora assumes that she is the one who wants to write comic books. However Nora’s efforts to get the girl interested in the appropriate tools to use rather that looking for the right shoes seems strange and their visit to the library is even more puzzling. Maya wants to look at books about mountaineers not comic books. On their way back to Maya’s home they see her neighbour, Mo, sitting on the doorstep doodling in a notebook. After some encouragement from Nora she speaks to Mo informing him that they are hoping to go to Tree City the following day.

That they do with Maya’s mum and to Nora’s surprise, Mo is also there and he talks about making comic books. Maya gets a funny feeling in her tummy and looks at the writing on his sketch book … then on the WishPost she pulls from her pocket. Has Koko been interfering and trying to get her sister in trouble?

With her stardust running out. Nora now has two humans to empower so their wishes do come true, if not she’ll end up on earth as a human for ever. Can she do it? …

With themes of perseverance, resilience and self-belief, with occasional black and white illustrations by Becka Moor this is a smashing story for young readers.

For slightly younger readers:

Mirabelle and the Enchanted Sea Globe
Harriet Muncaster
Oxford Children’s Books

I can hardly believe this is the fifteenth book in the series about the mischievous Mirabelle Starspell half witch, half fairy. It’s half term and Dad tells her that they’re all going to spend the holiday in a cottage by the sea. There they can all immerse themselves in nature and even do some cold-water dipping: a perfect spring break.”We are going to do things the HUMAN way,” Dad says.

However after a day without magic, come the night Mirabelle succumbs to temptation. What will be the outcome? Find out in this latest adventure. Fans will love to immerse themselves in the seaside doings of Mirabelle, Wilbur, and their parents.

Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor

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Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor
Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Paker
Puffin

Ten year old prodigy Dexter Procter works as a paediatrician at Lilydale General Hospital and almost as soon as this story starts he manages to ride his scooter straight into Granny Bet causing her to suffer (despite her saying she’s fine) ‘a monomalleolar lateral fracture’ to her fibula; in other words, a broken ankle. As a result she has to wait in hospital for an operation. Being kind-hearted, she doesn’t spill the beans about the cause of her injury. Dexter decides to go home and change and on the way meets his pal Rupi in a state of distress, having been expelled from Elmwood School by the temporary head teacher.

Not long after said temp. (Mrs Rhubarb) appears on the scene. She mentions her sister Barbara Burnhall, an MP and it turns out, the very one who is soon to visit Dexter’s place of work. She’s also someone the hospital relies on for funding every year, Dexter later learns. He also learns that he’s to accompany Dr Marigold and show BB around when she visits. Unsurprisingly, things go badly from the start.

On the school front: what on earth is Ms Saeed, the proper head of Rupi’s school, doing in Azerbaijan? Hmm.

Then Dr Marigold disappears and the wretched Dr Drake appears wearing a sign that reads DR EDWIN DRAKE, ACTING METAL DETECTOR. You can guess what it’s meant to be. What he says about Dr Marigold is totally bonkers. Moreover, he refuses to believe what Dexter tells him about Barbara Burnhall. (I won’t say how he came by this information).

On the home front, Granny Bet is back at home with her operation delayed. At this stage we’re less than halfway through this book but rather than be a story spoiler I’ll merely say that I laughed all the way through to the final paragraph that contains the words ‘Downing Street’ during the course of a phone call to Dexter. I’m sure young readers will do the same and like me be eagerly awaiting the third book. I must add that Henry Paker’s drawings are thoroughly giggle-inducing too, and don’t miss the acknowledgements acrostic.

Word has it that there’s a BBC mini-series of the book later this year.

Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories

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Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories
William Yamaguchi Dobson, illustrated by Sawa
Scholastic

Stuck at home for the summer, twelve year old Jonty is more than ready for adventure when one Friday afternoon he encounters a bonobo in the woods near his Grandpa’s house. She asks him to give her a massage and introduces herself as Koku. She goes on to tell Jonty that she’s a satori and can read human’s minds; therefore she knows that his grandfather has dementia. “Your grandfather has forgotten many memories. You want to recover them, and help him finish his memoir before the sun sets on his life. Therefore gird your loins, fall seven times and get up eight.” she says. ‘I am here to escort you to the realm of lost memories. You have the chance to explore your grandfather’s memories from inside him mind. That’s if you so choose.” In other words he will enter a magical world behind a Japanese Memory gate. It’s there, Jonty must collect lost memories from the time when Gramps was a famous primatologist. Thus begins the boy’s adventure.

Along with Jonty, readers are introduced to a fascinating cast of magical creatures, some eerie, others evil, some cute and all memorable to encounter,

especially for those like myself who know very little about Japanese mythology.

With themes of family, love and courage, this unforgettable, pacy tale is poignant and superbly imagined, with the subject of dementia in older people well presented. Also splendid are Sawa’s black and white illustrations; they really help bring the mythological characters to life. I couldn’t put the book down, reading the longish first part in a sitting and saving the rest as something to look forward to the following day.

Hercules vs the Minotaur

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Hercules vs the Minotaur
Tom Vaughan, illustrated by David O’Connell
Scholastic

Written in his usual diary style, Hercules Braver shares what happens at the start of his second year in secondary school. The very first day of term is not good – Hercules soon finds himself in trouble and then back home his mum greets him with, “We’ve got a surprise that I think you’ll like!” Cousin Theseus, son of Poseidon, from Greece is going to spend the next couple of months with them. Shock horror for Hercules but demigod and son of Poseidon, anticipates otherwise – “It’s going to be so much fun, cuz!” Instead, rather than the role model Herc is anxious to be (at last), Theseus causes him to get into trouble at every turn both at school and at home.

Then an opportunity arises for him to perform the perfect good deed: Mr Geras tells the class about how the school will be involved in the town festival and there’s to be a competition to design and build the school’s float which must be shaped like the school mascot – a bull. Later the same day he spies a poster in town announcing a design a maze competition – something Ken would absolutely love to do. Back home Herc gets to work thinking of designs for the float and guess who starts interfering. Ken meanwhile starts thinking of maze designing.

The town float parade is a disaster and Mum tells Herc what he did was his worst thing ever and grounds him and Theo till her book launch party almost two weeks away. Soon after Herc begins to see his cousin in a new light which is just as well because it’s not long before the two boys are forced to work together. Zeus has been focussed on writing the book that the universe is in jeopardy as one of the most terrifying monsters has planned an escape from the Underworld and with both dads now pre-occupied, it’s up to Herc and Theo to track down and stop the Minotaur.

31st October, Hallowe’en is the day of Operation Minotaur. It’s also the day Herc learns something very unexpected about said Minotaur. But can order be restored to the cosmos? … And what will happen at the end of Theo’s two months with Herc? …
With lots of David O’Connell’s amusing illustrations, this is a terrific read that fans of the series will rapidly devour. KALAMATA!

The Genie Game

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The Genie Game
Jordan Ifueko
Piccadilly Press

The story begins on the thirteenth birthday of the narrator Valentine Adesanya when an unexpected birthday present flies through her window in a box – it’s a purple beret . Also in the box is a note ‘ THE SKY IS BLUE, VALLYBEAN.’ – surely this has come from her twenty three year old sister, Vanessa (aka Mango), who since her disappearance, has been forgotten by everyone in her family other than Valentine. These objects set Valentine off on a quest to find her sister.

All her parents (Nigerian immigrants to the U.S.) are anxious about is the future of Valentine who dreams of becoming a movie-maker, rather than working for the Trio Trust that comprises three mega-corporations which run the U.S. It’s these three – Bumblebell Foods, Gloss & Gleam Beauty, and Farafyte Technologies that Valentine suspects have something to do with the disappearance of her sister.

During her investigations, Valentine unintentionally becomes caught up in the Trio Trust’s Genie Game and learns that it’s the wishes granted by the genies trapped in bottles that have been powering her entire world. Having agreed to become a participant in the genie games she rapidly rises to the top of the leader board while also undertaking other quests relating to issues of social justice and the environment as well as capitalism, consumerism and AI. Will she find her sister though?

A powerful, action-packed adventure that leaves readers eagerly awaiting what comes next for Valentine and her family.
Make sure you read the author’s note that follows the story.

Fiddlehead Forest

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Fiddlehead Forest
Jana Curll
Greystone Kids

This book, which is a combination of fiction and fact, had me giggling from the very first chapter.

After a storm has raged through a forest the inhabitants notice that one of their number is no longer standing tall: a tree has come down. Fern address said tree asking, “Are you all right?” and the lack of response prompts a “He’s giving us the silent treatment!” from one of the lichens. Tree then states the obvious and it’s clear that he’s far from happy about this new situation, stating firmly that he doesn’t want to be a log. However Fern, eager to get things back to normal, confidently promises, she’ll do just that. “It’s her personal guaran-TREE! observes a lichen from nearby.

The endeavours of many of the forest residents including Millipede, Mushroom and Moth – the lurer of some rather larger creatures – try their level best to get Log back into a tree position but with little success.

So what about Slug? Slug’s slime (also sticky) gives Fern another idea: using the slippery slime to slide the fallen tree up close to another tree, making a rope from some of the sticky and using it, plus the slippery slime, to drag Log back into a tree again. Ingenious. The team are eager to get “GOO-ING! right away.

However Lichen tells the others “ … I’m going to GO OUT ON A LIMB” saying Log is now ‘GROUNDED!” But rather than merely accept this immediately, Fern is eager for something else. Supposing they do NOTHING though.

Eventually Fern suddenly notices that the fallen tree has now adopted a new role: as nurse log she is supporting the forest’s ecosystem by providing nutrients and shelter for insects, birds and mammals, promoting new growth in the forest and providing a growing surface for plants and other things . “I guess we FERN-ally figured it out.” “It was a LOG time coming.”

Not only does the author/illustrator provide a plethora of punny exchanges, the chapter titles are also puns – ‘SHROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT’ for instance And there’a fair bit of information thanks to cast member contributions -“ ‘MAZIN’ MILLIPEDE,’ “MOTHIN’ AROUND’, ‘A SLIME OF THE TIMES’, ‘LICHEN A LOT’, and others. These focus on the special role in the forest community of each one. Plus there are occasional purely pictorial word play pages.

Highly engaging and with a wealth of puns and other word play, this is exTREEmely educative. Deemed to grow many BUDding scientists among KS2 readers.

Let’s Explore Pigeons

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Let’s Explore Pigeons
Siski Kalla
Catch a Leaf Publishing

This is one of the Urban Wildlife Explorers series that also includes hedgehogs, snails, ducks and moths.

I was having a coffee in Waterstones cafe last week when a pigeon strolled into the store. Perhaps he was looking to see if a copy of this book was yet on display. Feral pigeons are an ever present bird in our town and cities and an animal which most children will encounter.

Those who wish to learn about his bird will discover plenty of information between the covers of Siski Kalla’s book. There has long been an association between humans and pigeons; they were kept for food – for their eggs and flesh; their homing skills employed to carry messages right up to World War 2 and crates of racing pigeons were a familiar sight not long ago. Did you know the late Queen Elizabeth was a fan of pigeon racing and had her own loft?


Though despised by some as pests, they really are a noble bird, a symbol of peace and the subject of a famous painting by Picasso of a peace dove. Ronni the urban rat tells readers all about these things and much more about what fascinating creatures pigeons are in a chatty, child-friendly manner. Complementing this are gently humorous water colour illustrations.
The book concludes with a spread showing how to make a paper pigeon decoration and there’s information about what to do if you find an injured pigeon.

A book to add to KS1 class collections.

On the Other Side of the Forest

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On the Other Side of the Forest
Nadine Robert and Gérard Dubois
Greystone Kids

Arthur a little rabbit, and his dad live with their dog Danton on a small farm in a forest clearing. No one goes into the dark menacing forest ,but Arthur’s dad, who doesn’t believe in the tales of such things as ogres residing therein, is keen to find out what lies beyond the forest. so, he thinks hard, comes up with a plan and starts putting it into action. He takes the wheat they have stored, grinds it into grain and bakes dozens of round loaves.

The following morning locals from the community start stopping by and Dad rabbit offers them each a loaf in exchange for four large stones. With the stones amassed Dad and Arthur start building a tower sufficiently tall that they can see beyond the trees.

Many days of work ensue but then a fierce storm knocks over all their hard work. Dad rabbit though is asleep exhausted and is unaware of the destruction. Meanwhile something wonderful is taking place: the community of rabbits join forces and rebuild the tower twice as tall as it was before. On waking Dad rabbit immediately starts baking again – lots of loaves are made, lots more stones are added to the tower and lots of hard work is done until at last the tower is complete.

Dad, little rabbit and Danton dog are the first to climb up to the top and what a surprise they get …

With its direct telling the story has a folk-tale feel about it and Dubois’ illustrations are a blend of vintage and modern elements and show the rural setting and the collaborative tower-building process. Hmmm! You can almost smell the aroma of bread baking as you read the book.

Come Back, Gosling

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Come Back, Gosling
Anne Booth and David Litchfield
Templar Books

I’m always attracted to a book with David Litchfield’s name on the cover so I couldn’t wait to read this one.
A little girl and her friend, a little gosling, love spending time together, especially their weekly visit to the library to choose new books. These they read together in their special tree house but one week they choose a book with a gosling on the cover. The little girl glances inside, closes it quickly before Gosling can see the contents and that night she hides the book so Gosling can’t find it.

Back to the library they go the following morning: the librarian allows them to borrow three more books and they return to the treehouse to read them. Again the little girl refuses to complete the first book; the second makes Gosling stretch out and flap his wings and so it too is discarded and they return to the tree house to share a fairy tale book. Inside is an illustration of a flying carpet: “That picture makes me feel all happy inside. It makes me want to spread my wings and jump up and down!” says Gosling. The little girl tries to stop her friend jumping but it’s too late. He tumbles over the edge of the tree house and in falling, opens his wings and … flies.

That night Gosling discovers the hidden book and reads it all the way through. The following morning, the missing book is on the table but there’s no sign of Gosling. Then overhead honking and flapping their wings is a large V shaped formation of geese, at the end of which is Gosling. Yes, Gosling can now follow his own path but it’s a path that the little girl is yet to discover until she does as Gosling says and reads the book right to the end.

The friendship endures with Gosling returning every spring to his much loved little girl.

A lovely story that celebrates friendship and the love of books, beautifully captured in many of the scenes. Right from the front endpapers, of the little girl and Gosling on their way to the tree house with a pile of books, David Litchfield’s illustrations are full of wonderful details. The back ones show the same scene in Autumn except that Gosling is now almost a goose. In between, children will delight in finding other books such as A Shelter for Sadness by Anne and David as well as The Wind in the Willows and other favourites.

A smashing book to share and discuss in EYFS and KS1 story sessions. It’s one wherein migration is an integral part of the narrative rather than an add on.

King School

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King School
Alexis Deacon
Otter-Barry Books

When the old king dies, he’s replaced by a new king – shock horror, he’s a child and even worse according to his subjects is that he doesn’t know how to be a king.

The lively little one is sent to a specially built King School where the instruction is, “Sit still, don’t move, keep quiet and listen.” The little king is then clad in heavy robes and golden chains and told important things about all all his predecessors. However, enough is enough. Our new little king rebels. Tossing off his robes he announces, “In King School, kings make the rules.” and he instructs his subjects to stand on their heads.

The people do so. “Now catch me!” cries the king and runs away with the people chasing after. The roles are then reversed and so it continues till everyone is reduced to laughter.

The king then asks to show the people some important things that he discovered for himself. Off into the wild dashes the little king with the people following after. Oh what fun ensues and the people cry, “Long live the king!” The new ruler announces, “This is our new King School” and what a wonderful place it is, for it’s a place where everyone can play together and all the people can learn like kings.

I love the wild abandon that the new king advocates in this somewhat anarchic tale that has at its heart discovering the most important things in life, one of which is joy, another of which is being able to let go. Long live this little king, say I. Alexis Deacon’s mixed media scene of the sombre-robed other worldly subjects standing on their heads is unforgettable as is that of the same characters déshabillé.

Toby Alone

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Toby Alone
Timothée de Fombelle, illustrated by Francois Place
Walker Books
Translated by Sarah Ardizzone

This book is the first part of a two part saga, a fable with an almost thirteen year old hero, Toby Lolness, just one and a half millimetres tall.

The narrative opens in the middle of things with Toby lying injured, a fugitive from the miniature community that populate the Tree. His predicament is on account of his father, Professor Sim Lolness’s refusal to share the secret of his discovery of a process that harnesses the tree’s energy, for the potentially devastating effect.

When greedy industrialist and dictator, Jo Mitch, learns this, he banishes the Lolness family to the tree’s lower dark, damp branches, then imprisons them and a death sentence is passed. Toby escapes and is on the run from an entire world that sees him as a threat to their way of life.

Eventually, near the Border between the Tree and the Ground beyond he finds a safe haven from his pursuers with a family that includes daring young Elisha Lee, The two form a special friendship and then set out to rescue his parents and divert an environmental greed-driven disaster as well as the personal one.

The author of this novel creates an immersive world, and there is betrayal, and occasional violence that may shock some readers. At its core is an ecological message that never becomes heavy, as it’s interwoven with themes of courage, friendship and love. There’s a satisfying, albeit rather abrupt cliffhanger conclusion that leaves readers, especially this one, eager to get hold of the sequel, Toby and the Secrets of the Tree. Making the whole adventure even more intriguing are Francois Place’s black and white illustrations.

Mighty Mega Pets: Freaky Food Fiasco!

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Mighty Mega Pets: Freaky Food Fiasco!
Gary Northfield,
Walker Books

A deliciously silly graphic novel that begins with a group of pets – Daisy the dog, Ginger the cat, Bubbles the goldfish and Arthur the tortoise eating their breakfast as usual when all of a sudden BOOM, they all (except Tortoise) acquire strange superpowers, thanks to a firing of laser beams from the next door moggy. So they form the Mighty Mega Pets, intent on discovering a) why they all got these powers b) whether other pets have also been similarly affected and c) the source of the so- called superpower pet food.

Meanwhile on the other side of Rumford inside a mysterious laboratory is Guinea Big – a guinea pig with huge ideas about himself and his experiments and his eyes set on world domination, no less. While he’s working on his enterprise, The Mighty Mega Pets have gained entry to Pete’s Pets shop. Wow! It appears to have the food they seek but there’s a problem with a parrot to contend with. There’s a surprise for the Mega Pets team as it’s Tortoise who they reluctantly allowed to act as their lookout, who discovers a buckle that could well have belonged to one of the Ruffians. Daisy thinks they are the likely ones behind the super-powered food. A recruitment drive for new Mega Pets members ensues as time is running out to … save the world! Possible or not?

Well, that would be telling; to find out what ensues, you’ll need (no use of superpowers allowed though) to get hold of your own copy of this crazy story wherein teamwork is essential, as is the ability to stand up to bullies.

You Are Nature, Too / Don’t Call Me An Insect!

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You Are Nature, Too!
Gillian Burke, illustrated by Rong Pham and Nguyen
Walker Books

Even in the busy towns and cities many of us live in there’s a wealth of nature just waiting to be discovered and that is exactly what this book encourages, indeed challenges, youngsters to do.
Author, Gillian Burke (a Springwatch co-presenter and biologist) reminds readers/listeners that rather than being separate from the natural world, we humans are a part of it, no matter where our home is. We join two young boys as they explore their city and discover the wonderful natural world, its sights and sounds – all around them – up in the sky, among the trees, between the paving stones and in other unlikely places.

There’s a wealth of new life, a plethora of animal homes, a multitude of natural patterns and a change in what is visible as the sun goes down and night descends.

The mindful text is calming and really does encourage youngsters to slow down, or perhaps stop and observe what surrounds them. The illustrations are a perfect complement to the verbal message, the seek and find challenge beneath each location spread encourages deeper engagement and the book ends with a spread of activities to try.

Don’t Call Me An INSECT!
Charlotte Guillain and Sally Agar
Words & Pictures

We join young Charlie and Bumble (a bee) as they set out on an insect search hoping to find a creature they’ve not seen before. Pretty soon they make their first discovery Charlie learns her first lesson: the minibeast with eight legs sitting on a web is not an insect but an arachnid (the factual explanation is given). Leaving the shed and moving outside they encounter another new creature – again not an insect. This one is a centipede. Further hunting leads to finding several other creepy crawlies – a woodlouse, a millipede and a scorpion but not one insect until at last among the trees they spot several. But how should they classify the caterpillar? It doesn’t quite fit the bill of having ‘three body parts, six legs, a tough exoskeleton’ and maybe wings; it’s time to find out about the life cycle of a butterfly.

With its rhyming narrative and straightforward information pages, this story cum fact book is just right for very young children who will enjoy Sally Agar’s gently humorous illustrations as well as participating in the learning process along with Charlie and Bumble.

Frank the Monster

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Frank the Monster
Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Falkenhem
Gecko Press

Friendless, bookish and very lonely, Frank Steen, the story’s narrator is bitten by neighbour Alice’s supposed guard dog, on his ninth birthday when offering Woof, a share of his birthday cake. What Frank doesn’t know at that moment is that henceforward, his whole life will change.

A week later, after dreaming of being a shaggy creature, running through the forest, Frank awakes to discover he has muddy feet that have left footprints in his room. But this is no dream. Upset that he’s troubling people, Frank visits the library to find out more about the supernatural, monsters especially. One he discovers, was called a werewolf and that the mixing of one’s own human blood with that of a werewolf could cause you to turn into one. From then on Frank deems himself a werewolf, albeit one that prefers tummy rubs to tearing people apart. Despite this, he scares his little brother, Oliver and then later a group of hunters sitting round a forest campfire. This encounter turns out to be more scary for Frank than the hunters.

Eventually, after a visit to his parents from the police, Frank goes to visit Alice again and they end up having a discussion about the monster that’s been frightening the locals. Locals that he frightens yet again when he visits the lakeside beach where they are partying. Will this scaring and being scared ever end? Possibly with the help of ghost Magnolia and Paola, the woman from the library, things might change …

This tale of a boy and his lycanthropy quickly draws the reader in as it gives details of young Franks increasing alienation, frustration and sometimes, anger. Occasional, slightly spooky striking black, blue and white illustrations by Sofia Falkenhem break up the text making it accessible for readers around Frank’s age.

This book, showing that it’s fine to be different, is the first of a series.

Read All About It!

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Read All About It!
Benjamin Hall and Martina Motzo
Harper

Both little Hedgehog and his father are anticipating busy days. Dad hedgehog sets off to his newspaper office ready to write “what new news the news brings.” Little Hedgehog is on holiday from school and packs his rucksack for adventures of his own. As Dad left home he’d reminded his son about the rules. “Don’t talk to strangers, don’t lose my bag, and never ever cross the river alone,” little Hedgehog recited.
However sticking to these rules is anything but easy. Little Hedgehog makes his way to the river bank and skims a stone over the water’s surface to the opposite side: the other side with its exciting possibilities. Suddenly there comes a hooting sound. It’s Baby Owl who’s fallen from her tree and has been spotted by a big hairy bear. Time for a bit of divergent thinking on little Hedgehog’s part. Eventually he manages to scare the bear away

and let Mama Owl know what’s happened to her little one; but the ursine hunter is still roaming about looking for prey. So Mama Owl and little Hedgehog work together to warn all the other forest dwellers of the danger.

Come the evening little Hedgehog apologies to his Dad for his rule-breaking behaviour but the response he receives comes as rather a surprise in more ways than one.

Martina Motzo’s watercolour and ink illustrations are a delight, especially those of little hedgehog as he does his upmost to make a difference in his community; making a difference being one of the important themes of the author’s text.

A story to share and discuss with KS1 children.

Rafi and Rita

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Rafi and Rita
Jarvis and Chris Judge
Walker Books

Meet twin giraffes, Rafi and Rita: likers of the same things and doers of the same things. In fact they’re exactly the same in every possible way. Or are they? Rafi insists he’s taller but so does Rita. To viewers probably the only slight difference is the shape of their markings. Both back up their claim with boastings – “I’m so tall those animals down here look like bugs” says Rafi.” “They are bugs,” Rita retorts, but the boasts grow ever more crazy. “I’m so tall that when an artist tried to do a portrait of me, they ran out of paint.” That’s Rafi’s claim which Rita counters with , “… when my hat fell off, it took three hours to hit the ground.” “I wear clouds as hats. That’s how tall I am. Clouds,” says Rafi and so on.

After Rita talks about feeling traumatised by almost being hit on the head by a shooting star, Rafi writes a song about his superior height.

Suddenly their bragging contest is interrupted by Mama giraffe: she’s come to put them to bed. Calling them, “Little ones” does not go down at all well and is immediately denied by both twins, who are yet to have learned about perspective. However, Mama then says something else, something that will likely set off another round of sibling rivalry and so it will go on and on and …

Readers and listeners will delight in this hilarious verbal wrangling written by Jarvis, and love the final twist. The text is made even funnier when set among Chris Judge’s wonderfully expressive, bold, bright scenes, some of which need the book to be turned through ninety degrees, so tall are the tales they are depicting.

Sockflea

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Sockflea
Laura Dockrill and Eva Byrne
Walker Books

The story’s young (five year old) elephant narrator is super excited: “We are going camping. I’ve never been before. I. CAN’T. WAIT. Marshmallows on sticks. Singing by the campfire! And sleeping under the stars!”

The little elephant’s parent suggests taking a teddybear along but the exuberant little pachyderm insists that no comfort toy is necessary; no Mr Conkie, Gladys the hedgehog, Sugarpie and most definitely not Bad Debbie. So off they go into the wilds.
To begin with all goes well and everything is a great adventure including making new friends.

“I’m like a happy bubble, playful and free” says our narrator. But then comes the night – the dark, dark night; moreover the sleeping bag is sludgy and sweaty, the ground hard beneath one’s back there are scratchy noises and eventually we hear, “WHY DIDN”T YOU MAKE ME BRING MY TEDDIES?”

Fortunately the grown-up is, despite being a tad annoyed, a resourceful carer that just happens to have brought along what looks very like a pair of socks. At first the offering is rejected as “just your normal bobbly, sticky socks!” However scepticism gives way to the unlikely charm of the teddies substitute,

all is well and the camping trip ends up a tremendous success.

I love the ending with a repositioning of the socks and the photo snapshot finale.
Delightfully droll humour from Laura Dockrill’s telling and equally delightful, playful scenes of the drama that unfolds though Eva Byrne’s art make for a book that one envisages becoming a firm favourite with both young children (however brave) and their grown-ups.

Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter: Door of the Dead

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Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter: Door of the Dead
Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Hyun Song We
Walker Books

Relic is now settling into his new genie hunter role and while out with some fellow members of the Hermitic Sodality, Buston a genie appears, saying that he’s been searching for him. He warns Relic that Ravenna has discovered the whereabouts of the lamp imprisoning the Archivist, an ally of the evil genie. Made to look like a book and hidden in a library it is hoped that nobody will discover it and start making wishes. Such wishes might result in the Archivist’s escape, the result being an immensely powerful ally for Ravenna. Consequently, it’s vital that Relic and the other humans locate this book-lamp before Ravenna.

Following the accidental release of the Archivist, the Sodality focus attention on recapturing the genie. However members of the Syndicate of Ghost Emancipators approach, informing them that the Archivist intends to Open the Door of the Dead using the granting of people’s wishes to do so thus allowing those who have died to return to the world. Relic and members of both Sodality and the Syndicate will need to work together to recapture both evil genies, if not disaster will likely follow.

Relic has become much more confident in his abilities since he discovered his genie hunter and Wielder of the Lamps role, something which allows him to work alongside the sprites that are held with the six lamps he owns; but faced with the threats posed by not one but two evil genies, can he cope with the much greater danger and problems he now faces? Can Relic and those of the two organisations work together to recapture both of them, and what will happen if they can’t?

Another element of the story is Relic’s awareness that Tanya is still missing. He is keen to try and find her but isn’t given the opportunity here, though readers hear from her occasionally during this book, paving the way for the next, which is heralded by a promise of Relic’s return at the end. With plenty of black and white illustrations, I strongly recommended the thrilling Door of the Dead for readers of nine and above.

We Are Dragon

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We Are Dragon
Alastair Chisholm
Nosy Crow

We Are Dragon, is Alastair Chisholm’s must-read cracking conclusion to his sci-fi trilogy.

At the heart of this is Rieka: she’s a tech. genius and has spent her entire life aboard Constructs (the gigantic mechanical creatures that battle with one another for territory.) However she is painfully aware that she’s always struggled to fit in with others growing up aboard her original Construct and this feeling of being an outsider has become enflamed now a combatant – DRAGON – has appeared. The true enemy though is Queenie, a computer system gone rogue that was designed to support humanity but is instead battling Constructs, turning them into Dragons and enslaving their crews by means of headsets that take away their free will.
Rieka’s sense of not belonging is further exacerbated in her dealings with those aboard the Construct Cub allied against Queenie. However she believes that only she can turn the course of the war, so she embarks on a path that is perilous not only for herself but also her allies.

What makes Rieka such a relatable protagonist is that alongside the external battling, she faces a very private, internal journey – a truth she must face – and this journey is one readers will find particularly poignant. Dragons’ talons hold readers in a tight grip from the very start of this hugely thought-provoking tale with its clever pacing and brilliant blend of mechanical marvels and human emotion at its most intense.

A book that could stand alone, but I urge readers who have not read I Am Wolf and I Am Raven to start with them. A definite to add to upper KS2 class collections.

Quietly … Quietly … Quack!

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Quietly … Quietly … Quack!
Jonty Howley
Happy Yak

When three little ducks wake up, their Mama is still sleeping so they take advantage of this and sneak put of the duck house to explore the farm. ‘Quietly … Quietly …QUACK!’ On reaching the field they hop along the fence ‘Carefully … Carefully … QUACK!’ Then, eager to smell the farmer’s breakfast but wary of his dog, they sneak along the washing line but emit a loud quack that disturbs said dog.

Despite not being allowed to enter the woods, the three ducklings best way to escape from the dog is to dash into the trees as quickly as they can, only to discover the reason why said territory is out of bounds. They creep past silently but one steps on a twig ‘CRACK!’ That arouses the sleeping creature so they hide in a badger’s den … Nervously … Nervously … QUAAACCCKKK!!! and then race back home … All, so we’re told, without their mother knowing they’ve been out, because they went – well you know how … But did she know, or didn’t she ? I wonder.

With a shortish text that cries out for little humans to join in and droll, arresting illustrations that extend the narrative, this is ideal to share with preschoolers and for beginning readers to try for themselves (once they’ve heard the story read aloud).

Feather Vane

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Feather Vane
Beth O’Brien
Harper Collins Children’s Books

In this unusual story we’re introduced to twin trainee sorcerers born to the amazing enchantress, Ceridwen, who, on account of her exceptional ability with potions, is sent all around the country to put to rights magical issues. Ceridwen and her offspring head off to a village called Greeth-Under-Edge, where magical creatures – fiery salamanders, a river hag, gnomes that guard the earth and sylphs (wind sprites) have descended. Rare creatures all being found in a single location is hitherto unheard of.
However, as chaos is on the rise, Ceridwen uses a powerful potion in an effort to banish the creatures and is ordered to stand trial before the Consort of Paracelsus, charged with breaking The Code of Magic. The result is that the twins are left to don their mother’s mantle and deal with the creatures.

It becomes a fantasy quest to seek out the rare ingredients for a nigh on impossible potion in a world filled with forests, fairies, giants (and a beanstalk) and hags, where nothing is quite what it appears. It involves having to conquer fear, feel proud of who you are and accept help from unexpected sources.

Totally immersive – I read this book in one day – and I know I shall never look at undulating rural landscapes in the same way again.

Mr Norton’s New Truck

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Mr Norton’s New Truck
Huw Lewis Jones and Corey Egbert
Little Tiger

One Monday morning Mr Norton is about to set off for work when he discovers that a bear has been using his bicycle and has left a note to that effect. However, both wheels are now wonky and there’s honey dripping from the basket of the bike. Not one to make a todo, he does his best wobbling all the way but it takes a long time. On Tuesday Mr Norton tries to catch the bus but it’s jam-packed with all manner of creatures and so he walks the entire way in the rain with a few passengers hitching a ride.
Riding a scooter on Wednesday, with even more passengers, or should we say hangers on, he’s late for work ‘because the scooter was small, the bus was too busy, and the bear had been on his bicycle.’
Thursday’s option is a rickety wagon and Friday’s, a pair of roller skates but unsurprisingly he’s late again.

Come Saturday, Horace Norton doesn’t have to go to work and while having a relaxing soak in the bath he has a great idea. Outside in the barn is his grandfather’s old truck where it’s been for a fair few years. The truck has plenty of room for passengers but it’s not in any state to be driven. So on Sunday, he sets to work to make it roadworthy. By evening, he’s exhausted and the truck still isn’t working so he closes his eyes for a quick nap.

During his time of shut-eye, some friends carrying tools, Bear included, creep into the barn and get busy ‘bashing and buffing, welding and waxing, stitching and scrubbing’ throughout the night. Horace Norton is something of an avuncular character and come Monday morning his forbearance has resulted in him being gently woken with a welcome cuppa and a wonderful surprise.

A cracking, crazy cumulative story with repetition children will love to join in with, and dramatic, splendidly expressive, giggle-inducing illustrations. Likely to become a story time favourite in foundation stage/KS1 settings.

Dadbot: Rise of the Badbots / Pandora in Puzzlevale: Call of the Crow

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Dadbot: Rise of the Badbots
Jack Noel
Piccadilly Press

Dadbot returns in a second zany graphic novel story. It begins as Josh and Daisy are going back to school after the summer holidays. However, much as Dadbot would like to join then, Dad assures Josh and Daisy that with the school having banned smartphones, there’s absolutely no chance that “a massive robot with a butt printer” would be allowed so Dadbot must stay at home without them. When the doorbell rings, it’s not as expected their neighbour, but a representative from a company called Rust In Peace showing an interest in and offering loads of money for Dadbot. However Dad sends the rep. packing, but is suspicious of the turtle’s motives.

While Josh and Daisy are at school Dadbot has, with the best will in the world, interrupted Dad and his work but then there’s another ring of the doorbell and a large parcel is left by a delivery guy. It’s not the air fryer Mum has ordered; it’s an AI home assistant, something called a Honey. Dadbot is thrilled to have some company, especially as it’s another robot device. But then things start to go wrong: the internet for the entire town is down and Josh and Daisy are sent home as apparently the school can’t function without whiteboards and computers. Moreover they’re not sure about this new arrival; it feels as though she’s watching them and, her voice keeps on changing. Even worse, Dadbot seems totally besotted with Honey. Things get even weirder.
Dad takes Josh and Daisy to Silicon Valley to follow up on a label that was attached from one of the little robots that has appeared and to discover what exactly is going on.

However they find themselves face to face with a surprising character with a mission; and, Dadbot is definitely in danger. Things escalate and Josh and Daisy need to act super-fast to save not only Dadbot but their whole town; can they do so? Maybe with help from an unexpected source …

With plethora of puns and robots, this is huge fun especially for young tech. enthusiasts.

Pandora in Puzzlevale: Call of the Crow
Paul Duffield, Siobhan McKenna & Poqu
David Fickling Books

We’re back in Puzzlevale, the curious town where virtually everything is a mystery. Trapped there in a weirdly eerie mist that seems to transform whatever it touches, is Pandora, lover of mysteries. She knows that if she’s ever to see her parents again, she must unravel Puzzlevale itself and escape its clutches. There are twenty five mysteries in all to unravel in the story and to do so, she’ll need to crack codes, work through mazes, locate hidden objects and solve riddles, aided and abetted by readers.

This is a graphic novel and puzzle book all rolled into one, with intriguing puzzles that make for a thoroughly entertaining read. (At the end of the book are hints and answers called Pandora’s notes, some of which have visuals.)