These are both additions to series that are popular with young solo readers and as read alouds: thanks to Piccadilly Press for sending them for review:

Dream Keepers: Whispers of Wishing River
Rebecca Lewis-Oakes, illustrated by Anastasiya Kanavaliuk

Book 4 in this enchanting series set in the sleepy town of Sunny Wood and featuring Fatima and her friends who make sweet dreams for the town’s residents begins with Fatima eagerly looking forward to a day’s kayaking on the lake with her buddies. However as she’s getting ready she hears an announcement on the radio saying that due to a recent surge of pollution, the Sunny Wood Lake will be closed until further notice. She quickly contacts Mai, Paisley and Bella asking them to meet her at the library instead. Garvin the librarian, who arrives late to open up, as well as Bella, wonder why she wants boxes he’s discarded. After emptying out the contents of her bag she announces that they’re going to hold an anti pollution protest and the boxes are needed to make signs.

That night, with the aid of her black stone Fatima meets her friends again and they discover a new favourite part of the wood.
Then a few days later Garvin turns up at the library on foot having left his car at home and walked to work. Could it have been on account of a dream, he suggests. He also offers to put up one of the girls’ protest posters in the library. The girls then visit Joya (who was once a Dream Keeper) owner of the apothecary.

Horrified at the news of the pollution she willingly puts up a poster in her shop and also offers words of encouragement to the Dream Keepers, telling them, “It’s a big job but together you can do it … It’s not just Moon Wood, it’s the magic of the four of you together. There’s a strength in your friendship, you know.” Then Fatima’s mum tells her that she called off her daily run on account of the extra pollution, making Fatima all the more determined. Protest day is rather disappointing but Fatima remains determined, albeit getting a tad tetchy.She also starts to wonder if the Dream River is polluted, realising that if so, it must be the work of The Dark Queen, Queen of Nightmares.

By sticking firmly together, can the strength of the Dream Keepers defeat her once and for all?

The importance of friendships is key in this magical story that is an ideal read aloud for KS1 classes as well as a solo read for those who are confident with illustrated chapter books.

Lunar Grace Girl From Outer Space: Monster Mix Up
Julie Sykes, illustrated by Emily Jones

Luna is super excited to learn that her grandparents are coming to visit from Starbright, their home planet. She’s eager to show them how grown-up she has become since she and her parents moved to Earth and has decided to show them round her school’s Halloween fair.
However things don’t quite go to plan. With minor disasters such as a collapsed castle of the bouncy kind can she remedy her mix-ups? Perhaps, with an occasional sprinkling of subterfuge, some magical assistance at the hoopla stall and lots of determination.

This third story in the series with its generous helping of Emily Jones’s colourful illustrations will captivate younger readers and likely win Luna some new followers too. However those who haven’t met her before should start with Luna Grace Girl From Outer Space.