Tag Puffin Books

Skulkmoor / Royal Institute of Magic: Elizabeth’s Legacy

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Skulkmoor
Hana Tooke
Puffin Books

Time was, the great house of Skulkmoor stood proudly on a hillside capturing the attention of all who passed by. Nowadays, it’s a peculiar puzzle of a place, in part on account of a huge wall that cuts the place in half and separates the two opposing families that live within. This is because many years ago, the Fox family was torn apart by an incident dubbed as murder, and a dispute about inheritance: without an obvious heir, the huge family fortune – and the house – has been divided into two. Now though, two young cousins, Iris and Ted, one from each of the rival sides, are pitted against one another, racing to solve the historic crime or face losing their home forever.

Can Iris and Ted set aside their differences and save that family fortune, if not they will in part be responsible for destroying everything.

Infused with humour, this richly detailed, compelling gothic mystery with two memorable protagonists – we see things alternately from each one’s perspective – will keep readers on edge hoping for an amicable solution to the deeds of the past.

Royal Institute of Magic: Elizabeth’s Legacy
Victor Kloss
Vinci Books

It’s two years since Ben Greenwood’s parents disappeared but he knows they are still alive and despite everybody else having given up hope, he is determined to find out what happened to the couple who are supposedly, environmentalists.

One day he comes upon a letter he’s not seen before and wonders whether this and the piece of cloth with it could help him solve the mystery. The letter is from an organisation called the Royal Institute of Magic and is dated a day before his parents disappeared. Like most people, fourteen-year-old Ben knows nothing about what the Royal Institute of Magic is, but he has his first clue – the logo on the letter.

So he and his close friend, Charlie, set out to find this Institute. Charlie and Natalie are an excellent combination of bravery, instinct and knowledge, qualities that will be vital to Ben’s quest. They are joined by a young girl, Natalie, who is with the Institute and is charged with watching out for both of them. Having avoided the Wardens they find themselves in the wood elves’ forest and Natalie becomes separated from the others.

Eventually Ben and Charlie arrive at the Floating Prison where beheadings will take place unless …
With lots of twists and turns, this intriguing fantasy quest will appeal to older readers who like discovering new worlds with magical happenings.

The Skeleton Puzzle / A Stocking Full of Spies

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The Skeleton Puzzle
Lisa Thompson
Scholastic

The young detectives of Chestnut Close – Matthew, Melody and Jake – return to try and solve another mystery. A skeleton is discovered buried in the garden of their neighbour, Old Nina and the three are determined to find out who it is, how it got there and who was responsible. Jake has also found what looks like a wedding ring.

Then Nina’s long-lost son turns up, with a young son of his own. The boy is obsessed with a shape-shifting puzzle that he manipulates all the time. Are the two really who they claim to be? The three friends are suspicious and think they could well be imposters. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect the father, who calls himself Michael, almost certainly is.

Meanwhile Jake is struggling at home with his sick mother and is trying to keep this to himself; and Matthew is acting somewhat mysteriously.

With priceless jewels possibly hidden somewhere on the Close, this twisting-turning mystery will keep you on tenterhooks, right through to the final page, which sets things up for the next in the series.

A Stocking Full of Spies
Robin Stevens
Puffin Books

It’s almost Christmas in 1941 and a bomb has fallen on Deepen School for Girls : May and Nuala have been removed from the chaos there and sent to join May’s and Eric’s elder sister, Hazel Wong, who is working at Bletchley Park. Almost immediately they find themselves working on their most dangerous case thus far. One of the codebreakers has been shot and in his pocket is discovered a top-secret message.

Was he in fact a spy, was the message planted on him; was this just a tragic accident or murder?: Whatever it was Daisy’s brother, Bertie has been blamed; even Bertie himself is unsure whether he was actually responsible for the death. Hazel and Daisy set Nuala, May and Eric the task of finding out what actually did happen and thus proving Bertie’s innocence. The three of them are acting as messengers between the huts but Bletchley Park is a secretive place wherein a number of Britain’s most brilliant minds are at work, they will have to listen, watch and they hope, unearth the truth. They are very different characters: May is impulsive and Nuala and Eric more considered in their actions, so they’re an interesting team.

Then a second murder takes place – are they linked? Was it the same murderer again? What a challenge the three face.

A clever cracker of a story for confident readers from Y4 onwards: it works was a standalone but it would be better to read the previous two books first.
(In her author’s note, Robin Stevens suggests that many of the Bletchley Park staff were neurodivergent though in the story we’re never told if this applies to any of the characters featured.)

Score Like A Striker

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Score Like A Striker
Ben Lyttleton
Puffin

Have you ever imagined yourself scoring the vital goal in the soccer World Cup final, if the answer’s yes, this first title in the author’s Football Skills series is likely to be the ideal book for you; it’s written by Ben Lyttleton, a former soccer scout, now broadcaster, football club co-owner and penalty coach.

The author showcases and analyses the techniques used by brilliant goal-scorers such as Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Chloe Kelly (she who scored the winning penalty against Spain in a thrilling penalty shootout which secured England the UEFA Women’s Championship a few days back); showing readers what is necessary to become a shining star on the pitch. First you need to love the game for its own sake, but in addition to skill, a great deal of practice, dogged determination and resilience are necessary; so too is a willingness to learn from your own mistakes.

The chapters are kept short, the facts are punchy, there’s humour in the writing and the illustrations are detailed, so whether readers want to sharpen their footie skills or just read yet more about their favourite sport, then they should get hold of a copy.

The Seaside Sleepover

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The Seaside Sleepover
Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Rachael Dean
Puffin

This latest addition to the Sleepover series takes place during the summer holidays. (For those who haven’t read the previous ones, Daisy’s elder sister Lily is a wheelchair user and uses Makaton to communicate.) Daisy wonders what she’ll find to do with her best friend, Emily having gone on a seaside holiday in a caravan.

Next door to Daisy’s family lives old Mr Norman and his dog, Scruff. She’s very fond of the dog but Mr Norman is standoffish and proud so resents interference from other people. However when he takes a tumble and has to go to hospital there’s really nobody else to take care of Scruff and reluctantly Mum agrees that the dog can stay with them. This makes the school holiday a rather more exciting prospect. Then Daisy starts wishing they could take Scruff to the seaside; she’s sure he’d enjoy that as much as she would.

That evening Daisy’s Uncle Gary face-times them and is very excited: he’s putting on a family friendly comedy show at the seaside. He’s staying in a posh hotel that has additional holiday homes including one he thinks would suit them. At last Daisy’s parents agree and on the Saturday, they’re off, accompanied by Scruff and Lily’s friend, Natalie who uses a support for walking.

What an eventful time they have especially being in the front row for Uncle Gary’s performance when he cross-dresses and becomes Gloriette; but there are surprises, new friends

and some difficult situations to deal with too.

There are few authors who both understand children so well and portray them so credibly in stories as Jacqueline Wilson. Rachael Dean’s light-hearted illustrations further enliven the drama.

KS2 readers will devour this and I throughly recommend it for classroom collections and home bookshelves.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess
Jeff Kinney
Puffin Books

In this 19th book of the series, Greg Heffley and his extended family are spending a summer holiday at a beach house, the very same cabin that his Mum’s family stayed in back in the day when she and her sisters were girls. The reason for this particular location is for Gramma’s seventy fifth birthday, she has requested a re-creation of a family photograph taken at their favourite holiday spot on Ruttyneck Island. As she’s head of the family, there’s no avoiding this and she certainly deserves her top of the hierarchy position on account of her incredible meatballs, the secret ingredients of which are a closely guarded secret. Now with mum determined to carry out Gramma’s wishes, there’s no getting out of it and Greg for one is of the opinion that this will be the worst holiday ever. The thought of spending so much time with his twin cousins, Malcomb and Malvin is appalling and he anticipates that as usual, whenever his Mum and her sister are in close proximity of one another there’s sure to be an argument. The ‘quality family time’ together that Mum hopes for is enough to make Greg shudder: more like the holiday is a recipe for disaster.
The accommodation itself gets things off to a terrible start. To say it’s cramped is a massive understatement and attempting to sleep on a blanket spread on the floor in front of the TV is about as far from satisfactory as Greg can get. Moreover, the so-called beach house, isn’t even on the beach, which means carrying all the gear there, carefully avoiding the part cordoned off as a protected area for nesting plovers. Then once on the beach proper, the items Mum has brought for playing with are ‘old-fashioned’ causing the diarist to write , ‘people must have been wired a little different back then, because none of this stuff was doing anything for me.’

Greg however does learn a few interesting things including some juicy family history about Mum and Cakey’s old boyfriends, as well as information about a canine social media star.
All in all a crazy, funny saga of family with surprises aplenty especially that final twist. My vegan sensibilities prevents me from offering readers a plate of Gramma’s meatballs to eat as they devour this book.

Dino Dad Ice Age

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Dino Dad Ice Age
Andy Day, illustrated by Steven Lenton
Puffin Books

In this sequel to Dino Dad, CBeebies host Andy Day transports readers to the magical island of Dinotropolis. There, protectors of their prehistoric allies young Ruby Thumb and her Dad, both of whom are able to transform into dinosaurs, embark on a cool quest. They need to rescue a baby woolly mammoth and try to reunite it with its mum, as well as unfreeze Dinotropolis.

Their adventure is filled with witty banter, there are heartwarming moments and the narrative is sprinkled with dinosaur facts that young dino- enthusiasts will love. (This reviewer learned something from Ruby’s dino facts after the tale ).

Steven Lenton’s terrific, captivating black and white illustrations help bring the story to life on the page

for young listeners or readers just flying solo, as they join the Thumb duo in their undertaking. Then once they emerge from the tale, there are some empty drawing frames at the back of the book and an invitation to fill them.

Doubtless young audiences will be eagerly awaiting Big Dino Talent Show coming next March.

The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks

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The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks
Katie Kirby
Puffin Books

I found my self spluttering with laughter at almost every turn of the page in this account of the events of the festive season as described in Lottie’s diary from 30th November through to New Year’s Eve. Lottie absolutely loves Christmas but is a tad disappointed to hear that it’s to be a ‘small family affair’ sans her grandparents and other relations. If you’re familiar with events in Lottie’s life you’ll anticipate that it’s unlikely to go as expected.

Before the holiday comes though, there’s her form’s Secret Santa to sort out, not to mention that her brother Toby is driving her crazy with his baa-ing at every opportunity (he’s been chosen as second sheep in his school nativity play), a very dramatic visit to the Father Christmas grotto at the garden centre, baby Bella uttering her first word (bum) and repeating it frequently,

developments in the Daniel/Antoine dilemma to deal with, an unexpected substitution when Toby’s nativity is performed in the church and a muddle that begins due to her lack of fluency in French during her WhatsApp communication with Antoine about drinking eggnog – surely she didn’t somehow invite his entire family for Christmas dinner, did she?


Add to all that an on-going ‘Elf on the Shelf issue’, a sudden change of heart by her grandparents, a fair few other unexpected arrivals and the depositing of sparkly poo … It’s not hard to see that chaotic is just what Lottie’s Christmas proves to be. I certainly wouldn’t want to be Lottie’s long-suffering mum.

With stick figure illustrations sprinkled throughout, readers around Lottie’s age (10-13) will delight in her final jottings of the year.

The Christmasaurus and the Night Before Christmas

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The Christmasaurus and the Night Before Christmas
Tom Fletcher and Shane Devries
Puffin Books

A magical re-imagining of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ delivered in rhyme by Tom Fletcher and Shane Devries’ vibrant art. The story focuses on the well-meaning dinosaur Christmasaurus and his endeavours to assist Santa and his elves with their preparations for their most important night of the year. The trouble is everything the creature tries to do goes wrong. The elves do their best to make Christmasaurus feel wanted, even directing him to a large Christmas tree outside that needs decorating; however what he uses as adornments are anything but attractive.

Enough is enough: the dinosaur is left alone and miserable as the snow starts falling : can Christmas still come without him, he wonders.

Happily who should come along but Santa who changes everything. Rather than being forgotten, Christmasaurus emerges as a special helper, with self-esteem restored, a unique being that now knows that Christmas magic isn’t about perfection, rather it celebrates the unique talent that makes every individual sparkle.

With its important message about embracing difference, this uplifting tale is chock-full of that festive feel that will bring delight to young listeners and adult readers aloud at home and in the classroom. If shared with a class, make sure they have time to enjoy and explore the two gate-fold spreads.

Fia and the Last Snow Deer

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Fia and the Last Snow Deer
Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn
Puffin Books

I deferred reading this, put off by the hype it’s had, but once I started, I was immediately drawn in by the author’s lyrical writing and magical storytelling, reading her verse novel in a single sitting.
The setting is Ireland in ancient times and it’s narrated by Fia whose village is trapped under a blanket of snow where after several unending winters the starving villagers are eagerly awaiting the return of the hunters, due to arrive before the next solstice.

However they come with barely enough for a couple of days and so the villagers gather to determine the fate of Fia’s snow deer, Solas (born under the same solstice as the girl thirteen years ago) not only for his meat but also for an ancient prophecy promise that an ultimate sacrifice will return sunlight and life to the world. However, Fia plots with her great grandmother to seek out the Deer Mother who wakes the world at the winter solstice thus saving the village and Solas. Then Fia and her cousin Mish run from the village with Solas, travelling through the harsh landscape, facing such perils as lurking shadows and hardship. They also meet a wolf.

During the journey Fia learns a lot about loyalty, love, family, friendship, jealousy and kindness, and readers find out more about both Fia and Mish, their relationship and standing within the village, as well as the expectations and pressures of birthright and of prophecies. Will they make it to the Deer Mother and ultimately, will Fia find the courage to make the sacrifice required to end winter and bring the sun back – a sacrifice she didn’t fully understand at the outset?

An integral part of the story are Dermot Flynn’s stunning illustrations which echo the transition from darkness to light, while highlighting the love, hardship and hope of the narrative.

A spellbinding read for chilly winter days, best enjoyed snuggled up while consuming a hot chocolate.

Dexter Procter the 10-year old doctor

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Dexter Procter the 10-year old doctor
Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Paker
Puffin

Pretty much the moment he was born it was evident that Dexter Proctor was no ordinary infant. He spoke his first words when just four seconds old and by the age of three when most little ones are entering nursery, Dexter had passed eighty six A-levels. By age ten he was working as a paediatrician at Lilydale General Hospital having gained A* in all his exams at medical school bar communication skills where he only managed a B minus.

On his very first day he’s assigned to A & E where during the afternoon he’s called a genius by one of his first patients – a man who had a toilet seat stuck on his head,

or rather he did until Dexter successfully extricated him from his ‘bathroom-themed necklace’. It will come as no surprise however to learn that many others Dexter encountered are much more ageist towards him.

Pretty soon Dexter is moved to the paediatrics department where he has a few run ins with Dr Drake who quickly becomes his arch enemy. Add to this that the boy is constantly having to navigate the challenges posed by his irritating, albeit loving family and his loyal friends, not to mention a bullying classmate nemesis Toby Tanner who turns up with a troublesome foot. No prizes for guessing who he’s related to.
Then comes a major issue at Dexter’s old school where all the teachers are inexplicably struck down with severe diarrhoea; what on earth or in the school staffroom is the cause. Can Dexter possibly solve the mystery, save his medical career and find his place in the world?

Brimming over with humour, some of it of the gross kind, Adam Kay’s first novel for KS2 readers, liberally dosed with Henry Paker’s hilarious illustrations to complement the text, will have readers giggling all the way to the final letter.

The O.D.D. Squad: Attack of Aunty Enchanty

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The O.D.D. Squad: Attack of Aunty Enchanty
Stuart Heritage and Vincent Batignole
Puffin Books

Like the first title in the series, this sequel is fast, funny – often ridiculous and highly illustrated.. In case you’ve not read Rise of Invisidog, the setting is Justice City and the O.D.D squad comprises a team of more than a tad inept crime-fighters – superhero duckling Quack Attack, Detective Octopus and Invisidog (the team’s newest member). A weird threesome indeed and when it comes to apprehending criminals, they do a pretty decent job, as they did at the start of this book when they succeeded in getting The Incredible Slowman safely in handcuffs.

However on returning to headquarters they discover that the place had been broken into and a note left by one Aunty Enchanty claiming to have kidnapped their pal Graham the jellyfish. Now this particular villain, unlike the Incredible Slowman, far from being a bungling idiot; is reputedly an all-powerful sorceress who is intent on carrying out an evil plan to destroy Justice City.
The next thing the team know, one of their number – Detective Octopus – is missing; she’s currently in the clutches of Aunty Enchanty who has designs on the captive’s brain. Unbeknown to the captor however, octopuses actually have nine brains. In order to translate the hieroglyphics which would give her unlimited powers the one needed is that which the octopus least wants her to have. The situation gets progressively worse with Detective Octopus having to join the missing jellyfish in an underwater lagoon

closely guarded by the arch evil one, and Quack Attack now having an alter ego, Quacksquatch, a giant were-duck. How on earth or underwater, will this sorry saga end? Can the three detectives get back together and even bring Aunty Enchanty to justice?

Another zany, metafictive romp wherein chapters end on cliffhangers, frequently with a comment from author, Stuart. Coffee anyone?

Star of the Show

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I have a guest reviewer today: my relation Emmanuelle, an 11 year old, avid reader. Here’s what she had to say:

Star of the Show
Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Rachael Dean
Puffin Books

Jaqueline Wilson’s latest book is an amazing tale of family and hardship. Tess, from whose viewpoint the story is told, and her family live in Victorian England. Sadly their Ma has just died and their Pa has walked out on the children. The five siblings, Maggie, Connor, Tess, Tommy and baby Ada do their best to support one another, the older brother and sister doing all they can to earn some money. Tess though dreams of being a dancer. but she has to attend The Ragged School where she looks after little Ada.
One day she learns of a pantomime that is to be performed at The Grand Theatre and she determines to audition for a role dancing in Cinderella … Can she possibly fulfil her wish?

I really loved reading this story, especially the way in which you are introduced to the characters and gradually learn more about them all as the narrative unfolds. It’s great to see how, from such a bad situation at the start, things get progressively better for every one of them.
One thing I found surprising was that readers only truly understand the title in the second part of the book.

A wonderful story and one I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys stories set in bygone days or wants to pursue a dream.

Don’t Disturb the Pirate!

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Don’t Disturb the Pirate!
Rhiannon Findlay and Sîan Roberts
Puffin Books


Young children will have fun joining the young protagonist in a search for his lively puppy, Patch, that has run away. There’s a need to tread carefully however and keep a watch out so as not to disturb the pirate captain and his crew. Scallywag Island offers plenty of hiding places for both pirates and the missing pup and who knows, you could stumble upon a treasure chest, a magical tree, a mermaid or even a helpful map. After looking high and low

what should our young pup hunter spy through his binoculars? Assuredly it’s something unexpected.

With its touches of magic, clues to follow, unexpected ending and fun, throwaway lines on the final page, young children will enjoy the adventure delivered through a jaunty rhyming text and Sîan Roberts’ exciting, brightly coloured scenes of the search. Make sure to peruse the map at the front of the book before you share the story. and allow time for young children to enjoy the playful details in the illustrations as you read.

Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed To Earth / Max Meow: Donuts and Danger / Blood City Rollers

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These are three Puffin Books graphic novels – thanks to the publisher for sending them for review.

Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed To Earth
Judd Winick

Meet Daniel Jackson Lim, known as D.J. His siblings are all high achievers but D.J. thinks he’s no good at anything other than being friends with Gina; but then Gina moved away. So he’s left without anything that makes him special until suddenly one day Hilo crash lands near to where he lives almost destroying his clubhouse. Hilo is clad only in silver underpants of the outstanding kind and has no idea from whence he came or why. He has a tendency to eat anything and everything and somehow manages to get himself enrolled at D.J.’s school. As they’re going into class, who should be there but Gina, Daniel’s best friend, recently returned from New York City; so now the two become a threesome.

It quickly transpires that Hilo isn’t the only unexpected arrival from out of the sky though: there’s the monstrous Rant – a robotic ant that Hilo attacks with his laser-shooting hands before it can consume his friends. This monstrous creature however also gives D.J. an opportunity to discover that he too has powers, powers that he can make use of to assist Hilo. Indeed this self-discovery is an important element of the action-packed drama. Who or what though is this Razorwark that haunts Hilo’s dreams and why is he intent on destruction?

With some terrific one liners from Hilo, this is a gripping visual delight that ends on a cliff hanger leaving readers all agog for the next adventure.

Max Meow: Donuts and Danger
John Gallagher

In case readers missed his first adventure, Max Meow opens this sequel with an introductory recap.
Now Max’s human friend Mindy, has gained powers and created a superhero persona of her own. The trouble is Science Kitty.is such a perfectionist, she is scared to try being a hero in public.
However, there’s explosive trouble at the firework factory, robberies start occurring that quickly become a veritable crime wave with problems really erupting at the Kittyopolis Food Fest. Furthermore it appears that an evil, bushy-tailed being aided and abetted by others, has designs on the world’s donut supply so it’s patently obvious that the entire city is in a seriously dangerous predicament. Surely now is the time for Mindy to set aside her concerns about being perfect and apply her many skills however imperfect she might consider them, to helping Cat Crusader save the day, not to mention the donuts.

My head was spinning after reading the book; there’s a possibility that the brain scrambler belonging to one of the villains has been pointed in my direction. Young fans of Max however will likely not be so affected and lap up this mix of madness, mayhem and mimicking with its themes of friendship, fear, bravery, loyalty and jealousy.

For older readers is

Blood City Rollers
V.P. Anderson and Tatiana Hill

Meet Mina Murray, a young figure skater with a pushy Mum intent on her getting a place in the Olympics. But then she takes a tumble, breaks her arm and things change dramatically. Mina is talent-spotted and kidnapped by two vampires who want to try her out as a member of their Blood City Rollers team a paranormal roller derby team. She accepts the drink they offer to heal her arm and then it’s time to put on the gear and start learning new ways of skating. The more she practises, the more Mina feels that as a team member is where she really belongs.
Ending on a cliff-hanger, this first of a series. Its mix of comedy, paranormal horror and a diverse cast of characters will appeal to readers around the age of Mina.

The Great Crisp Robbery / The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks

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The Great Crisp Robbery
Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Thomas Flintham
Nosy Crow

The latest story narrated by Izzy unfolds on a night train from Aberdeen to London. None of the young travellers has been on a sleeper train before and the realisation that it means bunk beds adds to the excitement. A BIG ADVENTURE indeed: Gary Petrie even has his silky dressing gown and judging from the enormity of her suitcase it would appear that Maisie thinks she’s going to be away for ages. Why though has Miss Yu and not Miss Jones been designated ‘teacher in charge’ when the children have only known her for a few days? Surprising to Izzy is that Jodi suddenly appears on the train having escaped early from the wedding she’s been at and she’s still wearing a floaty pink bridesmaid dress.

As the journey is about to get under way Izzy looks out the window and gasps in horror: on the platform stands a hooded figure watching them: surely it has to be a train robber. Those familiar with Pamela Butchart’s child characters know that it doesn’t take much for imaginations to run wild and their misunderstandings to become suspicions that lead to them being way off beam as they become certainties. Here we have a group of hysterical youngsters on account of Gary’s sixteen missing packets of crisps, albeit Tesco Finest varieties, not to mention all the spending money.

How on earth – make that on railway lines – is this all going to end? Actually it doesn’t exactly do so for puffing and panting and puzzling over what Miss Yu will say in her ‘quick chat’ readers leave the train about an hour from its destination.

Primary readers will devour this faster than Gary’s crisps and the sandwiches from the refreshments trolley and then want more. With its multitude of twists and turns, this adult reviewer was left decidedly dizzy especially at the impending BIG TROUBLE facing Izzy and her pals.

The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks
Katie Kirby
Puffin Books

Presented in diary form as usual, with plenty of Lottie’s amusing doodles, this one relates the events from New Year’s Day to the day after Valentine’s day.

January 1st sees Lottie in high spirits about her new boyfriend, Daniel, but as readers might expect, Amber is jealous and makes plenty of mean remarks about the relationship. She even starts giving out application forms at school for the role of Amber’s boyfriend, and then holds auditions.

With regard to Lottie however, she has an abundance of hugely embarrassing moments due to eyebrow alterations and style icon attempts with over-size earmuffs, just to name a couple. Then comes brother Toby’s announcement of his new year’s resolution: to get a dog and for once in her life, Lottie is in agreement with him, even going so far as to aid and abet his plan for mum persuasion. Eventually there comes a new member of the household: enter five-month old golden cockapoo, named Snookers, though that soon gets changed to Pot Noodle, thanks to a remark by Mum. Said pooch is adorable but there’s a major snag, he’s full of mischief, destructive and definitely, despite what Dad was led to believe, NOT toilet trained. How on earth is Lottie meant to cope with a new boyfriend and a new dog that insists on leaving deposits of poo all over the carpet and in other extremely annoying places.

Assuredly she has a whole lot less time to spend on other people – her gang especially, one of whom, Jess, shares the news that she might be gay.

My goodness all that and more in just a few weeks. It’s easy to see why the Lottie Brooks books have become so popular with’tweenage’ girls. I have no doubt fans of the series will eagerly devour this and readers new to Lottie will be equally enthusiastic after reading this one.

Max Meow: Cat Crusader / Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig!

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Max Meow: Cat Crusader
John Gallagher
Puffin Books

There’s a feline superhero on the prowl It’s Max Meow, resident of the ‘furr-ociously cool city of Kittyopolis’. Max is an aspiring vlogger and podcast host and his best friend is human scientist Mindy Microbe whom he visits in her secret lab, the intention being to make a science video. Mindy has acquired a rare space meatball, which is suddenly snatched away. by a robot. The friends give chase, seize it back and when Max takes a bite of it, he finds himself with superpowers; with the ability to fly, super strength and a fiery tail, he becomes the Cat Crusader.

It transpires that the robot Reggie was sent by the villainous Agent M, a mouse, and Big Boss who want the meatball for their own heinous purposes.

Max finds that being a super hero is hungry work and so he and Mindy head for their favourite restaurant to sate their appetites. This leads via some hot sauce, to a falling out between the two of them and they stop speaking to one another.

Both tricky and sticky situations occur with the result that Max realises that superpowers alone will not be sufficient to save the day and indeed, save Kittyopolis itself.

Action-packed, and with pawsful of wacky humour, this pacy tale cleverly sets the scene for the second book in the series. Fans of visual story-telling especially will lap it up.

Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig!
Jamie Smart
David Fickling Books

I’m sure for readers of comics and graphic novels, the name Jamie Smart and his anarchic Bunny vs Monkey series needs no introduction and this is a paperback edition of a previously published hardcover documenting the wild and wacky escapades of Bunny et al in the woods through the four seasons from spring through to winter, concluding with a gathering for Christmas lunch. With its frenetic pacing and giggle-inducing gags throughout, enthusiasts will relish the on-going daftness.

Off-the wall comedy for primary readers doesn’t get better than this.

Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

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Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit
Clare Harlow, illustrated by Karl James Mountford
Puffin Books

Since arriving in the curious town of Shelwich searching for her father who has gone missing, and been hoodwinked by one Alexo Rokis, Ista Flint has become familiar with its winding cobbled streets. Whereas most of the town’s residents are born with a magic gift – a Tide-blessing – of some kind, Ista is a face-changer with the magical ability to take on the appearance of anyone she encounters, something she makes use of for all manner of purposes.

As we read, ‘Amongst the cobbled streets of Shelwich, magic rises and falls with the tide.’, but something weird is happening; many townsfolk are mysteriously disappearing and it seems to be happening more often.

Then Issa meets Nat and Ruby, both of whom are on searches of their own but to save the town they need to work together and find out what is really going on. A perilous enterprise it turns out to be and one readers are quickly caught up in, desperate to uncover the truth along with the three child protagonists. as their quest takes numerous twists and turns.

With its richly imagined, immersive world building, enriched by Karl James Montford’s wonderful illustrations, dark magic aplenty and much uncertainty as to who is and who isn’t, a villain, the book ends in such a way that some things are left open for further adventures of Ista, that readers, including this reviewer, eagerly anticipate.

Super Sausage Dog To The Rescue

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Super Sausage Dog To The Rescue
Rachel Morrisroe, illustrated by Jenny Taylor
Puffin

When this story starts – the first in a new series – Dottie, an adorable dachshund is residing at Doris Darling’s Home for Dogs. In order to find a forever home however, she is keeping under wraps the fact that this dachshund cross has super skills; she can fly and she can talk. Then into the rescue centre come Harry and his dad and before Dottie can say ‘treat’ she’s in a car heading for a new abode.

Once settled in, it’s not long before Dottie’s super skills are discovered by Harry and the pooch takes the risk of sharing her entire life history with the boy. Happily he thinks Dottie is amazing.
As the two are talking together, a squirrel appears at the window and using its breath and paws writes a message on the glass urging them to attend a meeting the following dawn. Dottie’s powers are urgently needed by Rebecca Refractor who runs Superpets, a secret organisation of superhero pets that keep the world safe from super villains.  How though can the superpets keep the world safe when they are being kidnapped by a supervillain intent on making them part of her collection? 

It’s up to ‘Super Sausage’ Dottie and Harry to stop the petnapping of the remaining superpets by Sparkletta Collector, either that or face being her next victims. Can the duo do it?

The two lead characters take turns to narrate their action-packed adventure giving readers a lot of laugh-out-loud moments: Dottie describes her farts thus, ‘My trumpets are louder than twenty trombones in an orchestra. Big, broccoli-scented bottom belches billow down into the room.’
More laugh-out-loud moments, including one of the Prime Minister glued to the wall wearing his polka-dot pants, are provided by Jenny Taylor’s drawings.

And who wouldn’t want to visit ‘The Factual History Museum’ – just one of Rachel Morrisroe’s splendidly playful phrases. I found myself giggling every couple of minutes as I read this zany tale and like its target audience of primary readers, will eagerly await book two.

Dino Dad

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Dino Dad
Andy Day, illustrated by Steven Lenton
Puffin Books

Dinosaur daftness to delight comes in the form of a Dino-Dad-Day spent with six year old narrator, Ruby Thumb, her little sister Indiana (Little Indie for short) and their dad, who is a dinosaur expert. Mum, a rare animal photographer, is at work. The adventure takes place on a Saturday and is precipitated by Indie consuming some of Dad’s ‘prehistoric’ porridge then going into his study during a game of hide-and-seek and roaring while they waited for him to clear up a gooey porridgy mess.

When Ruby gives chase, she discovers that her little sibling has vanished. As a result Dad then reveals something he’s always kept quiet about : Ruby is a POOPA – A Protector Of Our Prehistoric Allies – so too are Dad, Mum and Indie. Dad suspects Indie touched his magical ammonite shell when in his study and has accidentally been transported to Dinnotropolis.

Time for Dad and Ruby to use their special POOPA powers and go to her rescue. So begins a madcap chase to discover Indie’s whereabouts before she creates too much havoc on that secret island

and get her safely home before Mum returns in the evening.

Penned by CBeebies host Andy Day, with terrific black and white illustrations by Steven Lenton at almost every turn of the page, this is ideal for younger newly confident readers as well as a fast moving read aloud for those around Ruby’s age.

Super Swifts / Night Flight

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Super Swifts
Justin Anderson and Clover Robin
Walker Books

Astonishingly, swifts (champions of the bird world) are able to fly faster and higher than any other birds; even more astonishing is that they might stay airborne for as much as four years, flying up to seventy miles per hour.

Author, Justin Anderson begins this swift story in central Africa’s Congo region in early April and tells of the journey undertaken by one female in particular who with a group, flies from their place of overwintering, towards Europe and their destination in the UK.

A month long journey that takes them over the world’s largest desert, across vast oceans, through thunderstorms to the place where our female will look for her mate, a bird she’s not seen for a whole year.

Clover Robin’s mixed media close ups of the pair show them making a nest in which the female lays three eggs each of which hatches into a hungry chick.

I love the author’s description of the pair sticking ‘their nest together with their spit, which sets hard like superglue.’ Come July, it’s time for the mother to make her return journey to Africa; she and the other super swifts will once more take to the skies.

On each spread, there’s a main narrative, alongside which is further information printed in smaller type. An inset box gives fascinating details of swift lice that nestle in young birds’ feathers and breed when the swifts nest again. A final author’s note contains information about some of the swift species and gives ways in which readers can help prevent swifts nesting in the UK from dying prematurely.
I’m looking forward to hearing their screeching cries as they fly over our house this summer.

Also on the subject of birds is a book wherein fact and fiction come together.

Night Flight
Katie Cottle
Puffin Books

When young Ellie moves from her country home to a big bustling city on account of her Mum’s new job, the girl notices that many of the bird varieties she loved watching aren’t there. Mum gives her a bird feeder but no birds come a-visiting, so at her mum’s suggestion, Ellie takes a walk around but all she sees are pigeons, no blackbirds, sparrows or moorhens; and empty skies as she makes her way to school each morning. Then one night there’s a tapping at her window; it’s a glossy-feathered starling, a very large one that asks for her help and Ellie agrees.

Off they soar with the child sitting on the starling’s back until they come to a hill whereon they land. When Ellie comments on the glow emanating from the city, the bird tells her that it’s light pollution. As she looks skyward, in this spot far from the city, there are hundreds and hundreds of glittering stars, stars being something else that Ellie has barely seen since the move to the city. On account of not being able to see the stars because they’re dimmed by the light pollution, the birds are unsure where they should fly: can Ellie find a way to help them find the way back home?

She sets to work with the help of her Mum, but she needs to find the confidence to speak out about the birds’ plight. Will she be successful in saving the birds? Happily yes and before long, the city has become much more like home to both Ellie and the avians.
Author/illustrator Katie Cottle’s timely story has an important message about not allowing unnecessary artificial lighting to interfere with the natural world, especially birds. It’s one that needs to be shared and its message heeded by humans especially those who live and work in cities.

The Girl Who Wasn’t There

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The Girl Who Wasn’t There
Jacqueline Wilson
Puffin Books

When Dad drives Luna (nearly eleven), her younger sister Aurora (almost six) and their Mum to the foot of a hill and stops the car, everyone is amazed at the tower perched atop the hill. “It’s like Rapunzel’s tower!” comments Luna. But then Dad announces that it’s to be their new home, their shocked Mum thinks he’s joking. Not so. Having lost his restaurant, Dad has somewhat recklessly bought this crumbling/tumbledown building at a bargain price and to say it needs some work done on it before they can move in is putting it mildly.

With the room at the very top strictly out of bounds, it’s anything but the ‘happily ever after’ fairytale abode Aurora imagined. However Dad promises Luna that they can have a puppy. despite the fact that temporarily they are going to have to live in a caravan. The following weekend he takes the family out to lunch to meet an elderly couple, the Stanleys, who have a pup – Molly – but are finding it too lively. They agree that a new home with Luna and her family is the ideal solution.

As someone who frequently gets her own way, Aurora has never been to school before, though thanks to her big sister, she can read and write well. However at the end of the summer there’s no choice, go to school Aurora must. Unlike her sister who is quick to make friends, Aurora decides that she hates her classmates and prefers the company of Tansy, an imaginary friend. Luna meanwhile worries that Mum and Dad might split up with so little real progress being made on their new home even though Dad now has the help of two new friends. She’s also concerned about her status in the family – is she truly a part of it when Dad isn’t her birth father?

As time passes, Aurora’s make-believe life becomes problematic for all the family, particularly as she insists Tansy is real. Could she perhaps be a ghost? And is there a curse on the tower? If so, can Luna be the one to break it?


I was fortunate that on the day this arrived it was the only book delivered so I was able to indulge myself and read right through to the end. It’s a wonderful mix of magic, the power of the imagination, family life, human resilience and love.

One of my relations, Emmanuelle an avid reader in Y6 was keen to read the book and review it: here’s what she wrote:
Jaqueline Wilson’s new book is a beautifully-written story complimented by delightful illustrations from Rachel Dean.
This book is perfect for anyone struggling with change or anyone finding it hard to be an elder sibling. They will be able to relate to Luna, the main character, who has to adapt to moving to live in an unfamiliar place and, on top of that, has a sister who she occasionally finds hard to deal with.

For fans of fairytales, there is an allusion to the story of Rapunzel because the main character is a girl with blonde hair who moves to live in a tower.
In my opinion, surprisingly, the title does not link to the main theme of the story. I think the theme of the story is Luna’s journey in adapting to a new house, a new school, a new life, whereas the title links to the fact that Luna’s little sister, Aurora, has an imaginary friend who actually used to live in the same tower that they own now.
Because of its cliffhanger ending, I think this book begs for a sequel. The final enigma leaves the reader hungry for more.

The Book that Did Not Want to be Read

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The Book that Did Not Want to be Read
David Sundin (translated by B.J. Woodstein, graphic design Alexis Holmqvist
Puffin Books

What do you do about a book that says on the cover ‘Put it down. Do not open’? Maybe toss it aside to the rejects pile and not bother writing a review or defy those six words, plunge in and face the outcome.

David Sundin is a Swedish comedian, screenwriter, actor and television show host and this somewhat bizarre book is his story for a child unable to fall asleep who requests an adult read a story – this one.

By the second spread though, the book has turned into a steering wheel (centrally placed by Holmqvist) and we’re careering right and left, sounding the horn loudly before reaching a destination.

But then in order to put off the adult attempting to read it, lots of new words suddenly start appearing, not normal words but gibberish. If the reader survives and thinks it’ll be plain sailing thereafter, they’re wrong.

Many more challenges follow – wings appear, the text keeps changing size, the sound of music means a song must be sung, fire breaks out, letters become other letters …

and more. Lovely ending though. But PHEW! I’m exhausted after attempting to read it.

Adult readers aloud who enjoy giving a theatrical performance when sharing a book can have terrific fun with this, so too of course will young audiences.

How to Grow a Unicorn

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How to Grow a Unicorn
Rachel Morrisroe and Steven Lenton
Puffin Books

Unicorn mania continues to grow apace and this book is especially magical, not in the usual way though, but actually in lots of ways.

It all begins when Sarah pays a visit to Mr Pottifer’s Parlour of Plants in search of an extra special present for her gran’s 88th birthday. She surely gets the surprise of her life when she steps inside to be greeted by…

The shop is full of botanical specimens doing very unplantlike things: there were runner beans racing in a hailstorm, foxgloves boxing,

a cowslip squirting milk to name just a few. But then a packet of seeds catches Sarah’s eye and she knows this is just the thing for Gran.

Back home, she follows the planting instructions on the packet – well only some of them – for instead of planting a single seed as recommended, she uses the entire twenty-four. During the night vines start creeping and come morning Gran’s house is engulfed.

Suddenly …

Before long the creatures are causing utter chaos,(Steve clearly had huge fun creating the relevant scenes) trashing all the party paraphernalia; but is Gran upset? No she isn’t. Instead she leads a procession of gallivanting unicorns and a worried Sarah back to Mr Pottifer’s shop.

Rather than be a party pooper, I’ll leave them there with the girl explaining her plight to Mr P. But you can rest assured that the end of Rachel’s rhyming story will utterly delight not only Gran, but young audiences and adult sharers too. (I love Sarah’s letter on the inside back cover too.)

Steve Lenton’s richly patterned illustrations are both full of humour and feeling; and his rainbow hued colour palette make his scenes all the more alluring.

How to Change the World / Climate Rebels

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How to Change the World
Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Annabel Tempest
Puffin Books

In her follow up to How to be Extraordinary, Rashmi Sirdeshpande presents a companion book in which she shows what a large impact can be made by people working together. There are fifteen stories of teamwork that start way back in sixth century BCE Athens with the origins of the very first democracy and is followed by a look at the incredible human engineering collaboration involved in the building of the Great Pyramid in the desert of ancient Egypt.

Then come the campaigns for change – well known and less so – in various parts of the world. Thus among environmental campaigners we have not only the universally known Greenpeace and the Montreal Protocol banning CFCs, but also the Treeplanters of Piplantri that I know of only because a friend took me to visit the village in Rajasthan a few years back. (Every time a girl is born 111 trees are planted in honour of the chief’s daughter who died during a drought around fifteen years ago).

Then, as well as the Montgomery Bus Boycott triggered by Rosa Parks’ action, there is the Singing Revolution in Estonia where people used song to tell the world that this small country had always been a free nation.

Following the spread about the abolition of slavery campaign in the British Empire is one about the 1965 Freedom Ride campaigning for justice for the indigenous people of Australia.

Alluringly illustrated by Annabel Tempest and attractively laid out, each spread with its well-written text offers an example of high quality narrative non-fiction for primary readers.

The same is true of

Climate Rebels
Ben Lerwill
Puffin Books

‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it’. Robert Swan’s quote at the beginning of this book is a powerful reminder that the terrible effects of climate change can only be arrested through our individual and collective actions.

Award winning writer Ben Lerwill presents twenty five inspiring and fascinating stories of individuals (and some groups) who have worked tirelessly and continue to do so for the causes in which they believe so passionately.

Among those featured are Dr Jane Goodall (who wrote the book’s introduction), Sir David Attenborough, the Greenpeace founders, Rachel Carson and Greta Thunberg. Alongside those are accounts of less famous names – The Guajajara Guardians –

who often risk their lives while working to protect the Amazon Rainforest; and William Kamkwamba who built a windmill in a small village in Malawi and went on to build more that pump water to the crops in the fields, thus improving the life of his entire community through renewable energy.

Not only is this book a powerful call to action; it’s also a reminder that we need to stand together – there might just be time to make those crucial changes to the climate change story.

Compellingly written in a lively style and illustrated by Masha Ukhova, Stephanie Son, Chellie Carroll, Hannah Peck and Iratxe Lopez de Munain, this book is strongly recommended for home and school reading.

Dogger’s Christmas

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Dogger’s Christmas
Shirley Hughes
Puffin Books

I think Shirley’s Dogger has been introduced to every foundation stage and KS1 class I’ve ever taught so I was enormously excited to see Dave’s beloved toy dog return in a seasonal sequel. Now considerably older, Dave still takes his favourite soft toy to bed with him every night, although his interest in toys has broadened to all kinds of vehicles.

As Christmas approaches, we share the family’s preparations – writing to Father Christmas, putting up decorations, shopping –

till, come Christmas Eve, the tree is a-glow and the children’s stockings are ready to hang up.

Next morning there’s huge excitement as Dave, Bella and Joe open their presents littering the floor with the wrappings. They also give their own specially chosen gifts to their Mum and Dad before Bella and Mum visit a neighbour, leaving Dad busy with the Christmas dinner ready for the arrival of Granny and Grandpa.

After a wonderful family day, when the visitors have gone and the children are in bed, disaster strikes. Dave wakes to discover that his beloved Dogger is missing. His parents and Bella help him search but of Dogger, there’s no sign.

Next morning and in the days following Dave is totally downcast; he’s sad that he’d neglected his old favourite and not interested in his new toys. Surely Dogger can’t be lost forever? No of course not, for this special toy has not lost his own knack of turning up in the most unlikely of places.

Shirley’s magic shows no sign of waning in this wonderful festive sequel to her original, now classic, picture book. Every spread exudes love and warmth – both in the account of the family, and in Shirley’s illustrations. It’s interesting to see how much Dave, Bella and little Joe appear to have grown.

A must for family sharing this Christmas, and for many to come.

The Puffin Keeper

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The Puffin Keeper
Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Benji Davies
Puffin Books

National treasure and author Michael Morpurgo has written this story about puffins with Puffin Books’ 80th birthday in mind. Michael is the son-in-law of Allen Lane the founder of Puffin Books whose metaphorical lighthouse lamp definitely illuminated my childhood. Here he has interwoven his own family history, the Scilly Isles, a threatened bird and his fascination with lighthouses, to create a truly memorable read for all ages.

The extraordinary tale begins one dark stormy night just off the coast of the Scilly Isles when bound for Liverpool from New York, a four-masted schooner with its masts broken and sails in tatters, starts to sink with thirty passengers and crew aboard. The event is watched from high up in his lighthouse by the keeper, Benjamin Postlethwaite who risks life and limb to rescue everyone including the story’s narrator, then five years old, and his widowed French mother.

Making several journeys in his tiny rowing boat this brave man rows back and forth five times until everyone is safely on the island. Then in his lighthouse, he silently brews pot after pot of tea, ensuring that all the rescued were kept warm. The boy, an observant lad, is amazed by the paintings of boats done on cardboard scraps and bits of wood each one signed merely BEN, that adorn the walls. The following day when those from the ship are taken from the island, Benjamin gives the boy a painting of a four-masted schooner similar to that from which he’d been rescued.

The boy and his mother then go to live on Dartmoor with his mother’s dour in-laws. Among the horrors the lad has to cope with are Miss Duval (or Devil) a cruel nanny cum governess; following his ultra-strict grandfather’s regime, and at age eight being sent to boarding school where cross country running meted out as punishment becomes a pleasure

and then a medal-winning success. The boy also discovers the joys of painting and reading storybooks but never does he forget Benjamin Postlethwaite.

Having come across an article about the rescue in an old magazine, the boy writes to Benjamin asking if he’d mind a visit from him one day. Around the address he paints a copy of the picture he’s been given. But no reply does he receive.

One day, informing his mother that he’s going on a journey of exploration, he leaves (with her approval) on his bike.

Where is he going? …
That’s nowhere near the end of this wonderful tale but if you want to discover what happens, then get yourself a copy.

In Michael’s prose no matter what his subject, there’s a simple eloquence and perceptive pitch-perfect beauty; and this story with its soft-spoken conservation message and themes of hope and fresh beginnings is, ultimately, uplifting. I can think of no better artist for the book than Benji Davies, whose illustrations with their subtle shades, somewhat reminiscent of Ravilious, truly bring to life the characters, the various settings and the feelings evoked in the text.

A book to have, to hold, to share and, to treasure.

The Bear in the Stars

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The Bear in the Stars
Alexis Snell
Puffin Books

Accompanied by a series of stunning lino-cut prints, Alexis Snell tells the story of a polar bear, forced to leave the ‘cold, glistening place’ that is her home, on account of climate change.

In this fable we learn how over the years as the ice gradually disappeared, one by one, other animals have had no choice but to move on and seek new places to live. Now it’s the turn of the Great Bear to leave her natural abode and search for another safe location.

Swept across a raging sea, she finds a likely-seeming place

but it’s only temporary and then she’s swept on again down a rushing river upon the banks of which she encounters another bear – black and kindly – that tells her of a cool lake with fish aplenty.

Off she goes again and having sated her appetite, is briefly happy, but then the sun comes and off she goes to look for somewhere cooler. Now over-hot in her thick white fur, all she can find are lemon trees – no food for Bear these sour fruits. Her only solace is the stars in this changed world and with the morning a troop of monkeys come to her aid guiding her towards a ‘place that may help you’. Many hours later they reach a ‘human town’ and there, having settled her in a cool building, the monkeys leave her to sleep – long and deep.

On waking however, it’s not long before she learns that in this increasingly hot human world, it’s only the temperature that is growing ever warmer: human hearts remain cold and unwelcoming … until one single, small act of kindness changes everything … most certainly for our ursine traveller;

but what about those humans? One can but remember, wish and hope … and …

Using a changing colour palette from blues to reds, and then as the world recovers, to greens, Alexis’s is a tale of hope for a future that is better. That’s the vital message that one wants youngsters to take from this beautiful book. That and the determination to be part of the change that MUST be made by every single one of us.

A book for all, everywhere.

There’s an Alien In Your Book

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There’s an Alien in Your Book
Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbott
Puffin Books

Just out in paperback is the latest in the series wherein different characters invade a book and the book itself becomes part and parcel of the story-telling device.

The Fletcher/Abbott team were on to a good thing when they created that monster a couple of years back. Now in the fourth interactive extravaganza it’s the turn of a little alien and it arrives on account of its spaceship crash-landing on the first page in a cloud of smoke.

With the spacecraft appearing to be broken beyond repair, it’s up to us (adult and child together) to try and get the little creature back home where he belongs – but how?

Certainly not by pulling a scary face – that only serves to make him sob and need some TLC. Instead we can jiggle and wriggle the book in various directions

and if that isn’t successful, maybe try imagining various earth animals so our visitor knows he doesn’t belong.

Or is there perhaps an alternative solution altogether?

With bright, zany illustrations from Gregg Abbott, its themes of difference, acceptance and friendship,

this fun book is a great share with an important message that is never too early for little ones to begin to think about.

Sulwe

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Sulwe
Lupita Nyong’o and Vashti Harrison
Puffin Books

You’ll surely be awed by the sheer beauty of the illustrations in this wonderful book.

It tells of young Sulwe (her name means star in the Kenyan Luo language) who was ‘born the colour of midnight.’ Her skin is darker than anyone else in her multi-hued family and when children at school call her names, Sulwe decides to lighten her skin. Nothing she tries, however, makes any difference,

and next morning her mother talks to her of her inner brightness and beauty; still though Sulwe isn’t convinced:

how can she be a star, she wonders.

That same night on a magical journey she discovers a fable wherein two sisters Night and Day get very different reactions from people, those towards Day are positive while Night receives negative ones. As a result she leaves the earth taking with her dreams and secrets, until her sister’s “we need you just the way you are” persuades her to return.

Now Sulwe understands that she too is “Dark and beautiful, bright and strong.’

This is a debut picture book for Kenyan actor/producer Lupita Nyong’o who based the story on her own childhood experience. She confronts the crucial and sensitive topic of skin colour head on, but in a way that young children can relate to. (I recall being extremely distressed when I first started teaching to find a 5- year old boy from Nigeria covering his arms with white chalk. He told me that he was trying to get his skin light like his friends. Nothing I said could persuade him that he was just perfect as he was.) Vashti Harrison wonderful illustrations are a celebration of all skin tones reinforcing Lupita’s message that everyone, like Sulwe, is uniquely beautiful, inside and out.

A must have book for all primary schools.

Don’t Mess with a Princess!

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Don’t Mess with a Princess!
Rachel Valentine and Rebecca Bagley
Puffin Books

Far away in a beautiful and usually very happy kingdom atop a hill lives King Juno. Also residing in the palace are his three granddaughters Princess Thea, Princess Leaf and Princess Juno.

Now these three aren’t the type of princess who sits around waiting for a handsome prince to show up and sweep them off their feet, far from it.

So when having heard news of a mayhem creating Ogre, the King warns them to remain in their tower and absolutely not, on any account to mess with the Ogre, they quickly conceive a plan.

The sisters are thoroughly resourceful females and it isn’t long before they’re off towards the forest – an enchanted forest. But, unlike the knights sent to capture the Ogre, the three princesses know just how to get themselves safely through the angry trees and come out with, as Juno says, ‘fabulous hair’.

But can they cope with the webbed pit alive with large squirming spiders?

Fortunately Theo knows how to deal with the creatures and then all they need to do is cross the ravine with the broken bridge.

This time it’s Leaf who comes up trumps with some deft knots.

The important thing about all three princesses is that while not totally fearless, they’re always up for a challenge.

Once across and in Neatville they’re greeted with the sight of the Ogre charging off to trash yet another village. Off go the princesses in hot pursuit and finally they have the Ogre trussed up.

It’s then that they discover the reason their captive has been causing so much devastation; and being kind-hearted as well as clever, Thea, Leaf and Juno are ready and able to assist the Ogre in his search for his lost item.

If, like me you enjoy neo fairy tales then you’re certain to relish Rachel Valentine’s action-packed story of using your talents and not allowing others to make decisions for you.

Debut picture book illustrator Rebecca Valentine’s droll scenes of the three creative adventurers highlight the contrast between them and the supposedly brave knights of the kingdom. Make sure you spend time enjoying all the wonderful details on every spread.

How To Be Extraordinary

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How To Be Extraordinary
Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Annabel Tempest
Puffin Books

What an inspirational selection of people Rashmi Sirdeshpande has chosen for her look at the lives of fifteen men and women from around the world, each of whom has made a truly impressive contribution to humanity. The balance of male and female inspirers is as equal as an odd number allows with one more male. I think if I were asked to compile a book like this, I’d want to include every one of these, who come from all walks of life.

There’s my all time hero, freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, Britain’s first female spy, Polish born Krystyna Skarbek who once faced off German officers while in possession of a top-secret silk map, which she rolled and used as a headscarf. (Sadly, the extent of her bravery wasn’t recognised until after she died).

I’ve followed the career of Sir “Mo” Farah” from his early days in a secondary school just up the road from the primary one I taught at, through the time he trained at St Mary’s University, becoming elated as he won those Olympic gold medals, until now; his athletic skills and versatility are undoubtedly ‘superstordinary’.

It’s great to see the author/illustrator of much-loved children’s books, Judith Kerr, who with her parents fled Nazi Germany, arriving in London in 1936; and the unstoppable environmentalist, Sir David Attenborough, who continues to be an inspiration in his 90s as well as another environmentalist, Wangari Maathai from Kenya.

Readers (even adult ones) will be less likely to know more than the names of particle physics phenomenon, San Lan Wu; Aeham Ahmad, Syrian musician and ‘peace-builder’; and I must mention the phenomenal war surgeon David Nott who for more than 25 years has been taking unpaid leave to volunteer in places of conflict and natural disaster including Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Syria.

The potted biographies are each allocated a double spread, which is packed but not overwhelmingly so, with information, quotes, and illustrations by Annabel Tempest.

One of the messages young readers will take from this book is that there’s a multitude of ways to be extraordinary. I watched two young children on TV the other night with their campaign against free throwaway plastic toys. I’m sure there are countless other youngsters out there whose imaginations these fifteen inspirational role models might ignite.

Add this one to family bookshelves and primary school class collections.

Unicorn Club / Ten Minutes to Bed Little Mermaid

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Unicorn Club
Suzy Senior and Leire Martin
Little Tiger

It’s Saturday morning and young Amy is eagerly anticipating the inaugural meeting of her unicorn club, but as the time comes for the grand opening it seems as though there won’t be any takers. Upset, Amy rips down her poster and heads to her tree house.

There however, she receives a wonderful surprise and what’s more the creatures can’t wait for the promised crafting to commence.

They have to though, for long enough to relocate to Amy’s more spacious garage where she gets out all the resources.

Being creative gives those unicorns an appetite and one of their number demands the promised snacks, which are enthusiastically consumed in almost no time at all.

Fuelled up with cake, it’s time for the unicorns to show their dance moves but they’re all so groovy that Amy just cannot pick a winner; her chalks however are certainly the losers as they’re unknowingly squashed to pieces by the dancers.

Poor Amy: how will they create that club mural now? I wonder …
Illustrated in suitably garish hues and with scenes of unicorn frolics, this tale should certainly enchant the seemingly ever-growing numbers of young unicorn enthusiasts out there who will enjoy discovering how Amy’s nearly disastrous Saturday becomes the start of something magical.

Ten Minutes to Bed Little Mermaid
Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Puffin Books

In the third of their countdown to bedtime series, Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton take a dive down to the kingdom of merpeople and in particular little mermaid, Splash and her grandpa. It’s he who keeps count of the passing minutes as the playful Splash frolics with dolphins, dives beneath waves, bops with crabs, swims along with rainbow fish,

talks to turtles and has a scary encounter with a shark before pausing on a beach where she’s reminded of the time by a friendly passing whale that helps her on her way.

But will she make it in time before that final minute has gone …

The magical formula still holds good in this latest pre-bedtime fantasy that should ensure your little ones have sweet dreams in The Land of Nod. (The final map shows several more potential settings so I suspect this series will run and run.)

Who’s Going to Bed? / Somewhere Out There, Right Now

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Who’s Going to Bed?
Abie Longstaff and Eve Coy
Puffin Books

‘The stars are out, / the moon is bright’; that means it’s bedtime for the pirates on the high seas, most of the animals in the jungle, the teddy bears in their cottage, the king and queen and their family of young knights.

There’s one mischievous baby though, who embarks on a very noisy adventure. His music making meandering arouses all those would-be slumberers,

who with the infant playing a kind of pied piper role are led a merry dance all the way to the beach where they come upon …

The trouble is, she’s an extremely tired little dragon and wants nothing more than to be allowed some peace and quiet so she can snuggle down for the night.

Now it’s time for that cheeky toddler to take control of the situation. With a single “SHHHH!” he sets in motion a concatenation of actions that see the baby dragon safely tucked up in her bed.

The efforts of his helpers however have brought on a desire for sleep in all the revellers, not least the instigator of the fun; and so finally the little babe is transported all the way home …

to bed. Goodnight and sweet dreams.

An enchantingly playful bedtime story told through Abie’s carefully measured text and Eve’s moonlit scenes of the nocturnal high jinks. I love her colour palette and the way she brings out the inherent gentle humour of a tale that’s a terrific one to share with little ones before bed. (I suggest any musical instruments are tucked right away first though – just in case …)

Somewhere Out There, Right Now
Gemma Wells
Ragged Bears

This softly spoken picture book connects young listeners to the natural world outside while at the same time helping them to find calm within as they wind down for bedtime.

Somewhere in the darkness a monkey takes cover from the heavy rain, baby beetles are buried beneath the earth,

birds come in to roost, there’s a fox out in a city street – perhaps seeking shelter or food – and waves gently lap a moonlit beach; there are kittens snuggling up to their mother.

All these peaceful scenes help to induce a sense of inner calm as the body slows, safe in the knowledge that the beloved listener to the gentle narrative is in a safe, nurturing place and all is well.

Gemma Wells’ affinity for nature is reflected in her bold, digitally worked scenes of the animals, the adult and child looking outwards.

A lovely book for parents and carers to share with the very young just before bed.

Look Up!

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Look Up!
Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola
Puffin

Young Rocket, the narrator of the story and an aspiring astronaut is for ever looking upwards; her head’s ‘always floating in the clouds’ her mother tells her.

Inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, the little girl has two missions, the longer term space-travelling one and one much more immediate.

She is determined to get her older brother Jamal who is charged with taking her to the park to see the meteor shower, to stop staring at his mobile and direct his gaze upwards to view the spectacle.

He though, isn’t the only one of the town’s screen-obsessed characters; but despite this, Rocket wants everyone to join her in viewing the phoenix meteor shower that night at the park.
As she prepares, the girl shares with readers facts about the cause of meteor showers, the size and composition of meteors and when best to view a shower.

As portrayed in Dapo Adeola’s splendid digital illustrations, the main character is a real personality sporting funky star-stud earrings, orange space suit, and so excited about the prospect of the meteor shower that she is able to enthuse the entire neighbourhood – even finally her brother; while Nathan Byron’s story interweaves Rocket’s enthusiasm for all things space with the tension within her family fuelled by the sibling relations.

But will the townsfolk ever get to see that promised spectacle? It’s certainly a long wait …

A wonderfully uplifting celebration of STEM, especially space topics, as well as a timely reminder that setting aside screens facilitates one’s reaching for the stars and achieving one’s ambitions.

Hair Love

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Hair Love
Matthew A.Cherry and Vashti Harrison
Puffin Books

‘A celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere’ says a line on the cover of this book but it’s much more than that. It’s also a celebration of individuality, perseverance, collaboration, and a loving family.

Young Zuri’s hair is a mass of curls; her dad calls it beautiful and this makes the little girl proud. It lets her be herself as it ‘kinks, coils and curls every which way’, no matter if she feels like being a princess or a superhero.

On this particular day though, Zuri needs a very special hairstyle but she knows her Daddy is particularly tired after having undertaken the whole responsibility for her care. Deciding he needs a break, the child allows him some extra sleep while she investigates styles on a tablet. Her good intentions however are thwarted;

he’s woken up and ready and willing to assist.

Dad tackles the job confidently but comes up with a series of hairstyles that just don’t work for Zuri, as we see in Vashti Harrison’s splendidly expressive digital illustrations and hear through debut author Matthew Cherry’s apt narrative,

until the dutiful dad pulls a bobble hat down over her eyes.

Zuri’s “We can do better than that” response however sees the two working together, she providing encouragement and an on-screen lesson, he collecting the tools and developing his artistry until finally … Success! ‘Funky puff buns’ that satisfy everyone …

Our little girl is ready just in the nick of time for a very important ‘welcome home’ celebration.

Just right for an early years storytime and for family sharing, this is a smashing book that knocks gender stereotypes out of the window as well as reinforcing the ‘be proud of who you are’ message.

Rumple Buttercup

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Rumple Buttercup
Matthew Gray Gubler
Puffin Books

Just a quick look at green-skinned Rumple Buttercup with his wonky teeth, odd sized feet and just three strands of hair might indicate that this creature is something out of the ordinary – weird – so the author tells us at the outset of his immediate interest snarer.

Convinced that his unusual appearance with scare people, his residence is a sewer  – albeit nicely decorated,

where he listens in to conversations of passers-by, longing to be a participant but making do with pretence.

The one time Rumple feels safe to sally forth as part of the community, is his favourite event, the Annual Pajama Jam Cotton Candy Pancake Parade; a day nobody will, he thinks, notice him amid the carnival revels.

Having eagerly anticipated the day all year, his excitement rises but then on the morning of the event, there’s a distinct lack of banana peel in the bin beside his home.

Devastated and deciding he must stay below ground and miss all the fun, the creature suddenly hears a voice calling down the drain to him.

What he discovers is that he’s not quite as strange as he’s always thought – unique perhaps, but then we’re all strangely different in our own ways.

So let’s join him in a celebratory wave and an acknowledgement that self-acceptance, flaws and all, is the way to go and that there are others out there who will celebrate our individuality, no matter what.

This delectably quirky, slightly surreal offering – a blend of picture book and chapter book – is one that will appeal to a wide readership, young and not so young.

Jungle Jamboree

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Jungle Jamboree
Jo Empson
Puffin Books

The jungle is alive with anticipation. The coming of dusk is the opportunity for all the animals, great and small, to show off their beauty; but which one will be judged the most beautiful of all?

One after another the creatures dismiss their natural beauty: Lion says his mane is too dull; bird’s legs are too short; zebra’s stripes are too boring; leopard’s spots too spotty and hippo’s bottom is well, just too big.

None of them expects to win the crown.

A passing fly is interested only in his lunch and while the other creatures all set about getting themselves ready for the jamboree, he happily sates his appetite.

At last all are ready but they’re hardly recognisable with their fancy adornments and new-found confidence.

The fly, in contrast talks only of the beauty of the day’s ending.

Finally the long-awaited hour of dusk arrives. Judges and creatures assemble ready to strut their stuff; but all of a sudden the clouds gather and a storm bursts upon them.

The animals are stripped of their flamboyant accoutrements and left standing in darkness as the storm finally blows itself out. Now it’s impossible for the judges to see who should receive that crown of glory.

Then the little fly speaks out, offering light, for this is no ordinary fly.

How wonderfully one little firefly illuminates all the creatures, now clad only in their natural beauty; but which will be declared the most beautiful of them all?

Jo’s story is funny, thought provoking and a superb celebration of kindness, self-acceptance and every individual’s unique beauty: her electrifying illustrations are a riot of colour and pattern and likely to inspire children’s own creative efforts.

Jingle Spells / Meg’s Christmas

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Jingle Spells
James Brown
Simon & Schuster

Unlike other witches, young Trixie is not excited at Halloween, it’s Christmas that she loves and she’s determined to show her fellow witches why.

Who better to help her in her mission to demonstrate that the magic of Christmas is the best of all than Santa himself?
Seemingly though witches have a bad reputation within the walls of Santa’s workshop so her letter receives a firm refusal from his head elf.

Determined to prove that she isn’t ‘naughty’, Trixie sets off to see Santa nonetheless.

What she discovers on arrival at the workshop isn’t the hustle and bustle she’d expected. Instead there’s a decided lack of toys on the elves’ shelves and worse still, it’s not only the elves who are suffering from bad colds, Santa too has succumbed to a very bad attack of the wheezes and sneezes.

Time to mix a special curative potion but will it work; in fact will the smitten even take so much as a sip of Trixie’s warming brew?

It appears to be the only way that Christmas can be saved …

A fun, elf-filled festive frolic featuring an endearing little miss who brings her own special brand of seasonal magic to the Christmas season: James Brown’s Trixie has an irresistible charm.

Meg’s Christmas
Jan Pieńkowski and David Walser
Puffin Books

After all these years Jan Pieńkowski’s Meg, Mog and Owl star in their very first Christmas adventure and the magic still holds good.

When a pipe bursts on Christmas Eve flooding Meg’s residence, there’s only one thing to do and Meg does it: ‘Find us somewhere dry to stay but bring us home for Christmas Day!’ she chants.

Before you can say “magic spell” the broomstick whisks them up and away to …

Instead of hanging up their stockings in the comfort of their own home Meg, Mog and Owl do so in the very spooky room where they spend the night.

Come Christmas morning the three are anxious to be off to meet the friends they’ve invited to their Christmas party. Can they be ready in time for their guests? …

The magic of the threesome never wanes: this seasonal offering will be enjoyed by parents who loved the early Meg and Mog adventures, as well as by their young offspring coming new to the stories penned by David Walser.

100 Dogs / Hey Duggee Sticky Stick Sticker Book

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100 Dogs
Michael Whaite
Puffin Books

No this isn’t 101 Dalmations, it’s a mere one hundred pooches all packed between the pages of this romping, racing, rhymer of a book.

Herein you’ll meet dogs of every kind you can imagine and some you probably can’t: dogs big and small, bad and sad, dogs shaggy, baggy and wag-wag-waggy, fluffy ones and scruffy ones. Watch out for whiffy and sniffy ones, or those that might drool all over your best shoes.

There are dogs of the expected hues -with or without spots – but also a red one, a pink one and a yellow one.
Some look friendly (even to dog-phobic me); others appear decidedly vicious

or just downright weird.

One has even had the audacity to leave its calling card right there on the page.

Each and every one of these canine beauties has been lovingly portrayed by Michael Whaite especially for the delight of readers, canine lovers of all ages in particular.

There’s just one dog in:

Hey Duggee Sticky Stick Sticker Book
Ladybird Books (Penguin Random House Children’s Books)

Young children who are familiar with the CBeebies series featuring Duggee and his pals, and in particular his Hey Duggee Stick Song will not be surprised that sticks feature large in this activity book. It is after all a sticker book but the first activity is to greet all the members of the Squirrel Club and shout ‘Woof’. Only then can you proceed.

What follows are ten stick-related activity pages and a centre spread of stickers to use in some of the activities. These include a stick-collecting route to follow in order to build a campfire; a find two the same game; a spot the difference spread, a word search, a maze and a game of ‘sticks and ladders’.

Just right to entertain little ones over the school holidays, especially on a journey or should the warm sunny days disappear.

Baby on Board

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Baby on Board
Allan Ahlberg and Emma Chichester Clark
Puffin Books

Storyteller extraordinaire, Allan Ahlberg, has teamed up with some wonderful illustrators over the years and here he is partnered by another; Emma Chichester Clark, who provided the pictures for his Mrs Vole the Vet, one of the Happy Families series.

This is a story – an epic adventure – that has its origins in the author’s infancy when two girls used to call at his home in the Black Country, asking to take baby Allan out for a walk in his pram.
It begins thus:
‘Once, many years ago,
there was a baby,
in his pram,
with his sisters
and their sandwiches and lemonade
and toys,
and their friends
and a kite,
and a dog or two … ‘

From there it takes off into a lilting tale wherein baby and minders are separated on account of a kite, and the infant in its pram sails off, along with a trio of toys, into the open seas.
Fortunately the toys are able to make the babe warm and comfy; but coping with the sudden storm that blows up is much more of a challenge, though it’s one the three are up to.

Unexpectedly however, three becomes two thanks to an inquisitive puffin, the arrival of which precipitates a fall overboard by panda. Happily the other two are able to perform a timely rescue and the pram sails on into the setting sun, with its complete crew and a somewhat whiffy baby.

Eventually the baby carriage drifts to shore once more with its four passengers safe and sound, albeit pretty exhausted; and all ends happily thanks to terrific toy teamwork.

Stunning artwork by Emma Chichester Clark – love the 1930s pram and children’s attire –  transforms Allan Ahlberg’s super story into a super, super story. It’s perfect as a bedtime book, or equally as a shared read at any time of the day.

Roald Dahl’s 123 & Roald Dahl’s Opposites

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Roald Dahl’s 123
Roald Dahl’s Opposites
illustrated by Quentin Blake
Puffin Books

‘Board books with bite’ announces the accompanying press release.

Said bite comes courtesy of The Enormous Crocodile that features large and very toothily in both books.

Toddlers can have some enjoyable counting practice along with the little ‘chiddlers’ – 10 in all, who co-star in the 123 along with the wicked-looking croc. that, having spied some tasty looking fare while lurking in the undergrowth, then disguises himself as a roundabout ride, a palm tree, a seesaw and a picnic bench.

And all the while he’s biding his time, waiting to sate his lunchtime appetite: oh my goodness those gaping jaws, those vicious-looking teeth.

Will the 10 chiddlers cease their play and beat a hasty retreat before they become 1 Enormous Crocodile’s next meal?

Fifteen opposites are demonstrated, thanks to the creatures big and not so big that feature in the second book, along with of course, a certain Crocodile.

On alternate spreads, this book has foliage of different kinds, behind which are hidden a ‘little’ mouse, the ‘upside down’ crocodile, the same crocodile now snapping through a ‘low’ tree trunk, as well as a ’light’ frog leaping.

But what will the wily Crocodile snap ‘closed’ his enormous jaws upon? That question is answered on the final page.

The countless parents who were brought up on the originals will relish the opportunity to share these new incarnations with their offspring. Clearly the intended toddler audience of the board books will not be familiar with Roald Dahl’s characters and Quentin Blake’s iconic images of same, but they will still delight in language such as the BFG ‘childdlers’ and the storyline of both the counting book and the opposites.

How to be a Lion

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How to be a Lion
Ed Vere
Puffin Books

‘This book is for those who daydream, and those who think for themselves’.
I love that. It’s written in Ed Vere’s inspiring ‘letter’ that accompanied my review copy; it’s also printed on the final page of his eloquent story: I hope it applies to myself, make that, to everyone. I wish everybody could read the entire letter, but instead I urge you to get yourself a copy of the book and share it widely.

It starts philosophically: ‘The world is full of ideas. /Big ones,/ small ones. / Good ones,/ bad ones. / Some think this … / others think that.’ before bringing us back to earth and in particular, lion territory on the African plains where the norm is to be FIERCE! But is that the only way to be?
Enter Leonard: thoughtful, prone to daydreams, something of a poet and above all, gentle.

Enter shortly after, a duck, Marianne by name. Being Leonard, it isn’t a case of ‘Crunch, crunch, CHOMP!’ Instead our lion, polite introductions over, requests her assistance and as luck would have it, Marianne is able to assist in freeing Leonard’s stuck muse and before long a firm friendship has been forged; one that involves stargazing, philosophical musings and above all, contentment and happiness.

Into their peaceable existence comes a pack of ferocious lions demanding to know why the duck has not met its demise.
True to himself, Leonard explains about their friendship and resists their loud growly admonishments.

Their instructions about becoming fierce make him pause and question however, but Marianne suggests a trip to their thinking hill to mull things over. Lo and behold, serious hums and serious quacks together are turned into an idea, and then, poetry that is finally ready to be presented to those fierce lions.

What Leonard says to them is heartfelt, provocative – “Why don’t you be you … And I will be I.” – and one hopes, a game changer.

Ed Vere’s timely fable is profound and intensely moving in the gentle way it offers words as tools of bridge building and change, as well as showing a different male role model. Don’t be pressurised into conforming, be yourself is what shines through both his words and oh, so eloquent, humorous illustrations.

A perfect read aloud with oodles of food for thought, and talk.

Brothers Forever

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Brothers Forever
Claudia Boldt
Puffin Books

What do you do when your brother and best friend starts school leaving you to spend a long, gloomy day alone doing the things – cake baking, drawing and playing hide-and-seek – you’ve always done together?

That’s what happens to the small ursine narrator of Claudia Boldt’s new picture book. But that is only the beginning.

Big brother Barney, now calling himself Barnaby, has so many new and exciting ways to pass his time, and interesting new friends to play with, that his little brother is side-lined.

Life just isn’t fun any longer.

Enter new friend, Podgy. This cuddly creature participates in the activities previously shared with Barney,

but the new friendship makes boy narrator and Podgy the object of amusement to big bro. and his pals.

When Barney declines his favourite food one day, our narrator senses something is wrong

and that night he discovers what’s troubling his brother – it’s the thought of his first school trip away from home.

Brotherly love and understanding come to the rescue as both bears realise that no matter what changes life brings, one thing – or rather two – are forever.

Warm, realistic and imbued with gentle humour, this story will strike a chord with siblings especially.

A Handful of Board Books

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Clap Hands
Say Goodnight
Helen Oxenbury
Walker Books

Can it really be thirty years since the original editions of these ‘A First Book for Babies’ titles appeared? They’ve lost none of their charm and those babes, whether they’re dancing, eating, making a noise, waving, swinging, riding or sleeping are just as adorable as ever.
As first books for babies, with their brief jaunty texts and superbly observed illustrations,

they’d still be one of my first picks to give a new mum.

Pop-Up Ocean
Ingela P Arrhenius
Walker Books

In this chunky little board book fifteen ocean-related things (one per spread) are stylishly illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius.
Toddlers will delight in seeing sea creatures large – whale, seal, stingray and not so large– crab, fish, octopus, seagull, coral and seahorse, along with a fishing boat, lighthouse, shell, submarine, swimmer, surfer all of which literally pop out of the pages.
A fun way to introduce vocabulary associated with the sea, it’s full of opportunities for language development at every opening.

Spot’s Puzzle Fun!
Eric Hill
Puffin Books

Toddlers will enjoy joining in with the ‘Brmm-brmm. Whoosh!’ of Helen’s bright red car; the ‘Bumpety-bump!’ of Steve’s shiny green tractor’ the ‘Rumble-rumble, beep-beep!’ of Tom’s big yellow digger and finally, the ‘Choo-choo, clickety-clack’ of Spot’s blue train as one by one they drive their vehicles into view, offering “Does anyone else want a turn?” to the other animals.

There are sturdy press-out pieces (animal and vehicle) on each spread that can also act as puzzle pieces and can be fitted together in various combinations – great for developing manipulative skills as well as fun.

Star Wars Block
Peskimo
Abrams Appleseed

Using die-cut shapes, the husband and wife design team that is Peskimo take readers on an epic celebratory journey that showcases iconic characters, spacecraft, combat vehicles, locations and creatures from various Star Wars films, from the very first to Rogue One.
Subtitled ‘Over 100 Words Every Fan Should Know,’ with its easily manipulated pages, this latest addition to the block book titles, will be welcomed by small fans of the epic space adventures, and I suspect, enthusiastic adults with whom they share this chunky offering.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

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Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Vashti Harrison
Puffin Books

Here’s a terrific book that celebrates 40 amazing black women some from the past, some from the present and each a trailblazer.

Artist and film maker, Vashti Harrison has penned brief biographies of a splendidly diverse selection of dauntless, boundary breaking females who have contributed to making society what it is today.

In addition to the famous such as Mary Seacole, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Coleman and Diane Abbott, there are some lesser known women including social psychologist and counsellor Mamie Phipps Clark, science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler, scientist and medical researcher Alice Ball and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson who are in their own ways, equally inspiring.

Katherine Johnson

No book on women’s achievements would be complete without sport and representing athletics are sprinters Wilma Rudolph and Florence Joyner (who also developed a clothing brand, wrote children’s books and established a youth foundation), and heptathlete and javelin thrower, Tessa Sanderson.

Tessa Sanderson

All these and the other women herein are truly inspirational and Harrison has done them proud, both through her engaging text and her beautiful illustrations.

Seaman William Brown – the first black female to serve in the British Navy

Brave, bold, world changers they most certainly are.

A book to put into primary classrooms, secondary school libraries, to buy for families, and to share and discuss wherever and whenever you can – I certainly intend to.

I’ve signed the charter  

Almost Anything

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Almost Anything
Sophy Henn
Puffin Books

Sophy Henn has already created some wonderful characters; Pom Pom, Bear and Edie immediately spring to mind and now there’s another; meet George.
On this particular day, his fellow forest dwellers are all busy enjoying themselves in one way or another; not so George who sits doing nothing.
The little rabbit seems to be completely lacking in self-belief. “I can’t …” is his response to offers from his friends to join them in their activities.

Along comes Bear, very old and very wise. She produces a newspaper from which she fashions a hat. Telling George that it has magical powers, she persuades him to give it a go and see what happens.

Slowly, slowly the ‘magic’ starts to take effect and it’s not too long before George is roller skating, which he follows by dancing to the beat, a bit of painting, some reading and much more besides. In short, George is a very busy bunny indeed, so busy that he fails to notice that his hat is no longer on his head. Suddenly …

Fortunately Bear is close at hand with an explanation of where the magic is really coming from …

As a teacher I’ve always told children that there’s no such word as ‘can’t’ when it comes to their learning and now here’s this wonderful new story from an author who really gets to the heart of how young children think .
Almost Anything is such an empowering book both for youngsters who lack self-belief and all those adults who do everything they can to offer encouragement and support to them when it comes to giving it a go.
Risk taking isn’t easy for everyone but this is a cracking book to help those who find it a challenge.

As always Sophy’s matt illustrations executed in a gorgeous muted colour palette, have just the right degree of gentle humour and the animals’ body language is quite brilliant. Look out for Badger, a truly stylish skittle player, and those hedgehog dancers sporting head bands and leg warmers are just adorable.

If this hasn’t convinced you that this is a must buy picture book then I’ll eat my ‘Almost Anything’ magic hat with its wrap-around instructions for making, kindly supplied by Puffin Books.

Bears and More Bears

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Willa and the Bear
Philomena O’Neill
Sterling

Made by her Grandma Bibbie, Willa’s rag doll Rosie is her constant companion until one winter’s day as Willa and her parents are on their way to Grandma’s birthday celebration, the doll falls from the sleigh and is lost in the dark snowy woods.

They stop and search but have no luck; little do they know that the doll has been found.

When they reach their destination, her gran gives Willa a little bear that she’s made. Later, Willa spies a real and very large bear through the cabin window …

but when they open the door all they find on the doorstep is Rosie. “That bear must be a friend of yours,” her gran tells Willa.

On the way back home Willa leaves her new toy bear in the snow with the words, “My friend will love you,” …

Despite its chilly setting this is a warm-hearted, albeit rather unlikely story of reciprocal giving and receiving; and the old-fashioned, cosy paintings have a Nordic feel.

Where Bear?
Sophy Henn
Puffin Books

The fabulous Sophy Henn’s first picture book is now out in board book format and is just right for small hands.

It’s a heart-warming tale that stars a bear and a boy who have shared the boy’s abode since the bear was a cub and the boy considerably smaller.

Bear has now grown too large for the house and the boy, eager to find his friend a suitable new residence, sets out with him.
“But where bear?” he asks over and over, until finally they find a suitable location and the boy heads back to his home.

Both bear and boy are happy, particularly as their friendship can be continued, verbally at least.

With such superb characterisation it’s a delight through and through.

Festive Fun for the Very Young

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Listen to the Christmas Songs
Marion Billet
Nosy Crow

Half a dozen favourite seasonal songs are illustrated – one per spread – and each one can be brought to life by pressing the sound button on the respective spread.
(Adults can turn off the switch at the end of the book when they’ve had enough of the jollity.)
Interactive, sing along fun for the very young illustrated with bright animal scenes of festive fun and frolics.

Snow Dog
Puffin Books

To share with the very youngest, a dog-shaped board book with short rhyming text tells how the playful Snowdog runs and jumps, chases his ball and generally enjoys the company of his friends be they of the snowman or human kind.
Five snowy scenes show all the fun of the chilly outdoors.

Make & Play Nativity
Joey Chou
Nosy Crow

Here’s a nice strong, easy-to-assemble Nativity scene for small fingers.
It comprises twenty characters, some human, others animal that are easy to slot together, and in so doing, youngsters can hone their manipulative skills as a lovely seasonal scene is constructed.
Joey Chou’s artwork has a delightful simplicity that may well inspire users to make some of their own figures to add to the completed scene.
I’d suggest sharing the Nativity story included in the latter part of the book before starting on the construction. Once this is complete, then there are other activities including making an adventure calendar, songs to sing and more.
A festive delight that can (the pieces are easy to take apart after Christmas) be used over and over, either in a nursery setting or a family.

All I Want for Christmas
Rachel Bright
Orchard Books

In this short rhyming tale we join penguins – one Big, one Little- as they count down the days to Christmas.
There is plenty to keep them busy: baking, wrapping presents, making cards and decorations and seemingly, the entire penguin population is eagerly anticipating what will be under the Christmas tree.

There’s one penguin however who has no need to join the queue to post a letter to Santa, for the one thing Big really wants above all else is right there all the time: it’s a 4-lettered word beginning with l: can you guess what that might be?

Malala’s Magic Pencil

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Malala’s Magic Pencil
Malala Yousafzai and Kerascoët
Puffin Books

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and campaigner for the rights of every child to attend school, has written an autobiographical account of her life designed for young audiences.
She tells of her childhood in Pakistan and uses a favourite television show she liked to watch about a boy with a magic pencil that he used to help other people and sometimes himself.
Gradually her desire for a magic pencil of her own translates as she grows into a discovery of the need to take real action. She learns that the troubles in her home village – children working to support their families and thus unable to go to school;

the gender inequalities and with the arrival of the (unnamed) Taliban, the ban on girls being educated, are things that need to be spoken about.
Malala starts writing and speaking out: “My voice became so powerful that dangerous men tried to silence me. / But they failed,” she states simply; the hospital band around her wrist being the only indication of all that she’s gone through.

Her quest for justice and for making the world a more peaceful place continues, a quest that has been joined by many others.
The final spread shows Malala giving her famous speech before the United Nations: “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”

Here the force of her words and the message therein, that by finding your own voice, everyone can become a powerful force for positive change, resounds loud and clear.
The watercolour and ink illustrations of Malala’s daily life by Kerascoët (the joint pen name of the French illustrators, comics and animation artists Marie Pommepuy and Sébastien Cosset) give a wonderful sense of place; and the overlay of gold highlights her optimism and hope for making the world a fairer, better place.

Truly inspirational.
As the biographical notes at the end remind us, Malala has now become the youngest-ever UN Messenger of Peace: long may she continue her crucial work promoting the importance of education for all.
A picture book to share, reflect upon and talk about, again and again.

Halloween Briefing: Monsters Galore and a Witch or two

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There’s a Monster in Your Book
Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbott
Puffin Books
Here we have one of those interactive picture books that are in vogue at the moment and it comes from the co-writer of The Dinosaur That Pooped series.
The book is invaded by a rather cute-looking little monster that seems intent on wrecking the whole thing. ‘Let’s try to get him out,’ suggests the narrator which is clearly a good idea.
Readers are then asked to shake, tickle, blow, tilt left, then right, wiggle and spin the book, turning the page after each instruction. All the while the monster lurches this way and that around a plain background looking far from delighted at the treatment being meted out to him.
None of this succeeds in dislodging the creature but he’s definitely feeling dizzy so loud noises come next; then even louder ones.

This works but ‘Now he’s in your room!’ That’s even worse than being contained within the pages, at least from the reader’s viewpoint, so now the idea is to gently coax him back into the book. There he can stay while receiving some tender head stroking and a soft ‘goodnight’ until he falls fast asleep. Ahh!
With Greg Abbott’s cute, rather than scary monster, this is a fun book to share with pre-schoolers particularly just before their own shut-eye time; all that shaking and shouting will likely tire them out making them feel just like this.

SHHHH!

Ten Creepy Monsters
Carey F. Armstrong-Ellis
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Here’s a gigglesome twist on the nursery countdown featuring a mummy, a witch, a ghost, a werewolf, a vampire and others who, having gathered ‘neath a gnarled pine’ begin to disappear until only one remains. But what sort of creepy monster is that? Be prepared for a surprise.
Trick or treaters, if mock scary ghastly ghouls are your Halloween thing then look no further than this gently humorous, little paperback offering.

Scary Hairy Party!
Claire Freedman and Sue Hendra
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Monster’s having a party; it’s at 3 o’clock and all her friends are invited. Fortunately they’ve just got time to nip into Raymond’s salon for a hairdo first.
Seemingly Raymond’s not on top form however, as one after another receives a style disaster.

What on earth is Monster going to say when she sets eyes on her pals with their new make-overs?
Light-hearted rhyming fun illustrated with crazy, brighter than bright scenes of barnet mayhem: just right for those youngsters who like their Halloween stories to be on the silly, rather than the spooky side.

The Pomegranate Witch
Denise Doyen and Eliza Wheeler
Chronicle Books
A deft rhyming text, imbued with spookiness and replete with rich language, tells a tale of how five children desperate for a pomegranate from the witch’s tree, and armed with all manner of unlikely implements, do battle with its owner to get their hands on a tasty treat from its branches. A veritable Pomegranate War is waged …

until finally, one of children succeeds in bagging the object of their desires and they each have a share of the spoils.
The following day, Halloween, a Kindly Lady (the witch’s sister) appears to offer cider and a celebratory surprise fruit to all the town’s children: ‘And not one child wondered who was who, or which was which. / The shy old Kindly Lady or the Pomegranate Witch.’
Surely they couldn’t be one and the same – or could they?
Not for the very youngest listeners but a fun read aloud for KS1 audiences. As your listeners savour Denise Doyen’s story, make sure you allow plenty of time to enjoy Eiiza Wheeler’s delightfully quirky ink and watercolour illustrations.

For older solo readers:

Witch Snitch
Sibéal Pounder, illustrated by Laura Ellen Andersen
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
The (Witch Wars) Sinkville witches are preparing for Witchoween and it’s the first Tiga will experience. This is especially exciting as Peggy has asked her and Fran to make a documentary about the town’s most famous witches. With Fluffanora acting as fashion adviser, what more could she ask?
This book with its numerous activities, facts and character information as part and parcel of the narrative, is sure to make you giggle. So too will Laura Ellen Andersen’s line drawings.