Tag Swapna Reddy

Reggie Rabbit and the Metro Mice / Toby and the Pixies: How To Be Cool

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Reggie Rabbit and the Metro Mice
Swapna Reddy and Becka Moor
Oxford Children’s Books

This is the 4th of the Reggie Rabbit series and it appears that Reggie isn’t quite as sharp as usual and is missing bits of information here and there: could those high-alert detective skills be getting a tad rusty?
As he and Pipsqueak head out of the school gates one afternoon, they are approached by Mo, a shy mouse asking for their help. His home, the warren-like metro tunnels beneath Bearburgh, is under threat, putting the metro mice in great danger. Cracks are appearing in the metro’s structure but equally, the mouse community isn’t united in wanting help from members of ‘The Aboves’ so Mo’s Aunty Mona says.

Mo isn’t going to give up on their help though and he takes Reggie and Pipsqueak to a tunnel beside the council room where they hear strange sounds and see more cracks appearing. Once back on the surface Reggie and Pipsqueak hear a scream for help. They rush down the city street to where a jeweller tells them that he’s been robbed. Maybe the two things are connected with the criminal activity of racoon, Nora Masque, Reggie’s nemesis, and her brothers. It looks as though it’s up to Reggie and Pipsqueak to discover what is afoot.

Part chapter book, part graphic novel, this funny tale is ideal for new solo readers particularly young comic lovers.

For slightly older readers of graphic novels is:

Toby and the Pixies: How To Be Cool
James Turner and Andreas Schuster
David Fickling Books

In this 4th book featuring the accidental king of the pixies Toby is endeavouring to reinvent himself as T-Train. However, it doesn’t work so the pixies step in to help by using a memory orb, telling Toby that it will ‘make sure that everyone gives you a completely clean slate.’ This is clearly a step too far as now, not even Toby’s dad recognises him and sends the boy packing from his home.

A fresh start or an utter mess? Can the pixies sort out this particular disaster. Maybe but that’s only the beginning of the mayhem. Then come the hairy problems and a whole lot of more besides.

Ridiculously nonsensical silliness but highly hilarious: Toby’s fans will gobble it up and ask for more.

Reggie Rabbit: Robbery at the Masqued Ball

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Reggie Rabbit: Robbery at the Masqued Ball
Swapna Reddy and Becka Moor
Oxford Children’s Books

A warm welcome back to a young detective duo intent on keeping their city safe. Young detectives Reggie Rabbit and partner Pipsqueak are in attendance at a very special event and that’s because Auntie Hibiscus has been asked to do the catering. The event is the Masque family’s Masqued Ball – the grandest event in all of Bearburgh – and Reggie and Pipsqueak are to be waiters despite Reggie’s parents not being keen on the idea. However with famous pop star KITTY QITA set to perform, it’s too good an opportunity to miss.

Suddenly though, in the middle of Kitty Qita’s act, the lights go out and a jewel heist takes place.
Despite Kitty telling Reggie and Pipsqueak that the case is a lost cause, they’re ready for action right away. Kitty directs them towards Dog Lane (the meanest, most dangerous place on earth) and leaves them to it.

However it’s easy to jump to conclusions and the solution to this puzzling mystery may well come as a surprise.

With its madcap adventures and warm friendships, this charming series is a delightful blend of graphic novel and fiction and Reggie’s third case will surely be a winner with younger solo readers.

Ballet Bunnies

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Ballet Bunnies: The New Class
Ballet Bunnies: Let’s Dance
Ballet Bunnies: Millie’s Birthday
Swapna Reddy, illustrated by Binny Talib
Oxford University Press

This series for newly independent readers will definitely appeal to a certain sector of readers; these are the first three of what will eventually be six books starring young Millie and the four tiny magical bunnies residing at Miss Luisa’s School of Dance that she attends. Each one has a wealth of cute full-colour illustrations by Binny Talib.

In the first story we meet six-year old Millie who excitedly attends her first lesson, only to receive an almost instant put-down from the star of the class, Amber. As the class continues Millie’s despondency grows as she finds herself unable to accomplish the perfect-looking, graceful steps of her fellow classmates and at the end of the class she’s left alone to wait for her mum to collect her.

Suddenly she notices a moving shadow behind the stage curtain and discovers to her surprise, Dolly, Trixie, Fifi and Pod the miniature dancing bunnies. Perhaps these friendly little creatures can make all the difference to her time at the ballet school.

Swapna offers an encouraging voice to youngsters feeling somewhat disheartened by a new challenge especially when some classmates are less than kind. Support and warmth are powerful forces in the face of anxiety.

In Let’s Dance, Millie and her entire ballet school are to dance at a gala performance. Moreover, they’re to perform with props and the theme is ‘The Garden’: Millie’s class will be flower fairies. Teamwork is essential but not every class member is a hundred per cent co-operative. What will happen on performance night?

The third book begins on the last day before the holidays at ballet school with Millie’s birthday fast approaching. As she helps clear up, she shares with the bunnies her anxieties about the large number of people invited to her party to celebrate her, as her furry friends point out.

The bunnies agree to accompany Millie home to help her cope with the ballet-themed party; but can she keep them hidden from her mum and will it be a Happy Birthday when Millie turns seven?