What an amazing month for books especially children’s books. I have been extremely lucky to receive advance copies of all of these books in exchange for honest reviews. I only review books on my blog which I have genuinely enjoyed!
Books for Children:
Daddy’s Rainbow by Lucy Rowland and Becky Cameron
You can’t see a rainbow without the rain!
This is a beautifully told story of love, loss and keeping memories alive.
Ideal for those who may be suffering the loss of a loved one but equally valuable to all children. A perfect way to help build empathy and
The text is not overwhelming and the illustrations are gentle - a perfect combination.
Definitely a book I will be recommending to those I know who work as pastoral care with children.
Tag and the Magic Squeaker by Sam Hundley
This is a fun picture book for young children about Tag the dog, a cat and a mischievous mouse.
The illustrations are what makes this book - they are very unique and I’ve not seen anything like them before.
They would make a brilliant starting point for designing your own art work using junk modelling or lose parts play in the classroom.
Likewise it’s great for discussing magic and what you would do if you had a magic toy. This book really can inspire children.
So You Want to Build a Library by Lindsay Leslie illustrations by Aviel Basil
This is a wonderful story for children that celebrates the wonders of a library and the joy of reading. Let your imagination run wild! Full of bright illustrations that fill the page and you mind.
Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
This book left me with the biggest smile. It is such a wonderful book full of friendship and kindness.
Perfect for children and their grownups. Bert and Frank are best friends and they both want to win. But somethings are even more important.
Lovely illustrations that are bright and joyful add to the simple text to bring this important message alongside a little bit of counting practice.
Matias and the Cloud by Jorge G Palomera and Ana Sanfelippo
A beautiful wordless picture book - I love that this book tells its own story and that children can make it their own. The detailed illustrations show a whole range of emotion and events that will keep the reader finding new things each time they look.
One Camel Called Doug by Lu Fraser and Sarah Warburton
A fabulous fun counting book that follows Doug the Camel as he plays with new friends. A beautiful message that whilst having lots of friends around can be fun it’s still ok to want to have some time on your own as well. We all need a little bit of oneness sometimes. I loved the illustrations in this book - the expressions on the camels made me smile and who doesn’t love the image of a camel fancy dress party!
One order from the writer of the very popular The Littlest Yak!
Monster Max and the Marmalade Ghost by Robin Bennett illustrations by Tom Tinn-Disbury
Another brilliant instalment from Max and Peregrine.
This book is one that will have you laughing along as Max and Peregrine set about to do good and protect. Finding themselves up against a Marmalade Ghost that is terrorising the local day centre for the elderly the boys have to seek help if they are to overcome it. With a lot of mess, a few accidents and a life lesson in responsibility and friendship along the way this really is a must read books for fans of Monster Max.
A perfect read aloud book for children age 7+ get the whole family or class involved with the mischief.
Elisabeth and the Box of Colours by Katherine Woodfine illustrations by Rebecca Cobb
Another brilliant title from the Barrington Stoke Little Gens series. A beautiful book based on a true story to inspire children to follow their dreams.
The illustrations are bold and help bring the book to life for the reader. Splitting up the text which is laid out in a dyslexia friendly format.
It can be hard to find good age/ability appropriate non fiction texts and this book is an ideal bridge.
Also a very good book to address loss of a loved one.
Definitely one to add to the shelves in the class library or to read aloud.
Diary of an Accidental Witch: Flying High by Perdita and Honor Cargill illustrations by Katie Saunders
A book about magic but more importantly the magic of friendship.
I simply love Bea and everything she stands for. She tries to do the best and although she makes some mistakes along the way her heart is always in the right place.
I also really loved Ms Sparks - there is a kindness and knowingness to her. I sense she is very much on Bea’s side.
Finding a way to bring two groups together has been her secret wish and I am looking forward to seeing what adventures her and her Extraordinary friends have now that Ash is part of the gang.
As a child I loved the Worst Witch books and I am delighted to see a new witch on the scene - I know these books will be very popular with children (and their grownups).
Perfect for year 3 and up (7+)
Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List by Jenny Pearson illustrations by David O’Connell
I have loved each of Jenny’s books so far and this book has not failed to live up to my expectations. It is funny, heartfelt, sad and hopeful all in one brilliant package that teaches us some valuable life lessons.
Frank takes his Grandpa on one crazy adventure to ensure that he lives his best life - in doing so he ensures the same for himself and the rest of his family.
Not afraid to look at the painful and tough parts of family life and growing old Jenny Pearson wraps it all up in moments so positive and funny that you can’t help but smile and laugh out loud.
This really is a touching book that builds empathy and understanding - a perfect to read aloud as well as on your own.
Definitely a book that needs to be on the shelves of all libraries and bedrooms.
The Boy Whose Wishes Came True by Helen Rutter
Archie Crumb is not good at anything and his life consists of looking after himself and feeling that he doesn’t fit in.
That is until he finds himself with nine wishes that could change his life!
Helen Rutter isn’t afraid to write about the less favourable realities of life but she’s always does this with kindness and humour. This book takes a hard and honest look at the life some children experience when their parent/carer has depression. The daily struggles to provide for themselves at a young age and the feelings and emotions that go with it. Archie’s mum doesn’t get out of bed, she won’t talk to anyone and is clear that he mustn’t tell anyone.
Archie is left to fend for himself, not easy when the B-B gang are constantly teasing him, his own dad and step mum don’t want him around and he isn’t good at anything.
The one thing Archie clings to are his football stickers - most importantly the Lucas Bailey ones. Lucas Bailey is a local boy who turned things around to become a star. Could he be the key to Archie turning his life around?
When Archie suspects that his wishes are actually coming true he enlists the help of his best friend Mouse. He knows he can’t change people and he has to be clever - but what do you wish for to make you happy? As Archie makes his wishes (not always making the best decisions) he starts to realise that maybe he can change his own life. We all need hope and without hope nothing will happen.
This is another funny yet heartfelt book from Helen Rutter. Highlighting the importance of asking for help when we need it and the life of young carers.
A must read book ideal for year 6 up.
Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret by Annabelle Sami illustrator Daniela Sosa
A great first read for the new year. I really enjoyed this book. I love a good mystery to solve and those written for children are just as good.
This was an easy read and I can definitely see it being enjoyed by children. I have not read the first three books in the series yet (I managed to get an advance digital copy of this one from NetGalley). The fact that I hadn’t read the previous books didn’t impact my enjoyment at all. (There are vague references to the previous stories but nothing that holds you back if you don’t know them.)
The characters Zaiba, Poppy, Ali and Mariam are very relatable. There is a massive amount of representation in this book which is one of the many things which make it a fantasy book.
The plot is interesting and has enough to hold your interest and keep you guessing without it becoming too complex.
The History Club are off on a weekend school trip to see a newly discovered artefact. Kept a secret until it’s upcoming reveal their first mystery is to try and work out what this priceless item could be?
Zaiba and the Snow Leopard Detective Agency UK Branch are up for the challenge - they also suspect that where such a valuable artefact is concerned there is a very high chance that a crime will occur. If it does they will be prepared.
Perfect for children (and adults) aged 8+
Sydney and Taylor and The Great Friend Expedition by Jacqueline Davies illustrations by Deborah Hocking
A brilliant short chapter book following the adventures of Sydney and Taylor (a skunk and hedgehog) who live together in a burrow beneath Miss Nacy’s potting shed.
Taylor has had another big idea - he wants to make friends. Initially reluctant Sydney agrees and they set off to apply the techniques they have learnt from book. But will the be successful in their mission?
Short sections of text on the page and surrounded by full page illustrations that are bold and support the story beautifully. This book is an ideal first chapter book for children age 7+ and would make a lovely read aloud book to share.
Big Sky Mountain: The Forest Wolves by Alex Milway
Another brilliant adventure with Rose and Grandma Nan.
When a small wolf cub turns up at the cabin during a terrible storm Rosa becomes quiet attached. But deep down she knows the right thing to do is find Stick’s family.
Setting off to find the wolves Rosa and Grandma Nan discover a range of problems on Big Sky Mountain - all arising from fear of those we don’t know and an effort to protect families.
Rosa’s story and that of Stick offer a subtle reference about losing family and being looked after by someone other than your own parents. Perfect for children in similar situations to relate to and for all of us to build empathy and understanding. A perfect message about not judging others by their appearance and giving people a chance to show you who they really are.
Perfect adventures for children age 7+ - keep your eyes peeled for more books in this series.
Non-Fiction for Children:
Nature and Me by The School of Life
An interesting book that looks at different things from nature and how you can use them to help make better choices in your own ways of thinking and behaving.
How we can be more calm and focused or worry less about the things we can not change?
The book also contains interesting facts making it engaging for the reader. Sort of a cross between facts and self help. The layout of each page is slightly different, organised to work around the illustrations or fit in with the theme of the page.
A good choice for adding variety to your bookshelves and giving children the chance to explore and think for themselves.
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