A World Full of Nature Stories

This is the ninth volume in this fabulous series by Angela McAllister and like its fellows, is sure to tempt a wealth of readers to explore the stories within. Gathered into seven sections, the theme of this collection of 50 folk tales and legends from around the world is nature in all its glory.

Each story is retold with great care and attention to detail, staying true to the original whilst making them accessible for a modern audience. Some of these tales are no doubt familiar- ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and ‘The Little Fir Tree’- but the collection casts its net wide, gathering stories from all over the world. Children will enjoy locating the country of origin for each story and will, no doubt, exclaim over the similarities between versions of folktales they know and those they discover here.

Many of these tales seek to explain natural phenomenon. The reader learns how lightning began in the Khasi story from India, how the sun was made according to some First Nation’s Australians and why the Giant of the Rain showers the Earth with tears in the story from Brazil. Many of the stories have a strong message about respecting, and living in harmony with, nature.

Perfect for dipping in and out of and sharing at home, this series is also invaluable in school. The range and variety of stories, their length, the care with which they are told, make them an excellent resource for guided reading, both for guided and independent sessions. Children love these books with their beautiful illustrations- in the case the work of Hannah Bess Ross- and wealth of storytelling delights. ‘A World Full of Nature Stories’ is also brilliant for story times, perhaps lending a touch of story to another area of the curriculum.

An absolute ‘must have’- like the whole series! Angela McAllister is my guest on the Bookshelf tomorrow -find out more about her and her work then!

A World Full of Nature Stories: 50 Folk Tales and Legends

Angela McAllister, illustrated by Hannah Bess Ross

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711266452

The Treekeepers

Home to thousands, the city of Arborven owes its existence to the Undrentree. A well as the buildings covering the tree, set in rings around it are the city circles where the different layers of society live- the farther away from the tree, the less magic the inhabitants have. As a shapewalker, Liska, training to be a warrior, lives in the noon Fort, nestled on the northern wall. When she overhears a plan which threatens the city, Liska cannot find anyone who will believe her and so with Lug, a vermispex who can summon and control worms, Elowen, a ghost-girl, and Fishbone, a feisty kittimew, she sets off on an epic, perilous adventure to save her home.

When it comes to creating fantasy worlds, there is none better than Kieran Larwood. The richness of his imagination, the evocative details of his world building, the charm of his flawed but endearing characters – all combine to create the most breath-taking, engaging reads which leave the reader longing to return to the world of the book they have just finished. ‘The Treekeepers’ is just glorious- and (in my opinion) even better than ‘The Five Realms’ stories.

Friendship is at the heart of the story, showing the importance of valuing others and appreciating them for what and who they are. At the beginning of the story, Liska is determined to earn stripes- marks of gleaming colour for great deeds of courage and heroism- yet by the end of the story, realises that such marks of honour are not necessary to show what sort of person someone is. As she has come to know her companions, her appreciation of them- their kindness, their courage, their loyalty- has grown as has she in character. Both she and Lug are, at heart, very ‘normal’ children whose hopes and dreams, whose insecurities and vulnerabilities readers will identify and empathise with.

Beautifully written, with almost poetic descriptions at times, the story offers a rich vocabulary, including Larwood’s own ingenious namings- vermispex not doubt drawing on the Latin ‘vermis’ for worm, kittimew (my favourite), Arborven from a place sheltered by trees to name a few- as well as a sprinkling of mythical creatures.

It is impossible to review this book without commenting on the incredible presentation of the book as an object of beauty. The dust jacket illustrated by Fernando López Juárez is tempting enough, but peel this off, and there is a map of Larwood’s world embossed in gold on the hard cover of the book. Chris Wormell is also responsible for the lovely chapter heading illustrations.

Simply stunning!

The Treekeepers Kieran Larwood, illustrated by Chris Wormell

cover by Fernando López Juárez

Faber ISBN: 978-0571364565

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Fire Power

It's not easy being an accidental superhero. Aidan (aka Fire Boy) and the circus are in trouble, once again. Aidan's nemesis, the billionaire Clayton Jones, is spreading fake news throughout the world, painting Aidan as the bad guy.

With circus fans dwindling and the world turning against them, Aidan knows it's once again up to him to save the day. But to do see, he'll have to reveal the truth about Clayton Jones - and it looks like Clayton might have some special powers of his own...

The ‘Fire Boy’ books have been incredibly popular in school with children delighting in their quirky humour and very relatable superhero, Aiden.

Jay uses a number of devices- lists, notes from readers, emails- and differing typography to break up the text as well as fairly short chapters to make the book both accessible and appealing to readers whilst keeping the plot moving at a pleasing pace. The tone of the story is light and chatty which adds to this.

Aiden is an appealing main character. Often impulsive- that’s how he became Fire Boy in the first place- he is lucky to have good friends by his side. Sadie, Hussein and he might be very different personalities, but they balance each other well, making a good team whose bond is sure to endure whatever life brings. Granny continues to be my favourite character: cantankerous and dangerous, she is a match for anyone, ‘a freak of nature’.

In addition to the story bursting with humour, it has a generous scattering of facts throughout- bibliosmia is liking the smell of old books, burnt orchids flower in early summer- which add to the overall enjoyment. The book ends with a fact or fiction ‘quiz’ by Miss Spatchcock, focusing on some of the details included in the story and encouraging the reader to find out more about Peru, where part of the story is set, and the Incas.

Every bit as enjoyable as the first two, ‘Fire Power’ is a fitting conclusion to this series.

Fire Power J M Joseph

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444954722

You can find out more about Jay and what he will be writing next in my Q and A session with him here.

The Arctic Railway Assassin

Hal is flying off to Sweden to meet his Uncle Nat. Together, they are going to make a special Christmas trip to the Aurora Sky Station to see the Northern Lights. Uncle Nat’s friend, Mortimer, has just won a Nobel Prize, and has been scared by a series of inexplicable events since the announcements. Although she is supposed to be accompanying them on the Narvik train, Morti has a sudden change of plans, leaving Hal and Nat to board alone.

But as they leave Stockholm, Hal and his uncle realise that they are being followed and things take a sinister turn as Uncle Nat’s past returns to haunt him, putting them both in danger.

This is definitely the most tense and fast paced trains adventure yet- and my new favourite! In this story, we learn more about Uncle Nat’s mysterious past and it seems that danger is catching up with him. There are moments of real peril and suspense as the action builds, raising serious concerns for the safety of all involved.

As readers have come to expect, ‘The Arctic Railway Assassin’ is full of wonderful descriptions of the trains and railways- a gift for any railfan. This attention to detail really makes you want to visit the locations involved- Kungsträdgården Station and the metro, Stockholm, the journey north to the Arctic Circle- leaving you with a strong sense of wanderlust, a longing to see the Northern lights and stay in the Ice Hotel! A section of notes at the end of the book offers more information about these places if the reader is interested.

Hal’s art work continues to be central to each story, but in this one, I feel there is a real sense of the development of his talent. The reader is told that he has been practising drawing at speed and is now ‘able to get down all the important lines at a breakneck pace’, loosely sketching in ‘a series of eggs for heads’ and other marks to guide his drawing. The addition of these details really adds to the story as it is through Hal’s considerable skill that the crimes are solved. Elisa Paganelli’s wonderful illustrations continue to give life to his sketches, allowing the reader to see each scene Hal captures and glean the same clues- if they can!

I love the face that the Sámi people have been included in this story. Katarina, who Hal meets on this trip, is a great character with observational skills and courageous spirit to match Hal’s. Details about the fascinating culture of her people, including clothing, food and their reindeer, add great interest to the story. I have been lucky enough to visit Sápmi and am ashamed to say that I did not know the Sámi people find ‘Lapland’ offensive. You really do learn - and should learn- something new every day.

The success of this series is not at all surprising as every book not only introduces the reader to a new location- and a new train- but also a brilliant new mystery to solve. I can’t wait to see what Hal gets up to next!

The Arctic Railway Assassin

M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529072761

Published 13th October 2022

You can read my review of ‘Sabotage on the Solar Express’ here and ‘Epic Adventures: Explore the World in 12 Amazing Train Journeys’ here.

You can read a multi- review of each of the other four books here.

Blog Tour: The Shadow Order

Today, I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘The Shadow Order’ by Rebecca F John. This is a story you will not want to miss!

Friends Teddy James, Betsy Blue and Effie Hart live in Copperwell, a city which has lived for a year under The Shadow Order, a law passed to prevent its citizens from seeing their shadows which have changed and now reflect each person’s true self. It’s been a long dark year in which only the Constabulary- law enforcement- are allowed to move outside in daylight hours.

When the three children decide to break the rules and climb to the top of the Observatory to see the sunrise, they witness the arrest of a woman who is shouting about the government, accusing them of being responsible for the change in the shadows and telling anyone who will listen to ‘find the orrery!’ Determined to find out what the government is really up to, the friends set off on a quest brimming with peril, excitement and adventure.

‘The Shadow Order’ is a gripping read, perfect for those children who like to be challenged in their thinking. Darkness lurks in Copperwell, not only because of the Order, but because the population are being controlled and manipulated by those in power. They are constantly being fed misinformation to make them behave in a way which suits their leaders- sounds familiar? Stories like this are so important to encourage children to think for themselves and question things, looking for a balanced view rather than blindly accepting the ‘party line’, whatever your party might be!

As with the other hosts on this blog tour, I have a snippet of exclusive content to share. I am delighted by this as it allows me to ‘show, not tell’ Rebecca’s skill in both world building and character development.

Limpet’s Lane
Swindler’s Quarter is the poorest part of Copperwell. And the poorest part of Swindler’s Quarter is Limpet’s Lane. On Limpet’s Lane, each room houses at least two families, who cram top-to-toe into beds six or eight people at a time. One early morning, Teddy and his father collected a fare from Limpet’s Lane in the cab. Teddy could tell his father was nervous by the way he kept glancing over his shoulder, wrapping his hands tighter around Jim’s reins. The tall narrow houses blocked out the rising winter sun. ‘Stay alert,’ Teddy’s father said. ‘Desperate people do desperate things sometimes.’ Teddy clamped his gloved hands together. ‘Then we shouldn’t be here,’ he said. ‘It’s frightening.’ His father replied in a murmur. ‘It’s impossible to live a life without fear.’ And clicked Jim on into the shadows.

The three children- Teddy, Betsy and Effie-are very different children, each with their own secrets and challenges. The strength of their friendship and their loyalty to each other supports them through the many challenges, emotional and physical which they face whilst trying to expose the truth. I have a particular fondness for Teddy and am delighted to see a sensitive, caring male character who doubts himself for not being brave enough, yet when needed, finds the courage to do what needs to be done.

‘The Shadow Order’ is the perfect book for the ‘moving on’ stage of readers- those able readers around Year 6/7/8 who are looking for something to challenge them, but are not ready perhaps for the content of novels aimed at older readers. I really hope there will be more books so we can follow Teddy, Betsy and Effie further as their lives continue.

The Shadow Order Rebecca F. John

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102951

Many thanks to Rebecca and the lovely Karen at Firefly- it was a pleasure to meet you at the YLG Conference!- for inviting me to be part of this tour. Make sure you catch the rest of the posts about this brilliant book.

Beyond the Frozen Horizon

In 2030, the world leaders pledged a coordinated and unprecedented response to the Climate Crisis, introducing strict Climate Laws and establishing World Wilderness Zones, including the High Arctic. Rory’s mum is an environmental geologist whose new job with Greenlight, a company which claims to have developed new ways of ‘mining’ in the Arctic using bacteria, offers mother and daughter the chance of a lifetime opportunity to travel to Svalbard- and Rory the chance to escape the misery of school.

On arrival, instead of a ghost town, they find a tiny community still inhabiting Pyramiden, living in harmony with nature and its wildlife. Initially, Rory is treated with suspicion and shunned by the locals until she makes friends with MIkkal, and together, they uncover some disturbing truths about the Greenlight project.

Nicola Penfold has quickly become one of my favourite authors. Her writing is completely absorbing, superbly crafted and thought provoking- and I think ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ is her best work yet.

The importance of caring for our world is at the absolute core of this book and yet nothing about it is ‘preachy’ or patronising. The respect and care shown for the natural world by Mikkal and his people stands in harsh contrast to the real actions and purpose of those in charge of the Greenlight project. Rory stands between these two camps- she longs to believe in the company her mother is working for and yet is forced to face the realities of what she is seeing, taking the reader on a thought-changing journey about climate crisis, human impact on the planet and the need for change.

Evocative descriptions of the stark, yet stunning Arctic environment create a dramatic backdrop to the story. The perils of this environment, the fragility of human existence amid the cold and creatures which make it their home, is captured so vividly as Rory explores her new home, encountering danger and beauty in equal measure.

‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ is a compelling adventure with a hint of the supernatural- I love the reference to Michelle Paver’s ‘Dark Matter’ (which gave me nightmares) another stunning novel set in the Arctic. Any of Nicola’s books would make an excellent key text to study and enjoy, but ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ is an absolute gift to any UKS2/ KS3 teacher in many ways. At story time, it would keep a class completely enraptured and absorbed; as a guided reader, it offers endless possibilities for rich, challenging work both guided and independent; as a class key text, it has the power of an engaging plot, the richness of language, interesting characters, links to other curricular areas and a satisfying conclusion to keep children absorbed and to inspire them to produce quality work in response. It is a fabulous book deserving great success!

Beyond the Frozen Horizon Nicola Penfold

Little Tiger ISBN: 9781788954471

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Festergrimm

When evil villain, Sebastian Eels, returns to Eerie-on-Sea, Herbie and Vi are convinced that he has some sinister purpose. He claims he is going to re-open Festergrimm’s Waxworks which will bring more tourists to the town, but as the children investigate, they discover another Eerie tale, full of family secrets and mechanical monsters, leading them into dark and dangerous places as they try to foil another of Eel’s dastardly schemes.

This is my favourite trip to Eerie-on-Sea so far! Full of all the familiar faces fans of the series have come to know and love, ‘Festergrimm’ is told with all the humour and charm of the previous books- and yet has a slightly different edge to it somehow.

Threads from the previous stories are drawn together in this one and it feels as if we are tantalisingly close to discovering more about the mysterious past of both Herbert Lemon and Violet Parma. These two make an incredible pair- brave and impetuous Vi often taking the lead, but Herbie (although starting with the intention of doing NOPE-vember and saying ‘nope’ to everything remotely adventurous!) rising to every challenge in his determination to defeat Eels.

I love the way Thomas Taylor refers to stories like the Gollum of Prague and Frankenstein as the children learn of the legend of Festergrimm’s metal giant, opening doors for children to discover new stories should they wish to as he builds on these to create his own. There are some quite chilling and tense moments in the book, but these are well balanced by the strength of the children’s friendship and the strong bonds they have with Jenny Hanniver, Dr Thalassi and Mrs Fossil as well as some more poignant events.

 ‘Mermedusa’ is, I believe, to be the fifth and final book in this series. Whilst I shall be sorry to make just one final visit to Eerie-on-Sea, Thomas Taylor has done such an excellent job of setting things up for an incredible conclusion to Herbie and Vi’s adventures that I can’t wait to read it!

Festergrimm Thomas Taylor

Walker Books ISBN: 978- 1529502121

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back

Bridie is one of the many youngsters selling matches on the streets of Victorian London. Her mother works long hours in dangerous conditions as a dipper in the Bryant and May Match Factory and even her six-year-old brother, Fergal, spends long hours making matchboxes in their tiny home. When trouble strikes and leaves Bridie hurt and alone, with just three matches left, magic happens when she strikes each one, allowing her to see visions of a different, brighter future. Realising she can change the future, the little match girl leads the factory workers out on strike and to achieve remarkable things.

Based on the real-life events of the matchgirls’ strike, this is a re-working of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic ‘The Little Matchgirl’. Like the original matchgirl, Bridie is cold, poor and hungry, but that’s where the similarity ends. Flame haired Bridie sparks with life, using her skill as a storyteller to charm people into buying her matches. Her determination and street savvy attitude, essential to her survival on the streets of Victorian London, make her a far more rounded, appealing character than Anderson’s ‘little child’. Her indignation at the injustices she sees all around her – the appalling conditions her mother works in, the bullying pettiness of the male supervisors in the factory, her mother’s encroaching illness to name a few - is infectious, leading the reader to empathise with her situation, but unlike the original, to feel a genuine – and justifiable- anger targeted at those responsible.

The story is sure to inspire some readers to investigate Annie Besant’s role in these events and research further into the events of this historic occasion. The newspaper article written by Annie, for example, can be seen on-line. Reading the story instantly made me want to know more about the girls involved and I have tried to locate those who are named as part of the Union committee in the census returns for 1881/91, but have had limited success in the short time I have been searching, finding only one possible entry for Mary (Polly) Driscol.

Taken from the 1891 Census

Emma has done a wonderful job of including elements from the original- the loss of the mother’s over-large slippers, the boy who takes them (although very different in this telling), the danger of carriages, the longing for goose- but has transformed the story into so much more. Books like this are essential for broadening children’s historical knowledge to events not taught in school and sparking their interest. Additional information from both author and illustrator is included at the end, accompanied by photographs, adding to the reader’s understanding of these events. In addition to being an excellent independent read, the book would work well as a guided reading or whole class text. It offers so many opportunities for discussion, role play and debate, leading to quality writing in a wide range of forms and enriching the curriculum, allowing children to make links with other areas of learning, deepening their understanding of living conditions in Victorian England and making them question how things have changed- or not.

Lauren’s illustrations and the use of varied typography add to the appeal of the story and the elliptical breaks within chapters will support children who feel overwhelmed by lengthy chapters, offering natural places for them to take a break in their reading should they need to do so. The accessible format does not prevent the story from containing plenty of challenge.

I have reviewed the book for someone else, but love it so much that I had to add some more here! Definitely one I will be planning for as a guided reading text, ‘The Little Match Girl Strikes Back’ is an excellent read.

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back

Emma Carroll, illustrated by Lauren Child

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978- 1398512818

Published 15th September 2022

You can read my review of ‘Escape to the River Sea’ here.

Arabic Folktales

It is no secret that I love traditional tales, myths and legends. For me, there is something really special about reading stories which have been enjoyed and treasured by those before us whatever their culture or where they live in the world. The similarities which can occur between stories from different places are fascinating and each new re-telling offers a different slant as each teller breathes a little of themselves into the telling. So I was delighted to discover this on one of my trips to Bath.

‘Arabic Folktales: The Three Brothers of Serendip and Other Stories’ is a beautifully presented book. The dust jacket is handsome enough, but the actual cover shows an explosion of the paper cut flowers which can be found throughout the book. Geertje Aalders, the master paper cutter responsible for the art work throughout the book, has greatly contributed to making this a very appealing book to be treasured. The title page of each story has a paper cut surround and further illustrations accompany each tale.

The author describes himself as a ‘sort of gatherer of tales’ who has tried to rewrite them in his own style, but encourages the reader to change elements as he says ‘stories are the best migrants and the finest travellers. Let these stories become your own.’ And this is a delightful collection with a story for every occasion. ‘Soup’ is a wonderful story about the importance of having enough love in your heart to help others whilst ‘The Man Who Was Never Satisfied’ teaches the importance of appreciating what you have. Many of these stories would be perfect to use as the starting point for an assembly or for sharing as part of a PSHE session as they contain wisdom a-plenty! However, the book would also make an excellent text for guided reading, allowing children time to discuss the stories and explore them further with the stories being short enough to allow a sense of satisfaction and achievement for those put off by longer texts.

Translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson, ‘Arabic Folktales’ is an essential collection for anyone who shares my delight in traditional stories and for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered just how delightful they can be!

Arabic Folktales:

The Three Princes of Serendip and Other Stories

Rodaan Al Galidi, translated by Laura Watkinson, illustrated by Geertje Aalders

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529506006

If You Read This

When her Nana throws a surprise party for her twelfth birthday, Brie is embarrassed by all the attention. Her final present is from her mother- who died three year’s ago- a series of letters leading Brie on one final treasure hunt like those they used to enjoy together. The first letter guides Brie to a special place, but her father, manager of the resort where they live, works long hours and seems disinterested in his daughter and her quest. Will her mother’s treasure hunt help bring them together?

Beautifully told, ‘If You Read This’ is a heartwarming, sensitive story, full of love and hope. Brie is trying to cope with the grief of losing of her mother and the complex emotions surrounding this. She is also struggling in her relationship with her father who has been distant and focused on his work, leaving her feeling neglected and hurt. Ultimately, her mother’s treasure hunt helps her come to understand both her father and mother better and learn more about herself.

The story is full of appealing characters set against a vivid Caribbean background, full of colour and energy. The constant in Brie’s life, her Nana, is just wonderful and the strength of her friendship with Smiley and Femi is heartwarming. Brie herself is endearing and readers are really able to empathise with her mixed feelings as the story develops.

‘If You Read This’ is a powerful and emotional story which is a joy to read. As with any story dealing with such emotive issues, the content should be considered before recommending, but it offers much to enjoy!

If You Read This Kereen Getten

Pushkin Children’s ISBN: 978-1782692812

The Mountain Rescue Dog

Everything changes for Clova after her mother, part of the Glenstrome search and rescue team in the Scottish mountains, dies during a rescue mission. Her grieving father withdraws into himself, becoming overly protective of his daughter and it is thanks to the efforts of her grandfather that the family hotel is still running. Feeling lonely and lost, Clova is struggling until she meets Tatty, a nervous collie stray, who helps her find purpose again as she begins to train him as a rescue dog. When two young boys are lost, Tatty and Clova track them down; her father is furious and vows to send Tatty away, leaving Clova heartbroken. However, when her father is lost on the mountain and heavy snow causes an avalanche, Clova and her faithful dog prove that they belong together and save the day.

Anyone who has had a dog will instantly recognise the remarkable bond that can form with a much loved companion. Juliette Forrest captures this perfectly, making ‘The Mountain Rescue Dog’ a great read for anyone with a canine pal. However, there is so much more to this fabulous story of grief, courage and adventure.

The incredible work of mountain rescue teams and their Search and Rescue dogs is really celebrated through the book, giving the reader a glimpse of the work which the dogs, their handlers and the teams do and the lengths which they go to, at great personal risk, to save those in need. In her author note at the end of the book, Juliette says, ‘Scottish Mountain Rescue have 850 team volunteers, who will respond at a moment’s notice 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.’ Through highlighting their amazing dedication and the essential work they do, the story also acts as a reminder of the dangers and fickle nature of mountains, encouraging readers (should they wish to!) to explore them safely. The patience and commitment needed to train a rescue dog and the love and kindness used to do this is beautifully explored as Clova trains Tatty with guidance from her grandfather, who offers many useful tips to consider when training any dog!

Deeply poignant in places, the story also explores loss and the overwhelming nature of grief. Clova is devastated by her mother’s death and keenly feels the secondary loss of her father who has lost himself in his sorrow. His frantic desire to protect his daughter- to try to keep her safe- results in a lack of communication and a loss of understanding as each struggles to come to terms with what has happened. The story also touches on her grandfather’s grief as he sees his daughter in Clova, comforting her as he acknowledges her sadness, sharing his feelings with her in a way her father is not ready to.

‘…everywhere you go a fresh memory pops up you had forgotten about. Even though you can see them as clear as day as if they’re right in front of you - you know they are not coming back.’

With each of her books, Juliette Forrest offers something different, but strong characters and vivid settings are sure to feature whatever the focus. In ‘The Mountain Rescue Dog’, she has created a heart-warming tail (sorry- couldn’t help myself!) of loss, love and understanding which is sure to become a firm favourite for teachers to read to their class as well as for enjoying independently.

The Mountain Rescue Dog Juliette Forrest

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702313646

Published 1st September 2022

Blog Tour: The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom

I was delighted to be asked to take part in this Blog Tour as I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom’. Once started, it’s almost impossible to put down!

Ophelia Bottom longs to be ‘normal’- to have well-behaved parents and live in a house which stays still. But with her parents being Shakespearian actors in their own travelling theatre company and living in a rickety old converted van, her life is unusual to say the least. So when the van, known as the Pantechnicon, makes its stop in the seemingly perfect town of Stopford and bad luck strikes her family, could this offer the opportunity she has longed for?

Packed with drama, adventure and theatricals, ‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom’ is an absorbing read with much to recommend it! One of its strengths is its wonderful cast of characters, particularly Ophelia’s family. Ophelia’s father (who she calls Ar) is a flamboyant, irrepressible thespian who speaks mainly in capitals and (like Mr Micawber!) seems to be permanently convinced that something will turn up whilst her mother is a risk averse, superstitious lady who wants her daughter to experience some stability and get an education. This causes some tension in the Pantechnicon which increases when Ar breaks his leg meaning the family is forced to extend their stay in Stopford. Money worries and misunderstandings cause the arguments to mount and Ophelia, sadly like many children, finds herself caught between them and full of anxiety about the future of their relationship.

Settling in to a new school is hard enough, but in a place where the town motto is plastic is fantastic – different is dangerous, Ophelia (or O-failure as her name is pronounced in school)- struggles to fit the mould. Uniformity is key and over-zealous prefects are determined that everyone should conform. As Ophelia realises that there is a sinister plot afoot in this too-perfect town with its high levels of plastic pollution, the story takes a darker turn as it romps towards its conclusion.

‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom’ would make an excellent class read, offering plenty to discuss and consider- the importance of family and friendship, the need to question, the dangers of plastic pollution, rights and responsibilities, how important it is to be yourself, lots of Shakespearian references… to name a few. There are some sinister characters and perilous moments to be aware of, but this is a gripping story which it is impossible to do justice to in a short review! Add straight to the top of the TBR pile!

The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom Susie Bower

Pushkin ISBN: 978-1782693604

Thank you for including me in this Blog Tour! Make sure you follow on for the rest of the week!

The Crocodile Curse

The second of ‘The Nile Adventures’, ‘The Crocodile Curse’ is set in 1269BCE in the tenth year of the reign of Ramesses II and continues the story of brothers Renni and Mahu and their friend Princess Balaal. Having thwarted the plans of the evil vizier, Paser, and survived, the children find themselves caught up in a new adventure when Balaal asks the brothers to accompany her to Shedet, the City of Crocodiles, to visit the temples dedicated to Sobek. However, when they arrive, they soon realise that their old enemy, Paser, is once more up to no good…

‘The Crocodile Curse’ (like all of Saviour’s historical fiction) offers not only an exciting and engaging story, but the rich descriptions and historical details incorporated seamlessly into the fabric of the tale also make it perfect for being used to support work on the Ancient Egyptians, one of the civilisations suggested for an in-depth study as part of the KS2 work on achievements of the earliest civilisations.

Details about daily life, customs, religious practices, the landscape are easily absorbed whilst the reader enjoys the story, making it perfect as a class read or a guided reading text. The joy of books like this is that, if you want to use them to support the curriculum, they can be used at any time. If the children have not learned about the Ancient Egyptians yet, they will absorb lots of information which they can later pin new learning on; if they have previously learned about the Egyptians, the story will encourage them to recall this learning and use it to deepen their understanding of Renni’s life; if the Egyptians is not the ancient civilisation chosen for in-depth study in a particular school’s curriculum, the story will allow children to encounter the Egyptians, perhaps encouraging them to find out more independently, and allow them to make links and comparisons between the civilisations of the past. A glossary and author’s notes at the end offer additional information for the reader.

Most importantly, ‘The Crocodile Curse’ is a well-paced, gripping read, full of adventure and intrigue, magic and mystery. Renni, Mahu and Balaal are appealing characters, each very different. In this story, Renni learns that he can find courage when he needs it whereas his brother learns that it is sometimes better to think before speaking.

The book is full of black and white pictures by Jo Lindley which help to bring key scenes further to life as they capture details from the text. The children’s adventures continue in ‘The Jackal’s Graveyard’ and you can get a hint about what’s coming in that if you read my ‘Meet Saviour Pirotta’ post.

The Crocodile Curse Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jo Lindley

Maverick ISBN: 978-1848868946

You can read my review of ‘The Heart Scarab’ here.

The Worlds We Leave Behind

Hector, or Hex as he is known, didn’t mean to cause an accident, but instead of taking responsibility, he runs, burning with a fierce sense of injustice at the situation. He finds himself in a fairy-tale clearing in the woods- a clearing which he knows can’t actually be there- where an old lady in a cottage offers him a deal. She will ‘clip’ those who have wronged him from the world, allowing Hex to continue his life as if nothing happened. All he has to do is crush the acorn she has given him…

But Hex is not the only one the old woman has offered this deal and when Hex’s best friend, Tommo, wakes the following morning, he is in a different world, with only hazy, blurred memories of the world before. Can things be changed back to the way they were?

‘The Worlds We Leave Behind’ is an exceptional, beautifully written book, full of evocative descriptions and stunning illustrations. It is one of those books which is so hard to review without ruining it for anyone who hasn’t read it- so be warned!

Hex tends to act without thinking about the consequences of his actions. Impulsive and with a tendency to act the clown in class, his actions have landed him in the head’s office on more than one occasion. But he’s not the only one who is not considering the consequences of their actions- and the fact that we have to live and deal with the choices we make.

The story also considers the idea of revenge. Hex is offered the change to get his own back- to settle a score- but at what cost? When Missus ( the old lady) offers to erase Hex’s enemy from existence so the ‘world will heal, reshape itself around’ the place where that person would have been, she tells him that only he would ever know they had existed at all. It is perfect for instigating discussions - or ponderings- on just how far people might go to feel avenged and once again, reflect on the consequences of this.

Deliciously spooky and atmospheric, ‘The Worlds We Leave Behind’ is full of the most amazing illustrations by Levi Pinfold, some of which are quite sinister. The story has a very magical quality with its enchantments and alternate versions of reality, dense woods and fairy tale cottages, making it completely captivating. I loved it!

The Worlds We Leave Behind

A F Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526623881

Looking for Emily

Lily is not impressed by Edge, her new home town. Tiny and scruffy, the seaside town has little to offer and less to excite until she discovers a hidden museum- The Museum of Emily- which leads her into a mystery. Determined to find out who Emily was, what has happened to her and why she has a museum, Lily enlists the help of new friends, Sam and Jay, to solve this intriguing puzzle.

Alternating between Lily in the present and Emily in the past, ‘Looking for Emily’ is a well paced, enticing mystery with plenty of twists along the way. Although Lily is not impressed by Edge initially, its winding streets, shadowy caves and ruined lighthouse offer the perfect backdrop to the mystery and Fiona Longmuir effortlessly captures the setting and atmosphere of a seaside town.

Initially friendless, the bond Lily forms with Sam and Jay is delightful. Each is a strong individual with very different personalities, yet they come together to form the perfect team, working through problems and supporting one another. Sam’s chaotic family is a complete delight and no adventuring group of children is complete without a faithful canine companion- in this case, Sam’s dog, Costello.

For me, this was a one-sitting read as I felt compelled to find out more about Emily, uncover the identity of the sinister stranger and know whether the lost treasure existed. With its themes of friendship and family, there is so much here for KS2 children to enjoy as they solve the mystery alongside Lily and her friends. I really enjoyed it!

Looking for Emily Fiona Longmuir

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839942754

Mia and the Lightccasters

Beware of the shadows, the Reaper King is coming…

Being an umbra trainer was Mia’s dream until an encounter with a wild creature on the Nightmare Plains leaves her preferring to stay within the safety of the walls of Nubis where she lives, her confidence in tatters. When a surprise attack on the city leads to the capture of her parents and the other umbra tamers, Mia, her little brother, Lucas and friend, TJ must make their way to the City of Light to find help.

I loved this story. There is an energy and directness to the story telling which is instantly engaging and the plot merges various genres in a perfect mixture. I know so many children who are going to absolutely love this!

Mia is a fascinating character. The bond between her family is beautifully portrayed and her relationship with little brother, Lucas, is full of love and tenderness- a real joy to see. Convinced she is not good enough or strong enough to achieve what is expected of her, Mia still faces every challenge thrown at her and comes back stronger and more determined than before. Readers will empathise with her feelings whilst admiring her kind and loyal nature as she refuses to give up on others.

There is much to love about Janelle McCurdy’s world building. Lunis, its cities, the Nightmare Plains, the umbra…the story is rich in description, allowing the reader to escape to each location as the action builds. The plot is well paced and builds to a satisfying conclusion which hints at more to come.

Full page illustrations are scattered throughout the story, adding to its appeal. Sure to be a huge hit with children in UKS2, ‘Mia and the Lightcasters’ is one to move to the top of the reading pile!

Mia and the Lightcasters

Janelle McCurdy, illustrated by Ana Latese

Faber ISBN: 978-0571368433

The Story Shop: Anchors Away!

In Puddletown High Street, nestled between the hairdresser’s and the hardware store, is the most unusual shop- The Story Shop- where shopkeeper, Wilbur, and his assistant, Fred Ferret, sell adventures that their customers can actually BE in! So when Pearl Johnson, famous explorer, calls in, Wilbur suggests she sets off on a swashbuckling pirate adventure. But will everything go according to plan..?

Containing three linked stories, ‘The Story Shop: Anchors Away!’ offers a wonderful reading experience for emergent readers. The book is full of Tony Neal’s lively illustrations which are both engaging and entertaining, adding much to the humour of the stories!

In her adventure, the very confident (bossy!-Fred) Pearl first meets some very un-pirate-like pirates and helps them to steal back the Black Pearl from the crew of the Scabby Seagull with a sneaky plan! Although things don’t go quite according to plan, fortunately, Fred is on hand to nudge things in the right direction. Once finished here, they cause trouble in a pirate competition involving earning points in a raft race, building a shelter and cooking a delicious supper before setting off on a treasure hunt. Their final adventure involves a mysterious pirate ghost before heading back to the Story Shop.

Each adventure is full of fun and told in a light-hearted, pacey style which keeps the reader engaged and keen to find out what happens next. Having three stories in one book makes the book achievable for newly independent readers, offering a sense of achievement as they complete each tale.

‘The Story Shop’ is a lovely series, celebrating the power of the imagination and story telling. Children will have great fun creating their own Story Shop adventures- and are sure to look forward to Wilbur and Fred’s next adventure!

The Story Shop: Anchors Away!

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953269

You can read my review of ‘The Story Shop: Blast Off!’ here and join me for a Q and A with Tracey this coming Friday!

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Ghostly Getaway

Bea and her classmates are off on a residential to spooky Cadabra Castle. It’s sure to be a magical trip with lots to do and plenty of fun to be had…if Year 7 can just stop arguing. However, their teachers have different ideas. Miss Lupo is determined that they keep up their Potions work and they are travelling in an old orange Ordinary bus! To top it all, they have been set a series of witchy mystery challenges as Miss Sparks is sure a few team building activities will help this argumentative lot learn to work together.

Bea’s adventures started when she and her father moved to Little Spellshire and she found herself accidentally enrolled to go to the School of Extraordinary Arts. This mishap led to her attending a school for witches, but, after a somewhat exhausting and baffling start, Bea settled in well to magical life, recording her secret experiences in her diary. Now in her third term, she has started a new diary with some New Year’s resolutions.

Told in a very light-hearted style, these books make very appealing reading yet in each story Bea overcomes or solves a problem which readers themselves might encounter. In this story, as well as the on-going conflicts and rivalries with certain classmates, Bea is really worried that her father’s work (researching the bizarre weather patterns of Little Spellshire) is coming to an end and she will soon be forced to leave her new school and friends if she and her father move elsewhere. Instead of talking to him about this, she concocts a plan of action, but (as is often the case!) hasn’t thought this through, leading to on-going problems and an increasing sense of anxiety for Bea. The easiest thing to do to set her mind at rest was to actually talk to her father…which she eventually does!

This story also shows the importance of teamwork and setting aside differences. When forced to work with her nemesis, Bea needs to find a way of cooperating with Blair and the girls come to realise that this is the way to succeed. Told with much humour and ‘quirkiness’, there is no heavy moralising or preaching here- just Bea’s dawning appreciation of the fact. I love the way the teachers nudge them towards this by creating the right conditions and then sitting back and letting it happen!

Perfect for younger, reluctant (or really any!) reader, ‘Diary of an Accidental Witch: Ghostly Getaway’ is a great addition to this series. It would make a fun class read, but actually engaging with the text with it’s footnotes, corrections, annotations and fabulous illustrations by Katie Saunders make it great for curling up with independently!

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Ghostly Getaway

Perdita and Honor Cargill, illustrated by Katie Saunders

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953405

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Ghostly Getaway

Perdita and Honor Cargill

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-

Free Kid to Good Home

When a little girl meets her baby brother, Daichan, she is less than impressed. She thinks he looks ‘just like a potato’ and blames him for her parents not seeming to want her around any more. Determined to find a better family, she gets herself a box and using her best handwriting, write ‘Free Kid’ on the front. Nothing she does seems to attract new parents, but she is soon joined by a dog, a kitty and a turtle who are also looking for a new home. When they all find somewhere new to live and the little girl is on her own once more, her parents appear and say they are looking for an older sister for Daichan so she gives up being a stray kid to become a big sister for a little potato.

Full of gentle humour, ‘Free Kid to a Good Home’ is a delightful book exploring the anxiety many children feel when faced with a new sibling. Very accessible and appealing with comic style illustrations and minimal text, the story is perfect for encouraging children to think about and discuss welcoming a new addition to the family. I love how the parents handle the situation, allowing the little girl to feel she has been chosen and has had a say in becoming a sister to the ‘little potato’.

Hiroshi’s illustrations are wonderful. The facial expressions really capture a whole range of emotions and add to the humour of the story. Bold red touches on the black line drawings really stand out against the white background, perfectly accompanying the light-hearted text.

Free Kid to Good Home Hiroshi Ito

Gecko Press ISBN: 978-1776574513

Bigfoot Mountain

Living in the remote North American mountains, Minnie and her step father, Dan, are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Minnie’s mother. One day, she and her friend, Billy, discover some mysterious footprints -giant footprints- on a mountainside trail which Minnie is determined to investigate. Meanwhile, Kaayii, a young Sasquatch, and his clan have been driven across the mountain by forest fires. As their worlds collide, they must seek to understand one another as they find a way forward.

There are many things to love about this story. Full of beautiful descriptions of the landscape and nature, the book is a real love letter to the wild- perfect for sharing with children and encouraging their curiosity in the environment and all its wonders.

It is not surprising, therefore, that living in harmony with the natural world and considering the impact of human actions on the environment are central ideas to the story. Switching between the Sasquatch and human viewpoints, the reader can readily empathise with all the characters, absorbing the environmental ‘message’ which is skilfully embedded at the heart of the story.

Children (and adults!) might also be inspired to find out more about Sasquatch (See my Q and A with Roderick for suggestions of where to start!) or the remote setting of the story. ‘Bigfoot Mountain’ would make an excellent guided reading test, offering a compelling story with plenty to enjoy and discuss, research opportunities and lots of inspiration for children’s own writing.

Bigfoot Mountain Roderick O’Grady

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102418

You can read my interview with Roderick O’Grady here.