The Sleeping Stones

The Sleepers are hungry and the sea is waiting…

Gruff loves his life on the farm which has been in his family for generations, but times are hard and the family is struggling to stay on the small Welsh island. When the ‘New Neighbours’ move in to what used to be the blacksmith’s cottage, Gruff tries not to resent them and be friendly towards Mat- or Matylda- who has moved there with her family. Mat finds herself inexplicably drawn to the Sleepers, six dark stones leading out from the beach into the sea, ‘like the stepping sones of giants’. But as more and more islanders find themselves being drawn by the lure of the stones, Mat and Gruff must work together to solve the mystery of the Sleeping Stones and save the island community.

Full of rich descriptions of life on the Welsh island, ‘The Sleeping Stones’ is full of the magic and mysticism of Welsh folklore and tradition, old songs and mythological creatures. The sense of place is further enhanced by the use of dialogue and phrases in Welsh (translated into English for non-Welsh speakers).

The story cleverly mingles the love of home and the farming tradition, the sense of belonging to a place and the devastation losing this would bring, with the mystery of the legend of the stones. Gruff is so in love with his life, his farm, his community that the reader becomes really invested in the threat of loss he is facing as they watch him struggle with the situation, doing whatever he can which he thinks will help. His anger at being kept in the dark by his father and Nain (his grandmother) make him a very relatable character as does the jealousy and resentment he feels towards Mat who is starting a new life on the island just as his might be ending.

The sense of belonging Gruff feels on the island is in stark contrast to the lack of belonging felt by Mat who was born in Poland, but who has lived in seven different places in four years. For reasons which I won’t reveal so as not to spoil the story for anyone who has not yet read it, Mat feels the pull of the sea intensely, causing Gruff to remind her that home is ‘where you choose it to be…where you choose to make it’.

Sure to inspire readers to learn more about Welsh mythology and folklore, ‘The Sleeping Stones’ is a great read!

The Sleeping Stones Beatrice Wallbank

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1915444059

Mort the Meek and the Perilous Prophecy

‘…we don’t like strangers on Brutalia, let alone strangers that are fiendish.’

When the Queen of Brutalia declares that everyone must be alert to the presence of strangers, fear falls over the land ‘like an itchy blanket’. As a pacifist, Mort is more inclined to believe that strangers might be friends than enemies and when he and Weed meet Genia and Vita from the tropical island of Bonrock, it seems he is right. Sent on a mission to Bonrock to learn more, the boys find a warm welcome and a beautiful location …but is everything as it seems?

Rachel Delahaye’s ‘Day of the Whale’ is one of my favourite books and the contrast in style between that and the ‘Mort the Meek’ series shows what a talented and versatile author she is. And yet, amid all the humour and horseplay, punning and pacifism of the Mort books, some fairly serious points are being made.

Children love these books for their fiendish humour and deliciously dark happenings. Each chapter begins with Ratty and Ratto the rats sharing a joke (with a gust appearance from Larry and Bruce the lobsters), relishing in the word play and punning which is a key feature of each book. The use of homophones and grammar in a playful, entertaining way is perfect for using to illustrate spelling and grammar lessons, making it relevant and lighthearted. There are points at which the characters help to clarify the words which Mort and Weed are sure have been made up and help to correct their grammar, helping the reader to understand along the way. It’s beautifully done- and skilfully!

As the boys explore a different world, Mort continues to hold onto his pacifist principles and Weed develops a serious crush whilst events thunder to their exciting conclusion. Any of the books in this series would make an excellent read aloud with plenty to discuss and enjoy with a class, for a fabulous bedtime story or as a most enjoyable independent read. George Ermos’s illustrations are the perfect complement to the story.

Mort the Meek and the Perilous Prophecy

Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by George Ermos

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788955706

You can read my review of ‘Mort the Meek and the Monstrous Quest’ here and ‘Day of the Whale’ here.

The Circle Breakers

When Elle and her friends go to the Halloween funfair, they little expect a ride on the ghost train to take them back in time to 1880, face-to-face with the criminal mastermind behind The Vicious Circle, The Grandfather. They are amazed to learn that he needs their help and although they don’t want to help, the Infinites are faced with the possibility of public exposure and no Leaping will be safe. And so begins a thrilling adventure across time…

I am such a fan of this series! Elle is a wonderful heroine. Loyal and kind, her autism is depicted with care and attention to detail, inspiring empathy and understanding as she tackles the daily challenges she faces as well as those of being a Leapling. In this story, her world is turned upside down and yet, with the support of her friends, she finds the courage and strength she needs. Each character is well developed, but Big Ben remains my favourite!

Not only does the story offer an original and exciting adventure, but Patience seamlessly weaves various themes like environmental issues into the story, making for a thought-provoking read with much to discuss. The whole series is perfect for children in upper KS2 who are looking for something a bit different. With a palpable sense of tension and the celebration of true friendship, this is a book not to miss!

The Circle Breakers Patience Agbabi

Canongate ISBN: 9781838855796

Published today.

You can read about my trip to see Patience at The Story Museum in Oxford here.

All Four Quarters of the Moon

Making mooncakes with Ah Ma for the Mid-Autumn festival was the last day of Peijing’s old life where everything and everyone was familiar. As her family starts their new life in Australia, everything is different- new home, new school, new language, new customs- but her family also seem to be changing. Ma Ma is no longer smartly turned out and stays in the house; Ba Ba is home more, but retreats to his study; little sister, Biju, needs support and Ah Ma keeps forgetting things. Peijing feels she needs to help everyone else whilst feeling lost and alone herself.

This is a lovely story for many reasons. The bond between the two sisters is beautifully captured as it matures and develops in response to the girls’ new circumstances as they have to reevaluate the cultural traditions and familial obligations they have been brought up with in light of the new world they find themselves in . Each chapter is punctuated by stories told by Biju, her versions of the traditional tales told to her by Ah Ma, stories which unite the children and help them make sense of the world. The ‘Little World’ the girls create also changes in their new environment, eventually becoming something the whole family shares in.

The story is told in four part- through the four quarters of the moon- and as the moon changes so does Peijing and those around her. Big-hearted and loyal, Peijing is a wonderful character whose relationships within her family and with her new best friend, Joanna, show how empathetic and caring she is. It is a really comforting, reassuring read, as everyone comes to find their place in the end, being valued for who they are as they adapt and change to their new lives.

There is so much to discuss and enjoy in this lovely story, making it perfect for guided reading or for reading aloud. The rich cultural references, the wonderful characters, the sense of how we are all similar no matter how ‘different’- everything mingles perfectly, making this a story not to be missed.

All Four Quarters of the Moon Shirley Marr

Usborne ISBN: 978-1803704326

Alcatoe and the Turnip Child

Alcatoe is the most reclusive creature living in Plum Woods. She also happens to be a witch. Goonwartha, head of the Witches’ Social Club, isn’t too keen on her and the feeling is mutual. When three children find Alcatoe’s hat, they decide to return it to her and ask for her help to win the Harvest Festival Vegetable Pageant and beat rotten Mr Pokeweed, a nasty vegetable grower! Alcatoe agrees as she sees this as an opportunity to wreak havoc at the event and cause trouble for its organiser- Goonwartha. Chaos follows before order and harmony are restored.

Highly engaging, ‘Alcatoe and the Turnip Child’ is presented through a perfect balance of short sections of text, speech bubbles and illustrations, making it a very accessible and satisfying read.

The illustrations are full of details and different layouts can be ‘read’ in different ways, keeping the reader looking carefully whilst enjoying the story. The autumnal colours used throughout create the perfect seasonal feel and the Turnip child is delightful. This is a quirky, unique story that is sure to find a keen following of fans!

Alcatoe and the Turnip Child Isaac Lenkiewicz

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838740146

Aesop’s Fables

Fables are short stories, often with animal characters, which have a moral at their core offering the reader- or listener- wisdom. Aesop is probably the best known teller of these tales with stories like ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ and ‘The Lion and the Mouse’, familiar to us all. In this new collection, Caroline Lawrence has interspersed the tales with sections from an ancient biography about Aesop, allowing the reader to learn more about the man himself whilst enjoying his stories.

Each fable has been concisely told, making the collection perfect for dipping in and out of, with a fable being specially selected for discussion (or simply for pleasure0 or for reading from end to end. Many of the stories feature talking animals, but living in ancient Greece, Aesop’s tales also make reference to the gods- ‘Zeus and the Honeybees’, ‘Heracles, Athena and Strife’ and ‘Zeus, Hermes and the Ostraka’, for example. Originally, these fables would have been told and retold through the words of storytellers, embellished and coloured as the teller saw fit down through the ages, but in this edition, Caroline Lawrence has returned to the surviving Greek and Latin manuscripts, translating from these ancient texts rather than re-telling the stories in her own words. This offers possibilities for comparing different versions and discussing how they have developed and altered over the years as well as enjoying the ‘flavour’ of each story as Aesop intended.

Set in a world we no longer recognise, these translations contain words which are no longer familiar to us and so a comprehensive glossary of ‘Aesop’s Words’ at the end of the book helps the reader understand terms like mormolukeion, gymnasiarch or ostraka. Pronunciation guides are included which is very helpful for anyone reading the fables aloud.

The whole collection is beautifully illustrated by Robert Ingpen whose pictures enhance the fables. Little vignettes are scattered throughout whilst some pages are devoted to full illustrations, capturing the feeling of those ancient times.

Great for sharing at home or at school, this edition of ‘Aesop’s Fables’ is one not to be missed!

Aesop’s Fables

Caroline Lawrence, illustrated by Robert Ingpen

Webeck Publishing ISBN: 978-1913519902

Wild

After the death of his father, Jack struggles to cope. He resents how busy his mother is at work, keenly feeling the loss of the person who he believes knew him the best. Everything has changed and Jack finds himself under the influence of a new group of ‘friends’ who lead him to do things which he knows are wrong and everything starts to spiral out of control. When his mother suggests that he join her on a trip to the rainforest, Jack agrees. He finds himself launched into a completely different world where it seems his mother has another life with friends-like-family that Jack knew nothing about and a passion for saving the rainforest from loggers who are encroaching on the indigenous people’s land. As they travel through the unfamiliar and unpredictable rainforest, Jack begins to find himself once more…

Ele Fountain is an incredible author whose writing truly transports the reader to the world of her books, immersing them in the life of her characters. In ‘Wild’, she presents Jack, whose raw grief can be felt in his every action whilst he himself is trying to quash his emotions and escape the reality of life without his father. His sense of isolation from his mother and his resentment of her for not being his father- the person he made plans with, the one who he talked with all the time- is palpable as he tries to close himself off from her. The one thing that he still feels a passion for- street art- seems to be the very thing that will tempt him down a darker path. As a parent, I feel for his mother; as a mother, I feel for Jack.

As the story moves to the rainforest, all the beauty and dangers of this remote location are vividly described. Conservation issues and respect for the indigenous people are skilfully woven into the fabric of the tale, creating greater impact as the reader, through Jack’s eyes and experience, becomes invested in this unique place. The story would make an excellent text to use at the heart of learning in English with much to discuss and explore for reading, writing and discussion as well as offering satisfying cross curricular possibilities.

One NOT to miss- publishing 4th May 2023.

Wild Ele Fountain

Pushkin Press ISBN: 978-1782693840

Bramble Fox

Magic is everywhere.

When Portia goes to stay with her mother’s aunt, Rose, in North Wales, she is intrigued by the behaviour of a strange golden-eyed fox which leads her to discover a hidden key. When the fox leads her to a doorway, she cannot resist seeing whether the key will open it- and finds herself in the world of Faerie. To her horror, she learns she has disturbed the Grey King, who is eager to cross over into the Human World with his ghostly army and spread his fog of forgetting. With the help of her new found friend, Ben, Portia must decide who to trust if they are to save both the Faerie and the human worlds.

Rich in folklore and mythology, this is a wonderful story. It is a difficult one to review without spoiling it for anyone who hasn’t read it so I will be briefer than usual!

Portia and Ben make an excellent team, coming to value one another and appreciate each others strengths. Ben is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father whilst Portia lives with the shadow of her mother’s mental illness. Both learn much on their adventure- about themselves and about others- but I found Ben’s ‘journey’ particularly fascinating. He is a very endearing character, shown both through his own actions and the reactions of others to him.

The story is full of references to Shakespeare, story, mythology and, of course, the natural beauty of Wales, Eryri (Snowdonia) in particular. It is a magical mix, steeped in the wonder of the imagination with hints at half-remembered tales, offering the reader a comfortable familiarity which makes it seem almost real! Inspiration from the real world and that of the faerie mingle perfectly in these pages.

Once I had finished the story, I found myself pondering on the importance of translating books from other languages into English. This is a treasure I never would have been able to read were it not for the skill of translator, Cathrin Wirtz, or the vision of Pushkin Press whose books I love. It is so important to offer these stories as part of the cornucopia of reading delights available to children to ensure their reading lives are enriched by opening new horizons and exploring ideas and writings beyond those of their native language.

One not to be missed!

Bramble Fox Kathrin Tordasi, translated by Cathrin Wirtz

Pushkin Children’s ISBN: 978-1782693451

Bramble Fox Kathrin Tordasi, translated by Cathrin Wirtz

Pushkin Children’s ISBN: 978-1782693451

Resist

The Netherlands are occupied by the Nazis meaning its people are daily faced with hardship and danger. Food is in short supply and everyone is in fear of arrest - or worse. Edda’s family, like many, have been affected by the occupation and is determined to aid the resistance in any way she can.

Inspired by the real life story of Audrey Hepburn, ‘Resist’ is an excellent novel, highlighting the experiences of those living in the Netherlands during World War II whilst sensitively portraying Hepburn’s early years. This is historical fiction at its best- Tom is well known for his meticulous research and brilliant writing and uses these skills to illuminate lesser known stories from this period. In ‘Resist’, he shines a light on the contribution of the Dutch resistance and the suffering of the people of the Netherlands during the occupation. Tom conveys the constant fear people lived under, the desperate hunger they faced, the casual cruelty of the oppressors, the fierce determination of those resisting without the book becoming too distressing or overwhelming for the audience at which it is aimed. It is easy to empathise with Edda and understand her desire to do everything she can to thwart the Nazis despite the personal danger she - and others - faced and knowing that this is based on the youthful experiences of a film and fashion icon makes the story all the more compelling.

There is so much to recommend this book to teachers to support and extend learning in history, but it is also an excellent story to develop children’s knowledge of this period, helping them to make connections and deepen their understanding. Further information about Audrey Hepburn and the situation in the Netherlands is offered at the end of the book, sure to encourage additional reading and research- or, perhaps, inspire travel to visit some of the locations mentioned. The importance of excellent historical fiction cannot be underestimated.

Resist: One Girl’s Fight Back Against the Nazis

Tom Palmer, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-1800901063

Alice Eclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Spoonful of Spying

As inventors and artists from all nations gather for the World Fair in Paris, Alice and her mother are amongst the exhibitors in the Tastes of the World Pavilion. However, Alice Éclair is not only there to promote her family business - she is there to help unmask an enemy agent who is intent on snatching the plans for a ground-breaking new plane, the Daedalus. This time, she is working as part of a network of spies, but once again, Alice must combine her baking brilliance with her espionage excellence to foil the enemy and save the day.

Once again, Sarah Todd Taylor presents a very entertaining, absorbing story about the uniquely talented Alice. However, clever as this young lady is, the story clearly shows that everyone can make mistakes and that ‘failing’ is important for moving forwards. Alice’s energy, enthusiasm and resourcefulness are infectious, and the reader is swept along with her story, enjoying every moment of the story to its exciting conclusion.

As in the first story, Alice is faced with being judged unfairly by others both for her age and for being a girl, offering plenty to discuss with young readers. The setting is excellent, encouraging curious children to further investigate both Paris and the historical elements of the story. One thing, Sarah Todd Taylor excels at is adding tantalising descriptions whether of food creations, high couture, characters or locations, bringing the story vividly to life.

This series is perfectly pitched for younger readers looking for an engaging and challenging mystery with plenty of panache. Can’t wait for the next one!

Alice Eclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Spoonful of Spying

Sarah Todd Taylor

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839940972

My review for ‘A Recipe for Trouble’ can be found on Reading Zone.

The Whisperling

There’s no such thing as ghosts…unless you need their help.

Peggy Devona is a Whisperling. She can talk to those who have passed, should they wish it, during ‘the burn’, the moment when their spirit is at its most powerful. However, in the small English village where she lives, there are many who are afraid of such people so she hides her ability. However, when her best friend, Sally, is accused of murdering Lady Stanton, the rich lady she works for, Peggy knows she must use her gift to save Sally from the gallows.

I absolutely adored this story and found the note from the author at the end of the book really fascinating. Compelling from the outset, the story has a wonderful gothic feel as it explores Victorian attitudes to death and the afterlife as well as the harsh realities of punishments and labour conditions at this time.

Peggy is a wonderful character. Fiercely loyal, her friendship with Sally means the world to her and she shows great courage, determination and resilience as she works to solve the mystery surrounding Lady Stanton’s death. Sent from her home for her safety when the villagers discover that she is a Whisperling, she escapes to Bristol to live with her Uncle Bletchley, who runs seances at his Psychic Emporium. Here, she meets Cecily and Oti, the girls who work for her uncle, and learns to trust them as they help her in her quest to save Sally.

There is so much to love about this story…but I would hate to spoil it for anyone so am reluctant to say too much. The references to Bristol are fascinating and there are moments of great poignancy and love throughout. Highly recommended to one and all!

The Whisperling

Hayley Hoskins, illustrated by Kristina Kister

Puffin Books ISBN: 978-0241514504

Once Upon a Hillside

In ‘Once Upon a Hillside’, Angela McAllister skilfully combines seven different, yet linked, stories following the changing landscape of a hillside over the course of six thousand years. It celebrates the healing power of nature, the beauty and joy to be found in the outdoors and how it connects us to the past.

There is so much to love about this story. Angela draws on folklore, her fondness for archaeology and nature’s wonders to create something very special which would be an incredible choice as a key text to inspire and develop children’s own writing.

The stories are linked, not only by the landscape, but also by objects which are significant to characters being found those in the later tales. This idea of history from objects- the stories of past owners- the personal stories uncovered by archaeology- is one which fascinates children and the book could be used to develop work on the local area through significant or relevant periods of history. This island is so full of history that every village (let alone town or city) has a wealth of material to draw on. My own village has an iron age hill fort, had a Roman temple (some say you can still hear the echoes of the footsteps of Roman soldiers haunting it!), was the site of a battle between the Saxons and Danes, suffered at the hands of Royalist soldiers and was flooded in the Somerset tsunami amongst other things- plenty to capture the imagination. Angela’s beautifully constructed and sensitively written book is perfect for inspiring children to write their own stories as well as developing their own ideas about the characters in the book.

Richly illustrated, ‘Once Upon a Hillside’ would make a wonderful gift to share and enjoy again and again. Below, I have included a synopsis of each story, but I would hate to spoil this gorgeous story for anyone- so please stop here to avoid spoilers!

The book opens with the story of Tani as she ‘walks where no foot has ever stepped before…’. Set in the Neolithic era, the hillside is wild and wooded, full of creatures, and Tani is determined to uncover its secrets. Her family have different ideas, feeling she should take her place with the women. Whilst knapping, she finds a flint containing the form of a white bird with outstretched wings which her people believe indicates she is a chosen one and soon, she proves her worth…

Time passes and twins, Corio and Lucillia live on the hillside in their family’s villa. Corio longs to join the Roman army and march across the Empire and is delighted to find an old arrowhead containing the milky white shape of a bird. Lucillia finds a wounded hare which she cares for, praying to a statue of the goddess Diana to take pity on the poor creature.

The Middle Ages arrive and Ailith and her mother, Isolda, arrive on the hillside and make their home in an abandoned cottage. At one with nature, Ailith wishes ‘she could gather a cloak of sunset and wrap it about herself’. She ties a horseshoe to the low branches of an ash tree and she and her mother help those around them with remedies from nature until their well being is threatened by lies of a stranger. When Ailith helps Ellen, who has hurt herself, she is given small Roman statue which Ellen found on the hillside as a token of thanks and the truth about the lies is discovered, leaving the wildmaid free to dance with the wind.

In 1650, young Liddy arrives on the down, trying to make his way in the world. Hired as crow scarer by a farmer, he works hard at this thankless task before stopping to listen ‘to the music of the down’. He is befriended by a shepherd who carves him a wooden sheepdog. After a storm, he finds horseshoe half buried in the heartwood of a tree which leads to him finding family he never knew he had.

The Victorian era arrives and we meet Clara, who is fascinated by grandfather’s collection of finds, and joins him on a dig on the hillside where they are exploring a burial mound from around 6000 years ago. She is given brass magnifying glass by grandfather before a series of strange events lead the workmen to abandon the dig. Determined to solve the mystery, Clara investigates, hiding in a shepherd’s hut where she finds a wooden carving of a dog. Having found a solution to the dig’s problems, Clara’s grandfather gifts her a stone tool from the dig.

Three children, Peggy, Dennis and Stan, arrive on the down in the 1930s, to stay with an old lady who had been friends with their granny. Peggy finds a little brass magnifying glass and in the woods, the children find a den which they make their own. When the boy who made den turns up, conflict develops, but a game of football brings peace.

In today’s landscape, Amari often stays with her Granny Down whilst her parents are working. As Granny grows older, Mum and Dad think that she should leave the down and live with them. But a visit to the Wishing Tree, an ancient hawthorn growing on the hillside, inspires Amari to take photos of all Granny’s favourite places for scrapbook. Involving her dad in her plan helps him to remember how mush he loves the place and how important it is to spend time in nature and with those we love, leading to a change in plans.

A stunning book from an incredible author.

Once Upon a Hillside

Angela McAllister, illustrated by Chiara Fedele

Head of Zeus ISBN: 978-1801107525

You can read my review of ‘A World Full of Nature Stories’ here and my Q and A with Angela here.

A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan

‘A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan’ is one of my favourite books. Based on the lives of real people and real events, it tells the story of William Guy and the other gardeners who worked for the Tremayne family when World War One broke out. Written by Hilary Robinson and beautifully illustrated by Martin Impey, the story is told through a series of letters written between the gardeners of Heligan House during the First World War. 

When war was declared in 1914, it wasn’t long before men across the country courageously volunteered or were called up to serve the war effort. The gardeners of Heligan, near Mevagissey in Cornwall, were no exception and to mark the occasion, they wrote their names upon the wall of the outdoor staff toilet (which they called the ‘Thunderbox’), as a reminder to all of their brave commitment to leave the gardens to serve king and country. Thirteen outdoor staff left Heligan to fight across the sea but only four returned. William Guy was one of the nine who never came home and this book is dedicated to his memory.

'A Song for Will' tells the story of both the changing seasons at Heligan and the effects on the gardens from the war waging abroad. The loss of livestock, changing diets due to lack of food and the developing 'make do and mend' attitudes all feature. The loss of skilled workers meant that the gardens themselves would eventually become neglected and overgrown and would not be restored to their former glory for many years. 'A Song for Will' also highlights the feelings of those bravely fighting on the battlefields, the tragic mental toll of war and sadly, the loss felt by all when loved ones did not return home. In 2013, the Imperial War Museum recorded the Thunderbox Room as a ‘living memorial’ to the gardeners of Heligan and the monument pictured below can be found nearby.

This is a poignant story, gently told, and is perfect to use in school to illustrate and investigate the effects of the First World War. I have used it very successfully on a number of occasions with excellent results in terms of engagement, understanding, empathy and written outcomes. The book could be introduced through the artefacts, plants and gardening equipment featured in the book, using role play and drama to develop scenes. The letter story telling format might inspire similar attempts to write in character. Hilary and Martin’s book contains letters between only two individuals and there were many more that left Heligan to serve both on land and at sea whose stories could also be told. Readers could keep either a diary of events and feelings whilst reading the story or imagine what characters might write in their own diaries. Children might enjoy reading the text aloud to each other or summarising sections to share. 

The gardeners that served during the Great war are listed at the back of the book and a search through war records, such as those held by Ancestry, yields information about some of the individuals involved. Children I have taught have enjoyed looking at the census returns as well as army documents, developing the idea of the characters in the book as real people and engaging children with primary sources of evidence.

Finally, the book acts as the perfect guidebook to the gardens and a visit to Heligan would be an enriching and memorable experience for a class of children. I had a wonderful time when I visited for the launch of the book (picture above) and wondered at Martin’s skill as I matched scenes from the book to locations at Heligan.

Hilary and Martin have become a wonderful story writing team, detailing various aspects of the First World War through several books they have authored together. They can always be relied upon to tell the most difficult of stories with the dignity they deserve whilst maintaining an appropriate amount of detail, so as not to distress a younger audience. ‘A Song for Will’ is an incredibly special book.

A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan

Hilary Robinson, illustrated by Martin Impey

Strauss House Productions ISBN:  978-0957124530

Blog Tour: The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories

A comforting story tonight for a happy day tomorrow.

I am thrilled to be kicking off the Blog Tour for this lovely book. I believe bedtime stories are an essential part of a child’s day- a special time to share with the adult(s) in their lives whether with siblings or individually, which allows a day to end with a feeling of contentment, reassurance and joy. No matter how busy, no matter how we were feeling, either my husband or I would end the day with our son this way. Not everyone feels like this, I know, but this beautifully illustrated book of stories might help some families towards a bedtime routine.

The book offers a stunning collection of brand-new stories by some amazing children’s authors all illustrated by the wonderful Sarah McIntyre. Full of wisdom and comfort, these are joyful tales offering the perfect way to end the day.

Sarah’s appealing cover illustration instantly grabbed the attention of some little friends of mine who begged to borrow it. Not only does it ‘smell wonderful’, they loved the little illustrations by the page numbers, the bold pictures (‘That’s a sea monkey!’) full of humour and the starry end papers. Favourite stories include ‘Queen Bea’ by Kieran Larwood, ‘Mooncamp’ by Kate Saunders and ‘Abi and the Goldfinch’ by Natasha Farrant, but it was Sarah’s endearing illustrations which kept taking them back to the book. Some of the illustrations encouraged storytelling in their own right as the children had conversational stories about what was happening and what might happen next based on these. Some also seemed to help develop the ability to empathise with characters and discuss how they were feeling.

As a huge fan of her work, I am delighted to welcome Sarah McIntyre to the Bookshelf as part of this Blog Tour…

Tell us about illustrating The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories, what was your favourite part of the process?
I love the painting stage! I always find the pencil roughs quite challenging, coming up with the initial ideas and making everything work with the page layouts. Sometimes it's fun but often it can be tense and frustrating and I end up having to make myself lots of cups of tea so I can get away from the desk and rest my brain, or take some time to process. But once designer Emma Eldrige had my pencil sketches and we worked together on how they'd fit on the pages, then the fun part began: laying ink and watercolour on the paper, seeing how the paint creates happy irregularities and gradients, and watching as the colours build up in front of me. I don't need endless tea for that, I can really lose myself in that process and not surface for hours and hours. It's almost like being in another dimension, time passes differently and my whole mind is caught up in that cosy space of focus. I'm so right there, that I even catch myself making the same facial expression as the characters I'm painting, or making little sound effects from the scene.

What was your favourite bedtime story as a child?
They were the stories my dad made up! He grew up on Islay in the Hebrides, and used to sing a lot of Scottish and Irish ballads to me; many of them had stories built into them, such as MacPherson's Lament and The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie. But my absolute favourites were when we'd go camping, and a bunch of other kids and I would cluster around him by the campfire and beg him to make up a story for us. I don't think he ever planned them out in advance, he'd just start talking and see where the story would go. I can't remember what the stories were about, except for one called The Yellow Chair, about people who sat in a yellow chair and couldn't get out of it again. But I'll never forget the wonder of a story being created right then and there just for us. Funnily enough, I have three yellow chairs in my house now, and it still makes me smile to think of their link to Dad's story. One of them is my studio chair, which I sat on the whole time I was illustrating this book!

Many thanks to Sarah for answering these questions and to the lovely people at Faber for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour. With Christmas fast approaching, this would be a very special gift to offer any young people in your life!

The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories

A comforting story tonight for a happy day tomorrow

Claire Barker, Ayesha Braganza, Kieran Larwood, Lucy Farfort,

Natasha Farrant, Ingrid Persaud, Emma Carroll, Ann Jungman,

Reba Khatun, Lou Kuenzler, Michael Mann, Kate Saunders,

Martyn Ford, Aisha Bushby, Pip Jones, Hannah Lee, Rashmi Sirdeshpande

illustrated by Sarah McIntyre

Faber ISBN: 978-0571363933

Blog Tour: Stand and Deliver

Highwaymen are often glamorised in literature and film as dashing figures on horseback, upholding the values of Robin Hood, stealing from the rich if not giving to the poor! However, many were bloodthirsty and violent rather than gentlemanly and gallant. Philip Caveney’s character, Tom Gregory, was inspired by the exploits of Gentleman Jack Sheppard, a notorious robber in the 18th century whose ‘spectacular escapes from various prisons, including two from Newgate, made him the most glamorous rogue in London’.

‘Stand and Deliver’ is an exciting romp of an adventure, full of colourful characters and daring deeds, and I am delighted to be able to share part of Chapter Two for my stop on the Blog Tour. You’ll be desperate to know what happens next…

CHAPTER TWO

In which we meet the orphan, Ned Watling, assistant to Tom Gregory, and learn how they first met.

A short distance from the cave, Ned was collecting firewood. He was fifteen years old and currently employed by Tom Gregory. Actually, when he thought about it, employed wasn’t really the right word. As far as Ned was aware, employed people received a wage for their efforts. All Ned got in return for his toil was a place to lay his head for the night, and his meals, which he was obliged to prepare himself. Oh, he had also received some promises.

Tom had repeatedly assured him that somewhere down the line, Ned would receive a handsome payout for his services – but the highwayman was very vague about when that time would actually come. And Ned had been working for him for nearly two years now. Before the cave, there’d been other hideouts: mouldering rooms in various towns across the country, abandoned warehouses and, for a few months, even the ruins of an old monastery near Chelmsford. Tom would ply his trade for several months, until too many people came looking for him, and then he would be obliged to move on. The cave had been their lair since early spring and, as the weather had steadily warmed, so Tom’s robberies had become more frequent, more daring. When Ned had first met Tom and been invited to enlist with him, he hadn’t fully understood what he was signing up for, but since he had come to work for the highwayman, he had learnt one thing above all else. Tom Gregory was unpredictable.

Oh, when he was in good humour, he could be jovial company, no doubt about it. He was always ready with a quip or a hearty song. But Ned had found to his cost that Tom also had a darker side. And one thing the highwayman hated more than anything else was to be kept waiting.

“Ned?” His voice echoed through the forest with an urgent tone. “Where the blue blazes are you?”

Ned began to run, plunging frantically through the undergrowth in the general direction of the cave. The last thing he wanted was to put his master into one of his moods.

“Here, Master Gregory!” he yelled. He burst into the clearing in front of the cave, dropped the big bundle ofbranches he’d been carrying and ran to catch hold of Black Bill’s bridle. Tom glared down at him for a moment.

“Where were you?” he asked.

“Just gathering firewood,” Ned assured him. “You remember, I told you it was running low?”

“Yes, fair point . . . but I expect you to be here when I return.” Tom swung himself down from the saddle and strode towards the cave, his sack of booty slung over one shoulder. “Fetch me a tankard of ale, lad, my throat’s parched!”

“Right away, Master Gregory!” Ned started towards the dense screen of bushes where the barrel of ale was stored, then hesitated as Tom shouted something else.

“And get that horse unsaddled and fed, while you’re at it.”

“Er . . . yes. Of course.” Ned hesitated, unsure of which task to do first. Black Bill eyed him warily and snorted, as if warning that he didn’t like to be kept waiting, either. Ned turned back to the horse and started to unbuckle his saddle.

“Ned?” Now Tom’s voice echoed from within the cave. “Where’s that ale?”

“Oh, er . . . coming Master Gregory.” Ned abandoned the saddle and turned to run towards the bushes. Halfway there, he stepped on a length of broken branch, which swung upwards and smacked him in the face. He stood for a moment, dazed, holding his stinging nose, tears filling his eyes.

“NED!” The anger in Tom’s voice jolted him back to his senses. He ran to the bushes, pulled them aside, grabbed a tankard and thrust it beneath the tap of the ale barrel. Dark liquid slopped into it, and he kept filling it until the froth foamed at the brim.

He glanced nervously over his shoulder. Tom was sitting on a chair in the gloomy interior, inspecting the booty that he’d just stolen. He lifted his head and gave Ned the glare, the one that he always gave shortly before he really losthis temper.

“For pity’s sake, boy, are you bringing that drink or what? I’m about to die of thirst here!”

Ned turned, started back towards the cave and tripped on a tree root, upending the tankard and spilling its contents down the front of his shirt. He hit the ground, the impact knocking all the breath out of him, and lay there for a moment, thinking that surely to heaven there must be a better way to spend his life than this.

In that moment, he recalled how he had first met the man that people called The Shadow.

Many thanks to the lovely people at UClan for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. Make sure you look at the other posts to find out more about this colourful historical adventure!

Stand and Deliver Philip Caveney

UClan Publishing ISBN: 978-1915235411

Murder at Snowfall

On Tuesday evening, I had the great pleasure of joining the loveliest group of people to celebrate the launch of ‘Murder at Snowfall’, Fleur Hitchcock’s thrilling new murder mystery story. Damp and drizzly though the evening was, Bath looked as atmospheric and beautiful as ever- very appropriate as it is the backdrop to the novel with familiar places such as Mr Bs and Waterstones featuring in the story.

There was a lovely atmosphere at Waterstones as everyone gathered. There was even a surprise acting element to Fleur’s reading and plenty of snow flake shaped snacks and mulled wine. Time flew by and a wonderful time was had by all to celebrate a wonderful book! Here’s my review!

Ruby’s mum is preoccupied. There has been a fire at the surgery where she works, her boss, Dr Price, has gone missing and she is convinced someone has been following her. As the snow falls and odd things keep happening, everyone is jumpy. So when Ruby’s ‘Step’, Lucas, dares her to open an abandoned cabinet they walk past on their way home from school, she soon wishes she hadn’t as a gruesome discovery sets off a chilling chain of events and a mystery which they must solve.

Fleur Hitchcock is an incredible writer. No matter what she tackles, the result is an absorbing, exciting story. With her ‘Murder’ stories, she achieves the perfect balance of thrills and chills for anyone looking for a compelling mystery with enough bodies, clues and red herrings to please Poirot yet keeping the story appropriate to the target audience. ‘Murder at Snowfall’ is her most sinister yet- and makes an excellent read!

Full of action, the story has plenty of tension, offering frissons of fear as the children tackle the mystery surrounding the events at Ruby’s mother’s work. There are twists and turns aplenty with some real surprises and miscues to take the reader down the wrong path, but everything comes together brilliantly in the end. Snow gives Bath an eerie feeling as the weather adds much to the atmosphere of the story, but readers who know the city will still recognise it in the story.

As well as the murder mystery, the story shows the development in the relationship between Ruby and her ‘Step’. When her mother married Paolo, Ruby hadn’t really understood that this would mean the addition of a strange, extremely intelligent boy who she views with suspicion and who seems to barely acknowledge her existence. However, as the novel develops, she comes to appreciate him, showing the importance of getting to know someone, being there for them and becoming family.

Brilliant!

Murder at Snowfall Fleur Hitchcock

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839945908

You can read my review of ‘Mouse Heart’ here.

Stories of Peace and Kindness for a Better World

Well known for her excellent writing, Elizabeth Laird has re-told seven inspirational stories from around the world which illustrate the values of generosity, love and kindness. The importance of remembering and discussing these values has never been greater, making this collection perfect for sharing both at home and at school. It is a beautiful book- a real must have for all story-lovers!

Folk tales are the ancient wonders of the world…

In her introduction, Elizabeth Laird explains why she has chosen to include each of these stories and notes at the end of the book show the sources she has drawn on for her versions. ‘The Dog Fight’, for example, was narrated to her. This wonderful story would be perfect for sharing with a class after one of ‘those’ playtimes where the most trivial event has divided children and caused problems!

Full of fabulous illustrations, this collection would work really well for Guided Reading- or a short texts to use with a whole class. There is plenty to explore in each one, with vocabulary as well as ideas to discuss, lots to inspire writing in role and links to be made with other areas of learning. But perhaps these stories are best enjoyed in the way they always been enjoyed- as tales told to an enraptured audience!

Stories of Peace and Kindness for a Better World

Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Otter Barry Books ISBN: 978-1913074296

Blog Tour: Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One

It’s great to be kicking off the Blog Tour for this very important and empowering book. In her Author’s Note, Maggie Horne explains why she wrote the story and I am sure that it will resonate with - and offer hope and a voice to - many.

Three months in to seventh grade, Hazel Hill is ‘the undisputed expert in one subject’- a boy named Tyler Harris. This is not something she has sought nor something she is thrilled about. Hazel is focused on one thing- winning the speech contest- but Tyler has somehow singled her out for his incessant talking and made her his unwilling confidante. One day, however, things change when Tyler tells her that Ella Quinn, her arch nemesis in the speaking contest, has a crush on her. No one knows that Hazel likes girls and this information leaves her reeling. As she gets to know Ella, Hazel discovers that Tyler has been harassing Ella on line and starts to realise that others might be receiving his unpleasant attention as well. When the girls try to report Tyler, they are shocked by the reactions of the adults they approach and soon it becomes clear that they are going to have to take matters into their own hands.

Sadly, this is a much needed novel on a subject far too many women and girls will find all too familiar. Hazel’s dry humour and keen sense of observation make it a very readable story which offers plenty to discuss and plenty to think about.

I found myself reading this story as various facets of myself. The younger me absolutely recognised not the on-line harassment, but the comments, the unwanted physical attention, the looks which were common. The mother of a son me was horrified by Tyler’s behaviour and his mother’s enabling and defence of this. The teacher me squirmed at the reaction of school staff who, at best, patronised and explained away the girls’ experiences. It made me think, it made me reflect, it made me angry, it made me sad…all the things an excellent novel should do. And this is exactly what is needed to generate conversations and change or challenge behaviours.

Hazel is a great character. Very independent, she has a lovely, supportive family and a tendency to over-analyse situations. Although she starts school feeling no need for friendships, her connection with first Ella Quinn and then Ella’s best friend, Riley, is brilliantly captured as she comes to realise the pleasure and support this brings, showing her, ultimately, to be a loyal and caring friend. The reader also sees through Hazel’s eyes how easy it is to judge others and unwittingly condone or validate misconceptions or idle reports of others as she initially gives little thought to the objects of Tyler’s fleeting obsessions.

The girls’s feelings about their experiences- both at the hands of Tyler and those they try to confide in- are superbly handled, allowing the reader to empathise and understand, share their anger and confusion. The tone and handling of Tyler’s on-line abuse is completely appropriate, even exploring the fact that the girls are too young to have the social media accounts and the role that plays in their not wanting to speak to adults about what is happening. Even Hazel’s parents, who are supportive and seem to listen, do not really listen when they need to the most.

There is so much to love about this story and so much to recommend it. It is a must for school libraries and book corners and will surely generate much needed discussions about speaking out when anyone doesn’t feel safe or comfortable. It might also remind adults to actually listen and not excuses behaviours with the ‘boys will be boys’ style response so frequently offered.

Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One

Maggie Horne, cover illustration by Luna Valentine

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102975

Many thanks to everyone at Firefly for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. Be sure to follow on through the week to find out what everyone else is saying about this fabulous book!

Blog Tour: No Place for Monsters

Today, it’s my turn on the Blog Tour for ‘No Place for Monsters’, the perfect read for Hallowe’en (or any time really!). Deliciously sinister, it offers a perfect balance of graphic novel and traditional text as the illustrations spread across each page, through and between the text, making for an engaging read.

Used to the bustle of the city, Levi is struggling to settle in to his new home in Cowslip Grove. Whilst his older sister, Regina, younger sister, Twila and mother seem happy with the change, Levi starts his new school without having made any friends. When partnered with exuberant, wayward Kat Bombard for a school project, things change. Determined to investigate some strange goings on, the pair suddenly realise that things in Cowslip Grove are not what they seem. Children are disappearing and Twila becomes the next victim…

‘No Place for Monsters’ contains the stuff of nightmares. Scratch the surface of seemingly perfect Cowslip Grove and all manner of nastiness lurks beneath. But this story offers far more than ‘just’ a horror story: it offers plenty to think about and discuss.

Levi and Kat are an unlikely partnership. Levi is withdrawn and self contained- even his artistic mother depicts him as a turtle, ‘safe in his shell’. Kat is a wild card- given to making up elaborate stories and giving her teacher grey hair, she bursts into his life, dragging him unwillingly into her adventures. But, as often happens, these very different characters come to value each other, supporting and saving one another as their nightmare develops. Their home lives are also very different. Levi’s father has been away for a long time after arguments with his mother, yet his family are close and supportive; Kat’s background is less clear, but her impressive, perfect house is clearly far from a safe, loving home.

As the inhabitants of Cowslip Grove try to make their village perfect, the story explores the dangers of conformity and of trying to subdue the natural world. As the villagers manicure their lawns, hack their hedges into perfect cubes and seek to destroy wildlife, they fail to notice the very real dangers threatening their lives. In fact, by saturating their lawns with weedkiller and fertilizers, they are helping… but I might say too much and spoil things! The story also considers who the real ‘monsters’ might be as looks can be deceiving and help comes from some unexpected sources.

The illustrations are just incredible. Full of atmosphere and detail, they add much to the story, with pictures often working in place of sections of text as well as in harmony with them in others. Both setting and characterisation are developed through the illustrations and the use of dramatic black backgrounds on some pages adds to the sinister feel of the story as the tension mounts.

Now, I have to admit that this would not normally be the type of book that I would reach for myself. It’s definitely one I would read with a view to matching it to children, but I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed it and how much I felt it had to offer! With the right group, it could be an excellent guiding reading text. Just shows, you should never judge a book by its cover!

No Place for Monsters Kory Merritt

Chicken House ISBN: 978- 1913696085

Many thanks to Chicken House for inviting me to take part in this tour! Watch out for the other posts…

Blog Tour: Honesty and Lies

I love historical fiction so was delighted to be asked to join this Blog Tour. Eloise’s ‘Gaslight’ remains one of my favourites- deliciously dark with a vivid Victorian setting (a must read if you haven’t already!). ‘Honesty and Lies’ takes the reader to Elizabethan London…

It’s 1601 and thirteen-year-old Honesty arrives in London, desperate to escape the fate awaiting her at home in Wales. A chance encounter with a girl called Alice leads to Honesty working at the court of Elizabeth I. A talented storyteller, Honesty seeks advancement whilst Alice, carrying secrets of her own, is keen to merge into the background and escape notice. Can their friendship- and they themselves- survive the intrigues and deceptions of life at court?

Once again, Eloise Williams has come up trumps and written a stunner of a novel which is full of friendship against a background rich in historical detail. Written from the alternating viewpoints of the two girls, she reveals the layers of truth and lies behind each girl’s story, gradually revealing their secrets and the reasons for their actions.

At first glance, the two girls appear very different. Honesty is rebelling against the path chosen for her by her father. Determined to carve her own path in life, she is willing to take risks and grasp at any opportunity. Her impulsive nature can make her thoughtless, but she has a generous nature and loyal heart. Alice seems cold and withdrawn, reluctantly befriending ‘this Welsh girl’. Her frustrations with Honesty are compounded by the state of nervous tension she is in due to …something I can’t reveal without spoiling things! However, the two come to trust one another, valuing their differences and realising that together they can be stronger, helping each other to become who they are ‘destined to be’.

The story would make an excellent text for guided reading. Full of historical detail, there is much to explore around the court of Elizabeth I and life at this time. The unpleasantness of the ladies-in-waiting and the capriciousness of Elizabeth herself are (sadly!) sure to be recognised in society today, offering plenty of opportunity for exploring why people might act as they do. The role of women in general, the divide between rich and poor, life in Elizabethan London, the theatre… there are so many threads to draw on for research, role play, discussion and writing in role- all wrapped up in a highly engaging story.

Make sure you read this- and everything else Eloise has written! ‘Honesty and Lies’ is one not to be missed.

Honesty and Lies Eloise Williams

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102999

Many thanks to lovely Karen at Firefly Press for asking me to be part of this tour. Tomorrow’s stop- Shelves of Starlight!