Magic Ever After

Bea Black is still enjoying life in Little Spellshire. Things are much easier now her dad knows she is a witch-in-training and is happily in a relationship with Taffy Tallywick. But something’s up- her father seems obsessed with learning magic and Taffy is distracted by some Very Important Thinking which she has to do. Finally, Bea learns that they want to get married (there was kissing) which is wonderful, but means there is much to do…

Full of magical mishaps, strange situations and hilarious happenings, this is such an entertaining and engaging series! Bea is a delightful character, who is easy to identify with. Keen to do well, fit in and have fun, she makes mistakes and can be overly anxious about things, but is full of good heart and determination and is surrounded by good friends (and a loving dad!), meaning everything comes right in the end.

The story is presented in a diary format, highly illustrated and in easily read sections, offering a read which is both achievable and enjoyable and reassuringly familiar to those who have read the other books in the series. The focus of each shifts slightly, keeping the reader interested in Bea’s world and showing the importance of her home and school lives. In this story, more is learned about activities at school with a game of GO with Cats and the very entertaining Eggy Day where each egg delivers a truthbomb, but there is also plenty about her homelife as the wedding approaches and everything finally comes together for the perfect day.

A fabulous mix of magic and mischief, family and friendship, ‘Magic Ever After’ is a great addition to the series!

Diary of an Accidental Witch: Magic Ever After

Perdita and Honor Cargill, illustrated by Katie Saunders

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788956109

You can read my review of ‘Ghostly Getaway’ here.

Blog Tour: Start Small Think Big

I am delighted to be taking part in Blog Tour which celebrates not only lovely books, but also National Non-Fiction November! ‘Start Small, Think Big’ is a fabulous series which is designed to engage and inspire young readers- and they certainly do!

‘Small, Speckled Egg’ follows the life cycle of the Arctic tern. The egg can be seen through the die-cut on the cover, engaging youngest readers from the outset. A clever mix of simple, easy to read text and more detailed information allows the book to be read and shared in different ways. This offers a text which can both support emergent readers and offer more challenge for those who need it, making it the perfect accompaniment for teaching parts of the KS1 Science or Geography curriculum. The same format is used for ‘Little, Brown Nut’ just as successfully.

Neither book shies away from using the ‘technical’ vocabulary connected with its subject, which is clearly explained and used. Thus the reader learns about the ‘agouti’, what ‘photosynthesis’ is and how long it takes the seed to ‘germinate’. All the information is supported by engaging illustrations, offering plenty of detail. A fold-out page at the end of the book offers a useful pictorial summary of the life cycle, a map of the world/ country relating to the topic, an I-Spy section and a ‘Think Big!’ fact box which includes additional information.

There is so much to learn and enjoy packed into each of these books, showing how essential high quality non-fiction texts are for young children to feed and inspire their natural curiosity about the world around them. The fact that these also offer plenty to interest older children- and adults- make them perfect for sharing and encouraging discussion with others.

Start Small, Think Big: Small, Speckled Egg

Mary Auld, illustrated by Anna Terreros Martin

Mama Makes Books ISBN: 978-1739774875

Start Small, Think Big: Little, Brown Nut

Mary Auld, illustrated by Dawn Cooper

Mama Makes Books ISBN: 978-1739774882

Many thanks to the team at Mama Makes Books for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour!

Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy

It’s a snowy day on Animal Island and Max and Chaffy have lots to do. A new visitor, Jacob arrives on the island in search of one of the rarest chaffies in the world to impress the Chaffy Finding Club- the Ice Chaffy! Max and Chaffy are keen to help- and so can readers!

Bright, cheerful and bursting with fun, the ‘Max and Chaffy’ books are perfect for younger children. Instantly appealing, short sections of text- mainly in speech bubbles- are easily accessible and written in a clear font, making the words easier to decode and allowing early readers to tackle the stories independently.

The illustrations are full of humour and encourage readers to interact fully with the story as they are regularly invited to help find Chaffy and to help Deputy Constable Chaffy round up the islands birds so they don’t get too chilly in the snow. Children are sure to enjoy drawing Chaffy for themselves, perhaps creating their own varieties!

Hugely appealing, this is the third book in this brilliant series! I hope there are many more to come!

Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy

Jamie Smart

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452632

Published 2nd November!

You can read my review of Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island! here.

Call the Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue

On the island of Egg, Tiny is training to be a rescue puffin with his friend, Muffin. But Tiny is really worried as he feels that he is not good enough to be part of the team. With the support of the other puffins, Tiny finds he can rise to any challenge.

This is the second in this lovely series which is perfect for younger readers. Taller than the other puffins with long legs and wings, Tiny is a sweet natured puffin who is keen to do his best and help others, but things always seem to go wrong for him. Children are sure to empathise with Tiny as he gets lost, makes mistakes and is slower than the other puffins- and sure to celebrate with him as he gets the better of the wild cat!

This book- like the first- emphasises the importance of working as part of a team and supporting each other. A little extra help from Flight Officer Faroe makes all the difference to Tiny, helping him gain confidence. There are facts about puffins at the end of the book to encourage children to discover more about these fascinating creatures.

Full of gorgeous illustrations which add much to the story, ‘Tiny’s Brave Rescue’ is a delightful book and the next in the series, ‘Muffin and the Shipwreck’ is coming out next year!

Call the Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue

Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad

Welbeck ISBN: 978-1801300599

You can read more about ‘Call the Puffins!’ here.

Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue

Huxley is a little koala filled with energy and zest for life. Flapjack, his penguin friend, is far more anxious and cautious, but together, they make the perfect team. They live in a treehouse just outside the town and when a new store opens, they hop on their tandem to take a look. Although the manager isn’t entirely happy, they have lots of fun investigating everything from the revolving doors to the very bouncy trampoline in the sports department, but when Huxley is mistaken for a thief, they must come up with a plan to prove his innocence.

From its zingy yellow cover to its wonderful colour illustrations, this gorgeous early chapter book is bursting with energy and adventure, sure to capture the imagination- and hearts- of its readers. Huxley and Flapjack prove that opposites attract and that true friends can be quite different to you in both tastes and backgrounds.

Huxley is impulsive, acting before thinking things through, and sometimes (like when riding on the tandem) relying on Flapjack to do all the work. Flapjack is a more sensitive, gentle soul who tempers Huxley’s impetuous urges, yet benefits as the friendship encourages him to do things he might otherwise not do. There is much here to discuss with children who might see themselves in either character!

The illustrations are completely delightful, full of things to notice and smile about. Flapjack’s range of changing expressions is a priceless as he is caught up in Huxley’s madcap pace of doing things! The story could inspire many crafty activities, making it perfect for book group sessions as well as for enjoying at home or school. I could see this series making an excellent cartoon series as well!

Sure to become firm favourites, Huxley and Flapjack are highly appealing characters which children are going to want to read about. Great fun!

Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue

Alan MacDonald, illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa

Little Tiger ISBN: 978- 1788954174

The Moon’s Gorgonzola

The shell in my hand

Takes me back to the sea

Back to sand in my toes

Fish and chips for tea

‘The Moon’s Gorgonzola’ is a wonderful collection of poems, perfect for exciting younger children about the power of poetry. Divided into different themes, the poems cover a wide range of subjects, reflecting a range of moods.

Although the poems can be enjoyed independently, many are perfect for sharing, reading aloud and performing, making this an invaluable collection for teachers to add to their poetry shelves. There is plenty of word play to enjoy and explore, rhyming patterns and echoes which call out to be whispered, shouted, spoken and sung and plenty of onomatopoeia bouncing and zipping along. There are funny poems, sad poems, reflective poems and silly poems, reflecting everyday life experiences and the emotions which come with them.

There are poems which could be used as models to inspire children to create their own work- ‘Listen’, for example. Some have a note from poet, Debra Bertulis, alongside them, offering suggestions for how to create a poem. There are additional notes at the end of the book which are also helpful to budding poets and their supporters! The book is enhanced by Zoe Williams’ lively illustrations.

The Moon’s Gorgonzola

Debra Bertulis, illustrated by Zoe Williams

Troika ISBN: 978-1912745302

Blog Tour: When Dad’s Hair Took Off

Today, I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for the wonderfully original and highly entertaining ‘When Dad’s Hair Took Off’. Translated from German by Melody Shaw, the story is quirky and perfect for sharing and for newly-independent readers!

When Dad’s hair decides it is sick of hanging around on his head, it takes off on an adventure of its own! But Dad is not one to give up easily and sets off in hot pursuit of his missing locks, determined to track it down…

This is a wonderfully fast paced, hair-lairious story for early readers! The text is packed with playful puns and jokes whilst each of the colour illustrations is joyous, offering plenty to discuss and enjoy. Children will love trying to locate Dad’s hair in each picture, working out which marks on the page might- or might not - be the missing tresses.

As Dad’s hair escapes him and sets off on its travels, it sends dad postcards from the places it visits. Once again, theses will raise endless discussions about landmarks, locations and works of art and is may well inspire children to design and write their own postcards, adding to the journey taken by Dad’s hair which could be plotted across the globe… ‘wish you were hair’ as it were!

Perfect for children with a whacky sense of humour- and their adults, of course!

When Dad’s Hair Took Off

Jorg Muhle, translated by Melody Shaw

Gecko Press ISBN: 978-1776575213

Many thanks to Gecko Press for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour!

Genie and Teeny Wish upon a Star

Back in the land of Wishaluzia, Grant the genie is delighted to be home with his family, but is faced with the problem that he has been banned by Queen Mizelda. When trouble strikes, Grant calls on his old friends for help, but can Teeny save the day?

This series has been a huge favourite of mine since the first book, ‘Genie and Teeny Make a Wish’ appeared. Grant is such an endearing character. Prone to getting things wrong, he is warm-hearted and loyal, and nothing like the genies who emerge in from sparkling lamps in other stories!

As with the other books, the reader is welcomed in, with a direct appeal which gives a quick introduction about what has gone before. The lively, light-hearted tone here sets the mood perfectly for the rest of the story. In this adventure, Grant is back at home with his family, the Giggles, but in danger of being caught by Queen Mizelda’s guards. She still hasn’t forgiven him for what happened in book one and so he needs to stay hidden to keep safe. Events, however, quickly get out of control and the result is a hilarious romp of an adventure which satisfyingly finishes with everything turning out well - if surprisingly!- in the end.

Not only appealing because of their humour, these books are wonderfully imaginative, encouraging children to develop their own ideas for storytelling. Children can create their own home for a genie like Grant’s ‘tea-lamp’ (as it became known in book 3) and plot their own adventures including , if they wish, a magical monster like the enormous cat-beast in ‘Wish upon a Star’. There are endless opportunities for children to engage with and enjoy this series, not least the wonderful ‘how to draw’s which appear at the end of each story. Although I enjoyed reading them in order, it is possible to enjoy each as a stand alone as enough back-story is given in each for everything to make sense.

I am greatly sadden to learn that this will be the last ‘Genie and Teeny’ book as I feel they could have had many more adventures, but all good things come to an end, I suppose! The series is both accessible and engaging, brilliant for reading aloud and full of fabulous illustrations! What more could you ask for?!

Genie and Teeny: Wish Upon a Star

Steven Lenton

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008408589

Published June 22nd 2023

You can read my review of ‘Genie and Teeny: Make a Wish’ here and find out how to make a tumbling Grant here.

Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island

Max Boggle has just moved to Animal Island with her family. Here, she meets lots of new friends and sets about helping everyone find things, something which she really loves to do. When she meets pilot, Orlando, Max learns about a curious creature Orlando has spotted in the woods and she soon finds Chaffy, but can she find where Chaffy really belongs..?

Although I have never been lucky enough to meet him, I have a particular fondness for Jamie Smart. A few years ago, I was struggling to find books which sparked and held the interest of one of the children in my Y6 class. And then I handed him one of the ‘Bunny vs Monkey’ books- and we had lift off! Not only was he willingly and regularly reading, becoming more confident and fluent on an almost daily basis, but he started to write about his love of the books and their characters with great enthusiasm. The right book for the right child at the right time- magic!

This child presented me with a letter for Jamie, saying how much he enjoyed the books, and Jamie emailed a message back. The excitement and joy which followed was very special to witness- and I have been a huge Jamie Smart fan ever since!

So- you can imagine my excitement when I discovered Jamie has a new series planned, aimed at younger readers, called ‘Max and Chaffy’. He spoke about this (and his other books) at the recent David Fickling Showcase, generating lots of eager excitement from the audience!

And the first book, ‘Welcome to Animal Island’ is everything I’d hoped for. Combining adorable illustrations with lots of gentle humour, the story is not only engaging from the very first page, but offers interactive elements where the reader is asked to help Max find Chaffy. There is also an additional challenge to find mis-placed objects from each of these spreads (can you find the binoculars in the picture above, for example?) The answers are included- just in case they are needed.

The story is warm with friendship, showing Max to be kind, caring and helpful and the sweet illustrations are sure to encourage everyone to have a go at drawing Chaffy wherever they go! This series to sure to engage and inspire young readers and is not to be missed!

Jamie Smart’s Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452618

Published on the 4th May 2023

Blog Tour: Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch

Having just met Derek at the FCBG Conference, I am doubly delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for his new book, ‘Ivey Newt and the Storm Witch’. With illustrations by Magda Brol throughout, this is the first in a series about Ivy Newt, her familiar, Tom, and their adventures in Miracula.

It’s Ivy’s birthday and, although the worst storm in the history of Miracula has prevented her friends from flying over for Ivy’s birthday, her parents, Queen Fenella and King Lucius, are doing their best to spoil her and make the day special. As part of the entertainment, they are going to perform some birthday magic…which leads to them disappearing! Suspecting foul play, Ivy and her shape-shifting familiar, Tom, must find a way to make them reappear!

Engaging from the first page, ‘Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch’ is a pacy, entertaining story. Although a witch and a shaper-shifter, Ivy and Tom have characteristics which children will recognise and empathise with. Their friendship helps them to find the courage and determination needed to find Ivy’s parents and solve the mystery of their disappearance.

With plenty of humour, the children triumph over the wicked witch, Clawdelia, who is ‘nothing but a bully’, foil her attempt to rule over the whole of Miracula and save all the kings and queens from the caves of Grot. Having faced mild peril along the way, everything turns out well in the end and Ivy’s birthday is celebrated with cake!

Magda Brol’s lively illustrations capture the children’s antics brilliantly, adding a visual element to the story which is so enjoyable and rewarding in itself. The addition of the map and character portraits at the beginning allows children to track the adventure and supports with ‘reading’ the pictures by clarifying which character is which.

This is the first in a new series, perfectly pitched for confident readers in KS1 and into lower KS2, supporting children as they develop the stamina to tackle longer stories. I can see them adding their own characters to castle windows and plotting their own adventures for Ivy, using the map of Miracula to guide them whilst they eagerly await the next title in the series, ‘Ivy Newt and the Time Thief’.

Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch

Derek Keilty, illustrated by Magda Brol

Scallywag Press ISBN: 978-1915252180

Nell and the Cave Bear: The Journey Home

Nell and her friend, Cave Bear, have decided stay with the pet-loving Sea Clan whilst the Cave Clan return home. However, Kevun and the Woodland Clan are out for revenge and plan to capture Cave Bear. With the help of her new friends Nell is determined to protect Cave Bear from their enemies at any cost- but can she unite the clans once more?

I loved ‘Nell and the Cave Bear’ and, having used it with children, know that children love it too. The combination of appealing illustrations and engaging characters makes it a wonderful read and Cave Bear is everyone’s favourite! This new adventure is just as lovely as the first.

As Nell tries to find where she belongs, her devotion to Cave Bear is unwavering and she will face any danger to save him. Determined to get revenge for being outsmarted- and left with a splintery bottom- Kevun sets the Woodland Clan on a mission to capture Cave Bear. However, their mission does not go according to plan and ultimately, the clans remember how they used to be as one before differences divided them. New friendships develop and old grudges are overcome as the clans come to a new understanding.

The story highlights the importance of showing respect for and caring for nature. Even Mayv softens and agrees that animals are welcome in the clan. Saira’s quiet wisdom, love of animals and compassion shines through as she offers Nell sound advice and stays true to her beliefs.

The book is full of fabulous illustrations- all in shades of green- which add to the gentle humour of the tale. Many of the pictures are perfect for starting discussions and developing role playing and story telling. The final picture of Nell, Cave Bear and a new acquaintance makes a brilliant starting point for a new story..!

I can’t wait to see what adventure awaits Nell and Cave Bear next! These stories are perfect for newly independent readers, for enjoying as a brilliant bedtime story or as a class (or guided!) read! An absolute must have for all class and home bookshelves.

Nell and the Cave Bear: The Journey Home

Martin Brown

Piccadilly Press ISBN: 978-1800781931

You can read my review of ‘Nell and the Cave Bear’ here.

Bear and Bird

Bird and Bear are best friends. Together, they share simple adventures, celebrating the small things of life and the true meaning of friendship in the four stories in this book.

Like Bear’s blanket, these stories are so soft and warm that they are perfect for cuddling up and smooshing with. These two dear friends have the occasional misunderstanding and mishap, but they are happiest making each other happy. Each story is told with plenty of gentle humour and accompanied by the most adorable illustrations.

However, each story also offers the opportunity for starting discussions about being a good friend. When Bird and Bear spend an afternoon painting, Bird is upset by Bear’s success, feeling her painting is no good. Bear responds to with empathy and understanding, offering encouragement and support. In the second story, Bear’s failure to properly prepare for the picnic leads to him telling lies to Bird to cover up. It could easily be argued that this is not the right thing to do- and yet Bear does this because he prefers to make Bird happy. At the same time, Bird is making Bear happy by not letting on that she knows he has forgotten all the picnic things. Is is right to lie in this situation..? The stories would be perfect for sharing with a class, as a bedtime story or for newly independent readers.

Children are sure to be inspired to draw Bear and Bird- and perhaps create their own little books of stories about simple adventures of friendship. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next!

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories

Jarvis

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529504897

Blog Tour: Call the Puffins

I am a huge fan of Cath Howe’s books for older readers and so was very excited to hear that she had decided to write something for younger children. In ‘Call the Puffins’, Muffin and the other young puffins, live on the island of Egg where they are in training to be an Unflappable, a member of the Puffin Rescue Team. In this stop of the Blog Tour, Cath shares how her ideas came together to create this delightful new series.

Call The Puffins! tells the story of a puffin rescue team, and, in particular, the newest recruits. These puffins rescue birds and eggs wherever they are in danger from their home on the island of Egg. Muffin, the main character in the first story, arrives on the island with her dad to start her training. She’s very enthusiastic but there is so much to learn: she has to settle into life in the burrows where all the puffins live and be away from Mum and Dad for the first time. And will she find a friend?

I started writing about puffins many years ago and reworked the stories during the pandemic when we weren’t able to meet our families. I decided to create a team of birds who really want to help. I thought about organisations like Scouts and Brownies and how they have mottoes and work towards badges. I read about the way people used pigeons in wartime to carry messages. These puffins were one of the cheeriest things in my life, at a difficult time.

Puffins look amazing. They already look like lifeguards. They toddle along as if they're hoping for the best. They have to flap very hard to stay in the air. They are not graceful, more comical. Sometimes they're compared to clowns. I love their spirit.

I liked the idea of a new little team of recruits and their personalities and squabbles, rather like a new class in primary school. There are so many things to get used to: new rules and things to learn, and new friends by your side. When children start school, they love to be given jobs to do and things they can help with. The puffin motto, It may not work, but I'll always try! is full of that positive attitude towards doing new things.

There is an island of Egg in Scotland but it's spelled EIGG. I used to spend my childhood holidays on the West Coast of Scotland, often in a cottage by the sea in Kintyre. I'm very excited by islands and remote locations.

I love beachcombing. We often found semi-precious stones on the beaches in Kintyre and I used to love collecting them and seeing them cut and polished by the lady who rented us the cottage. My puffins make good use of things they find on the beaches. Sometimes, things wash up which they don't recognise or know how to use.

 I’m fascinated by lighthouses: the spiral stairs, the rotating lamp, the beam shining across the sea, stories of rescue and bravery. I wanted the puffins to take over a human lighthouse and use it in a similar way, to spot trouble out at sea and organise rescues. I thought the training camps might be a bit like PE lessons.

I tried to include lots of real details about real puffins because these details are rather amazing. Puffins do sleep in burrows. The noise they make is halfway between a honk and a groan or growl. When I discovered that their beaks can glow in the dark, I couldn't believe it- it seemed like magic!

The puffins are a side of me, I think. There's been a lot of joy creating these stories and I hope it communicates itself to the readers.

Call the Puffins Cath Howe, illustrated by Ella Okstad

Welbeck Flame ISBN: 978-1801300360

Many thanks to Cath for joining me today- and thanks to the team at Welbeck for the box of goodies! I am not prepared to use the post-it notes- too lovely! I look forward to see what the Puffin Rescue Team get up to in their next adventure.

Blog Tour: Emerald and the Ocean Parade

The ‘Isadora Moon’ books are incredibly popular with children at school and for good reason. These charming stories are beautifully presented, in books the perfect size for little hands with sparkly covers, full of lovely illustrations in pink and black. Isadora is half-vampire and half-fairy- special because she is different. Readers were then introduced to her cousin, Mirabelle, whose books are purple and black. Mirabelle is half-witch and half-fairy- and very naughty!

In ‘Isadora Moon Under the Sea’, Isadora meets a mermaid called Emerald (and we learn how she and Inkibelle, her pet octopus first meet)- and ‘Emerald and the Ocean Parade’ is the first book in a new series with a green and black theme!

Emerald is learning how to be a mermaid princess, but she doesn’t feel like one at all. Her graceful new step-sister, Princess Delphina, makes it look very easy, but Emerald doesn’t seem to be able to do anything right. But Emerald has wonderful friends, a loving family and the perfect pet, her octopus, Inkibelle. She realises the importance of being herself and doing things her own way.

Scallop City, where Emerald lives, is shown in a map (who doesn’t love a map?!) at the beginning of the book, setting the scene for the story. The language used is full of sea references which really help to build Emerald’s world- crisp- kelp, sea-flower floss, sea-crunch cereal- and the plentiful illustrations show her on her journey to becoming a princess in her own special way. There are many lovely details like air bubbles edging the text which really help to build the under water setting of the story.

At the end of the book is the selection of activities and things to make which (I know from first hand experience) are very popular with young readers. There is also a sneak peek at Emerald’s next adventure, ‘The Sea Sprites’, a reassuring clue that there will be more stories about this mermaid princess to come.

The fact that each of these characters is linked is a brilliant idea, allowing children to have their favourite ‘world’ as well as the familiarity of style and format which they obviously enjoy. Although aimed at younger readers, I have known Year 6s devour these books, romping their way through the series with great pleasure. There is also a very satisfying feeling to having the collection lined up on a shelf!

Many thanks to the lovely people at OUP for asking me to take part in this tour and for the lovely box of goodies. The biscuit looks too good to eat!

‘Emerald and the Ocean Parade’ is out TODAY- World Book Day!

Emerald and the Ocean Parade Harriet Muncaster

OUP ISBN: 978-0192783974

The Story Shop: Dino Danger

Dino Danger! is the third visit to the Story Shop, a special shop in Puddletown High Street, which sells adventures which customers can really take part in. Shopkeeper, Wilbur, and his assistant, Fred Ferret, are ready to help everyone step into their own adventure…

When timid Bear is given a voucher for an adventure by his friend, Ted, Wilbur and Fred decide that a dinosaur adventure is just the thing he needs. With Fred’s help, this scaredy-Bear manages to find the courage to challenge Big T to a game of crazy golf, return a group of Tricereatots to their teacher and identify the veggie thief on the dinosaur allotments.

As with the previous ‘Story Shop’ books, ‘Dino Danger!’ is perfect for younger readers as an independent read or as a story to share. Tracey’s use of gentle humour and endearing characters make each book accessible and enjoyable and the three linked adventures in each book allow children to build their reading stamina whilst the short chapters with plentiful illustrations make the books achievable.

Fred Ferret is the perfect companion for Bear’s adventure and is on hand to support and encourage him as he faces each new challenge. Initially, Fred uses a special rock which he calls a ‘Crystal of Calm’ to make Bear believe in himself, but by the end of the story, it becomes clear that all the brave and clever things Bear has done are because if who he is and not because of the stone. Many children will identify with Bear, feeling nervous or frightened of unfamiliar situations and these stories are perfect for encouraging discussions about self belief. By the end of the book, timid Bear has enjoyed his Story Shop adventures and is keen to tell his pal, Ted, all about them, leaving the Story Shop quite a different character to the one who entered it!

These stories are a real celebration of the imagination and a wonderful starting point for encouraging children to develop their own adventures - ones which they would choose if they were able to visit Wilbur and Fred- and to act these out using their own props and costumes. Tony Neal’s lively illustrations add much to the text and the book ends with a guess the dinosaur from their silhouette activity and some dinosaur jokes! Great fun!

The Story Shop: Dino Danger!

Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1788953320

Published 2nd March 2023

You can read my review of ‘Blast Off’ here and ‘Anchors Away!’ here.

Press Start!

Sunny’s favourite video game is ‘Super Rabbit Boy’. In Animal Town, the characters live happily, singing and dancing the days away. However, when King Viking comes up with his No-Fun Plan and kidnaps Singing Dog, it is up to Super Rabbit Boy to rescue him. Can Sunny help him to complete his quest?

‘Game On, Super Rabbit Boy!’ is a first chapter book with brightly coloured illustrations, designed to look like those from a computer game and is sure to have young gamers hooked! Told through a mixture of sections of text and comic book like scenes with speech bubbles, the layout offers reading in small, achievable chunks whilst the illustrations do much to keep the plot moving. The sentence structures used are also relatively simple and although the action moves between the game, including a flashback, and Sunny playing it, the story line is easy to follow.

The story also shows the importance of perseverance as Sunny loses life after life until, with no lives left, he is finally victorious. The use of the present tense makes the action feel immediate and ultimately, happiness returns to Animal Town.

The fun continues in ‘Super Rabbit Boy Powers up!’ as, once again, Super Rabbit Boy sets off on a quest to save the day. As the adventure progresses, Sunny starts to find the game tricky and, although he initially rejected playing with his sister, saying the game is for one person, gradually his whole family becomes involved in playing with his sister, Rue, being the one to ‘stop and think’, solving the problem which the others were not able to. From then on, Sunny sees the value of teamwork and is happy to include his sister in his gaming.

I am not a ‘gamer’ in any way, shape or form, but have lived the experience through parenting. It seems to me that the technology used is older- of the Game Cube/ Game Boy era- and I wonder whether this has been chosen deliberately as gaming devices seem to change so quickly, but that these ‘retro’ devices seem to have a constant appeal- or perhaps I’m overthinking things! These stories are sure to grab the attention of younger readers who enjoy computer games, thrusting them into the challenges of Super Rabbit Boy’s quest and offering a little life lesson along the way! Great fun!

Press Start! Game On Super Rabbit Boy!

Thomas Flintham

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839949180

Press Start! Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up!

Thomas Flintham

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839949227

Pause for Poetry: Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss

This is a delightful collection for babies and toddlers which offers poems about their everyday experiences. Gathered into four sections- All About Me, Out and About, What Do I Feel? and At Home- Joseph’s poems capture the essence of the things which shape a little one’s day and the simple joy of these experiences.

The poems play with sounds and word families, making them easy to learn and even easier to interact with. You can’t help but join in with the ‘Dancing Families’, use the bubbles in a bath to follow the actions of ‘Bubble Pop’ or gather your own imaginative collection after reading ‘Collecting’.

There are poems which share love and hugs and those which help develop empathy and understanding of feelings. Many of the poems could be used as action rhymes- Stomp, Sneak, Dance, Blow a Kiss- which families could add their own ideas and verses to. ‘Take a Deep Breath’ is a wonderful poem for encouraging calm and could easily become part of a daily routine just as ‘Dreamtime’ is the perfect poem for ending a busy day.

Each poem is worthy of comment, but two of my favourites are ‘Take a Book from The Shelf’ and ‘Some Words’ which offer plenty to chat about as well as being great poems! Nicola Killen’s illustrations are full of fun and energy, perfectly capturing the essence of the poems.

Brilliant for home and school- a collection for everyone!

Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Nicola Killen

Andersen Press ISBN: 978-1839131363

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review of The Boy Lost in the Maze here.

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-

Autumn Moonbeam Dance Magic!

Autumn Moonbeam loves dance and gymnastics so when she discovers that Sparkledale Dance Academy has places on their competitive dance team, Black Cats, she is desperate to try out. But Autumn is worried that she won’t be good enough to make it in to the team and her anxiety is made worse by the fact that her neighbour, Severina Bloodworth, is also trying out for the team. With the support of family and friends, Autumn finds the confidence to attend the auditions, but will everything go according to plan on the day?

Full of magic, dance and friendship, this is a little book that really packs a punch! Autumn and her family- her twin, Zephyr, brothers Mordecai, Toadflax and baby, Knotweed, mum, Ghostly Gran and various pets- are a wonderful bunch and her slightly chaotic, very crowded home might not be the ideal place for her to practise her dance moves, but it is a loving and supportive place. Readers from big families will no doubt empathise with Autumn and her desire for some space of her own whilst recognising this sense of love and togetherness.

Another thing readers are sure to empathise with is Autumn’s feelings of self doubt and anxiety. However, her determination to try something new and not give up at the first hurdle shows how perseverance and determination- with a little support from friends and family- can pay off and have positive results. Autumn’s strength of character and good nature are also shown in how she deals with Severina.

The illustrations are delightful. The dance pictures capture the joy and excitement of dancing with magical touches and are sure to appeal to readers. You can even follow the step by step pictures to help you copy Autumn’s audition dance routine! There is so much to enjoy in this slender book which is sure to be a magical success! A second book in the series is coming out later this year!

Autumn Moonbeam Dance Magic!

Emma Finlayson-Palmer, illustrated by Heidi Cannon

UCLan Publishing ISBN: 978-1912979769