One Cat, Two Cats

Bright and beautiful, ‘One Cat, Two Cats’ is quite simply brilliant! Bursting with gentle humour, children will love the simple rhyming text and the feline antics on every page.

The book is wonderfully interactive with lift-the-flaps and pop-ups galore encouraging children to count the cats along the way. Each feline is full of character and every reader- grown-ups included- is sure to have their favourite and track them through the book. Cat Number One is already called Peggotty in our house, named after one of our beloved cats whilst Number 7 is Ebenezer, not because of the colouring or shape, but because of his cheeky expression!

The story might lead to children drawing twenty cats of their own- or making simple finger puppets- giving each a collar bearing a number, which could then be used to help children sequence numbers to 20. The illustrations in the story lend themselves brilliantly to oral story telling, developing descriptive and positional language whilst talking about the pictures. There is so much to explore and enjoy with this book- and not just with little children as it could easily be used to inspire paper engineering projects with older ones!

Robust pages and quality production make this a book which can - and will be!- enjoyed again and again!

One Cat, Two Cats

Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Rob Hodgson

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1805136125

Publishing 14th August 2025

You can read my review of ‘The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers’ here and ‘The Plesiosaur’s Neck’ here.

The Wizard’s Guide to Magical Experiments

‘The Wizard’s Guide to Magical Experiments’ is the perfect book for curious, creative children. Beautifully presented, with flaps to lift and fold out, it introduces the magic of science in a series of inspirational experiments which will fascinate and intrigue.

Whether you know a child who loves magic tricks, one who is fascinated by witches and wizards or one who loves science, this book will prove a source of great entertainment and enjoyment. Each spread is full of scientific information, experiments and explanations of how and why they work, allowing budding performers to delight an audience whilst gaining scientific understanding.

Experiments like moving water on command or making magical bugs which walk on water allow children to explore the wonders of surface tension whilst additional experiments show the difference between osmosis and diffusion. Using equipment and resources which can readily be found at home- and a few suggested magic words- clear instructions are given for how to prepare and undertake each experiment safely, with a warning sign clearly indicating where help from an adult should be sought.

Many of the experiments here are perfect for using for enriching the curriculum, capturing attention and igniting curiosity, but this is really the sort of book which children will treasure at home, returning to again and again and exploring with family and friends. I don’t often talk about ‘gift books’ as I see every book as a gift, but this one would make a very special present and bring a lot of pleasure and learning to the right child!

The Wizard’s Guide to Magical Experiments

40 science experiments to try at home

A J Wood, illustrated by Jo Rioux

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1917044653

Publishing 16th September 2025

Taking the Long Way Home

The walk home from school is always too long for Zarah. However, when Uncle Jerome picks the children up and suggests that they take the ‘long way home’, the walk is suddenly full of fun and imagination!

Celebrating the power of imagination and the joy of engaging with children and encouraging them to have fun, ‘Taking the Long Way Home’ is a delightful story. Initially, the children- Zarah and her sibling who is not named-are reluctant to engage, but Uncle Jerome’s enthusiasm and willingness to play with them quickly wins them round and they all end up having great fun. As they enjoy skimming stones, watching nature and eating ice creams, there is plenty of time to imagine pterodactyls swooping overhead, escape the snapping jaws of crocodiles as they cross a river and track a yeti to the top of the hill whilst taking the long way home.

By the end of the story, the children are thoroughly enjoying themselves. The illustrations capture their adventure perfectly, showing their excitement and delight as they explore as they open up to trying something different and realise how much fun this can be. It is lovely to see an Uncle being such a positive role model in this way, encouraging imaginative play and outdoor fun!

Taking the Long Way Home

Jake Hope, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald

Scallywag Press ISBN: 978-1915252845

Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day

Medusa Gorgon works for the goddess, Athena, as a guardian in her temple. To help with her fiery temper, Medusa’s best friend, Arachne, has suggested she keeps a diary as an outlet to process her feelings. But when Medusa angers Athena and is banished to the twenty-first century to retrieve Athena’s shield which she (Medusa) might just have got rid of in a fit of temper, her life becomes a series of VERY bad days.

‘Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day’ is a brilliant read! Fast paced and funny, it is the perfect book to read this summer holiday!

Accessible and entertaining, the dairy style format is really popular with lots of children as the first person writing easy to engage with and this particular one is highly illustrated and hilarious. Her frustrations with the gods and the unfairness of life and her bewilderment at life at secondary school and navigating the perils of friendship groups make for very entertaining reading - with many a true word spoken in jest!

Obviously, the book draws heavily on the Greek myths, but readers don’t need to be familiar with the story of Medusa or Arachne or any of the other Gods to thoroughly enjoy the story. The author uses characters from these myths, but very much makes them her own, developing their personalities and allowing Medusa and Arachne to choose their fate.

Friendship is at the heart of the story. Although quick tempered, Medusa is a loyal, kind friend, far from the cold hearted monster of myth, easy to relate to and easy to like. The illustrations are just wonderful and add much to the story, making this an excellent addition to any bookshelf.

Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day

Bethany Walker, illustrated by Katie Abey

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702340659

Girls of Dark Divine

The Marionettes are a famed troupe of dancers whose beauty and skill draw huge audiences night after night. But a dark curse hangs over them. The Puppet Master controls them and the girls live in fear, performing under his control until they turn to dust. Star of the show, Emberlyn, is determined to escape and sees her chance when the troupe is taken to a new theatre in the city of Parlizia. However, she meets an elusive boy made of shadows and together, they must find a way to overcome the evil power the Puppet Master holds over them.

Not my usual kind of read, I found ‘Girls of Dark Divine’ both compelling and unsettling. Offering a mix of romance, friendship and dark fantasy, the real focus of the story for me was about the control and manipulation of the young girls, or Marionettes, who were forced to dance to the tune of Malcolm, the Puppet Master.

In Malcolm, the author has created a character with absolutely no redeeming qualities. His callous control and abuse of the girls and their total fear of him makes him completely repugnant. Throughout the book, he attempts to shift the blame for his actions onto the girls, taking no responsibility, showing no common decency, telling them that it is their fault, not his, that he acts in this way and that it is for their good. My fury levels were off the scale at certain points.

Brought together by their desire to perform and their love of dance, each girl has been tricked into joining the troupe and once initiated, is unable to speak about it to anyone who does not already know about it thus preventing the Marionettes from warning potential new members. Bound by the way they live and their shared suffering, a very close bond has developed between them. When Emberlyn decides she must act in an attempt to save them, she initially tries to distance herself from the others, causing hurt and confusion. For the reader, both her sense of isolation and the reaction of the others deepens the feelings of empathy for their plight. I won’t add anything about the romantic element so as not to spoil it for others.

The story is dark and disturbing, but the ending offers a real sense of hope and possibility as the girls are freed from the darkness of their existence and are able to make their own choices. Although the story is obviously fiction, the experiences of manipulation, control and gaslighting are ones which are, sadly, all too common in some people’s lives, adding a level of poignancy to the story.

Girls of Dark Divine

E V Woods

Usborne ISBN: 978-1805077633

Nature Heroes

‘Nature Heroes’ is a collection of twenty biographies of dedicated people who are working with nature to save the world. It is an inspiring read which offers plenty to think about and plenty to discuss.

Some of those included are sure to be familiar to children. Chris Packham, for example, is a well-known name, but readers are sure to be amazed to learn more about this famous presenter and how his passion for wild animals has led him to where he is today. Another name which might be quickly recognised is wildlife cameraman, Hamza Yassin, who won Strictly Come Dancing.

Other biographies may well introduce readers to the story of someone they are less familiar with. I loved Ron Finley’s story which may well inspire others to create urban gardens and become Gangsta Gardeners! Other stories are equally fascinating and many are deeply poignant. The plight of pangolins and Thai Van Nguyen’s mission to save them is one such! Each biography allows the reader to discover more about the lives and work of those championing wildlife in different ways, but each with passion and determination which is admirable and inspiring.

Although packed with information, each biography is short enough to be used for a class story time or guided reading session, sure to generate plenty of discussion and stimulate lots of thinking whilst enriching the curriculum. More ‘Nature Heroes’ are referred to in the author’s conclusion, offering plenty of possibilities for research and hopefully, encouraging children to get involved and find out more about any nature projects on their own doorsteps, following their curiosity and seeing where it leads as Peggy Eby (one of the subjects of the book) thinks everyone should!

Nature Heroes

Lily Dyu, illustrated by Jackie Lay

Nosy Crow with the University of Cambridge ISBN: 978-1805136408

The Last Pebble

Trader lives in Bognor where he loves to spend time beachcombing with his grandfather. One day, he finds a special pebble which his grandfather seems to recognise and be excited by. Although Trader struggles to make friends, his last days at primary school are made happier by his developing friendship with Charlotte who has recently started there. Can they solve the mystery surrounding the pebble- and discover who has been leaving messages in bottles on the beach?

‘The Last Pebble’ is a charming, quirky story, full of humour and heart. It celebrates the special relationship children can have with their grandparents, being a bit different and the power of friendship.

The close bond between Trader and his grandfather is beautifully captured. In this relationship, Trader feels safe and valued, able to share his passion for rocks which make sense to him in a way in which people do not. With the discovery of the special pebble, Trader learns more about his family’s past, taking him on an unexpected adventure. His tentative attempts at reaching out to Charlotte, uncertain as to how to reach out and worried about rejection are also really well portrayed and are sure to resonate with many readers. By the end of the book, he has found his way, safe with those who understand and value him.

Trader’s passion for his hobby may inspire some readers to share their own interests- or perhaps recognise and respect that different things fascinate different people and that this is a very positive thing. ‘The Last Pebble’ is a gentle story, yet one which offers plenty of adventure and things to reflect on, making it an excellent class story or perhaps one to be shared between grandparent and grandchild!

The Last Pebble

Alex Horne

Walker ISBN: 978-1529502565

The Museum of Lost Umbrellas

Since her mum passed away, Dilly Kyteler has been living with a foster family. However, a relative has now been located and Dilly now finds herself on her way to live with her great aunt Florence in Ollipest. Although her aunt is somewhat formidable, Dilly is delighted to find that her aunt’s best friend, Digdee, has a grandson, Callum, who is staying with her and when Parsley, an Irish Wolfhound, comes bounding out of the sea, Dilly even has the dog she has always longed for. Dilly and Callum soon discover the Museum of Lost Umbrellas, which is reopening and attracting a lot of attention from the locals. It quickly becomes clear that something is going on in Ollipest and that magic has divided the community. When a stranger arrives and starts to garner support for the ‘no magic’ movement, Dilly and Callum know they have to act.

‘The Museum of Lost Umbrellas’ is one of those books which captivates readers from the outset. My clumsy attempt at a summary really does not do it justice!

Dilly is such a likeable character, very easy to relate to and empathise with, and readers will enjoy discovering the magic and wonder she uncovers as she learns about her abilities and those of the people around her, many of whom have wonderful names! Having lost so much, Dilly is delighted to have found a place where she feels she truly belongs, making her fears she might lose this all the more poignant. Her friendship with Callum- and the devotion she shares with Parsley - add to her sense of having found a home, despite the initial frostiness of her great aunt. Even the house- Tail End Cottage- seeks to make her welcome- and offers one of the most amazing libraries ever!

Showing how manipulation and fear can lead to mob rule, the villagers are persuaded to burn books and destroy magical objects, blind to the machinations of James Lambe, a chilling villain with a very personal grudge. The hypocrisy of those using magic whilst claiming to abhor it is also exposed! Along with Shelley, the owner of the Museum of Lost Umbrellas and Nix, a boy who is stuck in the form of a parrot, Dilly and Callum rise to the challenge of freeing the island from his spell and allowing magic to flourish once more.

The world of magic and magical practices created in this book is delightfully imaginative and full of fun. As this is the first in ‘The Cloud Witch Chronicles’, I look forward to seeing what comes next for Dilly and her friends.

The Museum of Lost Umbrellas

Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Faber ISBN: 978-0571385720

The Whale’s Song: Discover the Giants of our Oceans

Full of beautiful illustrations and carefully explained, engaging information, ‘The Whale’s Song’ is perfect for sparking curiosity about the oceans and the incredible creatures which inhabit them.

The book opens by suggesting that the Earth should, in fact, be called ‘the Sea’ as 70% of the planet’s surface is covered with water. With an explanation as to why this is mostly salt water, the author then explores water came to Earth, why we see the sea as blue and factors which affect this. Having set the scene in this way, cetaceans are then introduced and details about these fascinating creatures are shared through both text and illustration.

So much information is packed into this absorbing book! The author’s interest and enthusiasm for their subject is infectious and it is impossible to read this without being completely absorbed into the subject. Readers who love lots of detail will really appreciate the full, careful explanations given whilst those who prefer to skim and select their facts will be drawn to the fact boxes and sections of coloured text. Either way, there is a huge amount to learn here!

Information about whaling and the awful impact this had- and still has- on whales is included and the negative affect of the marine park entertainment industry is also discussed. The book concludes with information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showing which species are most at risk.

A section on myths and legends surrounding whales shows how these creatures have inspired people across the world. Each section is full of stunning illustrations, making the book a real joy to explore. Even the end papers are used to show the different species of whales, giving an idea of their comparative sizes. Perfect for enriching the school curriculum or enjoying anywhere, this is an absolute joy of a book.

The Whale’s Song: Discover the Giants of our Oceans

Rossana Bossu, translated by Margaret Greenan

Post Wave ISBN: 978-1836270195

You can read my review of ‘The Jellyfish Garden’ here

Livia in Rome

Due to her grandmother -Nina- having an accident, sixteen-year-old Livia is delighted to be spending the summer in Rome, working in the family bar. Being Scottish-Italian, she hopes she will find the place she really belongs in Italy. However, it seems that local boy, Giulio, has stolen her place in Nina’s affections and working at the bar and he quickly becomes Livia’s nemesis. But as time passes and Livia makes new friends and discovers family secrets, she comes to realise that maybe Giulio is not the enemy she thought he was…

Bursting with the flavours of Rome, teen romance, family and friendship, ‘Livia in Rome’ is the perfect summer read- for anyone! It is beautifully written, completely engaging and is guaranteed to make you want to visit Rome.

Livia is such a brilliant character. Told from her perspective, the book is rich in her humorous observations as she navigates being both Scottish and Italian and tries to work out where she fits, encouraging empathy with her situation, one which many children are familiar with. The simmering tension between her and Giulio is so well captured as she tries to remain immune to his charms and discover what he is up to whilst the reader is cheering them on every step of the way until the very satisfying conclusion is reached!

Evocative descriptions bring Rome to life- not just the ‘touristy’ Rome, but the real Rome and its people- in a way which is sure to encourage readers to want to discover more and explore this fascinating city for themselves.

The book is absolutely perfect for younger teens as well as older ones. It is quite simply an excellent read, showing the joys of friendship, developing relationships , working as a community and finding your place in the world. It should be at the top of everyone’s TBR piles - a perfect summer read!

Livia in Rome

Bruna De Luca

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1917171113

The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam

Phoebe has inherited her love of art and stories from her grandmother, Cass, spending much time with her in the sunny studio where they paint and share Greek myths. But Cass is struggling to remember things and has to go into a home. When Cass’s home is sold, Phoebe pays it one last visit and is swept into a strange adventure. Finding herself on a beach in Greece, she meets Leander, a boy who is on a quest to find out what happened to his father, one of King Odysseus’s shipbuilders, after the Trojan Wars. She also meets Hattie, her grandmother’s childhood friend, who sets Phoebe on a quest of her own- to defeat a monster and find her own way home.

This was a one-sitting read! Engaging from the first page, ‘The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam’ combines a thrilling adventure story with the poignant worries of a child coping with dementia in a loved one.

Like many children, Phoebe takes on worries which should not be hers, in this case, believing that she is responsible for her grandmother’s decline, that she should have told her mother that Cass was forgetting things. The close bond she and Cass share is beautifully captured, making both her grandmother’s decline and Phoebe’s feelings of guilt and loss all the more touching. The family are also dealing the the loss of Phoebe’s father who died whilst on a rescue for the RNLI and the fact that Cass has no memory of this, believing her son to still be alive, only adds to the family’s pain. This all makes the story sound very bleak- but it isn’t. Phoebe’s personal circumstances frame her adventure which is full of hope and healing… and action and adventure.

And there is plenty of action and adventure! Against a background of Greek myth, Phoebe and Leander embark on their quests, finding support and comfort in one another as they face dangers and dilemmas, overcoming their own fears and finding their way home once more. There are plenty of monsters, an epic sea voyage, excitement and peril in this imaginative and engrossing book!

The perfect candidate for story time selection, this book would make an excellent class read, engaging children with Greek myths and offering plenty to discuss and enjoy.

The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam

Annelise Gray

Zephyr ISBN: 978-1035911011

Published 11th September 2025

You can read my review of ‘Rider of the Storm’ here.

Come Back, Gosling

A little girl and a gosling are dear friends who love one another very much. Going to the library and sharing books is their favourite thing to do, but one week, they start a book which the little girl does not like and will not share. The book goes missing until one night, Gosling finds it and reads it…and leaves. Desperate to make things right, the little girl chases after him to make amends.

‘Come Back, Gosling’ is a lovely story, celebrating friendship, the love of books and the importance of honesty.

Through the power of books, the little girl discovers that Gosling will grow into a goose and learn to fly. Scared about this change, she refuses to share the information with her little friend, first by becoming upset and changing the subject, and then by hiding the book. This refusal to face change means that, not only does she hide something important from her friend, but she also fails to read to the end of the book and so does not fully understand what is going on. Once the truth is out, Gosling is able to follow his own path- but the friendship endures. Friends cannot always be together- the freedom to do your own thing and to thrive on your own is so important- and those friendships which have some space and respect of individual needs are often the strongest!

The illustrations simply glow with David Litchfield’s usual magic and warmth! The opening end papers show the little girl and Gosling making their way to the tree house with their books whilst the end ones show the same scene, but in the autumn, after Gosling’s return. There are so many details to notice and enjoy. Children will enjoy spotting other books by Anne and David amongst those in the library- ‘A Shelter for Sadness’, ‘The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk’- as well as other favourites such as ‘The Wind in the Willows’. Their love of sharing books is beautifully captured- a special time to be enjoyed and valued, something which, sadly, is so often not a part of children’s lives.

Inspired by the story, children may well enjoy learning more about the life cycle and habits of geese, perhaps sharing their information by creating a lift-the-flap book and start creating a little library of their own. Perfect for story times, this is a book to linger over!

Come Back, Gosling

Anne Booth, illustrated by David Litchfield

Templar ISBN: 978-1800783072

You can read my review of ‘A Shelter for Sadness’ here and ‘The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk’ here.

Go Go Dodo!

When Dodo takes a stroll through the gentle jungle, across the friendly swamp and over the soothing sea, he is completely oblivious to all dangers, including the very hungry tiger stalking him every step of the way!

Perfect for a lively story time, ‘Go Go Dodo!’ is one of those joyful stories in which pictures and text combine to create a genuinely funny and satisfying read.

Children will love following Dodo on his walk and calling out all the dangers which Dodo is so blissfully unaware of! Playing with the tradition of pantomime ‘It’s behind you!’ visual jokes, the reader is in on the joke through the whole story and then offered an extra chuckle at the end! The simple, repetitive text will be quickly learned, even by the youngest children, allowing them the fun of joining in. For a really interactive story time, actions could be added along the lines of those used in ‘Bear Hunt’ story telling sessions.

The story could also be retold from the tiger’s point of view as he pursues Dodo on his stroll, perhaps collecting and playing with different verbs and adverbs to describe how the tiger is moving at different points of the story!

Great fun to share again and again!

Go Go Dodo!

Huw Lewis Jones, illustrated by Fred Blunt

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838918316

Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime

A family trip to Crete, organised by her history-obsessed younger brother, is not Netta’s idea of the perfect summer holiday, especially as it means she is missing a swimming gala. However, soon after her arrival, she finds herself caught in very realistic dreams which drag her back into the past - to the time of King Minos and the creation of the labyrinth. As she finds herself more and more absorbed by the past, Netta and her brother, Remy, must work out what keeps drawing her into the past before she finds she can’t return to the present.

Perfect summer reading, ‘Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime’ is a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read. Although it draws on Greek mythology, readers do not need to be familiar with these stories to appreciate this book- but are sure to want to explore them once they have!

Pulled into the past, Netta finds she can be seen by ‘Ari’, a princess who believes Netta to be a ‘tricksy muse’. As the two develop a friendship, Netta realises, with the help of Remy, that Ari is Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. Although the paths of other characters that she meets- Dae (Daedalus), Russ (Icarus), Minos- are clear through the stories which have been passed down, it is less clear what happened to Ariadne, raising the question of how often the stories of women and children are glossed over. ‘Being unseen by history doesn’t mean life wasn’t worth living’ is very much at the heart of this story, one of the many reasons this would make an excellent class story, offering plenty to discuss and encourage questioning.

The story is rich in historical details, weaving the Knossos of myth with the ruins of today, offering a the perfect background to this time travel with a difference. There is so much to enjoy in this book!

Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime

Jennifer Claessen

Uclan Publishing ISBN: 978-1916747593

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

‘Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!’ is the latest title from the brilliant team of Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker. Full of fascinating facts, this is the perfect book for every entomophile- and even those less keen on our insect friends!

Children are fascinated by ‘creepy crawlies’ and studying them is often a popular topic in schools, capturing curiosity and enthusiasm, and allowing them to ‘work scientifically’ by observing these incredible creatures for themselves. This book is perfect for supporting and developing this interest both at home and at school.

Beautiful illustrations, including labelled diagrams and sequenced pictures, accompany the text, supporting comprehension and developing understanding. The spread about ‘water bugs’, for example, could be used to aid identification of bugs in a garden pond, perhaps leading to children drawing and labelling their own.

Covering everything from feeding habits to life cycles, there are so many fascinating facts here. The information is written in a very accessible style with plenty of humour, whilst using the correct terminology to explain processes. Concluding with a section which explains why bugs are so important and what we can do to help them, there is so much to learn here.

Whether fascinated- or horrified - by spiders, intrigued by gastropods or annoyed by mosquitoes, ‘Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!’ is the book you need!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

bsmall publishing ISBN: 978-1916851252

You can read my review of ‘Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!’ here and ‘Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!’ here.

The Tree of Life

‘The Tree of Life’ is a lift-the-flap book which allows readers to explore different trees and the life they support. Its large format and sturdy construction make it perfect for returning to again and again.

A wonderful range of trees is included from majestic English oaks to the endangered pernambuco of Brazil. A succinct paragraph introduces the tree and then additional snippets of information are included around the page and under the flaps. The book highlights things which are threatening these trees as well as the animals which thrive around them. Lovely illustrations are full of details for children to notice and explore.

The book also considers the importance of trees to humans- apple trees were the first to be domesticated and the banyan tree is of spiritual importance to those who live near them. It may be simply and clearly presented, but there is no ‘dumbing down’ of the text here, allowing older readers to learn alongside younger ones! An index and glossary are also included, allowing specific information to be readily located.

The Tree of Life

Nalini Nadkarni, illustrated by Kendra Binney

Neon Squid ISBN: 978- 1916745070

Happy Hills: Mr Big Fluff Rules

The baddest hamster around, Mr Big Fluff, has decided that he is not as happy as he might be so he decides to steal some happy from Happy Hills. Will the Happy Hills gang be able to stop him?

The third ‘Happy Hills’ book, ‘Mr Big Fluff Rules’ continues the bonkers fun and complete chaos of the series perfectly! Sophy Henn’s genius for comedic timing, visual humour and crazy- yet appealing- storylines is well known and seems to get better with every book!

Bold, bright colours burst from every page as this comic strip caper introduces a new baddie- and threat to the happiness of Happy Hills- Mr Big Fluff, a mafia gangster style villain whose dialogue delivery will have adults chortling as well as kids. As might be expected, the Happy crew keep their home safe and help Mr Big Fluff find his own kind of happy along the way.

As usual, there are the additional sub-plots scattered throughout the story and some excellent drawing advice from Sophie at the end. One section shows Sparks finding fame on Spit Spot, a genius story showing the futility of chasing likes from ‘friends’ you don’t even know and constantly trying to up the ante only to be discarded the minute something else becomes ‘popular’!

I would say that this would make an excellent bedtime story- but it is guaranteed to cause lots of laughing and inspire an immediate desire to draw so perhaps it is better suited to other times of the day!

Happy Hills: Mr Big Fluff Rules

Sophy Henn

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398524668

You can read my review of ‘Happy Hills: Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens’ here.

The Big Book of Useless Science Knowledge

‘The Big Book of Useless Science Knowledge’ may be big and full of science knowledge, but it is far from useless! It is, in fact, jam-packed with nuggets of information and fascinating facts which are sure to intrigue and inspire readers!

Divided into nine sections, the book tackles a wide range of scientific areas. In the Nature section, readers learn (amongst other things) about exploding fruit, ticklish rats and zombie ants. The information is clearly presented, using the appropriate scientific terminology where appropriate, yet adopting a light-hearted, ‘chatty’ tone, making it very easy to read. Each spread is full of attractive, generally humorous, illustrations, adding to the book’s appeal.

A page of introductions to the authors and illustrators show the wide range of people who have contributed to the information in the book and their backgrounds. Although it says on the cover that these are facts ‘you won’t be taught in school’, there is much here which could be used by teachers to enrich, or add interest to, the science curriculum. However, this is, above all, a book for browsing, enjoying, dipping in and out of, and impressing your friends by quoting the unbelievable- and useless?- facts that you have learned!

The Big Book of Useless Science Knowledge

various authors and illustrators

Neon Squid ISBN: 978-1838993405

Runaways

Jamie and July are both 11 and both live in London, but their lives are very different. Both are desperate to get away from home- Jamie to escape something he has done and July to find help for her mother. Each is wary and suspicious of others, but somehow the two form a partnership as they head to the coast. But escaping real life is impossible…

‘Runaways’ is one of the best books I have read recently. Tackling an incredibly serious issue, E L Norry has produced a compelling and satisfying read which both allows readers to empathise with Jamie and July and offers the perfect starting point for conversations around what home means. It is beautifully and sensitively written and I’m not ashamed to say I cried in places.

Elements of both Jamie and July’s stories will ring true for many children. July’s mother has had issues and July often feels that she is taking the adult role in their relationship. When an old friend- who July thinks is a bad influence- comes back into their lives, July is desperate to protect her mother and seeks help from a past foster parent, Bee. The relationship between July and her mother- however flawed- is full of love, but captures how things sometimes for some people don’t go according to plan and can have terrible consequences for all involved. Jamie comes from a more affluent background, but is struggling with his mother’s new partner and the absence of his own father. There is plenty of money and comfort, but he feels he is not listened to, leading to an incident which leaves him to panic. He flees his home in search of his  Aunty Liz, someone he feels will listen.

Alternating chapters gives each child a voice, allowing the reader to empathise with their actions as they experience the potential pitfalls and dangers of leaving home- being exploited, robbed, finding somewhere safe… E L Norry manages to handle these threats in an age appropriate way yet leaves the reader in no doubt as to how real these dangers are. However, this story is ultimately one of hope, one with a (two!) happy ending which leaves the reader uplifted and optimistic for Jamie and July’s futures.

I really hope this book gains the recognition it deserves. Beautifully written, deeply moving, it is essential reading for everyone.

Runaways

E.L. Norry

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526683335

You can read my review of ‘Fablehouse’ here

The Poetry World of John Agard

This incredible book contains eighty of John Agard’s poems, selected from eight of his previous collections. It is an absolute treasure trove of poetic joy, deserving a place on every library, classroom and home bookshelf.

‘The Poetry World of John Agard’ covers works from John’s first book, ‘I Din Do Nuttin’, published in 1983, through to ‘Points of View With Professor Peekaboo’, which was published in 2000. Many of the poems here are ones which I have shared and used with children throughout my teaching career (I shall never forget one group’s performance of ‘No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock’!) and so know how much John Agard’s poems appeal to, and are enjoyed by, children.

Each section is prefaced with an introduction from John Agard, offering reflection on the section to come and plenty of inspiration. The collection is rich in both his playful, light-hearted poems and his more thought-provoking work, making it perfect for returning to again and again.

There are so many poems here which work well in the classroom- I’ve already mentioned ‘No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock’ as a brilliant performance piece. Another joy to perform is ‘Grandfather’s Old Bruk-a-Down Car’. ‘Under the Arch’ works really well as a model poem to inspire children’s own ideas and many are just perfect for sharing at any time!

The Poetry World of John Agard

John Agard, illustrated by Shirley Hottier

Otter- Barry ISBN: 978-1915659477

You can read my review of ‘Follow That Word’ here.