Spin a Story

Perfect for National Non-Fiction November, ‘Spin a Story’ offers a wonderful mixture of true tales, riddles, poems, fun facts and jokes with the added enjoyment of a spinner on the cover to help you choose which category- Wonder, Explore, Laugh or Ooh- to select!

Spinning ‘Explore’ could lead readers to information about wild homes, explain why Christmas Island turns red every year between October and December or take you on holiday somewhere in the universe. Landing on orange will give you a giggle as you find out how to tell a joke or discover the colour of a brown bear’s poo. Blue is the colour of the ‘ooh’ category full of surprising stories about remarkable robots or some mysteries from the past whilst yellow will make you wonder at kangaroos or the brilliance of butterflies.

A collection of authors have contributed to the book so that each concise entry has a different feeling, giving variety of both subject matter and style, engaging readers afresh with each twirl of the spinner. The concept makes this an excellent book for sharing with siblings or friends, each taking a turn to spin and choose the next entry to be enjoyed. The colourful, often humorous, illustrations add to the book’s appeal, making this a treat to be returned to again and again!

Spin a Story

Various authors, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa

Red Shed ISBN: 978-0008685973

A Tree for Everyone

For Jake and his friends, the tree was a magical place where they built a tree house and played marvellous games. But when more children came, angry words and unkind actions destroyed everything …until they realise that they need to resolve their differences to move forward.

‘A Tree for Everyone’ is a delightful, heart-warming story, celebrating the importance of taking and giving second chances as well as the joys of imaginative play.

For Jake, Aiden and Pip, the tree is the perfect place for all their creative play, becoming a pirate ship, a castle, a space rocket…whatever they dream and invent. Their joyful play comes to an end when they feel their space is threatened by the arrival of three more children. Things escalate quickly from Jake and his friends not wanting to share ‘their’ tree to the destruction of the tree house. No longer having such a special shared place, the children drift off to do other things, but when Jake and one of the other children, Lily, gravitate back to the tree, a new understanding and friendship springs up as they apologise to each other. Perfect for sharing at story time, the book promotes ideas of empathy and kindness, showing the tree can very successfully be a shared space, sparking discussions about special places or games and how others can be included. Children are sure to want to share their favourite games, perhaps leading to a class book of ideas.

Vibrant, fun-filled illustrations reflect the joys of creative play with the tree central to their joy. Lily and Jake are surrounded by its greenery as they apologise for their unkind words and deeds. There are many details to notice and enjoy!

A lovely book about friendship and sharing, kindness and creativity.

A Tree for Everyone

Kathy Urban, illustrated by Rosie Butcher

Little Steps ISBN: 978-1915641427

Robin

Eddie’s little sister, Scarlet, is very ill. Having been born with a heart condition, she often needs medical care, taking all his parents’ time and attention. Eddy loves Scarlet very much- but sometimes he feels invisible to others and focuses all his attention on being a ‘good’ boy, bottling up all his emotions and keeping the ‘monster’ they create deep inside. Whilst Scarlet faces another surgery, Eddie goes to stay with his Uncle John where he meets a robin in the snowy forest. This bird leads him to a mysterious wild girl, who wants him to find his voice and free his feelings…

‘Robin’ is sensitively written, poignant novel which explores the impact on a family of a serious illness. She has captured a loving, close family, who are each under the enormous strain of worry which Scarlet’s illness has caused, allowing the reader to empathise, not only with Scarlet, but Eddie and his parents as well. It is an incredibly powerful, well-considered story.

The healing power of nature is at the heart of the book as Uncle John encourages Eddie to share his secrets and thoughts with the trees whose ability to communicate and support one another reflects his deep need and desire to be really seen and supported by the people around him. Icy, snowy conditions enhance his feelings of isolation yet allow him to tune into the sustaining sounds of nature, eventually contrasting with the warmth of friendship and family.

As Eddie finds his voice through music and friendship, the whole family benefits from his bravery and honesty, becoming stronger as they acknowledge the importance of finding their ‘monstrous voice’. The beautiful writing is paired with evocative illustrations which enhance the magical, wintery atmosphere of the story. Adults thinking of sharing this with any child would be well advised to read it first, not only because it is well worth reading.

Robin

Sarah Ann Juckes, illustrated by Linde Faas

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398531055

Tomorrow’s Ghost

In the summer of 1976, Anna wakes from a strange dream to hear her aunt Maggie making plans to send her away for the summer to help her Auntie Em, who has sprained her ankle. Never wanting to be a burden to her aunt who took her in after the death of her parents, Anna readily agrees despite secret feelings of reluctance. However, Em and her lovely dog, Bob, are welcoming and Anna is full of optimism for the summer ahead. But her strange dreams seem to have followed her to Pear Tree Cottage and when she discovers the ruins of a once-grand house in the woods, Anna is sure it is connected to Etty, the young girl who keeps appearing in her dreams. As she learns more of Etty’s story, Anna is determined to save her…

Set in the long, hot summer of 1976, ‘Tomorrow’s Ghost’ is a wonderfully atmospheric story which connects two girls, both orphaned, across time. Each girl is beautifully captured, making them very relatable and easy to empathise with. After having overheard a conversation, Anna is worried about being a burden on Maggie and so tries to be as helpful and accommodating as possible, usually ignoring her own feelings in the process. Anna also feels lost with her best friend, Suzy, who is now interested in fashion and boys rather than the imaginative games they used to play. Etty has also been orphaned and is sent to live with her cruel and uncompromising Grandfather, who disapproved of her mother. In his house, Etty finds she has to pretend and play the part of a haughty heiress, but dreams of finding freedom and escaping the unhappy life she is trapped in. Her feelings of loss and confusion on arriving at her new home are deeply poignant.

As well as offering a compelling mystery as the connection between the two girls unfolds, the book is also full of historical details, seamlessly woven through the story. The endless, hot summer, fashion ideas, ‘Jackie’ magazine, district nurses, not flushing the loo to save water… 1976 is vividly brought to life for today’s readers with its lack of mobile phones and other everyday luxuries taken for granted today (Auntie Em has a small black and white television with poor reception!), offering plenty to talk about. Readers also learn much about life at the end of the Great War, the flu epidemic and the contrasting lives of the rich and poor. The attitude to women and girls in Etty’s time might not surprise readers, but the pressure Anna feels to be a ‘good’ girl and being sent to look after a relative she barely knows at the age of 12 is sure to cause plenty of comment!

This is a story which has a wide age appeal with plenty to capture imagination and interest. A cracking read!

Tomorrow’s Ghost

Tanya Landman

Walker ISBN: 978-1529519747

A Song of the Seasons

‘A Song of the Seasons’ follows the lives of a mother bear and her cubs from as they wake from their winter hibernation through the changing seasons of the year. This gentle picture book captures the beauty of each phase of the year, celebrating the wonders of nature.

Perfect for sharing, the story makes an excellent starting point for discussing the changing seasons and how creatures adapt to each. Delicate illustrations frame the lyrical text as the bears slowly wake from their sleep, frolic in the summer sun and prepare for the next winter sleep on the bounty of autumn.

This is a wonderfully calming tale, following the rolling cadence of the year with creatures thriving in their natural setting. It would be excellent for a story time, sparking plenty of discussion and further investigation.

A Song of the Seasons

Yibing Deng

Post Wave ISBN: 878-1836270676

Wolf Crown

Having beaten the White Prince in the race for the Midnight Treasure and having discovered that they are, in fact, twins, Tibor and Roza now know that they are heirs to the throne of Princeland. However, now mortal, having lost their powers using the Dark Lantern, reclaiming their inheritance seems an impossibility as they face a new race against time to find the long-lost Wolf Crown which seems to offer their only chance of defeating the White Prince once and for all.

No summary could ever do justice to the richly-told, superbly plotted dream of a book which is ‘Wolf Crown’. I absolutely adored ‘Midnight Treasure’ - and this sequel is even better!

Separated, Roza and Tibor are forced to follow different paths on their journey to defeat the White Prince. During their adventures, they discover much about themselves, showing great courage and determination on the way. They learn to accept help from others, to consider different possibilities and ultimately that everyone has light and dark within them, but each individual can decide ‘how much and when’. Together, they are strong and together, they share the crown.

Each character in the story is carefully developed from the Grimoire to (my new favourite!) Tiny Tibor, who may be ‘only’ a small, smooth newt, but whose contribution to discovering the Crown is incalculable!

The incredible world building started in ‘Midnight Treasure’ continues throughout the story with wonderfully detailed, evocative descriptions. A map at the beginning of the book allows readers to chart the twins’ progress on their adventures. It was a joy to revisit this world and leave Roza and Tibor poised for new and exciting possibilities. Perfect for anyone looking for a challenging, satisfying and exciting read!

Wolf Crown

Piers Torday

Quercus ISBN: 978-1786541451

You can read my review of ‘Midnight Treasure’ here.

Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children

Containing six enduring tales, this new edition of ‘Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children’ is an absolute delight.

The collection contains two of his best loved and best known stories, ‘The Happy Prince’ and ‘The Selfish Giant’, both tales which I loved as a child. There is always some debate with Wilde’s fairy tales as to whether they are truly meant for children as they are sometimes dark and emotionally charged. I cried for ages on first reading ‘The Happy Prince’- yet borrowed it from the library again and again. However, any adult considering sharing these stories with the children in their lives, whether at home or at school, would be well advised to pre-read them to be able to discuss and enjoy sharing them with younger readers as they feel appropriate.

However, these stories are full of memorable characters and offer so much to discuss and reflect on and this edition is so beautifully illustrated, making it the perfect choice. Pages are edged with papercuts which frame the text and adorn the endpapers whilst gorgeous paintings accompany each story. The style of these give the book a charming, timeless feeling, making this a wonderful collection to introduce children to Wilde’s stories.

Essential for readers young and old!

Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children

Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara

Little Island ISBN: 978-1915071897

Factology: The Maya

Full of fascinating information, this new addition to the ‘Factology’ series offers a detailed look at the ancient Maya. Starting with an explanation of who the Maya were- and are- ‘Factology: The Maya’ provides a timeline of events happening in the rest of the world as the Maya civilisation developed, allowing readers to make connections with other historical periods and events which they might be familiar with.

The book carefully explains the importance of the ‘Popol Vuh’, a sacred Maya text and how this survived, allowing readers today to become familiar with their origin stories and what they believed. Vivid illustrations accompany a whose who of some of the major gods before some of their myths are retold, presented in graphic form. Highly engaging, vocabulary and additional details are explained, deepening understanding of these complex stories.

Plenty of information about daily life is included, with a focus spread on chocolate and its importance to the Maya. Divided into three sections, the book looks at the pre-classic, classic and post-classic periods, charting the rise and decline of this great civilisation, including investigating the theory that aliens were around at this time and how they might have helped the Maya build their pyramids!

The book ends with a quiz (including answers!) encouraging children to reflect on their reading- or look up the answers! In the current KS2 History National Curriculum, the Maya are one of the study area choices for a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history and this book would make an excellent addition to library or class resources to support this.

Factology: The Maya

Button Books ISBN: 978-1787081840

Lost Evangeline

When a shoemaker discovers a tiny girl in the toe of a boot, he raises her with love and care. Having named her ‘Evangeline’ - a name that spoke of possibilities- he shares with her his dreams of exploration and adventure. His wife, on the other hand, feels that there is something unnatural about the little girl and is jealous of the closeness of their relationship and the dreams they share. When she sells Evangeline to a rich old lady, the wife loses everything as the shoemaker leaves to search for his child and never returns. Meanwhile, Evangeline, who has escaped with the aid of a marmalade cat, is also seeking her father in an impossibly big world.

With elements reminiscent of ‘Thumbelina’ and ‘Pinocchio’ , ‘Lost Evangeline’ is a delightful story of enduring love, kindness and adventurous spirit.

The shoemaker has always longed for adventure with his dreams thwarted first by his father and then by his wife. When Evangeline comes into his life, he has someone to share his hopes with, a kindred spirit full of curiosity and wonder. Their separation is the catalyst for his becoming a sailor, determined to continue seeking his lost daughter. Evangeline, tiny though she is, is equally set on finding the shoemaker. Encountering both good and evil characters on her journey, she remains positive and full of courage, an inspiration as she sings her songs of freedom.

The feeling of a fairy tale is enhanced by the very atmospheric illustrations which show the spirals of song which weave their way through the story right to the end. Although there is no instant happy ending with father and daughter reunited once more, it is through the final illustration which the reader is left with a thread of hope that this might yet happen.

I feel this could be a ‘Marmite’ story, provoking strong reactions in its readers, but I loved it!

Lost Evangeline: A Norendy Tale

Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Walker ISBN: 978-1529525892

The Turtle Who Turned the Tide

It’s the day of the Grand Hatching and all the animals have gathered to watch the baby turtles make their way to the ocean. Tula and her brother, Tiny, are amongst them and Tula finds herself the favourite to win the race to the water. However, she suddenly realises that Tiny has gone off course. She bravely decides to turn back and find him and when they find themselves facing danger, all the animals unite to save Tula and Tiny and see them safely to the water.

Since ‘The Lion Inside’ Rachel Bright and Jim Field have been delighting readers with gorgeous stories, ringing with positive messages and joy. Like the others, ‘The Turtle Who Turned the Tide’ combines vivid engaging illustrations with a heart-warming story about the power of change and communities working together for good.

The rhyming text is an absolute joy to read aloud, rising and falling with the action of the story. Tula chooses to help her brother above winning the race, showing the importance of kindness. Her example to the other animals inspires them in turn to gather together and rally round when needed, making sure Tula and Tiny escape the jaws of Snake and happily end up in the ocean with the other baby turtles. The element of peril is very well handled with the word ‘but…’ at the bottom of the page hinting that something is going to save the siblings!

The illustrations are just wonderful, helping to immerse the reader in the story. There are many points to pause and linger over the pictures, perhaps discussing them in more detail. Children might wish to discover more about turtles, their hatching and first journey to the sea. They might enjoy making a simple origami model or a felt finger puppet of a turtle and use these to act out the story whilst reading. With older readers, the meaning of ‘turned the tide’ and how this is shown in the story would generate some interesting discussions!

Another triumph from this team!

The Turtle Who Turned the Tide

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Orchard ISBN: 978-1408366448

You can read my review of ‘The Pandas Who Promised’ here, The Koala Who Could here, The Squirrels Who Squabbled here, The Way Home for Wolf here and The Whale Who Wanted More here.

Swanfall

Pip lives with his family at Keeper’s Cottage on the wetlands where his mum works on environmental conservation. He particularly enjoys the swanfall every autumn where Arctic swans return home and watches out for his three favourites who he has named Midnight, Silver and Moonshadow.

At school, Pip is not so happy as he struggles to focus, but he enjoys their class visits to the Book Bus. When Mrs de Plume from the old manor house donates a trunk of old books, he finds himself drawn to an old book, one which Mrs de Plume seems determined to retrieve. The mysterious book, the missing swans and Mrs de Pume’s increasingly odd behaviour lead Pip and his friends into an adventure full of legend, mystery and magic.

‘The Children of Lir’, which inspired ‘Swanfall’, is one of my favourite Irish legends so I was very keen to read this book and I was not disappointed. Sophie Kirtley has skilfully woven this ancient story into one of her own, creating a wonderfully atmospheric and gripping read.

Pip is an extremely relatable young lad whose passion for the swans and the annual swanfall represents all those children with interests and hobbies lie outside the boundaries of the traditional school curriculum. He feels cut off from the other children, except for his best friend, Tommo in whose non-judgmental, easy company Pip feels at ease. However, the inclusion of classmates, Erin and Hanif, into this friendship leaves Pip feeling threatened, particularly by Hanif who is popular and effortlessly amazing at everything. As the story progresses, Pip learns that people are not always what they appear at first glance and he comes to value Erin and Hanif and their loyalty and courage, as much as he does Tommo, finding his flock to fly with just as the swans find theirs.

Hauntingly beautiful, evocative writing celebrates the beauties- and perils- of the natural world as well as the light and dark of human nature. Tense and intense in places, ‘Swanfall’ is perfect for offering readers something special and different which might lead them to ‘The Children of Lir’ and other Irish myths as well as sparking an interest in the Arctic swans so lovingly described in these pages.

A fabulous read!

Swanfall

Sophie Kirtley

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526642820

Tiger, It’s Snowing!/ Tiger, Don’t Worry!

Little Mei and her friend, Tiger, are excited because it is snowing. Tiger has never seen snow before and is so keen to explore that he doesn’t notice how cold Mei is getting. When he does, they both head home for a warming bowl of soup and bed.

A lovely story, ‘Tiger, It’s Snowing’ bursts with the childhood joys of exploration and discovery, capturing that sense of wonder. All the fun and excitement of playing in fresh snow is perfectly captured through Tiger’s wide-eyed delight as he and Mei cavort about, tasting and capturing snowflakes. The story also offers the opportunity for gentle discussions about noticing how others are feeling as, in his excitement, Tiger doesn’t listen to Mei when she says she is feeling cold, only noticing that there is a problem when she starts to sneeze.

The illustrations are just delightful, each one worth dwelling on and enjoying. Mei and Tiger stand out against the softly coloured backgrounds and their affection for each other is easy to see. Children will enjoy discussing these scenes, comparing them to their own experiences of snow days! A wonderful spread shows Tiger wrapping Mei in his warm, furry arms once he had realised how cold she is and another captures them creating snow angels!

Warm and wonderful, this is a wonderful story to snuggle up with and share!

Tiger, It’s Snowing

Daishu Ma

Post Wave ISBN: 9781836270355

When Mei and Tiger decide they would like to make tea like the adults, things go very wrong and the two run away to avoid getting into trouble. Eventually, they realise that they need to go home and face the consequences of their actions.

I absolutely love ‘Tiger, Don’t Worry!’. In their enthusiasm, Tiger and Mei unintentionally cause chaos in their attempt to make tea. Little children will immediately empathise with their sense of worry when things go wrong, perhaps able to identify with this situation! The story offers a gentle lesson about the importance of owning up when things go wrong, but also perhaps serves as a reminder to adults that accidents can happen with no ill intent! Tiger and Mei are instantly forgiven by their family and everyone makes tea together.

For many children- and adults- reading this book, making a cup of tea involves a very different process to that shown in the illustrations, making the story an excellent starting point for discussions about where tea comes from!

Tiger and Mei are sure to become firm favourites with young readers!

Tiger, Don’t Worry!

Daishu Ma

Post Wave ISBN: 978-1836270164

Firefly

‘Firefly’ is the most gorgeous book. Hinting at the beauty withing, its stunning cover of deepest blue with copper image is very tactile, a theme continued by the thick, creamy pages inside. It even smells wonderful!

Perfect for the darkening days of this time of year, the lyrical verse follows a little girl’s journey through the woods, encouraging her to ‘seek what’s glowing’ to counter the pitfalls and darkness which surrounds her. For those who struggle with dark feelings or who find the long winter nights a difficult time, these words will offer hope and comfort, reminders that all the tiny joyful things in life can combine and give light in the dark- ‘set fears to flight, set night on fire.’

The text is a joy to read aloud, full of vivid imagery and rich vocabulary, accompanied by the most enchanting illustrations. Uplifting and powerful, ‘Firefly’ is a stunning book, one to be shared again and again.

Firefly

Robert Macfarlane, illustrated by Luke Adam Hawker

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1917044523

Keep Your Friends Close

When Chloe Roberts is cheated out of being Head Girl at Morton Academy by her supposed best friend, Nikhita Patel, everything changes. No longer assured the benefits which this position brings and having been dumped by her boyfriend, she finds herself clinging to her position in the school’s secret society, Jewel and Bone. Then Chloe stumbles upon the ‘Book of Crime and Punishment’, the misdeeds committed by Morton students recorded along with a fitting punishment, and suddenly it seems as if certain marked entries match up with the deaths of members of Jewel and Bone. And it looks as if Chloe is next…

Pacy and tense, ‘Keep Your Friends Close’ is a compelling, ‘can’t put it down until finished’ read!

Hardworking and competitive, Chloe has her sights set on the bright future offered by being a member of Jewel and Bone and being Head Girl of Morton Academy. Having spent the previous year on course for the top spot, she is devastated when one of the girls in her friendship circle deprives her of this by cheating. Pushed to the fringes of the group and finding herself sharing a room with girls who are not part of the ‘elite’, Chloe realises how unpleasant Nikhita can be and, to her horror, is forced to acknowledge that she (Chloe) has also behaved badly towards others. Knowing that her only course of action now is to work harder than ever to secure the future she longs for, she tries to adapt to her new life at school, making friends with her new room mates.

Readers are kept guessing as Chloe strives to unpick the mystery. As the tension mounts and sinister event follows sinister event, her nerves are stretched to breaking point, leading to a twisted ending. The story poses many questions about power and privilege and how far people are prepared to go gain and keep these, offering plenty to think about.

Set in 1999, the book is set at Morton Academy which some readers will recognise as the setting for ‘Win, Lose, Kill, Die’. ‘Keep Your Friends Close’ works perfectly well as a stand alone, although true fans will enjoy recognising some details.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Keep Your Friends Close

Cynthia Murphy

Penguin ISBN: 978-0241712788

Amazing Shark: Guardian of the Seas

Beautifully presented with a textured cover and glossy pages, ‘Amazing Shark’ is as stunning as it is informative.

Written in a very engaging, chatty style, the author offers an amazing array of facts and figures explaining the development of sharks and the incredible number of known shark species which scientists group into eight orders. Stunning illustrations accompany the text, on occasions in response to a request from the author (Michele? Could you please draw is a 17cm megalodon tooth here? Thank you!) The author is also keen to ally fears about these incredible creatures, emphasising ways in which humans are a threat to sharks rather than the other way around.

There is an interactive element to the book, encouraging readers to engage fully with the text. Sections entitled ‘For Bright Minds’ offer additional information, there are quizzes, jokes, pictures with things to spot…plenty to challenge and capture interest whilst learning more about sharks. There is even a page pointing those who wish to learn more in the direction of additional resources.

Perfect for enquiring minds, this would make an excellent addition to any bookshelf at home or at school!

Amazing Shark: Guardian of the Seas

Michael Stavaric, illustrated by Michele Ganser and translated by Oliver Latsch

Pushkin Press ISBN: 978-1782695530

The Day Death Died/ The Last Day of October

Barrington Stoke are renowned for publishing highly engaging, accessible reads and these two are no exception! Hallowe’en might have been and gone this year, but these are scary stories to be enjoyed all year round.

Tanya Landman’s books are always enjoyable and in ‘The Day Death Died’, she has written an extremely engaging quick read which offers plenty to think about. When his mother becomes ill, Jack is devastated when Death comes to take her away and decides to fight back. Jack manages to get rid of Death, but then is horrified by the consequences.

In such a short book, Tanya Landman manages to create a very atmospheric and compelling story through really carefully chosen language and short, powerful sentences. Highly illustrated, it is a a story sure to provoke both thought and discussion, capture the interest of even the most reluctant reader and hopefully, lead them to other books!

‘The Last Day of October’ is a real spine-tingler of a tale! One Hallowe’en, three friends, Cody, Sean and Duri, decide to locate the ruins of the haunted McBride House, the scene of a tragic accident, deep in the woods. Finding the house turns out to be more terrifying than they could ever have imagined…

Brilliantly constructed, ‘The Last Day of October’ is a completely captivating, riveting read with a suitable haunting ending that will leave readers gasping! Although a relatively short story, each of the friends has a distinct personality. Cody is behind the plan to visit the McBride House, determined to lead his friends on this adventure; Sean is far more cautious, but unwilling to let the others down; Duri is tempted by the idea of sharing their findings with others. Their excitement about their spooky adventure is contagious and the atmospheric writing builds tension as they head off into the woods on their quest and the story reaches its chilling conclusion.

The perfect spooky story!

The Day Death Died

Tanya Landman, illustrated by Cinthya Alvarez

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-0008764890

The Last Day of October

Phil Hickes, illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-0008748517

Witchlight

Having saved Huswyvern, her magical home, from the evil machinations of her uncle, Eglantine and other members of Miss Hegotty’s Secret Society of Witches are having their meetings there. But Hus is not feeling at all well and is causing chaos with every sneeze. Its undiagnosed condition is really concerning, particularly when they learn that other magical beings are also falling ill. The Department of Isle-Spark Regulations is obviously up to no good and Eglantine and her friends must discover what they are up to and put things right before it’s too late.

‘Witchlight’ is the brilliant sequel to ‘Witchspark’. Both books are full of magic, friendship, adventure and fun, a real pleasure to read. In addition to this, they are beautifully written, with a rich use of descriptive language as shown by the opening sentences alone!

Eglantine is a wonderful character, loyal, kind-hearted and courageous. Determined to do her best and to stand up for what she believes in, she and her friends work together to thwart the Department’s plans, with readers cheering her on every step of the way!

The story addresses themes of injustice and discrimination. The Department is attempting to control magic, denying it to those they consider inferior or unsuitable and Eglantine faces discrimination from some as a result of her little arm. There is plenty here to provoke discussion as readers will rightly find themselves infuriated by the unfairness and unkindness the story exposes.

The exciting plot races towards a very satisfying and enjoyable conclusion, making this an excellent choice for a class read. Although a sequel, it could successfully be read as a stand-alone story, sure to capture everyone’s hearts and imaginations!

Witchlight

Dominique Valente

Usborne ISBN: 978-1805316800

You can read my review of ‘Witchspark’ here.

Wild Journey

Starlings swoop and swirl their way through the stories of five children living in five different countries, linking their experiences as they experience their own journeys, as exciting and demanding as those of the birds soaring above.

With its beautifully composed, warm orange cover, ‘Wild Journey’ is a book which will tempt readers to pick it up at first glance. A murmuration of starlings encircle five little scenes, each giving a hint as to the content of one of the five stories inside, sure to pique curiosity. More clues are given on the back of the book as well as the names of the five locations and five children the stories are about.

Each child is on their own journey. Jamal is visiting relations in Egypt, Ella is on holiday with her family in Morocco, Aaron is in Spain where his father is working, Isabelle has gone on holiday to her Grand-pere’s house and Yusef has travelled from Syria to find a new home. These physical journeys are linked by the starlings’ migration, showing the wonder, power and resilience of these feathered miracles as they make their dangerous and demanding journey. But each of the children also makes a personal ‘journey’ as they learn more about themselves, their families and the world around them.

Perfect for sharing with a class, each, any or all of the stories would work well for a story time, offering plenty to discuss and reflect upon. Obviously, adults need to be aware of both the content and their audience, responding with sensitivity to any questions or comments. In the first story, for example, Jamal struggles with parting with the wounded starling which he has rescued both due to his loneliness and a desire to make his ill grandfather laugh and be happy, leading his grandfather to tell him, ‘Sometimes you have to let those you love go’.

The final story about Yusef seeking happiness and safely in his new home brings this heart-warming collection to a perfect conclusion. A real joy!

Wild Journey: A Flight of Stories across Deserts and Forests, Cities and Seas

A M Dassu, illustrated by Joe Lillington

Zephyr ISBN: 978-1035911899

The Street Where Santa Lives

When a new neighbour moves in next door, everyone is too busy to notice except a little girl, who immediately spots that he is Father Christmas! Her family try to dissuade her and tell her not to call him Santa, but he doesn’t mind all her questions. When she discovers that he is really good at mending things, the little girl makes him a sign saying ‘Santa’s Work Shop’ and soon all the neighbours are bringing Santa things to mend, with her acting as ‘elf in training’. When the weather turns colder, the little girl is worried when she can’t find her friend and the family discover that he is not feeling well. The little girl quickly rallies support and everyone arrives to take care of their new neighbour.

It might seem a little early to be reading Christmassy books, but ‘The Street Where Santa Lives’ carries a message for the whole year, not just the festive season.

The little girl lives in a busy street where lots of people are hurrying around, focusing on their busy lives, but she notices the new neighbour moving in. Her curiosity leads her to reach out to him, forming a connection between neighbours. Her care for her elderly neighbour leads to her noticing when he is unwell, but also highlights the contribution which people can make if given the opportunity. This is a wonderfully warm cuddle of a story which is perfect for sharing, discussing and enjoying again and again.

The illustrations are simply delightful and full of little details to notice, including a little twist on the last page! Children will enjoy trying to work out whether this really is Santa. His answers to the little girl’s questions do not give the answers she expects- his favourite animal is a rabbit, not a reindeer and his best time of year is spring, not Christmas- and yet he can be seen clutching armfuls of letters, there are plenty of Christmassy items in his workshop and he seems very fond of wearing red tops!

There is so much to enjoy here and the story might encourage families to notice elderly people in their own area and perhaps extend the hand of friendship. As the story says, ‘Magic happens. On my street and yours… You just have to look.’

The Street Where Santa Lives

Harriet Howe, illustrated by Julia Christians

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838918576

A Christmas Delivery

Tomas and Lolli are very excited about Christmas- and so are all their dragons! When a tiny ice dragon bursts out of one of the spiky fruits on their dragon-fruit tree, it brings snow with it, transforming the garden into a winter wonderland. But, although fun at first, it soon becomes clear that the snow is going to stop them from delivering their presents on time. However, with a little help from the dragons, everything turns out just right in the end!

This absolutely delightful picture book is set in the wonderful world created by Andy Shepherd in her ‘The Boy Who Grew Dragons’ series. Magical and imaginative, ‘A Christmas Delivery’ is a real festive treat which everyone can enjoy!

The story captures all the excitement of the build up to Christmas as the dragons ‘help’ with the preparations and cause chaos! A wonderfully warm sense of family is captured as the siblings work together to get ready for Christmas with the focus very much on spreading joy rather than the presents which they might receive. They are determined to deliver their gifts to family and friends, sticking together and working as a team to achieve their goal…with a little help from their dragon-y friends! Children will love spotting Father Christmas flying through the sky, aided not by reindeer, but by a dragon!

Children are sure to be inspired to imagine their own dragons, describing them, drawing them and deciding on the skills and attributes which they might have. The language used in the story is lovely, making the book a joy to read aloud and each spread bursts with lively, engaging illustrations which are perfect for lingering over and spotting all the little details.

Sure to become a firm favourite all year long!

A Christmas Delivery

Andy Shepherd, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Templar ISBN: 978-1835874264