Live Last read · last published · next check
Fairy tales are such an important part of our heritage and yet, in the modern world, we almost seem to have forgotten this. While the very young are still introduced to Snow White and the like, they’re often watered down or Disneyfied versions and there’s a distinct lack of new stories so this new title Continue reading "Deerheart by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by P.J. Lynch"
I don’t know if other readers do this too, but when I find a series that I’m invested in, I will wait – albeit not necessarily very patiently – for the next title to arrive once I’ve devoured whatever I’ve just read with the same sense of anticipation and excitement that as a child I Continue reading "Queen’s Witch (Hedgewitch 5) by Skye McKenna, illustrated by Tomislav Tomić"
There are very few books from debut authors that I would pre-order but Jack Meggitt-Phillips’s The Beast and the Bethany was one that I did, on the advice of an online friend who had had an early read via NetGalley. One of those even rarer funny books that I genuinely found to be absolutely hilarious, Continue reading "The Potion of Doom – Jekyll vs Hyde by Jack Meggitt-Phillips"
With a wealth of drama now available at the touch of a button, the pleasures to be gained from attending a live theatre performance of a Shakespeare play may no longer be on many people’s to-do lists but there is something very special about seeing his writing performed and recently I’ve enjoyed a series of Continue reading "Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Pearly Pants (WSM2) by Kaz Penney,…
As someone who only works very occasionally, there’s usually little difference between weekdays and weekends for me but after five days of workmen making a huge amount of noise installing new windows for us that was also spent busily writing some reading resources I’d been asked to create, the prospect of a day’s quiet reading Continue reading "The Hexton Chronicles: The Trouble with Magic by Amy…
No matter what our age, we all need to feel loved and for the very young, the reassurance that comes with regularly being told that we are cannot be underestimated. Here, in this charming board book that’s perfect for sharing, littlies are given a lullaby to remind them of just that fact as they watch Continue reading "I’ll Love You Till the Sloths Start School by Kathryn Cristaldi, illustrated by…
There are few authors whose books for children automatically go on my list but Jenny Pearson is most definitely amongst them. Having discovered her writing when I read The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates when it came out during the pandemic, I’ve gone on to read and enjoy all her middle grades that have Continue reading "How Not To Be a Pirate: The Trouble with Curses by Jenny Pearson,…
One of my very favourite books as a child was Usborne’s Vampires, Werewolves and Demons, published as part of their series of Supernatural Guides. A book that I read over and over again, it was at least in part responsible for creating my lifelong fascination with the undead and is one that – along with Continue reading "Dracula & Daughters: School for Slayers (D&D 2) by Emma Carroll"
Although they usually enjoy a wide range of stories, younger readers often prefer those that feature characters with whom they can relate, doing the sort of everyday things that they themselves do, albeit it often with a twist, and here is a super-cute chapter book perfect for those who are just starting to engage with Continue reading "Unicornia: Camping in the Clouds by Ana Punset, illustrated…
As someone whose social media feeds contain an awful lot of posts from people commenting on reading, and what children read in particular, I can’t help but notice that some things that I feel shouldn’t be controversial apparently are. While my kids were always allowed to read whatever they wanted, it seems that a significant Continue reading "The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The Crystal Cave (TDoWW…
