Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik is the third installment in this brilliantly funny series published by Hodder Children's Books. In this book, Omar and his friends are shocked when they go back to school in September to find their teacher, Mrs Hutchinson (best teacher in the world), has... Continue Reading →
Lena, the Sea and Me by Maria Parr
Lena, the Sea and Me by Maria Parr is a Norwegian middle grade book that has been translated into English by Guy Puzey and published by Walker Books. Having grown up together in Mathildewick Cove, a small town on the coast in Norway, Trille and his best friend Lena spent their childhood playing in the cove, planning daring adventures and... Continue Reading →
Fabio The World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Mystery on the Ostrich Express by Laura James and Emily Fox
Fabio The World's Greatest Flamingo Detective: Mystery on the Ostrich Express by Laura James, illustrated by Emily Fox and published by Bloomsbury is the second book in this funny detective series from the writer who brought us Captain Pug. Fabio the flamingo lives on the banks of Lake Laloozee and he's the world's greatest detective. Bright pink, skinny and... Continue Reading →
Scribble Witch by Inky Willis and how to draw
Scribble Witch - Notes in Class by Inky Willis published by Hodder Children's Books is the first book in a new series of stories about a doodle drawing witch who comes to life. Molly is having her worst day ever; first she finds out her best friend is moving schools, then she misses her playtime because she was so... Continue Reading →
The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II by Michael Rosen
Discussing the holocaust with children is a daunting but necessary task and one where books are a great support. Michael Rosen's new book, The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War Two, published by Walker Books, is the result of Rosen's research into the members of his family who disappeared during the war. His... Continue Reading →
Children’s Books about Refugees
Refugee Week happens every year around World Refugee Day on the 20th of June. Starting in 1998 in response to negative attitudes towards refugees in the media, Refugee Week aims to educate, build better understanding within communities and celebrate the lives and achievements of refugees through arts, cultural and educational events. My Name is not... Continue Reading →
The Song From Somewhere Else by A F Harrold and Levi Pinfold
The Song From Somewhere Else by A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold and published by Bloomsbury is an enchanting and striking middle grade book for around ages 8 and up. It's the summer holidays, Frank's best friends are all away on holiday and just to make matters worse her beloved pet cat has disappeared. Heading out to the playing fields to... Continue Reading →
The Lollies Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2018
The shortlist for the Lollies Awards 2018 has been announced so it's time to get reading and get voting! Each year, the laugh out loud awards selects 12 of the funniest kids books and puts them to the public vote. We've had a great time reading through the nominated books so without further a do,... Continue Reading →
My Story: Suffragette by Carol Drinkwater
My Story: Suffragette by Carol Drinkwater is part of the My Story series of YA novels based on true events and times in history, published by Scholastic. This is the story of Dollie, a fourteen-year-old girl who becomes swept up in the fight for votes for women. Following the death of her father, Dollie's mother struggles to provide for... Continue Reading →
The Princess and the Suffragette book review and Q&A with Holly Webb
The Princess and the Suffragette by Holly Webb, published by Scholastic is a sequel to the much loved classic, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is 1913 and the protagonist in this novel is ten-year-old Lottie, last seen aged four after first arriving at Miss Minchin's School for Girls. Sara, the original Little Princess now lives next... Continue Reading →