Book Reviews

What better present can a princess receive than a pudding making machine ! Soon puddings and cakes of all sorts are spilling out of the machine as the young Princess Hannah takes control of her fabulous birthday present. But the present has an unfortunate impact on the princess; it reveals that she has never had to share.  Luckily, her friends take matters into their own hands and soon they too are pulling the levers and turning the wheels and together they all make the most fabulous puddingly treats – including a giant meringue. The moral is well mixed into this bubbly tale which is vibrantly told in verse by Sally Duran and illustrated by Rachael Saunders.

Published on 7/2/19 and for age 3+.

This is another inspiring, information-packed picture book in what’s becoming something of a series (see also Great Women Who Made History and Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World).

It tells the stories of pioneering women who achieved amazing things, often in the face of prejudice or downright hostility from society.  There are familiar names – Rosalind Franklin is included – plus lots that are lesser known, but just as fascinating: balloonist Sophie Blanchard for example, and Sarah Breedlove, beauty entrepreneur.  Their stories are told through lively, engaging text and pictures – it’s a treat to read.

Published on 7/2/19 and for readers aged 5+.

Rich in an atmospheric seascape and with a quest at its heart,  The Antlered Ship is an engaging and adventurous story that will encourage all children to keep on asking questions about the world they live in.  When the beautiful ship with the huge antlers on its prow comes into port, Marco the Fox  is busy contemplating the mysteries of the world. Marco asks himself questions such as Why do some songs make you happy and others make you sad? Why don’t trees ever talk? and  How deep does the sun go when it sinks into the sea? None of his fox friends have any answers. So, when he sees the ship he decides to join the curious crew of deer and pigeons in the hope that a sea voyage to far off lands will help him find the answers. After an eventful journey, Marco discovers that questions often have several answers and that sharing and travelling and living with others can be one way of finding answers.

Published on 4/10/18 and for age 5+.

The website www.justimagine.co.uk says:  Bright and colourful picture book about a misunderstood monster and his friendship with a young boy.

Dave is a harmless, lonely monster who loves rock and roll, and strumming on his electric guitar. The locals thought he was a pest, and he was sent to retire in cave. The local knights came to taunt him but otherwise he lived alone. That is until Percival the Brave, a six year old tiny knight arrives on a hobby horse waving a carrot!

This is a funny tale with a lovely message, encouraging the reader to reflect on other people’s feelings and how looks can be deceiving. The rhyme and rhythm make this a lovely story to read aloud. The pictures (by Sarah Ogilvie) have lots of fabulous details, with modern objects (such as motorbikes and televisions) being depicted made out of wood.

Rhyming Monster Fun!  Published on 4/10/18 and for age 3+.

In this exciting telling of an important true story, Catherine Johnson celebrates a hero of Arctic discovery who has been forgotten for many years – largely because of the colour of his skin.

Matthew Henson’s life at home was so hard that at eleven years old he ran away to make a new life for himself in New York. Always attracted by the sea he finds himself drawn into the world of the seafarers who are determined to find a route to the North Pole. Matt joins an expedition and, through a combination of his hard work, his commitment and some lucky breaks he travels across the frozen wastes. His sensitive building of relationships with the Inuit community plays a strong part in his success and in his ultimate and extraordinary achievement: to be the first man to reach the North Pole.

Published on 15/9/18 and for readers aged 7+.

This is the third uproarious adventure from the comic pairing of Michael Rosen and Neal Layton.  It sees Malcolm and his awful Uncle Gobb return, each with a cunning plot …

This time, there is a plot. That’s the plot of the story. Or is it? The plot of the story could also be that Uncle Gobb has an evil plot. And his plot is about a plot. A plot of land. Are you following? Good! The plot of land is behind Malcolm’s school and it is where Uncle Gobb wants to set up his own rival Dread Shed School of Facts. Oh no! Malcolm is going to need to come up with his own plot to stop Uncle Gobb’s plot. So maybe that, in fact, is the actual plot of this story. You’ll just have to read this book to find out!

A bonkers book about standing up for yourself, from two crazily creative people. Sure to delight fans of Andy Stanton and Tom Gates.  Published on 6/9/18 and for age 7+.

The website www.lovemybooks.co.uk says: Luna really looks forward to library day – she meets her dad there and it is a day to build shared memories; full of stories, adventure and love. They explore the shelves together finding books about magic, mysteries and monsters and choosing books to check out.  Luna finds out that dad isn’t keen on bugs and also about his childhood when he shows her a history book with black and white pictures. They curl up together to share a fairy story about a troll king who decides to leave his mermaid queen but even so retains a deep love for his princess daughter, just like Luna and her dad.

This is a sensitive and exuberant story about the love parents have for their children even if they separate. The story within a story reflecting this theme makes this book extra special. The illustrations are delightful adding lots of detail and touches of humour, look out for what happens when Luna opens a book about bugs!  This story also celebrates libraries, the treasures to be found there, the pleasure of sharing this experience with a loved one and the delight in taking home your chosen books to enjoy again.

Published on 6/9/18 and for age 3+.

The website www.lovereading4kids.co.uk says: What’s the best sound in the world? Ray the little lion is determined to find out, because he thinks that will help him become a famous musician (he plays the violin). He spends hours bottling beautiful sounds – the plip-plop of rain in the forest, the tweeting of birds in the mountains, the chitter-chatter of the market – but just can’t decide. His neighbour – little lemur Jemmy – tries to help, but Roy is just annoyed when Jemmy dances to his music, or claps in time. Indeed, it takes him the whole book to realise that Jemmy’s friendship helps him make the best sounds ever. It’s a lovely story, beautifully told and Cindy Wume’s illustrations are gorgeous.  A charming and original picture book that should become a real favourite.

Published on 29/8/18 and for age 3+.

The website www.lovereading4kids says: Set in France in the the First World War this is a stunning piece of timeless and inspirational storytelling for younger readers from the 2002 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize-winning author of Thursday’s Child.

It’s the story of an injured young soldier found by two young children one morning. As they help him to recover from some of his injuries the soldier tells the most evocative and at times painful stories all linked to The Silver Donkey, a keepsake in his pocket.  As the days pass and they struggle to help the soldier reach home, the sisters learn the truth behind the silver donkey and what the precious object means: honesty, loyalty and courage.  First published in 2008 and for readers aged 7+.

The website www.goodreads.com says:  Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out his window it’s a constant reminder of the stories his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Where whales and jellyfish soar and birds and castles float.

Finn’s grandfather is gone now but Finn knows the perfect way to honour him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself!

And when he arrives, maybe, just maybe, he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for.

Beautifully illustrated and published on 6/6/18.  For age 3+