Blog Tour: The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories

A comforting story tonight for a happy day tomorrow.

I am thrilled to be kicking off the Blog Tour for this lovely book. I believe bedtime stories are an essential part of a child’s day- a special time to share with the adult(s) in their lives whether with siblings or individually, which allows a day to end with a feeling of contentment, reassurance and joy. No matter how busy, no matter how we were feeling, either my husband or I would end the day with our son this way. Not everyone feels like this, I know, but this beautifully illustrated book of stories might help some families towards a bedtime routine.

The book offers a stunning collection of brand-new stories by some amazing children’s authors all illustrated by the wonderful Sarah McIntyre. Full of wisdom and comfort, these are joyful tales offering the perfect way to end the day.

Sarah’s appealing cover illustration instantly grabbed the attention of some little friends of mine who begged to borrow it. Not only does it ‘smell wonderful’, they loved the little illustrations by the page numbers, the bold pictures (‘That’s a sea monkey!’) full of humour and the starry end papers. Favourite stories include ‘Queen Bea’ by Kieran Larwood, ‘Mooncamp’ by Kate Saunders and ‘Abi and the Goldfinch’ by Natasha Farrant, but it was Sarah’s endearing illustrations which kept taking them back to the book. Some of the illustrations encouraged storytelling in their own right as the children had conversational stories about what was happening and what might happen next based on these. Some also seemed to help develop the ability to empathise with characters and discuss how they were feeling.

As a huge fan of her work, I am delighted to welcome Sarah McIntyre to the Bookshelf as part of this Blog Tour…

Tell us about illustrating The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories, what was your favourite part of the process?
I love the painting stage! I always find the pencil roughs quite challenging, coming up with the initial ideas and making everything work with the page layouts. Sometimes it's fun but often it can be tense and frustrating and I end up having to make myself lots of cups of tea so I can get away from the desk and rest my brain, or take some time to process. But once designer Emma Eldrige had my pencil sketches and we worked together on how they'd fit on the pages, then the fun part began: laying ink and watercolour on the paper, seeing how the paint creates happy irregularities and gradients, and watching as the colours build up in front of me. I don't need endless tea for that, I can really lose myself in that process and not surface for hours and hours. It's almost like being in another dimension, time passes differently and my whole mind is caught up in that cosy space of focus. I'm so right there, that I even catch myself making the same facial expression as the characters I'm painting, or making little sound effects from the scene.

What was your favourite bedtime story as a child?
They were the stories my dad made up! He grew up on Islay in the Hebrides, and used to sing a lot of Scottish and Irish ballads to me; many of them had stories built into them, such as MacPherson's Lament and The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie. But my absolute favourites were when we'd go camping, and a bunch of other kids and I would cluster around him by the campfire and beg him to make up a story for us. I don't think he ever planned them out in advance, he'd just start talking and see where the story would go. I can't remember what the stories were about, except for one called The Yellow Chair, about people who sat in a yellow chair and couldn't get out of it again. But I'll never forget the wonder of a story being created right then and there just for us. Funnily enough, I have three yellow chairs in my house now, and it still makes me smile to think of their link to Dad's story. One of them is my studio chair, which I sat on the whole time I was illustrating this book!

Many thanks to Sarah for answering these questions and to the lovely people at Faber for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour. With Christmas fast approaching, this would be a very special gift to offer any young people in your life!

The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories

A comforting story tonight for a happy day tomorrow

Claire Barker, Ayesha Braganza, Kieran Larwood, Lucy Farfort,

Natasha Farrant, Ingrid Persaud, Emma Carroll, Ann Jungman,

Reba Khatun, Lou Kuenzler, Michael Mann, Kate Saunders,

Martyn Ford, Aisha Bushby, Pip Jones, Hannah Lee, Rashmi Sirdeshpande

illustrated by Sarah McIntyre

Faber ISBN: 978-0571363933

Blog Tour: Stand and Deliver

Highwaymen are often glamorised in literature and film as dashing figures on horseback, upholding the values of Robin Hood, stealing from the rich if not giving to the poor! However, many were bloodthirsty and violent rather than gentlemanly and gallant. Philip Caveney’s character, Tom Gregory, was inspired by the exploits of Gentleman Jack Sheppard, a notorious robber in the 18th century whose ‘spectacular escapes from various prisons, including two from Newgate, made him the most glamorous rogue in London’.

‘Stand and Deliver’ is an exciting romp of an adventure, full of colourful characters and daring deeds, and I am delighted to be able to share part of Chapter Two for my stop on the Blog Tour. You’ll be desperate to know what happens next…

CHAPTER TWO

In which we meet the orphan, Ned Watling, assistant to Tom Gregory, and learn how they first met.

A short distance from the cave, Ned was collecting firewood. He was fifteen years old and currently employed by Tom Gregory. Actually, when he thought about it, employed wasn’t really the right word. As far as Ned was aware, employed people received a wage for their efforts. All Ned got in return for his toil was a place to lay his head for the night, and his meals, which he was obliged to prepare himself. Oh, he had also received some promises.

Tom had repeatedly assured him that somewhere down the line, Ned would receive a handsome payout for his services – but the highwayman was very vague about when that time would actually come. And Ned had been working for him for nearly two years now. Before the cave, there’d been other hideouts: mouldering rooms in various towns across the country, abandoned warehouses and, for a few months, even the ruins of an old monastery near Chelmsford. Tom would ply his trade for several months, until too many people came looking for him, and then he would be obliged to move on. The cave had been their lair since early spring and, as the weather had steadily warmed, so Tom’s robberies had become more frequent, more daring. When Ned had first met Tom and been invited to enlist with him, he hadn’t fully understood what he was signing up for, but since he had come to work for the highwayman, he had learnt one thing above all else. Tom Gregory was unpredictable.

Oh, when he was in good humour, he could be jovial company, no doubt about it. He was always ready with a quip or a hearty song. But Ned had found to his cost that Tom also had a darker side. And one thing the highwayman hated more than anything else was to be kept waiting.

“Ned?” His voice echoed through the forest with an urgent tone. “Where the blue blazes are you?”

Ned began to run, plunging frantically through the undergrowth in the general direction of the cave. The last thing he wanted was to put his master into one of his moods.

“Here, Master Gregory!” he yelled. He burst into the clearing in front of the cave, dropped the big bundle ofbranches he’d been carrying and ran to catch hold of Black Bill’s bridle. Tom glared down at him for a moment.

“Where were you?” he asked.

“Just gathering firewood,” Ned assured him. “You remember, I told you it was running low?”

“Yes, fair point . . . but I expect you to be here when I return.” Tom swung himself down from the saddle and strode towards the cave, his sack of booty slung over one shoulder. “Fetch me a tankard of ale, lad, my throat’s parched!”

“Right away, Master Gregory!” Ned started towards the dense screen of bushes where the barrel of ale was stored, then hesitated as Tom shouted something else.

“And get that horse unsaddled and fed, while you’re at it.”

“Er . . . yes. Of course.” Ned hesitated, unsure of which task to do first. Black Bill eyed him warily and snorted, as if warning that he didn’t like to be kept waiting, either. Ned turned back to the horse and started to unbuckle his saddle.

“Ned?” Now Tom’s voice echoed from within the cave. “Where’s that ale?”

“Oh, er . . . coming Master Gregory.” Ned abandoned the saddle and turned to run towards the bushes. Halfway there, he stepped on a length of broken branch, which swung upwards and smacked him in the face. He stood for a moment, dazed, holding his stinging nose, tears filling his eyes.

“NED!” The anger in Tom’s voice jolted him back to his senses. He ran to the bushes, pulled them aside, grabbed a tankard and thrust it beneath the tap of the ale barrel. Dark liquid slopped into it, and he kept filling it until the froth foamed at the brim.

He glanced nervously over his shoulder. Tom was sitting on a chair in the gloomy interior, inspecting the booty that he’d just stolen. He lifted his head and gave Ned the glare, the one that he always gave shortly before he really losthis temper.

“For pity’s sake, boy, are you bringing that drink or what? I’m about to die of thirst here!”

Ned turned, started back towards the cave and tripped on a tree root, upending the tankard and spilling its contents down the front of his shirt. He hit the ground, the impact knocking all the breath out of him, and lay there for a moment, thinking that surely to heaven there must be a better way to spend his life than this.

In that moment, he recalled how he had first met the man that people called The Shadow.

Many thanks to the lovely people at UClan for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. Make sure you look at the other posts to find out more about this colourful historical adventure!

Stand and Deliver Philip Caveney

UClan Publishing ISBN: 978-1915235411

Murder at Snowfall

On Tuesday evening, I had the great pleasure of joining the loveliest group of people to celebrate the launch of ‘Murder at Snowfall’, Fleur Hitchcock’s thrilling new murder mystery story. Damp and drizzly though the evening was, Bath looked as atmospheric and beautiful as ever- very appropriate as it is the backdrop to the novel with familiar places such as Mr Bs and Waterstones featuring in the story.

There was a lovely atmosphere at Waterstones as everyone gathered. There was even a surprise acting element to Fleur’s reading and plenty of snow flake shaped snacks and mulled wine. Time flew by and a wonderful time was had by all to celebrate a wonderful book! Here’s my review!

Ruby’s mum is preoccupied. There has been a fire at the surgery where she works, her boss, Dr Price, has gone missing and she is convinced someone has been following her. As the snow falls and odd things keep happening, everyone is jumpy. So when Ruby’s ‘Step’, Lucas, dares her to open an abandoned cabinet they walk past on their way home from school, she soon wishes she hadn’t as a gruesome discovery sets off a chilling chain of events and a mystery which they must solve.

Fleur Hitchcock is an incredible writer. No matter what she tackles, the result is an absorbing, exciting story. With her ‘Murder’ stories, she achieves the perfect balance of thrills and chills for anyone looking for a compelling mystery with enough bodies, clues and red herrings to please Poirot yet keeping the story appropriate to the target audience. ‘Murder at Snowfall’ is her most sinister yet- and makes an excellent read!

Full of action, the story has plenty of tension, offering frissons of fear as the children tackle the mystery surrounding the events at Ruby’s mother’s work. There are twists and turns aplenty with some real surprises and miscues to take the reader down the wrong path, but everything comes together brilliantly in the end. Snow gives Bath an eerie feeling as the weather adds much to the atmosphere of the story, but readers who know the city will still recognise it in the story.

As well as the murder mystery, the story shows the development in the relationship between Ruby and her ‘Step’. When her mother married Paolo, Ruby hadn’t really understood that this would mean the addition of a strange, extremely intelligent boy who she views with suspicion and who seems to barely acknowledge her existence. However, as the novel develops, she comes to appreciate him, showing the importance of getting to know someone, being there for them and becoming family.

Brilliant!

Murder at Snowfall Fleur Hitchcock

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839945908

You can read my review of ‘Mouse Heart’ here.

Stories of Peace and Kindness for a Better World

Well known for her excellent writing, Elizabeth Laird has re-told seven inspirational stories from around the world which illustrate the values of generosity, love and kindness. The importance of remembering and discussing these values has never been greater, making this collection perfect for sharing both at home and at school. It is a beautiful book- a real must have for all story-lovers!

Folk tales are the ancient wonders of the world…

In her introduction, Elizabeth Laird explains why she has chosen to include each of these stories and notes at the end of the book show the sources she has drawn on for her versions. ‘The Dog Fight’, for example, was narrated to her. This wonderful story would be perfect for sharing with a class after one of ‘those’ playtimes where the most trivial event has divided children and caused problems!

Full of fabulous illustrations, this collection would work really well for Guided Reading- or a short texts to use with a whole class. There is plenty to explore in each one, with vocabulary as well as ideas to discuss, lots to inspire writing in role and links to be made with other areas of learning. But perhaps these stories are best enjoyed in the way they always been enjoyed- as tales told to an enraptured audience!

Stories of Peace and Kindness for a Better World

Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Otter Barry Books ISBN: 978-1913074296

Blog Tour: Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One

It’s great to be kicking off the Blog Tour for this very important and empowering book. In her Author’s Note, Maggie Horne explains why she wrote the story and I am sure that it will resonate with - and offer hope and a voice to - many.

Three months in to seventh grade, Hazel Hill is ‘the undisputed expert in one subject’- a boy named Tyler Harris. This is not something she has sought nor something she is thrilled about. Hazel is focused on one thing- winning the speech contest- but Tyler has somehow singled her out for his incessant talking and made her his unwilling confidante. One day, however, things change when Tyler tells her that Ella Quinn, her arch nemesis in the speaking contest, has a crush on her. No one knows that Hazel likes girls and this information leaves her reeling. As she gets to know Ella, Hazel discovers that Tyler has been harassing Ella on line and starts to realise that others might be receiving his unpleasant attention as well. When the girls try to report Tyler, they are shocked by the reactions of the adults they approach and soon it becomes clear that they are going to have to take matters into their own hands.

Sadly, this is a much needed novel on a subject far too many women and girls will find all too familiar. Hazel’s dry humour and keen sense of observation make it a very readable story which offers plenty to discuss and plenty to think about.

I found myself reading this story as various facets of myself. The younger me absolutely recognised not the on-line harassment, but the comments, the unwanted physical attention, the looks which were common. The mother of a son me was horrified by Tyler’s behaviour and his mother’s enabling and defence of this. The teacher me squirmed at the reaction of school staff who, at best, patronised and explained away the girls’ experiences. It made me think, it made me reflect, it made me angry, it made me sad…all the things an excellent novel should do. And this is exactly what is needed to generate conversations and change or challenge behaviours.

Hazel is a great character. Very independent, she has a lovely, supportive family and a tendency to over-analyse situations. Although she starts school feeling no need for friendships, her connection with first Ella Quinn and then Ella’s best friend, Riley, is brilliantly captured as she comes to realise the pleasure and support this brings, showing her, ultimately, to be a loyal and caring friend. The reader also sees through Hazel’s eyes how easy it is to judge others and unwittingly condone or validate misconceptions or idle reports of others as she initially gives little thought to the objects of Tyler’s fleeting obsessions.

The girls’s feelings about their experiences- both at the hands of Tyler and those they try to confide in- are superbly handled, allowing the reader to empathise and understand, share their anger and confusion. The tone and handling of Tyler’s on-line abuse is completely appropriate, even exploring the fact that the girls are too young to have the social media accounts and the role that plays in their not wanting to speak to adults about what is happening. Even Hazel’s parents, who are supportive and seem to listen, do not really listen when they need to the most.

There is so much to love about this story and so much to recommend it. It is a must for school libraries and book corners and will surely generate much needed discussions about speaking out when anyone doesn’t feel safe or comfortable. It might also remind adults to actually listen and not excuses behaviours with the ‘boys will be boys’ style response so frequently offered.

Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One

Maggie Horne, cover illustration by Luna Valentine

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102975

Many thanks to everyone at Firefly for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. Be sure to follow on through the week to find out what everyone else is saying about this fabulous book!

Blog Tour: No Place for Monsters

Today, it’s my turn on the Blog Tour for ‘No Place for Monsters’, the perfect read for Hallowe’en (or any time really!). Deliciously sinister, it offers a perfect balance of graphic novel and traditional text as the illustrations spread across each page, through and between the text, making for an engaging read.

Used to the bustle of the city, Levi is struggling to settle in to his new home in Cowslip Grove. Whilst his older sister, Regina, younger sister, Twila and mother seem happy with the change, Levi starts his new school without having made any friends. When partnered with exuberant, wayward Kat Bombard for a school project, things change. Determined to investigate some strange goings on, the pair suddenly realise that things in Cowslip Grove are not what they seem. Children are disappearing and Twila becomes the next victim…

‘No Place for Monsters’ contains the stuff of nightmares. Scratch the surface of seemingly perfect Cowslip Grove and all manner of nastiness lurks beneath. But this story offers far more than ‘just’ a horror story: it offers plenty to think about and discuss.

Levi and Kat are an unlikely partnership. Levi is withdrawn and self contained- even his artistic mother depicts him as a turtle, ‘safe in his shell’. Kat is a wild card- given to making up elaborate stories and giving her teacher grey hair, she bursts into his life, dragging him unwillingly into her adventures. But, as often happens, these very different characters come to value each other, supporting and saving one another as their nightmare develops. Their home lives are also very different. Levi’s father has been away for a long time after arguments with his mother, yet his family are close and supportive; Kat’s background is less clear, but her impressive, perfect house is clearly far from a safe, loving home.

As the inhabitants of Cowslip Grove try to make their village perfect, the story explores the dangers of conformity and of trying to subdue the natural world. As the villagers manicure their lawns, hack their hedges into perfect cubes and seek to destroy wildlife, they fail to notice the very real dangers threatening their lives. In fact, by saturating their lawns with weedkiller and fertilizers, they are helping… but I might say too much and spoil things! The story also considers who the real ‘monsters’ might be as looks can be deceiving and help comes from some unexpected sources.

The illustrations are just incredible. Full of atmosphere and detail, they add much to the story, with pictures often working in place of sections of text as well as in harmony with them in others. Both setting and characterisation are developed through the illustrations and the use of dramatic black backgrounds on some pages adds to the sinister feel of the story as the tension mounts.

Now, I have to admit that this would not normally be the type of book that I would reach for myself. It’s definitely one I would read with a view to matching it to children, but I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed it and how much I felt it had to offer! With the right group, it could be an excellent guiding reading text. Just shows, you should never judge a book by its cover!

No Place for Monsters Kory Merritt

Chicken House ISBN: 978- 1913696085

Many thanks to Chicken House for inviting me to take part in this tour! Watch out for the other posts…

Blog Tour: Honesty and Lies

I love historical fiction so was delighted to be asked to join this Blog Tour. Eloise’s ‘Gaslight’ remains one of my favourites- deliciously dark with a vivid Victorian setting (a must read if you haven’t already!). ‘Honesty and Lies’ takes the reader to Elizabethan London…

It’s 1601 and thirteen-year-old Honesty arrives in London, desperate to escape the fate awaiting her at home in Wales. A chance encounter with a girl called Alice leads to Honesty working at the court of Elizabeth I. A talented storyteller, Honesty seeks advancement whilst Alice, carrying secrets of her own, is keen to merge into the background and escape notice. Can their friendship- and they themselves- survive the intrigues and deceptions of life at court?

Once again, Eloise Williams has come up trumps and written a stunner of a novel which is full of friendship against a background rich in historical detail. Written from the alternating viewpoints of the two girls, she reveals the layers of truth and lies behind each girl’s story, gradually revealing their secrets and the reasons for their actions.

At first glance, the two girls appear very different. Honesty is rebelling against the path chosen for her by her father. Determined to carve her own path in life, she is willing to take risks and grasp at any opportunity. Her impulsive nature can make her thoughtless, but she has a generous nature and loyal heart. Alice seems cold and withdrawn, reluctantly befriending ‘this Welsh girl’. Her frustrations with Honesty are compounded by the state of nervous tension she is in due to …something I can’t reveal without spoiling things! However, the two come to trust one another, valuing their differences and realising that together they can be stronger, helping each other to become who they are ‘destined to be’.

The story would make an excellent text for guided reading. Full of historical detail, there is much to explore around the court of Elizabeth I and life at this time. The unpleasantness of the ladies-in-waiting and the capriciousness of Elizabeth herself are (sadly!) sure to be recognised in society today, offering plenty of opportunity for exploring why people might act as they do. The role of women in general, the divide between rich and poor, life in Elizabethan London, the theatre… there are so many threads to draw on for research, role play, discussion and writing in role- all wrapped up in a highly engaging story.

Make sure you read this- and everything else Eloise has written! ‘Honesty and Lies’ is one not to be missed.

Honesty and Lies Eloise Williams

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102999

Many thanks to lovely Karen at Firefly Press for asking me to be part of this tour. Tomorrow’s stop- Shelves of Starlight!

A World Full of Nature Stories

This is the ninth volume in this fabulous series by Angela McAllister and like its fellows, is sure to tempt a wealth of readers to explore the stories within. Gathered into seven sections, the theme of this collection of 50 folk tales and legends from around the world is nature in all its glory.

Each story is retold with great care and attention to detail, staying true to the original whilst making them accessible for a modern audience. Some of these tales are no doubt familiar- ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and ‘The Little Fir Tree’- but the collection casts its net wide, gathering stories from all over the world. Children will enjoy locating the country of origin for each story and will, no doubt, exclaim over the similarities between versions of folktales they know and those they discover here.

Many of these tales seek to explain natural phenomenon. The reader learns how lightning began in the Khasi story from India, how the sun was made according to some First Nation’s Australians and why the Giant of the Rain showers the Earth with tears in the story from Brazil. Many of the stories have a strong message about respecting, and living in harmony with, nature.

Perfect for dipping in and out of and sharing at home, this series is also invaluable in school. The range and variety of stories, their length, the care with which they are told, make them an excellent resource for guided reading, both for guided and independent sessions. Children love these books with their beautiful illustrations- in the case the work of Hannah Bess Ross- and wealth of storytelling delights. ‘A World Full of Nature Stories’ is also brilliant for story times, perhaps lending a touch of story to another area of the curriculum.

An absolute ‘must have’- like the whole series! Angela McAllister is my guest on the Bookshelf tomorrow -find out more about her and her work then!

A World Full of Nature Stories: 50 Folk Tales and Legends

Angela McAllister, illustrated by Hannah Bess Ross

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711266452

The Treekeepers

Home to thousands, the city of Arborven owes its existence to the Undrentree. A well as the buildings covering the tree, set in rings around it are the city circles where the different layers of society live- the farther away from the tree, the less magic the inhabitants have. As a shapewalker, Liska, training to be a warrior, lives in the noon Fort, nestled on the northern wall. When she overhears a plan which threatens the city, Liska cannot find anyone who will believe her and so with Lug, a vermispex who can summon and control worms, Elowen, a ghost-girl, and Fishbone, a feisty kittimew, she sets off on an epic, perilous adventure to save her home.

When it comes to creating fantasy worlds, there is none better than Kieran Larwood. The richness of his imagination, the evocative details of his world building, the charm of his flawed but endearing characters – all combine to create the most breath-taking, engaging reads which leave the reader longing to return to the world of the book they have just finished. ‘The Treekeepers’ is just glorious- and (in my opinion) even better than ‘The Five Realms’ stories.

Friendship is at the heart of the story, showing the importance of valuing others and appreciating them for what and who they are. At the beginning of the story, Liska is determined to earn stripes- marks of gleaming colour for great deeds of courage and heroism- yet by the end of the story, realises that such marks of honour are not necessary to show what sort of person someone is. As she has come to know her companions, her appreciation of them- their kindness, their courage, their loyalty- has grown as has she in character. Both she and Lug are, at heart, very ‘normal’ children whose hopes and dreams, whose insecurities and vulnerabilities readers will identify and empathise with.

Beautifully written, with almost poetic descriptions at times, the story offers a rich vocabulary, including Larwood’s own ingenious namings- vermispex not doubt drawing on the Latin ‘vermis’ for worm, kittimew (my favourite), Arborven from a place sheltered by trees to name a few- as well as a sprinkling of mythical creatures.

It is impossible to review this book without commenting on the incredible presentation of the book as an object of beauty. The dust jacket illustrated by Fernando López Juárez is tempting enough, but peel this off, and there is a map of Larwood’s world embossed in gold on the hard cover of the book. Chris Wormell is also responsible for the lovely chapter heading illustrations.

Simply stunning!

The Treekeepers Kieran Larwood, illustrated by Chris Wormell

cover by Fernando López Juárez

Faber ISBN: 978-0571364565

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Fire Power

It's not easy being an accidental superhero. Aidan (aka Fire Boy) and the circus are in trouble, once again. Aidan's nemesis, the billionaire Clayton Jones, is spreading fake news throughout the world, painting Aidan as the bad guy.

With circus fans dwindling and the world turning against them, Aidan knows it's once again up to him to save the day. But to do see, he'll have to reveal the truth about Clayton Jones - and it looks like Clayton might have some special powers of his own...

The ‘Fire Boy’ books have been incredibly popular in school with children delighting in their quirky humour and very relatable superhero, Aiden.

Jay uses a number of devices- lists, notes from readers, emails- and differing typography to break up the text as well as fairly short chapters to make the book both accessible and appealing to readers whilst keeping the plot moving at a pleasing pace. The tone of the story is light and chatty which adds to this.

Aiden is an appealing main character. Often impulsive- that’s how he became Fire Boy in the first place- he is lucky to have good friends by his side. Sadie, Hussein and he might be very different personalities, but they balance each other well, making a good team whose bond is sure to endure whatever life brings. Granny continues to be my favourite character: cantankerous and dangerous, she is a match for anyone, ‘a freak of nature’.

In addition to the story bursting with humour, it has a generous scattering of facts throughout- bibliosmia is liking the smell of old books, burnt orchids flower in early summer- which add to the overall enjoyment. The book ends with a fact or fiction ‘quiz’ by Miss Spatchcock, focusing on some of the details included in the story and encouraging the reader to find out more about Peru, where part of the story is set, and the Incas.

Every bit as enjoyable as the first two, ‘Fire Power’ is a fitting conclusion to this series.

Fire Power J M Joseph

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444954722

You can find out more about Jay and what he will be writing next in my Q and A session with him here.

The Arctic Railway Assassin

Hal is flying off to Sweden to meet his Uncle Nat. Together, they are going to make a special Christmas trip to the Aurora Sky Station to see the Northern Lights. Uncle Nat’s friend, Mortimer, has just won a Nobel Prize, and has been scared by a series of inexplicable events since the announcements. Although she is supposed to be accompanying them on the Narvik train, Morti has a sudden change of plans, leaving Hal and Nat to board alone.

But as they leave Stockholm, Hal and his uncle realise that they are being followed and things take a sinister turn as Uncle Nat’s past returns to haunt him, putting them both in danger.

This is definitely the most tense and fast paced trains adventure yet- and my new favourite! In this story, we learn more about Uncle Nat’s mysterious past and it seems that danger is catching up with him. There are moments of real peril and suspense as the action builds, raising serious concerns for the safety of all involved.

As readers have come to expect, ‘The Arctic Railway Assassin’ is full of wonderful descriptions of the trains and railways- a gift for any railfan. This attention to detail really makes you want to visit the locations involved- Kungsträdgården Station and the metro, Stockholm, the journey north to the Arctic Circle- leaving you with a strong sense of wanderlust, a longing to see the Northern lights and stay in the Ice Hotel! A section of notes at the end of the book offers more information about these places if the reader is interested.

Hal’s art work continues to be central to each story, but in this one, I feel there is a real sense of the development of his talent. The reader is told that he has been practising drawing at speed and is now ‘able to get down all the important lines at a breakneck pace’, loosely sketching in ‘a series of eggs for heads’ and other marks to guide his drawing. The addition of these details really adds to the story as it is through Hal’s considerable skill that the crimes are solved. Elisa Paganelli’s wonderful illustrations continue to give life to his sketches, allowing the reader to see each scene Hal captures and glean the same clues- if they can!

I love the face that the Sámi people have been included in this story. Katarina, who Hal meets on this trip, is a great character with observational skills and courageous spirit to match Hal’s. Details about the fascinating culture of her people, including clothing, food and their reindeer, add great interest to the story. I have been lucky enough to visit Sápmi and am ashamed to say that I did not know the Sámi people find ‘Lapland’ offensive. You really do learn - and should learn- something new every day.

The success of this series is not at all surprising as every book not only introduces the reader to a new location- and a new train- but also a brilliant new mystery to solve. I can’t wait to see what Hal gets up to next!

The Arctic Railway Assassin

M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529072761

Published 13th October 2022

You can read my review of ‘Sabotage on the Solar Express’ here and ‘Epic Adventures: Explore the World in 12 Amazing Train Journeys’ here.

You can read a multi- review of each of the other four books here.

Blog Tour: The Shadow Order

Today, I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘The Shadow Order’ by Rebecca F John. This is a story you will not want to miss!

Friends Teddy James, Betsy Blue and Effie Hart live in Copperwell, a city which has lived for a year under The Shadow Order, a law passed to prevent its citizens from seeing their shadows which have changed and now reflect each person’s true self. It’s been a long dark year in which only the Constabulary- law enforcement- are allowed to move outside in daylight hours.

When the three children decide to break the rules and climb to the top of the Observatory to see the sunrise, they witness the arrest of a woman who is shouting about the government, accusing them of being responsible for the change in the shadows and telling anyone who will listen to ‘find the orrery!’ Determined to find out what the government is really up to, the friends set off on a quest brimming with peril, excitement and adventure.

‘The Shadow Order’ is a gripping read, perfect for those children who like to be challenged in their thinking. Darkness lurks in Copperwell, not only because of the Order, but because the population are being controlled and manipulated by those in power. They are constantly being fed misinformation to make them behave in a way which suits their leaders- sounds familiar? Stories like this are so important to encourage children to think for themselves and question things, looking for a balanced view rather than blindly accepting the ‘party line’, whatever your party might be!

As with the other hosts on this blog tour, I have a snippet of exclusive content to share. I am delighted by this as it allows me to ‘show, not tell’ Rebecca’s skill in both world building and character development.

Limpet’s Lane
Swindler’s Quarter is the poorest part of Copperwell. And the poorest part of Swindler’s Quarter is Limpet’s Lane. On Limpet’s Lane, each room houses at least two families, who cram top-to-toe into beds six or eight people at a time. One early morning, Teddy and his father collected a fare from Limpet’s Lane in the cab. Teddy could tell his father was nervous by the way he kept glancing over his shoulder, wrapping his hands tighter around Jim’s reins. The tall narrow houses blocked out the rising winter sun. ‘Stay alert,’ Teddy’s father said. ‘Desperate people do desperate things sometimes.’ Teddy clamped his gloved hands together. ‘Then we shouldn’t be here,’ he said. ‘It’s frightening.’ His father replied in a murmur. ‘It’s impossible to live a life without fear.’ And clicked Jim on into the shadows.

The three children- Teddy, Betsy and Effie-are very different children, each with their own secrets and challenges. The strength of their friendship and their loyalty to each other supports them through the many challenges, emotional and physical which they face whilst trying to expose the truth. I have a particular fondness for Teddy and am delighted to see a sensitive, caring male character who doubts himself for not being brave enough, yet when needed, finds the courage to do what needs to be done.

‘The Shadow Order’ is the perfect book for the ‘moving on’ stage of readers- those able readers around Year 6/7/8 who are looking for something to challenge them, but are not ready perhaps for the content of novels aimed at older readers. I really hope there will be more books so we can follow Teddy, Betsy and Effie further as their lives continue.

The Shadow Order Rebecca F. John

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1913102951

Many thanks to Rebecca and the lovely Karen at Firefly- it was a pleasure to meet you at the YLG Conference!- for inviting me to be part of this tour. Make sure you catch the rest of the posts about this brilliant book.

Beyond the Frozen Horizon

In 2030, the world leaders pledged a coordinated and unprecedented response to the Climate Crisis, introducing strict Climate Laws and establishing World Wilderness Zones, including the High Arctic. Rory’s mum is an environmental geologist whose new job with Greenlight, a company which claims to have developed new ways of ‘mining’ in the Arctic using bacteria, offers mother and daughter the chance of a lifetime opportunity to travel to Svalbard- and Rory the chance to escape the misery of school.

On arrival, instead of a ghost town, they find a tiny community still inhabiting Pyramiden, living in harmony with nature and its wildlife. Initially, Rory is treated with suspicion and shunned by the locals until she makes friends with MIkkal, and together, they uncover some disturbing truths about the Greenlight project.

Nicola Penfold has quickly become one of my favourite authors. Her writing is completely absorbing, superbly crafted and thought provoking- and I think ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ is her best work yet.

The importance of caring for our world is at the absolute core of this book and yet nothing about it is ‘preachy’ or patronising. The respect and care shown for the natural world by Mikkal and his people stands in harsh contrast to the real actions and purpose of those in charge of the Greenlight project. Rory stands between these two camps- she longs to believe in the company her mother is working for and yet is forced to face the realities of what she is seeing, taking the reader on a thought-changing journey about climate crisis, human impact on the planet and the need for change.

Evocative descriptions of the stark, yet stunning Arctic environment create a dramatic backdrop to the story. The perils of this environment, the fragility of human existence amid the cold and creatures which make it their home, is captured so vividly as Rory explores her new home, encountering danger and beauty in equal measure.

‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ is a compelling adventure with a hint of the supernatural- I love the reference to Michelle Paver’s ‘Dark Matter’ (which gave me nightmares) another stunning novel set in the Arctic. Any of Nicola’s books would make an excellent key text to study and enjoy, but ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ is an absolute gift to any UKS2/ KS3 teacher in many ways. At story time, it would keep a class completely enraptured and absorbed; as a guided reader, it offers endless possibilities for rich, challenging work both guided and independent; as a class key text, it has the power of an engaging plot, the richness of language, interesting characters, links to other curricular areas and a satisfying conclusion to keep children absorbed and to inspire them to produce quality work in response. It is a fabulous book deserving great success!

Beyond the Frozen Horizon Nicola Penfold

Little Tiger ISBN: 9781788954471

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

Festergrimm

When evil villain, Sebastian Eels, returns to Eerie-on-Sea, Herbie and Vi are convinced that he has some sinister purpose. He claims he is going to re-open Festergrimm’s Waxworks which will bring more tourists to the town, but as the children investigate, they discover another Eerie tale, full of family secrets and mechanical monsters, leading them into dark and dangerous places as they try to foil another of Eel’s dastardly schemes.

This is my favourite trip to Eerie-on-Sea so far! Full of all the familiar faces fans of the series have come to know and love, ‘Festergrimm’ is told with all the humour and charm of the previous books- and yet has a slightly different edge to it somehow.

Threads from the previous stories are drawn together in this one and it feels as if we are tantalisingly close to discovering more about the mysterious past of both Herbert Lemon and Violet Parma. These two make an incredible pair- brave and impetuous Vi often taking the lead, but Herbie (although starting with the intention of doing NOPE-vember and saying ‘nope’ to everything remotely adventurous!) rising to every challenge in his determination to defeat Eels.

I love the way Thomas Taylor refers to stories like the Gollum of Prague and Frankenstein as the children learn of the legend of Festergrimm’s metal giant, opening doors for children to discover new stories should they wish to as he builds on these to create his own. There are some quite chilling and tense moments in the book, but these are well balanced by the strength of the children’s friendship and the strong bonds they have with Jenny Hanniver, Dr Thalassi and Mrs Fossil as well as some more poignant events.

 ‘Mermedusa’ is, I believe, to be the fifth and final book in this series. Whilst I shall be sorry to make just one final visit to Eerie-on-Sea, Thomas Taylor has done such an excellent job of setting things up for an incredible conclusion to Herbie and Vi’s adventures that I can’t wait to read it!

Festergrimm Thomas Taylor

Walker Books ISBN: 978- 1529502121

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back

Bridie is one of the many youngsters selling matches on the streets of Victorian London. Her mother works long hours in dangerous conditions as a dipper in the Bryant and May Match Factory and even her six-year-old brother, Fergal, spends long hours making matchboxes in their tiny home. When trouble strikes and leaves Bridie hurt and alone, with just three matches left, magic happens when she strikes each one, allowing her to see visions of a different, brighter future. Realising she can change the future, the little match girl leads the factory workers out on strike and to achieve remarkable things.

Based on the real-life events of the matchgirls’ strike, this is a re-working of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic ‘The Little Matchgirl’. Like the original matchgirl, Bridie is cold, poor and hungry, but that’s where the similarity ends. Flame haired Bridie sparks with life, using her skill as a storyteller to charm people into buying her matches. Her determination and street savvy attitude, essential to her survival on the streets of Victorian London, make her a far more rounded, appealing character than Anderson’s ‘little child’. Her indignation at the injustices she sees all around her – the appalling conditions her mother works in, the bullying pettiness of the male supervisors in the factory, her mother’s encroaching illness to name a few - is infectious, leading the reader to empathise with her situation, but unlike the original, to feel a genuine – and justifiable- anger targeted at those responsible.

The story is sure to inspire some readers to investigate Annie Besant’s role in these events and research further into the events of this historic occasion. The newspaper article written by Annie, for example, can be seen on-line. Reading the story instantly made me want to know more about the girls involved and I have tried to locate those who are named as part of the Union committee in the census returns for 1881/91, but have had limited success in the short time I have been searching, finding only one possible entry for Mary (Polly) Driscol.

Taken from the 1891 Census

Emma has done a wonderful job of including elements from the original- the loss of the mother’s over-large slippers, the boy who takes them (although very different in this telling), the danger of carriages, the longing for goose- but has transformed the story into so much more. Books like this are essential for broadening children’s historical knowledge to events not taught in school and sparking their interest. Additional information from both author and illustrator is included at the end, accompanied by photographs, adding to the reader’s understanding of these events. In addition to being an excellent independent read, the book would work well as a guided reading or whole class text. It offers so many opportunities for discussion, role play and debate, leading to quality writing in a wide range of forms and enriching the curriculum, allowing children to make links with other areas of learning, deepening their understanding of living conditions in Victorian England and making them question how things have changed- or not.

Lauren’s illustrations and the use of varied typography add to the appeal of the story and the elliptical breaks within chapters will support children who feel overwhelmed by lengthy chapters, offering natural places for them to take a break in their reading should they need to do so. The accessible format does not prevent the story from containing plenty of challenge.

I have reviewed the book for someone else, but love it so much that I had to add some more here! Definitely one I will be planning for as a guided reading text, ‘The Little Match Girl Strikes Back’ is an excellent read.

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back

Emma Carroll, illustrated by Lauren Child

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978- 1398512818

Published 15th September 2022

You can read my review of ‘Escape to the River Sea’ here.

Arabic Folktales

It is no secret that I love traditional tales, myths and legends. For me, there is something really special about reading stories which have been enjoyed and treasured by those before us whatever their culture or where they live in the world. The similarities which can occur between stories from different places are fascinating and each new re-telling offers a different slant as each teller breathes a little of themselves into the telling. So I was delighted to discover this on one of my trips to Bath.

‘Arabic Folktales: The Three Brothers of Serendip and Other Stories’ is a beautifully presented book. The dust jacket is handsome enough, but the actual cover shows an explosion of the paper cut flowers which can be found throughout the book. Geertje Aalders, the master paper cutter responsible for the art work throughout the book, has greatly contributed to making this a very appealing book to be treasured. The title page of each story has a paper cut surround and further illustrations accompany each tale.

The author describes himself as a ‘sort of gatherer of tales’ who has tried to rewrite them in his own style, but encourages the reader to change elements as he says ‘stories are the best migrants and the finest travellers. Let these stories become your own.’ And this is a delightful collection with a story for every occasion. ‘Soup’ is a wonderful story about the importance of having enough love in your heart to help others whilst ‘The Man Who Was Never Satisfied’ teaches the importance of appreciating what you have. Many of these stories would be perfect to use as the starting point for an assembly or for sharing as part of a PSHE session as they contain wisdom a-plenty! However, the book would also make an excellent text for guided reading, allowing children time to discuss the stories and explore them further with the stories being short enough to allow a sense of satisfaction and achievement for those put off by longer texts.

Translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson, ‘Arabic Folktales’ is an essential collection for anyone who shares my delight in traditional stories and for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered just how delightful they can be!

Arabic Folktales:

The Three Princes of Serendip and Other Stories

Rodaan Al Galidi, translated by Laura Watkinson, illustrated by Geertje Aalders

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529506006

If You Read This

When her Nana throws a surprise party for her twelfth birthday, Brie is embarrassed by all the attention. Her final present is from her mother- who died three year’s ago- a series of letters leading Brie on one final treasure hunt like those they used to enjoy together. The first letter guides Brie to a special place, but her father, manager of the resort where they live, works long hours and seems disinterested in his daughter and her quest. Will her mother’s treasure hunt help bring them together?

Beautifully told, ‘If You Read This’ is a heartwarming, sensitive story, full of love and hope. Brie is trying to cope with the grief of losing of her mother and the complex emotions surrounding this. She is also struggling in her relationship with her father who has been distant and focused on his work, leaving her feeling neglected and hurt. Ultimately, her mother’s treasure hunt helps her come to understand both her father and mother better and learn more about herself.

The story is full of appealing characters set against a vivid Caribbean background, full of colour and energy. The constant in Brie’s life, her Nana, is just wonderful and the strength of her friendship with Smiley and Femi is heartwarming. Brie herself is endearing and readers are really able to empathise with her mixed feelings as the story develops.

‘If You Read This’ is a powerful and emotional story which is a joy to read. As with any story dealing with such emotive issues, the content should be considered before recommending, but it offers much to enjoy!

If You Read This Kereen Getten

Pushkin Children’s ISBN: 978-1782692812

The Mountain Rescue Dog

Everything changes for Clova after her mother, part of the Glenstrome search and rescue team in the Scottish mountains, dies during a rescue mission. Her grieving father withdraws into himself, becoming overly protective of his daughter and it is thanks to the efforts of her grandfather that the family hotel is still running. Feeling lonely and lost, Clova is struggling until she meets Tatty, a nervous collie stray, who helps her find purpose again as she begins to train him as a rescue dog. When two young boys are lost, Tatty and Clova track them down; her father is furious and vows to send Tatty away, leaving Clova heartbroken. However, when her father is lost on the mountain and heavy snow causes an avalanche, Clova and her faithful dog prove that they belong together and save the day.

Anyone who has had a dog will instantly recognise the remarkable bond that can form with a much loved companion. Juliette Forrest captures this perfectly, making ‘The Mountain Rescue Dog’ a great read for anyone with a canine pal. However, there is so much more to this fabulous story of grief, courage and adventure.

The incredible work of mountain rescue teams and their Search and Rescue dogs is really celebrated through the book, giving the reader a glimpse of the work which the dogs, their handlers and the teams do and the lengths which they go to, at great personal risk, to save those in need. In her author note at the end of the book, Juliette says, ‘Scottish Mountain Rescue have 850 team volunteers, who will respond at a moment’s notice 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.’ Through highlighting their amazing dedication and the essential work they do, the story also acts as a reminder of the dangers and fickle nature of mountains, encouraging readers (should they wish to!) to explore them safely. The patience and commitment needed to train a rescue dog and the love and kindness used to do this is beautifully explored as Clova trains Tatty with guidance from her grandfather, who offers many useful tips to consider when training any dog!

Deeply poignant in places, the story also explores loss and the overwhelming nature of grief. Clova is devastated by her mother’s death and keenly feels the secondary loss of her father who has lost himself in his sorrow. His frantic desire to protect his daughter- to try to keep her safe- results in a lack of communication and a loss of understanding as each struggles to come to terms with what has happened. The story also touches on her grandfather’s grief as he sees his daughter in Clova, comforting her as he acknowledges her sadness, sharing his feelings with her in a way her father is not ready to.

‘…everywhere you go a fresh memory pops up you had forgotten about. Even though you can see them as clear as day as if they’re right in front of you - you know they are not coming back.’

With each of her books, Juliette Forrest offers something different, but strong characters and vivid settings are sure to feature whatever the focus. In ‘The Mountain Rescue Dog’, she has created a heart-warming tail (sorry- couldn’t help myself!) of loss, love and understanding which is sure to become a firm favourite for teachers to read to their class as well as for enjoying independently.

The Mountain Rescue Dog Juliette Forrest

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702313646

Published 1st September 2022

Blog Tour: The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom

I was delighted to be asked to take part in this Blog Tour as I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom’. Once started, it’s almost impossible to put down!

Ophelia Bottom longs to be ‘normal’- to have well-behaved parents and live in a house which stays still. But with her parents being Shakespearian actors in their own travelling theatre company and living in a rickety old converted van, her life is unusual to say the least. So when the van, known as the Pantechnicon, makes its stop in the seemingly perfect town of Stopford and bad luck strikes her family, could this offer the opportunity she has longed for?

Packed with drama, adventure and theatricals, ‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom’ is an absorbing read with much to recommend it! One of its strengths is its wonderful cast of characters, particularly Ophelia’s family. Ophelia’s father (who she calls Ar) is a flamboyant, irrepressible thespian who speaks mainly in capitals and (like Mr Micawber!) seems to be permanently convinced that something will turn up whilst her mother is a risk averse, superstitious lady who wants her daughter to experience some stability and get an education. This causes some tension in the Pantechnicon which increases when Ar breaks his leg meaning the family is forced to extend their stay in Stopford. Money worries and misunderstandings cause the arguments to mount and Ophelia, sadly like many children, finds herself caught between them and full of anxiety about the future of their relationship.

Settling in to a new school is hard enough, but in a place where the town motto is plastic is fantastic – different is dangerous, Ophelia (or O-failure as her name is pronounced in school)- struggles to fit the mould. Uniformity is key and over-zealous prefects are determined that everyone should conform. As Ophelia realises that there is a sinister plot afoot in this too-perfect town with its high levels of plastic pollution, the story takes a darker turn as it romps towards its conclusion.

‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom’ would make an excellent class read, offering plenty to discuss and consider- the importance of family and friendship, the need to question, the dangers of plastic pollution, rights and responsibilities, how important it is to be yourself, lots of Shakespearian references… to name a few. There are some sinister characters and perilous moments to be aware of, but this is a gripping story which it is impossible to do justice to in a short review! Add straight to the top of the TBR pile!

The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom Susie Bower

Pushkin ISBN: 978-1782693604

Thank you for including me in this Blog Tour! Make sure you follow on for the rest of the week!

The Crocodile Curse

The second of ‘The Nile Adventures’, ‘The Crocodile Curse’ is set in 1269BCE in the tenth year of the reign of Ramesses II and continues the story of brothers Renni and Mahu and their friend Princess Balaal. Having thwarted the plans of the evil vizier, Paser, and survived, the children find themselves caught up in a new adventure when Balaal asks the brothers to accompany her to Shedet, the City of Crocodiles, to visit the temples dedicated to Sobek. However, when they arrive, they soon realise that their old enemy, Paser, is once more up to no good…

‘The Crocodile Curse’ (like all of Saviour’s historical fiction) offers not only an exciting and engaging story, but the rich descriptions and historical details incorporated seamlessly into the fabric of the tale also make it perfect for being used to support work on the Ancient Egyptians, one of the civilisations suggested for an in-depth study as part of the KS2 work on achievements of the earliest civilisations.

Details about daily life, customs, religious practices, the landscape are easily absorbed whilst the reader enjoys the story, making it perfect as a class read or a guided reading text. The joy of books like this is that, if you want to use them to support the curriculum, they can be used at any time. If the children have not learned about the Ancient Egyptians yet, they will absorb lots of information which they can later pin new learning on; if they have previously learned about the Egyptians, the story will encourage them to recall this learning and use it to deepen their understanding of Renni’s life; if the Egyptians is not the ancient civilisation chosen for in-depth study in a particular school’s curriculum, the story will allow children to encounter the Egyptians, perhaps encouraging them to find out more independently, and allow them to make links and comparisons between the civilisations of the past. A glossary and author’s notes at the end offer additional information for the reader.

Most importantly, ‘The Crocodile Curse’ is a well-paced, gripping read, full of adventure and intrigue, magic and mystery. Renni, Mahu and Balaal are appealing characters, each very different. In this story, Renni learns that he can find courage when he needs it whereas his brother learns that it is sometimes better to think before speaking.

The book is full of black and white pictures by Jo Lindley which help to bring key scenes further to life as they capture details from the text. The children’s adventures continue in ‘The Jackal’s Graveyard’ and you can get a hint about what’s coming in that if you read my ‘Meet Saviour Pirotta’ post.

The Crocodile Curse Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jo Lindley

Maverick ISBN: 978-1848868946

You can read my review of ‘The Heart Scarab’ here.