Seawitch

As part of taking her ‘Sapling’ test and moving a step closer to becoming a fully trained witch, Cassie Morgan must take on the challenge of training a new witch; however, when one arrives, Robin Kendrick is not what she- or the rest of 1st Hedgely coven- were expecting. When a letter arrives from her cousin, Sebastian, asking for her help in solving a mystery, Oak Patrol- with their new member, head off to the Faerie border town of Porthmorven whose protector the Seawitch is nowhere to be found, leaving the town vulnerable. Can Cassie and her friend work out what is going on and foil the Erl King’s plans before it’s too late?

‘Seawitch’ is the third book in this magical series about Cassie- and each seems better than the last! Wonderfully atmospheric, both characters and scenery are vividly portrayed, offering a very satisfying and immersive read.

With the support of her friends, Cassie is gaining in confidence, determined to become a witch and find her parents. Level headed and fair, she still has some qualms about the acceptance of Robin- a boy- into the coven so that he can train to be a witch- something seen as a female role. Skye McKenna explores the young witches prejudices really well - ‘You’ve got to be resourceful and observant and well… they [boys] just aren’t.’- challenging stereotypical gender roles.

‘Seawitch’ moves at a very pleasing pace, with plenty of action and Cassie learning more about her parents whilst leaving tantalising clues and paving the way for more stories to come. Although magical stories, this series has so much to recommend it to any reader that those who claim not to be fans of this genre will find themselves enjoying the books just as much as those who are!

Seawitch

Skye McKenna, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic

Welbeck ISBN: 978-1801301282

You can read my review of ‘Hedgewitch’ here and ‘Woodwitch’ here.

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share

Hare lives on his own and grows turnips. When a family of rabbits move in to the other side of the woods, they ask if he has any turnips that he can share, but he sends them away, saying he doesn’t like to share with anyone. One day, when out walking, he notices that the rabbits have grown a lovely patch of carrots which they invite him- and other animals from the wood- to share. He refuses, but when a huge boar threatens to destroy all their hard work, Hare is determined to help them.

With a wonderful message about the importance of sharing, ‘The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share’ is perfect for developing conversations about community and working together. Hare believes that he is happy- he grows his own turnips, working hard for himself and keeping all his produce. When he sees the rabbits sharing the results of their hard work with the other animals, it gives him plenty to think about. Why when they have so little would they want to give away so much? The story offers plenty of opportunity for role play and hot-seating activities to help children explore and understand the feelings of different characters at different points in the book. The conclusion is just perfect with Hare coming to realise the benefits of being part of a community, of sharing and working with others.

The illustrations are utterly adorable. Each character is bursting with personality and there is so much to notice and enjoy in every picture, making this a book to return to again and again! One for every bookshelf!

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share

Steve Small

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398522299

Out of this World

‘Out of this World’ is a new collection of poems, offering a mixture of the poignant and light-hearted, moving from memories to possibilities and dreams. Some poems are rich with Michael Rosen’s trademark humour whilst others are deeply poignant.

‘Family Secret’ is a deeply moving reflection on past meeting the present, referring, I’m sure, to Michael uncovering the truth about his ‘lost’ ancestors as he recounts in his book ‘The Missing’. In contrast to this, ‘The Alphabet Eater’ recounts what would happen if all the letters were eaten by a monster which would make a fun performance piece as well a great starting point for children to play with sentences and investigate what would happen to them if the monster started to eat them!

The collection is beautifully illustrated by Ed Vere whose artwork complements the poems perfectly, particularly those which accompany ‘A Day in the Life of a Cat’. There is so much to enjoy and reflect upon here, making this a book which will be returned to again and again.

Out of this World

Michael Rosen, illustrated by Ed Vere

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008517175

Spooky Poems Aloud

One grain of gritty midnight,

One iota of dust.

The figure spoke inside my head,

‘It’s time to join us.’

Just in time for the spooky season comes this suitably scary collection of poems from Joseph Coelho. ‘Spooky Poems Aloud’ is the fourth book in the ‘Poetry to Perform’ series and offers a perfectly pitched selection of poems to add some shivers to Hallowe’en!

Each of these twenty-five poems just cries out to be performed, encouraging children to explore the use of dynamics, tone and gesture to support their presentation, having great fun in the process. ‘On a Cold Whispering Night’ (which the quote above comes from) is perfect for whispering in spooky tones whilst the onomatopoeic refrain of ‘The Skeleton in the Basement’ might need a louder, sharper voice!

An introduction is added for each poem, giving suggestions not only for performance, but also tips for creating poems along the lines of those given. ‘It Woke Me From a Dream’ uses a repeating line to create a creepy atmosphere and the note suggest creating a poem in the same style. ‘The Grey Lady’ is a poem which uses the senses to describe something scary- another fun thing to try!

The book introduces children to a wonderful range of poetic styles and techniques- pantoum, villanelle, regna, tanka- enriching the reader’s experience and understanding of the wonders of poetry, making this an invaluable resource for teachers and interested adults as well as children. Full of appealing illustrations, ‘Spooky Poems Aloud’ is sure to encourage a love of poetry in everyone!

Spooky Poems Aloud

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett

Wide Eyed ISBN: 978-0711287396

You can read my review of ‘Courage Out Loud’ here.

Barnaby Unboxed!

In the newly reopened ‘Perfect Pets’, Barnaby, ‘half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo’, thinks he is the most perfect pet of all- and yet, he is the last one of his kind on the shelf. One day, whilst worrying he will never be chosen, a little girl picks him. Taking him home, the two become inseparable until, one Saturday morning, whilst watching television, an advert for the new ‘Rainbow Barnaby’ is shown and the little girl decides she wants one. When her father refuses to buy her the new pet, she seems to lose interest in her Barnaby. Her father now takes him for his walk and one rainy day, Barnaby slips unnoticed off his lead, planning to run away ‘just long enough for people to miss him’; however, when he is chased by a cat, he finds himself lost and alone. Time passes and, although he meets other lost and forgotten pets, he is determined to find his way home to the little girl. Supported by the squirrels in the park who show him their ways, Barnaby begins to forget his old life until he spots a little girl pinning ‘missing’ posters to the trees…

Once again, The Fan Brothers have produced a perfect picture book combining sensitive storytelling, moments of gentle humour and, in this case, a strong message about the responsibility and commitment involved when taking on the care of a pet. The book has so much potential for developing ideas and work in school as well as for being enjoyed at story time!

Children could have great fun inventing their own ‘perfect pets’ which might join Barnaby on the shelves, creating character profiles and developing personalities and names for their creatures. Barnaby is just adorable, with his big eyes, puffy tail and soft as candyfloss fur- and yet, he is full of worries as he compares himself to the other ‘new and exciting’ pets which are on offer. At this point of the story, role play or hot-seating could be used to explore Barnaby’s feelings, but also those of some of the other pets who might have similar concerns, and develop some good advice to offer anyone feeling downhearted or under-valued.

The story is also perfect for considering the long term dedication and commitment needed when adopting a pet. The collection of ‘lost or forgotten’ pets in the rubbish bin is a sad indictment of how fashions and fads can lead to the casual neglect and discarding of creatures in need of love and care.

However, eagle-eyed readers will notice that there are signs that the little girl has not forgotten him. Almost as soon as he was lost, posters can be seen seeking his return, filling the reader with hope that the two will be reunited once more.

As usual with any book from the Fan Brothers, the illustrations are fabulous- full of details to notice and things to wonder about. The spread showing the row of shops where Perfect Pets can be found is almost identical to that in ‘The Barnabus Project’- except that the barber’s shop has now closed down and the Coffee Palace is all boarded up and the last but one picture showing Barnabus and the little girl enjoying their walk in the park also appears in the first book and you can see Barnabus and his fellow escapees watching them as they walk by.

A gorgeous, heart-warming read- not to be missed!

Barnaby Unboxed!

The Fan Brothers

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-1836001607

You can read my review of ‘The Barnabus Project’ here, ‘It Fell From the Sky’ here, ‘Lizzy and the Cloud’ here and ‘Ocean Meets Sky’ here.

Blog Tour: Open Wide!

Today, it’s my turn to dive into the ‘jaw-dropping mouths of the animal world’ on the ‘Open Wide!’ Blog Tour.

Let’s start by asking a few questions. Do you know which creature has fangs that fold flat to stop it accidentally biting itself? No? What about which creature can extend its tongue one-and-a-half times its body length? Me neither! If you don’t know, then this is the book you need!

From its tasty introduction onwards, ‘Open Wide!’ is bursting with those quirky and fascinating facts which children love to discover and share! Starting with human teeth (Science NC Y4: identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions), the book moves to the commonalities of mammalian mouths before moving on to the eating habits of slugs and snails. I now know what a ‘radula’ is!

The contents page is full of tempting titles like ‘Tremendous Tusks’ and Gigantic Grins’, making the book perfect for dipping in and out of: however, it is very easy to be led from page to page as there are intriguing questions posed at the bottom of some which you just have to turn over to find the answer to! I wanted to know if I was right about how the Barbary macaques were feeling -I wasn’t!- but I was more successful with guessing which coloured tongue belonged to which animal.

Whilst the book is mainly illustrated by Ed J Brown, some photographs are also included, allowing children to see the sucker of a goby and krill up close amongst other things. One of the most popular features of the text will no doubt be the ‘Not for the Squeamish’ fact boxes which regularly appear containing those disgusting facts which children love to quote- usually in the middle of a lesson!

Having both an index and glossary, ‘Open Wide!’ will be a useful resource for teachers keen to enrich the science curriculum with fascinating facts about teeth, diet, food chains, habitats etc, perhaps using the quiz sheet available on the ‘What on Earth’ website along with some other resources for this title.

A really absorbing read!

Open Wide!

Dr Letizia Diamante and Ed J Brown

What on Earth ISBN: 978-1804661352

The River’s a Singer

The river’s a singer,

As he dances along,

The countryside echoes

The notes of his song.

A lively, joyous collection of poems, ‘The River’s a Singer’ offers a wonderful range works, celebrating nature, family, cultural heritage and identity. Many of the poems feature elements of Jamaican patois and, for those who need it, there is a very useful, detailed glossary at the end of the book with a few additional notes at the end of some poems. However, there is nothing quite like hearing Valerie Bloom perform her poems- an inspirational treat everyone should enjoy!

This collection contains a mix of new and previously published poetry, such as ‘Fruits’ and ‘Outdooring’, using a wide range of styles and techniques. As well as being wonderful for performing, sharing or reading alone, many of the poems here would make wonderful models to explore and enjoy with a class.

‘The River’, for example, could be used as inspiration for a topic about rivers. Through using personification and metaphor, the personality of the river is explored, and this could lead to discussions about the vocabulary chosen to capture this with children then offering their own suggestions and considering how these might alter the meaning/ effect of the poem. Word play- and history- are introduced in ‘Henry the Eighth’ and ‘Watt Tyler’ and there is a lovely collection of Christmas poems, offering a Caribbean flavour to the celebrations. ‘Christmas is Here’ gives a wonderful sense of building expectations and excitement and could easily be used as a model for children to create their own poems about Christmas – or other important occasions/ events. Another poem which lends itself really well to encouraging children to create their own work is ‘When Granny’ which would also allow them to try to capture emotions through phrases and words!

One of my favourite poems in this book is ‘The Artist’, but there are so many which could be commented on.

 The River’s a Singer

Valerie Bloom, illustrated by Sophie Bass

Macmillan   ISBN: 978-1035043767

Blog Tour: Step into my Shoes

Today, I am very happy to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘Step into my Shoes’, a lovely picture book from Lantana, which paves the way for plenty of discussion!

Matou lives just outside Paris, in a place she dismissively thinks no one has ever heard of. Now that her mum works in the city, she walks to and from school by herself. One Friday, having been let out of school early, as she passes the mosque, she notices a ‘sea of shoes’, including a pair of sports shoes with orange laces. Tempted by the fact they are nearly her size, she tries them on. Having returned them, she notices the boy the shoes belong to and concludes the shoes are pristine because he doesn’t walk much. From then on, Matou regularly tries on different shoes outside the mosque and ponders on the lives of their owners until one day, excited by the fact that her mother will be home early, she goes straight home…only to become upset as her mother arrives late. But when she steps into her mother’s shoes, she gains a new perspective, learning what it truly means to ‘step into someone’s shoes’.

‘Step into my Shoes’ is a wonderful story for developing empathy and compassion. Matou literally explores the expression ‘to step into someone else’s shoes’, initially as a way of entertaining herself on her journey home, but ultimately coming to understand her mother better. Children will really relate to her curiosity as she wonders about all the footwear left outside the mosque as those inside pray. Initially, for those unfamiliar with this custom, there will be conversations about this practice, offering opportunities to deepen understanding - and make links with other religions and cultural traditions.

But the real joy of the story is that it encourages readers to pause and think - no matter how frustrated, angry or upset- that misunderstandings can be seen from another perspective and that ‘stepping into someone else’s shoes’ allows us to understand them better, an important lesson which many adults could do with learning! The illustrations add much to the text, making it easy for children to choose different pairs of shoes and explore their ideas about the owners and to pause and consider Matou’s feelings at different points in the story. Interest in France might also be piqued by various details in the pictures- the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, the pyramid of the Louvre, signs for the Metro, the shop names, Lautrec’s Black Cat, the Mona Lisa- there is much to explore!

A lovely book to spend time with!

Step into my Shoes

Alkisti Halikia, translated by Konstantine Matsoukas, illustrated by Fotini Tikkou

Lantana ISBN: 978-1915244956

Blog Tour: First Big Book of How

I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for ‘First Big Book of How’! Children are always bursting with natural curiosity about the world around them and this beautifully presented, chunky volume is the perfect place for them to find the answers they are looking for!

The book is divided into six clear sections: The Body, Machines and Buildings, Wild Animals, Bugs and Creepy Crawlies, Earth and Space. A contents page lists all the questions posed in each section and there is a comprehensive index at the end to help locate specific information, but this is a book which is perfect for browsing! A clear explanation is given in answer to each question, using straightforward language and in a good sized font, making it perfect for younger readers. Technical terms are explained within the text and a glossary at the back of the book offers further definitions. Fact boxes and diagrams add further details.

A lot of thought has been given to the presentation of this book. ‘Wow! What’s that?’ spreads are scattered throughout, showing close up images, offering a fascinating look at various things like the tongue or a dragonfly. Other spreads are called ‘Tell me how…now!’ which pose and answer specific questions- a chameleon’s tongue is up to 20cm long, the oldest tree in the world is almost 5000 years old, 280 people have been to the International Space Station… There is so much to learn here!

Some of the facts are truly disgusting- bogies can be green, brown or even pink depending on what’s trapped in it- which is sure to add to their appeal! There are questions here which you don’t know you want the answers to until you see them! How do worms know where they are going? Now I know! This is the sort of book which offers endless entertainment as it will be returned to again and again, allowing readers to share gleaned gems of knowledge. There is much in here which supports topics covered in the school curriculum, making it a useful book for home and school!

Illustrated with an appealing mix of photographs and pictures, ‘First Big Book of How’ is a real treasure trove of knowledge and discovery.

First Big Book of How

Sally Symes and Saranne Taylor, illustrated by Kate Slater

What on Earth ISBN: 978-1804661185

Tales for the Brave: Heroes and Heroines, Gods and Ghosts

‘Tales from the Brave’ is a wonderful collection of myths from Ireland, Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, Brittany and the Isle of Man. On the eve of Samhain, a druidess and a file (a poet) come together to light a bonfire on a hillside. Settled by the fire, they feel the presence of the other-worldly spirits who come to share their stories. As each figure emerges from the darkness into the firelight, they tell their tale. As the last of the visitors leaves, the druidess and the file leave the hill, taking the ancient stories with them as gifts to any who will listen - and take heed to the wisdom they offer.

Each story is vividly illustrated by three Irish artists whose talents create the perfect atmosphere for each tale. The front endpapers show the druidess and her companion arriving on the hill, with the sunset full of magical creatures whilst the closing papers show them leaving with figures from the tales looking down from the skies. The pages and their numbers are edged with patterns which remind the reader of their connection with the natural world and the stories Celtic origins.

The author’s note speaks of a love of stories and storytelling which connects us to our ancestors and this collection is sure to pass that love on to those who read the tales contained here. Full of magic and mystery, wisdom and wonder, they are perfect for sharing and retelling for generations into the future just as they have come to us from the past.

Tales of the Brave: Heroes and Heroines, Gods and Ghosts

Rachel Pierce, illustrated by Béibhínn McCarthy, Lauren O’Neill and Louise Dukes

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702325557

The Girl at the Front of the Class

When a new girl arrives in his class, Adam is determined to make friends with her. However, she doesn’t want to play or make sandcastles in the sandpit- she just draws sad pictures. Seeking advice, Adam asks his teacher, his dad and his grandma and although they try to explain, their answers make him very sad and more determined than ever to be her friend. So he comes up with a plan…

Ever since the publication of ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’, books by Onjali Q Rauf have supported teachers, parents and other adults in developing thoughtful conversations with children about a number of topics, creating empathy and understanding in an often harsh, judgemental world. In ‘The Girl at the Front of the Class’, she works her magic once more with a poignant, beautiful story, perfect for starting discussions about the plight of refugees with younger children.

At the end of the story, the reader- and Adam- learns that the little girl’s name is Layla. The book is a celebration of the power of kindness and how simple acts of friendship can make a world of difference. But Adam is not pushy or overbearing in his actions- he shows patience and thought, creating a large picture depicting a happy ‘story’ for Layla, meeting her on her own terms rather than forcing her into a friendship.

The illustrations complement the text perfectly and the picture showing Layla and Adam swapping names is just lovely, as they are bathed in a warm glow whilst the lively bustle of the rest of the class is shown in a muted grey-blue, highlighting their newly-formed friendship.

At the end of the book, there are ‘Five Ideas to Help Refugee Children Feel Welcome’, each suggestion something which is easily achievable and the significance of each will be readily understood by even the youngest children. A wonderful addition to bookshelves, ‘The Girl at the Front of the Class’ is perfect for sharing.

The Girl at the Front of the Class

Onjali Q Rauf, illustrated by Pippa Curnick

Hodder ISBN: 978-1526364654

You can read my review of ‘The Letter with the Golden Stamp’ here.

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment

In Whetherwhy, everyone has a little bit of magic inside them, linked to one of the seasons, but each year, a handful of enchanters are born, those who can wield magic connected with spring, summer, autumn and winter. Juniper and Rafferty Quinn are twins, living with their family at their bookbindery in Honeyvale. On the Spring Ember Day of their thirteenth year, they, like all other thirteen-year-olds, are tested and on finding she is an enchanter, Juniper is invited to study at Thistledown Academy. Reluctant both to leave her alone, and to be left behind, Rafferty soon follows, taking an apprenticeship at a bookbindery in the capital city of Stormgrove.

Whilst Juniper learns to control and use her magic, Rafferty finds himself drawn into a mysterious sect known as the Papercut Society whose beliefs lead him away from his sister. However, as danger and dark magic threaten them, the twins must come together once more.

No synopsis of this book could seek to do justice to the wonderfully magical and imaginative world which Anna James has created! As a great lover of the ‘Pages and Co.’ series, I had high hopes of this book- and those yet to come- and I found myself completely absorbed into the world of Whetherwhy.

Once again, Anna James puts books and the power of word at the very heart of the story, but in ‘The Age of Enchantment’, the joys and power of nature are also celebrated. With each resident having an affinity to one of the seasons, the ‘specialness’ of each time of year is highlighted, enhancing their natural abilities. As with any magical story, comparisons are sure to be made with the ‘Harry Potter’ stories and, just as fans of those identify with one of the houses, so here readers are sure to wonder which season they ‘belong’ to!

It’s the little details which make any imagined world convincing and the descriptions of Whetherwhy are full of them as well as (if I am not much mistaken!) hints of things to come in future stories. Fabulous illustrations by David Wyatt add much to the atmosphere of each chapter, capturing various scenes perfectly, with a map at the beginning to help readers orientate themselves in this new world.

Juniper and Rafferty come from a loving and supportive family which clearly contrasts with that of Olivor, another student at Thistledown Academy, who becomes Juniper’s friend and Jessy, the other apprentice at the Aufero Bindery in Stormgrove. Incredibly close, the twins grow apart as the story develops, each finding their own place, yet ultimately their bond is as strong as ever. They must work out who to trust and what to believe as they overcome dangers and unravel mysteries. Each of the characters in the story is really well developed, including the adults, adding to the richness of the read- and the potential to discover more in subsequent books. Even minor characters like Nutmeg, the owner of ‘Butter and Bean’, feel like people you might know.

Exciting from the outset, ‘The Age of Enchantment’ is a gripping read, thoroughly enjoyable and impossible to put down. Can’t wait for the next one!

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment

Anna James, illustrated by David Wyatt

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008611576

Betty’s Birthday

It’s Betty’s sixth birthday and she is having a party! Readers are invited to join her in her preparations and for the celebrations!

Bright and colourful, ‘Betty’s Birthday’ is a fun-packed read which engages little ones on every page. Betty is introduced as living in a ‘big house’, a cross section of which is shown to allow readers to guess which is Betty’s room. There is plenty to discuss here with a helipad and a hot air balloon on the roof, a swimming pool room complete with sauna and a cinema and lots of other things to notice! Having located her room, she then needs to find her glasses amongst all the clutter and mess strewn across the floor before choosing an outfit for the party. At each step, the reader is encouraged to help her out or offer their opinion, encouraging little ones to use different skills as they explore both text and illustration.

The page showing Betty’s wardrobe is sure to inspire some readers to create a paper doll of Betty and trace her clothes, adding tabs before cutting out and colouring so that they can play at dressing her up or creating their own outfits to add to her collection!

Once her guests arrive, there are all manner of games to play and things to find as the party gets underway. Children can join in with the dance competition as they are asked what their ‘best moves’ are before it’s time for party bags and home and Betty is left to open her presents and go to bed! With so many ways to interact with the story, this is possibly not one for bedtime, but would be great fun to share with siblings or friends!

Betty’s Birthday

Celine Ka Wing Lau

Cicada Books ISBN: 978-1800660496

Let Me Tell You a Joke

What’s the worst present you could give to a hedgehog?

A beach ball!

Ask any teacher and they will be able to tell you some of the many jokes they have been told over the years! Children love jokes - the cornier the better- and ‘Let Me Tell You a Joke’ is sure to be a winner!

Bursting with fifty jokes, the book offers a treasure trove of jokes in different forms, including good news/ bad news, why did the..?, what’s..? Not only will children learn the jokes and try them out on friends, they are sure to be inspired to try and create their own using these models. A QR code is included which can be scanned to access a free audio version of the book which also offers advice from the author on how to deliver the perfect joke!

Colourful, whimsical illustrations add greatly to the appeal of the book which is beautifully presented (I love the candy stripe hard cover under the jacket!). The pictures add a layer of visual humour to the jokes, perhaps supporting younger children in their understanding as well as being a joy in their own right!

Engaging and entertaining, ‘Let Me Tell You a Joke’ will be a firm favourite- and a great addition to bookshelves!

Let Me Tell You a Joke: A First Joke Book with Funny Pictures

Sean Hegarty, illustrated by Jim Field

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839949234

Published 26th September 2024

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

Everybody is so used to avoiding the bad-tempered troll which lives in the cave that they forget all about it. Everybody except for one boy who is determined to reach out and make friends. The boy collects his chalks and draws a flower, leaving one petal uncoloured. The following day, he returns and finds the petal coloured in- yet still the troll will not leave the cave. Day-by-day he returns, leaving his drawings incomplete for the troll to finish. At last, the troll leaves the cave and is revealed to be a boy who joins in with the other children.

Thoughtful and sensitive, ‘The Boy, the Chalk and the Troll’ is a real celebration of patience, kindness and hope. Isolated and struggling, the ‘troll’ is obviously struggling with difficult emotions, acting in a way which rebuffs friendship. However, the little boy’s persistent, non-threatening approach, using art and creativity to gain trust, gradually builds a relationship which is non-demanding and understanding. The story is perfect for developing empathy and encouraging acceptance, making it excellent for PSHE or an assembly as well as story time.

David Litchfield’s illustrations capture the heart and spirit of the story perfectly. Teachers - and family- may choose to use the book as a starting point for collaborative art work, perhaps developing a mural or a playground chalking project to encourage older and younger children to develop supportive relationships, perhaps encouraging them to explore and discuss their own emotions.

Gentle and reassuring, ‘The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk’ is a poignant, powerful tale.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

Anne Booth and David Litchfield

Templar ISBN: 978-1800783058

You can read my review of ‘A Shelter for Sadness’ here.

Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster

Nibbles the Book Monster has gone searching for snacks, but he can’t seem to find a book to satisfy his tastes. One’s too slimy, one’s too sweet and the next is too smelly- will he ever find a book which tastes just right?

‘Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster’ is the fifth adventure for everyone’s favourite mischievous monster. Like the other stories, there is so much for little children to enjoy as they follow Nibbles, peeking through die cut holes, lifting flaps and following trails of footprints, making this certain to become an ‘again, again!’ story.

This book about books is perfect for starting discussions about other stories and different types of books. In his search for a tasty snack, Nibbles eats his way through a recipe book, the story of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and a version of ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ which is certain to get readers giggling, but there are plenty of other books to explore in the pictures, offering many little jokes along the way. As Nibbles eats his way into the ‘Cats Pop-Up Book’, for example, he leaves them an escape hole, making a mouse in ‘Hansel and Gretel’ look very worried! Children could suggest other books which Nibbles might enjoy tasting and perhaps create their own pictures exploring his adventures. They might like to make mini books, complete with holes for a Nibbles finger puppet to pop through, allowing them to develop their own stories about this loveable monster.

Readers are sure to enjoy spotting little details in the illustrations, like the wanted poster for Nibbles in the library or all the things he has nibbled on his way across town! Like each of the previous books, ‘The Very Hungry Book Monster’ is sure to become a firm favourite, to be read again and again!

Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster

Emma Yarlett

ISBN: 978-1801046541

PUBLICATION DATE: September 5th 2024

You can read about how to make a Nibbles pencil topper here and see an idea for a Nibbles book balloon here.

Hank Goes Honk

Hank the goose spends a lot of his time being obnoxious. His selfish behaviour and unpleasant manners upset others and mean that Hank can get lonely. So, he decides to change his ways and learn how to be an im-PECK-able goose, but it’s not as easy as it seems!

Published just in time for back to school week, ‘Hank Goes Honk’ is absolutely perfect for school assemblies and class discussions with children of all ages as well as for sharing at home! The text uses the words ‘obnoxious’ and ‘considerate’, clearly explaining what they mean and giving examples of Hank’s behaviour to demonstrate whilst the illustrations clearly show the impact of his actions on those around him. There are so many moments where children will naturally want to pause to discuss Hank’s behaviour, offering the perfect opportunity to develop empathy with the other characters. The impulse for Hank to pop Bunny’s balloon is sure to resonate with many little ones and the story gently shows the affect this has, not only on Bunny, but also on Hank.

One of the best things about the story is that Hank does not instantly become a saint. He tries really hard, but somehow the big, red balloon is just too much for him. This results in his becoming very frustrated with himself, but the story makes it clear that this does not mean that he is irredeemable. This again is a really important point to discuss with children- a one off incident can happen to anyone- support and encouragement is what is needed, not condemnation and shaming!

The illustrations are wonderful with so much to notice and enjoy. I love the little caretaker mouse who spends most of the book scurrying round tidying up after Hank- I feel there is a whole book yet to be written about him! There are so many little details to enjoy which add plenty of humour to Hank’s tale and I’m sure many will want to meet his high five to congratulate him on his improved behaviour!

Full of gentle humour, ‘Hank Goes Honk’ is perfect for encouraging children to be kind and considerate to others.

Hank Goes Honk

Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1801046527

Published 5th September 2024

You can read my review of ‘The Christmas Department Store’ by Maudie Powell-Tuck here and ‘No Sleep for Bear’ by Duncan Beedie here which also has links to reviews of some of his other books.

Flame Chasers

Every year, Ember yearns to fly with the golden flamebirds who pause in their flight at Bright Beacon every year before heading on to their home. Those known as ‘flame chasers’ wait in the harbour, ready to follow the birds in the hope of finding one of their wish-giving tail feathers. But when her Pa goes missing, having left on the hunt without her, Ember is determined to be part of the following year’s chase and gain a feather to wish him back to her. However, finding a lost flamebird which becomes a tiny cinderling in desperate need of returning to the flamebirds’ home quickly to survive, Ember’s quest takes on a new urgency…

What a wonderful book! ‘Flame Chasers’ is a completely captivating story with wonderful characters and such a satisfying conclusion to this tale which yet offers the possibility of more adventures to come in this world!

Having thoroughly enjoyed the story, my ‘teacher brain’ went into overdrive. It would make a brilliant class story for a Year 5 or 6 class, offering plenty of dramatic bits to pause reading at, sure to cause cries of protest and requests for ‘just another chapter!’ But this is also a book which would make an excellent class text, supporting and developing English work.

Careful language choices and rich descriptions build a vivid sense of this world and its settings, offering great models for encouraging children to develop their own ideas and create their own locations, perhaps building maps to help them navigate. Ember is such a wonderful character, loving and loyal, full of empathy for others and with a strong moral code which supports the choices she makes. Stanley, who she meets whilst setting out on her quest, is led by his desire for his heart’s desire which clouds his judgement early on in the story, but he, too, has a good heart and tries to put things right. I also love the fact that the adults were not just neatly disposed of in this story. Stanley’s mum, Aggie, plays a key role in their adventure without overshadowing them or leading the action and is shown to be just as fallible as they are.

The story also lends itself to discussions about hunting wildlife and the ethics (or lack of them) of those involved. Some only chase the birds in the hope of finding a fallen feather whilst others have more sinister intentions, ready to exploit and harm these gorgeous creatures in their pursuit of wishes. This could easily be linked to work on explorers and naturalists who collected specimens and the methods which they employed versus the conservation work carried out today. The subject of ‘what would you wish for’ would also be an interesting topic to discuss!

‘Flame Chasers’ is an utterly absorbing read. Loved it!

Flame Chasers

Julie Pike

Firefly ISBN: 978-1915444554

A Riddle for a King

Philo (rhymes with high-low) has always longed for adventure, but when he follows a strange creature called Mr Spronkel through the oak door of the grandfather clock, he finds himself in a very strange place indeed. To find his way home, he must somehow pass through the Penguin Gate to the Flying Castle to ask the King for help, somehow avoiding drop-bears, answering the Bridge-Riddler’s puzzle and not being turned into a teapot by the Midnight Witch along the way!

Completely surreal and utterly entertaining, ‘A Riddle for a King’ is a quirky adventure, full of friendship and fun. As I read it, the crazy characters, weird and wonderful places and constant riddling reminded me of Alice’s Adventures, yet this is a tale all of its own!

It’s also very hard to review! It is a quite delightfully bonkers adventure which is full of humour and riddles, keeping the reader entertained to the very end! Reading the author’s ‘Afterthought’ offers plenty to think about and plenty to investigate should interest have been piqued, but the plot tumbles along at a pleasing pace so many may just enjoy it in the moment. After all, what’s not to love about chapter titles like ‘wronger than a conga’?!

Often bemused by his new surroundings, Philo’s friendship with Verity, a girl he meets on his quest to get back home, helps him to find confidence and start to see things differently. Her strong sense of right and wrong, her loyalty and quick wits are essential to his success, but this is a very real friendship with some misunderstandings and bickerings along the way which mean nothing when the chips are down and they need each other!

Perfect for those children who are looking for something a little different, ‘A Riddle for a King’ is great fun!

A Riddle for a King

Mark Forsyth, illustrated by Matthew Land

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788453165

Blog Tour: Aliya Aboard the Time Train

Welcome to the third stop on the time travelling Silver Express on an exhilarating journey through Egyptian history and culture with Laila Rifaat, author of the Aliya series.

Letter 3: Read like a Ptolemaian (The Ptolemaic era, Ancient Alexandria)

Dear Geddo,

By now you might have received a chronogram with the news about Professor Fayruz. Poor old sphinx…It was so horrible seeing him lying there stiff and cold. We found him just as we were heading back to the train after our excursion to the Old Kingdom. Some travellers are saying that he was murdered! The whole matter is so disturbing, but please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine and anyway, there’s no way of turning the train around now that we’re in the time tunnel.

In line with our present stop in the Ptolemaic era, the dining coach has been redecorated to fit the style, with the genie waiters, musicians, and coach attendants all wearing draped tunics with colourful sashes, leather sandals and headbands made of gold and leather. In an attempt to brighten the mood, the guests were given Ptolemaic headdresses to wear. Victoria got a ‘Crown of Isis,’ which had a sun-disk between a pair of cow-horns. I could tell she wasn’t sure whether to be proud or embarrassed to wear it. Aion and I got lotus-crowns which were really pretty. Soliman told us that the lotus flower which was sacred in ancient Egypt. Charlotte, our chaperone, got a headdress with cobras which I thought suited her well. She’s always hissing at us.

I hadn’t expected Ptolemaic fashion and food to be so like the one we had from Ancient Egypt. Soliman explained that this was because the Ptolemies, who came from Greece, took on a lot of the Egyptians’ way of life when they drove out the Persians and settled in Egypt. They seemed a bit divided about Egypt though, because while they liked to present themselves like Egyptian pharaohs, they refused to speak anything but Greek and only put their own people in positions of power. Soliman said they never really assimilated to Egyptian culture. Still, they liked to style themselves as Pharaohs.  Maybe they liked the outfits, or was it to win the Egyptians’ favour by adopting their culture? I’m not sure.

After dessert we headed for the outfitting coach to get dressed for our visit to the Ptolemaic era. I got to wear a purple-striped tunic, and a cloak with a hood. It was really comfortable, and quite stylish too. Arsione, who is from that time, helped dress mine and the other girls’ hair with gold bands and headdresses.

The first portal took us to a spot on a hill, overlooking the ancient town of Alexandria. It felt so strange standing there, looking out over the city I know so well from my own time. But this was sometime around 330 BCE! So, no traffic jams or hotels lining the coastline. It did look impressive though, with a great harbour, countless temples, and a massive lighthouse.

Soliman told us that the city was founded and named by Alexander the Great who drove the Persians out of Egypt in 332 BCE. Ptolomy, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, was one of his generals who took over when Alexander died. He’s went on to make Alexandria an important port and an intellectual hot spot. The Ptolomies founded the Library of Alexandria and built a famous lighthouse, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and one of the highest buildings of the ancient world. Only the pyramids of Giza are higher.

Next, we headed to the library, to a complex known as the Mouseion which housed a research institute, an astronomical observatory, gardens, and even a zoo. While passing through we ran into scholars, scientists, and philosophers from all over the world that had come to Alexandria to study, experiment, and debate the hot topics of the day.

The Ptolomies who were the patrons of the library were really crazy about books, even more than you. They would go to great lengths to get hold of them, or the scrolls on which they were written, and would collect everything from cookbooks to maps to philosophical treaties. They would even send special agents to steal or barter for manuscripts. Once a Ptolemy ruler tricked some famous philosophers, saying he would ‘borrow’ their original texts to copy them for his library. He ended up sending them the copies and keeping the originals. I can’t imagine going that crazy over some old scrolls of philosophy to the point that you want to steal them!

The library was really cool though, I’ve got to admit. I visited last year during the assessments, remember? It would have been a fond memory, but now it’s tainted by the fact that the most evil magician in the travel world was there with me.

Anyway, before heading back to the train we got to see some of Alexandria’s wide, straight roads and massive grand temples, palaces, and monuments that mixed Greek and Egyptian styles. Soliman told us that the city often came alive with festivals, parades, and celebrations honouring the gods and goddesses of both cultures. So, the Ptolomies were party animals as well as intellectuals.

I got to go now. Charlotte’s making us take baths to wash off ‘dangerous ancient germs.’ I’ll write again as soon as I get a chance. Please don’t worry.

Your granddaughter,

Aliya

Useful links

• Ptolemaian fashion: https://rawi-publishing.com/articles/ptolemaic_fashion

• History of the Ptolemaic era: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemaic_Dynasty/

• Library of Alexandria: https://www.worldhistory.org/Library_of_Alexandria/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Library-of-Alexandria

About Laila Rifaat

Laila moved to Cairo, Egypt, in her twenties to explore her father’s native country. She fell in love with the country and has lived in Cairo for over 30 years now. It remains a main source of inspiration for her stories. She has an MA in English and Comparative Literature and has worked as an ESL and IGCSE teacher. Nowadays she’s a full-time writer and stay-at-home mum to her four kids. Find out more at www.lailarifaat.com

Aliya Aboard the Time Train

The spectacular sequel to Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy Aliya to the Infinite City. 

When sinister magic threatens Aliya’s world once more, she is sent away on a school trip for her own safety aboard the time-travelling Silver Express. But what is supposed to be an educational journey through Egyptian history becomes a deadly race to save it from evil time-twister and master of disguise, Dorian Darke. Find out more at

https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/schools/laila-rifaat/

My review will follow soon…