Today I am pleased to be taking part in the blog tour marking the publication of the second in the Super Questers series of chapter books, Rainforest Magic. Paul Ian Cross is an award winning author and scientist and his appealing series, a perfect mix of STEM and story, is a great way of encouraging would be scientists.

Rainforest Magic follows friends Lilli, Leo, and Bea, who transform into superheroes to save a sick capybara in Questland’s rainforest. We meet the three friends initially as they prepare for a camping adventure in Bea’s auntie’s garden where they spot a guinea pig who is sick. They take the poorly animal to auntie’s vet surgery and while there their magical amulets light up and the children are whisked away to the magical land of Questland. Once there they find themselves on a raft hurtling down a raging river from which they are rescued by a talking jaguar who tells the children that their quest is to find a cure for his friend, Puddle Waddle the capybara. Puddle Waddle has similar symptoms to the sick guinea pig they have left behind at the vet surgery so the friends are eager to help and combine science and magic to help their new friend.

This story effectively combines adventure with educational content as information is incorporated within both the narrative and the key fact boxes which appear occasionally throughout the text. For example the children learn about the importance of the root system of trees, what causes allergies, the origins of medicines in the plant kingdom and information about capybaras. There are riddles and puzzles for the characters, and the readers, to solve which may engage the more reluctant young readers. At the end of the story, the book includes a variety of interactive features and experiments for children to try at home or school. It also features a map and a glossary highlighting vocabulary such as bioluminescence, circumference, stamen and tissue to further aid learning.

The story contains likable characters facing peril and using their STEM skills and teamwork to overcome challenges and this is a clever way of introducing children to the topics of health and medicine alongside the popular themes of animals and nature. Rainforest Magic supports the National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2 and is pitched at readers of about 6+. At just over 120 pages and with appealing illustrations throughout this would be a good choice for encouraging reading progression.

I should like to thank the publishers, Quest Friendz for providing my review copy and Claire Morrison for her help in preparing this blogpost. Please do follow the rest of the blog tour to find out more about Super Questers Mission: Rainforest Magic.