Category Archives: Book Review

All Sorts by Pippa Goodhart and Emily Rand

A joyful picture book celebrating how differences enrich our world, this is a story told with a kindly understanding that will reassure and guide young children. ”It takes all sorts” my Mum used to say to me occasionally. She was … Continue reading

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Reading Matters – news from the world of children’s books

Hello and welcome to another look at the latest news from the world of children’s books. It’s been another busy week and no doubt I have missed out some delights but I have tried to give an overview of what’s … Continue reading

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The Little War Cat by Hiba Noor Khan illustrated by Laura Chamberlain

A beautiful story of kindness and hope in the midst of conflict The Little War Cat encourages empathy and understanding and celebrates how each small act of care can make a big difference. A picture book full of compassion. We … Continue reading

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Amazing Women of the Middle East by Wafa’ Tarnowska – an interview with the author

This is a fascinating book. Fascinating, important and inspiring, this collection of ‘amazing women’ fully deserves a place in every school. This beautifully presented book, fully illustrated throughout, is original in both concept and style. Readers are able to learn … Continue reading

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Anisha Accidental Detective: School’s Cancelled! by Serena Patel illustrated by Emma McCann

The second in this series sees science loving Anisha hoping to represent her school in the forthcoming science fair. However all does not go as planned and Anisha soon finds that her detective skills will be required to sort out … Continue reading

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To the Island by Patricia Forde illustrated by Nicola Bernardelli

This lyrical story by award winning author Patricia Forde accompanied by Nicola Bernadelli’s stunning illustrations is based on the mythical Irish island of Hy Brasil, which, according to tradition, lies off the west coast of Galway. The book was commissioned as … Continue reading

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The Key to Finding Jack by Ewa Jozefkowicz cover illustration by Katy Riddell

Flick and her older brother Jack have a close bond, spending time together and sharing a love of solving riddles each evening. When Jack goes missing following an earthquake while on a gap year trip in Peru Flick is determined … Continue reading

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Super Readable Books For Children

In her helpful guide to nurturing readers, The Book Whisperer, teacher Donalyn Miller prefers the term ‘dormant readers’ to the more widely used ‘reluctant readers’ arguing that these are children who have not yet found the right book to hook … Continue reading

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Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights: a retelling by Tanya Landman

One of my favourite books as a teen was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, a book that caught my imagination and lingered in my memory for years. As an adult I read and enjoyed The Tennant of Wildfell Hall by … Continue reading

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Brilliant New Children’s Books – illustrated young fiction and middle grade adventure

Over the last few weeks several new books have been published for children including some that were delayed due to the pandemic and I would like to share just three of them. Children overcoming fears, making friends, having adventures, magic, … Continue reading

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