Category Archives: Book Review

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

Posted on September 23, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on September 16, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on September 11, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on September 7, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on September 2, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on September 1, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on August 25, 2020 by alibrarylady

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

Posted on August 17, 2020 by alibrarylady

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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New Picture Books – stories to put smiles on faces

Posted on August 5, 2020 by alibrarylady

There is a flurry of activity in the world of children’s books at the moment with several books being published this week and among the range of titles are these two picture books. They made me smile and I think … Continue reading →

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Sequin and Stitch by Laura Dockrill illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

Posted on August 3, 2020 by alibrarylady

Laura Dockrill’s debut for Barrington Stoke weaves together family, loss and hope in a story that is both poignant and striking in its portrayal of our society. This is a touching and imaginative tale with love at its centre. Nine … Continue reading →

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