Category Archives: Book Review

Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson

Posted on May 1, 2025 by alibrarylady

Jenny Pearson has a reputation for balancing hilarity with a thoughtful look at life. Shrapnel Boys, her first work of historical fiction, is a departure; however, it is rich in her understanding of children and how they interact with each … Continue reading →

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Blog Tour: Super Questers Mission: River Crest Rescue by Paul Ian Cross illustrated by Katie Kear and Cherie Zamazing

Posted on April 29, 2025 by alibrarylady

Today I am delighted to be kicking off the blog tour marking the publication of River Crest Rescue, the first chapter book for early readers in the Super Quest series. Paul Ian Cross is the author of the Royal Society’s … Continue reading →

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Inspiring New Stories for Children From Barrington Stoke

Posted on April 9, 2025 by alibrarylady

The team at Barrington Stoke have been busy and there has been a flurry of new titles published recently or due out this month. I should like to highlight three books, all of which are suitable for readers age 9+ with … Continue reading →

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Under A Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean

Posted on April 7, 2025 by alibrarylady

Under a Fire- Red Sky is inspired by Geraldine McCaughrean’s own family experience since she draws on the life of her father who was a fire fighter during the Second World War. Award winning McCaughrean writes with a directness that … Continue reading →

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Inclusive Children’s Literature: A Focus on Down Syndrome

Posted on March 21, 2025 by alibrarylady

Friday 21st March is World Down Syndrome Day. Why the 21st March? The 21st day of March (the 3rd month of the year) was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down … Continue reading →

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Blog Tour: Please Don’t Read the Footnotes Please by Rob Walton illustrated by Reena Makwana

Posted on March 19, 2025 by alibrarylady

Humour is quite often the ‘hook’ that can draw children into reading. Equally many children are overwhelmed by the length of some novels and find collections of short stories or novellas more appealing. Former teacher Rob Walton has created something … Continue reading →

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Interactive Books for Babies and Toddlers

Posted on March 17, 2025 by alibrarylady

A recent report said that children in this country – post-pandemic, post austerity – are facing a “happiness recession”. I don’t think books are the answer but I do think that encountering books early in life, through the attention of someone … Continue reading →

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The Beck by Anthony McGowan: A Review

Posted on March 11, 2025 by alibrarylady

There is a new book published this week from a winning combination of author and publisher that I have been looking forward to reading for a while. In 2020 Anthony McGowan won the Carnegie Award for Lark, the final book … Continue reading →

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Pick of the New Children’s Books for February

Posted on February 10, 2025 by alibrarylady

An animal whodunit for new readers, entertaining little witches on a mission, dragons and danger, exploring life on the Moon and a ghostly visitor in the fog feature in my selection of books for children this month. Gruff Justice by … Continue reading →

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Blog Tour: All Brains Are Wonderful written by Scott Evans, illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond with Expert Consultant Dr. Rachel Williams

Posted on January 31, 2025 by alibrarylady

B Small Publishing have for some time been one of my favourite publishers. As a small indpendent publisher they specialise in creative, educational titles with high child appeal and their information books encourage their readers to discover new things. When … Continue reading →

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