Category Archives: Book Review

Engaging Books for Independent Young Readers

Posted on January 22, 2025 by alibrarylady

When children first show an indication that they are ready to progress on to slightly longer independent reads they can still find pages of dense text a little daunting. Thankfully there has been a growth in highly illustrated quality fiction … Continue reading →

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The Great Theatre Rescue by Judith Eagle

Posted on January 17, 2025 by alibrarylady

One of the joys of reading books written for children is being transported back to one’s own childhood and the luxury of escaping to a world where good triumphs against the odds, characters grow in confidence, and everything comes together … Continue reading →

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Exploring Nature: Children’s Picture Books for Budding Bee Lovers

Posted on January 15, 2025 by alibrarylady

At the moment in the depths of January, when the evenings are still dark and snow has been falling in parts of the country it is difficult to imagine Spring, sunshine and spending time planting, sowing and encouraging summer insects. … Continue reading →

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Discover Scallywag Press: New Picture Books for Children

Posted on January 10, 2025 by alibrarylady

Scallywag Press now five years old, is a small publisher whose books are worth seeking out. They specialise in publishing talented newcomers and re-issues of established creators and classics. Here are three of their recently published picture books to give you … Continue reading →

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My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle

Posted on January 8, 2025 by alibrarylady

My Name is Samim is a powerful, at times heartbreaking, debut novel by Fidan Meikle, an Azerbaijani-British writer, linguist and translator. Meikle tells the story of a thirteen year old boy from Afghanistan who is fleeing his home after the … Continue reading →

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New Books for Children from Barrington Stoke

Posted on January 2, 2025 by alibrarylady

Barrington Stoke are getting 2025 off to a great start with the publication of several new books for young readers and I would like to highlight three titles which I think will encourage potential bookworms. The Moonlight Mystery Agency : … Continue reading →

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Exploring Grief Through Fantasy: A Review of ‘The World Between the Rain’

Posted on December 29, 2024 by alibrarylady

Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim Vicki Harrison There are many quotes about grief, many metaphors … Continue reading →

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Blog Tour: The December Witches by Jennifer Claessen with illustrations by Heidi Cannon

Posted on December 4, 2024 by alibrarylady

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour to mark the publication in November of The December Witches, the final book in the A Month of Magic trilogy. This series blends family relationships, magic and Arthurian legend in exciting adventures … Continue reading →

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I Flew Around The World by Zara Rutherford illustrated by Jiatong Liu

Posted on November 25, 2024 by alibrarylady

When she was 19 years old Zara Rutherford set off on a daunting adventure to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world. I Flew Around the World, Zara’s chronicle of her journey, is an enthralling read covering … Continue reading →

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Engaging Children with Non-Fiction for National Non-Fiction November

Posted on November 15, 2024 by alibrarylady

The theme for National Non-Fiction November 2024 is ‘Why Don’t You?’ which aims to stimulate discussion about hobbies and leisure activities and to encourage children to try something new. Neon Squid are a relatively new publisher whose aim is to … Continue reading →

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