Tag Archives: fantasy

New Children’s Books this January

Posted on January 2, 2026 by alibrarylady

The Not-So-Great Escape by Emma Green The Not-So-Great Escape is Emma Green’s first children’s book and is described by her publishers, Usborne Books, as a “hilarious and heartbreaking” road trip adventure. The trailer highlights the hilarious rather than the heartbreaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Book of Stolen Dreams: The Final Battle by David Farr illustrations by Kristina Kister

Posted on December 29, 2025 by alibrarylady

Even if you are not a lover of children’s books the name David Farr is probably familiar to you. As I sat down to write this review I noticed that his adaptation of John le Carré’s, The Night Manager continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

New Fiction for Children

Posted on June 5, 2025 by alibrarylady

The first in a brand new series for newly confident readers, the welcome return of an old favourite, a ghostly train ride back in time and how to overcome the difficulties of being a young carer feature in this look … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons by Abi Elphinstone illustrations by Kristina Kister

Posted on February 12, 2024 by alibrarylady

Adventures are a bit like hiccups. They can happen to anyone at anytime…” Mrs Rickety-Knees page 3 Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons For as long as she can remember ten year old Ember Spark has yearned for adventure … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Children’s Books – A November Reading Round Up

Posted on November 28, 2023 by alibrarylady

Christmas picture books, a humorous retelling of a festive favourite, four brave children tackling a wicked Fairy Queen, Irish folklore and magic, a graphic novel memoir and a gothic mystery make up my November reading. I hope there is something … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Glassborn by Peter Bunzl

Posted on November 3, 2023 by alibrarylady

Glassborn by Peter Bunzl, the standalone sequel to Magicborn, is a treat of a read. A story in the best tradition of children’s literature, a magical, historical fantasy tale of riddles and curses, secrets, spells and excitement set in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Children’s Books: A Summer Reading Round Up

Posted on August 29, 2023 by alibrarylady

In the absence of my weekly Reading Matters news letter I decided to take the opportunity to tackle my mountains of books that I had not had time to read. Did I succeed? Well, almost! There are still many wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Chestnut Roaster by Eve McDonnell illustrations by Ewa Beniak- Haremska

Posted on November 6, 2022 by alibrarylady

The Chestnut Roaster is an utterly mesmerising read. It is a story of good versus evil, imaginative and original, carrying the reader along in an adventure that defies labelling. Historical fiction and fantasy combine to create something refreshingly different and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments