Tag Archives: review

The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay

Posted on October 23, 2020 by

I fell in love with this book from the opening paragraph. Hilary McKay’s gorgeous writing captures both the power of stories to transport us and the promise that magic exists if we open our eyes to it. “There were no … Continue reading →

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Jungledrop by Abi Elphinstone

Posted on October 15, 2020 by

The second story in the Unmapped Chronicles is full of adventure, magic, threat and danger and, most importantly, of the transforming power of kindness and understanding. “Take the marble. Then run, girl, run headlong into this adventure. The Unmapped Kingdoms … 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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After the War by Tom Palmer

Posted on July 30, 2020 by

In recent years Tom Palmer has written historical fiction for children that has focussed on events that took place during the two world wars. Both Armistice Runner and D-Day Dog are books that are enjoyed by young readers and also enable them … Continue reading →

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