Tag Archives: review

Book Advent – Children’s Books for Christmas Week 1

The Dog That Saved Christmas by Nicola Davies illustrated by Mike Byrne  Award winning author Nicola Davies tells this story, of a boy for whom Christmas is a strain rather than a joy and the dog that helps him to … Continue reading

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The Skylarks’ War by Hilary McKay

A wonderful story, characters you grow to love, a plot that carries you along with families as they grow from young children to adulthood set against the backdrop of a terrible war that affected so many, this is a book … Continue reading

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The Carnegie Award Nominations – a quick look at the list

The nominations have been announced for two prestigious literary awards. The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded for an outstanding book written for children and young people and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded for distinguished illustration. This year, 254 … Continue reading

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White Feather by Catherine and David MacPhail

This is a powerful story about the tragic impact of the First World War on both the soldiers who fought and the families that they left behind. The war is over and the whole town is celebrating as the soldiers … Continue reading

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Corey’s Rock by Sita Brahmachari and Jane Ray

This is a beautiful book about the transformative power of stories which will in turn be able to offer the gift of consolation and hope to its readers. Isla and her Mum and Dad have moved to the Isles of … Continue reading

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The Ink House by Rory Dobner

Welcome to the Ink House, an artist’s mysterious mansion built on a magical lake of ink that inspires creativity in anyone who lives there. When the artist goes away on a trip an array of animals great and small venture … Continue reading

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The Lost Magician by Piers Torday

When I was about eight or nine years old I was given the book  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a present. It was the book that turned me into ”a reader”. For the first time I felt … Continue reading

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Perfect Picture Books for Libraries Week

Libraries Week takes place between the 8–13 October to celebrate the nation’s much-loved libraries. This year, with a focus on well being libraries across the country will showcase how they bring communities together, combat loneliness, provide a space for reading and … Continue reading

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Secrets of a Sun King by Emma Carroll – Review and Link to Resources

Five years ago this month I reviewed Emma Carroll’s debut novel Frost Hollow Hall for The Bookbag. At the time I said that the ten year old me would have loved the book. Each of her subsequent novels has reminded … Continue reading

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The Lost Diary of Sami Star by Karen McCombie

In her latest book for Barrington Stoke Karen McCombie captures the voice of a young girl who feels she is invisible to her family and friends but gradually discovers that friendship can be found in the most unlikely places. Life … Continue reading

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