Difference between revisions of "Newest For Sharing Reviews"

From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to search
 
(837 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Category:For Sharing|*]]
 
[[Category:For Sharing|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|For Sharing]]
+
[[Category:New Reviews|For Sharing]]__NOTOC__
__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|author=Adam Stower
|title=How to Babysit a Grandad
+
|title=Murray and Bun
|author=Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish
+
|rating=4.5
|rating=4
+
|genre=Confident Readers
|genre=For Sharing
+
|summary=Murray is supposed to be a humble, tidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the twoBut he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and the catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the regular back garden, but into a world of frightening adventure and whiffs.  This time round it drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, to be honest, but he's turned up and he'll have to do…
|summary=It's very important to know how to babysit your grandadYou'll need to know what he likes to eat (Icecream topped with cookies or anything dipped in ketchup!)  You'll also need to know how to keep him entertained (somersault across the room!)  In case you've ever wondered about the best ways to look after your grandad then this is the book for you!
+
|isbn=0008561249
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444915886</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1732898766
|title=I Love You Father Christmas
+
|title=The Adventures of Birpus and Bulbus: Book One: The Sour Milk Dragon
|author=Giles Andreae and Emma Dodd
+
|author=Wynn Everett-Albanese, Michael Albanese and Indre Ta (Illustrator)
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=This is a rather ''lovely letter to Santa'' style book, told entirely in verse. It starts off with the title words, ''I love you Father Christmas'' and works through why the gentleman in question rocks:
+
|summary=When we first meet Birpus and Bulbus they're running for their lives in the Forest of Fine Repute. Their greatest fear has come about: the Sour Milk Dragon is chasing them.  He's right behind them, spewing hot, sour milk from his nostrils.  (Please don't try this at home: it won't end well.)  Fortunately, they were nearly at Nobby Lob-lolly - and when a ladder of moss and vines was lowered for them, they escaped.  They climbed up to the Tree Wee homes high up in the tangled woods where they lived with their Grand Wees, Nester Nook and Granny Cranny.
 
 
''Your beard looks amazing''<br>
 
''And yes, you’re rather fat''<br>
 
''But you probably just like eating''<br>
 
''And there’s nothing wrong with that''
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408330229</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=B0CC9W7GLR
|title=Fishy Tales
+
|title=On the Beach: The Winter Visitor
|author=Rob Scotton
+
|author=Chris Green and Jenny Fionda
|rating=4
+
|rating=5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Even cats have to go to school too, y’know? And Splat is no exception. Today they’re going on a school trip to the aquarium, though, which is a bit exciting if you’re a cat, even if your teacher (the fabulously named Mrs Wimpydimple) is very clear on the ground rules: look with your eyes, not with your hands. And absolutely no eating of the fish!
+
|summary=Kit and Teal were just beginning to wonder whether it was better to be at home, bored but warm, or frozen cold and building sand sculptures on a snowy beach when a large slab of silvery ice drifted onto the shoreline. On top of the ice was a polar bear.  As the ice bumped onto the sand, the bear woke and with wobbly legs moved from the ice.  Kit was all for making a run for it, but Teal knew that the bear was hungry and gave him one apple and then another.  He obviously needed to be taken home on the bus and given a good meal and somewhere to sleep. What else would you do?
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0061978523</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1913839656
|title=Wibbly Pig Picks a Pet
+
|title=Let's Celebrate Being Different
|author=Mick Inkpen
+
|author=Lainey Dee
|rating=5
+
|rating=3.5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Big Pig's sister's friend is choosing a pet, but Wibbly and Scruffy can't wait to meet. They imagine all sorts of pets she might choose. Could it be an elephant, a polar bear or a dinosaur? They think of all sorts of fun choices, while hoping she chooses anything at all except a rabbit. Rabbits are boring according to Wibbly and Scruffy - at least until they see one.
+
|summary=Todd was excited about spending the weekend with his grandmother, not least because she made the best beetle juice. He packed two pairs of dungarees and his favourite hat and then gathered together his button collection to show his grandmother. She had promised to take him to the Friday Night Club at the local community centre and Todd was pleased about this as he wanted to make new friends. At home, his only friend was his mum and he wondered why that could be. Grandma thought that it might be because he looked different.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444908219</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
 
 
{{newreview
 
|title=Toucan Can
 
|author=Juliette MacIver and Sarah Davis
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=Emerging Readers
 
|summary=If you’ve ever wondered what a toucan can do, this book will tell you. The answer, in a nutshell, is EVERYTHING!. Some are typical things – dancing and singing and sliding and swinging. Some are more random – banging a frying pan, doing the cancan. But they all look like a lot of fun, and the question remains: ''can you do what Toucan can?'' I bet, I bet, I bet you can!
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1877467537</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1529504775
|title=The Christmas Carrot
+
|title=The Toy Bus (The Repair Shop Stories)
|author=Allan Plenderleith
+
|author=Amy Sparkes and Katie Hickey
 
|rating=4.5
 
|rating=4.5
|genre=Emerging Readers
+
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=It’s Christmas time, and there’s every reason to be afraid, at least if you’re a carrot. While everyone else is getting excited about the season, the Christmas carrot is dreading it. He’s about to go under the knife and emerge as a side dish on the family dinner table tomorrow. Gulp! Luckily Billy has other ideas, and seizes him from the kitchen where his dad (a nice touch…it’s not just mums who cook) had been about to prepare him. Outside they go, heading for Billy’s snowman who is missing one small feature… a nose! It’s a last minute save from the chopping board, but the Christmas carrot is still not happy with this career change, because it’s, y’know, rather cold out here. And so his adventure continues.
+
|summary=Elsie and her little brother David loved to go to the park and watch the red buses drive past. Elsie would race the buses along the side of the park but David couldn't - he'd been born with cerebral palsy and even just standing up was very difficult.  One day Elsie spotted a bus in the toy shop window which would help David - and was happy to use the coins from her money box to pay for it as cash was tight at home. Gradually, David learned to stand up, use the bus for support, and walk behind it.  Many decades later, Elsie brought the bus, now damaged and rusted, to the Repair Shop, hoping that the experts there could make it so that her grandchildren could play with it.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841613754</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1529504767
|title=Wibbly Pig and the Tooky
+
|title=The Christmas Doll (The Repair Shop Stories)
|author=Mick Inkpen
+
|author=Amy Sparkes and Katie Hickey
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=I had a feeling, when I saw the cover of this book, that I was going to enjoy itI wasn't disappointed.  Something really tickled me as I read this book, and I have since flicked through it again, by myself, without the kids! So that's usually a good sign of a good children's picture bookEspecially if I now sneak it upstairs onto ''my'' picture book bookshelf where I keep all my personal favourites from our ridiculously large collection and I try to keep sticky fingers off them and keep them for special reading times together!
+
|summary=Susan was very young when she was evacuated from London in 1939 and nervous about how she would be greeted when she got to her final destinationShe needn't have worried though as she went to the home of Mr and Mrs Russell, who couldn't have been kinder to her.  She even had her own room - all to herself. Gradually she relaxed and began to enjoy her lifeShe'd help Mrs Russell with the baking and when it came to Christmas Eve Susan and Mr Russell put the decorations on the Christmas tree.  The best surprise happened the following morning.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444912232</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1916459943
|title=Winnie's Pirate Adventure
+
|title=Squeakily Baby
|author=Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
+
|author=Beth Webb
|rating=3.5
+
|rating=4
|genre=For Sharing
 
|summary=We like Winnie the Witch stories in our house.  We have a whole bag full of them, and have read them many times over, so when my daughter saw this new one she was very excited.  Sadly, it didn't quite live up to our (admittedly high) expectations.  This new story sees Winnie head off on a pirate adventure which should, you would think, have the makings of an excellent story.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0192736019</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
 
 
{{newreview
 
|title=Ding Dong Gorilla
 
|author=Michelle Robinson and Leonie Lord
 
|rating=5
 
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=We never learn the name of the main character in ''Ding Dong Gorilla''.  This book is told in the first person, from the point of view of a very young child and addressed to his parent. This works quite well in this story, because most children will be able to identify very easily with the protagonist and most parents will identify with the unseen mother whom this story is directed to. The story begins with a sheepish looking wee boy reminding his mother how they had ordered a huge pizza. Unfortunately, he has a bit of bad news to break first.
+
|summary=Much as mothers love their babies, there's something they all dread - a squeakily baby.  He's so tired but he can't - or won't - go to sleep: instead, he just lies on his blanket and ''wails''.  The sea offers to help.  It rocks Baby gently and the waves sing ''hush, hush''.  Think of gentle wavelets falling onto a sandy beach and you have the sound perfectly. The mermaids join in - ''la lou, la lay...''  And for a moment it seems to have worked as Baby closes his eyes. Then a seagull '''shouts''' and we know exactly what's going to happen next.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408312018</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=140639131X
|title=Rosie Revere, Engineer
+
|title=A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant
|author=Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
+
|author=Briony May Smith
 
|rating=4.5
 
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Andrea Beaty and David Roberts make a great team.  Their previous book, ''Iggy Peck, Architect'', is a best seller and has a lot in common with ''Rosie Revere, Engineer''.  Both stories offer hope and encouragement to children who feel at odds and left out of the mainstreamRosie is very shy and cannot bring herself to join in at school.  But at home she sparkles and comes to life while building inventive gadgets from odds and ends, often using things rescued from the binWhen her favourite uncle laughs at one of her contraptions (made especially for him), Rosie is mortified and it takes the exuberant help of another relative to bring her back out of her shell.
+
|summary=Philippa Pheasant was ''tired'' of nearly getting squished as she tried to cross the Old Oak RoadShe wrote to the mayor about the problem but didn't even get a replyPhilippa wasn't a bird to sit back on her tail feathers when there was a problem which needed solving: she saw the benefits of the lollipop lady at the school crossing and decided that she would set up something similar herselfHer uniform and lollipop stick were both a little amateur to start with but the benefits were obviousAll the animals used the crossing and Hedgehog was even trained up to provide a safe path overnight.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1419708457</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1776574338
|title=Lollipop and Grandpa and the Christmas Baby
+
|title=Leilong's Too Long!
|author=Penelope Harper and Cate James
+
|author=Julia Liu and Bei Lynn
|rating=3.5
+
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Lollipop’s mum has just made an announcement. She started off sneakily by asking Lollipop and her brother James how they’d feel about welcoming another brother or sister to the family, but Lollipop is not stupid. She knows it’s not really up for debate. It’s already a done deal.
+
|summary=Every morning Leilong, the brontosaurus school bus, makes his way through the city, picking up children as he goes. Children who live at the top of tower blocks don't even need to go downstairs – they simply climb out of the window and slide down his neck.  It's perfect, isn't it?  What could be a more fun way of going to school?  There is a problem, though. Leilong isn't happy in the city: he's always having to be careful about where he puts his feet and – because he's longer than a tennis court – he often causes damage without intending to and traffic regularly gets snarled up. The school decides that he can't be the bus anymore.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1907912274</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1776574028
|title=Pigeon Pie, Oh My!
+
|title=Bumblebee Grumblebee
|author=Debbie Singleton and Kristyna Litten
+
|author=David Elliott
|rating=4.5
+
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=This tale is a gently humorous picture book gem from Debbie Singleton and illustrator Kristyna Litten. Farmer Budd goes about his daily work, feeding animals and repairing the old scarecrow.  But when he sets off to market he forgets to close the gate…..leaving the way open for the goat to cause havocDown tumbles the scarecrow and in come the pigeons with their beady eyes set on the corn cropTiny chick cleverly stops their plan in a way that may remind some young readers of a certain mouse in Julia Donaldson’s [[The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson|The Gruffalo]].
+
|summary=I love a good board book! ''Bumblebee Grumblebee'' is aimed at quite a niche market: it's for the child who still enjoys board books (er, see my first sentence) but has mastered sufficient language skills to have realise that you can ''play'' with words and make something quite different from each oneWe have the elephant who dons a tutu - and becomes a ''balletphant''The buffalo who has had a bath (complete with yellow duck) and then dries off with a hair drier becomes a ''fluffalo''.  The rhinoceros who drops his ice cream cone is a ''crynoceros'' (think about it!)  The pelican who sits on his potty changes into a ''sm.......''  OK, let's not go there  Some people are eating!
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0192734148</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1838226834
|title=Upside Down Babies
+
|title=Carried Away With the Carnival
|author=Jeanne Willis and Adrian Reynolds
+
|author=Ed Boxall
|rating=5
+
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=
+
|summary=It was one of those memories we treasure from our childhoods: an outing with our grandparents. They're there to undo all the good that parents do, so the trips out were always so much fun. A young boy was going to the carnival with his Grandad, who told him:
Upside Down Babies is not about flipping little ones over and getting them to do headstands before they can walk (though, seriously, the earlier you start the better). No, it’s even more fun than that. The Earth has flipped! The sky is no longer blue – it’s brown like the ground instead. And the ground is brown like the sky used to be. Uh oh! Everything and everyone has gone tumbling, from the animals in the pictures to the text on the page. And while what goes up must come down, it might not come down in the place it should.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849395330</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
  
{{newreview
+
''It'll be brilliant, just remember, don't let go of my hand.''
|title=The Faber Book of Nursery Stories
 
|author=Barbara Ireson and Shirley Hughes
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|summary=A whopping 45 stories make up this reissued book of nursery stories perfectly pitched at the pre-school and early years audience. There are animal stories and stories about fantasy creatures. There are tales of good, sweet children and tales of naughty, crotchety ones. There are stories that go on for pages and others that finish after a few paragraphs. There are entries you might end up reading again and again, and entries you might read once or not at all, in favour of the favourites instead.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571307590</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=B09MYXSRV4
|title=Barbapapa
+
|title=Otter's Coat: The Real Reason Turtle Raced Rabbit: A Cherolachian Tortoise and Hare
|author=Annette Tison and Talus Taylor
+
|author=Cordellya Smith
|rating=5
+
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Bibliophiles over the age of 40 may have fond memories of a certain shape-shifting character by the name of Barbapapa who appeared in a series of children's books back in the 1970’s. The books were originally written in French, but gained popularity and were eventually translated into 30 languages. Barbapapa also had his own TV series and comic book and his name, literally translated, means ''candy floss''. The books are now enjoying a resurgence in popularity now that the original stories have been reprinted in English for a new generation to enjoy.
+
|summary=When the world was made, the animals were given gifts.  Bear was given strength so that he could become a protector. Water Spider received a strong web that even fire could not burn. Owl had excellent sight so that he could see the present ''and'' the future.  Rabbit developed intelligence - but, unfortunately,  not the ability to use it well.  He liked to trick other animals. He was also jealous which was how he came to be in a race with Turtle.  You might think that's not a fair contest but wait and see.  Things are not always as they seem.  I'll tell you how it came about.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408330717</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|author=Rob Keeley
|title=Hugless Douglas Finds A Hug
+
|title= Carrots Don’t Grow On Trees!
|author=David Melling
+
|rating= 4
|rating=5
 
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=The fun in ''Hugless Douglas Finds A Hug'' jumps out at you. Literally. In the form of a Douglas puppet who arrives poking his head through the centre of the book. He pops up on every page of the story, sporting his red scarf and his slightly dopey look, and as his body seems to grow with every page that’s turned, you just know there’s something special waiting for you on the last page. Can you guess what it is? Hint: the clue’s in the title.
+
|summary= Lily loves eating fruit and vegetables. She likes carrots, broccoli, cabbage and aubergines. When her friends at school turn up their noses, Lily is keen to explain how good they are for you and how nice to eat. One day, poor Lily gets tricked by Jordan, who tells her that carrots grow on trees. Infuriated, Lily checks with the teacher, who explains that fruits grow on trees and vegetables, like carrots, grow in the ground. Jordan says, "I did try to tell her, Miss!" and everyone laughs at poor Lily.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444912674</amazonuk>
+
|isbn= B09HHN541V
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=B09FFJF8YS
|title=Poppy Cat's Counting Adventure
+
|title=You Can't Wear Panties! (No More Nappies!)
|author=Lara Jones
+
|author=Justine Avery and Kate Zhoidik
|rating=4.5
+
|rating=3.5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Just how much can you pack in one short book?  That’s the question you’ll be asking when you pick up ''Poppy Cat’s Counting Adventure''. How about: rhyme (check), flaps to lift (check), holes to peep through (check), bright colours, happy characters and a fun, educational aspect (check, check, check). This book really has it all.
+
|summary=''For the big, grownup girls out there, the potty masters in training, "You Can't Wear Panties!" is a cry (the big-girl kind!) of toilet triumph and persevering panty pride.''
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>023075404X</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
  
{{newreview
 
|title=Bob the Bursting Bear
 
|author=Michael Rosen and Tony Ross
 
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|summary=I knew from the title this would be a good book.  All that alliteration couldn't be for nothing, surely?  Then I saw the cover, with a delightful bear wearing round wire-rimmed glasses and an oversized bowtie.  'Better and better,' I thought to myself.  And you'll be relieved to hear that the story does not disappoint.  This is one of my favourite books this year, and I have read it repeatedly with both my six year old and my one year old, both of whom enjoy it in different ways!
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849396876</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
  
{{newreview
+
And so it is! This latest book from Justine Avery celebrates a little girl's final goodbye to nappies and pull-ups and graduation to "proper" pants by following her around as she proudly explains to her dog, her cat, her stuffed rabbit and her baby sibling that ''she'' can wear super-duper proper pants, while they cannot. Neither can the flowers, nor the fish, nor the birds. Boy's certainly can't. She's a big girl now and she wants everyone to know it!
|title=Breaking the Spell: Stories of Magic and Mystery from Scotland
+
}}
|author=Lari Don and Cate James
+
{{Frontpage
 +
|author= Justine Avery and Naday Meldova
 +
|title=Everybody Toots! (Everybody Potties!)
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=I love folk tales and fairy tales and have a vast collection from many countries and cultures. Finding ones from Britain however is surprisingly difficult. I must have at least ten Asian folktales for every British one I own. Of course we love learning about other cultures, but children should learn about their own heritage as well. While we live in Northern Ireland, the cultures of Northern Ireland and Scotland have intertwined from the first human settlements in Scotland. In fact I would argue  very strenuously that one of these stories is Northern Irish, originating in the Tain Bo Cuailnge, but in fact, many of these stories are told in more than one place, and I do feel that the stories of Scotland reflect a part of our heritage as well. Whether you live in Scotland, or simply have an interest in the heritage of this country, this book would make an excellent addition to a child's book shelf, and should be required reading within the Scottish schools.
+
|summary= Toots, trumps, farts. Whatever your word for them, find us a child that doesn't find them irresistibly funny. Funny to talk about and joke about, that is. But horribly embarrassing if you let one go at the wrong time. In class, say, when everyone will hear it and everyone will laugh. At you. Justine Avery's latest entry in her ''Everybody Potties!'' series takes aim at any shame associated with tooting and gently and calmly, with the familiar humour attached, explains that tooting is perfectly normal. Everybody does it: ''Everybody Toots''!
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847803423</amazonuk>
+
|isbn= B09C2RVJ2W
}}
+
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn= B09BG8V3Q6
|title=Best Word Book Ever
+
|title= Who Needs Nappies? Not Me! (Everybody Potties!)
|author=Richard Scarry
+
|author= Justine Avery and Seema Amjad
|rating=5
+
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=''Richard's Scarry's Best Word Book Ever'' was first published in 1963. Over the years it has had a few minor revamps. Some adults have applauded these  as improvements to the original, and others have bemoaned the changes as pandering to political correctness. I for one like the inclusion of female characters in traditionally male jobs and, knowing the actual definition of squaw,  I am more than happy to see it removed. Most of all  I appreciate the inclusion of Hanukkah and a menorah under ''Holidays'', as I believe this will keep some children from feeling that their culture is left out.
+
|summary= ''Who Needs Nappies? Not Me!'' is the latest release in the ''Everybody Potties!'' series from Justine Avery. This series of fun picture books aims to take the pain out of potty training children and replace it with some fun. It's a worthy aim, as any frustrated parent will tell you.  .
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007507097</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=B07GZ81J7C
|title=Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse
+
|title=When Fred the Snake Got Squished and Mended
|author=Leo Lionni
+
|author=Peter Cotton
|rating=5
+
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=When I saw Leo Lionni's name on this book, I couldn't snatch it up quickly enoughLeo Lionni began writing children's books in the early 60's and many of his were childhood favourites of mineAfter having spent a fortune tracking down two out of print books of his, I am overjoyed to find one of his wonderful books is once again in printLionni had perfectly captured the magic of collage style illustrations years before Eric Carle came onto the scene, and has such beautiful, timeless stories. His stories are always fun and entertaining, but they carry messages of hope and kindness as well. They seem to have captured all the yearning for peace of the era in which they were written, and the very best of human emotions without every being preachy or twee. In my opinion Lionni was one of the best children's authors of all time. He wrote books that fed the soul.
+
|summary=Meet Fred.  Well, actually, you're going to be meeting Fred-Fred for reasons which will become all too obvious very quickly.  But I'm getting ahead of myself: I'd better tell you a bit more about FredFred is a snake and even those of us who have a phobia about snakes are going to warm to himHe arrived as a present in a box with holes so that he could breathe and immediately became part of the family, to the extent that they would take Fred out with them when they went out for a walk. And that was where the problem started.  Fred didn't have any road sense. Or brakes.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849397058</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|author= Justine Avery and Naday Meldova
|author=Rindert Kromhout and Annemarie van Haeringen
+
|title= Everybody Pees! (Everybody Potties!)
|title=Eat Up, Little Donkey
 
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Little Donkey won't eat his lunch. He really, really doesn't want to eat at all. So, without a fuss Mama Donkey packs him into the pushchair and off they go to the park.  I wonder what she has in mind?
+
|summary= Can potty training ever be joyous? It often isn't, as any parent will tell you. But really, why shouldn't it be? We all have to learn about our bodily functions just as we have to learn about everything else when we are small. Why shouldn't potty training be as much fun as, say, learning about why the sun and the moon take turns in the sky?  
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1877579335</amazonuk>
+
|isbn= B098BJZYHH
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|author=Justine Avery and Naday Meldova
|title=It's Not Yours, It's Mine!
+
|title=No, No, No!
|author=Susanna Moores
 
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Presents are always special but Blieka’s new present is extra special. It is a lovely red ball and Blieka is sure that it is most definitely not for sharing. This ball belongs to Blieka and no-one else! Time passes and the lovely red ball is not quite so lovely anymore. Blieka needs help but what can Blieka do now? Will Blieka’s friends be prepared to come to the rescue?
+
|summary=They say the best picture books are the simplest ones. And nothing could be truer of this latest from Justine Avery, a Bookbag favourite.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846435951</amazonuk>
+
 
}}
+
''No, No, No!'' is based around the simplest text imaginable.
 +
 
 +
''No, no, no! Okay, okay. Yes, you may.''
  
{{newreview
+
That's it! But, like all the best picture books, this tiny snippet of text is a veritable tardis - so much bigger on the inside that it appears on the outside.
|title=The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race
+
|isbn=1638820457
|author=James Thorp and Angus Mackinnon
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|summary=I really enjoyed this book, but it is pretty clear from the outset, that this book will not be everyone's cup of tea. I'm just waiting for it to make an appearance on the banned or challenged books lists ( I read them regularly and get many of my best books from them). Curious George has been challenged more than once for being having a pipe in one illustration, but Weasel in this book is never without his. Coupled with the surreal, psychedelic images and the dream like quality of this book - there are sure to be complaints, but I don't think the author or illustrator will mind. I can't imagine this book being written or illustrated by anyone who gives a fig about political correctness. And in all honesty, there is nothing in this book that children are going to take the wrong way. The illustrations in this book are not going to make a child smoke a pipe anymore than they will make them try to go swimming in the fish tank. But if you prefer more mainstream children's books you might want to give this one a miss.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1909428027</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=194812467X
|title=We Love You, Hugless Douglas
+
|title=The Farm Shop
|author=David Melling
+
|author=Devon Avery, Justine Avery and Ema Tepic
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=We first met [[Hugless Douglas by David Melling|Douglas]] when he was simply a bear wanting a hug. Since then he’s [[Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleep by David Melling|been to a sleepover ]] and had a few little issues in [[Don't Worry Douglas by David Melling|Don't Worry, Douglas]]. Now he’s returning back to his original sort of set up. This time, instead of a hug, he’s after someone to call his best friend.
+
|summary=Kirelle and her best friend Sam the cat decide to go for a walk. Kirelle is dressed for all weathers in her bright yellow wellies and Sam is perfectly turned out as ever in his smart grey fur coat. As they walk to the top of the hill, they see a big barn with a sign outside. It's a farm shop! But this is a farm shop with a difference: all the stallholders and customers are farmyard animals. There are sheep and ducks and cows, goats and chickens, and even some mice. Excited, Kirelle and Sam go shopping.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444908308</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
 
 
{{newreview
 
|title=Things You Never Knew About Dinosaurs
 
|author=Giles Paley-Phillips and Liz Pichon
 
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=Emerging Readers
 
|summary=The idea of a dinosaur on a trampoline or playing football is just plain silly. After all, everyone knows dinosaurs died out yonks ago…didn’t they?
 
  
Nope.
+
What will they buy?
 
 
No, they did not.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1472319842</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{Frontpage
 +
|isbn=0995647895
 +
|title=Sadie and the Sea Dogs
 +
|author=Maureen Duffy and Anita Joice
 +
|rating=3.5
 +
|genre=For Sharing
 +
|summary=Sadie's mother always said that she was a dreamer, her mind never on what she should be doing.  She lives by the River Thames at Greenwich and she loves to spend hours at The Maritime Museum or gazing at Cutty Sark.
  
{{newreview
+
''Her class had gone one rainy afternoon''<br>
|title=Elmer and the Whales
+
''When all the houses cowered in the gloom,''<br>
|author=David McKee
+
''To the Maritime Museum''.  
|rating=4.5
+
|genre=For Sharing
+
Her imagination was fired.  She'd love to sail the oceans on an ancient sailing ship and went back regularly.  One day she fell asleep under a glass case (it's the one where Nelson's Trafalgar breeches are on show) and missed the closing bell and the attendant's warning shout. When she woke (hard floors don't make comfy beds) she was in the midst of an adventure that she could never have imagined in a world of dolphins, pirates, mermaids and treasure.
|summary=Elmer and Wilbur are spending some time with Grandpa Eldo, something lots of children will identify with. He tells them that in his youth, this was the time of year he’d go down to the coast for some Whale watching and, well, that sounds like a marvellous idea, so Elmer and Wilbur decide to try it for themselves. But it turns out there’s more to Grandpa Eldo’s story than he’s telling them, and Elmer and Wilbur soon find themselves on a wild adventure.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184939749X</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1782227741
|title=Animal Noises
+
|title=Little Gold Ted
|author=Nicola Killen
+
|author=Vanessa Wiercioch, Poppy Satha and Sasha Satha
|rating=5
+
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Sometimes a picture book comes along that is so beautiful, it’s almost wasted on slobbering, grubby-fingered toddlers. This is one such book. ''Animal Noises'' is one of the prettiest board books I’ve ever seen. It is a lift-the-flap book of, you’ve guess it, sounds made by animals.
+
|summary=One day, Gold Ted falls into a puddle. It's quite a deep puddle and the water is swirling. Poor Ted starts to spin around and around and is sucked down a drain on the side of the street. Finding himself  down in the sewer, Ted starts to panic. ''OH HELP ME PLEASE'' he cries and alerts the attention of Reg the sewer rat, who plucks him out of the dirty water using his cane, which might look just a bit like an old cricket bat. Reg is a kind soul and he dries Ted off and warms him up with a nice bowl of broth.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405262877</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=B08R7LXQ9S
|title=Just Right for Two
+
|title=Remy: A book about believing in yourself
|author=Tracey Corderoy and Rosalind Beardshaw
+
|author=Mayuri Naidoo and Caroline Siegal
|rating=4.5
+
|rating=4
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=When we first meet Dog he is rushing joyfully through the woods clutching a big, blue suitcase festooned with stickers from his travels. In this suitcase he has put all the treasures he has collected and he is sure that these are all he needs to make him happy. But then one morning Dog meets someone. That someone is Mouse and it is through meeting Mouse that everything changes for Dog.
+
|summary=Remy is feeling miserable. He's let himself down ''again''. The school bully Jayden, together with his sidekicks Ryan and Brandon, have been laughing at Remy, calling him names because he is short and has small eyes. They are mean but they are not stupid. They are careful to wind up Remy when nobody can see and then push him just that little bit further when the other kids are around. So, when Remy reacts, it looks as though he was the instigator. And then he gets into trouble at school and the teachers don't believe him when he tries to explain what happened.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857631764</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|isbn=1471191303
|title=Ten Little Pirates
+
|title=The Invisible
|author=Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty
+
|author=Tom Percival
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=''Ten little pirates, sailing out to sea,''<br>
+
|summary=This is the story of Isobel, a little girl who made a big difference.  Isobel lived with her parents in a house - a very cold house, because her parents couldn't afford to put the heating on:
''Looking for adventure, happy as can be.''<br>
+
 
''Are they hunting treasure? Are they going far?''<br>
+
''Ice curled across the inside of the window and crept up the corner of the bedpost.''
''Ten little pirates all say, 'Arrrrrrr!''
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408320037</amazonuk>
 
}}
 
  
{{newreview
+
The family didn't go to the cinema or on holidays but they had each other and they were happy. Then the day came when they couldn't afford the rent for the house and they had to move to the far side of the cityThis part of the city was cold, sad and lonely and Isobel felt invisible.
|title=The Little Ghost
 
|author=Otfried Preussler and Anthea Bell
 
|rating=5
 
|genre=Confident Readers
 
|summary=I have to admit I was slightly prejudiced about this book. The Little Ghost immediately brought back memories of Robert Bright's ''Georgie '' which I had cherished as a child. Like Georgie, Little Ghost is a wonderful friendly character, if you are looking for a fright, this book will not be at all suitable. But if you jut want a feel good adventure for younger readers, this book is just the thing.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849397716</amazonuk>
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
{{Frontpage
{{newreview
+
|author=Nick Jones and Si Clark
|title=Mixed Up Nursery Rhymes
+
|title=One Night in Beartown
|author=Hilary Robinson and Liz Pichon
+
|rating=4
|rating=5
 
 
|genre=For Sharing
 
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Many children have a great fondness for traditional nursery rhymes and it doesN't take long for them to know them so well that they can join in as you are reading to them. They know that  Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard and that Dr Foster went to Gloucester. However, what fun it might be to sometimes mix up these tales so that the rhymes become even stranger and funnier than the originals.
+
|summary= Many children have an obsession and Sandy Lane, who lives in Beartown, is obsessed with bears. She collects books about bears. Her favourite toy is Berisford, a teddy bear passed down by her grandmother. Every night, she looks out of her bedroom window and says goodnight to the bear statue outside. Every morning she says hello to Bee Bear, a colourful painted bear that lives at her school. She even has bears on her bedroom wallpaper!
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444904647</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=B08NFH7H9X
}}
+
}}
  
{{newreview
+
Move on to [[Newest General Fiction Reviews]]
|title=Little Mouse's Big Book of Beasts
 
|author=Emily Gravett
 
|rating=4.5
 
|genre=for Sharing
 
|summary=You know right from the start that this is going to be a special book. The cover art is fantastic with a true 3D feel that truly pops, and when you open it, the animals jump out at you. Literally.
 
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230745385</amazonuk>
 
}}
 

Latest revision as of 09:24, 2 December 2023

0008561249.jpg

Review of

Murray and Bun by Adam Stower

4.5star.jpg Confident Readers

Murray is supposed to be a humble, tidy and friendly cat, one who is able to sleep and eat and eat and sleep and, well, whatever takes his fancy next of the two. But he's a bad magician's cat, so his favourite bun has been turned into a hyperactive sticky rabbit called Bun, and the catflap they both use can chuck them out, not into the regular back garden, but into a world of frightening adventure and whiffs. This time round it drops them into a Viking land, where a troll hunter is expected – well, one much bigger than Murray was, to be honest, but he's turned up and he'll have to do… Full Review

1732898766.jpg

Review of

The Adventures of Birpus and Bulbus: Book One: The Sour Milk Dragon by Wynn Everett-Albanese, Michael Albanese and Indre Ta (Illustrator)

4star.jpg For Sharing

When we first meet Birpus and Bulbus they're running for their lives in the Forest of Fine Repute. Their greatest fear has come about: the Sour Milk Dragon is chasing them. He's right behind them, spewing hot, sour milk from his nostrils. (Please don't try this at home: it won't end well.) Fortunately, they were nearly at Nobby Lob-lolly - and when a ladder of moss and vines was lowered for them, they escaped. They climbed up to the Tree Wee homes high up in the tangled woods where they lived with their Grand Wees, Nester Nook and Granny Cranny. Full Review

B0CC9W7GLR.jpg

Review of

On the Beach: The Winter Visitor by Chris Green and Jenny Fionda

5star.jpg For Sharing

Kit and Teal were just beginning to wonder whether it was better to be at home, bored but warm, or frozen cold and building sand sculptures on a snowy beach when a large slab of silvery ice drifted onto the shoreline. On top of the ice was a polar bear. As the ice bumped onto the sand, the bear woke and with wobbly legs moved from the ice. Kit was all for making a run for it, but Teal knew that the bear was hungry and gave him one apple and then another. He obviously needed to be taken home on the bus and given a good meal and somewhere to sleep. What else would you do? Full Review

1913839656.jpg

Review of

Let's Celebrate Being Different by Lainey Dee

3.5star.jpg For Sharing

Todd was excited about spending the weekend with his grandmother, not least because she made the best beetle juice. He packed two pairs of dungarees and his favourite hat and then gathered together his button collection to show his grandmother. She had promised to take him to the Friday Night Club at the local community centre and Todd was pleased about this as he wanted to make new friends. At home, his only friend was his mum and he wondered why that could be. Grandma thought that it might be because he looked different. Full Review

1529504775.jpg

Review of

The Toy Bus (The Repair Shop Stories) by Amy Sparkes and Katie Hickey

4.5star.jpg For Sharing

Elsie and her little brother David loved to go to the park and watch the red buses drive past. Elsie would race the buses along the side of the park but David couldn't - he'd been born with cerebral palsy and even just standing up was very difficult. One day Elsie spotted a bus in the toy shop window which would help David - and was happy to use the coins from her money box to pay for it as cash was tight at home. Gradually, David learned to stand up, use the bus for support, and walk behind it. Many decades later, Elsie brought the bus, now damaged and rusted, to the Repair Shop, hoping that the experts there could make it so that her grandchildren could play with it. Full Review

1529504767.jpg

Review of

The Christmas Doll (The Repair Shop Stories) by Amy Sparkes and Katie Hickey

5star.jpg For Sharing

Susan was very young when she was evacuated from London in 1939 and nervous about how she would be greeted when she got to her final destination. She needn't have worried though as she went to the home of Mr and Mrs Russell, who couldn't have been kinder to her. She even had her own room - all to herself. Gradually she relaxed and began to enjoy her life. She'd help Mrs Russell with the baking and when it came to Christmas Eve Susan and Mr Russell put the decorations on the Christmas tree. The best surprise happened the following morning. Full Review

1916459943.jpg

Review of

Squeakily Baby by Beth Webb

4star.jpg For Sharing

Much as mothers love their babies, there's something they all dread - a squeakily baby. He's so tired but he can't - or won't - go to sleep: instead, he just lies on his blanket and wails. The sea offers to help. It rocks Baby gently and the waves sing hush, hush. Think of gentle wavelets falling onto a sandy beach and you have the sound perfectly. The mermaids join in - la lou, la lay... And for a moment it seems to have worked as Baby closes his eyes. Then a seagull shouts and we know exactly what's going to happen next. Full Review

140639131X.jpg

Review of

A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant by Briony May Smith

4.5star.jpg For Sharing

Philippa Pheasant was tired of nearly getting squished as she tried to cross the Old Oak Road. She wrote to the mayor about the problem but didn't even get a reply. Philippa wasn't a bird to sit back on her tail feathers when there was a problem which needed solving: she saw the benefits of the lollipop lady at the school crossing and decided that she would set up something similar herself. Her uniform and lollipop stick were both a little amateur to start with but the benefits were obvious. All the animals used the crossing and Hedgehog was even trained up to provide a safe path overnight. Full Review

1776574338.jpg

Review of

Leilong's Too Long! by Julia Liu and Bei Lynn

4star.jpg For Sharing

Every morning Leilong, the brontosaurus school bus, makes his way through the city, picking up children as he goes. Children who live at the top of tower blocks don't even need to go downstairs – they simply climb out of the window and slide down his neck. It's perfect, isn't it? What could be a more fun way of going to school? There is a problem, though. Leilong isn't happy in the city: he's always having to be careful about where he puts his feet and – because he's longer than a tennis court – he often causes damage without intending to and traffic regularly gets snarled up. The school decides that he can't be the bus anymore. Full Review

1776574028.jpg

Review of

Bumblebee Grumblebee by David Elliott

4star.jpg For Sharing

I love a good board book! Bumblebee Grumblebee is aimed at quite a niche market: it's for the child who still enjoys board books (er, see my first sentence) but has mastered sufficient language skills to have realise that you can play with words and make something quite different from each one. We have the elephant who dons a tutu - and becomes a balletphant. The buffalo who has had a bath (complete with yellow duck) and then dries off with a hair drier becomes a fluffalo. The rhinoceros who drops his ice cream cone is a crynoceros (think about it!) The pelican who sits on his potty changes into a sm....... OK, let's not go there Some people are eating! Full Review

1838226834.jpg

Review of

Carried Away With the Carnival by Ed Boxall

4star.jpg For Sharing

It was one of those memories we treasure from our childhoods: an outing with our grandparents. They're there to undo all the good that parents do, so the trips out were always so much fun. A young boy was going to the carnival with his Grandad, who told him:

It'll be brilliant, just remember, don't let go of my hand. Full Review

B09MYXSRV4.jpg

Review of

Otter's Coat: The Real Reason Turtle Raced Rabbit: A Cherolachian Tortoise and Hare by Cordellya Smith

4star.jpg For Sharing

When the world was made, the animals were given gifts. Bear was given strength so that he could become a protector. Water Spider received a strong web that even fire could not burn. Owl had excellent sight so that he could see the present and the future. Rabbit developed intelligence - but, unfortunately, not the ability to use it well. He liked to trick other animals. He was also jealous which was how he came to be in a race with Turtle. You might think that's not a fair contest but wait and see. Things are not always as they seem. I'll tell you how it came about. Full Review

B09HHN541V.jpg

Review of

Carrots Don’t Grow On Trees! by Rob Keeley

4star.jpg For Sharing

Lily loves eating fruit and vegetables. She likes carrots, broccoli, cabbage and aubergines. When her friends at school turn up their noses, Lily is keen to explain how good they are for you and how nice to eat. One day, poor Lily gets tricked by Jordan, who tells her that carrots grow on trees. Infuriated, Lily checks with the teacher, who explains that fruits grow on trees and vegetables, like carrots, grow in the ground. Jordan says, "I did try to tell her, Miss!" and everyone laughs at poor Lily. Full Review

B09FFJF8YS.jpg

Review of

You Can't Wear Panties! (No More Nappies!) by Justine Avery and Kate Zhoidik

3.5star.jpg For Sharing

For the big, grownup girls out there, the potty masters in training, "You Can't Wear Panties!" is a cry (the big-girl kind!) of toilet triumph and persevering panty pride.


And so it is! This latest book from Justine Avery celebrates a little girl's final goodbye to nappies and pull-ups and graduation to "proper" pants by following her around as she proudly explains to her dog, her cat, her stuffed rabbit and her baby sibling that she can wear super-duper proper pants, while they cannot. Neither can the flowers, nor the fish, nor the birds. Boy's certainly can't. She's a big girl now and she wants everyone to know it! Full Review

B09C2RVJ2W.jpg

Review of

Everybody Toots! (Everybody Potties!) by Justine Avery and Naday Meldova

4star.jpg For Sharing

Toots, trumps, farts. Whatever your word for them, find us a child that doesn't find them irresistibly funny. Funny to talk about and joke about, that is. But horribly embarrassing if you let one go at the wrong time. In class, say, when everyone will hear it and everyone will laugh. At you. Justine Avery's latest entry in her Everybody Potties! series takes aim at any shame associated with tooting and gently and calmly, with the familiar humour attached, explains that tooting is perfectly normal. Everybody does it: Everybody Toots! Full Review

B09BG8V3Q6.jpg

Review of

Who Needs Nappies? Not Me! (Everybody Potties!) by Justine Avery and Seema Amjad

4.5star.jpg For Sharing

Who Needs Nappies? Not Me! is the latest release in the Everybody Potties! series from Justine Avery. This series of fun picture books aims to take the pain out of potty training children and replace it with some fun. It's a worthy aim, as any frustrated parent will tell you. . Full Review

B07GZ81J7C.jpg

Review of

When Fred the Snake Got Squished and Mended by Peter Cotton

4.5star.jpg For Sharing

Meet Fred. Well, actually, you're going to be meeting Fred-Fred for reasons which will become all too obvious very quickly. But I'm getting ahead of myself: I'd better tell you a bit more about Fred. Fred is a snake and even those of us who have a phobia about snakes are going to warm to him. He arrived as a present in a box with holes so that he could breathe and immediately became part of the family, to the extent that they would take Fred out with them when they went out for a walk. And that was where the problem started. Fred didn't have any road sense. Or brakes. Full Review

B098BJZYHH.jpg

Review of

Everybody Pees! (Everybody Potties!) by Justine Avery and Naday Meldova

4star.jpg For Sharing

Can potty training ever be joyous? It often isn't, as any parent will tell you. But really, why shouldn't it be? We all have to learn about our bodily functions just as we have to learn about everything else when we are small. Why shouldn't potty training be as much fun as, say, learning about why the sun and the moon take turns in the sky? Full Review

1638820457.jpg

Review of

No, No, No! by Justine Avery and Naday Meldova

4star.jpg For Sharing

They say the best picture books are the simplest ones. And nothing could be truer of this latest from Justine Avery, a Bookbag favourite.

No, No, No! is based around the simplest text imaginable.

No, no, no! Okay, okay. Yes, you may.

That's it! But, like all the best picture books, this tiny snippet of text is a veritable tardis - so much bigger on the inside that it appears on the outside. Full Review

194812467X.jpg

Review of

The Farm Shop by Devon Avery, Justine Avery and Ema Tepic

4star.jpg For Sharing

Kirelle and her best friend Sam the cat decide to go for a walk. Kirelle is dressed for all weathers in her bright yellow wellies and Sam is perfectly turned out as ever in his smart grey fur coat. As they walk to the top of the hill, they see a big barn with a sign outside. It's a farm shop! But this is a farm shop with a difference: all the stallholders and customers are farmyard animals. There are sheep and ducks and cows, goats and chickens, and even some mice. Excited, Kirelle and Sam go shopping.

What will they buy? Full Review

0995647895.jpg

Review of

Sadie and the Sea Dogs by Maureen Duffy and Anita Joice

3.5star.jpg For Sharing

Sadie's mother always said that she was a dreamer, her mind never on what she should be doing. She lives by the River Thames at Greenwich and she loves to spend hours at The Maritime Museum or gazing at Cutty Sark.

Her class had gone one rainy afternoon
When all the houses cowered in the gloom,
To the Maritime Museum.

Her imagination was fired. She'd love to sail the oceans on an ancient sailing ship and went back regularly. One day she fell asleep under a glass case (it's the one where Nelson's Trafalgar breeches are on show) and missed the closing bell and the attendant's warning shout. When she woke (hard floors don't make comfy beds) she was in the midst of an adventure that she could never have imagined in a world of dolphins, pirates, mermaids and treasure. Full Review

1782227741.jpg

Review of

Little Gold Ted by Vanessa Wiercioch, Poppy Satha and Sasha Satha

4star.jpg For Sharing

One day, Gold Ted falls into a puddle. It's quite a deep puddle and the water is swirling. Poor Ted starts to spin around and around and is sucked down a drain on the side of the street. Finding himself down in the sewer, Ted starts to panic. OH HELP ME PLEASE he cries and alerts the attention of Reg the sewer rat, who plucks him out of the dirty water using his cane, which might look just a bit like an old cricket bat. Reg is a kind soul and he dries Ted off and warms him up with a nice bowl of broth. Full Review

B08R7LXQ9S.jpg

Review of

Remy: A book about believing in yourself by Mayuri Naidoo and Caroline Siegal

4star.jpg For Sharing

Remy is feeling miserable. He's let himself down again. The school bully Jayden, together with his sidekicks Ryan and Brandon, have been laughing at Remy, calling him names because he is short and has small eyes. They are mean but they are not stupid. They are careful to wind up Remy when nobody can see and then push him just that little bit further when the other kids are around. So, when Remy reacts, it looks as though he was the instigator. And then he gets into trouble at school and the teachers don't believe him when he tries to explain what happened. Full Review

1471191303.jpg

Review of

The Invisible by Tom Percival

5star.jpg For Sharing

This is the story of Isobel, a little girl who made a big difference. Isobel lived with her parents in a house - a very cold house, because her parents couldn't afford to put the heating on:

Ice curled across the inside of the window and crept up the corner of the bedpost.

The family didn't go to the cinema or on holidays but they had each other and they were happy. Then the day came when they couldn't afford the rent for the house and they had to move to the far side of the city. This part of the city was cold, sad and lonely and Isobel felt invisible. Full Review

B08NFH7H9X.jpg

Review of

One Night in Beartown by Nick Jones and Si Clark

4star.jpg For Sharing

Many children have an obsession and Sandy Lane, who lives in Beartown, is obsessed with bears. She collects books about bears. Her favourite toy is Berisford, a teddy bear passed down by her grandmother. Every night, she looks out of her bedroom window and says goodnight to the bear statue outside. Every morning she says hello to Bee Bear, a colourful painted bear that lives at her school. She even has bears on her bedroom wallpaper! Full Review

Move on to Newest General Fiction Reviews