Brilliant Board Books for Babies from Nosy Crow

Look, it's Roar Roar Lion Written by Camilla ReidIllustrated by Clare Youngs I absolutely love the foil detailing to the illustrations throughout this book, which feature large mammals including a zebra, monkey, hippo, and of course lion, with the sentences revealing the sounds the animals make each time too. As little ones admire the stunning … Continue reading Brilliant Board Books for Babies from Nosy Crow →

Non Fiction recommendations to Inspire and Engage

Girl power, Indian Women who took on the World Written by Neha J Hiranandani Published by Scholastic In 1998 the Indian government issued a stamp celebrating the life of Savitribal Phule. Savitribal was a rebel, married to a man when she was 9 years old, he helped her to read and write it was her … Continue reading Non Fiction recommendations to Inspire and Engage →

A Wild Hay Day by Dom Conlon

There are stars above my head and a few hundred faces waiting for me to leap into a talk about hares, sharks, global weather systems and the power of our sun. I’m standing on the Starlight Stage at Hay Festival and only a few deep breaths before this I was waiting backstage wondering what I’d … Continue reading A Wild Hay Day by Dom Conlon →

2022 Middle Grade Must Reads – June (Part One)

The shop of Impossible Ice Creams Written by Shane Hegarty Illustrations by Jeff Crowther Published by Hodder Children Books (on 9th June 2022) Imagine moving to a new town, well that doesn’t sound to bad. Imagine moving to a new town, and owning an ice cream shop - well that still sounds OK! But Imagine … Continue reading 2022 Middle Grade Must Reads – June (Part One) →

The Elephant Squad

Sam (@SamJDThomas) - I am delighted to have had the opportunity to read Kerry Gibb's upcoming publication - due to be published on 23rd May - The Elephant Squad, and be able to share my review of this absolute must read release of 2022. It is also a title definitely worthy of children's book recommendation … Continue reading The Elephant Squad →

The Riddle of the Sea – Interview with Illustrator Karl James Mountford

I have had the incredible opportunity to interview Karl J Mountford, illustrator of The Riddle of the Sea, a book originally published in Dutch through the beautiful storytelling of author Jonne Kramer, and now translated into English by Laura Watkinson. I have been admiring Karl's stunning illustrations since The Uncommoners : The Crooked Sixpence by … Continue reading The Riddle of the Sea – Interview with Illustrator Karl James Mountford →

2022 Middle Grade Must Reads – May (Part One)

Ajay and the Mumbai Sun Written by Varsha Shah Illustrations by Sonia Albert Published by Chicken House Ajay was dumped in the slum as a baby, he is known as a Mumbai railway kid. He sells newspapers to make money but his dream is to be a journalist. He and his friends are lucky enough … Continue reading 2022 Middle Grade Must Reads – May (Part One) →

My return to in-person book events featured The 100 Story Hotel!

This time last week I had the pleasure of heading to London for my first in-person book event since early 2020, when Covid 19 put a halt to gatherings, and in doing so has played a large part in how book events are predominantly virtual now. I have longed for the opportunity to be amongst … Continue reading My return to in-person book events featured The 100 Story Hotel! →

Rumaysa Ever After

Rumaysa A Fairytale was one of the books you needed to read when it first came out. It is a truly amazing book. Rumaysa Ever After is the sequel to this book, I was so excited to read this as I really enjoyed the first one. This follows straight after the first one. Rumaysa has … Continue reading Rumaysa Ever After →

Wolfbane – The Epic Conclusion to the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series

Whether it is a book written by Michelle Paver intended for children, or those that she writes for adults, it is always the case that I instantly warmly recall how my three children all have a literary affinity to the Wolf Brother series, of which Wolfbane is the ninth and final instalment. This is a … Continue reading Wolfbane – The Epic Conclusion to the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series →