Piers Torday’s novels include The Last Wild, The Dark Wild, The Wild Beyond and The Lost Magician. His latest novel, The Wild Before, was published by Quercus Children’s on 19 August 2021. Today I have an extract to share. Little-Hare was wondering whether there might be a more romantic way to find a mate, when…
Category: Reviewing it for the Kids
I thought it would be a good idea to have a page dedicated to children’s books. Hopefully this will make it easier to find your next bed time read.
BBC Maestro - David Walliams Mini Maestro Writing Course
As we all know, lockdown has been a challenge for everyone. Those with children will know the challenges they have faced and that the children have had to deal with. Home-schooling has become something that children have had to adapt to and keeping them engaged has become a full time job for parents everywhere. With…
One Button Benny and the Gigantic Catastrophe by Alan Windram, Illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter - review
Published by Little Door Books Publication date - 4 May 2020 Source - review copy Age range 3-6 years Benny is back with a brand new adventure! All the robots can’t wait for this year’s ‘Cool Cat’ competition, but disaster strikes when the Wobblies come in the night and kidnap all the cats - what…
Oi, Duck-Billed Platypus! by Kes Gray and Jim Field - review
Published by Hodder Children’s Publication date - 6 September 2018 Source - own copy Oi! Where are duck-billed platypuses meant to sit? And Kookaburras and hippopotamuses and all the other animals with impossible to rhyme with names… Over to you Frog! If you haven’ read Oi, Frog!, Oi, Dog! or Oi, Cat! then you are…
Jasper: Space Dog by Hilary Robinson - review
Published by Strauss House Productions Publication date - 4 April 2019 Source - review copy Illustrated by Lewis James Jasper - Space Dog is the first in a series of hilarious stories about the ambitions of Charlie Tanner and his dog, Jasper. Released to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, the story cleverly…
Oi, Dog! by Kes Grey and Jim Field - review
Published by Hodder Children’s Publication date 6 October 2016 Source - own copy “The absurdly funny sequel to the award-winning Oi Frog! from vibrant pairing Kes Gray and Jim Field. The hilarious sequel to the bestselling Oi Frog! will have children rolling around with laughter. Shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award 2016. Frog’s had…
Harriet the Hedgehog by Victoria Brock - review
Published by Victoria Brock Publication date - 2 April 2013 Source - review copy “Beautiful Children’s book with traditional illustrations. This book is about a Hedgehog who doesn’t have any spikes. Written for my twin nieces who were diagnosed with leukaemia in September 2009 within a week of each other. £1 of every book sold…
Chris Rivers Nuttall - Q&A
Today I’m pleased to welcome Chris Rivers Nuttall to the blog. Chris is the illustrator of the Zak and Jen’s Astronomical Adventure books, written by Natalie Page, the latest being Tinsel Town which was published on 7 November 2016. Chris kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us about Zak and Jen’s Astronomical…
Come on Daisy! by Jane Simmons - review
Published by Orchard Publication date 2 September 2004 Source - own copy “Daisy the duckling is lost! Will she find her way back to Mamma? Mamma Duck tells Daisy to stay close, but Daisy thinks that chasing dragonflies and bouncing on lilypads looks much more fun . . . This warm and comforting story, starring…
Why Children’s fiction? by Natalie Page - Guest post and review of Zak and Jen’s Astronomical Adventure: The Petal Planet
Today I’m pleased to welcome Natalie Page to the blog. Natalie’s debut children’s book, Zak and Jen’s Astronomical Adventure: The Petal Planet is published by Austin Macauley and was published on 31 May 2016. Natalie has kindly written a guest post on why she writes children’s fiction. Carry on reading afterwards for my review. Why Children’s…
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