Picture This: Like the Ocean We Rise

Like the Ocean we Rise is another superb picture book from Little Tiger about protecting the environment. It shows people from all over the world coming together in protest to make a difference. What starts as a small ripple becomes a wave demanding change. 

This picture book is a visual delight. I love the bright colours and the little peep through raindrops. Because this story travels all over the globe, there's lots of diversity too. Looking after out planet is a global responsibility, not something one country or person can do alone, as the huge crowd on the final page shows so well. My favourite pictures are the beautiful rooftop bee hives in Tokyo and the transformation from blue to rainbow raindrops on the spread at the bottom of this post. 

The rhyme scheme drives this story, giving it a growing sense of momentum, as the words swell towards an emphatic conclusion. There's also lots of clever water imagery. 

Like the Ocean we Rise is a great way to discuss activism of any form with young children, and by using figures like Greta Thunberg, shows that you are never too young to make a difference. 

Because it addresses important topics like the environment and pollution, it would also work brilliantly in a class room, as an introduction for a topic on climate change. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy to review. 

Like the Oceans we Rise is written by Nicola Edwards and illustrated by Sarah Wilkins

Llama Out Loud!

Yasmin Shah is fed up of being spoken over and ignored. Her loud but lovable family are always deciding what's best for her and the children at school think she's 'weird'. When a birthday wish brings some llama-filled mayhem to her quiet life of checkers and... Well, just checkers really, Yasmin needs to take drastic action or face a summer in Pakistan with her strict Daadi. 

Can Yasmin get rid of Levi before he ruins her life?

This duo are a lot of fun! Yasmin's quiet frustration and Levi's over the top antics make them a hilarious pair. Levi's pranks will have children giggling out loud and gasping in horror, in equal measure. Yasmin's increasingly desperate plans to get rid of him are also very funny.

Yasmin's family life, with her annoying brothers, constantly shouting Ammi and opinionated aunties, brings added chaos and fun to this story. I loved the illustrations of her time at home, and Yasmin's trek through everyone else's rooms to reach her own creates lots of laugh out loud moments. 

Friendship is at the very heart of this story, as well as acceptance and overcoming the fear of being yourself. Communication is a vital part of any relationship, and learning to communicate with Levi helps Yasmin to open up to many of the people in her life.

The tone of the narration was my favourite part of this story - the puns, the haiku and the constant interjections had me giggling from beginning to end. It would be a great story to read aloud to a class. 

I can't wait to find out what Yasmin and Levi get up to in their next adventure, and I'm certain children will love them too.

The Shadow Keepers

Marisa Noelle's brilliant Shadow Keepers has just been rereleased! I reviewed this book last year for the blog tour, and I'm reposting my review today so that no one misses out on this unputdownable YA. Marisa is currently my mentor for Write Mentor's Summer Mentoring Program and working with her has been an absolute dream. Her writing is incredible and I can't wait to dive into her latest story - Secrets of the Deep.

Here is the creepy blurb for The Shadow Keepers:

Sixteen-year-old Georgia Boone has seen the shadow creatures in mirrors and other reflective surfaces since she was six-years-old. But no one–not even her brother, the person she’s closest to in the entire world–believes her. She is all alone in the hellish world where crow-like creatures hunting her everywhere she goes.

When an afternoon of shopping ends in violence and blood, Georgia is sent to the UK’s most prestigious mental health hospitals: Brookwood Hospital. There, she’s forced to face her fears and answer the question:

Are the shadows real, or is this all in her head?

At Brookwood, the shadow creatures are more present than ever and are getting stronger every day. Only with the help of a mysterious boy who lives inside the mirror world might she be able to prove that she’s not hallucinating and stop the shadows from destroying the human world.

The Shadow Keepers is almost impossible to put down, and the creepy premise ensured that I was always thinking about it, even when I couldn't read on. Tensions and stakes run high as Georgia races to uncover the truth about the terrifying shadow creatures who have haunted her for most of her life. 

I don't think I've read many non-contemporary YA novels which features mental health so prevalently, and it was really clever how the character's mental health struggles became integral to the plot - they were never just another plot-point or issue to 'get over'. The topic as a whole was sensitively handled and I felt like I learnt some new things about mental health conditions as a result of reading.

Having said that, readers should bear in mind that as mental health is so important within The Shadow Keepers, the novel does include subjects like self-harm and suicide. If this isn't something you're comfortable reading, it would probably be best to avoid this novel. They're not a large part of the plot, but do come up.

You should definitely read The Shadow Keepers if you like:

- creepy monsters

- slow-burn romance

- seeing mental health in non-contemporary stories. 

From a writing perspective, The Shadow Keepers is brilliant for:

- world building - I could completely believe in the monsters and shadow world that Noelle created. 

- pacing - this story is paced just right, with plenty of action and tension, but also some great character driven moments to help back the pace off and give you a respite between the horror. 

- keeping the reader guessing about who they could and couldn't trust!

Mermaids Rock: The Floating Forest

This wonderful chapter book for 7-9 year olds will be a hit with young mermaid fans. 

The Save the Sea Creatures Club are a group of five mermaids and their aquatic pets, who try to look after the oceans and all the animals living in them. In The Floating Forest, Coralie finds a treasure map in a Kelp Forest which leads the friends to adventure, magic and averting an ecological disaster.  

The Floating Forest is fun and engaging, with some very silly puns. The characters are diverse and unique, combining their love of marine wildlife, science and having adventures into a friendship group young readers will want to be part of.

It will appeal to fans of the Rainbow Fairies or Holly Webb books, and has been really popular with my daughter who is too young to read it independently, but enjoyed listening to the story. I would definitely buy her future stories in this series. 

Ortega's artwork is beautiful and brings the story to life. I also loved the animal welfare facts that can be found throughout. 

Thank you Little Tiger Group for sending me a copy of Mermaids Rock: The Floating Forest to review. 

The Floating Forest is written by Linda Chapman and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega

The Silver Pony

The Silver Pony is an uplifting story about friendship, fitting in and feeling alone.

When Lily's best friend Mara is in hospital, Lily struggles to fit in at school and at home. She feels lost without Mara, and doesn't know how to connect when she does have contact with her, on the phone or through email. When Lily finds a silver pony whose floppy fringe and dark eyes remind her of her friend, she finds a way to bridge the gap between them, and makes some new friends along the way. 

Lily struggles at school without her best friend, and she's not very good at sticking up for herself. But meeting Em, the silver pony, helps her to gain a confidence she didn't have, and her voice is never too quiet when she is defending her. 

The Silver Pony is a really lovely book, perfect for fan of Webb's other animal stories. The wild ponies of the New Forest are almost magical, and the book includes lots of important rules for if you ever come face to face with one, to keep both you and the ponies safe. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy of The Silver Pony for review

Picture This: Little Turtle and the Sea

Follow Little Turtle as she swims through the sea, growing, learning and making friends. When human pollution starts to alter the watery world she loves, Turtle finds herself in terrible danger in her own home. But though human's caused the damage to her environment, they can fix it too, and are able to restore Turtle's world to one of colour, life and safety. 

This is a sweet but important story about the impact of human waste and plastic on marine wildlife. Little Turtle's world is bleached of colour when human rubbish invades. She becomes alone and trapped on a poignant page that will encourage readers young and old to think about the plastic they use and what they're throwing away. 

I really liked the factual pages at the end (which I've noticed in a few Little Tiger books now) as they answer all of the questions inspired readers will have, as well as directing them to other books and websites.

Poh's artwork is wonderful and her under-water world is one I would love to visit. There's lots of colour on every page and my children enjoyed pointing to all of the little fish in the background.

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy of this picture book for review

Little Turtle and the Sea is written by Becky Davies and illustrated by Jennie Poh

The Perfect Shelter: Meet the Illustrator

Today I am delighted to be posting a Q and A with the wonderful Åsa Gilland, who illustrated The Perfect Shelter. 

 

1) Have you always loved to draw and create?

 

I can’t remember a time that I didn’t draw. I had an old typewriter as a child and used to write little short illustrated stories. I love drawing because it allows you to create a world the way you wish it to be, I think this is why I enjoy illustrating children’s books so much.

2) What was your favourite book as a child?

One of my favourites was (and still is) Astrid Lindgren’s “Pippi Longstocking” because she was such a unique female character. I loved how strong, independent and brave she was.

3) Can you tell us a little bit about how you came to children’s book illustration? Did you study art and/or illustration?

 

I went to a high school that had a program allowing students to graduate in fine art and afterwards I moved to Italy to study interior design. After my studies I landed in Indonesia where I’ve spent many years working in graphic and packaging design, doing some illustration work in between. The move into illustration came gradually and the past two years my work has been almost exclusively in children’s books illustration, which I am overjoyed about.

 

4) How did you get your first break in illustrating professionally?

 

It has been many little breaks over a long time as I have produced work for everything from tableware, textiles to book covers over the years. I had always known that I wanted to work with children’s books though and the opportunity came after I was signed by my agent, Lilla Roger’s Studio in 2018. I was able to drop my part time job and throw myself in full heartedly. The Perfect Shelter is very special to me, not only because of Clare Helen Welsh‘s beautiful storytelling but it’s also my very first picture book to be published by Little Tiger.

 

5) How do you create your illustrations?

Nowadays I sketch and do all illustrations digitally on a drawing tablet and then I refine the layout and edit in Photoshop. Some textures are hand drawn, scanned in and added later.

 

6) What are some of your favourite things to draw? 

I love drawing people and animals of all types.  Also, perhaps because of my background in interior design, I love drawing rooms and environments.

 

 

7) Can you tell us about some other children’s book illustrators who you admire or that inspire you? (Any images you particularly love.)

Ingrid Vang Nyman, who was the original illustrator of all the Pippi Longstocking books, has greatly influenced how I draw. I love her environments and all the little details. Tove Jansson of the Moomins. More contemporary illustrators that I admire are Owen Davey and Isabelle Arsenault.

 

Thank you so much, Åsa, for sharing your inspiration and giving us an insight into working as an illustrator.

Picture This: Peek Through Jobs We Do and Around Town

These peek-through board books are perfect for little book fans. Join Roxy and Dusty as they travel around their town, meeting lots of interesting people along the way. 

Dusty the dog is bored of staying inside, so spends the day visiting different shops. At the bottom of each page is a question which encourages children to guess where Dusty might go next. Children can then peek through a large square flap in the middle of the page to find out if they were right. Each shop is packed with detail, and I think the sweet shop page will prove particularly popular! The gentle rhyming words give a nice insight into what each shop is used for, meaning that this board book really is packed with information, but still so much fun to read!

Roxy the rat's journey around town introduces her to lots of interesting people - from detectives to shop owners, everyone is very busy! As with Around Town, there is a question at the bottom of each page to get children thinking about what different jobs involve. The artwork is bright and cheerful, with plenty to explore on each page while listening to the rhyming job descriptions. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me copies of these lovely board books for review

Peek-Through Jobs We Do and Around Town are written by Jonny Marx and illustrated by Zoe Waring

Here Lie the Secrets

My recent reads have included YA set in the Dominican Republic, Paris and now New York. I am taking full advantage of my lockdown travel options and bringing little glimpses of the world into my tiny English garden. Here are three reasons I would recommend heading to NYC with Here Lie the Secrets:

1. This story was so tense! I had to stay up late to finish it because I couldn't go to sleep until I knew what was going on. It has all the suspense you'd expect from a story about ghosts and the paranormal. Settings are also used to great, atmospheric effect throughout. 

2. At the centre of this novel is an exploration of grief, and how we cope with the loss of those closest to us. Believing that a loved one remains close by is a thought that brings comfort to many. Young explores this solace in a way that is touching and heartfelt. 

3. I loved the psychology woven through this story, especially the exploration of why we react to certain circumstances in the way we do. The central characters are scientists, rather than 'ghost hunters' and they always consider every possible solution - both scientific and supernatural. There was a great range of characters and view points. Here Lie the Secrets manages to be tense and creepy, without feeling melodramatic. 

Thank you Little Tiger Books for sending me a copy to review

Picture This: Little Bear's Picnic

This adorable follow-on from Little Bunny's Breakfast is guaranteed to be a hit with little chefs. Little Bear is having an inside picnic with his toys when Big Bear suggests they go out for a real picnic. On their way, they collect brightly coloured fresh foods, and enjoy a Rainbow picnic by the trees. 

The illustrations in this picture book are very sweet, with bright backgrounds and lots to explore on each page. My three-year-old loves finding out what's behind each flap - especially all the little animals hidden throughout the book. 

Little Bear's adventure helps children understand where the food they eat comes from, and also shows them what kinds of food they might be able to grow at home. There's a clear progression from the food being gathered to eaten which young readers will find really interesting. The final recipe is healthy too, and great for encouraging children to eat salad. 

I hope this isn't the last story in this series because it's been a huge hit so far in my house! 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy for review. 

Little Bear's Picnic is illustrated by Seb Braun

Blog Tour: In My Dreams

Today is my stop on the blog tour for In My Dreams, written by Stef Gemmill and illustrated by Tanja Stephani.

In My Dreams is a beautiful picture book which celebrates the wonder and magic of dreams. From marshmallow clouds to igloos beside polar bears, this story travels worlds both real and fantastical, bringing the impossible to life. Sensory delights such as strawberry rain and beating jungle drums create an immersive atmosphere young readers will enjoy losing themselves in.

The colour scheme is beautiful, transporting readers from warm rainbows to cool waters with the turn of a page. Every image has the vivid technicolour of a dream world where anything is possible and everything is larger than life. The cover has beautiful gold sparkles which photographs just don't do justice to. It would be impossible to walk past In My Dreams on a book shelf.

Towards the end of the story, shadowy creatures threaten the dream's tranquility, but readers are gently reminded that in dreams, they are in control. The dreamworld is overwhelmingly one of comfort, love and safety, and In My Dreams makes a wonderful, soothing bedtime story which families can enjoy again and again. 

Thank you New Frontier Publishing for sending me a copy to review. 

You can continue the tour tomorrow at Library Girl and Book Boy

Picture This: The Tide

Grandad may not remember things as well as he used to, but that doesn't mean his granddaughter can't enjoy their time together at the beach. They can still have just as much fun as they used to, and tells stories of their day to keep its memory alive. 

The Tide is a beautifully written, touching picture book which will help young children to understand dementia and how it effects their relationship with loved ones. The subject is approached with great subtly and care. I loved how the child in the story compared her grandad's forgetfulness to moments when she has forgotten how to do something, or where she has left an important item.

Ashling Lindsay's artwork echoes the gentle tone of the text, with soft colours and calming scenery. We enjoyed hunting for starfish and looking at what everyone was getting up to on the beach. 

This is a very special picture book. My Grandad suffers with dementia and I know my children often find his behaviour confusing, so it is wonderful to be able to explain it to them in a way that is so clear and easy to understand. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

The Tide is written by Clare Helen Welsh and illustrated by Ashling Lindsay

Lori and Max

Lori wants to be a detective but, so far, the most exciting mystery she has solved is the disappearance of her nan’s specs down the side of the sofa. Max is the new girl at school and Lori is asked to look after her. Max is odd. She doesn’t fit in – but then Lori doesn’t really fit in either.

When some charity money goes missing and Max disappears, Lori seems to be the only person who doesn’t think Max has stolen it and run away. Even the police don’t want to investigate and suddenly Lori finds she has a real crime on her hands.

Lori and Max are lovable characters who make brilliant friends. Lori's chapters are written in first person and her viewpoint is lots of fun. She is desperate to be a detective, and looks for mystery and adventure in every aspect of her life. Max, on the other hand, has a difficult life at home and her chapters are often more serious, addressing issues such gambling, mental illness and poverty. 

There are some incredibly tense moments and I think young readers will find this story fast-paced and thrilling. However, it is also very funny, with plenty of comedy provided by Lori's observations and notes, and her eccentric nan. It's definitely a good choice for anyone in the Summer Reading Challenge #SillySquad.

There are plenty of puzzles for both girls to solve, from coded messages to missing money and one very angry hamster. Young readers will be kept guessing throughout, and pitting their detective skills against Lori's as they race to work out what's going on.

A second story in this series, Lori and Max and the Book Thieves, comes out this October so this summer is a great time to read the first. 

Picture This: In Every House, On Every Street

This picture book's release has come at a perfect time, since many of us are spending a lot more time in our homes than usual! 

Every house on every street is different. But every one is a special home in its own unique way, because of the joy and life that happens inside them. This story celebrates the brilliance of the everyday - from dancing around the kitchen to pulling silly faces in bathroom mirrors. Bedrooms aren't just for sleeping - they're for building giant castles and bedtime chats. Dining rooms are for playing pirates and hiding under the table. The individual rooms are never names, just referred to as 'this room' on each page, allowing readers to match the pages to spaces in their own homes. This cleverly reflects that one reader's 'front room' might be another family's 'lounge' or 'sitting room', and not every house has a separate room for eating dinner in.

Lili La Baleine's artwork is beautiful. There is joy, fun and family in every picture. At the end of the story there are fold out pages with a view into lots of different houses which exemplify that there is no one way to be a family. Each page is full of tiny details and there is lots to keep little eyes busy. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review

In Every House, on Every Street is written by Jess Hitchman and illustrated by Lili La Baleine

Dragon Detective: School's Out

Stuck in a high-security boarding school, Holly really misses her friend Dirk. Her roommate has killed her pet mouse and a tracking device makes escaping the school impossible. Dirk, meanwhile, is trailing a professor who might be mixed up with the Kinghorns, and wishes his favourite accomplice was still in London to help.

When the two friends are reunited, they embark on a quest to save human and dragon kind before the world is shaken like never before. 

School's Out has a quick pace, with lots going on as the mystery unravels. It will appeal to a huge range of young readers and I can see it being a hit in primary school libraries when students go back. It would also make a great summer read for anyone who doesn't want to wait that long, and likes adventure, dragons or comedy. 

From the Tree Dragons speaking jumbled up English, to Petal Moses' autobiography there was plenty to giggle at throughout the second instalment in the Dragon Detective series. The side characters have been well thought out and provide lots of humour - especially the school staff. 

Once again, Holly and Dirk make a great team. Holly is brave and resourceful and isn't afraid to speak her mind, but she also looks out for characters like Callum, who claims to have been kidnapped by dragons.

School's Out was a lot of fun to read. Thank you so much Little Tiger for sending me a copy for review. 

Picture This: Beware! Ralfy Rabbit and the Secret Book Biter

What Ralfy loves most in the world is reading, but when he goes to the library for some peace and quiet away from his new baby brother, he discovers something terrible: someone is eating his books. Ralfy turns into a detective, questioning his family members and following the clues until he can find the culprit. 

Family dynamics change quite a bit when a new baby arrives, and this picture book is a great way to explore those changes. Ralfy's little brother is very noisy and at first Ralfy worries he won't be able to enjoy his books any more. But by the end of the story, Ralfy has discovered a new way to bond with his little brother and they are able to enjoy stories together.

The artwork is brilliant: bright, fun and engaging. My children gasped when we reached the page with the first half-eaten book and I really enjoyed all the puns in the book titles (my favourites were Rabunzel and Harry Hopper and the Chamber of Carrots). 

Thank you Bloomsbury for providing me with a digital copy for review. 

Beware! Ralfy Rabbit and the Secret Book Biter is written and illustrated by Emily MacKenzie

Empathy Day

Today is Empathy Day and, as the Empathy Lab perfectly states: "never has empathy and connection been more needed."

Empathy Lab want to encourage as many people as possible to #ReadForEmpathy to help us connect with others and create a world with more empathy. They have curated a wonderful collection of stories you can use to do this, which can be found here. Lots of my favourites are on this list, but today I'm going to post reviews of two of the Barrington Stoke titles featured. Barrington Stoke are a brilliant publisher who encourage empathy and understanding with all of their titles, in a format accessible to a wide range of readers.

It's a No-Money Day by Kate Milner is a picture book about a little girl and her mum who don't have enough money for the things many of us take for granted, and often use a food bank to get their food. It's a touching, poignant story which introduces children who have no awareness of poverty to what is an everyday reality for many children across the country. The little girl in the story is positive and hopeful, dreaming of a pet cat, cakes and her favourite cereal - things that lots of readers will get/have without giving them much thought. It is a book which would work well in schools ahead of a food bank collection. There are lots of conversations you can have both while and after reading.

The Great Telephone Mix Up is written by Sally Nicholls and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey. It is set in a village where mixed-up phone lines lead to people developing a greater understanding of what those around them are going through. New, unexpected connections are formed and many lives are changed for the better. A boy who is always getting into trouble for climbing finds a hobby that will allow him to do what he loves safely. A lady who runs most of the village events single-handedly gets help for the first time. An elderly lady has more visitors and makes new friends. The phone-line mix up brings everyone together in a story that will delight young readers and have them giggling throughout. 

 

Midnight's Twins

With fast paced action scenes and plenty of twists (including a few I didn't see coming!) Midnight's Twins was hard to put down. 

This novel has a fantastic concept with a world everyone will want to visit. The dream world, Annwn, is full of endless wonder and magic, from dolphins in the Thames to a castle hidden in St Paul's Cathedral. London was both familiar and utterly alien.

Midnight's Twins had an undercurrent of Hunger Games-worthy politics, where dangerous, influential figures are given a magical boost. As a result, Midnight's Twin also brilliant explores the danger of being different, or an outlier, in a world that is rapidly being told to distrust and fear you. Some of the most chilling scenes in this novel occurred in the real world, where the monsters were human inside and out. 

I was completely drawn in by Fern and Ollie's complicated, messy sibling relationship. There is so much character growth over the course of the novel for both twins, who realise there is more that brings them together than divides them. Both Fern and Ollie have to learn to navigate loneliness and friendship, and conquer the fears which accompany letting others in and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. 

Let's Get Silly! The Summer Reading Challenge 2020

Going to the library to get our Summer Reading Challenge stickers was one the highlights of our summer holiday last year. It was my daughter's first year taking part and she's very proud of her medal. We're very lucky to have a community-run library in our village and love making the most of it. This year's summer reading challenge will be rather different, but I'm so pleased we'll be able to get involved. 

Today, I wanted to celebrate some of my favourite silly children's stories: 

Oi Frog!

I think the books in this series are the most-read picture books in our house. The rhyme scheme creates lots of comedy and the pictures are very funny too. 

Going to the Volcano

I borrowed this from the library and can still recite it off by heart when my kids are in need of a giggle. Head off with Jane-o to look at the Volcano, but be careful not to get too close...

Shh! We Have a Plan

Another one I can recite without the book to hand! This was one of the first stories my children started to join in with, and it always makes us laugh. This story is how not to catch a bird.

The One-Stop Story Shop

A shop for stories, for when your adventure isn't going quite the way you'd planned...

Do Not Disturb the Dragons

One to pre-order now, ready for when it comes out at the beginning of July. Do Not Disturb the Dragons is a chapter book about princesses who want to break all the rules and become knights.

Join in with the Summer Reading Challenge fun on social media today by sharing your favourite silly stories. You can meet this year's Silly Squad below. 

Picture This: We're Going on a Treasure Hunt

I was unsure about requesting a digital ARC of this on NetGalley, but even without the flaps, this story was a hit with my children. We've loved the Easter and Christmas versions of this story and We're Going on a Treasure Hunt is just as much fun! 

Hughes' artwork is bright, adorable and engaging, and her bunnies made lovely pirates. When we finished reading, my children immediately asked if we could go on a treasure hunt of our own, so this is a story which creates lots of opportunities for imaginative play. I won't hesitate to buy this now that it's available in a physical format. 

Wonderscape

THE GAME IS ON. TRAVEL WITH WONDER.

When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a mysterious explosion on their way to school, they find themselves trapped aboard The Principia – a scientific research ship sailing through hazardous waters, captained by one Isaac Newton.

Lost in the year 2473 in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some unlikely historical heroes, to play their way home before time runs out.

Travel with wonder into a gaming experience like no other. Wonderscape hooked me from the opening line. 

When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a garden full of exploded gnomes, they are teleported through time and space into the middle of an in-reality adventure game where they come face to face with heroes from human history. 

Buy this now if your middle grade reader likes video games and adventure. In fact, buy it even if they don't, because Wonderscape is a brilliant novel that sucks you straight into the heart of the action and will be enjoyed by a huge range of readers. 

The concept of Wonderscape was superb. I loved all the subtly included STEM aspects through the puzzles, challenges and characters. The historical heroes were a really strong addition, with unlikely cross-time conversations and a few inspirational figures I hadn't heard of before. Bell's world was intricately developed and described in depth and detail. The reader is plunged headlong into an extreme video-game, escape-room scenario (perfect escapism for right now). I really hope the characters return to Wonderscape for another adventure; there are so many realms left to explore!

Children will love Bell's characters. Arthur, Ren and Cecily were very relatable - brave and kind, but also full of doubts and insecurities. Cloud, the time-travelling dog who acts as their guide, is another highlight. 

Thank you so much to Walker books for letting me review an eARC of Wonderscape. I really hope this isn't the last time I visit Bell's incredible world - I would especially love to see this book as a film.

Picture This: Don't Call Me Grumpycorn

Unicorns and space are two of my daughter's favourite things, so I knew this story would be a huge hit in our house!

Unicorn is off to space in search of the universe's most fabulous planet. He flies swiftly (and grumpily!) past planets of alien mermaids, narwhals and jellyfish, only landing when he finds one that is sparkly and purple. But Unicorn's fabulous discovery is already inhabited by other unicorns. Will he decide to live on a planet of others just like him? Or will he realise the most fabulous planet is with the friends he loves before they blast away forever?

Don't Call Me Grumpycorn is full of bright colours and tiny details. Unicorn's rocket is full of everything from doughnut machines and emergency biscuits. We spent ages pouring over it to find all of the hidden rainbow surprises, and it's only the first page!

We ordered this story on launch day after taking part in all of the brilliant activities McIntyre hosted on Twitter. From making unicorn headbands to designing our own planets, there was plenty to keep us busy (you can find all of the resources here). My daughter even won an illustration of herself and Grumpycorn, which we will treasure forever. 

Don't Call me Grumpycorn is a brilliant picture book about friendship and adventure, which for unicorn-enthusiasts and space fans everywhere will love.

June

What I'm Reading:

I'm currently reading Cinderella is Dead and The Dragon Detective: School's Out. If you want to show your support for black authors this month, consider preordering Cinderella is Dead, I'm only 10% through so far but absolutely loving it. It's also a great book purchase for Pride Month. I'm planning to theme lots of my reading for Pride Month over the next few weeks (Wayward Son is still sitting unread on my shelf...) and also hopefully dipping into Make Your Myth Taker. The Court of Miracles comes out this month too, which I've been looking forward to reading since I first heard about it at the start of the year.

What I'm Writing:

Last week was a huge push to get two very different stories ready for The Times/Chicken House and Madeleine Milburn Mentoring competitions. I also posted a new short story on Wattpad - another gender-reversed fairytale, this one The Prince and The Pea. I'm now diving back into WriteMentor edits, with some brilliant notes from my fantastic mentor, Marisa Noelle (who has a new book out today!) and I'm hoping to get back into my free-verse YA fantasy story on Wattpad which I've been neglecting for far too long. 

Coming up on my blog this month:

I have plenty of picture book reviews lined up for this month, including Don't Call Me Grumpycorn, In Every House on Every Street and a special post for the release of The Perfect Shelter. I will also be taking part in the blog tour for In My Dreams (which I can't wait to read when it arrives) and posting about some special Barrington Stokes stories for Empathy Day. I have reviews coming up for Wonderscape, Midnight's Twins, Here Lie the Secrets, and lots more! 

What are you reading for June? Are there any new releases your really excited about?