Victoria Stitch, Bad and Glittering

 

Perfect for fans of Isadora Moon who want something longer to sink their teeth into!

Victoria Stitch and Celestine should be princesses. Born of diamond, they were relegated to a life of nannies and normality thanks to a tiny impurity - a stitch. But Victoria Stitch knows she was born to rule, and she'll stop at nothing to claim what is rightfully hers. Can Celestine stop her from taking things to far? 

Victoria Stitch and Celestine are brilliant characters, filled with passion and creativity. Their relationship is a great example of the complexity of sibling relationships, as it is full of ups and downs, with the girls often struggling to regain the closeness of their youth. Sisters who struggle to get along will find a lot to relate to!

The world building is really special. Muncaster has created a world readers will want to dive head first into and never leave. From tree-stump palaces to flower bloom broomsticks, it is a world of small details and wonders. 

The story itself is full of adventure, magic and twists. Switching the focus between Victoria Stitch and Celestine gives readers a great insight into both protagonists, and I loved them both.

Muncaster's artwork is stunning. There's only a sample in the proof copies, so I'm looking forward to buying the finished version to see Victoria Stitch and Celestine's adventures in detail. I particularly loved the different crowns at the beginning of each chapter. 

My six year old and I are really enjoying reading her Isadora Moon collection together and I know she'll enjoy this story too in the future. 

Thank you so much Oxford University Press for sending me a copy of this magical adventure to review.

The Tindims of Rubbish Island

The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a sweet, funny story with an important environmental message. 

There is lots to keep young readers entertained on every page and my six year old loved reading this with me. She joined in with the songs and loved the Tindims quirky habits and terminology. 

The story itself is a delight to read and has a very important message at its heart. The Tindims are resourceful and considerate, and this story introduces themes of environmental conservation and recycling in a way that makes it easy for children to understand their importance. It's very hard to look at plastic bottles in the same way after reading about the Tindim's mountain. Their motto "Rubbish today is treasure tomorrow" is a great way of looking at waste, and will hopefully inspire lots of craft projects and upcycling. 

This story is also filled with lovely artwork and the design is wonderful, making it a visual treat. Every page has some kind of design element, making this the perfect story for young readers who are ready to move beyond picture books to something a bit longer, but still enjoy having pictures and visuals to accompany the story. 

I really hope the Tindims go on another adventure soon, as this would make a lovely series. 

Thank you Zephyr for letting me review an advanced copy of this book on NetGalley 

The Tindims of Rubbish Island is written by Sally Gardner and illustrated by Lydia Corry 

Picture This: My Grandma is 100

What do you buy someone who is turning 100? Will there be 100 guests at their party, or 100 candles on their cake?

When Grandma Edna turns 100 her great grandchild is full of questions, and wonders what the special day will be like. 

This story is a wonderful celebration of family, growing older and spending time together. It touches on some of the issues children might face when spending time with older relatives, such as hearing difficulties, but also the joy of having a large family who can come together in times of happiness. 

The illustrations are sweet and often funny (my son loved spotting the tree-eating dinosaur!)

Thank you Little Steps publishing for sending me a copy to review

My Grandma is 100 is written by Aimee Chan and illustrated by Angela Perrini

Picture This: Amazing Animal Earth

Follow a little girl around the world as she learns about the animals beyond her own home. 

Amazing Animal Earth is a celebration of animals across the world's continents. It introduces young readers to creatures they may not have encountered before and their homes, and is a lovely way to learn about the world. 

This picture book is full of sweet, gentle artwork, with adorable animals and beautiful landscapes (I particularly liked the starry Australian sky and the snowy European wood). It's gentle rhyme scheme makes it a great bedtime story too. 

Thank you Little Steps publishing for sending me a copy to review. 

Amazing Animal Earth is written by Alessandra Yap and illustrated by Anastasia Popp

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker

Another amazing story from Lauren James, which kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker is incredibly tense, and I raced through it, desperate to know what would happen next. This story is full of twists and turns. It has a complicated, non linear plot which it was so fun to follow, and is something I've come to expect from a Lauren James book, after the time travel and distorted space time of previous novels I have read by her! So much thought and planning must go into her novels, and it really shows in the complexity and brilliance of the finished work. 

This story is made up of fantastic multiple POVs. I loved all the characters and was never disappointed when the viewpoint shifted, as everyone was so interesting. The friendship between the characters was very special, and I loved the found-family feel to this story. Harriet herself is a complex character who is often hard to like, but very understandable. James develops her really well.

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker also explores death, the afterlife, and what makes us human. Fear, love and acceptance are all vital to the story's progression and the characters' growth. 

I also loved the setting - as a Warwick grad especially! I'm not sure this a story I'd want to read right before moving into student halls though. Although, if I was going to move into university accommodation that was already occupied, I'd want it to be by Rima and her friends! 

Picture This: Polly Profiterole's Little Town

A deliciously sweet treat in storybook form! 

Polly Profiterole is tired and fed up. Her pancake parlour is the only shop in her tiny town, which doesn't even have a school or a bank. So she cooks up a plan to create the sweetest town ever. Baked by Polly and constructed by her husband, Percy, chocolate chip churches and treacle tart toy shops are soon filling the town with joy. 

This is a lovely picture book which will amaze young readers and have them inventing food-filled towns of their own. It opens up a world of possibilities. 

The art work is adorable and really brings Polly's creations to life in a way. Clever littles details (such as the bank being made with lots of dough) will have adults giggling too. 

Thank you Little Steps Publishing for sending me a copy to review

Polly Profiterole's Little Town is written by Maggie May Gordon and illustrated by Margarita Levina

Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know

Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know is full of twists, romance and art. Here are three reasons I think everyone should read it this summer:

1. Khayyam is a superb protagonist. She jumps off the page with every word. I loved her quick humour, sarcasm and her very relatable insecurities. She cares so much about Leila, and her story, ensuring that the reader can't help but care too. She also brilliantly analyses who gets remembered by history and why. She's a brilliant YA heroine I think teenagers will love.

2. One of my favourite things about Love, Hate & Other Filters were all the technical details about cinematography, that really reflected Maya's love for the subject. In Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know, Ahmed goes into the same level of immersive detail with art, poetry and literature. I don't know very much about art, so I love coming across artist and their works in literature as it encourages me to discover more about them. This story has had me googling Delacroix, digging out books with Byron poems in and wanting to read Dumas for the first time. I'm also keen to read some of the beautiful Persian poetry features in the novel. 

3. The setting is beautiful. Even in the height of Summer abandoned by the Parisians, Paris is a perfect story location - especially for one packed with swoonworthy romance (and very yummy cakes). My family and I had a long conversation afterwards about how much better Orangina tastes in the little glass bottles you can always buy in France, and the descriptions of the patisseries were mouthwatering!

If you like romance, dreamy locations, art or cake, you will love this story! 

Picture This: Now You See Me

This picture book prompted lots of excitement when it arrived, from its sparkly cover with 'invisible' lettering, to the bright pink chameleon at the top. We had to read it straight away (and then again immediately after!) 

Chameleon is a master of disguise and brilliant at blending in with his surroundings. He uses his special talent to play tricks on the other animals and avoid chores, but when the joke is on him, he realises it might be time to change his behaviour. 

My children had lots of fun searching for chameleon and frog on every page, and laughed at all of chameleon's naughty antics. This story has been cleverly designed, with lots of hidden, camouflaged details which makes it lots of fun to share. I can see this being very popular in classrooms or nurseries, with children eager to race to find the hidden characters. 

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

Now You See Me, Now You Don't is written by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Jonny Lambert

Blog Tour: The Beast and the Bethany

Ebenezer is approaching his 512th birthday, although he looks remarkably young for his age. He lives a reclusive life of luxury, filled with the occasional odd purchase of rare parrots and trips to the zoo to gather food for the magical beast he keeps in his attic - the secret to his youth and wealth. But the beast has grown tired of his usual meals. He wants to try something new. Something much more difficult to get hold of. But when orphan Bethany moves in, Ebenezer and his beast discover they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

The Beast and the Bethany is a must read for fans of funny middle grade stories filled with dark twists. I was hooked from the very first page and devoured this story in one sitting, thanks to its superb voice and excellent characters.

I really liked both Bethany and Ebenezer, and I think children will too. Bethany acts without thinking and does some horrible (and hilarious) things. Ebenezer is selfish and thoughtless (and at times completely clueless!). 

There were so many lines and moments which made me laugh out loud. But despite the laughs and the gruesome scenarios, there were also touching moments, filled with character growth and friendship. 

My advanced copy only had a taste of Follath's artwork, and I'm really looking forward to being able to buy a finished copy to enjoy it properly, as the pictures which have been included are brilliant. 

I'm so pleased there are going to be more books with Bethany and Ebenezer - this is a great concept with fantastic characters, which readers will want to return to again and again. 

You can find out much more about The Beast and the Bethany by following all of the tour stops with The Write Reader blog tour. 

The Beast and the Bethany is written by Jack Meggitt-Phillips and illustrated by Isabelle Follath

When Secrets Set Sail

When Secrets Set Sail is a wonderful story of friendship, sisterhood, and finding where you belong. Brahmachari blends magic and reality to bring the past into the present. 

Ghosts and secrets collide when Immy is adopted by Usha's family. Both girls struggle to adjust to the new dynamic, and they're not helped by the presence of ghosts, long neglected bargains, and the threat of the closure of the community space they live above. If they are going to save their home and help their ghosts to move on, they will first have to learn to work together and trust each other. 

When Secrets Set Sail is beautifully written and filled with history, community and family. Immy and Usha's relationship is at the very heart of the novel and it was lovely to see them grow closer and accept each other. I especially loved their moments on the tandem bike! 

I really enjoyed this novel's exploration of history, particularly overlooked stories. I learnt a lot about a group of people I didn't previously know anything about and I will keep their stories with me long after the novel's final page. This story stresses the importance of passing stories down, to keep the past alive. 

Community, both its history and the way it brings us together and supports us, is another important theme within the novel. Immy and Usha learn a lot about how the way they live affects others. They discover the importance of honouring promises, and the way it can conflict with our own wants and desires. 

But, above all, When Secrets Set Sail is an uplifting story which will leave readers smiling, their hearts full. 

I was provided with an early copy of this novel to review on NetGalley

Picture This: Cities of the World

Travel the world in this beautifully designed picture book, visiting cities which span the globe, and learn lots of facts about them along the way. 

Sometimes, I know immediately that a picture book is going to be special. This was exactly the case with Cities of the World. I think it would be impossible to walk past this book in a shop without stopping for a closer look.

With its peep through design, Cities of the World is full of colour and detail. I especially love that it's pouring down in the London picture! 

There is so much to discuss on every page, this story will keep little ones entertained for a long time.

Cities of the World is packed full of facts, but you don't have to read all of them out on every reading, meaning this book can be slightly different every time you open it. My three-year-old asks what specific buildings or landmarks are, while my five-year-old likes to discuss what the people are doing.

This is a must-buy for inquisitive children, who want to learn more about the world they live in and the people and places to be found in it. 

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

Cities of the World is written by Becky Davies and illustrated by Josie Portillo

Here is the Beehive

This novel is superbly written. It is the first adult verse novel I've read and it definitely won't be the last. I've enjoyed Crossan's YA novels in the past and it was great to read a story with adult characters. 

Here is the Beehive is full of complicated characters, whose lives are messy and imperfect, but refreshingly real. There were so many moments where I wished I could speak to Ana - perhaps a result of the style it is written in, but also because she was so fleshed out. There's so much to talk about with her - she's a character you could study and write essays on. I could definitely write an essay on all my thoughts about her (the only reason I'm keeping this brief is because I was to avoid spoilers). I didn't agree with a lot of her actions, but I understood why she was making them and throughout the novel I desperately wanted her to heal and be happy.  She is a character I could discuss endlessly and I can't wait for more people to read this book so that I can. 

Crossan writes in first person but addresses Ana's partner, Connor, as 'you' throughout. This heightens the emotion within the verse and also assumes the reader already knows everything, which leads to some big surprises in the plot. I was never sure how or where Here is the Beehive was going to end. The final page brought me to tears. 

Crossan's attention to detail is brilliant. I loved the tiny character studies of figures in the background which brought the world vividly to life. Small moments have stuck with me long after I read the last page.

I was provided with an early copy of this novel to review on NetGalley

Raybearer

I raced through Raybearer in a few hours. It's so absorbing, the world-building so brilliant, that I couldn't put it down. 

This fantasy YA is full of fantastic characters. Tarisai is a strong, caring protagonist who puts others before herself and is always looking for love and acceptance. The side characters were all well-developed too, with their own stories and motivations (some of which, such as the Lady's, still remain a tantalising mystery)

Ifueko's world building is immersive from the very beginning. She has created a wonderful, well explained magic system and a rich fantasy world I was disappointed to leave. There is plenty of superb mythology which I'm looking forward to learning more about in the next book. Her world is brought vividly to life through beautiful descriptions and plenty of detail.

The abrupt, cliff-hanger ending has left me desperate for book two - I'm already eager to return to this world and story, to find out what Tarisai does next. 

Picture This: The Proudest Blue

When Faizah's sister, Asiya, wears her hijab to school for the first time, Faizah thinks she looks just like a princess, and can't wait to wear a hijab of her own. 

Not everyone at school is accepting, or kind, when they see Asiya's hijab, but Faizah knows just how special both the hijab, in it's beautiful blue, and her big sister are.  

This picture book is a wonderful celebration of diversity and sisterhood. The imagery in the words is lovely and makes this a joy to read.

It is filled with beautiful artwork that would make wonderful prints. I will definitely be on the lookout for more stories illustrated by Hatem Aly. 

The Proudest Blue is written by Ibtihaj Muhammad and SK Ali, and illustrated by Hatem Aly

Picture This: Sounds of the Skies

Filled with adorable illustrations, loads of facts and interesting sounds, this children's book is very special. 

There's so much to read and look at on each page, you can either take your time going through carefully, or read a different fact every time, which is what we've been doing so far (and we haven't run out of combinations yet!)

The bird calls help transport readers to far away places and it's size is a huge bonus too. Most of our noisy picture books are half the size of Sounds of the Skies. It's wonderful to have such large and detailed artwork, and there's lots of information packed into each page. 

Sounds of the Skies showcases a wide range of avian wildlife from across the globe, but also the other animals who live along side them, from kinkajou to red pandas. There's so much to explore, I know this is a book we will enjoy for a very long time. 

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

Sounds of the Skies is written by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Jonathan Woodward

Turtle Boy

Turtle Boy is the heartwarming story of a young boy's journey out of his shell, which will appeal to fans of Wonder. Will is an anxious boy who prefers the company of turtles to people his own age. He freezes up in conversations, avoids anything that makes him feel nervous, and is relentlessly bullied about his appearance. When Will begins visiting terminally-ill RJ in hospital, on the insistence of his Rabbi, he is slowly drawn out of his comfort-zone and begins to connect with others. 

I was not prepared for how wonderful Turtle Boy would be, and was utterly absorbed by this touching story which I think will be very popular in schools.

Turtle Boy celebrates being yourself and learning not to shut the world out. Over the course of the novel, Will begins to make friends and let others in. His friendship with RJ forces him to have new experiences, even if they scare him, and I think lots of readers will find Will's character growth inspirational. He was also a vividly real character, with an anxiety-riddled internal-monologue that lots of readers will relate to, especially the way he freezes mid-conversation and can't think what to say next, and his arguments with his mum. 

Turtle Boy is also an emotional story, and brought me to tears in multiple chapters. Wolkenstein handles difficult subject matters, such as grief and terminal illness body dysmorphia, with great sensitivity. 

I was, however, a little confused during the first few chapters, until I remembered that in America everything is a turtle - there's no terrapin/tortoise distinction! I can see why Usborne haven't changed this for the UK edition (terrapin boy doesn't have quite the same ring!) But I think it might confuse some young readers initially. 

Picture This: All Are Welcome Here

A lovely, inclusive picture book where everyone is welcome and differences are celebrated. 

This is a wonderful book to read in school, libraries or youth groups, and shows that no matter how different we may look or live we can all play and have fun together. 

It celebrates diversity in bright, colourful art work that most children will be able to see themselves reflected in. Different races, religions, family set ups are all represented. There is so much detail in the pictures that you can look at them for ages to find all the little hidden treasures. 

It is a beautiful picture book with a wonderful, celebratory message. The perfect story to share.

 

All Are Welcome Here is written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Picture This: Albert Talbot Master of Disguise

Who will Albert Talbot be today? This lovely picture book celebrates imagination and creativity, while also showing that sometimes, it's best to be exactly who you really are. 

Some days, reality isn't very exciting, but that isn't a problem for Albert Talbot, master of disguise. Early morning, he's a fearsome cowboy on the run from the law. In front of the class at school, he's a mechanical engineer designing giant robots. And when he's feeling anxious at the swimming pool, he's a submariner hunting for a vicious sea monster. 

This story is full of action and adventure. It will capture the imaginations and hearts of any child who likes to spend their days lost in imaginary worlds.

The artwork is bright and fun to look at, and Albert's daydreams are full of tiny details. I really loved this story and had great fun sharing it will my children. 

Albert Talbot is written by Ben Manley and illustrated by Aurélie Guillerey

Thank you Macmillan Children's Books for sending me a copy to review

Eight Pieces of Silva

Silva is meant to be looking after Becks while their parents honeymoon in Japan. But when Becks gets in from school, Silva isn't there. She doesn't appear the next day either, or the next. Becks ventures into Silva's room in search of clues, and discovers she might not know her step-sister as well as she thought. 

With diary-like entries from Silva interspersed throughout, this story kept me on the edge of my seat as it builds to its satisfying conclusion. Tension runs high throughout and I struggled to put this novel down as I was desperate to know what was going on. Lawrence lets the mystery unravel slowly, making the outcome hard to predict.

Eight Pieces of Silva is filled with brilliant, realistic, complicated characters readers will love. Beck's voice comes alive on the page, feeling fresh and real in a way that sucks you straight into the novel. The vivid cultural representation, especially the K-pop and Marvel references, will make this very popular with teenage readers. 

Lawrence shows the complexity of toxic relationships and first love through Silva's despair, and Silva's desperate passages show how a bad breakup can feel like grieving. But Lawrence also shows positive, loving relationships through Becks and China, who was supportive and caring towards Becks and was exactly who she needed by her side while trying to get to the bottom of Silva's disappearance. 

This story also explores the complexity of family, especially what it means to be a dad, how to become a family, and dealing with grief when your family is torn apart.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the chance to review this phenomenal novel and can't wait to read whatever Lawrence writes next.

Noah Wild and the Floating Zoo

Noah and Hatty are excited when their Uncle Loafy comes to visit and tells them about his next adventure: returning a llama, kangaroo, tiger and monkey to their homes around the world. Even better, he's looking for a crew to help him. When their trip is complicated by llama drama, a naughty monkey and very hungry tiger, Noah and Hatty discover home isn't always where you expect. 

This quick, funny story is great for emerging readers who want to read on their own, or younger children who want a longer bedtime story. 

Monkey Robertson was the highlight of this crazy tale - I loved all his cheeky disasters and children will too. He looked particularly adorable in the story artwork as he gets up to all sorts of trouble. I also enjoyed the casual reversal of gender stereotypes - Hatty fixes the boat while Noah shops for supplies. 

McCall Smith packs a lot of plot into a very short story, so it's impossible to be bored for even a moment. Noah and Hatty travel across five different continents and readers are treated to snapshots of some brilliant locations. 

Thank you, Bloomsbury for sending me an eARC for review. 

Picture This: Be Kind

Being kind isn't always easy, and sometimes it can feel hard to solve other people's problems, no matter how much we want to help. 

When Tanisha spills grape juice on her new dress, her friend really wants to make her happy again, but isn't sure how best to do so.  

Be Kind celebrates kindness is its many forms. It explores how small acts of kindness can make a big difference to someone else. It shows all the little ways you can be kind - using someone's name, noticing something about them, saying please and thank you, as well as the scarier, more difficult ways of being kind - standing up for someone who is being bullied, or helping someone to learn something new. 

The artwork is bright and sweet, with lots going on every page to entertain young readers. It is also full of a diverse range of characters. 

The uplifting message of this picture book is that kindness, once started, can spread around the world, making a difference to everyone. It is a story that would work really well in a classroom, nursery or youth group, but we also really enjoyed sharing this at home.  

Be Kind is written by Pat Zeitlow Miller and illustrated by Jen Hill

Thank you Macmillan Children's Books for sending me a copy of this story to review

Picture This: The Whales on the Bus

You'll find whales on buses, bees on skiis and plenty more hilarious scenarios in this brilliant picture book. 

Just like Car, Car, Truck, Jeep this book is a lot of fun to read aloud! My children joined in from the second line of each page and loved laughing at all the crazy scenarios. Their favourite page was definitely the seals on the sub, which I had to read three times in a row. We also laughed a lot when the dragon made an appearance and there was plenty of singing with the goats. 

Sharratt's artwork is bright and bold with his signature style. The story has a gentle, sleepy feel to the last two pages, making this story perfect for before bed, or as a pre nap-time read at home or nursery. We loved this story and would definitely recommend it. 

Thank you Bloomsbury for sending me a digital copy of this story for review. 

The Whales on the Bus is written by Katrina Charman and illustrated by Nick Sharratt

The Black Kids

The Black Kids is a powerful and timely novel about growing up as a black woman in 90s Los Angeles.

It explores racial inequalities in a way that holds a lens to our own time. Here are three reasons I would recommend it: 

1. The Black Kids is filled with complicated relationships - between both family and friends. It explores growing up and moving on, and finding people who value who you are. It also  reflects both the difficulties and importance of reconnecting with family, and understanding your family's history and where you come from.

2. Ashley undergoes a lot of character growth throughout the novel. She makes mistakes and learns to live with the consequences, as do many of the other characters in the novel. This story shows the importance of owning up to the things you have done wrong, and forgiving others for mistakes they have made.

3. The Black Kids' bittersweet ending ties up loose ends, but reminds readers that in real life, no ending is perfect (or final) and that sometimes the future can take us in unexpected directions. 

Bonus reason: 90s LA, in the midst of the Rodney King riots, made a vivid and dramatic setting that will draw you in immediately, and stay with you long after you've read the final page.

I was provided with an advanced copy of The Black Kids for review via NetGalley

Rocket Boy

Join future astronaut Callum and his cat Oscar on a trip to Mars in a cardboard rocket. Rocket Boy is the newest story in Little Tiger's colour illustrated early reader series. 

This story is brilliant! It is a celebration of the limitless nature of children's imagination - it is make believe play at its finest and will inspire everyone who reads it. 

Both my five-year-old and three-year-old were hooked throughout, and went off on their own space adventure as soon as we finished. The artwork is fantastic and brought Callum's journey to life in a way young readers will be desperate to imitate (start saving cardboard boxes now!)

As with the other stories in this series, vocabulary is pitched at the right level for emerging readers, so this is a book 6-8 year olds will be able to enjoy on their own, or with only a little help. It's great for students in years one and two who are ready to move beyond picture books but still want their stories to be full of colourful artwork. 

We've had so much fun with this story! Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

Picture This: She Rex

Maisy wants to play dinosaurs with her brother, Ed. But Ed says dinosaurs are only for boys, until Maisy introduces him to the fiercest girlosaur of them all - the lizard queen, She Rex - that is!

She Rex is a great story which challenges gender stereotypes and makes it clear that all toys are for girls and boys. I have definitely heard people say that my daughter won't be interested in dinosaurs 'because she's a girl' but, like Maisy, she loves them all the same. I loved that She Rex wasn't a 'girly' dinosaur like Ed imagines, either. "She hunts! She eat! She roars! She fights! Girl dinosaurs have equal bites." 

Maisy is a fun, determined protagonist who I would love to see in other picture books. 

Allwright's colourful artwork is brilliant and a real highlight in this story. Her dinosaurs have so much personality and they are lots of fun to look at. 

Thank you Bloomsbury for letting me review She Rex on NetGalley - I'm looking forward to buying a physical copy!

She Rex is written by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Deborah Allwright

Picture This: Together

Together is a soft, comforting story about friendship and belonging. A baby gorilla feels alone in the forest until an adult takes them under their wing. When they are together, the forest becomes a magical place of wonder and safety, and the world no longer seems so scary. 

The stand out feature of this picture book is the beautiful artwork. Every page is stunning! The soft green colour scheme also adds to the calming nature of the story. 

Together is a story that will make little ones feel safe and loved, with a soothing bedtime feel. 

Together is written and illustrated by Jane Chapman

Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy to review

Dear Emmie Blue

I don't even know where to start with this review. I have been walking around with my Kindle glued to my face because I couldn't bear to put this down and leave Emmie for a moment. I have so many feelings and I'm worried this review is going to be a random, jumbled mess of how much I loved this novel and these characters. 

Dear Emmie Blue is a heartwarming and perfect story of love, friendship and loneliness. It made my lips hurt from smiling and my heart ache with sadness. Through Emmie's story, Louis explores how we allow memories and experiences to define us, and the importance of connections and friendships in helping us to move on. I loved the concept of the balloon, Emmie, Lucas and Eliot's friendship, the mixtapes, the secrets, the stars. Everything about this novel was so special. 

Emmie is a wonderful protagonist who was so easy to relate to and I loved seeing her grow over the course of the novel. Even though she's a "closed book" to those around her, Louis shows her emotions so vividly in her narrative that I felt for her in every chapter. The side characters were equally well defined, with their own motivations, problems and desires - I especially loved Rosie and Fox.

I bought Somewhere Close to Happy straight away so that I could read more of Louis' wonderful writing. She will be joining Mhairi McFarlane on my list of auto-buy contemporary authors. 

Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found

Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found is a wonderful Middle Grade adventure which will delight readers and have them racing to reach the end. It is full of rich world building, and the Sahar Peninsula is exquisitely described. From midnight souks, to animal-companion jinni, it has a magic children will long to be part of.  

The real stand out for me in this story was the wonderful narration. It has easily the most vivid, exciting narrator I have come across in a children's story for a long time. The short stories woven through the main narrative are also skilfully done, and it was always a treat to have a glimpse into someone else's world.

Moonchild is full of representation, from characters with mental illness, to different skin tones, to Amira's two mothers. Despite its extraordinary magic, readers will find themselves reflected within Moonchild's pages, and a world that will welcome them no matter who they are. There are even discussions about periods, which I can't remember seeing in Middle Grade before and know I would have so appreciated at that age.

Bushby also packs in a powerful exploration of emotions and the importance of understanding them, rather than always trying to push them away or keep them bottled up inside. This story really is superb, and there's so much potential for the next in the series - I can't wait to find out what happens!

Thank you Egmont for letting me review this story via NetGalley