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? 

Five Books about Baking

Is anyone else doing a lot more baking at the moment? I'm about to run out of flour for the first time (I've been really lucky so far, so I definitely can't complain) but we have been baking at least once a week. Chocolate cookies have been our go-to faves, but we've also made birthday cakes for family members we haven't seen since the beginning of the year and scones for virtual afternoon teas. Here are five picture books which will encourage you to have fun in the kitchen (if you track down some mythical flour, that is!)

Bunny Makes Breakfast is a lovely life-the-flap book where two bunnies's set out to gather ingredients for a mystery recipe. We read this story a lot because it's a big favourite in our house. My son loves looking for berries and eggs in Bunny's garden. 

In Kipper's Birthday, a mix-up with party invitations leaves Kipper with a lot of birthday baking to eat all by himself! 

Bake A Rainbow Cake is a superb, interactive board book with bright, bold artwork. It's a visual delight and lots of fun to play with. 

Another birthday cake disaster occurs in Dylan the Baker. Dylan is trying not to eat Jolly Otter's birthday cake before his party, but it's hard to ignore the delicious smell wafting from his kitchen...

Little Bear's Picnic is part of the same series as Bunny Makes Breakfast. Children will love lifting the flaps to find a rainbow of foods for a delicious picnic treat.

Picture This: Sea

Another immediate classic from Britta Teckentrup. There is really nothing more lovely than snuggling up on the sofa with one of her peep-through stories. 

Sea takes you beneath the waves, to explore the colourful wildlife that fills our water. It looks at the dangers they face from one another, as well as their natural defences. It is a great book for introducing young children to a variety of marine animals and would provide great inspiration for artwork or craft. 

It is written in calm, soothing rhyme, making it a perfect bedtime story. Despite every picture being under the sea, there is a huge range of variety on each page. The backgrounds are an unexpected explosion of colour, from light purple to bright yellow.

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

Sea is written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

Wonderland

Wonderland was a wild trip down a rabbit hole that I didn't want to end. Here are three reasons I loved it:

1. Alice was snarky, fierce and she leapt from the page. I loved everything about her, from her realistic teenage insecurities and struggle to work out who she is, to her quick comebacks and brilliant internal monologue. She is a very fun character to follow and was the perfect guide for somewhere as insane as Wonderland because she sees all its flaws and horrors as well as its wonder. 

2. Wonderland is a brilliant, contemporary twist on a classic. I loved the character names, all the little references, and the Alice in Wonderland craziness of the whole thing. Caterpillr, the croquet, and the constantly running Bunny. It was very clever and so much fun to read.

3. Wonderland was as addictive to read as Clean and I really struggled to put it down. There are so many crazy twists in the plot and I was never quite sure what was going to happen next (or how true to the classic story the ending would stay). Dawson's writing is superb and this story shines.