Picture This: Africa Day

It's the Africa Day festival and Emeka can't wait to explore with his mum. Once he arrives, there are so many things to listen to, eat and buy that the fun doesn't stop until evening comes and the stalls begin to close. 

Africa Day is a wonderful celebration of African culture. It's an explosion of colour and fun, full of sounds, tastes and smells which bring its pages to life. This story is a great way to introduce young readers to a culture different to their own, or to celebrate one not often depicted in picture books. The artwork is bright and exciting, and I love the contrasting fonts used for emphasis.

Thank you Little Steps Publishing for sending us a copy of this story to review. 

Africa Day is written by Chi Mary Kalu and illustrated by Jelena Jordanovic-Lewis

Picture This: The Small Five

The plains of Africa are ruled by the five largest and strongest animals, until the small five challenge them for the crown. The big five think they have all the advantages, but Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Antlion, Rhinoceros Beetle and Leopard Tortoise know they have what it takes to win. Five tests follow: hunting, survival, parenting, patience and wisdom. The result surprises almost everyone. 

This was a fun, colourful rhyming story which my two year old really enjoyed. We liked Stanes' artwork and the storyline was really entertaining. This picture book is all about not judging others by their size and strength, and seeing the value in different approaches to problems. 

Thank you Little Steps Publishing for sending us a copy of this story to review.

The Small Five is written by Ralph Johnstone and illustrated by Harriet Stanes. 

A Throne of Swans

When her father dies just before her birthday, seventeen-year-old Aderyn inherits the role of Protector of Atratys, a dominion in a kingdom where nobles are able to transform at will into the bird that represents their family bloodline. Aderyn's ancestral bird is a swan. But she has not transformed for years, not since witnessing the death of her mother - ripped apart by hawks that have supposedly been extinct since the long-ago War of the Raptors.

With the benevolent shelter of her mother and her father now lost, Aderyn is at the mercy of her brutal uncle, the King, and his royal court. Driven by revenge and love, she must venture into the malevolent heart of the Citadel in order to seek the truth about the attack that so nearly destroyed her, to fight for the only home she has ever known and for the land she has vowed to protect. {goodreads}

I was lucky enough to have my request to review A Throne of Swans accepted on Netgalley and was so excited when the notification came through. A Throne of Swans has been all over my Facebook timeline and I LOVE a retelling, so I knew this would be perfect for me.

A Throne of Swans is a YA fantasy inspired the story of swan lake. It's sweeping, beautiful and magic. Here are three reasons I would recommend it.

1. The world is really well thought out and developed. I loved its history and how it was woven into the fantasy aspects of A Throne of Swans. The court intrigue that arrives from the world politics keeps the story tense and exciting throughout.

2. Aderyn is a really strong main character. She is fallible and does plenty of things that you'll be screaming at her not to, but she is also keen to atone for her mistakes and is driven by love and duty throughout.

3. Early on in the story, Aderyn is told to "trust no one" and this is advice that stuck with me throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat - I was never sure who she could or couldn't trust and was always on the lookout for lies and betrayal. It made this a really exciting read.

There's been a lot of hype about this book, but I wasn't at all disappointed. A Throne of Swans is the first in what is going to be a very exciting series. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Picture This: Santa's High-Tech Christmas

Christmas Eve deliveries with a twist!

In Santa's High-Tech Christmas, Santa uses his jet pack and techno pad to keep on top of all his deliveries, whizzing from one house to the next in record time. But when Santa drops his tech pad and the screen turns black, he needs help if he's going to get across the world on time. 

This was a fun Christmas story, with a technology twist: when Santa struggles to get to grips with his new tech, he enlists the help of a little girl called Jasmin. The art work was really sweet and the rhyming couplets made us laugh (especially at the end).

Santa's High-Tech Christmas is written by Mike Dumbleton and illustrated by Angela Perrini

Picture This: The Night Before Christmas

This is a mini, picture based review for a classic tale with lovely new artwork from Helene Magisson that really compliments the story. I loved the soft, muted colour scheme and the sweet illustrations. We will definitely be reading this on Christmas Eve. Thank you New Frontier Publishing for sending me a copy.

The Night Before Christmas is written by Clement Clarke Moore and illustrated by Helene Magisson

Picture This: Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding

I'm almost at the end of the audiobook version of Pride and Prejudice, so this funny picture book was perfectly timed. Thank you New Frontier Publishing for sending me a copy!

Darcy, Lizzie and a host of other favourites are reimagined as farmyard animals, preparing for Christmas by making the mixture for a Christmas pudding. 

This story is about including everyone at Christmas - even Mr Collins the cat, who tries to eat Maria the mouse at the start of the story! - and coming together to celebrate and spend time together. 

It was very sweet and I really enjoyed reading it to my two-year-old. I also learnt about 'Stir-up Sunday', which I hadn't come across before.

It looks like this is part of a series, with two other Mr Darcy books. On the strength of this, I would love to read the first two!

Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding is written by Alex Field and illustrated by Peter Garnavas

Picture This: Santa's Tight Squeeze

I'm really excited to have five lovely Christmas stories to review this month from New Frontier Publishing. First up is Santa's Tight Squeeze.

As Santa travels across the world, the children he visits generously leave out plenty of snacks and treats to help him on his way. But the more Santa eats, the harder he finds it to squeeze down chimneys and through windows! If he's going to make it round the world in time, he's going to need a plan.

This was a sweet, funny picture book about sharing, which features some lovely drawings from famous landmarks around the world. My toddler really enjoyed the pictures of Santa's reindeer eating treats. This is definitely a story we will read again and again.

Santa's tight squeeze is written by Alex Field and illustrated by Karen Erasmus