Fantastic read for all 9+ and a great one to share at bed time although you'll find it hard to stick to reading just one chapter a night!
If you have enjoyed the wonderful Adventures on Trains series you'll recognise Sam's name as the co-writer behind the series with MG Leonard.
The Clockwork Conspiracy is a fast paced adventure set within the Palace of Westminster - the meeting place of our Parliament and the home of Big Ben. I really enjoyed the setting and Sam has placed his adventure firmly within the political heart of the UK. In a year when we will be going to the polls to elect our next government this book will capture and whet the interest of lots of young readers in the architecture, rules and traditions of our Parliament.
Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him.
Hunting a trail of clues through London landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father and time itself.
And of course as part of the trail of clues Isaac and Hattie cross London and find themselves at the home of time in Greenwich Park at the Meridian line and they certainly don't join the tourists looking at the view across London- the clock is ticking and every single second will count...
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Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Monsters by Karen Foxlee reviewed by Pete
'A vividly exciting younger middle grade adventure (7+) In a world where the quirky residents of a quaint village are being threatened by the development plans of bad Lord Woolington and the very reassuring sparkly shoes, can save woolington from imminent disaster, and, by golly, she's going to do it.' Peter gave it the thumbs up.
Mary-Kate Martin might be anxious, but she's not scared of monsters. Dressed in sparkly red shoes and carrying her strawberry-scented notebook, Mary-Kate accompanies her archaeologist mother to the peaceful English countryside to investigate some interesting bones found in an old well. But once they arrive, they realise that the village of Woolington is not as peaceful as it seems.
There are mysterious noises, the earth is trembling, and the locals are worried about a terrifying old legend. Could there be any truth in the myth of the beast who lives in the ancient well? And if so, why would it return? With the help of a new friend, Mary-Kate starts getting to the bottom of this monstrous mystery.
You can pre-order copies here
]]>When we heard that Faber were looking for bookshops that would like to put in a window to celebrate the latest Natasha Farrant book we jumped at the chance. A few years ago thanks to a conversation with a customer I picked up a copy of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk- what a wonderful adventure;
In the aftermath of World War One, everyone is trying to rebuild their lives. If Ben is to avoid being sent back to the orphanage, he needs to find his brother Sam, wounded in action and is now missing.
Lotti's horrible aunt and uncle want to send her away to boarding-school (when she has just so successfully managed to get expelled from her last one!). And Clara, their young teacher, is waiting for news of her missing fiance . .
. Just as they think they've found their feet in the new order, disaster strikes, and Lotti and Ben must get away. And so they hatch a plan - to cross the Channel on Ben's narrowboat and find Sam.
And Natasha's latest book is a total must read- a book that shows a group of children fighting for something they treasure, a place where they've all found sanctuary. To Bea and Raffy Ravenswood is their home, reminiscent of the faded grandeur in 'I Capture The Castle'. Ravenswood is the type of house and garden that allows them to be free, to explore and enjoy the natural world around them and most of all to be children.
The house is to be sold. The children feel they have no choice but to accept the decisions being made by the adults. But as we know no-one is too small to make a difference! The friendships are brilliantly drawn and the hot headedness of youth is refreshing. I can't wait to share this book with lots of young readers.
Having read The Magic Place by Chris when it came out, I have been excited to read his latest book. And what a total treat it is.
The Lucky Bottle is packed with adventure, a beard hating pirate, a treasure island, wonderful line drawings and at its heart a truly beautiful friendship.
]]>The Ship of Doom by MA Bennett
Greenwich, London, 15th February 1894.
Luna thinks that an evening at her aunt's butterfly club sounds deathly boring. But it turns out that the meeting, held in the Butterfly Room at the Greenwich Observatory, is not at all as Luna expects. The Butterfly Club is a society with an unusual secret . . . they use time travel to plunder the future for wonders.
]]>The Ship of Doom by MA Bennett
Greenwich, London, 15th February 1894.
Luna thinks that an evening at her aunt's butterfly club sounds deathly boring. But it turns out that the meeting, held in the Butterfly Room at the Greenwich Observatory, is not at all as Luna expects. The Butterfly Club is a society with an unusual secret . . . they use time travel to plunder the future for wonders.
Together with her friends, Konstantin and Aidan, and a clockwork cuckoo, Luna boards the Time Train. The gang travel to 1912 and find themselves aboard a great ship travelling from Southampton to New York. They locate a man called Guglielmo Marconi and his new invention: the wireless radio. But as the ship heads into icy waters, they discover its name:The RMS TITANIC Can Luna and the boys save Marconi and his invention from the doomed ship?Can they get the radio back home to the Butterfly Club?And how will their actions change the rest of time? And the great news is that there will be more books in the series as The Butterfly Club are going to be travelling through time :-)
MA Bennett was at Tallis during WBD / week and spoke to a large audience of children from local schools. And what a wonderful event- she spoke about how the book came about and about the Titanic and how various actions/ events resulted in its sinking. Copies are available here
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I was asked to create a list of books for David Luke Schoolwear to pop on their blog for World Book Day. The brief was books about sustainability, the planet and above all good adventures for 4-10 year olds
Books for 4 year olds
Big Book of Belonging by Yuval Zommer published by Thames and Hudson It is for all children who like to climb trees, run barefoot, splash in paddles, search for bugs, sing with the birds, taste snowflakes and count the stars. By placing children right at the heart of the natural world, the book celebrates their connection with planet Earth and reveals the often surprising similarities between humans, animals and plants. We love Yuval Zommer’s books they are always positive and packed with beautiful illustrations and quirky natural history facts.
Little People Big Dreams -David Attenborough published by Francis Lincoln Publishers Discover the life of David Attenborough, the inspiring broadcaster and conservationist through the bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS book. David grew up in Leicester on the campus of a university, where his father was a professor. As a child, he spent hours in the science library, collating his own specimens and creating a mini animal museum. This is a great book to inspire your children to be interested in the natural world.
Grow by Rizanino Reyes and illustrated by Sara Boccacini Meadows published by Magic Cat In this stunning book you will discover 15 plants with life-changing powers and then learn how to grow them. Meet each plant’s surprising relations (did you know the tasty tomato is a cousin of deadly nightshade?) discover their history (bromeliads defended themselves against the dinosaurs!). Then you can follow the step-by-step instructions to grow and care for each plant, whether you have a big back garden or a sunny windowsill. Written by horticulturalist Riz Reyes and fully illustrated throughout, the perfect introduction to growing plants for families everywhere.
The Last Tree by Emily Howarth Booth published by Harper Collins This wonderful tale is about community, our relationship with the environment and nature. A group of friends were seeking a place to call home. The desert was too hot, the valley was too wet and the mountain was too windy. Then they found the forest. It was perfect. But the friends soon wanted to build shelters. The shelters became houses, then the houses got bigger. As they cut down the trees, the forest becomes thinner, until there is just one last tree standing. It is down to the children to find a solution. This story will inspire your children.
Agents of the Wild series by Jennifer Bell & illustrated by Alice Lickens. Enter the world of Agnes & Attie this is a fun series packed with wildlife & conservation themes. When 8- year-old Agnes is signed up for SPEARS (the Society for the Protection of Endangered and Awesomely Rare Species), she has no idea of the adventures that lie ahead with her elephant-shrew mentor Attie (short of course for “Attenborough”). Operation Honeyhunt sends them to the Brazilian rainforest, on a mission to save an endangered, dance-loving bee named Elton.
The start of a great reading adventure, One World – 24 Hours On Planet Earth by Nicola Davies & illustrated by Jenni Desmond Keep an eye out for this book due to be released at the start of April. It has been heralded as an amazing tour of Planet Earth and a call to action As the clock strikes midnight, a little girl and her sister visit animals of every shape and size, all around the world – discovering that, in some places, creatures have just started their day, where in others they’re already busy hunting for food. Turning the popular concept of time-zones on its head and combining it with a powerful climate message.
I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast: A Celebration of Plants Around the World by Michael Holland & Illustrated by Phillip Giordano Published by Flying Eye Books Enter the truly incredible world of plants to learn about the green machines of the natural world. This book celebrates the plants in your life, from minty toothpaste to the floral names in your classroom. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the parts of a plant through to conservation, and also has some really great DIY projects for young gardeners and their families.
By Ash Oak and Thorn by Melissa Harrison and published by Chicken House. This is a perfect read for Spring time – a breathtaking tale of the rich, wild world and all its wonder Three tiny, ancient beings – Moss, Burnet and Cumulus, once revered as Guardians of the Wild World – wake from winter hibernation in their beloved ash tree home. They are forced to set off on an adventure to find more of their kind, a journey which takes them first into the deep countryside and then the heart of a city. Helped along the way by birds and animals, the trio search for a way to survive and thrive in a precious yet disappearing world …and the great news is if they enjoy this adventure they can move straight on to By Rowan and You.
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold & illustrated by Levi Pinfold published by Harper Collins This is a truly breathtaking adventure. There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life… and keep a look out for Hannah’s next book The Lost Whale due out at the end of March.
This book is not Rubbish:50 Ways to Ditch Plastic, Reduce Rubbish and Save the World by Isabel Thomas & Illustrated by Alex Paterson This book is essential reading. Discover how YOU can ditch plastic, reduce rubbish and become an eco-warrior, not an eco-worrier, with 50 practical tips to really make a difference! Our planet is in peril and it needs your help! But the good news is that there are loads of easy ways that you can make a difference and this book is full of top tips for kids and families.
Twitch by MG Leonard published by Walker Books This brilliant mystery adventure celebrates friendship, bravery and the incredible world of birds. Twitch has three pet chickens, four pigeons, swallows nesting in his bedroom, a passion for birdwatching but finds making friends difficult. On the first day of the summer holidays, he arrives at his secret hide to find police everywhere: a convicted robber has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Can a young birdwatcher outwit an escaped convict?
Escape Room by Christopher Edge published by Nosy Crow When twelve-year-old Ami arrives at The Escape, she thinks it’s just a game – the ultimate escape room with puzzles and challenges to beat before time runs out. Meeting her teammates, Adjoa, Ibrahim, Oscar and Min, Ami learns from the Host that they have been chosen to save the world and they must work together to find the Answer. But as he locks them inside the first room, they quickly realise this is no ordinary game. From a cavernous library of dust to an ancient Mayan tomb, the perils of The Escape seem endless. Can Ami and her friends find the Answer and save the world before it’s too late?
A Good Day for Climbing Trees by Jaco Jacobs, translated by Kobus Geldenhuys published by Oneworld Two unlikely heroes inspire a whole town by fighting to save a tree. Marnus is tired of feeling invisible as the middle brother. There’s a knock at the door and a girl called Leila turns up on their doorstep one morning with a petition and within minutes he’s drawn into her campaign to save a tree in the local park and finds himself actually camped out in its branches in defiance of the man from the water board, and his own mum. Their joint protest introduces them to a host of eccentric characters. A really lovely story about the importance of standing up for what you believe in and accepting who you are.
Island by Nicky Singer Urban teenager Cameron arrives on an uninhabited arctic island with his scientist mother who seems more interested in her research than him. He is left to explore this alien tundra landscape and its otherworldly inhabitants. Cameron is prepared for ice and storms and (stripped of his smart technology) possibly boredom. But he is not prepared for 24 hour daylight and erupting graves. At first Cameron believes the explanations that his research scientist mother provides. But – as the island reveals itself to him – he begins to see (and hear) things which push him towards a very different reality. One of them is Inuluk, an Inuit girl. The other is a large white bear.
]]>To celebrate World Book Day - I was asked by Grass and Air to put together a simple and inspiring roundup of books for 1-4 year olds around adventures outdoors. It can be just as fun indoors with a great book to let your child’s imagination run wild.
1 Year Old
Listen to the Birds by Marion Billet published by Nosy Crow Aimed at babies and toddlers, this ground-breaking series of interactive board books has a button on every spread, which plays one of six different exceptional quality sound effects. Children of every age will be captivated as they bring the artwork to life with six amazing real-life sounds.
Slow Down on Your Doorstep illustrated by Freya Hartas published by Magic Cat Discover a magical world of nature right on your doorstep. Charming rhyming verse introduces 6 magical moments – including a chick hatching from an egg, and dew collecting on a leaf – to the youngest readers. A fabulous introduction for first readers, from the team that created international bestseller Slow Down.
2 Year Old
Tree Seasons Come and Go by Patricia Hegarty & illustrated by Britta Teckentrupp published by Little Tiger Press Explore the beauty of the changing seasons in this beautiful timeless peek-through book with rhyming text. Following the life-cycle of a tree through spring, summer, autumn and winter, children will easily learn to recognise the signs of the seasons.
Mini Rabbit Not Lost by John Bond published by Harper Collins A wonderfully funny series of books. In the first book Mini Rabbit is making a cake with his mother. Cake, cake, cake! But he’s run out of berries. No berries, no cake. So he heads off on an adventure to find some. A book you’ll enjoy reading over and over.
3 Year Old
The Extraordinary Gardener written and illustrated by Sam Boughton published by Tate Publishing A lovely story about the importance of nature . Joe’s huge adventure starts with something very tiny, an apple pip, it takes a while, but it grows – and grows. Inspired, Joe fills his balcony with plants and flowers grown from seeds, and thrilled with the effect it has on neighbours, decides to share them with people throughout his city. In an explosion of colour, a spectacular fold-out page reveals the extraordinary transformation he effects.
4 Year Old
Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins and lllustrated by Emily Hughes published by Chronicle Books A joyful celebration of the outside world and the imagination Wonderful things can start when we look up and imagine- that’s how tree houses start according to the wonderful book.On each page we explore a different treehouse in the company of groups of little children, who are excited, happy, and working together. There’s one shaped like a pirate ship, one with the huge built-in bookcase, ones high up amidst the stars in the sky, all extraordinary spaces in which to dream and explore.
If You Go Down To The Woods Today by Rachel Piercey , illustrated by Freya Hartas and published by Magic Cat Publishing Experience the everyday wonder of nature in this book of poetry, exploring a magical woodland year. Each spread is dedicated to key events or rites of passage in a child’s day. Join Bear on his journey from spring through to winter with lots of friends to meet, places to explore and things to spot along the way. If you enjoy this treasure keep a look out for The Great Egg Hunt – the same characters appear and it will make a perfect present this Spring or how about for Easter.
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Clear, strong lines and radiant colours, which seem to smile at the reader, characterise Mies van Houts drawings.
Swim into Happy, where the dazzling fish sparkle against the dark background and let the images spark laughter and empathy.
We love sharing Happy it’s a firm fav here at Ottie and the Bea. The fish are full of colour and the book is packed with joy :-) #joyfull #positivity #understandingemotionsTodd and Laurie's dad is either on top of the world, taking them on fun adventures, or down in the depths and sleeping all the time. In the middle of the night, he bundles them into the car and drives them to the Paradise Hotel.
He paints a picture of a luxurious mansion by the sea, but the reality is a rundown dump and the disappointment means Dad takes to his bed. Todd and Laurie have the run of the place, and meet Scout, the daughter of the owner, who tells them about the night many years ago when a famous novelist vanished from her room on the top floor, which was locked from the inside... with clues to crack, a mystery to solve, and Dad to worry about, this holiday is full of twists and turns.
Lisa Thompson has again crafted a brilliantly sensitive portrayal of a difficult situation as she does in Goldfish Boy, The Light Jar (to name but two of her books) Lisa's writing is both wonderfully funny and moving. And The Roller Coaster Boy is brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced- a true page-turner. Enjoy :-)
White Fox by Chen Jiatong reviewed by Polly Delafond, age 11
This story is a true adventure book, it’s about magic, animal friends, sadness and a difficult quest....
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White Fox by Chen Jiatong
This story is a true adventure book, it’s about magic, animal friends, sadness and a difficult quest.
White Fox is about a young, white, arctic fox called Dilah. He lives with his parents until they are shot down by a hunter and leaves him to discover the secrets of the moonstone (a magical stone that is supposed to lead animals to Ulla’s secret treasure so that they can turn human.) Dilah has to follow the moonstone’s arrow towards the treasure so he can turn human. Along the way, Dilah meets new friends and learns what friendship truly is.
This book is full of imaginative thinking, brilliant descriptions and a great plot.
I think that many people, including me, find it very hard to keep the words and descriptions flowing throughout the book and not to just force them out. I feel like this book keeps the words flowing with ease and when that happens in a book, it is truly a joy to read.This book also paints a brilliant picture in your head, so you feel like you can almost feel what is around you in the story.
If you’re about 8-10 then I recommend this book to you, as has great descriptions and you can’t ever be disappointed with the way its written. I really liked this book, and I hope lots of others will enjoy it too.
Happy reading, Polly Delafond, 11
Summer Of No Regrets is about four sixteen year old girls who try to have a summer without any regrets, it is a compelling read. I struggled to put this book down! I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a great, easy, page turner of a book.
I was drawn into one particular character- Nell, she has struggled with many difficulties but manages to pull through, I thought this represented real determination and true Girl Power.
Summer of No Regrets has been shortlisted for the Bristol Teen Book Award 2019
]]>The Paninis of Pompeii by Andy Stanton.
This book is full of nonsense….and, it is hilariously silly and very amusing.
]]>The Paninis of Pompeii by Andy Stanton.
This book is full of nonsense….and, it is hilariously silly and very amusing.
The stories are about a family who lived in the Roman times. They live near a volcano which spews mirror- men (a funny creature that the author does not fully explain), pencils with rubbers on the end and spears with rubbers on the end. The book itself consists of short stories about the same family and characters. Andy Stanton starts off describing each of the main characters: Caecilius, the father and fart merchant who is very rich with 'buzzle-swuzzles' (their denomination of money), Vesuvius, the mother (and wife of Caecilius), Filius (Vesuvius and Caecilius’ only child), Barkus Wooferinicum (Filius’ dog) and Slavius, the family slave.
This book has child’s humour in it as it’s about blow offs, urine and just lots of random things. For instance, Caecilius is forever stroking people’s hair fondly, or jumping out of windows before realising it would be much more convenient to just go down the stairs! Also, to add more hilarity, some of the characters are called things like ‘Onlyappearsinoneotherstoryicus’.
If you’re about eight then I think you’ll love this book because it’s funny, you will be able to read it without help from an adult and the letters are nice and big! This book is also very similar to one of my favourite books, Mr.Gum which is also very popular for younger children and is again by Andy Stanton. This novel is perfect for early readers and I think that The Paninis of Pompeii will be a great success with younger readers everywhere as Mr.Gum was.
Thanks for reading my review,
Polly Delafond, 10.
]]>Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander.
Thomas Taylor's characters are vividly drawn and immensely likeable, and one just can't wait to find out what's next in store...for Eerie-on-Sea
]]>Year 4 Book Club read 'Swimming Against The Storm' by Jess Butterworth this month-
Twelve-year-old Eliza and her younger sister Avery have lived their entire lives in a small fishing village on the coast of Louisiana, growing up alongside turtles, pelicans and porpoises. But now, with sea levels rising, their home is at risk of being swept away.
]]>Year 4 Book Club read 'Swimming Against The Storm' by Jess Butterworth this month-
Twelve-year-old Eliza and her younger sister Avery have lived their entire lives in a small fishing village on the coast of Louisiana, growing up alongside turtles, pelicans and porpoises. But now, with sea levels rising, their home is at risk of being swept away.
Determined to save the land, Eliza and Avery secretly go searching in the swamp for the dangerous, wolf-like loup-garou. If they can prove this legendary creature exists, they're sure that the government will have to protect its habitat – and their community.
But there's one problem: the loup-garou has never been seen before. And with a tropical storm approaching and the sisters deep, deep in the swampland, soon it's not just their home at risk, but their lives as well...
Here are a couple of the book clubbers thoughts;
"This is a magical book about a fantastical creature called Pog who defends a house from evil creatures from another world, but the boy, David jeopardizes the world."
"I would definitely recommend Pog because, it has an interesting story line that makes you want to keep reading on."
"This is an adventure book about a creature with an important job. He lives in a house in the middle of a forest- there is no else there until two children come...."
More soon. x
]]>‘Adventurous’ and ‘captivating’ were some of the words, which sprung into our Book Clubbers minds when asked to summarise the novel in a word. Many remarked on the fast pace of the plot in relation to the novels length- it is a surprisingly short novel for one with so much action. Some members of Book Club described it as a real ‘page turner’, while others commented that they wanted it to keep going and would have liked it to be a little longer, so as to include more diagrams to explain the scientific theories. As a group we were shocked that Jamie’s family did not completely resolve their issues in the traditional Hollywood way. However, we also believed that this made the book all the more unusual and realistic.
If you enjoyed Christopher Edge’s previous novel The Many Worlds of Albie Bright or Ross Welford’s Time Travelling with a Hamster then you will probably enjoy this!
Year 4 book club film from Julia Marsen on Vimeo.
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