children’s books – Page 2 – Everything Is Better With Dragons

Children’s Picture Book Review: Ellie-May & her toy dragon, Ben, by Genna Rowbotham

**Purchase Links**
**Genna’s website:**             www.gennarowbotham.co.uk/shop
**Amazon (Paperback):**    https://amzn.to/3InCyJN
**Amazon (eBook):**            https://amzn.to/3GmtLp1
**Google Play: (eBook):**    https://bit.ly/3QjcKR9

Ellie-May & her Toy Dragon, Ben

Feeling so excited for a new day ahead, Ellie-May struggles to sleep. So when her toy dragon, Ben grows into a real-life dragon, they take to the starry skies and embark on a night-time adventure together, where they visit Ben’s castle and enjoy a dragon party.

But as the sun begins to rise and the stars fade, will Ellie-May be able to stay awake?

Review: Out Of The Blue, by Robert Tregoning and Stef Murphy

**Information about the Book**
**Title:** Out of the Blue
**Author:** Robert Tregoning
**Illustrator:** Stef Murphy
**Publisher:** Bloomsbury Publishing
**Release Date:** 2^nd February 2023
**Genre:** Picture Book

Blurb

ONLY BLUE ALLOWED, by Blue government demand. Anything that isn’t blue, by colour law, is banned.

In a very blue house on a very blue street, sits a little boy who feels as blue as the world around him. For this little boy has a BIG secret: he loves the colour yellow.

In a world where only one colour is allowed, will he be brave enough to tell his dad? And will they be able to defy the rules and create a world where EVERY colour is welcome?

One boy and his dad are about to come OUT OF THE BLUE and into life in technicolour!

A stunning celebration of being yourself and living in ALL the colours of the rainbow, from debut author Robert Tregoning and rising star illustrator Stef Murphy. Championing difference, diversity and pride, this gloriously illustrated picture book is perfect for fans of Perfectly Norman, Grandad’s Camper and Julian Is a Mermaid.

Review: Kindness for Koalas, by Zanna Davidson, Illustrated by Ged Adamson

When Mala the Koala stomps into the forest, feeling very crummy, a little mouse suggests Mala will soon feel better if she starts to be kind. But how? wonders Mala. Soon she’s sharing her lunch with some emu chicks, helping a baby bat and comforting her friend, Wombat – discovering, on her way, that kindness really is what makes the world go round. This easy-to-read rhyming story, with gentle humour and gorgeous artwork, is a perfect introduction to kindness.

Extent: 32 pages
Dimensions: 250 x 224mm
Hardback
ISBN: 9781474998574
Key Stage: EYFS, KS1
Publication Date: January 2023

Review: 21% Monster – Ice Giant, by P.J. Canning

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Usborne Publishing Ltd (5 Jan. 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1474984428
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1474984423
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 – 13 years

Genetically-modified teens try to bring down the organisation that made them, in this second action-packed installment in the 21% Monster series. The girl put her hands on her hips, cocked her head and answered: ‘My name is Aurora María Ash-Valero and I’m here to kick your butt!” Since Darren Devlin and Marek Masters joined forces, there has only been one thing on their minds – taking down XSP, the secret organisation that transformed them into genetically-modified superhumans. Even with 21% monster Darren’s incredible strength, and 19% alien Marek’s super intelligence, XSP is more than a match for them. But what if there was another survivor of XSP’s experiments? A tall, tough, athletic teen girl able to withstand sub-zero temperatures and track potential predators? A girl who’s 17% sabre-tooth polar bear, and out for revenge. Two’s company, but Three IS UNSTOPPABLE in this high-octane adventure, 21% Monster: Ice Giant.

Review: 21% Monster, by P.J. Canning

Paperback
£7.99
Age 10+
ISBN: 9781474984416
Publication Date: July 2022

Genetically-modified teens try to bring down the organisation that made them.

Fun, fast-paced, high-octane action adventure, 21% Monster is a perfect page-turning new series for fans of Alex Rider, Percy Jackson and the MCU generation. When Darren Devlin is arrested for destroying his school with his bare hands, it’s not just the police who are after him. Enter Marek Masters, 14 years old, 19% alien, and the most intelligent, most wanted “almost human” alive. Marek is here to tell Darren the truth – he is 21% monster, and together they must take down the secret organisation that created them. Darren and Marek are wanted, powerful and dangerous. And now it’s payback time.

Review: Hound on a Scrounge, written by Maria Bucci, illustrated by Martynas Marchiusm

Hound on a Scrounge

“Sniff, Snuffle, Sniff!”

“Can you smell the delicious aroma coming from this book?

It’s time for afternoon Tea…Slurrrp!”

Meet Buddy. He loves food, food and more food. But he’s not just a hound on a scrounge – Buddy has a wonderful true story about afternoon tea that he would love to share with you.

“I hope you can join me…ooh, but hurry! They’re bringing out the food…Woofety Woof!

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hound-Scrounge-Choice-Award-Winner-ebook/dp/B0B1VZYCJZ/US – https://www.amazon.com/Hound-Scrounge-Choice-Award-Winner-ebook/dp/B0B1VZYCJZ/

Review: Santa’s Christmas Countdown, by Kath Jewitt and Sebastien Braun

Information about the Book

Title: Santa’s Christmas Countdown
Author: Kath Jewitt
Illustrator: Sebastien Braun
Publisher: Townhouse Publishing Ltd
Release Date: 1^st October 2022
Genre: Board Book (Touch & Feel)

Summary

Santa is getting ready for Christmas Eve, but he’s lost his list of jobs to do! This large format board book tells a fun rhyming tale of Santa who is getting ready to deliver presents around the world. Toddlers will love the large touch and feels, especially his curly beard and velvet hat.

Illustrator Socials

Website: https://www.sebastienbraun.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/braunsebastien
Instagram: http://instagram.com/braunsebastien

Book Review: Witchstorm by Tim Tilley

**Information about the Book**
**Title:** Witchstorm
**Authors:** Tim Tilley
**Publisher:** Usborne
**Release Date:** 29^th September 2022
**Genre:** MG (8 – 12 year olds)

Summary

Join a hunt for lost witch treasure, in an enchanting adventure story of storms, spells, and the magic of the natural world, from bestselling and award-winning Tim Tilley.

Will believes in witches and the stories he’s grown up with – of mythical storm-lions, disappearing villages, and secret songs. Most of all, he believes the tales of magical treasure hidden in the Fens centuries ago. Treasure that he has to find, to solve the mystery of his Ma’s disappearance.

Then, in the eye of a storm, a witch arrives. She holds the key to finding the lost treasure – a powerful magical object that can summon storms. But someone else is searching for it too. If it falls into the wrong hands, Will’s beloved home could be destroyed, and with it, his chances of ever finding his ma.
Join Will on an epic quest filled with riddles, ruined towers, cloud cities and broomstick chases, on a journey to save everything he loves before time runs out.

Extract Post: The Adventure of Ozchickychop and his White Teapot, by Jane Aistrop

**Information about the Book**
**Title:** The Adventures of Ozchickychop and his White Teapot
**Authors:** Jane Aistrop
**Publisher:** Clink Street Publishing
**Release Date:** 6^th October 2022
**Genre:** MG (5 – 8 year olds)

Summary

Children, open up this book and you will find a magical tale about two brothers who discover a magical world.

This story is about the brothers embarking on rescue missions and learning just how important words are, not just in story books but also in real life too.

Kindness, caring and love shines throughout this story to save Ozchickychop and the land of Nede.

Read on to become part of their adventures.

Review: Anisha, Accidental Detective Fright Night, by Serena Patel, Illustrated by Emma McCann

**Information about the Book**
**Title:** Anisha, Accidental Detective: Fright Night
**Authors:** Serena Patel
**Illustrator:** Emma McCann
**Publisher:** Usborne
**Release Date:** 15^th September 2022
**Genre:** MG (7-11 year olds)

Summary

There’s a spooky mystery at school, in the sixth hilarious case in the award-winning Anisha, Accidental Detective series!

It’s Halloween and everyone is excited about the school disco. It’s a bit much for me – all that dressing-up and dancing. I’d rather cosy up with a good book, but Milo, Mindy and Manny are all super excited.

Or at least, they were excited, until all these strange things started happening – messages appearing on the whiteboard, lights flickering on and off, books flying off the library shelves… Some of the other kids have been whispering that the school is haunted, but Mr Graft says that if the spooky mischief doesn’t stop, then the disco will be cancelled.

Looks like a mission for me, Anisha, accidental ghost detective!