Release Date: 05/06/08
BOOK BLURB:
Will, sometimes an enemy must become an ally.
Your friend and ally, Evanlyn, has been taken captive by a mysterious horseman. Your attempts to rescue her lead you into the territory of a fearsome new enemy.
Now, you must unite with old rivals to vanquish this greater threat.
But can the fragile truce survive the battle?
REVIEW:
Our heroes return in a new adventure as friends are reunited and friendship is given to others as a new foe marches to threaten everything that they hold dear. As with John’s other books they’re wonderfully written with the positive virtues of mankind being promoted and giving an ideal to the next generation. Whilst this one is a hard fought battle, the characters each play to their strengths and do their best against an insurmountable foe.
All in a wonderful addition to the series however you really have to read Icebound Land prior to this to get the full effect of the story.
Release Date: 07/02/08
BOOK BLURB:
Will, trust in your friends,we will not let you down.
You have been kidnapped by a fearsome wolfship captain, and are trapped on a ship headed to the icebound land of Skandia.
Your future looks dark, as you face a life of backbreaking slavery. But you must be strong. Remember your training, and know that your friends will do anything to rescue you, even if they have to defy the King.
REVIEW:
Following on from the events of the previous title this book takes the reader into the lands of Skandia where Will and Evanlyn struggle to survive under the yolk of the warriors who captured them in the previous novel. It’s a title that deals with friendship, of honour and of course courage whilst also delving into darker area’s due to some of the events within being quite harrowing.
It is a story that adds more layers to the characters allowing them to form greater bonds and alliances as well as allowing the reader to get the adventure that they craved from the others in the series. Add to this the authors great sense of pace and it’s a series that I really can’t put down. The only thing I would say about this is that I feel that the series has to be read in order otherwise the reader will have some of the previous books spoilt when they allude to previous events within.
Release Date: 02/08/07
BOOK BLURB:
Will, you are learning well, but you are soon to be tested…
For years the Kingdom has lived in peace, while the evil lord Morgarath has lived beyond the impassable mountains. But he has not been idle…
Now you must embark on your most dangerous mission yet. The King’s army has been deceived, and are headed for a brutal ambush. And you are the only one who can save them...
REVIEW:
In the modern world, too often are we made to feel inadequate and as such we end up thinking that we’re too small, to weak and unwanted enough to be able to effect change. For a young reader this is something that needs to be corrected and as such this title by John Flanagan demonstrates wonderfully that you don’t have to be the biggest guy in the pack to help make a difference or the strongest and that thought can a lot of the time out do brute force.
Add to this a wonderful story that takes the young reader on a fantasy journey as an apprentice learns the trade of the Ranger and discovers friendships can last and be forged despite the start that you have in life. It’s clever, it’s got great courage and fully supports the positive mental attitude that we all wish we could instil. Finally add to this a huge story arc, cracking characters that the reader will love to hang around and it’s a tale that will have the reader demanding more. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/04/07
BOOK BLURB:
Will, you have been chosen.
You and you alone. You will become the eyes and ears of the kingdom, learning to move silent as a shadow. Your arrow will fly true and your sword will be swift, risking your life to protect your people.
You are the Ranger's Apprentice. Are you ready?
REVIEW:
In the modern world, too often are we made to feel inadequate and as such we end up thinking that we’re too small, to weak and unwanted enough to be able to effect change. For a young reader this is something that needs to be corrected and as such this title by John Flanagan demonstrates wonderfully that you don’t have to be the biggest guy in the pack to help make a difference or the strongest and that thought can a lot of the time out do brute force.
Add to this a wonderful story that takes the young reader on a fantasy journey as an apprentice learns the trade of the Ranger and discovers friendships can last and be forged despite the start that you have in life. It’s clever, it’s got great courage and fully supports the positive mental attitude that we all wish we could instil. Finally add to this a huge story arc, cracking characters that the reader will love to hang around and it’s a tale that will have the reader demanding more. Great stuff.
Hail Mighty Readers,
Well we're just about to start our Ranger's Apprentice Series with you, and as such felt that with it being 11 books already that we'd best walk you though it.
In order to do this, we're going to take you through it as a series from book 1-11 but here for your pleasure is how to split it up if you're not buying all to start with to help spread the cost.
Add to this a writing style that is similar to David Gemmell's (and trust me you'll see it yourself), with cracking prose and fast pace and for me, this is a great way to help the reluctant reader to enjoy a series that they may have missed.
So for your viewing pleasure and to help the costs here how it breaks down:
RA1) The Ruins of Gorlan
RA2) The Burning Bridge
RA3) The Icebound Land
RA4) Oakleaf Bearers
RA7) Erak's Ransom
RA5) The Sorcerer in the North
RA6) The Siege of Macindaw
RA8) The Kings of Clonmel
RA9) Halt's Peril
RA10) The Emperor of Nihon-Ja
RA11) The Lost Stories
We hope this helps and hope you enjoy the series with us,
Tatty
Release Date: 29/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Princess Elisa is a disappointment to her people. Although she bears the Godstone in her navel, a sign that she has been chosen for an act of heroism, they see her as lazy and useless and fat. On her sixteenth birthday, she is bartered off in royal marriage and shipped away to a kingdom in turmoil, where her much-older-and extremely beautiful-husband refuses to acknowledge her as his wife. Devastated, Elisa decides to take charge of her fate and learn what it means to bear the Godstone. As an invading army threatens to destroy her new home, and everyone at court maneuvers to take advantage of the young princess, Elisa becomes convinced that, not only is her own life in danger, the whole world needs saving. But how can a young girl who has never ridden horseback, never played the game of politics, and never attained the love of a man save the world? Elisa can't be sure, but she must try to uncover the Godstone's secret history before the enemy steals the destiny nestled in her core.
REVIEW:
If you love a story of magic, of adventure with a good dash or romance then this could well be the book for you. What Rae does in this rerelease is present a title that is about friendships, allegiances and above all else a lead character that’s learning that you have to adapt and change as the world goes on around you. It’s cleverly written, the cast is outstanding and I absolutely enjoyed a lot of the secondary characters who really brought the foreign lands to life. Finally add to the mix a wonderful sense of prose that really brings the reader into the world and it’s a title that was a lot of fun from start to finish. It’s going to be interesting to see how it develops from here in future instalments.
Release Date: 07/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Traction Man and Scrubbing Brush are at the beach! Traction Man even has his special Squid-Proof Scuba Suit, perfect for exploring the secret crevices of the Rockpool. But there are adventures in store for our intrepid hero as he faces the thrills of Operation Picnic, the tribulation of being buried in sand and – worst of all – being washed away by a giant wave…
Join the daring duo as they meet new challenges ... and new friends.
REVIEW:
Mini Grey is one of those authors who comes up with something not only unusual but something that really is a bit of a cult classic in the field of childrens titles. Here in this, the second Traction Man story he undergoes an adventure in the garden with a firm mission in mind as well as objectives that really keeps this title moving along at quite a pace. It’s quirky, it’s a lot of fun and when you add into it the nostalgic feel for the reader (assuming it’s a parent) it’s a story that will quite quickly find a way into your own heart alongside the childrens.
All in this was as much fun for me as for my nephews and whilst they were a little confused with it, when I showed them one of my old Action Man’s (yep the Side to side eye ones in his scuba gear) their eyes soon lit up. Great fun.
Release Date: 01/10/09
BOOK BLURB:
The little boy, Traction Man, and his brave pet, Scrubbing Brush, are inseparable--until the boy's father throws the "unhygienic" Scrubbing Brush in the trash and replaces it with a "real" toy, the battery-operated TurboDog, in this exciting sequel. Full color.
REVIEW:
Mini Grey is one of those authors who comes up with something not only unusual but something that really is a bit of a cult classic in the field of childrens titles. Here in this, the second Traction Man story he undergoes an adventure in the garden with a firm mission in mind as well as objectives that really keeps this title moving along at quite a pace. It’s quirky, it’s a lot of fun and when you add into it the nostalgic feel for the reader (assuming it’s a parent) it’s a story that will quite quickly find a way into your own heart alongside the childrens.
All in this was as much fun for me as for my nephews and whilst they were a little confused with it, when I showed them one of my old Action Man’s (yep the Side to side eye ones in his scuba gear) their eyes soon lit up. Great fun.
Release Date: 26/06/11
BOOK BLURB:
WARNING: NOT TO BE READ AFTER DARK
'You belong to the blade now. You'll belong to it until the day you die . . .'
The Spook, Tom and Alice travel to Ireland, fleeing from the war in the County. There, Tom must tackle a group of evil mages who are desperate to rid their land of the Spook and his apprentice, and to increase their own dark powers.
His dangerous mission against the mages leads Tom to the Destiny Blade - a sword with a dark side, and a thirst for blood . . . Will this new weapon give him a fighting chance against the Fiend?
If he's to survive, he'll need training, and only one person can help - Grimalkin, the witch assassin. The dark against the dark . . .
The eighth volume in the terrifying Wardstone Chronicles. Read on if you dare . . .
REVIEW:
I’ve been a huge fan of Joseph’s series for quite some time now and it’s been a long wait in-between titles (or at least it’s felt like it.) So what has Ireland had in store for our daring trio who escaped the war in the County? Well in short, more danger, ancient heroes and of course deities set on revenge commandeered by those with associations with the Dark. As usual it’s gripping, the characters fun to be around and when you add a wonderful sense of dread that burns its way into your imagination (in much the way that the Fiend burns hoof prints into wood floors) it’s a title that will stay with you for quite some time.
All in this is a cracking series and for anyone from the “County” (Lancashire) then it’s definitely a series that will have repercussions long after the final page, after all is that knocking you’re hearing the water pipes or is it a boggart. Great stuff.
Release Date: 07/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
A spooky, electrifying love story.
Amy Goodnight's family are far from normal. She comes from a long line of witches, and grew up surrounded by benevolent spirits and kitchen spells. All fairly harmless, but Amy can't wait to get to college and escape the "family business".
But things take a darker turn when she and her sister Phin spend the summer looking after Aunt Hyacinth's ranch. Amy is visited by a midnight spectre who is clearly trying to send her a message. It seems that the discovery of an old grave on a neighbour's land has been the catalyst for an apparent ghost uprising.
Aided by local friends and Ben, the handsome cowboy who just can't take his eyes off Amy, the sisters investigate. And they soon find that there's something strange and dangerous going on, deep in the heart of Texas...
REVIEW:
This title was a little late in arriving and to be honest it went onto my back pile to tackle when things quietened down, until that is I picked it up to give the first 20 pages a try to see if it was something that was a light read or something that would require a bit more time. What this title did was establish the lead character very well in those first few pages and then made sure that I couldn’t put it down until I turned the last page.
It was quirky, it was fun but above all else it had a mystery that although parts are supernatural others are more man made as it unfurls. Add to this a great use of pace, some wonderful prose and a heroine that you really do like on a personal level and all in it was a satisfactory read. I really can’t wait to read more Goodnight adventures.
Release Date: 04/08/11
BOOK BLURB:
Something's lying patiently in wait, until the time is right . . .
Thirteen years have passed since Yul fought for his life at the quarry, and Stonewylde has flourished in a new, golden age. But now the shadows are gathering.
Wild and disobedient, Leveret is the bad girl who disappears at night time and would rather roam the woods than sit in school. Only Clip recognises the girl's magical sensitivity and believes she may be the one to lead Stonewylde out of the approaching darkness.
The shadows thicken as Yul and Sylvie find that something - or someone - is tearing their beautiful relationship apart. As Stonewylde starts to disintegrate, a sinister alliance is forming but they have no idea what evil they're really up against . . .
The highly anticipated new Stonewylde novel is here!
REVIEW:
Stonewylde is one of those series that when it gets you in its grip, it refuses to let go. As usual with this, the fourth out of the currently five planned titles in this series, it’s well written, the characters that have developed along the way have moved further on with their lives and whilst you may have through that things would have moved on to a happier tomorrow, the reader is left to wonder what it is with the land and the people that can change so much from their appearances in the previous three titles to date.
Add to this some cracking characterisation as new ones come to the fore, some magical tapestry weaving to help keep things rolling and of course so authorly sleight of hand that will leave you gasping for the final part of the series now. All in a satisfying read and I really hope that there isn’t a huge delay. The wait is going to be unbearable.
Release Date: 24/08/11
BOOK BLURB:
Chess must decide who to trust as things begin to spiral out of control. Box is now part of the Twisted Symmetry's Elite Cavalry. Has he forgotten where his loyalties lie? Is it too late? Or can he still help Chess in her struggle to stop the Twisted Symmetry's sinister plan?
REVIEW:
With readers having been haunted by the turn of events in the previous title, this story has been a long time in the making and will have had many readers champing at the bit to get their hands on it. As with the previous Bad Tuesdays novels it continues from where the previous left off and gives the reader more of what they crave, adventure, excitement and characters who they can associate with thrown into the midst of a science fiction nightmare.
It’s cleverly woven, the characters really continue to come into their own and what makes this really decent is the fact that the author won’t spare the horses or the budget to deliver a subpar title. All in, this next instalment was a lot of fun, worth the wait and really is starting to set the sequence for the next set of books already prebooked by the publisher. If you haven’t started these yet, get to it now, you really won’t be disappointed and it’s a series that continues to go from strength to strength.
Release Date: 30/08/11
BOOK BLURB:
Now that Lia has found the missing pages of the Librum Maleficii et Disordinae, or the Book of Chaos, the end of the Prophecy is in sight. While Lia tries to save James from Alice's sinister grasp, she unlocks the prophecy's final mystery and a caveat that may put an end to any hope of ending the prophecy; to close the Gate to the Beast forever, Lia must convene in an ancient ritualistic ceremony with all four keys at Avebury. But that's not all. Alice, as Guardian, must be there as well.
REVIEW:
The concluding part to Michelle’s trilogy and one that readers have been demanding for quite some time. As usual with the series it’s the characters that not only drive the story forward through the forcefulness of their personalities but also through consequences of past choices as Michelle gives the fully rounded principal players the final set of circumstances to navigate as the tale wends its merry way.
It’s wonderfully colourful, beautifully constructed and overall a satisfying read which when added to what has gone before makes this an outstanding series from the first page to the last. Definitely one that has gone up in my estimation with each passing novel and one that I suspect that the author agonised over from start to finish. Whilst I was a little sad to see it end, I now eagerly await to see where Michelle will take her talents to next.
Release Date: 15/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
It's two years after the events of Girl, Missing and life is not getting any easier for sixteen-year-old Lauren, as exam pressure and a recent family tragedy take their toll. Lauren's birth mother takes Lauren and her two sisters on holiday in the hope that some time together will help, but a few days into the holiday one of the sisters disappears, under circumstances very similar to those in which Lauren was taken years before. Can Lauren save her sister, and stop the nightmare happening all over again?
REVIEW:
Sophie McKenzie is an author who either hits the mark for me or misses quite badly and whilst I’m not her biggest fan, I can appreciate a well written, cleverly plotted title. Following on from Girl, Missing, this title is the second and thrusts the reader into a world of kidnapping, hard choices and of course heartache.
All of that is present within and the author deals with it sensitively as well as providing the reader with a story that will keep them glued from the first page to the last. The prose is crisp, the dilema’s very real and with a lead character who has a hard road and even harder choices to make that the reader can associate with it’s a title that really will capture you from the first few pages to the last.
Finally add to the mix a great sense of accomplishment with the lead character as she works her way through and it’s an enlightening title as well as one of hope.
Release Date: 30/08/11
BOOK BLURB:
Hades is the second instalment of Alexandra Adornetto's enthralling tale of good vs evil.
REVIEW:
In all honesty I wasn’t that sold with the book blurb and as such did end up wondering what I’d let myself in for, especially as this was the second title in a series.
What I got sadly, was a tale that really didn’t feel fully realised, the lead character was rather two dimensional and sadly seemed to lack a spine or brain, the overall premise was sadly overextended for what the author achieved and sadly the book just went downhill from there. Currently with a lot of authors looking for a break, you need to make sure that the second book is as good as the first if not better to make sure that you have the reader sold on the series, if this is an improvement, then sadly I really don’t want to read the original.
All in a story that I’d suggest if you wanted to read that you borrow it from the library, but with so many other great titles out there, I’d suggest going for one of them instead such as Alyxandra Harvey’s Drake Chronicles or Alyson Noel’s Immortal series.
Release Date: 15/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humour that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling author.
REVIEW:
The modern trend seems to be for successful adult authors to move into the YA Genre to create something that will not only sell but a title that adults will pick up as they already know the author. What Harlan presents in this book is a story that works to his strengths, gripping undercurrents, mysterious twists and a historical touch that helps generate backstory without going into too much detail.
Add to this a cracking lead character, a solid overall arc and of course great dialogue which when backed with a myriad of supporting cast members makes this title work on so many levels. I really will enjoy the next book in this series as it’ll be interesting to see what Harlan takes it.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
People in London are being taken away in unmarked police vans, never to be seen again...
While trying to keep up with his school studies and ensuring his football team stays top of the league, it's Johnny's job to safeguard planet Earth.
Suspicious of the strange occurrences, Johnny investigates to find that alien enemies are feeding humans to their Queen on a nearby planet. He then discovers a more terrifying secret: the aliens are planning a devastating invasion of Earth.
The battle for Earth will take all of Johnny's and his friends' strength and resolve. Can they win? If they do, what price will they pay to save the world?
REVIEW:
The third book in the Johnny Mackintosh series and to be honest I was a little apprehensive when I first picked it up. Not because I was didn’t think it wasn’t going to be a good story but because when you drop into a series part way through you really can get lost and miss out on a lot of the series in jokes as well as having a history with the characters within.
Sadly this was the case with this book and whilst I could appreciate a great story, with top notch prose and characters that seemed to be fun to hang around I felt that I was missing quite a lot. Don’t get me wrong it was fun and engaging but I really felt a little on the outside with the characters as I hadn’t seen them through the other titles. If you decide that you want to read this series please start with the first book and I think you’ll get a blast, don’t do what I did and try to start here. I will eventually reread this title after picking up the others but until then, it’s on my reserve list.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.
REVIEW:
If you love a story with a history and set in a world that’s recognisable then this thriller by Paul Dowswell is one that is a must read. It has a decent lead character, solid prose and a situation that whilst unknown by the youths of today, was a very real one back in the 70’s which is when this title is set.
It’s cleverly written, its gripping and with a little knowledge of the history involved (which is carefully applied in places by the author) makes this a caring, harrowing and heart in the mouth book from start to finish. Finally add to the mix sensitive handling of the subject matter by the author alongside great prose, suitable peaks and lulls in pace and overall it is a story that will lead the reader onto more thrillers in the future.
Release Date: 02/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
On Muddle Mountain you can learn to ski and skate, and whizz down the slopes on your sledge or snowboard too. Children will love using the sparkly magnets to create their very own winter wonderland, and with lots to spot on every page they’ll be kept busy for hours! Read the story and do the activities, or use the magnets to invent your own snowy stories. Comes complete with a handy magnet storage compartment, a carry-handle and clasp!
REVIEW:
When you’re trying to get a young child to enjoy a book, you’ll find yourself doing all sorts of things to help make it entertaining such as putting on voices or even pointing to parts of the picture. What this title by Ag Jatkowska does is allow you to take storytelling to a whole new level as you can place the magnets in different places so that it’s a new experience every time. It also allows the adult to make up their own story to help extend playtime.
It is clever, it has a lot of scope for adaptation and it is an item that really will pay for itself in entertainment value alone. All in a lot of fun and something that I think a lot of children will enjoy.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.
REVIEW:
Having enjoyed Mary Hooper’s Falling Grace, I was wondering where she would take the reader on her next excursion. Whilst we stay in the same time frame, we get the opportunity to explore the world of the Victorian/Edwardian Medium.
As with her other books, Velvet relies on the principle female character to draw the reader in. She’s brave, she knows her own mind and she is more than confortable to struggle to achieve her goals.
Add to this a sense of doing what’s right with Mary’s identifiable writing styel, solid prose that draws you in and a plot that bring the ruthlessness as well as manipulations of the Confidence Trickster to the fore in a world of silks, satins and the genteel upper classes of the period. Great stuff.
Release Date: 02/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Once upon a time, a spell went very wrong – and Joe Jefferson found himself transported to Muddle Earth, where the wizards are mad, the pink stinky hogs are stinky, and the jokes are truly terrible. Now, two years later, Muddle Earth needs him back. But even with his Wellies of Power, Woolly Gloves of Determination and a saucepan on his head, can Joe Jefferson really defeat the terrifying spectre of evil that threatens to destroy Muddle Earth?
Get prepared for another epic battle between the forces of good, evil and everything in between!
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of the Gruffalo, I was really excited when I heard about this edition coming out from the publisher. As such it allowed me to help spread the fun and joy with my nephews who loved the chance to play with the magnets as well as listening to the story. It’s colourful, it has great phrases as well as easy to pick up with wonderful artwork by Axel Scheffler. Add to this the sheer entertainment of magnets and it’s a story that will be asked for time and again. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.
REVIEW:
Carrie Jones is an author that burst on the scene a little while ago and presented a series of books that were not only imaginative but ones that as a reader I couldn’t put down, so it was with great joy when I opened up the envelope to find this sitting on my doorstep. Whilst I’m not familiar with Steven, I trust Carrie to give me something a little different and moved it to the top of my To Be Read pile.
As such it was started pretty quickly and as usual with Carrie, it went onto become an “ignorant” day. (You know, the days when you’re that engrossed that everyone else calls you ignorant.) What unfurls is a story of magic, of ability and with two characters leading the way, a story that is told from two perspectives and done well. Add to this great prose, decent dialogue and two lead characters that will appeal to a lot of readers. Finally, throw in some Native American myths (a trait that is becoming pretty common these days in the YA arena) and it was a story that was a lot of fun all in. I can’t wait to see what these two come up with next.
Release Date: 02/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Join the Gruffalo's Child as she meets Mouse and all your favourite characters from the Deep Dark Wood in this amazing magnetic book! Contains over 60 magnets, a special mini edition of the bestselling story, plus play scenes and exciting activities, including Build a Snow Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child Quiz! With a neat clasp and sturdy handle, you can take the fun with you wherever you go!
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of the Gruffalo, I was really excited when I heard about this edition coming out from the publisher. As such it allowed me to help spread the fun and joy with my nephews who loved the chance to play with the magnets as well as listening to the story. It’s colourful, it has great phrases as well as easy to pick up with wonderful artwork by Axel Scheffler. Add to this the sheer entertainment of magnets and it’s a story that will be asked for time and again. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Packed with fantastic facts, figures and stories about the world we live in and the galaxies beyond, this single volume contains 288 colour pages of pure Comic Strip genius. Learn about everything - from the smallest amoeba to the secrets of the furthest corners of the known Universe, and the myths that shaped the way we see the world. This Big Fat Book is an irresistibly humorous and accessible source of knowledge (with pictures) for the whole family to enjoy.
REVIEW:
I love a book that brings knowledge across to the younger reader in a fun, interesting and memorable way, which is what this title by Tracey and Sally does. It covers a lot of different area’s and every reader will find something to interest them throughout the book. It’s clever, it’s witty and the humour within helps make the dates and facts memorable for all who read it. All in this is a fun book and one that could be a sneaky way to help get certain things through to the younger reader to help them in school.
Release Date: 05/06/08
