Boo Yellow

There’s a Hamster in my Pocket

2011-12-30T11:32:00.004Z

There's a Hamster in my Pocket
by Franzeska Ewart

When Yosser hears her parents saying Auntie Shabnam is coming over to save the family shop she finds out she is going to have to share her bedroom with her. Yosser’s best mate Kylie has a problem with her big brother Sniper and his mates because Kylie saw them on the street with big bags around the back and their hoods up making sure nobody would see them. When Yosser finds a box among her Nannie’s things she tries to get to the bottom of Sniper’s behaviour and the mysterious box.

review by Kirsten

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Lily Alone

2011-12-16T16:49:00.006Z

Lily Alone
by Jacqueline Wilson

This book is about a girl called Lily who has two sisters and a brother called Bliss, Pixie and Baxter. They have a single mother who has to leave her children home alone. Since Lily is the eldest she is in charge and normally manages to get the others into bed in time. One day their mum goes to the pub and comes back talking about a man she met. Later on she ends up going with him on holiday. Lily is very worried about the idea of her mother being away for a week and having to look after three children at the age of eleven! The ending was not what I was expecting but I enjoyed it very much and it was exciting.

review by Amy

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The Longest Whale Song

2011-12-16T16:41:00.005Z

The Longest Whale Song
by Jacqueline Wilson

This book is about a girl called Ella who lives with her mum and her step dad. Ella’s mother is having a baby and when the baby is born she is immediately very ill. Ella is with one of her mother’s friends. A few days later Ella’s step dad takes her to the hospital to see her mum but when Ella sees her mum she feels upset looking at her. Ella has a look at her new little brother Samson and feels a bit better. Ella goes to the hospital to see her mum nearly every day so she takes most days off school. I enjoyed this book because it was very interesting.

review by Amy

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Little Darlings

2011-12-16T15:52:00.007Z

Little Darlings
by Jacqueline Wilson

This book is about a girl called Destiny who lives with her mum, and a girl called Sunset who lives with her rock star dad Danny Kilman and her mum and her sister and brother Sweetie and Ace. Destiny is an eleven year old girl and doesn’t have a lot of money but Sunset’s family are very rich. The two girls meet at the premiere of a movie that Danny Kilman is featured in. Destiny and Sunset become very good friends. Destiny performs in a school talent show and her dreams start to come true. I enjoyed this book because I could relate to the characters and I really felt they were living their dream.

review by Amy

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Girl Missing

2011-12-16T14:03:00.009Z

Girl Missing
by Sophie McKenzie

Girl Missing is about a girl named Lauren who finds herself on a missing children website. With her friend Jam she goes on a plane to Vermont only expecting to be there for a day. When Jam and Lauren get to the adoption agency where she was adopted Jam tries to find her profile but can’t because it has been taken. When Jam and Lauren are walking on the street she asks a police woman to drive them somewhere but finds out that was the person who kidnapped her from her real Mum. When they get to her real Mum she doesn’t believe it’s her but when her adoptive parents have to go to court for giving the person who kidnapped her money, Lauren has to stay with her real Mum and Dad. When Lauren and her real sister go to the Marina, her sister goes to get an ice cream and disappears. Lauren looks everywhere and finds that a boat has been broken into so she goes onto the boat and her sister is being held captive there.

The boat is sinking and the kidnapper blocks the door then gets off the boat. Jam comes and saves Lauren and her sister.

I enjoyed the book. It was really exciting and made you want to read more.

review by Kirsten

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600 and a Bit

2011-12-06T16:43:00.016Z

006 and a Bit
by Nick Sharratt

my name is paige i have read 006 and a Bit and by Kes Gray and Nick Sharratt. I like the story and the picture and in the story i like when 600 and a Bit was talking spy language and when 600 and a Bit was talking to another spy called 0021 and a Bit and when the food was talking and the ice cream said pleased to meet you and the flake said how do you do and the cookie said hello and the drink said so glad you could come.

review by Paige

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

2011-12-06T16:43:00.015Z

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
by Liz Pichon

I like this book because Tom is always trying to trick his sister Delia and his teachers. My favourite character is Delia. She is really cool.

My favourite part is when Mr Fullerman tells Tom off for getting ink all over his work.

My favourite drawings were the front cover and the class portraits of the class. Poor Marcus Meldrew put I'm and idiot or was it Tom?...

I really enjoyed it. I love the little pictures of the eye's when he writes down Mrs Worthington, who has a moustache (it's tricky not to stare). It is also cool when he draws a moustache.

Comic like books I don't really read but this one was really funny and full of things that you just wouldn't do.

Writing like this is really smart in books like this. BIG AND Wide.

Liz Pichon is a really good author. Sometimes chapter books can be boring but comic chapter books are different.

The writing is different than normal Times New Roman (boring- I'm so tired) but the types of writing that Liz does is exciting and enjoyable.

I really do think this book is exciting to read and fabulous laughter.

review by Rebecca
age 10

6/12/2011

The Devil Walks

2011-11-04T12:25:00.003Z

The Devil Walks
by Anne Fine

This is a very dark tale from prize-winning author Anne Fine. She has ventured into the eerie before, but this novel is paticularly dark.

It is the story of a boy called Daniel who has spent his life bed-ridden. All he has to look forward to each day is his mother's company, his books and an old dolls house that belonged to his mother as a child.

On discovering that Daniel is in good health and there is no reason for him to be confined to a bed, Daniel's mother Lilian is taken to an asylum and Daniel is taken in by the kind doctor and his wife. The only thing he takes with him is the doll's house, which turns out to be quite evil.

Daniel enjoys his new life with the other children in the family, but soon the sinister doll's house starts to take hold of the children's personalities and playtime becomes nasty. This is only the beginning.

An evil uncle, a possessed doll and murder. Will Daniel survive? Believe me, you will keep reading to find out!

Hallowe'en Picture Books

2011-10-31T15:51:00.005Z

A selection of spooky titles for Hallowe'en.

Go Away Big Green Monster
by Ed Emberley

Go Away Big Green Monster is a bit of a classic spooky tale. As you go through the story a big green monster appears bit by bit. Big yellow eyes, big red mouth, sharp pointy teeth.......

The strong colours on a black background are very effective and once the monster appears in full, children then have a chance to shout "Go away big green face and so on until the monster disappears. Which is great for the more nervous child.

What's in the Witch's Kitchen
by Nick Sharratt

Another corker of a book by Nick Sharratt. This man can do no wrong! This time we enter the Witch's Kitchen and depending on which way the flaps are opened, there is either a very naughty or very nice surprise. Very cleverly done. A great talking point as you go through the book again and again.

Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted to Dance by Keith Graves.

My last pick is an older title that stands up to being brought out every year. Frank is a monster who loves to dance. He dresses up for the occassion with his top hat, he put ants in his pants and climbs on stage to thrill a frankly appalled audience, who are horrified to see poor Frank fall apart as he dances. All done in quirky rhyme.

The Quicksilver Faire

2011-08-27T09:40:00.008+01:00

The Quicksilver Faire
by Gillian Summers

The Faire Folk Trilogy continues into The Scions of Shadow Trilogy with this new novel by Gillian Summers.

The Fairy High Court have called for Keelie's help. There is a rift in the earth and magic is spilling out and effecting humans. At least that is what Keelie is told, but when she arrives she realises that there is a lot more at stake than some magic leaking into the world.

Keelie is joined on her journey by her furry, magical companion Knot the cat, her boyfriend Lord Sean o' the Woods and her frenemy Elia, Lord Elinard's daughter. The motley group are planning to stay with the elves at Grey Mantal and travelling on to the Fairy High Court from there. Keelie isn't expecting a warm welcome, the elves dislike her because of her mixed blood, as do the fairies. Keelie is part human, part elf and part fae (fairy), so doesn't quite feel like she belongs anywhere and the attitude of other elves and fairies really doesn't help. Sean isn't expecting a good welcome either as his father is in disgrace. The only one excited about the visit is Elia who is the first pregnant elf in nearly one hundred years. She is expecting a hero's welcome.

In this latest installment Keelie has to contend with prejudice, nasty goblins, a tricky fairy queen and an ancient, but handsome forest god who has the hots for Keelie and some strange crystal-fed trees in Under-the-Hill forest.

This is a bumper ride and one I couldn't put down. I read this one well into the night and finished it the next day. My only disappointment was that I didn't have the next book to dip into.

If you haven't read about Keelie's adventures, here is a quick rundown.

The Faire Folk Trilogy

Book one: The Tree Shepherd's Daughter

Upon the death of her mother, a Los Angeles attorney, sixteen-year-old Keelie is sent to live with her father, a woodworker at Renaissance fairs, and discovers that the odd 'allergy' she has to wood is actually powerful earth magic that she must learn to control.

Book two: Into The Wildewood

Getting to finally know her elf dad has generally been a good thing, although camping out in her dad's homemade gingerbread RV while acting out the 16th century isn't so fab. Keelie prefers hot showers and wearing a watch thank-you-very-much. If only her dad would wake up to the 21st century and buy her an iPhone so she won't lose touch with the real world! But a mysterious unicorn sighting, fairies showing up in the oddest places, and that nasty, vain elf-girl Elia are all working against Keelie's chances to have a good time. And why hasn't Sean, the hot elf who kissed her, called? Right now, life as an elf isn't all that enchanting.

Book three: The Secret of the Dred Forest

Now that she has (sort of) defeated a diabolical elf, Keelie Heartwood reluctantly joins her father in the Dread Forest. Her "real" friends are gone, her dad is preoccupied with his new responsibilities as Lord of the Forest and now it seems that her budding romance with the hunky Sean is dashed. Except for her impossible guardian cat Knot, and Alora, a demanding and bratty little princess tree, Keelie has no one to hang with—unless you count that nasty elf-girl Elia, who suddenly wants to be Keelie's frenemy.

Meanwhile, an age-old rift in Keelie's family and among the elves reaches a dangerous climax as humans and dark magical forces alike encroach on the elves' enchanted realm. The fate of the Dread Forest—and of all who dwell within it—lies in Keelie's hands.

The Scions of Shadow Trilogy

Book four: Shadows of the Redwood

Summer is here, and all sixteen-year-old half-elf Keelie wants to do is visit her friend Laurie in L.A. Instead she, her cat Knot, and her cranky, medieval, elf-lady grandmother are on their way to help the Redwood Forest, whose tree shepherd is missing. With the help of the handsome Sean, and Scott, her father's former apprentice, along with a mysterious coyote, Keelie sets out to find the lost tree shepherd. But can she discover the deadly secret of the Bloodroot tree in time to vanquish the darkness and save the Redwood Forest.

Book five:: The Quicksilver Faire

Review above.

Picture Book Picks - The Boy Who Cried Ninja

2011-08-15T15:06:00.002+01:00

The Boy Who Cried Ninja
by Alex Latimer

As soon as I saw the title and the ilustrations on the cover of this picture book, I wanted to delve between the pages.

I wasn't disappointed.

It's a far-fetched tale, but I love it.

Tim has a strange cast of characters visiting his house and they are rather naughty too. The ninja ate the last slice of cake, the astronaut took his dad's hammer and the giant squid ate his school bag.

Tim tells his parents the truth, but as you can imagine his parents don't believe him. In this case truth really is stranger than fiction, so Tim decides to lie. When the pirate drinks all the tea, Tim tells his parents he did it and yet he still gets in to trouble. Tim needs to take some drastic action.

This is a fabulously original story with crisp, beguiling illustrations. A great read for any child (and adult).

From the Heart

2011-06-13T12:40:00.011+01:00

From the Heart
by Coleen Murtagh Paratore

From the heart continues the story of Willa Havisham, the wedding planner's daughter. Willa lives in Cape Cod with her mother and her step-dad Sam, helping to run their guest house and the occasional wedding.

This year, Willa is given the opportunity to plan a wedding by herself and she is so very excited. The wedding is for her dad's sister, a true eco-warrior.

Along with the excitement of planning a wedding there is unrest in the town over nesting birds and an oddly acting boyfriend to contend with as well as friendships new and old.

I just love this series of books. They are just so comforting. They really give you a glimpse of Cape Cod and a whole different lifestyle. The differences between Cape Cod and Scotland are very apparent as you read these books.

My one word of warning would be, watch out for the title 'Forget me not : From the life of Willa Havisham', as it is actually the same book. I noticed as we have both titles in the library. Coleen is branching into the pre-teen market and the new books have been published with photographic covers for an older audience instead of the familiar, rather sweet illustrations we are used to. So this story has been published twice with different covers and titles. On further investigation I found there is a slight twist at the end of Forget Me Not : From the life of Willa Havisham', which makes me think the wedding planner's daughter is finishing with From the Heart and The Life of Willa Havisham is taking over.

Picture Book Picks - You're a Hero Daley B!

2011-04-27T11:32:00.007+01:00

You're a Hero Daley B
written by Jon Blake
illustrated by Axel Scheffler

This is an old favourite of mine and I do mean an old favourite. It was written nearly 17 years ago. It hasn't aged a bit as a story or for it's illustrations. It is illustrated by the artist who illustrated The Gruffalo. So you can imagine just how good the illustrations are.

I must have come across it about 15 years ago when I started working in the children's library and it was one of the first books I started to collect myself for my future children. In fact I haven't read it to my wee boy yet, so I must have stored it somewhere extra safe. I must have a hunt for it.

You're a Hero Daley B is the story of a rabbit called Daley B who is rather confused about who he is, where he should live, what he should eat and why he has such big feet. There is a rather hilarious illustration of him lying on the ground with his feet in the air wondering if they are for keeping him dry when it rains and a wee mouse sheltering under them. Of course, his guesses are all bizarre and very funny. It's not until an evil weasel appears that he learns the truth.

This is one for the parents as much as the children.

Oh, and it is also available in Chinese.

I Shall Wear Midnight

2011-04-09T12:47:00.007+01:00

I Shall Wear Midnight
by Terry Pratchett

Tiffany Aching never really wanted to be a witch, but had witchood thrust upon her when she was scouted by the 'witch finder' Miss Tick. It sort of ran in the family, the being a witch that is, although no one spoke of it, as it wasn't the done thing on the Chalk where they live.

Now, seven years later (and three books later), Tiffany is truly a witch and practising openly much to the consternation of many of the villagers, who don't want to think about it too closely, even though Tiffany is the first person they turn to if they need help of any kind.

Tiffany and her wee (when I say wee I mean it, they are little folk or fairy folk as they are sometimes known) tribe of faithful Scottish warriors - the Nac Mac Feegles have there work cut out for them this time around. As rumour, suspicion and prejudice swirl around the Chalk after the Baron dies while being tended to by Tiffany.

As if that isn't enough she is also pursued by the mythical Cunning Man a demonic creature filled with hatred and has to cope with the suspicions of her ex-beau Roland, the Baron's Son and his silly wife-to-be Letitia.

It is hard enough being a teenager, but being a witch too is a real trial!

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If you want to read Tiffany's story from the beginning, start with Wee Free Men, the story in which nine year old Tiffany is initiated into the witchood by Miss Tick when the Queen of the Elves makes an attempt to enter the Discworld, by stealing children and infesting dreams. Tiffany's baby brother is one of the stolen children and with the help of the 'Wee Free Men' - The Nac Mac Feegles, she attempts to rescue him and save the Discworld.

In book two, A Hat Full of Sky, Tiffany is preparing to leave home and take up witchcraft properly. Tiffany goes to live with Miss Level to learn herb lore from her, but while she is with her a strange presence called 'the Hiver' inhabits Tiffany, making her do all sorts of things she wouldn't do and abusing her new powers. The Nac Mac Feegles and Mistress Weatherwax, a legendary witch arrives in the nick of time to help.

In the third story, Wintersmith, Tiffany is continuing her training with a witch called Miss Treason. When Miss Treason takes Tiffany to witness the Dark Morris - a morris dance which is performed wearing black clothes and octiron bells and is danced in the winter. Tiffany joins the dance and finds herself face to face with the Wintersmith. The Wintersmith is very taken with Tiffany and starts to give her gifts and powers which get her into all sorts of trouble, but as ever the Nac Mac Feegles and Mistress Weatherwax are there to help.

Enjoy!

Small Persons with Wings

2011-03-31T10:23:00.005+01:00

Small Person with Wings
by Ellen Booraem

When Mellie Turpin was in Kindergarten, her best friend wasn't of the human variety. Her best friend Fidius was a ~~fairy~~ small person with wings (they hate to be called fairies).

Mellie isn't popular at Kindergarten, but once she announces she has a real live fairy living in her bedroom, everyone wants to be her friend. However, as soon as she tells Fidius she has promised to take him in for show-and-tell, he disappears, leaving Mellie with a very red face and more unpopular than ever.

Mellie is now thirteen and is still trying to live down the shame. She has persuaded herself that fairies don't exist and that it was all just her vivid imagination.

Then, when Mellie's grandfather dies, her father inherits his dilapidated inn, so the whole family up-sticks and move to an area where no-one knows about Mellie and her fairy. A fresh start for Mellie or so she thinks until she discovers the basement is overrun with small persons with wings and the nightmare begins again.

Throw out all your ideas and opinions about fairies and read this amusing tale. It will leave you feeling glad that there are no fairies in your basement!

Picture Book Picks - The Rattletrap Car

2011-03-11T12:39:00.008Z

Rattletrap Car
written by Phyllis Root
illustrated by Jill Barton

"Dad turned the key,
brum brum, brum brum,
clinkety clankety
bing bang pop!

They were off to the lake
in their rattletrap car.
They didn't go fast and
they didn't go far when....

boomssssssssssssss.....

The tyre went flat."

And that was only the start of their problems!

Junie, Jakie, Dad and the baby are going for a trip to the lake in their old falling-to-bits car. It is hot and sticky and they can't wait to get to the lake to cool off. But will they make it in their rattletrap car?

It really doesn't seem like they will. The tyre goes flat, the floor falls out, the petrol tank falls off and the engine falls out! Not to be deterred, this ingenious family come up with some pretty creative ideas to solve each problem. For instance, they use a "thermos full of razzleberry dazzleberry snazzleberry fizz" instead of petrol and they attach it to the car with "chocolate marshmallow fudge delight". How fabulous is that?

I adore this book. The repeating rhyme which continually increases as the book goes on is just loved by children (and me). The idea of attaching things on to the car with "chocolate marshmallow fudge delight" really tickles my foodie fancy.

Oh and the illustrations are pretty fab too!

I urge you to borrow this book from the library or buy a copy to cherish.

Picture Book Picks - Something Beginning with Blue

2011-03-02T15:11:00.019Z

Something Beginning with Blue
written by Sally Symes
illustrated by Nick Sharratt

I picked up this book for the first time yesterday. It's a Nick Sharratt, so I knew it would be good. It's a spin on the travelling game eye spy, except instead of a letter, it is a colour. For instance "I spy with my little eye something beginning with green".

You can see the next colour through a pair of cut out eyes and there is a little description to give you a clue before you turn the page. As usual with a Nick Sharratt book, the illustrations are very bold and colourful. The story was greatly enjoyed by the nursery children I was reading to. This is going to be a firm favourite at storytime.

Here are a few other Nick Sharratt titles that I love:

Shark in the Park is one of my all time favourites. It is about a boy, Timothy Pope who is in the park with his telescope (see, already you can see the rhyme!) and is sure he keeps seeing a shark, but the shark turns out to be something quite different each time. Fabulous! Especially if you and the children make a telescope with your hand and look all around while you are reading the story.

I love this one too! The Foggy Foggy Forest. Peer through the fog, courtesy of some opague paper and try to identify the fairytale creatures.

Accidentally on Purpose is a split book featuring that little scamp Daisy. In this picture book, you have the choice of making Daisy do something good or something naughty, much to the delight of any children reading this book. This one is written by Kes Gray and illustrated by Nick. To find out more about Daisy and her antics you can visit the website - Daisy Club.

I could go on and on recommending books Nick Sharratt has written or illustrated, but I will stop here and let you explore for more yourself.

Picture Book Picks - Doodle Bites

2011-02-28T12:21:00.009Z

I'm back with a selection of my favourite picture books. The ones I read to the children who visit the library. They are targeted at the under fives, but when school is out, the older children do tend to drift over to listen, so let's just say for all ages.

My first choice is a picture book that has been around for a couple of years now, but I just discovered it recently and I absolutely love it. It is Doodle Bites by Polly Dunbar.

Polly's book can always be picked out by her beautiful illustrations. Her pastel coloured backgrounds and simply drawn characters are a joy. Nothing fussy and each page is quite sparse, but the characters have wonderful expressions on their faces that carry you through the story.

This story is one in a series about a group of animals who live in a little yellow house with a girl called Tilly. This story focuses on the crocodile called Doodle. One morning Doodle wakes up feeling 'bitey, bitey' and gets into all sorts of trouble. She even bites poor Tumpty (yes, an elephant) on the bum!

This book will make you laugh out loud. So sweet, but very funny! I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex

2011-02-07T10:30:00.005Z

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex
by Eoin Colfer

This is the latest in a long line of tales about the devious, teenage, criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl.

Artemis has gathered his group of fairy co-horts in a remote location in Iceland to unveil his latest plan. His greatest plan ever! A plan to save the world. That doesn't sound like Artemis at all. Artemis doesn't help other people unless there is something in it for him, usually money. Something isn't quite right, he is thinking about other people and counting in fives.

Before the others can put their finger on what is wrong with their young friend, they are under attack from what should be a friendly vessel.

Killer space probes, unfriendly robots, zombie wrestling fans and the unlucky number four, well unlucky for Artemis anyway. Will any of them make it out alive this time? It's looking really unlikely.

This is the seventh and penultimate book in the Artemis Fowl series. The books are all centred around the teenage mastermind Artemis Fowl, whose only goal in life is to make money through illegal schemes by taking advantage of the fairy underworld he has discovered.

The books are written with a great deal of humour and often leave you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.

I have to say I was a little disappointed with this book. I usually whizz through the stories, laughing up'roariously, especially at the antics of the kleptomaniac, gasey and rather pongey dwarf - Mulch Diggins, but I just didn't find the book as thrilling or as funny as usual. A great disappointment.

If you want to continue the story of Artemis, I would recommend you read this, but just don't expect as many laughs as usual.

Christmas Picture Book Selection

2010-12-17T14:50:00.006Z

Well, I am back from maternity leave and it is time to get this blog back up and running again. I had great plans to post while I was off, but that was before I realised that free time would become a thing of the past.

Christmas is approaching very, very fast, but there is still time to visit your local library or bookshop to pick up a book or two. Here is my top picks in picture books.

Aliens Love Panta Claus
written by Claire Freedman
illustrated by Ben Cort

Another fabulous book in the alien series by Claire Freedman. You would have to live in outer space to have missed out on these cheeky little creatures, but wait a minute, if you live in outer space you will probably know who they are already! In which case, I hope they left you with at least one pair!

In this Christmas special the Aliens are helping out in santa's workshop and giving away underpants instead of stealing them.

I'm Not Santa
written and illustrated by Jonathan Allen

My second pick is I'm Not Santa starring Baby Owl. My baby loves the Baby Owl books and I have to admit to a fondness for them too. They are very amusing with beautifully simple illustrations that convey so much. The expressions on the creatures faces are just fabulous.

In this story we have a case of mistaken identity as Baby Owl sets out for the day with his santa hat on. As you can imagine, he loses his patience very quickly. Very funny!

Christmas Is Coming
written by A.J. Wood
illustrated by Stephen Lambert
paper engineered by Jonathan Lambert

If you are looking for something rather special, look no further than Christmas Is Coming. It is filled with the most beautifully illustrated and crafted pop-ups.
For the full effect it is best to lay the open book on a table. Oh yes and I nearly forgot to say, it is a Christmas story about a mouse.

Doubting Thomas

2010-01-12T17:23:00.000Z

Doubting Thomas
by Morris Gleitzman

Thomas is mortified, it just isn't funny at all! It shouldn't happen to a decent human being!

Morris has itchy nipples!

Very, very itchy nipples!

It is a secret that Thomas is keen to keep to himself, but soon Thomas realises that his nipples have a special talent, they can tell when people are lying. Thomas secret leads him to adventure with his friends in Paris.

This is such a funny book! I urge you to pick it up sometime soon.

Knife

2009-12-10T16:40:00.000Z

Knife
by R.J. Anderson

Knife is a fairy or faery as they prefer to be known, but not a cute, sweet faery. Knife is a hunter. She lives in an old oak tree with more of her kind. They are not a friendly bunch, but they only have each other, as they battle to survive against humans and the wild animals that roam around their sacred oak. But, Knife is curious about the outside world and soon she goes against the wishes of the faery Queen and ventures further and further away from the oak, drawn by the lure of the humans who live in the house at the bottom of the garden. Knife soon realises that the humans are not the evil beings that the Queen has made them out to be and is intrigued. Knife ventures into their home, where she is captured by the human boy Paul. As their friendship develops, Knife tries to discover why the faeries are losing their magic and why the faeries hate the humans with such a vigour.

This is a fabulously gripping read that would be enjoyed by both boys and girls. It has an alternative title in the US/Canada - Faery Rebel: Spell Hunter and will be followed up by a second book - Rebel in 2010.

Al Capone Shines My Shoes

2009-11-26T14:44:00.005Z

Al Capone Shines My Shoes
by Gennifer Choldenko

This is the continuing story of Twelve year old Moose Flanagan which began in Al Capone Does My Shirts.

The story unfolds as Moose arrives with his family to live on the infamous island of Alcatraz. His father is a warden and this is a fresh start for the family (Moose, his sister Natalie, who is autistic, his mother and his father). Moose and his family share the island with the other wardens, their families and some rather famous criminals such as Al Capone.

Moose loves playing baseball and hanging out with his friends, but more often than not he finds himself looking after his sister. The family all hope that her move to a new school will make life a little better for Natalie and although Moose loves his sister, he would like some time for himself.

Before long Moose becomes embroiled with Al Capone. Is this a big mistake? Only time will tell.

Al Capone Shines My Shoes

Yes! It was a big mistake for Moose to ask a favour of Al Capone! Now it's payback time. Al Capone helped Natalie to gain a place in a special school and now he wants some help from Moose. Help that Moose really doesn't want to give. The story takes a gripping turn as Moose gets caught up in plans put in place by some of the island's most dangerous criminals, which puts his own life and that of his friends in danger.

Eating Things on Sticks

2009-09-26T09:53:00.006+01:00

Eating Things on Sticks
by Anne Fine

Such a great title for a book, don't you think? It intrigued me as soon as I read it. Of course, I don't plan to reveal what those things on sticks are, that would just spoil the fun, but I will tell you a little about the story.

This is the latest offering from past Children's Laureate, Anne Fine and I do enjoy an Anne Fine book, although there have been one or two over the years that I haven't been so keen on. I suppose it is a case of "you can't please all of the people, all of the time!". Saying that, most of them are pretty darn good and Eating Things on Sticks is one of the gems.

On another note, Eating Things on Sticks has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009 in the 7-14 age category. The £2,500 prize was founded in 2008 by Michael Rosen as part of his Children’s Laureateship to honour those books that make children laugh. The winner will be announced on 10th November.

Anyway, back to the story!

Eating Things on Sticks is the story of a boy named Harry. To call Harry accident prone, would be an understatement! The story opens and Harry has just burned down the family kitchen. Harry is left feeling a bit astonished that it happened and woebegone at the outcome. Harry's mum wants to send Harry away to live with his Aunt, while the kitchen is rebuilt. The last thing Harry wants to do is live with his Aunt Susan. Aunt Susan takes him on long nature walks and that is bad enough, but spending any time with his lisping, frilly frock wearing cousin Titania, just doesn't bear thinking about at all.

Harry manages to persuade his mum to let him stay with his Uncle Tristram. Next, Uncle Tristram has to be persuaded, but a little blackmailing later and Harry is on his way to a remote British Island to spend the summer with Uncle Tristram and his dotty girlfriend Morning Glory.

Did I mention Harry is accident prone? Yes? Well, as you can imagine, Harry stumbles from one disaster to another whilst on the island.

Angels, men with funny beards, helicopters and eating funny things on sticks.

A must read! Very funny.

Hate That Cat

2009-08-25T13:39:00.015+01:00

Hate That Cat
by Sharon Creech

Well, I love cats, but I didn't let it put me off picking up this book. I always eagerly await any new offering by Sharon Creech, so I was very happy to see this new title.

Hate that Cat picks up the story of a boy called Jack and his ventures into poetry. The story began in Love That Dog, with a very reluctant young boy and a very keen teacher, who is eager to share the joy of poetry with her class. Both books are written in rhyme, which is quite refreshing and both follow the story of Jack through his own poems. At the start of Love That Dog, we learn that Jack hates poetry, or thinks he does, his first poems are very short and disgruntled, but as we move through the book, we can see an interest in poetry developing and we learn more about his family and his beloved dog.

Hate That Cat picks up the story with a new school year and Jack moving into a new class. Jack is very relieved to see teacher has moved classes with him, "You understand my brain," Jack says to Miss Stretchberry. And so the new year continues though Jack's poems, but this time Jack is focused on a neighbourhood cat he really dislikes, no lets make that hate, well to begin with anyway.

These are quick reads that are well worth picking up.

And on a final note, I cannot end a post on cats without a reference to Simon's cats. So here is an old favourite for you to enjoy.

Gentle's Holler

2009-08-17T10:39:00.006+01:00

Gentle's Holler
by Kerry Madden

This is a truly exquisite family tale set in sixties North Carolina, although it feels much earlier to me. I would draw comparisons to Little House on the Prairie, when it comes to lifestyle, although the fact the family have a car is a bit of a giveaway to a later era.

The story is told by twelve year old Livy Two, who is a real bookworm and a bit of a tomboy. She likes nothing better than to climb a tree and read a good book, in peace. Unfortunately, peace is scarce in this family of 2 boys and 8 girls, and Livy Two is often called on to help with the chores and to look after the other children, especially her little sister Gentle who as the family put it has eyes that “don’t work so good yet."

Life is tough for the family. Dad is a dreamer, who doesn't provide much for the family, a banjo player by trade, he is waiting to become the next big thing, unfortunately, this doesn't pay the bills and the family live on the produce from their garden. Mum knits like crazy to try and bring a bit of money in and tries to keep her family's spirits up. The highlight of the family's month is when the mobile library visits.

Things come to a head when mum becomes pregnant again and grandma comes to stay. Grandma insists that Gentle go see a professional to check out her eyes and their worst suspicions are confirmed. Gentle is blind. This bad news galvanises the family into action and the children set about training their goofy dachshund to become a seeing eye dog. It seems like the family will be fine, but then tragedy strikes.

If you feel in the mood for a lovely, gentle tale of family life, with a bit of drama thrown in then these are the books for you. Great rainy day reading.

I am looking forward to read the continuing adventures of Livy Two and her family in the next two episodes of the Maggie Valley Series Louisianna's Song and Jessie's Mountain.

The Secret of the Dread Forest

2009-07-23T19:29:00.006+01:00

The Secret of the Dread Forest
by Gillian Summers

Keelie has reluctantly travelled to the Dread Forest with her dad. The Dread Forest is home to Keelie's haughty grandmother, who doesn't approve of Keelie because she is half elf and half human. For that matter, none of the other elves approve of Keelie either.

How is she going to survive in this unfriendly place with only her grouchy guardian cat Knot and a demanding treeling for company. Even her gorgeous, would-be boyfriend Sean o' the Woods is no longer interested in her.

Things start to look up for Keelie when she begins sword fighting lessons, although her tutor is less than could be desired, but with the good there comes the bad and once more Keelie is called upon to save an ailing forest.

This is book three in this wonderful, hard-to-put-down series.

Book 1 The Tree Shepherd's Daughter
Book 2 Into the Wildewood
Book 3 Secret of the Dread Forest

Keelie's adventures are due to continue in a new trilogy - The Scions of Shadow. I will keep you updated on it's publication.

Picture Book Picks - Penguin & Dogs On The Bed

2009-07-09T17:25:00.016+01:00

Penguin
by Polly Dunbar

I can't say enough about this book! I just love it. It is a lovely, gentle tale of a boy called Ben who opens a gift and finds a penguin inside. A real penguin, not a toy. The whole story revolves around the boy trying to persuade the penguin to speak to him. He moves from gentle persuasion to more rather aggressive techniques.

It is a really charming book, which is beautifully illustrated by the author and very humourous! I think it is the facial expressions that just crack me up. They make me laugh every time.

Dogs on the Bed
by Elizabeth Bluemle

This is the first book I have come across by this author, but I am mightily impressed. Dogs on the Bed is a story many of you may be familiar with if you have either a dog or a cat and the night-time campaigns they mount to take over your bed, be they allowed there or not. The shoving and gradual take over of the bed until you are pushed out.

This story has a lovely rhythmic flow to it and amusing illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf. I found I was telling the story to the voice and rhythm of the last Children's Laureate Michael Rosen. I don't know, it just felt like one of his poems and I hear his voice as I read it, which probably influences my storytelling of this book.

Here's a little taster of Michael Rosen, a very funny man and a great poet.

Just in case you missed the news, Anthony Browne is the new Children's Laureate and will hold the post until 2010. He took over the post from Michael Rosen who held it from 2007 to 2009.

You can find out more about the new Children's Laureate and previous Laureates here.

Into the Wildewood

2009-06-16T00:02:00.009+01:00

Into the Wildewood
by Gillian Summers

Yay! I finally got my hands on book two of the Faire Folk Trilogy and guess what? It is even better than the first book.

Keelie has moved on with her father to the Wildewood Renaissance Faire and is living in his dinky little homemade cabin. It is not an ideal situation as far as Keelie is concerned. It is so small that you couldn't even swing a cat in it, although you would never want to try that out with Knot. He would have your hand off!

Still there is plenty to occupy Keelie. On her first day at the faire Keelie makes the mistake of ordering a pair of the most beautiful, hand crafted, leather boots. It is love at first sight and she has to have them, but she soon learns the error of her ways when her dad says she must take a job at the faire to pay for them. And so begins a comedy of truly dreadful jobs, beginning with a giant purple dragon suit that smells of sick. Yeugh!

All is not well at this faire, the trees are angry and blocking Keelie and there is a strange white cat following her about. What is making the trees so angry and how is she going to explain her rather strange gifts to her friend Laurie, when she arrives for the summer?

I just can't wait for the next book. It is scheduled to be out in the Summer. Let's hope the UK publication isn't too far behind that.

Breaking News
Book three The Secret of the Dread Forest is out on the 1st of July and just to top off that good news, Gillian Summers has just announced that she has signed up to write another three books about Keelie.

Dumb Creatures

2009-06-11T11:23:00.008+01:00

Dumb Creatures
by Jeanne Willis

This is a short book, but a memorable one. The main character is eleven year old Tom. Tom can hear, but he can't speak. He has a lot to say about everything, but the only way he can communicate is by sign language. It is all very frustrating! He can have a conversation with his teacher, but his classmates don't make the effort to learn sign language and even more infuriating, they talk to Tom as if he is stupid. Tom isn't stupid, in fact he is very smart.

Tom loves visiting the zoo. It is the one place he feels really content. Tom can even tell how the animals are feeling by watching their body language. One day Tom is at the gorilla enclosure with his mother, when the female gorilla Zanzi points at Tom's mother who is pregnant and signs to Tom, "Baby". Tom's mother is leaning against the enclosure resting, with her eyes closed, so she doesn't see, but Tom does. He wonders if he has imagined the whole thing, but then Zanzi points to her own stomach and signs "baby here too".

Tom keeps Zanzi's secret. She doesn't want anyone to know, not even the zoo keeper, but when Zanzi's baby goes missing Tom decides it is time to speak out.

Picture Book Picks - The Foggy, Foggy Forest & Mrs Muffly's Monster

2009-06-06T13:37:00.015+01:00

These two picture books are going down a storm at story times. If you are looking for a book to borrow from your local library or one to buy as a gift, then you wouldn't go wrong with one of these.

The Foggy Foggy Forest
by Nick Sharratt

Nick Sharratt writes a mean story! They are always great. Be it a novelty pop-up book or a story in rhyme, he always pitches it just right and children love his books.

The Foggy Foggy Forest is a real treat. The reader is invited to step into the forest and to guess which characters they can see as silhouettes in the fog.

The black illustrations are printed on something similar to a thick opaque tracing paper, but once you turn the page you see the characters in full, glorious colour. Cinderella and Snow White are having a water pistol fight, there is a unicorn playing the horn and an ogre doing yoga.

Mrs Muffly's Monster
by Sarah Dyer

Mrs Muffly is being very secretive!

Mrs Muffly is a strange little lady who lives alone in her house at the top of a hill. But is she living alone? Rumour is, she is living with a monster! On Monday, Mrs Muffly goes out on her motorcycle and buys a huge pile of sugar. Is this to keep the monster sweet? On Tuesday she buys 27 dozen eggs. Are they for the monster to style it's hair?

This hilarious book, with it's zany illustrations travels with Mrs Muffly through the rest of her week until a big surprise on Sunday.

Malice

2009-06-01T10:31:00.009+01:00

Malice
by Chris Wooding

I am probably not the first person lured into picking this book up because of the fabulous 3-D cover, but hey, if it means that people read this dark tale, then it can only be a good thing. The format is quite unusual too, as it is part novel and part graphic novel.

Be ready for chills up your spine as you read this book!

Malice is the name of an underground comic. Most think it is an urban myth. Some children have heard of it, but few have actually seen it.

Malice is the world portrayed in this comic book. A world full of menace and horror where children fight for their lives.

Kady and Seth's friend, Luke disappears after he reads the comic book and all that is left in the book are blank pages. Something odd is going on and Kady and Seth are determined to find out the truth. They begin to suspect that children are being lured into Malice....

This novel is great from beginning to end. The characters are all well grounded in reality, which only serves to make the fantasy world more chilling and it ends on a real cliff-hanger which leaves you desperate for more. Roll on the next book which is to be called Havoc and should be out sometime next year.

Hatchet

2009-05-27T10:20:00.008+01:00

Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen

Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is flying in a bush plane over the Canadian wilderness on his way to spend the summer with his dad. He is alone in the plane with the pilot, when the pilot has a heart attack. Brian has no choice, he has to take over control of the plane and try to land it. He crash-lands the plane into a lake. He is alive, but he is alone. He has nothing but the clothes he is wearing and a small hatchet, which was a parting gift from his mother. Brian needs shelter and he needs food. Can a city boy survive in the wilderness? Will he be rescued?

Each time I read this novel, I find it as thrilling as the first time I was lucky enough to pick it up. Hatchet is an exciting, roller coaster ride of a book. Once you pick it up, it is impossible to put down. Woe betide anyone who tries to gain your attention whilst you are reading this novel!

Everything I Know About You

2009-05-22T12:11:00.011+01:00

Everything I Know About You
by Belinda Hollyer

Lizzie is used to her little brother's wild imagination, but he has gone too far this time! She really doesn't mind when he pretends he is a dragon, even when she has to pretend to be a princess, tied to a rock for hours at a time, but this is too much to bear! Eric claims to have seen their mother working in the gift shop at the Natural History Museum. It just can't be her, she died five years ago when Eric was just two. But, what if it is? Dad is acting awfully strange, he is definitely keeping some secrets. Lizzie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

I really loved this book. The relationship between the family was really interesting to observe and it is so well written. Although, I don't think I could have been nearly as patient as Lizzie is with her little brother, Eric. I think he would have driven me insane! I will be looking for more books by this author.

Johnny And The Dead

2009-05-14T11:25:00.015+01:00

Johnny and the Dead
by Terry Pratchett

Johnny Maxwell is a pretty average 12 year old boy. He spends his time playing computer games and hanging out with his mates - Big Mac, Wobbler & Yo-Less. He doesn't think anything remarkable will ever happen to him. That is, until....

The day he walks through the cemetery on the way home from school. The day he decides to stop and have a look around. The day that changes the rest of his life!

It seemed like such a good idea at the time, to run up to one of the tombs and knock on the door. He really didn't expect anyone to answer, but they did! The ghost of Alderman Thomas Bowler to be precise.

Johnny turned and ran like the clappers.

But then he stopped and thought "what if I don't go back, what if I never know the truth?" So Johnny turns back and knocks on the tomb again.

This meeting is the start of a friendship between Johnny and the dead. Only Johnny can see and hear them, so when the council decides to sell the cemetery for 5p to a company who want to knock it down, the dead decide that Johnny is just the boy to stop them.

This is the second in a trio of books about Johnny Maxwell.

1 Only You Can Save Mankind

Johnny is playing his new computer game. He is about to blast the alien fleet to smithereens when a message appears on screen that says "We surrender!".

What happens when a computer game turns into real life? Johnny is about to find out!

2 Johnny and the Dead

3 Johnny & The Bomb

Johnny and his friends travel back to World War II in a wonky shopping trolley that belongs to Mrs Tachyon, the local bag lady.

It could only happen to Johnny Maxwell!

This is a great set of books to read. Pratchett at his best. Funny, poignant and unforgettable! The one I always go back and read again is Johnny and the Dead, although I really enjoyed Only You Can Save Mankind. Johnny and the Bomb is my least favourite, but still a good book and worth a read.

The Tree Shepherd's Daughter

2009-05-10T15:39:00.006+01:00

The Tree Shepherd's Daughter
by Gillian Summers

Keelie is a true Californian girl. She likes fashion, manicures and hanging out at the mall with her friends. That is until her mom dies and she is sent off to live with the dad she hasn't seen since she was little.

Keelie's dad lives a hippy lifestyle travelling around medieval festivals, plying his trade as a carpenter, whilst dressed in clothes from the dark ages. Keelie thinks she will never fit into this odd place. There are people with pointy ears, a boot wearing cat and the trees are trying to talk to her! Thank goodness she has an escape plan to ditch this medieval geekland.

I have had this book sitting around for a while. I would pick it up and put it down again, only to select something else to read. I knew I wanted to read it, after reading a great review, but I think what put me off was the cover. It just didn't excite me at all, but I am so glad I picked it up. It is such a great tale of friendship, love and moving on with life and I just loved Knot the cat. He reminded me of the cat in Sabriel called Mogget, who is bound to serve the Abhorsen, whether he likes it or not. I can't wait to lay my hands on the next book in the trilogy.

Faire Folk Trilogy

Book 1 The Tree Shepherd's Daughter

Book 2 Into the Wildewood

Book 3 The Secret of the Dread Forest

Tins

2009-04-30T15:34:00.012+01:00

Tins
by Alex Shearer

Fergal is a bit of a loner and considered to be swotty by everyone he knows. Actually, it quite annoys him. He doesn't want to be labelled. He wants to be different. So, no boring hobbies for him, no! No collecting stamps or spotting trains. Fergal collects tins!

What kind of hobby is that, you say? Well, Fergal collects those sad lonely tins with no labels that sit abandoned in bargain bins at the supermarkets. The mystery of them is quite exciting. Anything could be inside!

His project is all going quite well and Fergal has nearly 100 tins, all weighed, measured and dated. But Fergal's parents are going insane. All of books are on the windowsill and all his tins are on the book shelf, where his books should be. They demand that some of his tins must be opened, if he wants to buy more.

And then, he makes a gruesome discovery! The contents in this tin don't slosh about inside. They go thunk, thunk thunk! No baked beans in this tin then, but a finger, yes, a human finger! Gross!

What will Fergal find next?

If you are looking for a good sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat book, then this is it! It's brilliant!

Vesuvius Poovius

2009-04-27T10:55:00.016+01:00

Versuvius Poovius
written by Kes Gray
illustrated by Chris Mould

There is a problem in Ancient Rome, a very whiffy problem.

IT WAS ANOTHER PONGY DAY IN ANCIENT ROME...

Soldiers gasped on their way to war. Children fainted on their way to school. Everyone hurried on, as fast as they could, trying to get away from the whiff. The whiff of the unmentionable.

The unmentionable is pooh. The Emperor has declared this word a FORBIDDENUS WORDUS!

The good people of Rome still have the problem, they just can't mention it. Instead they have to be creative, using phrases such as "sugar lumps" and "chocolate custard".

Something has to be done about the situation and along comes our hero and inventor Vesuvius Poovius. He is just the man for the job! Vesuvius has a eureka moment and starts work on an,ahem, let's say a Jam Tart Disposal System.

This is a picture book for older readers, many an adult has laughed out loud whilst reading it! Lots of amusing illustrations from the talented Chris Mould and a very funny story.

How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant

2009-04-25T15:23:00.012+01:00

Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant
by Elen Caldecott

....she does, Kirsty Jenkins really steals an elephant! It's true! Why does she steal an elephant, that's what I would ask?

Here is Kirsty's story.

Kirsty enjoys spending her free time with her grandad on his allotment. It is a happy place to be and full of adventure (if you have enough imagination to see all the wild animals that live there), but then grandad takes ill and has to go to hospital. Grandad makes Kirsty promise that she will look after his allotment for him when he is gone, but then along comes trouble in the form of Mr Thomas from the Council. He says that Kirsty is too young to look after the allotment and that it should go to the next person on the waiting list. Kirsty isn't going to take this lying down, a plan has to be hatched and it does indeed involve an elephant!

Visit Kirsty's blog to find out what happens to Kirsty after she steals the elephant.