#BlogTour Review – Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails, written by Kaz Penney, illustrated by Sammy Elgie

Cover illustration by Sammy Elgie, publisher Andersen Press, 26 March 2026,
ISBN: 978-1839137594

Today I am delighted to be joining the blog tour for a fabulously hilarious detective mystery aimed at a Key Stage 2 audience and set in Tudor times!

The Stinky Stolen Toenails is the first book in a new junior detective series; the Will Shakespeare Mysteries. The story is aptly described by the publisher as Horrible Histories meets Loki! This book will be hugely appealing to children from 7/8 years of age, with its blend of zany humour, poo jokes and heavily illustrated style which blends artwork, doodle-style drawings and inventive text effects. It’s a great introduction to detective fiction, as well as providing a heap of Shakespeare-related information by stealth!

Set in Stratford-Upon-Avon, probably the most boring town in the entire world according to our narrator, this is the first person account of ten-year-old Will Shakespeare (with added notes by his best friend Tybalt) of his quest to become a PERSON-WHO-SOLVES-CRIMES! (Can our clever wordsmith think of a better way of describing his intended career?) The plot interweaves many allusions to the works of Shakespeare, with puns on names, and borrowed bits of narrative, which all add up to a funny and farcical detective story. Will and Tybalt find themselves in a race against time to save the Twelfth Night party hosted by Will’s parents. They can only achieve this by tracking down the stolen Moundsofgoo Treasure, thus enabling the love-sick Ronaldo to win Judy Catapult’s hand in marriage! And all the while, lurking in the background is the prospect of Will’s most dreaded chore…cleaning out the privy!

Author Kaz Penney has crafted a clever story, loaded with humour which I am sure will appeal to readers throughout Key Stage 2. Additionally, I think that classroom teachers who are covering the William Shakespeare element of the English curriculum will be happy to add this book to their additional reading selections. The artwork and doodles by Sammy Elgie add greatly to the enjoyment of the book and I suspect that Tybalt’s sarcastic commentary will provide plenty of laughs. As the 2026 National Year of Reading progresses, I am sure that this a book which youngsters will choose to read for pleasure. If you are responsible for a school or classroom library, I think you will want to add the Will Shakespeare Mysteries to your bookshelves.

Disclaimer: I am grateful to Jade at Andersen Press for sending me a proof copy of this book ahead of publication and for inviting me to join the blog tour. All opinions are my own. Do take a look at the reviews written by my fellow book bloggers on the tour schedule below.

#MG Non-Fiction: The Flying Feminist by Mary Boone, illustrated by Andrea Turk

Cover art by Andrea Turk, published by Andersen Press, 19 May 2026, ISBN: 978-1839135101

This informative, middle grade title has dramatically increased my knowledge of female pioneers in the field of aviation; prior to reading it, the extent of my knowledge began and ended with Amelia Earhart! This beautifully presented, hardback book tells the story of Lilian Emily Bland (1878-1971) who was born in England but later moved to Northern Ireland. Lilian was not content simply being a ‘society lady’, she was well educated, hunted and fished, worked as a newspaper photographer and was endlessly curious. When she received a postcard featuring a picture of an early aeroplane she became fascinated by the idea of aviation and taught herself to build and fly her own plane, named the Mayfly. In doing so, she became the first woman in the world to achieve this feat.

The story is told with minimal text and is illustrated with the most gorgeous artwork. I love the colour palette which imparts the historical era, and which gives life to Lilian’s unique character. Both the author, Mary Boone, and the illustrator, Andrea Turk, have created an exceptional biography for middle grade readers. At the end of the narrative, there are short biographic paragraphs about six other women who have made significant contributions in the field of aviation.

This is a book which I feel will greatly inspire girls and boys who are interested in STEM subjects, showing as it does, the incredible capacity of motivated individuals to ignore the doubters and pursue their interests on their own terms. I found Lilian Emily Bland’s life story utterly fascinating and applaud the creative team who have brought this story to light.

Disclaimer: I am most grateful to publicist Jade at Andersen Press who sent me a copy of The Flying Feminist ahead of publication. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

My good friend and children’s books expert Anne Thompson (ALibraryLady on social media) has reviewed I Flew Around the World by Zara Rutherford on her blog and suggests it would make a good companion book to The Flying Feminist.

#Illustrated Fiction review: Riley Wright is Always Wrong by Mel Taylor-Bessent, illustrated by Sr Sanchez

Cover illustrations by Sr Sanchez, published by Farshore, 21 May 2026, ISBN: 978-0008801670

The bright, bubble-gum pink of the cover is a fair indication of the bubbly, sweet, content contained within the latest book from the genius that is Mel Taylor-Bessent! I am always excited to read new titles by this author because I know that I’ll be diving into a story which is funny, warm-hearted and cheering. When it comes to encouraging children to read for pleasure, this author’s books need to be included in classroom, library and home collections.

Riley Wright is Always Wrong is the first in a new series of highly illustrated, journal-style stories for children aged 7-9. The eponymous main character is instantly engaging, but she faces a big problem on her first day in a new primary school where she will be joining Year 4; her Dad is also starting at the new school…and he’s the new headteacher! Riley has already informed us that she’s awkward and accident-prone prior to the hilarious description of her less than elegant exit from Dad’s car in front of assorted parents and pupils. Not exactly the first impression that she was hoping to create! Fortunately for Riley, she is taken under the wing of classmate Emmie, who, on hearing Riley’s request to see the library, takes her to her ‘Secret Understairs Library’ hidden away in an old storage cupboard. The two girls instantly become friends, bonding over books, glittery notebooks and fancy pens. With a plot involving a school talent show, the unwanted attentions of mean girl Harper Thompson, and providing whole-hearted support for a slightly eccentric best friend, this is a story that leaves the reader smiling broadly and desperate for the next book in the series.

My proof copy of the book has a few lively illustrations by Sr Sanchez and indicates that the finished copy will be packed with his superb black and white artwork. The font is super-accessible and also contains some fun typographic effects, speech bubbles and doodles. The entire story is packed into 135 pages, making this a book that emerging independent readers can feel the enjoyment and satisfaction of being able to read alone. I predict that Riley Wright will become the new BFF of many young readers when the book is published in May 2026, and they will be looking forward to enjoying further escapades with this kind and funny character when book 2 is published in autumn 2026.

Disclaimer: I am most grateful to publicist Dannie Price and to Farshore Books for sending me a proof copy of Riley Wright is Always Wrong ahead of publication on 21 May 2026. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#PictureBook Review: Mummy’s Promise written by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly

Cover art by Paddy Donnelly, published by Andersen Press, 12 February 2026, ISBN: 978-1839132940

Mummy’s Promise is a gorgeous, rhyming story written by Michelle Robinson and vibrantly illustrated by Paddy Donnelly. It would be a delightful story to snuggle up and share with a pre-school or early years child at any time, but seems particularly appropriate for this weekend during which we celebrate Mother’s Day. The perfectly constructed rhythm and rhyme is likely to provide a sense of calm when read aloud, and I would not be surprised if youngsters were to start joining in with the story after repeated readings.

The story depicts a mother’s love for her offspring through the golden central characters of a sabre toothed tiger and her cub. Woolly mammoths, arctic foxes and cute parrots comprise the other animal mother-and-baby pairs in the book. The text and pictures clearly show the little cub learning life lessons from its mother; including being encouraged to make friends and showing bravery and loyalty to those friends when faced with a challenging situation. I loved the fully saturated artwork which I am sure will capture the attention of the youngest children, there is so much to look at and talk about on every page, and the love between the characters shines through their expressions. I would highly recommend Mummy’s Promise as a book to share with children aged 1 to 5 years of age.

Disclaimer: I am grateful to Jade and to Andersen Press for sending me a review copy of Mummy’s Promise. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

National Year of Reading 2026: February

Book covers of all books I’ve read or listened to during February 2026

I’m “going all in” for the National Year of Reading 2026!

I’ve taken the pledge and so far have managed my minimum of 10 minutes reading every day. To be fair, I’ve probably read for at least 10 minutes every day for the majority of my life, so to add something extra to my reading routines this year, I am going to try to present a monthly round-up of books I’ve either read or listened to.

I haven’t managed quite so much reading this month because February has been rather busy with home renovations, hopefully I’ll manage to carve out some more reading time in March.

As you can see, my reading has spanned the range from illustrated books through to adult titles. Some of these books have been sent to me by publicists for review, some are my own purchases (in physical or e-book format) and some have been borrowed as audiobooks. You can find my reviews at the links below:

Physical Books

How to Speak and Be Heard by Sam Hutchinson, illustrated by Vicky Barker

Fairytale Fiasco: Hansel and Gretel and Fairytale Fiasco: Cinderella by Evgenia Golubeva and Myles McLeod

Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails by Kaz Penney, illustrated by Sammy Elgie

The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Inspectors! by Sahrana Islam, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh

Clem Fatale Has Been Upstaged by Eve Wersocki-Morris, illustrated by Honie Beam

Travels With Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet

The Seeker and the Shade by Ellen Osborne

The Summer After the Night Before by Lisa Williamson

E-book

Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver (a bookclub choice) – a beautifully written novel set in a small town farming community in the Appalachians, with an environmental theme.

Audiobooks

Exit by Belinda Bauer – a surprisingly humorous murder mystery.

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green – a deeply personal, profoundly moving and wonderfully imaginative collection of essays written by novelist John Green. Many of the essays speak of his struggles with mental health.

I borrowed audiobooks from the wonderful Somerset Libraries via the Borrowbox app.

Let me know in the comments if you have read any of these books, and/or whether you have any special plans or activities for this National Year of Reading.

#MG Review – Travels With Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland by Patti Wheeler & Keith Hemstreet

Published by Claim Stake, 15 April 2026, ISBN: 978-1936284054

Travels With Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland is an interesting blend of non-fiction travel journal and adventure fiction, written for an upper middle grade readership, which is due to be published in the UK in April 2026. It features 15-year-old twins, Gannon & Wyatt, who travel around the world with their parents, exploring the local tourist attractions and also trying to learn as much as possible about the local culture of the countries they visit.

Travelling to the land of their ancestors, the boys and their parents start their Irish trip touring some of the famous landmarks; the Cliffs of Moher, Trinity College Library and Blarney Castle – where Gannon (who seems to be quite gregarious already) kisses the famous stone! The early part of the book provides descriptions and photos of the landscape, weather and sights, but the adventure really begins when the brothers go to spend a month working on a farm in County Kerry.

When farmer, Mr O’Leary, sets eyes on the teenagers, he does not expect them to last a week on Shamrock Farm, and initially the brothers clearly struggle with the hard manual work in the driving rain. However, the boys become invested in helping their host to save his farm from the pollution which is causing his crops and livestock to suffer. When they suspect that the environmental damage is being caused by the neighbouring industrial factory farm owned by the immensely rich and bullying Mr Moloney, Gannon and Wyatt decide to investigate. Collecting samples from the pools of livestock waste that are being flushed into the local river, and taking photos of the caged pigs, the boys put themselves in danger from the unscrupulous businessman, and have to make a hasty escape. Unfortunately, they subsequently get lost in the forest that separates the two farms, and free-spirited Gannon encounters some of Ireland’s mythical creatures. His scientifically-minded twin is determined to present his water samples to the environmental agency for analysis, but will the boys find their way out of the forest in time to save Mr O’Leary’s family farm?

This book is a quick read at under 170 pages and I think the travel journal style will make it appealing to children of 10 and above who like to learn about new places, enjoy a bit of adventure and are concerned about environmental and animal welfare issues. I think it would make an excellent addition to “Go All In” collections for the National Year of Reading, where we are encouraged to read books about the topics that interest us. This would certainly appeal to those who count travel amongst their hobbies. There are other books in this series, featuring locations from Greenland to Australia, and there is a website to explore, full of facts, photos and the background to these stories: Travels With Gannon and Wyatt website

Disclaimer: I am grateful to publicist Dannie Price for sending me a copy of Travels With Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland ahead of publication on 15 April 2026. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#YA Review: The Summer After the Night Before by Lisa Williamson

Cover image from proof copy, to be published by David Fickling Books 7 May 2026, ISBN: 978-1788451871

This powerful YA novel follows a close-knit group of teenagers through what should be a carefree summer, exploring big issues around consent, healthy relationships and the damaging consequences when lines are crossed. I have previously read and enjoyed middle grade novels by the same author (I will include links to my reviews at the end of this post), and in this novel she again demonstrates her ability to portray authentic, well-constructed characters who draw the reader into a thought-provoking, beautifully written story.

I loved the format of this novel, with each chapter telling the story from the multiple viewpoints of the three main protagonists; Molly, Rhiannon and Ben. Molly is a very attractive, outgoing, people-pleaser. The girl that everybody loves and pays attention to. She is sweet and kind, but has lost some of her self-confidence since her mum walked out on the family a year ago, her Dad descended into heavy drinking and depression and her adored older sister went away to university. She relies more than ever on escaping to her childhood best friend Rhiannon’s house, where she is practically one of the family. Rhiannon is much more reserved than Molly, often appearing to be slightly cynical. She takes little interest in fashion or flirtation, but despite their apparent differences, the two girls have a strong bond of friendship. Then there is Ben, Rhiannon’s twin brother, who appears to be a model teenage boy; hardworking, polite, caring and completely tongue-tied and embarrassed whenever Molly appears because he has worshipped her forever. When the trio attend a pre-GCSE party at which copious alcohol is consumed, and Ben rescues Molly after her interaction with another lad goes badly, they share a drunken kiss. Ben and Molly walk home together, leaving Rhiannon at the party, but when Molly wakes up in Ben’s bed the following morning and cannot remember large chunks of the night before, there follows a summer of anxiety, panic attacks and lies which will impact all their lives, and their wider friendships.

The narrative is very clever in the way that it presents the different viewpoints as each character interrogates their own feelings (or tries to push them aside and bury them) and attempts to make sense of their own, and others’ actions on the night of the party. The reader gains insight into the key issue of what consent means, lines that should not be crossed, and how the effects of alcohol consumption can lead to bad behaviour even from ‘good’ people. I was slightly surprised that every teen in the wider friendship group was portrayed as drinking heavily and having sex at the age of 16, but assume that the author did this to demonstrate different behaviours within relationships. As an adult it is heartbreaking to read Molly’s narrative and realise that her experience is probably shared by so many young girls who are often made to feel that they are to blame, and suffer subsequent psychological harm, after sexual assault. I hope that this hard-hitting but very readable book will provide a catalyst for conversations about relationships, alcohol consumption and consent in secondary schools, and might spark conversations between parents and their teenage children, because it is so important that these issues are spoken about and understood by teen boys and girls.

I am grateful to publicist Dannie Price and David Fickling Books for sending me an advanced proof copy of The Summer After the Night Before ahead of publication on 7 May 2026. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

Please click on the links below to read my reviews of the superb Bigg School series of middle grade novels by Lisa Williamson:

Best Friends Forever by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley

Double Drama by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley

Secret Crush by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley

Review: The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood – School Inspectors! by Farhana Islam, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh

Cover art by Simran Diamond Singh, published by Farshore, 15 January 2026, ISBN: 9780008640019

SATs, School Inspectors and a very large spider – a combination to make young readers scream with laughter!

I raced through this book with a huge smile on my face, so happy was I to be back in the brilliantly observed world of Mina Mahmood and her best friends, Reema and Mobeen. This is the second book narrated by Year 6 pupil Mina (you can read my review of the first at this link: The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood – School Trip!) but you can definitely read and enjoy it as a standalone. This is, without doubt, a book that encourages reading for pleasure. It is filled with hilarious mishaps, the font has been carefully chosen for ease of reading, there is playful use of typography, plenty of white space around the text and fun illustrations throughout by Simran Diamond Singh.

The story begins as Mina’s Year 6 class put down their pencils when time runs out on the final SATs paper. The stress is over and it’s time for the pupils and their hardworking teacher, Miss Khan, to relax and enjoy the post-exam party bonanza; disco, pizza, extra playtime, ice-cream van visit and a trip to Fisbo’s Circus! Just as these amazing rewards for all of their hard work are in sight, they are suddenly snatched away by the dreaded phone call! An ice-cold shiver runs through the adults in the school, frantic tidying and book-marking commence, and instead of a party, Mina, Reema and Mobeen are selected to take the “government spies” on a tour of the school. The fate of Year 6’s visit to the circus hangs on the outcome of the inspection. What could possibly go wrong? Well let’s just say that it really was not a great day for a pet tarantula to be present in school, and perhaps the Early Years classroom was not the best choice for first stop on the tour!

It is so apparent from the acutely accurate portrayal of school life (especially during inspection day) that the author, Farhana Islam, is a primary school teacher. Every scene rings with authenticity and the laugh-out-loud misunderstandings that occur throughout the school day will be familiar to child readers. The friendship between Mina, Mobeen and Reema is heart-warming and genuine. I think that the story will be hugely appealing to all children of 8 years and above who will identify with the setting and enjoy the humour. Additionally, it will be especially meaningful to children from a British Bangladeshi background who can see themselves positively represented by the three main protagonists and their teacher.

If you are a primary school librarian or responsible for a book collection in a Key Stage 2 classroom, or a parent/caregiver looking for a book to encourage an 8-year-old to read, I highly recommend The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood – School Inspectors!

Disclaimer: I am very grateful to Rory at Farshore for sending me a copy of this book. It was my choice to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#Review – Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails, written by Kaz Penney, illustrated by Sammy Elgie

Set in Stratford-Upon-Avon, probably the most boring town in the entire world according to our narrator, this is the first person account of ten-year-old Will Shakespeare (with added notes by his best friend Tybalt) of his quest to become a PERSON-WHO-SOLVES-CRIMES! (Can our clever wordsmith think of a better way of describing his intended career?) The plot interweaves many allusions to the works of Shakespeare, with puns on names, and borrowed bits of narrative, which all add up to a funny and farcical detective story. Will and Tybalt find themselves in a race against time to save the Twelfth Night party hosted by Will’s parents. They can only achieve this by tracking down the stolen Moundsofgoo Treasure, thus enabling Ronaldo win Judy Catapult’s hand in marriage! And all the while, lurking in the background is the prospect of Will’s most dreaded chore…cleaning out the privy!

Author Kaz Penney has crafted a clever story, loaded with humour which I am sure will appeal to readers throughout key stage 2. The artwork and doodles by Sammy Elgie add greatly to the enjoyment of the book and I suspect that Tybalt’s sarcastic commentary will provide plenty of laughs. As the 2026 National Year of Reading progresses, I am sure that this a book which youngsters will choose to read for pleasure. If you are responsible for a school or classroom library, I think you will want to add the Will Shakespeare Mysteries to your bookshelves.

Disclaimer: I am grateful to Jade at Andersen Press for sending me a proof copy of this book ahead of publication. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

Reviews – Fairytale Fiasco: Hansel and Gretel and Fairytale Fiasco: Cinderella by Evgenia Golubeva & Myles McLeod

Published by Mini Guppy an imprint of Guppy Books,
19 February 2026
ISBN: 978-1916558489

Published by Mini Guppy an imprint of Guppy Books,
19 February 2026
ISBN: 978-1916558502

The first two titles in a new series from Mini Guppy, these entertaining new variations on classic fairytales are absolutely perfect books for newly emerging readers to enjoy. Each book contains just over 100 pages, all of which are fully illustrated in colour. They are text-light and printed in a slightly smaller format than most paperbacks, making them the perfect size for the hands of 5 to 7-year-olds.

Created by husband-and-wife creative team, Myles McLeod and Evgenia Golubeva, the Fairytale Fiasco stories are ideal to lure children away from their screens and into books. This couple have used their expertise, gained from making animated television programmes, to create visually appealing, inclusive, highly entertaining stories. The artwork is reminiscent of an animated cartoon which will hook young readers, and both books begin with the basic plot of the original fairytale presented in comic strip format. However, they then develop into illustrated chapter book format at the point that seven-and-a-half year-old Cleo jumps into the fairytale thanks to the magic ability of her best friend Book Mark. At this point, the humour kicks in, with Cleo who brims with the exuberant confidence of a 7-year-old, determined to intervene and prevent the usual mishaps that befall the typical protagonists in fairytales. Of course, things do not proceed according to her plans…and fiasco ensues!

Thus, in Hansel and Gretel, we find Cleo quite dismissive of the young siblings foolishness in being captured thanks to the appeal of cake, until she finds herself lost in the woods with them and can’t quite resist chocolate cake with rainbow sprinkles when her tummy starts to rumble!

As she flips through her Cinderella storybook, Cleo states that she would never let a stepmother boss her about…but when confronted by Madame Lime inside the fairytale, she finds herself just as unable as poor Cinders, to stand up to the unbearably bossy character. The story seems as if it will follow the traditional narrative until Cleo introduces modern flourishes such as robotic cleaners, disco dancing and a slime party!

The publication of the Fairytale Fiasco series is perfectly timed for the 2026 National Year of Reading, these books are excellent options for encouraging the earliest readers to venture into a book; I would highly recommend them to anyone building a book collection for children aged 5 years and above. Further titles are due for publication later in the year, Fairytale Fiasco: Jack and the Beanstalk in June 2026, and Fairytale Fiasco: Sleeping Beauty in September 2026.

Disclaimer: I wish to thank the publisher Mini Guppy for sending me copies of Fairytale Fiasco: Hansel and Gretel and Fairytale Fiasco: Cinderella. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.