#IllustratedFiction Review: Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb by Nicky Smith-Dale, illustrated by Sarah Horne

Cover art by Sarah Horne, published by Farshore, 16 January 2025,
ISBN: 978-0008600372

Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb is exactly the sort of book that primary school librarians and teachers want to have in their collections to encourage children to read for pleasure. The book-appeal is off the scale, from the green foil highlights on the cover to the highly illustrated, hilarious story, this is a book that demands the attention of children aged 7+. There’s even a map (always a bonus in my opinion), random poems from Clammy Pete, and various letters from Dave Schoolboy, scattered throughout the story!

After a short introduction from Salvador Catflap, the greatest storyteller in the magical land of Wobbly Rock, the story commences with Betty Steady hanging out with her friends, the Crossword Crew. For anyone who has not read the first book in the series, there is a brief summary of the previous adventure provided in the introduction. Betty is a formidable twelve-year-old, known as the Guardian of Wobbly Rock, who is not averse to introducing her fists – Linda and Gregg – to anyone who might pose a threat to King Nutmeg. Unfortunately, she has been the object of a shrinking curse, cast by the Toad Witch, and now has to remind the court that she might be small, but she can still brawl!

When King Nutmeg receives an invitation to celebrate the Turnip Festival in the nearby kingdom of Upper Crust, Betty and her friends are part of the entourage, although Betty is frustrated that she is overlooked for bodyguard duties because of her current small stature. Whilst King Nutmeg competes against Queen McNiff in a series of hilariously vegetable-themed challenges, Betty is befriended by Misty Jamjar, a sprite who is secretly holding a grudge against the Queen. Just what kind of a stew will Betty land in if she helps her new friend to “borrow” the Queen’s magical Orb of Ogg?

I greatly enjoyed reading this book for its inventive plot, funny characters and brilliant word play. Who would have thought that vegetable-related puns could induce so much laughter? I laughed out loud when Beverly, the Queen’s Guard of the vault is introduced, carrying her axe named after her hairstyle – Choppy Bob! This character is:

“tough with a capital B. And tough doesn’t even have a B. That’s just how tough she was. page 105

At just under 200 pages, all filled with fun and action, Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb should be added to your middle grade readers’ 5-a-day, for a healthy burst of enjoyment.

Disclaimer: I am most grateful to Farshore Books for sending me a review copy of Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb. It was my decision to read the book and all opinions are my own.

#AudioBookReview: Birdsong by Katya Balen, read by Eleanor Yates

Cover art by Richard Johnson, audiobook published by Barrington Stoke, 16 October 2024,
ISBN: 9780008752125, narrated by Eleanor Yates

During 2025 I intend to enjoy some of the (very long) list of books published in 2024 that my blogging friends have recommended so fulsomely. One way that I hope to achieve this is via audiobooks on the BorrowBox app provided by my local public library service; Somerset Libraries. This week I was able to borrow Birdsong by Katya Balen, which I thoroughly enjoyed on my walk to and from work. Firstly, I must commend Eleanor Yates for her perfectly pitched narration. For me, the narrator is just as important as the content for enjoyment of an audiobook, and Eleanor Yates read the book beautifully. This story lends itself especially well to audiobook format, the addition of music, sound effects and bird song to the narration brought the story to life brilliantly.

Since being seriously injured in a car crash, music has disappeared from Annie’s life. She has initially lost the ability and later, the will, to pick up her flute; an instrument in which she previously excelled. As this short novel begins we meet Annie and her mother, packing up their house and downsizing to a dilapidated flat on the 15th floor of a tower block because her mother has lost her job through having to care for Annie during her recovery. It soon becomes apparent that the effects of the accident on Annie are far deeper than the white scar on her arm, a line which appears to separate her old life from her current one.

Annie is clearly facing a psychological struggle to recover fully from her injury. She is unwilling to perform the exercises prescribed by her physio and finds it easier to use her accident as an excuse for exempting herself from activities that she doesn’t want to make the effort to do. She has even withdrawn her application for a scholarship to a prestigious music school. As the novel develops we see the way that her brain is so naturally attuned to see musical patterns and to hear musical notes and rhythms in every day surroundings, making her fear of trying to resume playing her instrument even more heart breaking.

However when she meets Noah, a boy her own age who has set himself up to be the guardian of a local pair of blackbirds living in a scrubby, wild patch of brambles and hedges beside the estate playground, her outlook slowly begins to change. Through Noah’s actions and encouragement, she learns to take care and responsibility for the vulnerable blackbirds, and to appreciate their beautiful song. When tragedy strikes one of the pair, music provides a means of connection and reignites Annie’s passion for music making.

This is a glorious and wise novella, in which the unfolding of a friendship, the action of caring for another living creature, and the healing power of nature are combined in the exploration of the mental aftermath of a trauma. The anxiety and blame which can hold back recovery are dealt with gently and with kindness. The parallel plot of Annie’s relationship with her mother is told with great compassion. In my opinion, Katya Balen is one of the finest writers, particularly when it comes to bringing the natural world alive on the page. She has a lyricism and ability to conjure imagery that inspires awe and wonder. No word is wasted or extraneous, particularly important in a short novella such as this. I also loved the choice of Noah as the name for a boy so focussed on looking after a pair of blackbirds.

The physical book is published by Barrington Stoke and as I have referred to in previous posts, this means high-quality pages, dyslexia-friendly font, tinted pages with plenty of blank space, and accessible language. I would recommend this book to readers of 10+ and strongly encourage primary school and secondary school libraries to add this title to their collections.

Click this link for my review of October, October by Katya Balen.

#YAReview: Let the Light In by Jenny Downham and Louis Hill

Cover image by Holly Fulbrook/Shutterstock, published by David Fickling Books,
02 January 2025, ISBN: 978-1788453486

Let the Light In is a gritty, realistic story of a family’s struggle with grief and survival, written with an immediacy and beauty that I found compelling.

The authors are mother and son partnership, Jenny Downham, and Louis Hill. Jenny has previously written several award winning and highly acclaimed Young Adult novels, and I believe that this book was written with her actor and playwright son Louis, during the Covid lockdown. The story deals with a range of difficult issues in a dual narrative structure, alternating short chapters told through the voices of teenage brother and sister, Charlie and Leah.

The voices of these (and the supporting characters) are utterly authentic both in tone and in teenage language and I found myself drawn into their lives so completely that I found it hard to put this book down when work or chores called me away from it. The two main protagonists along with their younger sister Abby and their mother are dealing with the aftermath of their father’s death from cancer three years previously. Their reactions to this immense loss are very different and are revealed and the consequences explored in a wonderfully crafted plot.

Leah who is now 17 has taken on the caring role for her family. She is the one who manages the tiny budget now that they are living on benefits; she organises the rota for collecting Abby from school; she plans the meals; does most of the cooking and the household chores; all this whilst also trying to study for A-levels to reach her ultimate goal of a place at at Edinburgh University. Feeling trapped by the thought that she might not be able to leave her family to fend for themselves, she has found release in a secret affair with Alex, the married owner of a local art gallery.

Meanwhile Charlie has lost all confidence and lives in a state of constant anxiety and loneliness having isolated himself from his childhood friends. His only release is through his art, at which he is exceptionally gifted. He keeps a secret sketchbook into which all of his pain and anguish at watching his Dad’s death are captured in a series of pencil portraits. He dearly loves his younger sister and can always be relied on to look after Abby, but we feel immense sadness for him at his complete inability to follow simple cooking instructions and produce an edible meal from the meagre ingredients available when it is his turn to cook. Wishing to contribute more to his family, and to feel confident in front of his former friends, he falls victim to a loan shark operating on the estate.

Their mother has clearly been totally devastated at the death of her husband and has sunk into deep depression, finding it hard to leave her bed most days. Her narrative is dealth with compassionately as we see her children’s frustration that she cannot support them alongside their constant efforts to protect her from the consequences of their poverty and their challenges.

This might make you feel that the book is a depressing read, but light and humour is provided through the character of Abby. She has a 7-year-old’s ability to take the optimistic view and say things as she sees them. Her words and actions are often pivots for change and you observe how the family’s love for her promotes the unveiling of secrets and resultant positive actions.

The narrative arcs of Leah and Charlie entwine around the art gallery and build to a dramatic crescendo at a much-hyped open-evening and art sale. I found that the construction of the story into very short alternating paragraphs told by Leah and Charlie was utterly gripping. The writing handled tough topics including: power dynamics, loan sharking, young carers, grief and the reality of living in poverty, with great sensitivity and total assuredness. All the characters, even the “bad actors” were nuanced, giving some insight into their behaviours. Ultimately hopeful, through the realisation that friendship, community support and acknowledgement of feelings can lead to light in the darkness and eventual healing, this is an incredibly moving and powerful story.

At the end of the book, a range of useful support services are listed for anyone who might be facing some of the issues explored. Website addresses and phone numbers are provided for organisations which can help with: Carers, Grief, Mental Health, Relationships, Sexual Health, Money/Legal Issues and General Support.

I would highly recommend to senior school librarians for a readership aged 15+.

Disclaimer: I am extremely grateful to publicist Liz Scott and David Fickling Books for sending me a review copy of Let the Light In. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

#MGHorrorReview: The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick by Larry Hayes

Cover art by Berat Pekmexci, published by Bloomsbury, 2 January 2024, ISBN: 978-1526677785

That’s the thing about facing your fears: until you do it, it’s just impossible to imagine it will ever actually happen. page 206

Well, I certainly had to face my fears to read this new, seriously chilling, middle grade novel from Larry Hayes! I think it is going to be popular with children of 10+ who are fans of Goosebumps and Jennifer Killick’s Dread Wood series.

Finnegan Quick suffers from nightmares which are so terrifyingly real that they make those he loves disappear from his life. First his dog, then his mum and then his dad. Now living with only his gran, he becomes even more distressed when she starts to appear in his dreams. Is she destined to disappear from his life too? The only solution that Finn can see is to stop sleeping…but this only leads to trouble at school. And why does gran continually encourage him to face his fears?

When a new girl appears at school and Finnegan recognises her from his latest nightmare, she offers him a way to resolve his problems. Cass is the daughter of a paranormal investigator and tells Finn that her Dad can help him to recover his parents. However, there is the small matter of a terrifying, zombie monster to face…who just happens to share Finn’s nightmare powers, and to be Cass’s dead mother! Teaming up with Finn’s brilliant best friend Squid, the three youngsters must face a series of blood-curdling encounters with maeres, zombies, mummies; armed only with their wits, some kitchen implements and water pistols!

I know that there are a lot of upper middle grade and tween readers who really enjoy getting their scares from the safety of a book, and I think that author, Larry Hayes, has accomplished an excellent blend of horror, humour and intriguing plot. Narrated in the first person voice of Finn, the thrills are visceral and the humorous thoughts that flash through his brain provide light relief to counter some of the scary moments. The interactions between the three child protagonists is thoroughly entertaining. While Finnegan learns to face his fears, Cass is a wisecracking, cool, American early teen, and Squid (who was my favourite character) tries to cover his terror under a shield of fascinating facts, logical thinking and sheer loyalty to his best friend. The tension builds throughout the novel, leading to a heart-pounding finale which sets up a sequel, a sneek-peek of which is provided at the end of the book. I expect that The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick will be a word-of-mouth sensation in schools, with long reservation lists in school libraries – hopefully everyone will get a chance to read it before The Fate of Finnegan Quick is published in September!

Disclaimer: I am grateful to Sally Oliphant PR and Bloomsbury for sending me a review copy of The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

Reflections on the Today programme 24/12/2025, guest-edited by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Screenshot of the Today programme broadcast on 24/12/2024, from BBC Sounds App

Since joining the NHS as a health librarian in 2021, I have been asked several times why I continue to read and review children’s books. Each time, I have answered that the work I do around health literacy has highlighted for me, the direct links between literacy and health outcomes, and that by playing my own small part in promoting books that I think children will want to read for pleasure, I hope to make a contribution to children finding books which are a source of enjoyment. I was thus overjoyed that the current Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell Boyce, used his platform as guest editor of the Christmas Eve broadcast of the Today programme on Radio 4, to bring the Public Health aspects of literacy to the attention of a national audience. I have subsequently listened to the relevant sections of the broadcast again, would encourage everyone to listen, and wanted to capture some of my reflections here.

During the 3-hour broadcast (I believe that it is available for 21 days on the BBC Sounds App or website from the link I have included above) Frank Cottrell-Boyce spoke to a range of health professionals including Health Visitors, Neuroscience researchers and a Director of Public Health, all of whom discussed the many ways that reading to children in their first 1000 days of life contributes to health benefits. I learnt so much from these interviews and, true to my role as a librarian, subsequently searched for further information on some of the contributors to discover more about their work. I was fascinated to learn about the way that babies’ brain patterns synchronise with the rhythms of their parent’s brainwaves during shared stories or singing time, indicating that this slow, quiet time has direct impact on neuro-cognitive development. The observations by Health Visitors that the slow sharing of books provides the chance for young children to: build understanding of the world, begin to connect and tune into another’s voice, rhythm and heartbeat was extrapolated to the idea that books are one of the easiest ways to learn to make connections with other people. Frank described the sharing of books as a way of building happiness in young children, which I thought was wonderful. I will be following his efforts to get reading with young children recognised as a Public Health priority, with great interest.

I am encouraged to continue reading and reviewing children’s books. I hope that by doing so, and interacting with many teachers and school librarians, I can help in a tiny and indirect way to sparking children’s enjoyment of reading. I am convinced that fiction written for children featuring characters with either mental or physical health conditions can help facilitate conversations on health topics and provide vocabulary which aids health literacy. I will therefore aim to continue building on blog posts which I started this year focussing on books which feature physical health or mental health as an aspect of the narrative.

Thank you Frank Cottrell-Boyce, for your brilliant stories and for caring so much about children’s happiness, long-term wellbeing and literacy.

My Bookish Highlights of 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the books that I’ve enjoyed reading this year (118, according to Goodreads). I must thank the book publicists who have sent me so many lovely titles to read and review, and apologise that I haven’t managed to read all that I have been sent – my day job has been quite intense this year so some evenings I have just been too tired to read even the most exciting of novels.

During 2024 some of my favourite series have ended; some series-opening titles have emerged which promise to develop into compelling series; and in Everything With Words I have discovered an independent publisher from whom I have received three of my favourite books of the year: The Others by Sarah Merrett, a fantastic sci-fi mystery which gave me the same vibes as my childhood reading of The War of the Worlds; Black Gables by Eibhlís Carcione, a darkly spooky MG horror novel and The World Between the Rain by Susan Cahill, a lyrical, portal fantasy.

Picture Book Highlights

The Great Expedition written and illustrated by Peter Carnavas is a delightful story to share with young adventurers.

Kind Little Hands written by Kathy Urban and illustrated by Sally Garland is an excellent introduction to achievable activism and the need to create bee-friendly environments, perfectly pitched for young children.

Body Detective written by Janet Krauthamer and illustrated by Christiane Engel is a fantastic, interactive, early STEM book for pre-school and early years children.

Illustrated Fiction Highlights

The first book in a new series written and illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson was published in February: Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery. The combination of world-building, STEM content and a focus on mini-beasts and ecology delivered with this author’s charming and stylish illustrations made this one of my favourite books of the year. I was delighted that the second book in the series, Marnie Midnight and the Great Critter Contest was released in August, and look forward to many more!

Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck by Justin Somper was the opening title in a new series from UCLan Publishing and was a highly enjoyable, futuristic, action adventure where pirates roam a world of risen sea-levels.

Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton is the first in a new series which is brilliantly designed to appeal to young gamers, with fast-paced action and graphics reminiscent of a platform game.

Written for an audience at the top end of primary school or lower end of secondary school, the Bigg School stories written by Lisa Williamson and illustrated by Jess Bradley are presented in a thoroughly engaging doodled, annotated, journal format. Two new titles, Double Drama and The Secret Crush were published this year, exploring issues including being a young carer, dealing with rejection, facing fears and demonstrating resilience.

Middle Grade Highlights

Pinch Perkins and the Midsummer Curse by Cathy Fitzgerald a debut novel bursting with magical charm, set in a parallel version of London and featuring a wonderful complementary partnership of exuberant Pinch Perkins and her charmingly old-fashioned neighbour Henry de Sallowe. The secondary characters are a riot of imagination and I thoroughly recommend this novel to confident readers aged 9 and above, or as a shared bedtime read.

The Pirate’s Dragon by Liz Flanagan completed the thrilling Rise of the Dragons trilogy with an epic adventure, beautifully paced to enthral a middle grade readership.

Shadow Creatures written by Chris Vick is a compelling and immersive WWII story of life under occupation, told from the perspective of two Norwegian sisters. It shed a new light on a much written about period of history and I am sure will be a great addition to classroom collections for children studying this topic.

Hide and Seek by Rhian Tracy also explored a different WWII issue, that of the removal of artworks from London galleries, to safe storage in disused Welsh mines. Woven into the thrilling adventure is a subtle sub-plot concerning domestic abuse, written sensitively for an upper middle-grade readership.

Jennifer Killick’s hugely popular Dread Wood comedy-horror series came to an end in Terror Tower, which tied up all the loose ends perfectly and saw Club Loser safely to a concluding hot choccie!

A new comedy-horror, future classic emerged in the form of Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull, written by Martin Howard and illustrated by Pete Williamson. A wise-cracking, wig-wearing skull is the perfect sidekick and this book had me shaking in fright and with laughter in equal measure!

As a child, I loved an engrossing crime mystery and would have loved the MG-appropriate murder mysteries written by Fleur Hitchcock. I think that her latest novel, Murder at Wintertide, is her best yet.

Midnight Treasure by Piers Torday is an elegant fright-quest featuring werwolves and vampirs and a competitive hunt for a treasure more precious than gold. Mesmerising writing transports the reader into a beautifully crafted gothic fantasy.

YA HIghlights

My three YA highlights were all published by small independents ( Guppy Books, Rock the Boat and Old Barn Books) and stood out for their brilliant writing and from my perspective as a health librarian, their exploration of mental health issues.

Handle with Care by Louisa Reid was a story which broke my heart as it explored the many ways that young people can be let down by the adults who should be guiding, comforting and helping them. Although written for the upper teen demographic, I feel that this is a book which should be read by parents, carers and any adults who work with young people. A tale of teenage pregnancy, online bullying and post-natal depression, beautifully written in both prose and verse.

Dead Happy by Josh Silver concluded the story of Seb and Finn in a tense, dramatic fight for survival on a mental wellness programme run along cult-like principles on the isolated island of Elmhallow.

Eddy, Eddy by Kate de Goldi was a complex exploration of relationships and the questioning and disruption of previously accepted certainties set against the aftermath of the New Zealand earthquakes.

Non-fiction Highlights

She Speaks: The Women of Greek Mythology in their Own Words by Honor Cargill-Martin a beautifully produced anthology of Ancient Greek myths re-told by the often overlooked female protagonists.

Ayo’s Adventure: Across the African Diaspora from Afro to Zulu by Ayn Heath Drew, illustrated by Erin K Robinson opened my eyes to the cultural influences of the African diaspora on food, fashion, music, art and much more, across the globe. Presented in imaginative fashion, this is a valuable work of narrative non-fiction which is sure to educate and entertain both children and the adults who share the book with them.

Finally, a non-fiction title for adults, which has been my most frequently gifted book this year: The Golden Rule by Dr Lucy Pollock. Dr Lucy truly embodies the art of medicine, a geriatrician who values every patient’s story and presents her manifesto for aging with clarity, wisdom and a real story-teller’s craft.

Finally, a massive thank you to everyone who has spent time reading my blogposts and commenting on them, I do appreciate your interactions. I have taken a look at my stats for this year, and for anyone interested, these are the top ten most viewed posts that I’ve written in 2024.

One of my aims for 2025 is to continue adding recommendations to the health-related blogposts because I feel that these combine my dual interests in children’s books and health literacy.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!

#Non-Fiction Review: The Golden Rule by Dr Lucy Pollock

Published by Penguin/Michael Joseph, September 2024,
ISBN: 978 – 0241593516

The Golden Rule is the second book from Dr Lucy Pollock, and is every bit as kind, wise and informative as her first, The Book About Getting Older. The combination of Dr Lucy’s natural storytelling ability and her ethos of patient-centred care, ensures that her reflections on a long career as an NHS geriatrician are easily readable and extremely valuable to health and social care professionals, as well as to a general readership. She tackles some difficult subjects relating to our increased longevity, but does so in a manner which is accessible to all readers. I do wish that those who are in positions to influence the policies on social care for an aging population will read and take on board the lessons recounted throughout this book.

It is clear from the first page that this will be a book about the importance of valuing each elderly person as an individual. The author conveys her messages through snapshots of long lives seen through the lens of particular moments when they interact with the healthcare workforce. The presentation of vignettes of lives, viewed often at moments of extreme vulnerability, helps the reader to understand the issues which need to be faced as we all age, additionally they demonstrate the value of every individual through their stories. There are some heart-breaking incidents alongside the demonstrations of good practice; I found the chapter about the experience in a care-home during the COVID pandemic to be deeply emotionally affecting.

In this book, Dr Lucy Pollock shows us that we should respect the elderly, who have accumulated so much wisdom and experience throughout their long lives, and listen to their stories, their wishes and what they tell us is important to them. Her reflections demonstrate the ways in which we can advocate for our future selves or our elderly loved ones, enabling us to to participate in decisions regarding our own or a loved one’s healthcare. For those working in health or social care, she clearly articulates the real meaning of viewing the patient as a person first, and how this approach ensures that “at that moment care stops being a series of transactions and becomes care” [page 82]. Her manifesto appears to be that we should all participate in the conversation around personalised care; we need to change the narrative and stop viewing “the elderly population” as something separate and different, but rather work collaboratively to improve health and social care for all of our future selves.

I would highly recommend that all health libraries and the health and wellbeing sections of public libraries should add The Golden Rule to their collections. I have used examples from the book in the health literacy awareness training that I deliver as part of my professional role, and have given copies of the book as a gift to a number of friends to whom I think it will be an interesting read. I know that it’s a book that I will personally refer to frequently in future years. It is definitely one of my reading highlights of 2024.

Disclaimer: this book was a personal purchase but I feel I should say that I work in the same hospital as Dr Lucy Pollock. All opinions are entirely my own.

#MGFictionReview: The World Between the Rain by Susan Cahill, illustrated by Holly Ovenden

Cover illustration by Holly Ovenden, published by Everything With Words, 10 October 2024,
ISBN: 978-1911427315

The World Between the Rain is an enthralling and sophisticated portal story, perfect for an upper middle grade or young adult readership. I am considerably older than the target audience but found the narrative utterly compelling and would certainly recommend it to be added to mental health library collections, especially for anyone dealing with grief. The story ebbs and flows between the real world of a small Irish coastal town and a fantasy world under the sea where dreams and stories swim like fish and a voracious monster lurks in the depths relentlessly consuming dreams and memories.

Twelve-year-old Marina, her younger sister Seri and their mother Maeve have spent the previous twelve months dealing with the aftermath of their father’s death in a boating accident. In Marina’s case, she has buried her grief so deeply that she has been unable to shed a single tear for her adored father. On the anniversary of his death a weird sleeping sickness hits the inhabitants of Ballinaday, accompanied by a ferocious storm and rain that appears to fall in strange patterns. A previously unknown grandmother, Ursula, arrives to whisk Marina, Seri and the comatose Maeve across the bay to her isolated home, from which Marina slips away between the raindrops to the magical, watery, world of Ishkar. From here, she is drawn into a thrilling adventure, navigating new friendships, discovering the lore of Dreamweavers, gods and demi-gods, and dealing with existential threats. Susan Cahill’s writing is wonderfully lyrical, the true identities and personalities of the main protagonists are revealed as the story progresses, holding the reader captivated to the end.

Like many of the classic portal stories The World Between the Rain is a fabulous allegorical tale, with the watery kingdom of Ishkar standing as a metaphor for grief, and the salt water of the sea merging with the salty tears of Marina as she finally releases her deeply submerged anguish over the loss of her father. It is a story that reminds readers of the importance of acknowledging our deepest feelings; of remembering those that we have loved and lost; and keeping their memories alive in the stories that we tell. I am hoping that the final paragraph indicates a sequel as I would love to rejoin this family of gods and demigods on a further adventure.

Disclaimer: I am most grateful to Mikka at Everything With Words for sending me a review copy of this book. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.

#MGFiction Review: Murder At Wintertide by Fleur Hitchcock

Cover art by Robert Ball, published by Nosy Crow,
10 October 2024, ISBN: 978-1805132233

Murder at Wintertide is a thoroughly gripping page-turner which I found very hard to put down once I started reading it. Author Fleur Hitchcock has perfected the art of writing tightly plotted whodunnits which are both suitable and enjoyable for children aged 9/10+ and I think this is her best yet.

Told as a first person narrative by George, it opens during the car journey down to Lyme Regis with his Dad, during which they witness a road rage incident. They have travelled to join the extended, blended family to celebrate Grandpa’s seventieth birthday, with everyone planning to stay in the holiday home to celebrate Christmas together too. George is staying in the attic room of the seafront house, and on the first night he spots two lights up on the cliff, one of which appears to fall into the sea. The next morning, a body washes up on the beach and there is a mystery which George and his step-cousin Isla feel compelled to investigate. With the onset of a winter snowstorm providing a claustrophobic atmosphere, rumours about Anglo-Saxon treasure, sinister strangers, sabotage and red herrings, the plot crackles with intrigue.

The setting of Lyme Regis is put to full use with action on the beaches, the narrow high street, the cliff top golf course, the bay and even, thrillingly for me, in the very bookshop where I purchased this book! Fleur Hitchcock also brings family dynamics into play with her excellent portrayal of a family brought together by second marriages; the shift in George’s relationship with Isla over the course of the narrative is authentic and heart-warming.

If you are looking for an enthralling story to put into the hands of a middle grade or early teen reader, I highly recommend Murder at Wintertide!

#PictureBookReview: Kind Little Hands by Kathy Urban, illustrated by Sally Garland

Cover art by Sally Garland, published by Little Steps Publishing,
10 October 2024, ISBN: 978-1915641212

This is the most delightful book for young readers, showing them the importance of taking care of nature in the urban environment. It tells the story of a young boy called Noah who whilst out for a walk in town with his grandad catches a tired bumblebee as it falls from the sky. With no sign of any nectar-bearing plants in the vicinity, Grandpa encourages Noah to bring the bee back to his flat where they try to revive the tired and hungry insect.

Their rescue mission inspires Noah and his Grandpa to do some book research on bees and subsequently to take positive action to improve the barren local urban landscape. At the end of the story there is an interesting section filled with bee facts and a range of practical suggestions, encouraging children to use their “helping hands” to make their local environment more bee-friendly.

I absolutely love this book, which I think would be perfect for children throughout primary school. I imagine that forest school leaders would enjoy sharing the story and practical ideas during outdoor learning sessions. Kathy Urban’s storytelling is heart-warming, both in the portrayal of a loving relationship between Noah and his Grandpa, and in the way that Noah shows concern and takes action on behalf of the unfortunate bee. Her text is beautifully complemented by Sally Garland’s gorgeous illustrations which take on some of the narrative work. I liked the close-up drawings of Noah’s face as he observes the revival of his small charge, as well as the portrayed transformation of the city landscape.

Kind Little Hands is a lovely example of a book which helps children understand the importance of creating insect-friendly habitats and gives them good advice about how they can actively help to achieve this goal. I highly recommend it to teachers, librarians, parents and care-givers.

Disclaimer: I was send a review copy of Kind Little Hands by publisher Little Steps. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.