Cover art by Peter Carnavas, published by New Frontier Publishing, 11 July 2024, ISBN: 978-1916790032
A new title from prize-winning, author-illustrator, Peter Carnavas is always a joy to explore, and The Great Expedition is going to provide hours of shared book bliss between adults and children aged 3 to 6 years. The intrepid journey of five young explorers plus their dog, across wild country, to deliver a precious parcel is presented with the wit and wisdom of an author-illustrator who really knows how to connect with the imaginations of young children.
We are introduced to the exploring party and their roles in words and pictures, which allow scope for wider discussion, perhaps of historical figures who have taken these parts in the past. Thus we meet Robert the expedition leader, Will the navigator, Ivy the botanist, Henry the biologist and Lily the animal handler.
Artwork by Peter Carnavas, reproduced with permission from New Frontier Publishing UK
As the expedition progresses, through a terrain that will be familiar to the audience, Henry falls victim to an insect sting, Ivy is ushered away for her ballet lesson and Lily is dragged off course by the dog! Robert and Will are left with no food, no water and the map has blown away…things look hopeless. Will they find the courage and determination to complete their mission? I encourage you to share this story with a youngster (or a classroom or library full of youngsters) to find out!
This is such a clever picture book, which not only provides a strong message of resilience and the value of outdoor play, but does so with such enormous understanding of pre-school and early years children. I absolutely love the way that Peter Carnavas combines a perfectly recognisable, age-appropriate setting with some advanced vocabulary, which sets up wonderful learning opportunities and familiarisation with complex language through context. His artwork is beautiful, capturing the dynamics of the story with humorous perfection.
I wholeheartedly recommend The Great Expedition to all parents and caregivers, educators and librarians to share with children in the 3 to 6 age bracket. I am looking forward to sharing it with a young relative very soon.
Disclaimer: I am very grateful to New Frontier Publishing for sending me a copy of this book ahead of publication on 11 July 2024, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Cover art by Rose Gerrard, published by New Frontier Publishing, 11 April 2024, ISBN: 978-1915167538
Kodi is a deerstalker-wearing, magnifying-glass-bearing, detective Komodo dragon! What an enticing prospect to enthuse young investigators!
This brightly illustrated picture book follows his quest, on the island of Komodo, to track down a giant, gruesome, ghastly beast which is rumoured to eat lizards for tea. The rhyming text by Paul Deslandes is perfectly pitched for children aged 3 to 6 years, detailing Kodi’s attempts to prove the existence of the fire-breathing, flying, dragon to his sceptical mother and younger sibling. The artwork by Rose Gerrard depicts the drama with great humour and I loved the expressive eyes of the Komodo family which conveyed their feelings so clearly. As a librarian, I have to say that my favourite spread showed Kodi doing his preparatory research with a stack of books and maps. However, I suspect that the intended audience will be far more entertained by the hilarious poo-themed conclusion to the story. It certainly puts a new perspective on marinading meat!
I think that Kodi and the Mystery of Komodo Island will be greatly enjoyed by pre-school and early years children, to whom it will provide opportunities for laughter as well as fostering discussion of exotic and mythical creatures. I have yet to meet a child who was not interested in Komodo dragons, and remember that seeing them was a highlight of a family visit to Taronga Zoo. I hope that there will be further mysteries for Kodi to investigate!
Disclaimer: I am grateful to New Frontier Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Cover art by Holly Ovenden, published by Everything With Words, 4 July 2024, ISBN: 978-1911427407
The Others is a marvellous middle grade sci-fi adventure, exploring the universal possibilities of connection. This is a thoroughly assured debut novel by Sarah Merrett, which for me, combined a fresh voice with the very best feeling of a classic science fiction novel. From the startling opening chapter’s image of a nightdress-clad grandmother, dancing on the dome of her observatory, I was absolutely gripped by the unfolding drama which juxtaposed the search for extra-terrestrial life against the meaning of family.
The main protagonist, Reuben, has spent his entire life hidden away behind the metal gates of the observatory and the wraparound glasses which protect his delicate eyes from sunlight. He is deeply intelligent and understands every aspect of his astronomer grandma’s race against her arch-rival Professor Pinfield to win the Guzman Prize for proof of contact with an alien life-form. When his grandma does not return from investigating the craft that they have witnessed crashing into the nearby countryside, Reuben must take a leap of faith and bravery on a scale akin to that of modern-day astronauts, as he ventures beyond the safety of the barriers that have encircled his entire life. His act of courage will draw him into deep friendships, grave danger and ultimately an understanding of his own origins, in this enthralling adventure.
There are many aspects that I loved in this novel and which I am sure will be appealing to confident readers aged 9 years and above.
Firstly, Reuben is a thoroughly sympathetic character who demonstrates kindness, courage and loyalty, whilst getting into some sticky situations due to his absolute unfamiliarity to the way that the world works outside the covers of books. His growing friendship and reliance on the more worldly-wise village boy, Archie, which develops from a single act of kindness, is beautifully written. Both boys demonstrate an admirable determination to protect Blue, the extra-terrestrial girl that they have found, from the evil clutches of Professor Pinfield. Which brings me to the villain of the story. Pinfield is a wonderfully monstrous antagonist; using science for his own gain, demonstrating the early twentieth century bias against women participating in science and showing no empathy for anyone else, even his own daughter.
The historical setting of 1903 is fascinating, allowing for portrayals of scientific exploration and experimentation which relied on mechanical instruments, which provides some fascinating and rich descriptive images. The plotting and writing are superb, drawing the reader effortlessly through the narrative and leaving you marvelling at the author’s leaps of imagination. I was thrilled to see reference to The War of the Worlds, which I vividly remember reading aged 11/12 because from the first chapter, The Others, had a similar effect on me. The paradox at the start of the story, of a boy confined to a small geographical space trying to discover life in the vastness of the universe, is resolved brilliantly by the end of the book.
I highly recommend The Others to primary and secondary school libraries and to parents, relatives and care-givers who are looking for an enthralling story for a middle grade child who enjoys historical fiction, adventure or STEM subjects.
The Others is published by Everything With Words on 4 July 2024. I am grateful to the publisher for sending me an advanced proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion and for inviting me to join the blog tour. Do check out the other reviews and guest posts on the schedule.
Cover art by Ella Okstad, published by Hachette Children’s, 06 June 2024, ISBN: 978-1801301206
I am delighted to see the unflappable heroes of Team Puffin flying in for a third adventure on the Island of Egg. You can read my reviews of the first and second adventures here and here . These brave little puffins have captured the hearts of many young readers who I am sure will be thrilled to join Muffin, Tiny and the squadron of rescue puffins on another mission.
There are new recruits in the team, including the reckless Forti, a rather arrogant youngster who has yet to learn that responsibility needs to come before fun! When the northern isles are battered by a ferocious storm, the puffins huddle in the safety of their underground burrows, listening to the ancient tales of shipwrecked treasure recounted by old Kintyre. However, one young puffin is so caught up in the idea of finding treasure that he ignores the warning that visiting a shipwreck leads to impending doom! When the puffins are set a beach combing task the following morning to achieve their Better Together badge, Forti swims off to have fun on an ancient wreck which the storm has lifted from the depths. An encounter with an octopus looks as if it might fulfil Kintyre’s doom-laden prophecy…unless Muffin, Tiny and their team can work together on a successful rescue mission! There is just the right amount of peril to make the book exciting but not frightening for the intended age range, and like previous books in the series, there are some puffin facts to discover at the end of the book.
I have written in a previous post Call the Puffins! about the thoughtful design factors that make this series so ideal for children who are gaining confidence in reading independently. I’ll add here that familiarity with the characters and setting in a series, adds to the appeal, ease and enjoyment of reading for this cohort of children. I hope that this series continues to grow so that children learn to enjoy recreational reading with this cast of cute characters who are brought to life brilliantly by Cath Howe’s writing and Ella Okstad’s artwork. I highly recommend Muffin and the Shipwreck to primary school librarians, Key Stage 1 class teachers and parents and caregivers of children aged 5 to 7 years.
Disclaimer: I was sent a preview copy of this book by Antonia Wilkinson PR and Hachette Children’s Group in exchange for my honest opinion.
Cover art by Jennifer Goldsmith, published by New Frontier Publishing UK, 11 July 2024, ISBN: 978-1915167149
Imagine a Time is a stunningly, beautiful hardback picture, book from renowned Australian author, Penny, Harrison, and artist Jennifer Goldsmith, published in the UK by New Frontier.
The front cover depicts, a multicultural group of children, happily playing and relaxing, surrounded by wildflowers and butterflies, giving an indication of the celebration of nature within the covers.
The end papers also deserve attention. They feature a detailed, hand painted image of a dandelion clock, bringing together the two themes of this book nature and time. Spending time with this book really does encourage the idea of slowing down and both noticing, and being calmed, by the wonders of the natural world. Penny Harrison writes in her distinctive style of gently rhyming couplets, using very few, carefully chosen words to deliver a message, and allowing the reader time and space to be absorbed in the visual imagery, whilst contemplating her words. The story begins with the suggestion to imagine a time when all the world stops, above a double page spread, featuring a busy, city street-scape. It progresses to scenes of people safe in their homes, while panels show the familiar modes of transport that are no longer in use. As everyone takes a break from the usual rush and bustle, nature begins to recover. The rest of the book portrays scenes of plants and animals, from the smallest insects to mighty whales with adults and children clearly enjoying themselves in various natural settings.
Jennifer Goldsmith’s artwork is beautiful. She draws with pencil and uses watercolours and coloured pencils to breathe life into the pages. Double page spreads command you to stop and absorb the detail, whether it be a mumuration of starlings above open countryside or a city apartment block where window boxes an balconies overflow with greenery. Panels are used to great effect to move the narrative on. There is so much detail for discussion and if I was sharing this book with a young child, I would be spending time counting flamingos or butterflies or fallen leaves as well as talking about what the pictures are telling us.
Reading Imagine a Time, brought memories flooding back to me of the lockdown summer of 2020, when the sky really did appear to be much bluer, the air was clean and there was more time to enjoy being in the garden. Now that most of us are back to business as usual, this book reminds us not to forget that spending quality time outside is good for us. In my professional role as a health librarian I have become aware of many academic studies which show the positive impacts of nature on well-being and I think that shared reading of this book between adults and children will encourage more outdoor pursuits.
If you are looking for a book to gift to a child aged 3-6 years, or if you work in a nursery or an early years setting, I highly recommend adding Imagine a Timeto your collection.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book, ahead of publication, from publisher New Frontier UK in exchange for my honest opinion.
You might also be interested in Extraordinary by the same author, you can read my review and an interview with Penny Harrison in which she talks about her love of nature, here.
Cover art by Paul Kellam, published by Faber Children’s Books, 6 June 2024, ISBN: 978-0571367344 and 978-0571367375
I was delighted to receive the first two books in the Kofi series written by author, broadcaster, educator and journalist Jeffrey Boakye. Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer has been re-issued with a new cover to accompany the publication of book 2, Kofi and the Secret Radio Station.
We first meet Kofi, the youngest of three siblings, living with his parents in a flat on a London high-rise estate, in Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer. Their living arrangements become more cramped by the unexpected arrival of mum’s brother Delroy and his girlfriend Jeanette. The dialogue is filled with the teasing yet loving banter that takes place in a close-knit family, especially the sarcastic one-liners traded between Kofi and his older siblings. Much of the humour is supplied by Jeanette’s attempts to cook traditional family recipes and mum’s private battle with herself not to interfere!
Kofi is a very smart 11-year-old who seems to find it hard to concentrate on school work when his brain is buzzing with entrepreneurial ideas. He has two great male role models in his Dad and his 17-year-old brother Emmanuel who is studying for science A levels to achieve his ambition of attending medical school. His sister Gloria is also super smart and spends a lot of time bossing Kofi but she is also very supportive of him. In my favourite comic episode of the book she tries to help him escape the attentions of some older boys on the estate by disguising him as one of her schoolmates…with unintended and hilarious consequences!
When Kofi realises that he can use his best friend Kelvin’s talent for writing and rapping to produce a profitable magazine named Paper Jam, he thinks that he has hit the jackpot and expands into other money-making schemes, becoming known as Coinboy. The book’s nostalgic mid-1990’s setting is a great background to Kofi’s exploits. I suspect parents and teachers might be questioned by young readers about the obsolete technology of cassette and VHS recording and coin-operated arcade gaming! However, hubris leads to a fallout with Kelvin and an encounter with the police spirals into consequences for Kofi’s extended family. Will he learn to apply his talents and realise the positive impact that his words and behaviour can make?
I think that this book will be enjoyed by readers in upper primary and lower secondary schools. It’s likely to be popular with music fans who will enjoy the depiction of the impacts that can be made by immersion in poetry, lyrics and music culture.
Kofi and the Secret Radio Station follows on in the next academic year. There have been some changes at St. Campion’s, with a total ban on all rap-related activity declared by the intolerant headteacher Mr Redge. With the shifting of the rap cypher locations to neighbourhood settings, Kofi sees the congregating of kids from multiple schools at the sports courts as another money-making opportunity; the story, and an ice-box filled with ice-poles, sets off at breakneck speed with Kofi cashing in on hot and thirsty rappers!
After the initial comic scene, the tone of this book is more serious, with police round-ups of youngsters and one of Kofi’s friends facing an unjust accusation of crime. Kofi begins to realise that he must take responsibility for his own actions as well as learning to be present as a support to his friends when they need him. After ‘borrowing’ and then damaging, the new camcorder which his Dad has bought to record the church social activities, Kofi has to think deeply and face consequences.
As he begins to learn about the stories and history behind some of his neighbours, and their links to the pirate radio station on which some of his ambitions depend, Kofi learns about the nature of real loyalty and friendship. Like its prequel, this book provides a wonderful depiction of the power of music to transform and unite.
The two Kofi titles are great choices for both primary and secondary school libraries.
Disclaimer: I was sent review copies of these books by the publisher Faber Children’s Books in return for my honest opinion.
The second Bletchley Park mystery follows the fortunes of Ned, one of the characters from the first book, which I reviewed here. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure, which I experienced via a Borrowbox audiobook loan from my local public library; in addition to the engaging plot, the narration by Sue Elliott-Nicholls is first class.
The story takes place during the second world war and follows Ned and his mum on a secret mission from Bletchley Park to the remote Welsh village of Manod. This is a true voyage of discovery for Ned as he learns about his mum’s deeply buried past when she resurrects her learning and skills, applying her expertise to preserving the nation’s artworks. She is part of a team who have transported masterpieces form the city galleries to a converted slate mine for the duration of the war, but she subsequently comes up with a daring scheme to allow Londoners the chance to experience art on a regular basis.
Author Rhian Tracey does a brilliant job of capturing the excitement of working on a top secret wartime project alongside the human interactions between two deeply insular groups; the residents of a small village where some folk feel they have been ‘invaded’ by newcomers, and a tight knit community working under the Official Secrets Act. When details of the operation are leaked to a newspaper, the suspicion between the populations is heightened, and sleuthing as well as diplomatic skills are brought to the fore.
The story centres on Ned’s experience and he is a deeply sympathetic character. He is ably supported by Anni, a Jewish refugee, and Harri, the son of his landlady (Mrs Thomas) with whom he forms a strong friendship after an initial period of resentment. When Ned’s mum goes missing during a trip to London, the three children demonstrate their resourcefulness and courage to take up the mantle of her work, brilliantly assisted by Kip (Mrs Thomas’s guide dog). The adventure is truly gripping, I enjoyed this story even more than the first in the series, I think it will hold the interest of upper primary and lower secondary school readers. Additionally, there were some interesting themes woven through the narrative. Little hints are dropped throughout the narrative of the domestic control that Ned and his mum have had to suffer and keep hidden for many years. The opportunities that war provided for women who needed to escape from abusive domestic situations is not something that I have seen explored in middle grade literature before. The character of Mrs Thomas was another great example of a strong female showing great fortitude in keeping a school running, whilst dealing with increasing sight loss, getting used to using a guide-dog and coping with her husband being away at the front. Finally, I loved the portrayal of the arts as an important means for promoting wellbeing and morale at times of stress. At a time when arts courses are under valued and under threat, this story brings a timely reminder of the benefits to everyone of nurturing artistic endeavour.
I highly recommend Hide and Seek for anyone aged 9 years and above.
I borrowed the audiobook from Somerset Libraries via Borrowbox.
Cover art by Claire Powell, published by UCLan Publishing, 6 June 2024, ISBN: 978-1915235978
Meet Hannah Messenger, 11 year old granddaughter of Hermes the messenger god “who gave up on humanity when emails were invented”, and central character in this funny, contemporary fantasy for the middle grade audience. I think this book will be a sure fire hit with children aged 8-12, who have an endless fascination with stories based on classical mythology.
Hannah lives in the sleepy, Cambridgeshire village of Hockwold, where the residents are protected by a magical barrier which prevents inquisitive humans from realising that this idyll is in fact the retirement place of the Ancient Greek gods, and home to their descendants. Apart from the odd mishap when eleven-year-olds come into their powers, all is harmonious until the day when Hannah and three of her schoolmates (Dylan, Amy and Alastair) bunk off school and find space outside the village to practise their new powers. When they arrive back home they find that every village inhabitant has become human and forgotten their mythical backgrounds. Even more worrying, the ancient, powerfully magical, artefacts – Aphrodite’s apple, Zeus’s thunderbolt, Hermes’s staff etc. – which have been proudly displayed in various homes have gone missing!
After a comically failed attempt to entrap the thief, the four youngsters realise that their only option for tracking down the mysterious enemy is to spring Hermes from his imprisonment in Tartarus. Conveniently, there is a doorway to the mythical underworld prison in Cambridge, so a bus ride, some nifty lock-picking and two-headed-dog-wrangling later and the team are ready for action. I don’t want to give away any of the plot details as I hope that readers will enjoy the unfolding of this whip-smart quest as much as I did. Author, Bryony Pearce, has merged contemporary tween culture with Greek mythology to capture the imaginations of upper primary or lower secondary school readers. There is a barrel-load of action, plot twists and character development packed into just over 200 pages and the short chapters encourage an enjoyable reading experience.
I would recommend Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwold for any upper primary or lower secondary age children who enjoy contemporary stories laced with ancient mythology.
Disclaimer: I was sent a review copy of this book by UCLan Publishing and Antonia Wilkinson PR, to whom I am very grateful. All opinions are my own.
Cover art by Toni Galmés, published by Little Island Books, 6 June 2024, ISBN: 9781915071514
I am delighted to start the blog tour to celebrate the launch of Chasing the Shy Town, a funny, absorbing adventure for young readers and have the honour of hosting a conversation between author Erika McGann and illustrator Toni Galmés.
I hope that you will enjoy this author-illustrator Q&A as much as I did:
Toni Galmés
Erika McGann
Erika’s questions for Toni:
1. Give a quick description of your illustration process, and is there a part that you enjoy the most?
I usually work with ink and watercolor, that is, old school. I always start with some sketches that are approved by the editor and the author. It’s the most important part because that’s where the story that each illustration should explain emerges. There I have a slight idea of what the characters will be like, but they are not completely defined. For me the most important thing is the storytelling and the actions of the main characters. Then comes the most fun part which is the realization of the final artwork. I usually put on some music or podcasts. I have to be relaxed and cheerful. If not, I go out for an ice cream and I think I’ll finish the illustrations later.
2. Do you ever base character illustrations on real people?
Generally, no. It is true that sometimes it becomes unavoidable because such a character reminds us of such a person… But I rely much more on the emotions that emanate from the text. Actually, I’m a very narrative illustrator, so if the story works, the character will appear. I don’t do thousands of tests or model sheets to know what the character looks like (I guess that’s because I don’t use them afterwards). Rather, I have a slight idea of the situation and how the characters in it should be, so I can polish them later on.
3. What are the pros and cons of illustrating other people’s stories compared to working on your own art?
Most often I work illustrating other writers’ texts. For me it is neither a problem nor an advantage, but something natural. Writing is an art, like music or cooking. Yes, also illustration. I believe that writers devote their lives to doing one thing well, which is writing, and we illustrators devote our lives to drawing. Each has its role in the art of book publishing. It is true that I have a few works in which I have written the text and illustrated it, but they are very specific and small projects. Besides, I have the great luck to be the first to read the novels or the comic scripts, and to attend the birth of the writers’ ideas. I learn a lot every day next to very talented authors like Erika.
4. What is your typical work day like?
There’s not much mystery… drawing and drawing… I wake up at 5am and I start working in the silence of the early morning. It is the time when my mind is the clearest. It may seem paradoxical, but these two hours are the most productive of the day. Then I have to stop for a while, to make breakfast for my daughter, dress her, take her to school… Here I do a little exercise (Mens sana in corpore sano), and then, around 9.30am I go back to work uninterruptedly until 1.30pm. After lunch, around 3.30pm, I go back to work until 6pm, but it’s a more relaxed time if I don’t have deliveries. Sometimes I read, sometimes I advance projects, sometimes I answer e-mails… Then it’s time to have fun with my daughter Martina, going to the park. I have dinner, read a bit and at 9:30pm I go to sleep.
5. Have you always wanted to be an illustrator, and was it a difficult career to get into?
Rather, I always wanted to be a storyteller. When I studied Fine Arts, in the early 2000s, illustration in the academy was poorly considered, so I went into theater, film, teaching art history, advertising … At first I thought these things were not related to each other, but in fact, they all have in common that they are arts that tell stories. So in a moment of economic crisis I decided that I had to be brave and therefore I decided to become a professional in the field of illustration. And so I did. Now I am a full-time illustrator. I work from home as a freelancer for Spanish publishers and also making comics for the French-Belgian market. Chasing the Shy Town is my first book published in an English-speaking territory and I have loved the experience. I hope it can be repeated.
Toni’s questions for Erika:
1. What do you like most about writing for children?
Watching the illustrations come in is definitely one of my favourite aspects of writing for children. Seeing how an illustrator imagines the characters and worlds is always so magical. I love how you drew Senan, Joshua, Gran and Paperboy in Chasing the Shy Town – their expressions and all the other little details in each scene really bring them to life for me!
I also love the freedom of writing for children. I don’t hesitate to launch into wild ideas because children are always ready to imagine. Adult readers are more reserved – we need to be pulled into a story. Children open a book and dive right in.
2. Who are your literary references?
When I was a kid I loved classics like The Little Prince, The Secret Garden and Oscar Wilde’s stories for children. June Considine’s Luvender books scared the living daylights out of me, in a good way. And I still adore The Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy – they’re such comforting reads.
3, To create your stories, do you have a general structure, or do you write and surprise yourself with the twists and turns in the plot?
I don’t plan anything! I don’t even write notes. I spend a lot of time thinking about the world until it starts to feel real in my head, then I work very slowly. I write a story as much for myself as for anyone else – once I know the ending my brain moves on to the next book, so I have to be careful to leave a bit of mystery until I get to the final chapters. This means that I usually only do one draft, but I inch my way through it, editing and rewriting as I go.
4. Could you explain to me the day-to-day life of a literary author?
I’m the opposite of you – I’m a slow starter in the morning! I get up around 7.30am, but I take my time over breakfast and coffee. I often do a workout to get my body moving, and a few minutes of language learning or something else to get my brain moving. Then I sit down to work.
I work through a book one scene at a time. I try to picture each scene like a movie in my head, then I replay it and revise it over and over again until it starts to feel solid. That’s when I write it down.
I don’t aim for a particular word count each day – it’s not helpful for the way I write. Instead I aim to get something down that I’ll keep. If it’s 300 words I know I’ll keep, that’s fine. If it’s 1000 words I know I’ll keep, that’s great. If it’s 1000 words I’ll probably cut, that’s a bit of a downer.
5. How do you see, in general, the habit of reading in a generation of children increasingly addicted to screens?
Screen addiction is obviously something that needs to be addressed for its own sake, but I’m not sure how much it directly impacts reading. I’ve been doing book events in schools and libraries for about twelve years now, and I haven’t noticed a big drop in interest among the kids I work with. However, I think accessibility is something that has a huge impact; having books in homes and school libraries, encouraging kids to read what they enjoy, providing a range of books that suit their reading level – these things are essential. We can’t get rid of screens, but if we keep putting books in front of children, they will keep picking them up.
My thanks to Erika and Toni for the insights into their processes and to Antonia Wilkinson for arranging the Q&A. My review:
I thoroughly enjoyed the surreal humour in Chasing the Shy Town, and I completely agree with Erika’s comments about the vast scope of children’s imaginations. I think that this story will be hugely appreciated by a readership aged 6 and above who will be swept along by the narrative like a kite on a breeze.
The main characters are as engaging as they are quirky. We have Senan, a shy introvert who enjoys adventures from the safety of his bedroom, or at the most extreme, his wild back garden. In contrast, his new next door neighbour, a young girl called Joshua Robyn is robustly adventurous and they first meet as she is digging a tunnel to the other side of the world in her back garden! When Senan spots a shifting town, which appears and disappears from his sight, and subsequently stumbles across a distressed kruckle who has been displaced from the ‘shy town’, his grandmother volunteers to accompany the two children and the kruckle to chase down the peculiar town. Gran is an absolute riot of a character, indomitable, feisty and with an endless supply of tasty treats to fuel the adventure. Her wheelchair is used to great effect to propel the quest and throughout the story there are hints about her past which I really hope will be explored in any sequels. Completing the main cast is Paperboy, whose versatility and adventurous spirit add to the imaginative plot. The illustrations throughout brilliantly capture the distinctive personalities, and a couple of Pearl the kruckle, made me snort with laughter.
I love the portrayal of Senan, who gradually comes out of his shell as the adventure proceeds. I think that he is a character that many young readers will relate to, someone who likes the idea of adventure but prefers to pursue it from a safe distance. At times he admits to a slight envy of Joshua and Paperboy’s more overt bravery but at heart he is happy to let them take the limelight and admit that he prefers a quieter approach. The final third of the story reveals an important theme of the futility of chasing down perfection in an age-appropriate way for the audience.
Publisher, Little Island Books, has thoughtfully printed the book in a larger than average font and with extra line spacing. This combined with the short chapters and illustrations makes Chasing the Shy Town an excellent choice for readers who are gaining confidence in reading independently. If this book had been available when my own children were small, it is certainly one that I would have enjoyed as a shared read with them. I highly recommend it to primary school libraries, Key Stage 1 classrooms and parents and caregivers of children aged 6-8 years.
I am grateful to Little Island Books and Antonia Wilkinson PR for inviting me to join the blog tour and for my review copy of Chasing the Shy Town. Do check out the other posts by all the amazing book bloggers on the tour this week.
Cover art by Harry Woodgate, published by Farshore, 6 June 2024, ISBN: 978-0008651763
The sun’s out, deckchairs and iced drinks are ready…but mystery and mayhem lurk in the shadows!
I could not believe my luck when an early copy of The Super Sunny Murder Club popped through my letterbox. Regular readers of my blog will know that mystery/detective/whodunnit fiction is my happy place. Since the childhood summer holiday (many, many years ago) when I discovered Enid Blyton’s Famous Five, no summer break has been complete for me without some cosy-crime reading material. So I’m delighted that young readers (I’d recommend for age 8 and above) have this anthology of short whodunnit stories, written by a fabulous selection of thirteen current children’s authors, to enjoy as the summer holidays approach. There really is a story to suit all tastes here, with a diverse cast of characters and settings. I really loved the way that the different stories portrayed so many recognisable summer activities, from berry picking, through caravan holidays to exotic getaways. Having set readers up with a familiar situation, the authors then plunge young bookworms into mysteries, challenging them to use their sleuthing skills to follow the clues and detect the criminal before the final denouement.
Approximately half of the stories feature an actual murder; there are also some near misses, a museum heist and a fake murder set up to damage a reputation. The collection of stories provide young readers with an introduction to all the tropes of classic whodunnit fiction, setting them up for a future of brilliantly entertaining reading. In the first short story written by the middle-grade crime-fiction queen, Robin Stevens, one of the characters provides a guide to the elements of a locked room mystery. Later stories cleverly rework some classic plots for the intended readership and I am sure that any adults reading these stories aloud with youngsters will spot some of their favourites and enjoy the clever wordplay in many of the titles. My own favourite was Window Pain by Sharna Jackson which I thought was a wonderful homage to the classic film Rear Window. I also thoroughly enjoyed being re-acquainted with Ali, Tulip, Jay and Zac and some other familiar faces from one of my favourite detective series, in A Midsummer Night’s Murder Mystery by Roopa Farooki.
If you are a year 5 or 6 teacher looking for an end-of-term read-aloud or a parent or care-giver looking for a summer read to keep your child entertained over the holidays, then I highly recommend The Super Sunny Murder Club. Each story is roughly 30-35 pages long, making them the perfect length to enjoy reading independently. Additionally, every story is accompanied by the lively artwork of Harry Woodgate, animating the action still further.
Disclaimer: I am grateful to publisher Farshore Books for sending me a copy of The Super Sunny Murder Club ahead of publication, in exchange for my honest opinion.
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