My Children’s Books Advent Calendar 2023 – Day 2 – Books and the People Who make Them by Stéphanie Vernet and Camille de Cussac, translated by Paul Kelly

With Christmas fast approaching, I have decided to rerun one of my book reviews each day in the hope that they might provide inspiration for anyone looking to buy a book as a gift for a child this year. It has been incredibly difficult to select only 24 from the 2023 bookshelves, but I hope that you like some of my choices.

December 2nd

Today I am featuring a work of non-fiction which celebrates every step in the book production process. This vibrant book is an absolutely essential one for school libraries and it would make a wonderful gift for all of those children who lovingly craft their own books, whether for their first attempts at fantasy fiction, or their fact-files on favourite footballers. Author, Stéphanie Vernet describes the book production process from the author’s imagination until it reaches the hands and minds of the reader, the entire process is lavishly illustrated by Camille de Cussac in this stylish, large format, hardback. You can read my full review for Books and the People Who Make Them, here.

I was very grateful to receive my review copy of this book from Prestel Publishing and Antonia Wilkinson PR.

My Children’s Books Advent Calendar 2023 – Day 1 – The Wonder Brothers by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steve Lenton

The range of new children’s books published throughout 2023 has been astonishing and I feel fortunate that I have managed to read so many. With Christmas fast approaching, I have decided to rerun one of my book reviews each day in the hope that they might provide inspiration for anyone looking to buy a book as a gift for a child this year. It has been incredibly difficult to select only 24 from the 2023 bookshelves, but I hope that you like some of my choices.

December 1st

hardback book The Wonder Brothers by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Ta-dah! The book which provided the most joyous read for me this year is The Wonder Brothers by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated in a style which totally captures the author’s humour, by Steve Lenton. I love every single detail of this book: the characters, the settings, the warmth, the belly laughs and the plot which is crafted more intricately than the most complex magician’s trick. This is a book which cries out to be shared between adults and children, so I encourage you to buy (or borrow a copy from your library) and read it aloud with children that you love this Christmas. If you are buying for a child to read independently, then I would recommend for children of 9+. You can read my full (spoiler-free) review here.

As a proud CILIP chartered librarian, I will be keeping everything crossed for The Wonder Brothers when the Carnegie shortlists are announced in early 2024.

Children’s Books with a Mental Wellbeing or Mental Health Theme

I have reviewed a number of children’s books, both fiction and non-fiction in which themes of mental health or mental wellbeing are explored. This is so important for children who might be experiencing poor mental health themselves or seeing a family member suffer, giving them an opportunity to see a child like themself in a book. These books can also help to foster empathy in classmates (and adults) as they are exposed to the inner thoughts and life experiences of a fictional character.

I appreciate the way that these books can provide the vocabulary to enable discussion and insight into mental health conditions within a context that is appropriate and accessible for young people. I have been asked recently to provide suggestions of books which can be recommended to schools and libraries, either to promote health-related careers or to promote children’s health literacy which has motivated this blogpost. Some of these books, especially those for readers under 12 years of age, are humorous and highly illustrated, which greatly helps to make the information accessible.

I intend this blogpost to grow over time, as I discover new titles that can be added. I hope that it will be useful for librarians, class teachers and even health professionals who might be working with children and want to suggest suitable books that provide insight into different aspects of mental health. Click the link in the book title to read my review, or occasionally, a review written by another children’s book blogger.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are personal opinions from a librarian/book blogger perspective. Always seek medical advice from your GP or a qualified and registered health professional if you require a diagnosis or treatment for a mental health condition.

Click the following link for children’s fiction books with a physical health theme.

To find recommendations for non-fiction books about health, wellbeing or health-related careers, please click here.

Books for children of 4-7

Everybody has Feelings and Everybody Worries written and illustrated by Jon Burgerman. Published by OUP Children’s Books. ISBN: 978-0192766045 and 978-0192766052. Two larger than life, vibrant picture books, illustrated in cartoon style, which provide the vocabulary in rhyming text to enable young children to recognise and talk about their feelings and the physical symptoms of worrying.

Don’t Worry, Felix written by Yohann Devezy & Katharine Alice, illustrated by Zoe Bennett. Published by New Frontier Publishing UK, 10 November 2024. ISBN: 9781915167750. A beautiful picture book which portrays nervous feelings as a large red balloon that accompanies Felix to his first day at a new school. A simple breathing technique is featured to help calm nervous feelings. One of the authors is an occupational therapist.

Books for children of 8-12

Best Friends Forever written by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley. Published by Guppy Books, 12 October 2023. ISBN: 9781913101558. A super accessible story around themes of navigating change, whether changing friendships, moving house, adjusting to parental divorce. Perfectly pitched at readers who are in the transition from primary to secondary school.

Worrybot written by Simon Packham, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan. Published by Uclan Publishing. 03 August 2023. ISBN: 978-1915235473. Themes of : anxiety and school refusal are covered in this engaging story about Year 6 boy Josh who gradually develops a virtual friendship with Charlie, who attends school via an interactive robot. This book beautifully combines sensitivity with humour throughout a great plot.

Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions by Carrie Sellon, illustrated by Sarah Horne. Published by Guppy Books. 08 June 2023. ISBN: 978-1913101954. Theme of: anxiety is covered in this extremely funny and highly illustrated story of a young boy trying to help his dad save the family pizza takeaway. It’s a deliciously entertaining read with a positive message at its heart.

The Feeling Good Club – Be Kind, Shazmin by Kelly McKain, illustrated by Jenny Latham. Published by Little Tiger Press. 7 September 2023. ISBN: 9781788953092. Written as an illustrated journal this story covers the following array of themes: teenage emotions, school pressures, family dynamics, friendship, mindfulness techniques.

The Feeling Good Club – Say How You Feel Archie by Kelly McKain, illustrated by Jenny Latham. Published by Little Tiger Press. 11 May 2023. ISBN: 978-1788953085. A great introduction to emotional literacy shines through Archie’s illustrated journal as he recognises his own feelings and with the help of supportive friends, finds the courage to talk about them to his dad. Themes covered included: anxiety, feeling ignored, mindfulness activities.

Shadow Monsters and Courageous Hearts by Hayley Graham, illustrated by Tor Allen. Published by Little Steps Publishing. ISBN: 978-1912678754. This book is an interesting mix of animal stories followed by practical advice for adults to help them empower children to talk about mental health issues. The author, Hayley Graham is a child psychotherapist and her book covers themes such as: trauma, anxiety, OCD, attachment, shame and loss.

The Boy Who Cried Ghost by Ian Eagleton. Published by Scholastic, October 2024. ISBN: 978-0702331374. A spooky middle grade ghost story which captures the paralysing effect of the main protagonist’s OCD on every aspect of his life. At the end of the book, the author writes about his own OCD and his determination to write a book to help others in the same situation.

The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson. Published by Scholastic, 05 January 2017. ISBN: 978-1407170992. This contemporary mystery story about a 12 year old boy who suffers from OCD is gripping and captivating. The author carefully crafts the unfolding of duel mysteries with great care and empathy.

Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe. Published by Nosy Crow, 03 May 2018. ISBN: 978-1788000338. A realistic, contemporary story which explores classroom dynamics and behaviour as the three main protagonists deal with a range of issues. Themes include: bullying, social isolation, eczema, being a young carer, living with a parent who hoards and having a parent in prison.

Books for children of 12-15

The World Between the Rain by Susan Cahill. Published by Everything With Words. 10 October 2024. ISBN: 978-1911427315. A magical, portal story in which the themes of accepting loss and dealing with grief are explored through an allegorical journey into a watery, undersea kingdom, where a dark monster lurks in the depths.

The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings. Published by Old Barn Books. 27 April 2023. ISBN: 978-1910646878. In this compassionate and beautifully written book by Austrailan author Paul Jennings, readers are able to explore the different ways that two teenage siblings deal with bereavement and a parent’s terminal illness.

Charlie and Me 421 Miles from Home by Mark Lowery. Published by Piccadilly Press, 11 January 2018. ISBN: 978-1848126220. An extraordinary tale of two brothers on a final journey from Preston to the seaside town in Cornwall where they spent their last summer holiday. Heartfelt and moving, it explores themes around living with a sibling who has severe health problems, sibling loss and bereavement.

The Haunted Hills by Berlie Doherty, cover art by Tamsin Rosewell. Published by Uclan Publishing, 6 October 2022. ISBN: 978-1912979936. A haunting and moving story exploring issues of grief, guilt and loss, set against the wildreness of the Peak District landscape. A teenage boy spends a holiday with his parents as they all try to deal with their emotions following a fatal accident.

Maggie Blue and the White Crow by Anna Goodall. Published by Guppy Books in paperback 14 September 2023. ISBN: 978-1913101824. A complex, portal fantasy story in which the mother of the main tween protagonist is an in-patient at a mental health hospital and mental health issues are explored within the plot.

Books for children of 15+

Handle With Care by Louisa Reid. Published by Guppy Books, 10 October 2024. ISBN: 978-1916558311. An emotionally powerful story of the repercussions of a teen pregnancy and birth in which the 16 year-old mother’s side of the story is told in free verse. This allows readers to see the descent into post-natal depression of a child who slips through the cracks of health, education and social care. This novel is utterly heart-breaking, written with care and compassion and an essential read for anyone who works with young people.

Happyhead by Josh Silver. Published by Rock the Boat News, 16 March 2023. ISBN: 978-0861545537. This is a compelling, dark and thrilling dystopian take on the wellness industry. It is set in an experimental treatment facility for emotionally damaged teens and explores teenage mental wellbeing in a brilliantly imagined scenario created by an author who has lived experience as a mental health nurse.

Aftershocks by Anne Fine. Published by Old Barn Books, February 2022. ISBN: (paperback) 978-1910646823. A wise, atmospheric and deeply moving exploration of grief, as a family’s struggles to come to terms with the death of a child and sibling becomes absorbed into a much larger collective trauma. There is exploration of the rituals and beliefs that accompany death, cleverly portrayed through a fictional society.

Children’s fiction books featuring characters with physical health conditions

I have been interested that the increased diversity of representation in children’s fiction in recent years, has included books featuring a main protagonist with a physical health condition. This is so important for children who might be suffering from illness or a physical condition, giving them an opportunity to see a child like them having a leading role in a book. It is also an important contribution to fostering empathy in classmates (and adults) as they are exposed to the inner thoughts and life experiences of a fictional character.

As a health librarian, my work includes trying to promote opportunities to improve the health literacy of different sections of the population. I love the way that these books can provide the vocabulary to enable discussion and insight into health conditions within a context that is appropriate and accessible for young people. I have been asked recently to provide suggestions of books which can be recommended to schools and libraries, either to promote health-related careers or to promote children’s health literacy, which has motivated this blogpost. Some of these books, especially those for readers under 12 years of age, are humorous and some are highly illustrated, which greatly helps to make the information accessible to a wide range of children. The books for middle grade and younger children are written from a perspective of hope and the desire to overcome obstacles which might be created by society.

I intend this blogpost to grow over time, as I discover new titles that can be added. I hope that it will be useful for librarians, class teachers and even health professionals who might be working with children and want to suggest suitable books that provide insight into different physical health conditions. Click the link in the book title to read my review, or occasionally, a review written by another children’s book blogger.

For recommendations on children’s fiction which explores mental wellbeing and mental health click here.

I will soon be adding posts on books featuring neurodiverse characters and non-fiction books with health-related themes.

Books for children of 4-7

Misty Mole and the Eating Adventure by Dr. Yasmin El-Rouby. Published by Neem Tree Press. ISBN: 9781911107835. Health theme: eating well for eye health and visiting the optician. This lovely picture book is written by a Canadian eye doctor who provides clear and age appropriate information on the foods which supply the nutrients and minerals to ensure good eye, brain and body health.

Amazing by Steve Antony. Published by Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN: 978-1444944716. Health theme: a joyous picture book where the exuberant pictures do the work of portraying the acceptance of difference and where the child who is a wheelchair user is shown enjoying the same activities as his friends.

Books for children of 8-12

Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest by Susan Brownrigg. Published by UCLan. 2 July 2020. ISBN: 978-1912979349. Health theme – limb difference. The main character is introduced in the opening line:

Most folk only noticed one thing about Gracie Fairshaw, but she noticed everything about them.

Page 1

Which sets the tone for a very frank portrayal of a character with limb difference, who gets on with her life as a reporter, making the necessary adjustments to pursue her chosen career. At crucial moments during the adventure, readers are shown how Gracie copes with physical challenges and the impact that they can have.

Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel by Susan Brownrigg. Published by UCLan. 7 March 2024. ISBN: 978-1915235800. Health theme – limb difference: the main protagonist Gracie Fairshaw’s left arm ends just below the elbow. Gracie is an intrepid junior reporter in this cosy crime story (the third in a series set in Blackpool in the 1930s). The author writes sensitively about the ways in which Gracie sometimes has to overcome physical challenges, but she is not held back from the job that she clearly loves, or engaging in the quest to track down a blackmailer in the plot.

Into the Faerie Hill by H.S. Norup. Published by Pushkin Children’s. 2 March 2023. ISBN: 978-1782693864. Health theme – limb difference. The main character Alfie has been born with one leg shorter than the other and his use of a built up shoe is explained sensitively. There is reference to pain in his hips and legs and the limp that he develops after long walks in the woods. Readers are also given insight into the harmful impact of mean words when some of Alfie’s team mates at his swimming club think that they are being clever by talking about his paralympic prospects.

Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe. Published by Nosy Crow. 3 May 2018. ISBN: 978- 1788000338. Health theme – Eczema. The main character in this book is undergoing many levels of upheaval; moving house, changing school and an imprisoned dad, so it is hardly surprising that she is also very self-conscious about her angry, red eczema and her sense of isolation at the beginning of the story is palpable. The story is told with great empathy by author Cath Howe and would be very relateable to children aged 10 years and above.

Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson. Published by Neem Tree Press 29 August 2023. ISBN: 978-1911107996. Health themes: childhood leukaemia (one child protagonist is in remission but parental anxieties are explored) and implications that another child has been affected by foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Kókù Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí. Published by Hachette Children’s Books. 03 August 2023. ISBN: 978-1510111431 Health theme – Sickle-Cell Anaemia: the main protagonist suffers from sickle cell anaemia and the symptoms of a sickle cell crisis are described.

Kókù Àkànbí: The King of Lost Souls by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí. Published by Hachette Children’s Books. 1 August 2024. ISBN: 978-1510111462. Health themes – Sickle-Cell Anaemia and Jaundice: the main protagonist experiences sickle-cell crises throughout this action-packed adventure, providing insights into both the short term and long term effects of this condition. The way that his friends and relations support him in dealing with his symptoms are also included very naturally within the narrative.

Filippo, Me and the Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti, translated by Denise Muirpo. Published by Hot Key Books. ISBN: 978-147141105. Health themes: loss of sight, written by an author who has lived experience of a genetic illness which causes progressive loss of vision and possible eventual blindness.

Wished by Lissa Evans. Published by David Fickling Books. ISBN: 978-1788452038 Health theme – Musculoskeletal Disorder: one of the main characters is a wheelchair user in this story which is moving, imaginative and very funny. His own and the other characters’ reactions to his wheelchair use are integral to the narrative.

Seed by Caryl Lewis. Published by Macmillan. 7 May 2022. ISBN: 978-1529077667 Health theme – Hearing Loss: one of main characters has a cochlear implant, however, this does not prevent her from dancing and pursuing her dreams in this art form.

Swop the Satsuma Sized Secret by Lucy Noguera. Published by Brilliant Monsters Books. ISBN: 978-1914577000. Health theme – Deafness: written by a former specialist teacher for deaf children, Swop features a main protagonist who is deaf and includes many references to lip reading and BSL.

Double Detective Mysteries: The Cure for a Crime and Diagnosis Danger by Roopa Farooki. Published by Oxford Children’s Books. ISBN 978-0192773593 and 978-0192773616. Health themes: these mystery adventure books are written by a junior doctor and feature twins whose mother is a brain surgeon. They are packed with medical information including the twins’ first aid blog and a grandmother who has lost both of her legs and uses prosthetics and a wheelchair, neither of which prevent her from using many of the skills from her secret-agent past!

The Way to Impossible Island by Sophie Kirtley. Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books. ISBN 978-1526616302. Health themes – Cardio-vascular: the main protagonist has been born with a serious heart condition which has hampered his ability to participate in physical activities and affected his self-esteem. While he waits for a life-changing operation, he embarks on a life changing adventure in this brilliant time-slip story.

The Wild Way Home by Sophie Kirtley: Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books. ISBN: 978–1526616289. Health theme – Cardio-vascular: the much longed for baby brother of the main character is born with a serious heart condition and the impact of this on the family is explored in a wonderful time-slip adventure.

The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle. Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books. ISBN: 978-1408896907. Health theme – Dementia: the grandfather of the main character in this wildly imaginative adventure, set on an island off the west coast of Ireland, is suffering from dementia. This book explores memory and memory loss in a lyrical and immersive story.

Dread Wood Book 1 by Jennifer Killick: Published by Farshore. ISBN: 978-0755503711. Health theme – Gastro-intestinal Condition: one of the tween characters, Gus, explains to the other members of Club Loser that he has a stoma following a serious childhood illness. His straightforward explanation that he uses a bag to collect his poo is described with honesty and humour and in terms which are completely relatable to the many young fans of this middle-grade horror series.

Books for children of 12-15

War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson. Published by Neem Tree Press ISBN: 9781911107507 Health themes – Hearing Loss, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy: written by a former teacher with experience of teaching children with additional needs. An eco-thriller which features main protagonists one of whom has experienced total hearing loss after an accident; one child who was born deaf and is an expert in British Sign Language; one child who has Down Syndrome and is also expert in BSL; one child who is a wheelchair user.

Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson. Published by Harper 360. ISBN: 978-0063139183 . Health themes – Gastro-intestinal Condition: a graphic novel set in an American High School with Grade 8 main character Ruby who has been bullied at middle school and nicknamed ‘Baked Bean Girl’ due to IBS.

Patina by Jason Reynolds. Published by Knights Of. ISBN: 978-1999642556. Health theme – Diabetes: this is the second book in the ‘Run’ series by Jason Reynolds, the main character Patty is a star member of a US athletics team but her mother suffers from diabetes or ‘the sugar’ and the serious consequences of this disease on both Patty and her mother are explored.

Books for children of 15+

The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings. Published by Old Barn Books. ISBN: 978-1910646878. Health theme – terminal illness: two teenage children are facing the prospect of losing their father to an unspecified terminal illness in this compassionate story set against a natural Australian landscape.

#NNFN2023: Amazing Animal Tales Tiny Tadpole by Anne Rooney and Qu Lan

A children's non fiction book Tiny Tadpole by Anne Rooney and Qu Lan sitting beside a garden pond and a stone frog. — Cover image by Qu Lan, published by Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780192780850

National Non Fiction November is a month long celebration of non fiction titles for children. It is an annual initiative organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, and I am delighted to have been asked to contribute a review for #NNFN2023. The theme this year is #WonderfulWater and I have been sent the visually stunning Tiny Tadpole book from the Amazing Animal Tales series published by Oxford University Press.

This vibrant exploration of the frog lifecycle is eye-catching and interactive, with its jungle palette and full page flaps to open for extra information. The front cover is likely to entice any child of 4+ with its glorious colours and the glossy finish on the frog and tadpole illustrations. I love that this book chooses to explore the poison dart frog, demonstrating the adaptations to its rainforest habitat of this tiny but mighty amphibian as it progresses through the stages of metamorphosis. Many young children are quite familiar with the idea of our native frogs laying their spawn in garden or woodland ponds where the tadpoles develop. I am sure that they will be fascinated by learning about the poison dart frog laying her eggs on a leaf and then transporting her tadpoles on her back to a hidden pool of water inside the centre of a flower’s petals.

The clever design of this book means that Anne Rooney’s text reads like a story, perfectly pitched to engage early years children. This narrative is arranged in short blocks of text, printed around Qu Lan’s lavish artwork. The illustrations are more than just beautiful; they capture the sense of the battle for survival to maturity, they almost pulse with the vibrancy of life in the rainforest, whilst also giving the tadpoles and frogs expressive faces! Opening the full page flaps reveals extra factual detail about each stage in the life cycle. Interactive elements include measurements, a challenge to order the stages in the frogs’ development and a hummingbird to spot on every page.

Amazing Animal Tales Tiny Tadpole is a marvellous example of thoughtfully produced children’s non fiction. I know that my own children would have been fascinated with this book when they were young and I would highly recommend this title to schools and homes where I am sure it will provide education and enjoyment. I am grateful to Oxford University Press for providing my review copy, which I will be passing onto one of my youngest relatives.

For reviews of more fantastic children’s non fiction titles on the theme of #WonderfulWater, please checkout the other stops on the #NNFN2023 blog tour arranged by Sue Wilsher and the Federation of Children’s Book Groups.

Review: 21 Miles by Nicola Garrard

Cover design by James Nunn, illustration by Olivia Anthony,
published by Hope Road Publishing, 5 October 2023
ISBN 9781913109219

21 Miles, the seemingly short distance between Dover and Calais, but for some it is the distance between life and death.

I finished reading this short but powerful book two nights ago, but I have needed to take a little time to order my thoughts and I am still not certain that I can do it justice in a review. The story takes place over the span of 24 hours, during which two seventeen year olds, Donny and Zoe, experience the peak of excitement engendered by a teenage day trip to Calais, and the desperate trough of illegal status in hostile surroundings. These two main protagonists are beautifully observed and it was not a surprise for me to find out that author Nicola Garrard has taught in secondary schools for 20 years; she captures teenage speech patterns, attitudes and idealism perfectly. The day begins with Zoe collecting Donny in her brand new mini, to take him on his first ever overseas trip, a day return journey to Calais, so that they can spend a few hours practising their French in preparation for upcoming exams. Their wonderful friendship brims with life on the page, Zoe is kind and understanding, while Donny is chivalrous and protective of her, and clearly more than a little in love with her too.

After an enjoyable few hours tasting the tourist delights and even managing to try out their French vocabulary, their journey home is interrupted by Donny’s open-hearted, albeit illegal attempt to help out a young refugee. His naive plan to swap clothes with the teenage lad and lend him his passport, sending Amin across to the UK in Zoe’s car, soon goes horribly wrong. Donny soon finds himself on the run and is confronted by the harsh reality of life without legal documentation, without money and suffering violence at the hands of racist adults. As the story unfolds, the reader is given glimpses into Donny’s life before he was fostered by a lawyer in an affluent part of Hertfordshire; a childhood of deprivation and uncertainty with a drug-addicted single mother after his father became a victim of the Windrush scandal and was forced to return to St Lucia.

This experience in his early life has given Donny a legacy of huge empathy with anyone that he sees as a victim of injustice and his sense of wanting to make a difference to individuals with lives less fortunate than his own is developed through the story. Through the universal bond of football, he makes friends with a group of young refugees who have formed a self-supporting unit in the dunes of Calais and the portrayed kindness of individuals who have very little themselves is utterly humbling to read. The final third of the book is a masterpiece of tense plotting as we increasingly feel Donny’s desperation to find a way back across the Channel.

21 Miles is a book which has been crafted with care and attention to detail, to encourage tween and teenage readers to think about the human stories behind the refugee headlines. Nicola Garrard has volunteered in refugee camps in Calais and has channeled her experience into a gritty and gripping tale which encourages empathy without ever hectoring the reader. She has used an authenticity reader who is a youth worker with a refugee background to ensure the accuracy of the North African Muslim experience portrayed by some of the characters. I think that 21 Miles is beautifully written, with short chapters and dynamic pacing, making it perfect to engage a readership of 11+. I would highly recommend it to secondary and middle school librarians for children in Year 7 and above.

I have not read the precursor story, 29 Locks (although I now have that title at the top of my book shopping list) but found that this story worked very well as a standalone novel.

I am very grateful to Lisa Shakespeare and Hope Road Publishing for sending me a copy of 21 Miles to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Non Fiction November: The Wonderful World of Water by Sarah Garré and Marijke Huysmans, illustrated by Wendy Panders

Cover image by Wendy Panders, published by Prestel,
5 September 2023, ISBN 9783791375502

A stunning, large format, hardback, The Wonderful World of Water From Dams to Deserts is a book which absolutely overflows with facts about our most precious resource: water.

It has been written by two academics, Sarah Garré and Marijke Huysmans, both professors at Belgian universities, who have managed to communicate their expert knowledge in language and a format which sparkles with interest. The stunning graphics by Wendy Panders greatly assist in the presentation of the factual content in a style which is wholly accessible and engaging. I knew that I would love this book when I opened it to the contents page to find that each page heading is contained within a different water receptacle.

There is a different topic displayed on each double-page spread, usually with a main block of explanatory text and annotated diagrams, infographics, ideas for experiments to try at home or at school. There is information included about weather, climate, the water cycle, water purification, the way that plants take in water…I could gush on about the content of every page, I found it all fascinating. This book covers every water-related topic studied in primary schools and to be honest, I can remember having to write an essay for A level biology homework, many, many years ago, for which this book would have been a great starting point! A concept that was not part of my curriculum, was ‘virtual water’ but in this book you can learn how to calculate the water footprint of some of your lifestyle choices. It is an eye-opening catalyst to make any reader more mindful of the water that we take for granted but which we should use with more care. As with all of the Prestel publications that I have read and reviewed recently, The Wonderful World of Water is a climate neutral production. I highly recommend it to all curious readers, to primary schools, libraries and homes.

I am most grateful to Prestel and to Antonia Wilkinson for my gifted review copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The November Witches by Jennifer Claessen

Cover art by Heidi Olivia Cannon, published by Uclan, 5 October 2023,
ISBN 9781915235701

I thoroughly enjoyed rejoining the Merlyn coven at Pendragon Road in their next adventure which begins literally days after their October encounters with their deadly rivals and relations, the Morgans. If you have not already done so, I urge you to read The October Witches before embarking on their November escapades!

Again, the story is told from Clemmie’s point of view, and this time we find her trying to make amends to her mother and aunts for the circumstances that she has left them in. No longer just devoid of magic for 11 months of the year, but now potentially stripped of their magic forever. Their tiny terraced house is now more crowded than ever, as they are now accommodating two young hags from the Morgan Coven; the younger of whom, Kerra, is driving everyone slightly crazy with her incessant upbeat chatter. On the positive side, Clemmie now has a much better relationship with her older cousin Mirabelle, and Kerra’s elder sister Senara is a kind and sensible new member of the coven.

Desperate to return to the normal, non-magical life that she has always craved, Clemmie is looking forward to the return to school, or ‘human school, as Kerra insists on labelling it, when her peace is shattered yet again by the arrival of some clanking and awkward guests. A pair of fully armoured and armed knights have arrived in the suburbs to claim the favour of her fair cousin Mirabelle! These two are just the vanguard of a small battalion who herald the realisation that wild magic is on the loose, and both covens of witches are in danger! Can Merlyns and Morgans bury their rivalry and collaborate to escape the witch hunters and return the wild magic to its rightful place?

Jennifer Claessen’s writing is a delight to read. She weaves the magical and non-magical threads of the storyline with the skill of an embroideress, and has imbued all of her characters with distinctive personalities which come to life on the page. I love the way that she plays with Arthurian legend but most of all I think this book will resonate with readers of 11+ who are trying to find their voices, their talents and their places within their families and society. It ends on an explosive cliff-hanger and I cannot wait to find out what happens in December! The November Witches is an enchanting story which I highly recommend to readers at the top end of primary school and at the start of secondary school.

#MG Christmas Non Fiction: A Very Curious Christmas by Maddie Moate, illustrated by Paul Boston

Illustrations by Paul Boston, published by Puffin,
12 October 2023, ISBN 9780241652541

Stuffed with more goodies than Santa’s sack, this book by BAFTA winning presenter Maddie Moate is an exciting, entertaining and educational guide to all things Christmas.

Presented in a chatty engaging style, Maddie and her Christmas helpers, Puddles an Adélie penguin, Nigel a Yeti and Big Elf set out to explore all matters seasonal. The book is broken into four sections: Traditions and Cultures, Animals and Nature, Food and finally Fun and Decorations. With her helpers asking the big questions, Maddie provides information with great clarity, alongside jokes and a really thoughtful range of activities and experiments linked to the Christmas season. I would have loved to have had the ideas presented here to entertain my children, when they were young, in the run up to Christmas! I feel sure that teachers and parents and carers alike will be delighted to find ideas here which are engaging for children as they wait for the ‘big day’ to arrive.

As for children who wish to read the book independently, they are set a challenge at the start to spot the 25 gingerbread men hidden throughout the pages and will also find quizzes at the end of each chapter. The doodle style illustrations by Paul Boston, break up the text and add to the fun approach and all activity instructions are very clear. Those who are already familiar with Maddie Moate’s media presence will not be surprised to find that there is a focus on science and STEM in general. As well as explanations on electricity, forces and states of matter, related to seasonal concepts, you can also learn the new discipline of ‘gingerneering’ or how to experiment with the construction of a gingerbread house! I was fascinated to learn an interesting set of facts about the spices which are traditionally used in Christmas cooking and also liked that the author pointed out the historical exploitation of the people and countries from which these spices originated by European merchants.

This book has been written to appeal to a diverse audience and states clearly that Christmas is not celebrated in the traditional Christian sense by everyone. There is content about the winter solstice, Saturnalia, Hanukkah, Diwali and Chinese New Year celebrations. I have read very many Christmas non-fiction and activity books in my time as a parent and librarian and I have to say that this is one of the most engaging that I have seen. It gets a high recommendation from me.

A hardback copy of this book was originally sent to me by Puffin Books and Antonia Wilkinson in return for my honest opinion. The book is now available in paperback and this post was updated from my original, on 16 December 2025.

#NNFN2023: An Animal a Day by Miranda Smith, illustrated by Kaja Kajfež, Santiago Calle, Mateo Markov & Max Rambaldi

A hardback non fiction book published by Farshore Books called An Animal a Day — Cover art by Kaja Kajfež, Santiago Calle, Mateo Markov
published by Farshore, 9 November 2023,
ISBN 9780008534295

Embark on a daily journey through the enchanting world of wildlife as we explore a book that unveils a new animal and its unique story for each day of the year.

Children of any age are going to be enthralled by the beautifully detailed illustrations of the 365 animals featured in this stunning hardback book, the four illustrators have created marvellous depictions of the natural world. Alongside the pictures, author Miranda Smith provides a few descriptive sentences of the animal and its habitat and a fact file which contains:

the creature’s scientific name
the group (or class) to which the creature belongs
details of length and weight
diet
location
conservation status

Some spreads are themed with interesting connections such as record breakers, claws and talons and animals about the house. I was fascinated by a section headed Living with a Volcano, where I learned about the tardigrade. This micro-animal can survive in extreme conditions ranging from larva fields to Antarctic glaciers! Another tough guy of the animal kingdom is the Pompeii worm which lives in deep ocean tubes where sea water and magma can reach temperatures of 80C!

I think that many children will enjoy spending hours investigating this book. This hardback edition would make a wonderful gift at any time of the year and I could see a variety of ways that the content could be used and enjoyed in primary school classrooms. Assigning an animal to each day provides a lovely opportunity for children to look up their ‘birthday animal’, I can report that I have done this and will now have a new favourite to look out for when I’m next watching a David Attenborough documentary!

I am most grateful to Farshore Books for sending me a copy of An Animal a Day ahead of publication on 9 November 2023 in return for my honest opinion. I will be passing this onto a local charity to ensure that it is enjoyed by a child this Christmas.