Across September we have been reading or rereading Kidnap in the Caribbean by Lauren St John, the second story in the series which finds young Laura Marlin on a dream holiday cruising into a nightmare as the Straight As strike back.
You may have guessed that I’m a huge fan of Vashti Hardy’s writing and she’s a wonderful person too ! The Puffin Portal is the sequel to her first collaboration with Barrington Stoke The Griffin Gate, a tale that blends the Hardy-verse of STEM steeped societies and steam punkery into it in accessible form for … Continue reading The Puffin Portal Vashti Hardy illustrated by Natalie Smillie
Freeze is the newest offering from Chris Priestley, recognised as a master of horror writing for children drawing in the weaving, building style of classic Gothic writers such as Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe rather than gore or shock tactic. These tales creep into you consciousness rather than jump scare you, and oh so … Continue reading Freeze- Chris Priestley
I’m delighted to be celebrating the publication fo The Bewitching of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes, a second adventure for our eponymous hero who we last saw Haunted, this time stepping into the supernatural world of witchcraft. The Bewitching of Aveline Jones is such an incredible and haunting book, chilling in the clever way that … Continue reading The Bewitching of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes
The most beautiful twin books came through my door last Saturday from O’Brien Press. Caitriona Sweeney’s dreamy watercolours swirl around a modern fairytale firmly orientated in Galway and available in Gaelic too. A Galway Fairytale or Síscéal Ó Ghaillimh tells the tale of Séan and Gráinne’s journey into Galway market to buy their mother a … Continue reading A Galway Fairytale/ Síscéal Ó Ghaillimh by Caitriona Sweeney
Black cats and magic for early readers? Midnight Magic by Michelle Harrison and Elissa Elwick is the PERFECT book for any little one with the call of wonder in their soul. Midnight Magic is such a joyful and positive depiction of magic and wonder with a twinkling dose of mischief to keep the giggles. I … Continue reading Midnight Magic- Michelle Harrison and Elissa Elwick
Blossom is Laura’s second collaboration with Sara Ogilvie for Barrington Stoke, and once again explores candidly the wobbly life of a young inner city child on the precipice of change. These snapshots of life, of real experiences told with honesty and innocence are truly a gift to any reader. Laura Dockrill’s writing reminds me of … Continue reading Blossom – Laura Dockrill & Sara Ogilvie
Lily and the Fae 