Today is my turn in the Let's Get Festive! 12 Days of Christmas Tour, and I’ve thought long and hard about what to feature here. I thought about leaning into another folklorist Wintertide like I did with The Clockwork Crow, but then as everyone else on the tour was taking a jolly tone, I thought, … Continue reading Let’s Get Festive: Gracie Fairshaw and Trouble At the Tower by Susan Brownrigg
I’ve been a fan of Zanib Milan’s Planet Omar series since an early proof of the first book. A blend of prose with interjections and highly illustrated ‘Tom Gates’ style bits from Kyan Cheng makes this a playful whimsical series. There is something gentle and sweet about the way she depicts the mindset and wobbly … Continue reading Planet Omar- Ultimate Rocket Blast- Zanib Mian & Illustrated by Kyan Cheng
What started off as a fun adventure thriller, 21% Monster by PJ Canning turned into something beautifully inclusive, existential and empowering with its subtle commentary on the ways we are different, whether it physically, neurologically or indeed our experiences are what make us powerful not only as individuals but as a species. Fans of Alex … Continue reading 21% Monster by PJ Canning
When Little Island Books contacted me about Chameleon Dad, the latest middle grade adventure from Debbie Thomas I was sold on the blurb alone and agreed to help support this book which looks at some incredibly powerful themes and situations but with the gentle hand of writing for middle grade. A tale that looks at … Continue reading Chameleon Dad Author Feature: Debbie Thomas on Writing for Children
Today I'm one of three stops on the mega celebration blog tour for Jennifer Killick's DreadWood! I’ve been a huge fan of Jennifer’s writing for some years, she is a literal diamond of contemporary storycraft with a twisted element whether turning her hand to unfortunate superpowers, mysterious disappearances or tween horror , Jen is a … Continue reading DreadWood by Jennifer Killick
When I first reviewed the debut Anisha novel, I knew that Serena Patel had created something special, and with the publication of each book, both Littlefae and I have been swept away in these young reader mysteries that explore so much more than the social or interpersonal problem presented, and yet capture the very real … Continue reading The FCBG Childrens Book Award- Anisha: Accidental Detective by Serena Patel
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
Lily and the Fae 