Ember Grove has that ‘sleepy hollow’ vibe, with a history of unexplained events; whose inhabitants sometimes revert to quaint rituals and natural remedies. One such rite of passage is Revelry – a night for graduating students to dance and party in the woods without adult supervision. The townsfolk, when quizzed, don’t have much recollection of their respective Revelries, except the sense it marked a significant change in the trajectory of their lives.
The narrator, Bitsy Clark, is not a senior but she is persuaded by her best friend, Amy, to sneak into the Revelry, after Amy learns of the secret location. Bitsy is nervous and wants to pull out – it is forbidden to attend any revelry except your own.
Predictably, neither girl can remember what happened the next day. Bitsy senses it wasn’t good given the hems of their costumes are singed and both are soaking wet. She becomes increasingly focussed on finding out because of a run of very bad luck. Her misadventures are in direct contrast to Amy’s experiences. When Amy scores the lead in the school musical, Bitsy is not selected for the swim meet due to an unexpected panic attack. Their contrasting fortunes become more than she can bear.
Skylar, the strange girl at the Revelry who lives in the woods, entices Bitsy back to the woods, sometimes all night. Bitsy researches past events to learn that the bargains struck at Revalry have changed the lives of some of the townsfolk down through the years. Bitsy knows Skylar has something to do with the strange disappearances following certain Revelries but Amy accuses Bitsy of jealousy and tensions rise. Will Amy come round and help Bitsy solve the age old mystery?
A contemporary thriller with classic twists, text messages, dialogue and the dynamics of friendships today, make this simply told tale a modern page turner for fans of ghost stories.
Themes Supernatural Thriller/Mystery.
Deborah Robins
Peppa's brilliant bumper colouring book
Penguin, 2022. ISBN: 9780241559406. (Age:2+)
With 64 pages of colouring fun, young children are sure to find something that will appeal and of course the familiar and popular Peppa Pig will add to the attraction. Flicking through the book it was easy to find many topics that children will love to colour. The double page spread of On the beach is a winner for chats about hot weather, while the Super Strawberries will prove very enticing for all those people who love that fruit. If an adult has the time to spend with a child, there are lots of opportunities to discuss what colours can be used - Busy Bee's costume is black and yellow just like a bee, and flowers can come in many colours.
The large illustrations are perfect for the very young to colour in and children's hand-eye coordination and hand strength is sure to develop as they grip a crayon or pencil, while having fun with colour. This is a perfect book to give children an activity away from the screen, allowing them to be creative and helping develop focus and patience!
Easter is just around the corner, so an Australian book about that time of the year, full of the cuddliest of animals, a koala, wombat and bilby is sure to please readers both local and overseas. And bringing a rabbit into the story gives a neat comparison of the bilby and rabbit, both favourites at Easter.
When Little Wombat is searching the undergrowth for eggs, somebody rushes past. He thinks it is Rabbit but there are things about this animal that are not rabbit like. He pulls his tail, then turns him around and pulls at this long nose. Suddenly Rabbit appears at this shoulder, and Little Wombat realises that this animal is not a rabbit, and Rabbit tells him that this is Bilby. The three animals then compare each other, they look at their attributes which will intrigue younger readers, giving them the opportunity to see what makes each animal different from the other. We hear about their tails, their snouts, and their ability to dig, the cute watercolour illustrations demonstrating what is in the text. Younger readers will love seeing these Australian animals, alongside a very English one, the rabbit, and see how both the rabbit and bilby fit into the Easter theme.
In the evening, the animals are invited back to Little Wombat’s burrow to share the eggs. Many more eggs have appeared. Koala has joined them and they soon see that Bilby is the one who has left the eggs for them all. An Easter Bilby has been.
Kids will love talking about Easter and what it means to them: Easter Rabbit or Easter Bilby, chocolate eggs and the hunt for the eggs. The book gives a wonderful introduction to the meaning of Easter for many people, and the lovely watercolour illustrations will ensure young readers look closely at the detail given and learn more about what makes these animals unique.
Themes Australian animals, Bilby, Rabbit, Wombat, Koala, Easter, Eggs, Sharing.
Fran Knight
The naughtiest unicorn on a treasure hunt by Pip Bird
The Naughtiest Unicorn on a Treasure Hunt, written by pseudonym Pip Bird sees the return of Mira and her UBFF (Unicorn Best Friend Forever) Dave back for another fun filled adventure! This novel is out just in time for Easter and is sure to be a favourite for many young readers who enjoy unicorns, adventure, and a hint of mischief! Filled with chocolate eggs, treasure hunting and more, this story is sure to bring a laugh or two to the day!
Mira and the other students from Unicorn School are super excited! It is Springtime and they are ready for a fun filled day to celebrate the longest day of the year. Everyone is up early and keen to watch the sunrise and take part in a jam-packed day of treasure hunting, games and fun. Everyone that is, except Dave - the naughtiest unicorn ever! He is still fast asleep and refusing to wake up. That is until he hears there are chocolate eggs to be won! Bring on the chocolate, and apparently anything can happen!!
With all the motivation he needs, he is raring to go. But, with a little too much enthusiasm and more bad manners, could he spoil everything? Mira definitely hopes not, as she is extremely determined to become the Treasure Hunt Queen. So, when Dave’s eagerness for chocolate accidently uncovers a clue for the hidden treasure, Mira puts her clue finding skills to the test. Can Mira use the clues that she has to locate the secret treasure, or will Dave’s behaviour spoil the day?
Pip Bird has written another entertaining novel. This fun and adventurous story is fast paced and amusing. Throw in your favourite naughty unicorn, some chocolate and an adventure, and you will be page turning all the way. Combined with awesome illustrations by David O’Connell, this book will engage readers with its witty humour and terrific clear imagery. A great book for young readers to enjoy, especially those who love unicorns!
Themes Humour, Adventure, Problem solving, Relationships.
Michelle O'Connell
The green planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe. Illus. by Kim Smith
The Green Planet is a beautifully presented non-fiction book showcasing stories from the brand-new BBC television series The Green Planet. From the vibrantly coloured rich foliage front endpapers to the sparse and confronting image of the lone plant on the back endpapers, this book is a visual treat for all readers both young and old.
The forward by Chris Packham introduces us to the notion that plants are both as interesting and as fascinating as animals. He stresses that we need to look after our plants as many are at risk of extinction and are vital to our health and ultimate survival. Each double page spread is clearly labelled with segments of information placed around very appealing and colourful diagrams and images. There are several pages providing information about life-giving plants and then the reader is lead into pages about the following five main areas: Tropical Worlds, Desert Worlds, Water Worlds, Seasonal Worlds and Human Worlds.
Within each of these worlds are pages devoted to an introduction, stories, inhabitants and a final summary where the effects of climate change on each world is discussed as well as encouraging possible solutions. The closing pages call for plant protectors and how to help your green planet grow. On the final endpaper is a short but telling message from Sir David Attenborough encouraging all to make a Greener Planet.
This is a wonderful book suitable for home, school and public library.
Piatkus, 2022. ISBN: 9780349430249. (Age:Adult) Recommended for mystery lovers.
With the 54th book in the In Death series, J.D. Robb has once again managed to write an engrossing mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the surprise (to me) reveal of the killer who leaves victims with a sign saying, ‘Bad Mommy’. When Eve Dallas is called to view the body of a victim who has been left on a bench in a playground close to her friends’ home, she is determined to find the perpetrator who appears to be reliving his feelings about his mother from decades years before. When more young women of a similar appearance disappear, Eve knows that she has a serial killer to find, and the hunt is on to uncover old crimes or women who may have had a similar tattoo to the one that the killer is putting on his victims.
As usual New York Times bestselling author Robb masterfully manages twists and turns and police procedures as she and her team try to work out just who could be the killer. She ensures that the reader is emotionally invested in the story by relating the background events around the disappearance of the ‘Bad Mommy’ and what happened to her, as well as the feelings of one of the victims who is imprisoned. Familiar characters, Peabody, Roake, and Mira all make appearances and add to knowledge about the killer and his background.
This was a riveting plot, one that readers will find easy to read and the shock reveal of the killer will add to the enjoyment.
Ren and her daughters are living in London following the funeral of her Polish mother - Layla and Izzy’s grandmother. Babcia was a scholar of folklore and much loved, so the girls never remove her gifts of amber amulets. Ren packs them up and heads back to live in a ramshackle cottage in Lowesdale, where Ren grew up. In the first half of the novel, Ren’s childhood experiences form the back story, published as italicised mini-chapters.
In Lowesdale, dreams and visions of a whistling, old white-haired woman intensify. Ren, Layla and Izzy are increasingly spooked by noises, intruders and incidents such as strategically placed dead birds. After a lot of sleuthing, Layla learns who or what has lured her mother back. So many adventures alone, together or with neighbourly James, entailing bike rides, bus rides, scooter rides, and boat rides to interview, or research or generally investigate criminal, historic and supernatural events will win over mystery fans.
As the pieces of the puzzle are gathered, Layla has no idea whether the sisters inherited their mother's Polish genes that gift them powers of a Vilsestra. But the mishaps and suspicious characters keep coming. After Ren is taken in dramatic fashion, Seb/(Dad), Henry the sleezy landlord, his son James, the suspicious Mor Hemlock and Mr Speckleback the museum curator, all help lead the girls to Mesula, a powerful Vilsestra. Will their combined, untested powers be enough to defeat her? To stimulate curious minds add an epilogue, map, a few graphics and a concise glossary of Polish folklore.
If you like mysteries and stormy, spectral battles between the forces of good and evil, don’t leave this one on the shelf.
My two year old grandson loves this book. It is the perfect read aloud for young children and would make an excellent resource for older children in the classroom, when a class is looking at how food is produced. The reader is guided through the whole process of growing corn, from the machine that is used to prepare the soil, right through to the harvest of the corn. Each piece of machinery is named and its function is described in an easy to understand way, while the bold, colourful illustrations complement the text perfectly. Meanwhile the tractor is at the centre of the action and a diagram at the back of the back shows all the parts that a tractor is made of.
Down on the farm, let’s cut the earth. Chop, chop! Don’t stop! Break that ground! Down on the farm, let’s cut the earth. What makes that cut-cut-cutting sound?
Sally Sutton’s narrative is very rhythmic and invites the young child to repeat the refrain 'Down on the farm', and then guess the name of the machine that is being described. This is a book that toddlers will ask to be read again and again and consequently their vocabulary about machines on the farm really grows with words like plough, harrow, seed drill and harvester.
Tractor joins other books by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Brian Loveday, including Roadworks, Dig, dump, roll and Wheels.
It is a great resource for home and school libraries.
It is refreshing to read and view a picture book retelling of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. The concept for children and indeed adults is both daunting and complex, but this beautifully illustrated and well-presented book is the perfect introduction to this well-known scientific theory. In 1859 after travelling the world and observing nature, Charles Darwin changed the thinking of his generation that everything in the world began at the same time. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is explained thoughtfully in the book, often with humour, and written in an easy to comprehend story-like format so young readers will grasp some if not all of the concepts. There is information about variations and differences and how these help with survival and can be passed down through generations and how some babies of species may not survive and those that do are better able to adapt and breed in their environment. Also, that useful traits can passed on to future generations. In the final pages is an Author’s Note, Appendix, Misconceptions, Glossary and Recommended Literature.
The author and illustrator, Sabina Radeva, has a science background with a degree in Molecular Biology. She has created an excellent resource for children that will have a place in any school or public library.
Themes Animals, Habitats, Behaviours, Adaptations, Charles Darwin, Scientists, Theory of Evolution.
Kathryn Beilby
The last graduate by Naomi Novik
Random House, 2021. ISBN: 9781529100891. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Following A deadly education the first in The Scholomance series, Novik ups the suspense and action as El fights against the maleficaria that seems to be targeting her. She has a group of allies around her and is determined that she will ensure that the students in the Scholomance make it out alive.
The constant thrills kept me on the edge of my seat as El recounts everything that is happening to her and her friends. Graduation is the goal and it was fascinating to follow El’s efforts to get everyone to work together, no mean feat considering the power of the enclaves and the needs of individuals who will do anything to find allies.
The story is told in the voice of El, who is often sarcastic, and this provides a welcome touch of humour against the breath-taking action and suspense. El matures along the way, gradually accepting that she does have friends, and accepting their strengths in her plan to get everyone out of the Scholomance. Her relationship with Orion also develops slowly and leads to the final mind-blowing cliff-hanger. There just has to be a third book in the series!
Novik is a clever author; her world is unique; her characters are relatable and the action is wonderful. Readers who love action and character driven fantasy are sure to like this series.
Themes Magic, School.
Pat Pledger
Enola Holmes and the black barouche by Nancy Springer
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781761065255. (Age:Middle school)
A Netflix sensation, Enola Holmes has been the hero of six novels, and the seventh, Enola Holmes and the black barouche has now been published. In this exciting novel, Enola chases down a man she believes to be a murderer, the Earl of Dunhench, the husband of her friend's sister, Felicity, who has died in the most unusual of circumstances. Not only was the death certificate signed by Dr J Watson, who refutes this, the sister, Letitia, only received a short note from the Earl about Felicity’s death.
Letitia hires Enola to look into the situation, especially as his first wife had died in similarly strange circumstances. She goes to the village where he lives, cleverly asking questions of the locals but being a single woman she is not allowed to stay in the village inn, so she goes to his hall where she uses her guile to stay overnight, questioning the servants further as they dress her for dinner. Enola is a convincing fascinating character, who espouses twentieth century ideas while having to live by nineteenth century morals and customs. The comparison is enticing as she describes the way people live around her. The excitement of the hunt for the murderer is equally as interesting as the background information Springer includes in her tale. We see the disparity between rich and poor, the easy power of the upper classes, able to control people in their employ, the condition of the roads and transport, the difficulty of travel and the restriction that women’s clothes brings.
The first in the series, Enola Holmes and the missing marquess was followed by five more by Nancy Springer, now grouped together as the Enola Holmes mysteries. The seventh, Enola Holmes and the black barouche is now followed by an eighth incarnation. The first, Enola Holmes and the missing marquess, was made into a film by Netflix and so well received that a second is in production.
The books are full of adventure with an enticing main character, smarting against the restrictions society at the time impose on women. She is much more modern than the times, and with hints of the Suffragette Movement in the background along with the way women are treated, gives food for thought for the more mature readers.
Themes Sherlock Holmes, Nineteenth century England, Mystery, Humour.
Fran Knight
Ten minutes to bed Little Dinosaur by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Penguin, 2022. ISBN: 9780241532676. (Age:2-5)
This is the board book version of Ten minutes to bed Little Dinosaur which has been reviewed when it was first published and the review is duplicated here. It is part of a series of Ten Minutes to Bed books (including Little Monster and LittleMermaid). It's an overt bedtime story set in The Land of Nod (the endpapers show a map of the land and where each of the characters live) and is similar in concept to other books about bedtime reluctance such as Play and I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed. In addition, a counting element is included as it counts down the minutes until bedtime from ten to one. 'Ten minutes to bed!' Mum tells Rumble. But Rumble just loves to have fun. So off he thunders, sending birds and frogs hopping and fluttering, splashing about in the mud and running all the way to an erupting volcano. 'Five minutes' say all the dinosaurs racing past him in a rush to escape the lava. 'Four minutes to bed . . . but where am I, I wonder?', he says when he finds a safe place to rest. It's rainy and thundery and getting dark when a shadow appears. It's Mum, come to take him home. 'Two minutes,' she said. 'You are never alone.' Before the last minute is even done, Rumble is in bed and fast asleep, snoring.
Rumble's romping journey will delight young ones, who will see in the illustrations the progression from sunset light to moonlight. The mountain forest where the dinosaurs live is vivid and magical and the depiction of light will cleverly calm and soothe children (glowing lights within the forest, moon and shimmering stars). There is a nice message here for children about being responsible and in control of their own body and winding down for sleep. Little Dinosaur seems to pay no attention to the countdown but by the end of the ten minutes he is already asleep. It may even help some younger children to set in place their own countdown to bedtime and assist with an understanding of self-settling.
This short novel tells the story of the Stewart family who visit the zoo on a cold wintery day and on the way out tell a penguin he can come to visit anytime he wants....and then he arrives on their doorstep.
Einstein the penguin is a friendly animal who invites himself into their home and makes himself very comfortable. The children are extremely happy he has arrived and he adds an extra element to the family dynamic. The story goes from what seems like it will be one of family escapades with their penguin to a mystery and adventure story where the children are all in to try and find Einstein's friend.
The story is easy to read, and would suit an independent reader of about 8/9years old.
My 7 year daughter enjoyed listening to it, and thought the concept of having a penguin come to stay was hilarious. She loved how Einstein became part of the family and communicated with everyone. I also enjoyed how Iona Rangeley explained the environment and what was going on. It was very easy to form a picture in your mind whilst reading.
The book is dotted with funny little line drawings that depict the range of emotions felt by the family and the animal they take into their home. My only issue with David Tazzyman's illustrations is that all the human characters have rather wonky eyes (eyes going off in interesting directions or looking crosseyed)! They are certainly interesting to look at but it does make you think that the family is a bit quirky, which when I come to think of it - they probably are as they invite a penguin to come and stay! Very funny!
We give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Themes Penguins, Humour.
Lauren Fountain
Terciel and Elinor by Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760878818. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
I love The Old Kingdom series and reread all the books in the series in 2021 when the 25th anniversary edition of Sabriel came out. I was thrilled to see that Nix has written the story of Sabriel’s parents, Terciel and Elinor, and eagerly followed their story. Readers will have known about Terciel as Sabriel and Lireal’s father, and it was wonderful to learn about him as a young Abhorsen-in-Waiting, and about Elinor and her connections to Charter Magic.
Elinor has led a solitary life in Ancelstierre, with only an elderly governess and ex-circus performer to shield her from the tyranny of her mother. When the wind from the North brings danger from the Dead, Terciel appears to fight it with Tizanael, the Abhorsen. Elinor is left to struggle with what the Charter Magic means for her, and she goes to Wyverley College to learn about it. Eventually she meets up again with Terciel and together they must fight the Dead.
Elinor is a wonderful character, agile with throwing knives, loving theatre and putting on productions. The love between Terciel and her is beautifully described, while many background details will flesh out the characters in the Old Kingdom. Readers of the series will love to gain insights into Mogget’s character, the Clayr and their paperwings and the work of the Abhorsen. The book will also be a good introduction for readers new to the series.
I hope that Nix returns to the Old Kingdom, because this series has it all – wonderful characters, a unique world and plenty of action.
Themes Fantasy, Good and evil, Love, Courage.
Pat Pledger
Mole's spectacles by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
A sturdy board book with humorous verses from Julia Donaldson, will certainly please the younger audience it is aimed at. Easy to hold and fold back to make a flat book, the story will be a treat for younger readers listening to the words, looking at the detailed illustrations, predicting a rhyming word or two, and enjoying the fun of the search for the lost spectacles. Mole cannot find his glasses anywhere and here is a wonderful opportunity for older readers to talk about the low vision of moles.
He searches everywhere, in all sorts of places in the house and garden. He looks around his reading room, then searches the dresser, tries to find them in the kitchen, then looks through his desk, even the bathroom and cellar are searched. In the garden he scours the lily pond, then walks to weasel’s shop, calling on his friends to help. The glasses still cannot be found. But when he gets the teapot out to make a cup of tea for his friends, they are found. And in the most unlikely of places.
Another surprise awaits the readers on every page because as Mole searches he is able to lift flaps to reveal something inside, but not his glasses. Younger readers will have a great deal of fun with this verse book, as will the older readers helping them lift those flaps.
The bright illustrations show Mole as he searches, getting more forlorn as he goes. The detail will intrigue younger readers as they recognise things that are used in a particular room, recognise the plants and animals he sees, and rejoice with him when the spectacles are found.
