The Starlight Stables Gang is published!
May 10, 2023
In which I am over a month late celebrating the launch of The Starlight Stables Gang but there are some LOVELY reviews! … More The Starlight Stables Gang is published!
Category: reviews
Reviews – dragons, death and keeping secrets
October 28, 2018
I’ve recently read three new books that I really enjoyed. The Boy Who Grew Dragons, by Andy Shepherd with illustrations by Sara Ogilvie, is a LOT of fun. Dragon fruit are of course a real thing, and the name simply BEGS to be used in a story like this. The fruit on Tomas’s grandfather’s tree … More Reviews – dragons, death and keeping secrets
Mint Choc Chip at the Market Cafe – review
November 28, 2017
Mint Choc Chip at the Market Cafe, by Jonathan Meres and Hannah Coulson, is a new addition to the Little Gems range from Barrington Stoke, aimed at young readers. These books are beautifully presented, with full-colour illustrations, and a sturdy laminated cover – and a cute size too, perfect for smaller hands. Mint Choc Chip … More Mint Choc Chip at the Market Cafe – review
Lockwood & Co: The Empty Grave – review
October 2, 2017
I’ve put off writing this review. To be honest, I read the book quite slowly too. You see, I’m In Denial about this being the end of the series. (No, give me a moment…where are the tissues?) The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud is the fifth and final book in the incredible Lockwood & Co … More Lockwood & Co: The Empty Grave – review
Things A Bright Girl Can Do – review
September 7, 2017
Some books are a real labour of love. Most books are hard to write at some point in the process (for me, this happens on a regular basis), but for Sally Nicholls, writing Things A Bright Girl Can Do, it was definitely a marathon effort. And it was all worth it. Things A Bright Girl … More Things A Bright Girl Can Do – review
Do You Speak Chocolate? – review
August 24, 2017
Do You Speak Chocolate? is the latest for 9-12s by Cas Lester, author of Nixie The Bad, Bad Fairy, and Wilfred the (Un)Wise. Before I get started on what I thought of the book, just look at that gorgeous cover! The real thing is even prettier, with the yellow bits picked out in gold foil, … More Do You Speak Chocolate? – review
The Mystery Of Me – review
August 21, 2017
The Mystery of Me is by that fab and clever writer Karen McCombie (and I can say that because I’ve met her and she’s lovely and also she writes great stories) and is illustrated by my Electrigirl collaborator Cathy Brett, so to be frank I was already expecting to like it! It’s a slight story … More The Mystery Of Me – review
Trouble Next Door – review
May 11, 2017
Trouble Next Door by Chris Higgins and illustrated by Emily MacKenzie is a really wonderful book for younger readers. Bella’s family has moved into a new house, which seemed like a good idea to Bella until she actually saw the house and realised that ‘new’ meant ‘hundreds of years old’. As Bella struggles to adjust … More Trouble Next Door – review
Nelly and the Quest for Captain Peabody – review
March 18, 2017
I’m always on the lookout for new stories for younger readers where the female protagonist has an adventure. Nelly and the Quest for Captain Peabody, by Roland Chambers and with enchanting illustrations by Ella Okstad, is the first in a new series for the 7-9 age group (though I suggest that it would appeal right through … More Nelly and the Quest for Captain Peabody – review
The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart – review
February 2, 2017
Winter’s here, and that means the nicest thing you can do (or I can, anyway) is to snuggle up on a sofa with a big blanket and a hot chocolate and read a book. And as it happens, this is the perfect book with which to do it. The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is … More The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart – review
Jo Cotterill 