The Long Way Home is a gorgeously gentle, hopeful and heart-warming story, filled with kindness and humour which will not only take young readers on a wonderful adventure, but also reveal the importance of sustaining memories when a forgetting day happens!

Otto loves adventure and is excited to see where he will be exploring next with his beloved Nanu, herself a Great Exploraphant! Promising to look after each other, they begin their adventure – to Lion Mountain! On the way, Nanu becomes more and more forgetful as she forgets the name of the mountain, their backpack and even the way home. Will Otto remember all that his Nanu has taught him, and have the courage to find their way home?

I adored the close bond between Otto and his Grandmother, Nanu. He clearly loves and respects her and she is full of encouragement and kindness towards Otto. When Nanu realises that they are lost and she is unable to find their way home, Otto reassures her and uses what she has taught him to help. Nanu may be having a forgetting day, but she is still brave and strong; I loved that she was not defined by her forgetfulness, but has other qualities that she could still rely upon.

As well as being an exciting adventure through the African plains, encountering some other wonderful animals along the way, this story has a wonderful message about the importance of keeping memories alive and the strength to be gained in family bonds: the importance of looking after each other and helping to continue to do the things we enjoy even when we need support in order to do so.

This story is part of Little Tiger’s Colour Fiction range for newly independent readers, and has superb full colour illustrations throughout. These illustrations depict the landscape and animals of Africa, changing over the course of a day: the changing colour palette as the day progresses is striking. The images help to accentuate the loving and playful bond between Nanu and Otto beautifully and complement and add depth to the written text.

Thank you to Charlie Morris and Little Tiger for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I saw the announcement for Reading Ireland Month on the wonderful Cathy’s blog. How could I resist: Ah, gwan, ya will! other than to respond heartily with Ach, to be sure, to be sure, I will.

I’m very proudly Irish, having been born in County Donegal and then moved across the border to County Fermanagh so, when I saw this, I couldn’t resist taking part, especially as a re-watch of Derry Girls is encouraged and I might even get to buy bake some wheaten bread!

I’m going to read at least one book by an Irish Author each week during March and, hopefully, complete some other Irish related posts too!

These are the four I’ve chosen:

The Storm Keeper’s Battle by Catherine Doyle. This is the final part in the Storm Keeper series which I’ve absolutely loved. It is not being released until the beginning of March but I have it ordered.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fionn Boyle, Storm Keeper of Arranmore, is facing the fight of his life. The terrifying all- powerful sorceress Morrigan has been raised from the dead and has sealed off the island from all help. Fionn is the only thing that stands between her and a dark future. He’s got to find a way to defeat her. But there are some terrible choices in store for Fionn as the dark sorcerer begins to take his nearest and dearest for her own. With only two candles left to burn, will Fionn master his powers in time to stop her?

The Eye of the North by Sinead O’Hart. This is the book that I absolutely credit with reigniting my love for children’s books and reading in general. I very rarely re-read books, but this is one I’ve wanted to go back to for a while now, and this seems the perfect opportunity.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Emmeline’s scientist parents mysteriously disappear, she finds herself heading for a safe house, where allies have pledged to protect her. But along the way, she is kidnapped by the villainous Doctor Siegfried Bauer, who is bound for the ice fields of Greenland. There he hopes to summon a mystical creature from the depths of the ancient glaciers, a creature said to be so powerful that whoever controls it can control the world. Unfortunately, Bauer isn’t the only one determined to unleash the creature. The North Witch has laid claim to the mythical beast, too, and Emmeline along with a scrappy stowaway named Thing may be the only one with the power to save the world as we know it. Can Emmeline face one of the greatest legends of all time and live to tell the tale?

On Midnight Beach by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick. This one has just been long-listed for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal, so I’m definitely interested in reading it. It’s also set in County Donegal so another reason to read!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Donegal, 1976. When a dolphin takes up residence in Carrig Cove, Emer and her best friend, Fee, feel like they have an instant connection with it. Then Dog Cullen and his sidekick, Kit, turn up, and the four friends begin to sneak out at midnight to go down to the beach, daring each other to swim closer and closer to the creature . . . But the fame and fortune the dolphin brings to their small village builds resentment amongst their neighbours across the bay, and the summer days get longer and hotter . . . There is something wild and intense in the air. Love feels fierce, old hatreds fester, and suddenly everything feels worth fighting for.

The Druid’s Tune by Orla Melling. I remember reading a time-slip story in school which took some teenagers back to ancient Ireland and the time of Cuchulainn. I think this might be it!

Goodreads Synopsis:

While visiting distant relatives in Ireland, a teenage brother and sister, curiously uneasy about the strange workman on their cousin’s farm, discover his strange powers when they are all transported back in time to take part in the struggle between Cuchulain of Ulster and Queen Maeve of Connaught.

I’m really looking forward to reading these books by Irish Authors, and hope to find a few more over the course of the month. If anyone has any Irish Children’s Author book recommendations, I’d love to hear about them.

I absolutely loved the first three books in this series which are so full of adventure and imagination, so was very excited to get invited to be part of the Blog Tour for The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club and I’m just going to say it now: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT!

If you want to be thoroughly entertained by a story that is full of gripping adventure, sparkling with incredible world-building and which introduces curious creatures and captivating characters, then read on …

The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club is the fourth book in this outstanding fantasy series (The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club) and is set in a spectacular underwater world with fantastic new characters, creatures and world-building.  For those who are longing to see Stella again, don’t worry, she does play a part.  If you have not picked up this series yet:  firstly, please do and, secondly, you can read this one as a standalone but, be warned, you will then want to treat yourself to the rest of the series!

Twelve-year-old Ursula Jellyfin is a talented submarine engineer working at The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club; however, she longs to become an explorer herself.  Unfortunately, whilst the other Clubs are now admitting female explorers, Ursula’s Club President remains stubbornly against such equality.  Imagine his fury if he were to discover that Ursula is keeping a secret from her Club, a secret that may well get her expelled, or worse:  she is half mermaid, and mermaids are the enemy of the Club!  Little does he know that the real danger is far more imminent, and sees the entire Club disappear inside a globe wielded by The Collector.  The only part of the Club that remains is the submarine, The Blowfish, and its new junior explorer crew …

So begins a remarkable, magical and exhilarating adventure through the depths of the ocean as the crew attempt to return the Sunken City of Pacifica, which is contained in a globe aboard The Blowfish, to its original location in order to gain the help they need to fight against The Collector and rescue their own Club.  On their quest, they find themselves faced with colossal sneezing jellyfish, a storm maiden and pirates, not to mention meeting mermaids and elegant squids!  I know – amazing! Suffice to say that the world-building is astounding and brimming with imaginative delights from the starfish disco to the secret of Gilly’s Island to Jaffles Hotel. I don’t want to say more about these places but, trust me, they are worth visiting!   I loved that the adventure took the children in unexpected directions and surprised me in so many places – this kept me utterly spellbound throughout. 

What can I say about the young crew of The Blowfish?  Ursula is determined, courageous and learns to be true to herself.  Max is a talented robot inventor (he makes seriously cool robots!), is quick-witted and is someone who doesn’t like to conform.  At first, he is at loggerheads with Jai who plays by the rules, is more serious and less trusting than his twin sister. Genie is an animal whisperer with an awe-inspiring companion, Bess.  She is kind-hearted, prepared to see the best in others and creative, with an incredible selection of hats.  I loved how individual they are, how they overcome differences and find a supportive and trust-filled friendship, strong and courageous enough to deal with the danger, revelations and difficult decisions thrown at them. 

The double page illustrations scattered throughout are absolutely stunning and complement the author’s superb world-building perfectly. 

This is a dazzling delight of an exciting, action-packed adventure that kept me gripped throughout and left me desperate for the next adventure with Ursula Jellyfin and her friends. 

Thank you to Faber Children’s for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour.  Please do check out the other stops.

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Nine crouched down behind the stacked fish crates at the bustling market. Dead fish always look so surprised. she thought. Surprised to be dead? Surprised to be caught? Well, no one would surprise Nine, anyway. She had no intention of being caught, or of dying, thank you very much. Even though she ran the risk of both every day of her life.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nine is an orphan pickpocket determined to escape her life in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures. When she steals a house-shaped ornament from a mysterious woman’s purse, she knocks on its tiny door and watches it grow into a huge, higgledy-piggeldy house. Inside she finds a host of magical and brilliantly funny characters, including Flabberghast – a young wizard who’s particularly competitive at hopscotch – and a hideous troll housekeeper who’s emotionally attached to his feather duster. They have been placed under an extraordinary spell, which they are desperate for Nine to break. If she can, maybe they can offer her a new life in return…

This sounds like a fun, magical story and is one I’m really looking forward to reading.

This is my new weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

Uncle Enoch had described this to her as: ‘The place where we are created, where we sleep before birth. A place we have no memory of, but which haunts our dreams.’

This book in three words:

MONSTERS, FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY

I posted my first ever review on my Blog on 11th April 2019, and it was for Pog by Pádraig Kenny (review here) which I absolutely loved, so I was very keen to pick up and read The Monsters of Rookhaven and am only sorry that I waited nearly five months to read it!

This book is, quite simply, an incredible read which captured me from the opening line (Mirabelle was in the garden feeding bones to the flowers ….) and transported me into a world filled with gothic delight, marvel and monsters. Mirabelle and her monster family are separated from the human world by a glamour which becomes torn, allowing two orphaned children, Jem and Tom, to discover their existence. Jem and Tom are escaping their own monsters having lost both their father and mother and run away from an abusive Uncle.

The monster Family are brilliantly realised: a diverse group who are born from the Ether (a concept which I found utterly fascinating and led me to some of my own reading) and live together as a family, looking out for each other, protecting each other and allowing each other the room to explore and grow. The Twins can walk through walls, Uncle Bertram and Uncle Enoch can shapeshift, Odd can travel through portals, and Aunt Eliza – that’s just plain creepy! Mirabelle doesn’t seem to have any special ability, except that she doesn’t need to eat or sleep. And then there is Piglet who I found to be one of the most fascinating characters I have ever encountered in middle-grade, an entity that engenders both fear, respect and love in others, someone who needs to be locked away, but who opens others to their own feelings and truths and in so doing experiences for himself the depth of emotions from anger to grief to love. I also adored Uncle Bertram who, despite his monstrosity, is engendered with such innocence that my heart ached for him.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Mirabelle and Jem as they learn to open up to each other, trust and offer strength and support when needed. There are secrets, twists and revelations in this story that kept me enthralled, but I don’t want to say more for fear of spoilers.

I found the whole aspect of time and place fascinating: the images and mention of spheres, the portals Odd uses to travel to other times and places, Piglet’s plane of existence, and a twist in the story. The story is set shortly after the end of the Second World War which has encroached on the lives of the villagers who have lost family members and had injured members return. One of those suffering is Freddie who has lost his brother in the War and, whilst dealing with his own grief, he also feels the pain of his father withdrawing from him as he fights his own battle with grief. This provides a perfect storm for an evil that is hunting the Monsters of Rookhaven to seek its own path to them …

This story certainly questions who, and what, the real monsters are, and how humans can have their fears and uncertainty manipulated and turned into hatred through malicious intent. One of the central themes in this story is the pain caused by grief and loss of loved ones and how the sharing of grief can bring people closer, and help to heal.

The illustrations by Edward Bettison are stunning and cover both partial and full page spreads. Some of the drawings are rather chilling, and perfectly complement the darker elements of the story, whilst others depict wonderful images of the mansion and village.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys high-quality, emotive, thought-provoking fantasy. I was so pleased to learn that there is going to be a sequel to this story later this year. I will definitely be getting it – and reading it – as soon as it is published.

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!

I’ve just finished a book, but this will be the next one I’m picking up!

I’ve finished listening to the audiobook of The Good Bear on BorrowBox. I really enjoyed this one which was both heart-warming and poignant. The Norwegian setting at Christmas was wonderful. I really enjoyed reading about the contrast in Christmas traditions. Thea wants to be a writer, and is hoping to connect with her father again through sharing her passion for writing when she visits him and his new family. She is also hoping that he will get her a much-coveted typewriter, but instead she is given something much more practical: some snow boots! Thea doesn’t bond with her father as easily as she had hoped and there is a distance between them, and an awkwardness with his new family, that drives her out into the snowy woods … and to making a life-changing discovery. She finds an old bear and makes a connection with him that she cannot find with her father. Will Thea be able to save her bear when he is in danger from the townspeople? This is a gorgeously told story that deals with hurt, the struggle to bond and form new relationships as well as fulfilling your dreams and the joy to be found in the natural environment.

Although I hadn’t been intending to, I felt drawn to read The Monsters of Rookhaven which absolutely blew my mind! This is such a clever, insightful story that has me asking questions and thinking about it long after I’ve finished, much to my poor husband’s bemusement! I have got more to say about this one soon but, be warned, most of my thoughts on it are not quite coherent!

I’ve also finished The Abbey Mystery which is due to be published in April. I read this with a real feeling of nostalgia as the author so brilliantly captures the Georgian society in which Jane Austen lived and wrote about, and it brought me back to my early teenage years when I devoured Jane Austen novels. I think Jane is now one of my new favourite characters! I’m currently writing my review for this one, and will post slightly closer to publication.

I was very excited to receive an early review copy of this one as I wasn’t expecting it! It is due for release at the start of March so I thought I’d read it next!

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

Leonard and his shrew family are moving to a new home in another part of the forest with a long journey ahead of them. Very sensibly, Mrs Shrew asks them to hold on to each other’s tails so they don’t get lost. What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately, poor Leonard, who does not have the best eyesight and perhaps doesn’t pay as much attention as he could, finds himself in trouble when he accidentally catches the wrong tail! Finding himself separated from his family, he certainly needs to look out as he catches an assortment of different tails in his efforts to be reunited with his family. When his family find themselves in trouble, will Leonard be able to save them?

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous in a range of bright and bold colours, celebrating the diversity, life and movement of the forest. They also brilliantly capture the personalities of the shrews and other animals.

This is such a wonderful story which is uplifting, joyous and invites its young readers to engage with the text as they look at different ways of saying ‘Hello’, practise counting, answer questions and spot a range of animal tails! It celebrates difference as Leonard is not quite like the other shrews: his name doesn’t begin with ‘S’, he doesn’t say ‘Hello’ in the same way and he wears glasses BUT he is curious and has a sense of adventure and perseveres to prove himself an accidental hero! All the way through the story, the reader is left feeling encouraged that Leonard will be reunited with his family.

The text is easy to follow, chatty and humorous with lots of questions, description, alliteration and repetition which will have young readers wanting to join in, especially with the refrain: Look Out, Leonard! The text is also playful with large, bold text interspersed with the main text.

The final page includes some factual information about the Southeast Asian Shrew. I especially liked discovering that, whilst they have excellent hearing and smell, they have poor eyesight – that explains Leonard!

This is a perfect book for children of 3-5 years who will enjoy both the engaging text and the bright, bold images and I have no doubt will be repeating ‘Look Out, Leonard’ with great glee!

Thank you to Dorling Kindersley for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a weekly meme now hosted by That Artsy Girl Reader.  This week’s theme is Purple, Yellow, and/or Green Book Covers (in honor of Mardi Gras, which is today!). I’ve had a look at my bookshelves and chosen a range of Green, Yellow and Purple books that I haven’t read – yet!

These are all books I am really excited to read, but my TBR is just ridiculous! Have you read any of these? Which would you recommend?

The Dragon and her Boy is a brilliantly exciting, fast-paced adventure set in a past London, brimming with peril, intrigue and humour, that enthralled me throughout. 

The gutterling friends and tumblers, Stick, Spud and Sparrow, who we previously met in Tiger Heart, are separated when there is a commotion beneath the streets during an unnatural Great Heat.  Could their disappearance have anything to do with a terrifying figure seen by Stick, a figure from his past? 

The other children who are surviving on London’s streets sense that something is wrong in the City, and tell Stick about a strange woman who is taking children.   Determined to find his lost friends, Stick finds himself beneath the streets of London, and face-to-face with … a dragon!  A rather irascible, easily offended dragon – the last of her kind – who has become stuck in an underground tunnel after running away from grave danger.  AND she’s just brilliant – and rather partial to a little flattery – and crumpets!

Discovering that they have a common enemy, the dragon and Stick join forces and embark on an incredible adventure to rescue Stick’s friends and each other; an adventure that sees them form a wonderful bond of friendship; and, an adventure that sees Stick confront terrors from his past.  Their friendship is filled with wonderful repartee, trust and a need to protect each other.  Stick is incredibly courageous, thinking about others before himself and facing up to his fears in order to save both old and new friends from someone who has caused him great pain in the past. 

This is a fantastically fast-paced adventure, brimming with danger, revelations and intrigue:  a real page-turner.  The bonds of friendship between the gutterling children, who have become a family, are incredibly touching which leads to some poignant moments, but also a real sense of hope as they are determined to work together, despite the risks they have to take, to help each other.  I really enjoyed the language used between the children and felt this helped me become part of their world.  The author has included ‘Stick’s Guide to Gutterling’ in the Author’s Notes which I found fascinating.

This is a story that will take you on an incredible adventure, an adventure filled with daring and danger, with truths unfolding, with courageous hearts and heart-warming friendships.  Truly glorious storytelling!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ve just started The Abbey Mystery (slightly later than I had intended to as I got distracted by another recommendation). I’m just about to start The Good Bear on audio.

I’ve read four books this week. Leo’s Map of Monsters is the start of a series for younger readers, and was a really fun read which I enjoyed. Leo lives behind a wall to protect the villagers from dangerous creatures in the forest.  On their ninth birthdays, the village children are given an assignment to match their talents.  Leo loves reading and writing so is convinced that he will join his friend at the Record Office.  However, when he opens his assignment, he discovers two words:  TOP SECRET.  He is immediately whisked away by the Village Chief, Gilda to meet the person he has been assigned to:  The Guardian.  Leo finds himself discovering the secrets of the forest, and learning that his assignment is to protect the villagers from monsters – and monsters from the villagers!  Will Leo be successful in his first mission:  to save the village from an enraged Armoured Goretusk who is heading in their direction?  Leo learns that he is braver than he thinks, and makes a wonderful friend in Starla, a rather cute flying monster. 

I listened to the audiobook of The Silent Stars Go By after seeing it recommended by Lily. This story is set after the First World War, during the Christmas period.  The vicar’s young daughter, Margot, has had a child out of wedlock to her fiancé Harry who went to war and was reported missing in action.  Feeling that she had no other choice, she gave up her child, James, to be adopted and raised by her parents.  Margot has come home to spend Christmas with her family, and meets with Harry again who has survived the war.  My heart went out to Margot as she is forced to make choices because of societal ‘norms’ of the time and as she goes through the almost unbearable anguish of being close to her son, but not being able to treat him as such.  This is a beautifully written, and heartfelt story, that I was completely immersed in. 

I also read an e-book of The Dragon and her Boy on NetGalley. I requested this book as I had really enjoyed the author’s previous book, Tiger Heart. This story is based around one of the children from that story, Stick, who meets a dragon under the streets of London. I really enjoyed the story which was fast-paced and exciting. The dragon is just brilliant! I will be posting my review within the next few days.

Finally, I DEVOURED Storm over a couple of days after Rachael recommended it. I read late into the night and was up at 5:30am to read some more before going to work. OMG!! What can I say? I only knew one thing about this book, and am so glad that I hadn’t even read the synopsis. So much in this story led me in unexpected directions. The voice of the main character, Frances, is captured brilliantly, and made it such a brilliant, flowing read. I don’t want to say anything about the plot as it was just so wonderful to go into this book ‘blind’ and I think it made it even more enjoyable. I absolutely can’t wait to read the author’s next book, Starboard. Thank you so much Rachael for telling me to read this – I ABSOLUTELY loved it!

I think I’ll probably read A Wolf for a Spell next.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?