Squirrel and Bird are best friends even though they are opposites. Whilst Squirrel is loud and confident, Bird is quiet and shy. But the reader soon discovers that there is much more to these two woodland creatures than how they are perceived by the narrator of the story. As they get ready for a concert to which all the forest animals are invited, it quickly becomes clear that both bird and squirrel’s identities cannot be defined by a single quality and they express themselves in different ways at different times and in different situations.
I absolutely loved the muted autumnal colour palette used to create the most stunning images of the woodland and its creatures from the acorns and ladybirds to the badgers and hedgehogs. The endpapers are joyous and I have no doubt that young children will enjoy following a pictorial nature trail within them. I also loved that squirrel and bird are enjoying the creative expression that many children enjoy such as playing instruments, singing and painting as they prepare for their concert.
I also really liked the cleverness of the messages shown in the illustrations which are often in contrast to the narrator’s words, for example, telling the reader that bird prefers to sit and do nothing when bird is making a poster or stating that Squirrel has no nerves when his facial expression shows otherwise.
Whilst this story is mostly told from the narrator’s viewpoint, Bird does react to what is said and this is shown in a different font which will help young children to distinguish between the voices. I really liked that Bird is a brilliant advocate for the different aspects of personality and was able to convince the narrator to define them as not just one personality trait but as a kaleidoscope of traits.
I loved the messages about self-expression, perception of others, identity and the different traits that define someone. This story opens up a perfect opportunity to discuss these messages with young children.
A stunning and thought-provoking picture book, with the most heart-warming messages, perfect for children of 3+.
Thank you to Little Tiger to sending me a copy of this book. It was my decision to read and review and my review is my honest opinion of the book.
The Wintermoor Lights is the second classified case in The Night House Files and what a chilling, thrilling and terrifying case it turns out to be. I was absolutely hooked from start to finish and cannot recommend this series highly enough to readers of 11+.
Tara Fisher’s best friend, Zoe, has suddenly changed. Rather than hanging out with Tara and their friend Dennis, she has become friends with arch-enemy Jackie. Could this have anything to do with the mysterious lights that Zoe witnesses over Wintermoor on her way home from an early morning swim?
It is not long before more and teenagers witness the lights, often appearing in a trance-like state, and sharing that they have been ‘chosen’. Whilst Tara has the unsettling feeling that something dangerous and strange is happening, and is determined to discover the truth as she becomes increasingly isolated, parents and teachers dismiss it as a teenage prank. If only they had listened, then the children might not have started to disappear …
This is an incredibly gripping read, made even more so as it feels like these events genuinely took place thanks to the use of newspaper articles, interview transcripts, diary excerpts and a reliable narrator. Now, I wonder where the real Wintermoor is?
The illustrations are absolutely stunning and really capture both the fear and tragedy engendered in this case as well as the chilling horror visited upon Wintermoor by something … but I’ll let the reader find out the truth for themselves.
Another unmissable and compelling case from The Night House Files. And now I’m eagerly awaiting the next case: The House of Horrors, released in May 2026.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This is suitable for 11+.
Written by Darren Chetty Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat Published by Little Tiger Books
I’m Going to Make a Friend is a gorgeous hardback picture book exploring the nature of friendship and the courage it takes to find new friends when you have moved to a new neighbourhood.
A young child introduces themself as they move house, asserting that they are not afraid yet their body language shows otherwise. Whilst everyone assures them they they will make new friends, the child wonders how long this will take, and doesn’t seem at all sure of how to make these new friends.
Using an abundance of creativity and imagination, they make a friend for themself using junk modelling, showing a keen awareness of different friendship qualities and asking questions about new friends: Will my friend like noisy fun? Will they tell me lots of stories? Should they hug me when I am sad? But, can their creativity in building a friend help make a real friend?
The double meaning of ‘make a friend’ offers a perfect opportunity to explore with young children what they understand friendship to be and the qualities of a friend that are important to them. This is encouraged by the use of paired questions relating to friendship which will make it easier for them to think about and explore what is important for them, for example: Will they want to play how I want to play? Or have their own ideas? Should they hug me when I’m sad? Or give me some space?
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and really show the child’s changing emotions that sometimes seem to be at odds with the written words but not the underlying intention of the words as shown through devices such as capitalisation. I liked both that the child had the comfort of their cat travelling with them in each image as they navigated their way towards a new friend, and that there is the promise of someone else looking for a friend that perhaps the new child hasn’t yet noticed. There is so much to explore in both the images and language that will engage young children. I also really loved the change in the endpapers from those at the front of the book where the child plays alone to those at the end where a friendship has been formed.
This is an absolutely gorgeous, empathetic story for younger readers which shows the courage it takes to make a new friend when you move home, but also the joy of forming that new friendship. This will be a wonderful addition to any Reception and Key Stage 1 class library.
Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be published on 1st May.
It’s time for my November anticipated children’s book releases – a mixture of continuations of books in series I’ve loved, new books by favourite authors, and new-to-me authors whose books have caught my attention.
I’ve taken each synopsis from the Waterstones website.
Directly below was a sight none of them had ever seen before – a kind of spiral, with glowing ruby-red lights that curved outwards like tentacles. In the middle was a dark circle, inky black. It had the look of a really, really deep well. Ursula and her friends are in a race against time. The Collector has taken Stella captive, and is hungrily snatching up all the beautiful places of the world in her snow globe prisons. She needs to be stopped, but first they must find her. To aid them in their quest, the explorers seek help from new allies, including a Pirate Queen, with a ghost ship that can defy time and space, and then take to the skies in a galaxy fairy rocket. But their journey is fraught with danger, as the future of the planet hangs in the balance. Escape into a sensational world filled with space moles, sea goblins and giant sharks, all covered with a sprinkling of moon dust!
The Guardians of Magic disappeared ten years ago, leaving the Kingdom of Thrynne in the icy grip of a powerful sorceress. Most people have fled in desperate search of warmer lands, escaping the Ice Monsters that roam the streets. Meanwhile, young Tiggy Thistle lives hidden and safe with a kindly Badger until the day she meets one of the crafty Stiltskin brothers and she has to run from her happy home. So begins Tiggy’s quest to find Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba – the lost Guardians and their beautiful Cloud Horses – the only people, she believes, who can save Thrynne from the curse of endless winter.
Alfie Wright? Alfie Wrong, more like. Alfie has never really fitted in anywhere – he doesn’t have any friends, and even his mum seems embarrassed of him. So when he’s evacuated to a farm in rural Devon run by kind old Aunt Bell and her gentle giant of a son, Alfie can’t believe his luck. The War seems a long way off, and among the cows and pigs and geese Alfie’s happier than he’s ever been – especially when he makes friends with one of the local boys, Snidge. But Snidge, for all his friendliness, is not all he appears. And the mystery that surrounds him seems to be connected to the Midwinter Burning, an annual ritual held at the Standing Stones, high up on the cliffs. Aunt Bell says it’s all just a bit of harmless superstition, but when Snidge goes missing, Alfie finally discovers who his friend really is – and relives the true horror of the legend…
There is nothing more dangerous than magic… Eleven-year-old Erskin is used to danger; she lives in the shadow of Mountainfell, a place of wild creatures and dangerous magic. When the most powerful and deadly creature of all – the fearsome cloud dragon – snatches Erskin’s sister away, Erskin must face her greatest fear and journey onto the mountain to bring her back. A terrible power is stirring, and it is up to Erskin to save both her family and her home.
When Lucas and Ruby find an abandoned trunk covered in snow, Lucas says there’s bound to be a body inside. Ruby laughs but what if he’s right? Nervously she starts to open it, and immediately wishes she hadn’t. From that moment on, they’re drawn into a thrilling mystery, one that they have to solve before the falling snow smothers all trace of wrongdoing…
It’s Christmas, and eleven-year-old Lolli must return to London and break a promise she made to herself – to never again step foot in the Victorian historic house in Spitalfields managed by her family. There, Lolli must face up to what she saw in the house several years ago and make things right for two ghosts – one friendly and one decidedly not – opening her guarded heart to people in both the living and twilight worlds.
Red is a rare red dragon who lives with his Mag and Dag in a world where dragons and Uprights are sworn enemies. Then Red meets his first Upright, a girl called Lou, who is nothing like he had imagined: she’s smart, and funny … and kind! As the pair become friends, Red learns that not only can the two species live in harmony – but maybe it’s his destiny to bring them back together.
When their magician grandpa is imprisoned in a snow globe, Hedy and Spencer – with cousins Jelly and Max – go in search of a magical way to free him in the final instalment of the House on Hoarder Hill trilogy. The Spellbound Tree is the source of all magic, but to find it the talented children must fight their way through the catacombs of Paris, with the help and hindrance of ghosts and monsters … The thrilling, fantastical finale in the Hoarder Hill trilogy!
Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped. When her friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search. The world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland – and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.
When Jarell discovers that the fantasy world he is obsessed with doodling is actually real, he is launched into an incredible adventure. Ulfrika, the land of his ancestors, is in trouble and he is the hero they need. In this second book, he must return to Ulfrika to prevent the rise of the sorcerer Ikala. Kimisi takes him to the court of the river goddess and they strike a deal. If they help her by finding a cure for a terrible curse, she will give them the Iron Crocodile for the staff of Kundiata. The path ahead will not be easy. A dangerous foe lies in wait for them in this Underwater Kingdom…
Have any of these grabbed your interest? Do you have any other suggestions for November new releases?
Book Craic 