Thank you to Mikka at Everything With Words for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour for Small Bites Back. Today, I am excited to share a wonderful post from Hannah Moffatt:  Why humour’s a great empathy-builder. I’m also sharing my review of this fang-tastically brilliant story!

Why humour’s a great empathy-builder

by Hannah Moffatt

When I wrote SMALL BITES BACK, I loved challenging fantasy stereotypes:
· Vampires survive on a diet of blood.
· Vampires burn in the sun.
· Vampires are bad. Tooth fairies are good.
In SMALL BITES BACK (spoiler alert!) none of these are true. As a writer, flipping the script is fun. For readers, it’s a chance to flip their own thinking, too.
That’s one of the great things about comedy, and a reason I think funny books are so important: they encourage young readers to grow into open-minded adults.
After all, humour helps us question power – just look how often comedians use it to take swipes at politicians. And comedy plays on surprise, by deliberately not giving you the answers your brain is wired to expect. My boss loves telling us about the vicar in the town where he grew up. Specifically, he likes telling us about the names the vicar chose for his sons: Matthew, Mark, Luke … and Derek. Everyone laughs at the story. But just because we expect the last name to be John, doesn’t make it true. People can surprise us – if we give them the chance.
In SMALL BITES BACK, swamp creatures have grown up believing the tooth fairies’ warnings that they should stay away from the vampire dentists. Harvey has grown up assuming if he ever encountered a vampire, it would bite him. But as the story goes on, Harvey gradually comes to understand the vampires’ world and challenge his assumptions.
In stories humour doesn’t just surprise us, it builds empathy. It teaches readers to question their thinking and see things from fresh points of view – whether those are the views of a vampire dentist or the wobbly new kid who’s just arrived in your class.
I really hope the stereotype switch ups I’ve made in my stories make readers smile. But more than that, I hope they get children questioning the stories they tell themselves about other people. Who knows; that new kid who looks or acts different to you, might just end up being your best friend…

Review

Small! was one of my absolute favourite reads of last year, so I was very excited to see that Harvey is back in Small Bites Back, and what a fang-tastically playful, gigglesome and heart-warming treat it is!   This can be read as a standalone, but I have no doubt that readers who haven’t already met Harvey will be grabbing a copy of Small! for a giant treat after reading his latest adventure!

Harvey has now been accepted at Madame Bogbrush’s School for Giants – even if he’s not actually a giant – but, he is the new Chosen One, responsible for saving his classmates from grave danger – like not having their homework done!  Harvey is worried that even more serious trouble will find him, and he’s not wrong!  Well, I mean, being confronted by zombie clowns is – probably – more dangerous than facing Madame Bogbrush with an excuse for not having homework done. 

The clowns have been sent by the Unspeakable Circus’ Ring Mistress to take Norma Enormous and Twinkle, the football-loving Skelephant to perform there.  Oh, and she wants Harvey too!  If they don’t go, she has threatened to set zombie lions on the school.  Norma and Twinkle have signed Never-Ending Contracts which cannot be broken – or can they?  Could the bite marks that Harvey has spotted be a clue to breaking them, and freeing his friends? 

So begins the MOST brilliant, fast-paced, laugh-until-your-belly-aches adventure as Harvey and his best friend, Walloping Toenail, find themselves heading into the mountains to find a dentist.  And, oh my, do they find a dentist!  Viscount Bloodsucker, who has a penchant for black hair dye and sparkling teeth, runs the Happy Fang Dental Surgery.  Oh, by the way – he’s a VAMPIRE!  But these vampires are more interested in blood oranges and convincing the other creatures of the Stinking Sinking Swamp that dental check-ups are important -if only others would visit them and take their oral hygiene seriously! Overcoming his fear, Harvey asks for help from the vampires.  Can they assist him in locating the source of the bite mark to break the never-ending contracts and save his friends?  Can Harvey outsmart the Ring Mistress before he becomes a zombie lion meal?

Oh my goodness!  This really is the most wonderful adventure, brimming with everything to delight young (and older) readers!  Giggles galore, twists and turns, danger, and astonishing revelations not to mention trouble-making tooth fairies, zombie lions and werewolves!    I loved the inclusion of Bonnie Bonbon’s Vampire Surveillance Reports, Clot’s apprentice notes, the chapter headings, the use of capitalisation and bold text, all of which will appeal to young readers.  And Chapter 4 – genius!   I also adored the many wonderfully warm and sometimes ever-so-slightly yucky illustrations sprinkled throughout the text which complement the story perfectly. 

I adored being back with Harvey and his friends, especially the wonderfully loyal Walloping Toenail who overcomes his own fears to support his friend. I also enjoyed the development of his new friendship with apprentice dentist Clot. Harvey feels the weight of expectation from his parents and school, but proves himself to be a wonderful friend who faces his fears with courage, and whose own kindness brings out the best in others.  As he learns more about the vampires, Harvey finds himself challenging the stereotypes he has, and by doing so, opens himself up to a new friendship. 

Small Bites Back sparkles with friendship and warmth, guaranteed to bring jaw-aching grins of delight to young readers of 7+. 

Thank you to Mikka at Everything With Words for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on this fang-tastic Blog Tour :

Thank you to Little Tiger for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour for this stunning book. Today, I am excited to share a wonderful post from Sophie Cameron where she shares her Top 10 Spanish snacks – I just need a trip to Spain to try them out! I’m also sharing my review of this exceptional story.

Top 10 Spanish snacks by Sophie Cameron

My new book Away With Words is about an 11-year-old girl, Gala, who moves from Spain to Scotland to live with her dad and his boyfriend. Gala is initially very homesick, and amongst the many things she misses from Spain are the snacks and sweets. I’ve lived in Spain for almost seven years, so for me it’s the other way around (I have a sweet tooth and there are times I would pay ridiculous amounts of money for a Creme Egg) but I’ve come to enjoy a lot of Spanish snacks too. Here’s my top ten, in no particular order – look out for them next time you’re in Spain!

(Just to note, some of these aren’t exclusive to Spain and are also popular in South America, the Philippines or other parts of the world.)

1. Flaó. This is a type of cheesecake from Ibiza and Formentera, made with goat’s cheese and peppermint. (I’ve been told it has to be peppermint, not spearmint – just FYI for anyone who wants to try making it.) I’m not really a cheesecake fan but I find this delicious.

2. Kikos Gigantes. These are large grains of corn, fried or toasted and covered with lots of salt. I’ve spotted the regular-size ones in the UK, but I’m not sure you can get the giant ones.

3. “Campesina” crisps. Spanish supermarkets don’t have the wide variety of crisp flavours that their UK counterparts offer, but they do have the excellent “campesina” – this means “rural” or “country”, and they’re flavoured with tomatoes, onion, garlic and paprika.

4. ColaCao. This is a type of powdered chocolate drink that you can mix with hot or cold milk, famed for its “grumos” – the little lumps of powder that don’t dissolve properly, which are the best bit, in my opinion.

5. Ensaïmadas. This pastry is originally from Mallorca, and is shaped in a spiral with lots of powdered sugar on top. Gala’s step-dad, Ryan, attempts to make them from her in Away With Words, but he doesn’t get them quite right!

6. Coca. Coca is a type of pastry that’s popular in Catalonia and various other regions of Spain, with a base and toppings, rather like pizza. There are lots of varieties, either sweet or salty – I like “coca de sofrito”, which is made with onions and peppers and is typical of the Balearic Islands, and “coca de chocolate”.

7. Palmeras. These originate from France and are made and sold in lots of different countries – where they’re also referred to as pig’s ears, little hearts or eyeglasses – but they’re so ubiquitous in Spain that I can’t help but think of them as Spanish too. They’re made from puff pastry and covered in sugar or chocolate. 

8. Pipas. Pipas are sunflower seeds, which are of course sold in lots of places, but Spain seems to have a wider range and I’ve heard many Spanish people lament that they’re just not the same abroad. I like BBQ flavour best but you can also get salted, bacon, ketchup…

9. Turrón. This is a Spanish staple at Christmas – a type of nougat made of honey or sugar, eggs and almonds or other nuts. There are dozens of different types, from raspberry and pistachio to crème brûlée or rum and raisin. As I said, I have a sweet tooth but even I have a pretty low limit on how much turrón I eat, as it’s extremely sweet.

10. Dinosaurus biscuits. These are my kids’ favourites but I end up eating them, too, much to their dismay. They’re biscuits shaped like dinosaurs but are weirdly delicious, salty and buttery at the same time.

Thank you to Sophie for sharing these delights. They all sound absolutely delicious – my very sweet tooth is calling out for turrón!

Review

Away With Words is a truly exceptional story that completely gripped me:  a story of family and friendship, of finding a way to be listened to and heard, and of the power of language. 

Gala has moved with her dad from their home in Cadaqués in Spain to Fortrose in Scotland to live with her dad’s boyfriend, Ryan.  Gala did not have a choice in the move and does not want to be there.  She misses her old life, desperate to return to her friends, her flat, her grandmother and to be herself again.  On her first day at her new school, she feels overwhelmed and lonely, barely understanding any of the words that fall from the mouths of those around her, as she is learning to speak English. 

Gala lives in a world where words appear physically as they are spoken and where colours and fonts reflect emotions and give insight into their owner.  Whilst most people ignore the fallen words as they are swept away or fade after a few days, Gala is surprised to find a girl taking someone else’s words.  She discovers that this girl is Natalie who shares that she has an anxiety disorder, selective mutism, which means that she is unable to speak in school.

The girls find ways to communicate, and soon become firm friends.  Natalie is an avid reader of words, and saves the words she collects that others have so easily created, using them to write poetry. When Natalie gives Gala a poem that she has written for her using the words she has gathered from her word-searching, they have a profound effect on Gala, having the power to make her feel better.  The girls decide to write poems and secretly leave them for others who are in need of cheering up.  This has the desired effect until someone else starts sending messages that are full of meanness … can Gala and Natalie prove that they are not behind the nasty messages … can they find a way to communicate which will allow them to be truly listened to and heard?

This is an incredible story that captured me wholeheartedly.  I was completely fascinated by the concept of words manifesting physically, and even more so by the associated synaesthetic perceptions.  The friendship which develops between Gala and Natalie is just gorgeous and I loved how they took risks and supported each other, but also how they reached out to others who they sensed were hurting too. 

Words hold such power – the power to hurt and to heal, to blame and to free, and to hide and reveal.  The courage and strength that both girls show as they unite to fight to have their truth heard brought tears – I found the imagery used beautifully poignant and it is something I will never forget. This is a powerful, thought-provoking and moving story that certainly does have a magical way with words.  A must-read for those of 11+.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

My Name is Sunshine Simpson is a beautifully heartfelt, humorous and moving story of family, friendship and community:  a story of finding your voice, a story of acceptance and a story of celebration. 

10-year-old Sunshine Simpson has spent the year getting to know new girl, Evie, after being assigned as her buddy when she joined Beeches Primary at the start of the year. She feels that they have become friends, with common interests; however, Evie seems to be becoming increasingly mean towards Sunshine, disguising her meanness behind a smile and humour, whilst projecting herself as the perfect student.  Whilst Evie shines brightly, Sunshine feels like she is fading into the background … 

Beeches Primary is celebrating its Golden Jubilee with each class hosting an assembly for their parents at the end of the summer term.  Miss Peach, Sunshine’s teacher, tells the class that their presentations will be entitled:  And this is why X is important to me.  Sunshine is disheartened and feels like she will have nothing of interest to present, nor does she like being centre stage as she is worried that she will make a fool of herself.

If anyone can make Sunshine feel brighter, it is her larger-than-life Grandad who always knows just what to say to make her feel better, and stronger.  He is encouraging, supportive and an absolute joy to be around:  he’s her biggest cheerleader when she needs picking up, and gives the BEST advice which is so empowering.  But something is not right with her Grandad … he is taking day time naps, and is getting weaker … are her parents keeping something from her?

My heart went out to Sunshine as she deals with a tricky friendship at school, with the pressure she has put on herself, with the stress of having to perform in her school assembly and with changes at home.  Will Sunshine find her voice, her pride and her confidence, despite all the things that are going wrong in her life?  I absolutely adored Sunshine who is an incredibly likeable young girl:  warm, honest and kind-hearted, but struggling to believe in herself, and losing her self-confidence.  She is not perfect, and makes mistakes, which she accepts and learns from, and I think this fallibility makes her even more endearing.  This is a story that will resonate with many young readers and will encourage empathetic discussions about belonging, identity, friendships and family.

It is so wonderful to see the loving, close relationships within Sunshine’s family, including her extended family.  The twinzies, Peter and Lena, are absolutely adorable. Her parents, and Grandad, offer such great life-affirming advice and encourage Sunshine to believe in herself, and find her path.  Grandad Bobby is the most amazing role model for Sunshine, having come from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation, and made a life for himself and his family in England whilst celebrating his heritage, and grabbing the adventures that life has to offer. 

This is a story that shines brightly and warms the heart!  It is both poignant and uplifting and sings a song of being proud of who you are, and finding the courage to be yourself.  I cannot recommend this gorgeous book enough – perfect for readers of 9+ – and definitely one for school and class libraries.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne Publishing for a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m reading The Magic Hour which I’m absolutely loving. I’m loving the style with the very present narrator and am fascinated by where this story will take me. I’m also listening to The Day No One Woke Up which is absolutely gripping. The only other book I’ve read by the same author is Boy in the Tower which is also sci-fi.

I finished Legends and Lattes which was just so brilliant – I loved the community that built around the coffee shop and the brilliant group of characters. So looking forward to Bookshops and Bonedust! I also finished Ghostlight which is a brilliantly tense ghost story that completely gripped me. I also read Away with Words which I loved. I’ll be posting my review as part of the Blog Tour later this week.

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Jenny Pearson, so I’m hoping to read The Boy Who Made Monsters next – and I expect there’ll be tears!

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

The Kingdom Over the Sea is a stunning, powerful and magical adventure that completely enthralled me from the fast-paced, intriguing prologue to the wonderful ending which makes me desperate for more from this world.

Grieving the recent loss of her mother, Yara finds a letter from her, with a strange set of instructions, telling her that she must return to the city of her birth, Zehaira, a place that is not on any map and one that Yara has never heard of.  Yara decides to follow the instructions, and finds herself in a city with golden domes where she can understand the language, a language which her mother had taught her. 

It is not long before Yara discovers that the world her mother has sent her to is not the world that she left 12 years before.  Magic has been outlawed and the Sultan’s alchemists have risen in power, determined to wipe out any trace of magic and destroy those who wield it – the sorcerers.  Will Yara be able to find a place to belong in this new world?  Can she discover the secrets of her past?  Will she be able to find a way to save the sorcerers from their usurpers?

What an incredible adventure this is!  Exciting, fast-paced, and brimming with danger, plots and secrets hidden just out of reach.  Sorcerers, alchemists, jinn not to mention flying carpets, hidden hideouts and elemental magic … perfect!

Yara is the most amazing young girl with incredible inner strength which makes her courageous, and determined to stand up for what she believes is right, even when this means breaking the rules or facing terrible danger.  I love the bond she forms with Ajal (who is the most wonderful character) as well as her friendship with Mehnoor and Rafi who prove loyal and supportive friends. 

This is an absolutely mesmerising, magical adventure, but is one which doesn’t shy away from dealing with themes such as prejudice and persecution fuelled by hatred, fear and power.  This makes it a really powerful read, and one which opens lots of opportunity for discussion.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning and complement this magical adventure perfectly.

A truly breath-taking, magical read, with family, friendship and hope at its heart, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Today, I’m delighted to share the gorgeous cover image for the exciting conclusion to The Lucky Diamond trilogy: The Great Forest by Valinora Troy. The cover art is by Phan Duy.

The Great Forest follows on from The Lucky Diamond and Revenge of Queen Rose.

Synopsis:

“Everything here hates you. The trees long to consume you, the ground to swallow you, the plants to poison you, and as for the creatures who live here… Your only chance of survival is to do exactly as I say. Clear?”

Twins Cathy and Alan are thrilled to be asked by the king of the Diamonds to enter the Great Forest on their eleventh birthday to complete the cleansing of the land. After all, Queen Rose is dead and all darkness gone from the trees. But when their home is attacked by a horde of vicious boars, and Alan and Cathy are unwillingly taken to the Great Forest, the twins realise that evil remains there. Now they are faced with a terrible choice: escape from their captors and take their chances at survival, or find out who is waiting for them in the centre of the forest, and why?

Cathy and Alan are about to face the deadliest battle of their lives, against the forest, the monsters, … and each other.

This exciting finale to the series will be published on 21^st June. The ebook is currently available here for pre-order at a special price of .99 cent/.99 pence.

About the Author:

About the Author:

Valinora Troy has been writing since she was a child. Her first story popped into her head when she was 5 or 6, about a little girl who found a magic diamond. Recently she completed a M.A. in Creative Writing, specialising in Children & Young Adult fiction. Her short stories for adults have appeared in numerous venues. She has also served as a panellist for the CYBILS award, visits schools and libraries, and occasionally run writing classes for talented young authors. She hails from Blackrock, Co Louth, Ireland, and after living in Dublin for a number of years, recently returned to Louth to live in a magical writing cottage. Find out more at Valinora Troy – Children’s Fantasy Writer.

I’m almost finished Legends and Lattes and have really enjoyed this. I love that Viv’s visit to a goblin coffee shop has led to her fulfilling her own dream. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out perfectly for her. I’m about three quarters of the way through listening to the audiobook of Ghostlight which is just incredible. This is brilliantly scary and tense. Just as I thought things might work out ok for Gabe and his friends, the plot took an unexpected twist and now I don’t know if they’ll all be ok, so not sure what to expect, but am desperate to find out. I’ve just started Away with Words which is so different to anything I’ve read before, but I think it’s one I’m going to enjoy, and learn from!

I read Emba Oak and the Beckoning Bones which is the second in this wonderfully heart-warming and humorous adventure: I have posted my review. I also read My Name is Sunshine which I absolutely loved. It brought smiles and tears. I am currently writing my review. I also read The Kingdom Over the Sea which was exactly the kind of adventure I enjoy. I really liked the fantasy element with sorcerers and alchemists and loved the elemental magic, but I also enjoyed the underlying themes rooted in the modern world. I have almost finished my review! Finally, I devoured Small Bites Back and loved being back with Harvey and his giant friend, Walloping Toenail as they try to save their friends from a never-ending contract performing in the Unspeakable Circus, not to mention the school being over run with zombie lions. This is a joy of a story: playful, genuinely funny with gorgeous friendships. I will be posting my review as part of the upcoming Blog Tour later this month.

I’ve had a proof of this on my TBR for a while now, and it’s one I’ve really been looking forward to, so I’m aiming to get to it over the weekend!

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

This feels like it has been a good reading month. I’ve had the Easter holidays which meant more physical copies read, but less audiobooks as I only listen to them when driving to and from work.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 20 books this month (I think this is the most I’ve read in a month!): 16 physical, 3 e-books and 1 audiobook. I’ve also read another 5 books from my Beat the Backlist Challenge (33 left!):

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 6 books by Publishers this month.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 97%. In April, I requested and was approved to read three books. I have already read two of them: Jodie and The Silver Road.

Books bought:

This has been a quiet buying month for me: I’ve only bought 6 books!

How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these? Have you any of them on your TBR?

Emba Oak and the Beckoning Bones is the second thrilling, action-packed adventure in this fantastic series which starts with Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows.   

Rather than being able to rest after their long journey home – from defeating the evil sorcerer Necromalcolm – Emba, Odolf and Fred discover that there are intruders, and a red crack has appeared in the sky:  a warning that danger is not far away.  When they enter the cave, they discover that their home has been wrecked, but luckily the Tome of Terrible Tomorrows has not been taken.  Worried that intruders in their home means that the threat from Necromalcolm has not gone, they decide to consult the Tome for a helpful prophecy.  It rather cryptically points them towards the legend of a hidden crypt holding lost treasure in the Petrified Peaks …

And so begins another fast-paced, exciting adventure as the trio find themselves on a quest to find the missing treasure, a quest that takes them to both scary and friendly places, but where trouble is never far away.   As if facing the dangers presented by these places wasn’t enough, they fear that they are being followed.  Could Necromalcolm’s henchmen be on their trail?  Will they reach the Petrified Peaks safely and, if so, what awaits them there?  And why are Emba’s dreams being haunted by beckoning dragon bones – do they mean harm or help?

I loved the twists and turns as the trio ventured into danger and discoveries with an ending that has made me desperate to find out what happens next.  There are so many brilliant locations visited which are all so aptly named from the Screeching Swamp to the Stone Circle of Certain Doom to the Pretty Pond of Peace and Pleasantness.  There are also some really rather terrifying creatures and some not-quite-so-terrifying creatures, especially a certain buzzing wasp-snake with a penchant for lizards.  I also really enjoyed the camaraderie and humour between Emba, Odolf and Fred and loved how familiar their relationships felt to me which made this such a delight of a story, and is one of the reasons I love books in series.

I absolutely loved following this daring, loyal and courageous trio who might not always agree, but who always look out for each other.  I adored the loving relationship between Fred and Emba with Fred always being quick to reassure Emba when she questions herself.  Odolf is a wonderfully loyal and supportive friend who is not scared to share his suspicions with Emba, even when this causes issues in their friendship.  Emba is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is facing both emotional and physical changes which she doesn’t fully understand.  She fights to control the dragon fury which burns within her, a fury which can both cause harm and protect.  Emba knows she is different and, when she meets another who readily accepts, and even seems to admire, her differences, she is keen to develop a new friendship, despite her friend’s apprehension.    

An absolutely fantastic, fast-paced adventure, brimming with humour, heart and friendship, sure to captivate young readers of 9+. 

Thank you to Maverick Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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!

Rebecca Strand was sixteen the first time she saw her father kill a ghost. She was woken by a hand on her shoulder, and opened her eyes to Papa’s face, flickering in the glow of his lantern. He held out her shawl and said, “Get up. I need your help.”

Any ideas?

This is my current audiobook, and I’m absolutely engrossed.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Rebecca Strand was just sixteen when she and her father fell to their deaths from the top of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. Just how they fell—or were they pushed?—remains a mystery. And their ghosts haunt the lighthouse to this day. . . . Gabe tells this story every day when he gives the ghost tour on Toronto Island. He tries to make it scary enough to satisfy the tourists, but he doesn’t actually believe in ghosts—until he finds himself face to face with Rebecca Strand. The true story of her death is far more terrifying than any ghost tale Gabe has told. Rebecca reveals that her father was a member of the Order, a secret society devoted to protecting the world from “the wakeful and wicked dead”—malevolent spirits like Viker, the ghost responsible for their deaths. But the Order has disappeared, and Viker’s ghost is growing ever stronger. Now Gabe and his friends must find a way to stop Viker before they all become lost souls. . . .