Review: Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas

*Written and illustrated by Peter Carnavas*
*Cover Design by Jo Hunt*
*Published by Pushkin Children’s Books*

Leo and Ralph is the most wonderful, heart-warming story of family and friendship, of saying goodbye and starting again, and of being given the space to reach for the stars.

Leo and his best friend Ralph are lying on a blanket in Leo’s backyard enjoying their last time together, looking at the night sky through Leo’s old telescope and talking about all the planets they’ve imagined. This is hardly surprising as they first met when Ralph flew down from one of Jupiter’s moons and decided to stay with Leo for as long as he needed him. But now he is older and his family are moving, his mum and dad think that it’s time to leave Ralph behind … but how do you leave behind a friend like Ralph?

Moving to a small country town feels wrong to Leo and he is anxious that he will not be able to make any friends, and his parents will continue to worry about him. After all, he was not able to make any friends in his last school so why should his new school be any different? Will be need to use the secret promise he made with Ralph? Or, can he find a new best friend who will accept him as he is and give him the space to be himself?

It won’t be long before someone likes the way you don’t fit.

This is a truly gorgeous story which I absolutely adored as I followed Leo on his journey to saying goodbye to one friend and taking tentative steps to finding another. I adored the gentleness of this story; the truth of the ebb and flow of friendship; the space and time needed for it to develop; and the connections and sense of belonging that come from a friendship filled with encouragement, acceptance and kindness. What a wonderful message for young children, especially those who feel like they don’t quite fit in, as they traverse their own friendships and times of change.

Leo is an incredibly likeable young boy whose anxieties and need for space to express himself have made it difficult to form friendships in school. His friendship with Ralph is joyous and comforting as they know each other perfectly which makes it all the more difficult for Leo to let go and build a new friendship. He feels like an alien in social situations, not being given what he needs in order to be able to interact with others, so when he finds someone who accepts him and gives him space to bond, it is just what he needs to help him open himself to friendship.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are beautiful and really complement the gentle, heart-warming nature of the story.

This is a gorgeously heart-warming story of family and friendship, of difference and acceptance, perfect for readers of 8+

Thank you to Pushkin Children’s Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Hunt for the Golden Scarab (Time Keys)

*Written by M.G.Leonard*
*Illustrated by Manuel Šumberac*
*Published by Macmillan Children’s Books*

Hunt for the Golden Scarab is the first book in an exciting, new time-travelling adventure series, Time Keys that swept me into a rollercoaster of an adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout – absolutely riveting!

Twelve-year-old Sim Lockier lives with his mum, Callidora, in a small attic flat attached to the Sir John Soane’s Museum where his mum is a caretaker. Whilst helping his mum clean the Museum after it has closed for the day, they are disturbed by a man and a boy who should not be there. Running from them, Sim’s mum takes him through a locked door to ask for help from the old man they meet there, telling him that hunters have found her.

The next day, his mum tells him that it is no longer safe for them in London so they have to leave and find his uncle, Emmett, an uncle that Sim has never heard of. After a dangerous journey, where they are chased by a hunter, they arrive at Emmett’s home to discover a red-haired girl, his daughter, Jeopardy.

It is not long before Sim discovers the secret that his mum has been keeping from him: she can open time doors and travel back into the past. She is being hunted by the Council of Keys, an organisation who aim to control time travel, and is convinced they will take Sim if they catch up with them. The Council is searching for an ancient artefact, the golden heart scarab of Neferiti, said to grant eternal youth. Callidora aims to thwart the Council and find the golden scarab before they can use it for any nefarious purposes.

And so begins a heart-racing, action-packed adventure as Sim, Callidora and Jeopardy find themselves heading to Egypt to hunt for the golden scarab. But they are being hunted by someone who will stop at nothing to procure the artefact for the Council. Can Sim and his friends save both themselves and the golden scarab before time runs out? Can they find a door into the past and a way to protect a precious artefact?

I absolutely loved this adventure which has plenty of danger, unexpected twists and turns and a feeling of not being sure who to trust which made it a real page turner. I adore books involving time travel and I loved the idea of a link between music and doors in time that allow those who are keys to travel through time. I also really enjoyed the Egyptian setting which is richly described and gives a wonderful insight into this fascinating time period, especially the death rituals of Pharaohs.

Sim and Jeopardy form a wonderful bond of friendship and make a fantastic team when discovering the clues that may help them foil the sinister Council stealing the golden scarab. They show great determination, astuteness and courage as they face dangers and uncover secrets of the past and present – and learn more about themselves. I’m really looking forward to joining them on their next adventure. I also really liked that this adventure has such a strong, female adult role model in Sim’s mum, Callidora, who clearly adores her son and wants to protect him, even when this means keeping secrets from him, whilst at the same time giving him the skills to defend himself should the occasion arise.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are stunning and complement this time-travelling mystery adventure perfectly.

An action-packed, exhilarating time-travelling adventure, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher, Macmillan Children’s Books, for approving me to read an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Great Theatre Rescue by Judith Eagle

The Great Theatre Rescue is a dazzlingly exciting historical adventure set in the West End in the 1930s: a real showstopper that held me utterly entranced throughout.

Twelve-year-old Charley is excited to be giving her first performance at The Wren, the smallest theatre in Soho, a place where she has grown up with the performers – her theatre family. But when the unthinkable happens and she is frozen by stage fright, she fears that her dreams of dancing on stage might never be fulfilled.

Life gets even tougher for Charley when her dad leaves to visit his poorly father and she gets sent off to a boarding school on the coast. The school is run by a cruel and unscrupulous pair who steal from and exploit the girls to line their own pockets. Charley has no intention of staying in this terrible place and is determined to make her way back to her beloved theatre …

And so begins the most incredible, action-packed adventure as Charley discovers that her beloved theatre is in danger of closing down, and is determined to make her way home to rescue the theatre before it is too late. I absolutely loved this edge-of-your-seat adventure brimming with danger, discoveries, twists and revelations. Will Charley learn the incredible truth behind the reason the theatre is in financial difficulty? Can she convince a star to help her rescue the theatre? And, can she overcome her own fear to fulfil her dreams?

I really enjoyed the intriguing mystery which runs throughout this story and loved the unravelling of clues to reveal unexpected twists and links to the past that made this a real page turner. A story of deception and betrayal with a dark and cruel villain, but also a story of hope and family pulling together when faced with adversity.

The portrayal of the world of 1930s London theatre life is absolutely wonderful and I felt happily immersed in this world with its American influences through jazz and dance styles, its colourful costumes and exuberant performances. I also really enjoyed the depiction of those who work in the theatre as a family who help and support each other.

Charley is an incredibly likeable young girl who shows great courage and determination when faced with difficult situations and decisions. She faces her fears and opens herself up to friendship even when there are barriers to overcome. I also must mention Max who is the most wonderfully loyal dog and friend to Charley – absolutely adorable!

Curtains up for a dazzling, daring adventure brimming with peril and secrets, with family and friendship, and with the most smashing ending!

Thank you to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Boy at the Window

*Written by Lucy Strange*
*Illustrated by Rohan Eason*
*Published by Barrington Stoke (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)*

The Boy at the Window is a spine-tingling, poignant gothic ghost story which held me utterly entranced from the opening line:

I first saw the ghost on a cold autumn night.

Whilst the heavy, thick fog surrounding Hugo’s home might play tricks on the imagination, Hugo is convinced that what he sees at the window is real – a real ghost boy!

Hugo lives with his mother and housekeeper after having been sent home from boarding school due to an illness. His father has been missing for over a year since the end of the war but his mother still waits for him to return home despite no news of his survival. His mother has withdrawn in to a world of her own, haunted by the loss of her husband yet unable to accept that he is gone. When a telegram arrives, she becomes even more unwell …

When Hugo continues to see the ghost boy with his haunted, hollow eyes, he has a disturbing realisation, and wonders what would happen if he lets the boy inside …

What a perfect ghost story: atmospheric, eerie and haunting. The sense of foreboding is palpable and gives the story an unsettling feeling as the thick, lingering fog clings to the house. I really liked the dual role played by the fog as its impact is felt both inside and outside the house. The use of both sounds and silences really builds the tension as do some brilliant cliffhanger chapter endings. I could really feel Hugo’s fear, loneliness and sense of isolation as his mother becomes more and more withdrawn from reality and lost from her son. The genius of this book is that it can be enjoyed as an eerie, gripping ghost story with an incredible twist by readers at the upper end of Key Stage 2, but can also be studied well in to Key Stage 3 as a masterpiece in the gothic genre with opportunities to discuss the psychology of ghost stories.

The illustrations are absolutely perfect from the swirl of fog drifting along the bottom of each page to the use of light and dark within the images to create a sense of things hidden and revealed.

A thought-provoking, powerful and haunting ghost story that will linger long after it has played its last trick … just incredible!

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 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Blog Tour: The Notwitches written by Gary Panton and illustrated by Dotty Sutton

*Written by Gary Panton*
*Illustrated by Dotty* *Sutton*
*Published by Chicken House Books*

The Notwitches is a feast of fun, heart and hope – a wonderfully wacky adventure that is guaranteed to delight young readers of 7+.

Eleven-year-old Melanda Notwitch lives with not one, not two but three absolutely awful aunts who treat her like their servant, demanding that she do all their chores including boiling notepads and cleaning toe junk from socks! Often feeling sad and upset, the only joy Melanda gets is from using her incredible imagination to write scary, spooky stories. But her cruel Aunt Claggy loves munching paper and crunching paper clips, so delights in snatching her niece’s latest story as a snack.

When the doorbell rings unexpectedly, Melanda opens it to discover an older girl – accompanied by a black cat- in an unconvincing witch costume and a false witch’s nose who gives her a piece of paper and invites her to ‘Join the Witches.’. Of course, Melanda knows she’s not supposed to be a witch, so she closes the door … but later that evening, she hears a noise from under the bed. Rolo, the black cat, has sneaked in and asks her to ‘Join the Witches.’ How can she ignore an almost-talking witch’s cat?

Melanda sneaks out with Rolo who takes her to a cottage where she meets the witch who had visited her earlier that day. Both girls are lonely and in need of a friend so, when Melanda tells Mitch about life with her appalling aunts, Mitch agrees to help her defeat these vile villains. Mitch knows a spell to get rid of the aunts … but it requires an item from a mythical creature.

And so begins the most brilliant, fast-paced, hilarious adventure as Melanda, Mitch and Rolo meet some rather unusual new friends who can help them in their mission. Biker-less bikers, mythical creatures with an unexpected twist, miserable goblins and sleep-deprived rock monsters: wacky and wonderful! Can Melanda find what she needs to defeat her aunts before they catch up with her and return her to a life of misery?

I absolutely loved this adventure which has a perfect blend of humour and heart. I adored the unexpected twists and revelations and the playfulness of the language as well as the incredibly imaginative characters. I also loved the references to the power of stories and the imagination to bring people together and to help when times are difficult.

Melanda is such a wonderful young girl. Despite how cruelly she is treated by her truly horrific aunts, she remains kind-hearted and good. She has not been allowed to go to school or to make friends, so it is wonderful to see her friendship with Mitch develop as they work together to defeat her vile aunts.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are an absolute delight and really complement the energy, humour and wackiness of this adventure.

A zany, zesty delightful adventure, brimming with humour and heart – perfectly giggle-some fun for young readers.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Blog Tour: Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno

*Written by Tracy Curran*
*Illustrated by Steve Wood*
*Published by uclanpublishing*

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno, the start of an exciting new illustrated chapter book series for younger readers of 5+ who will love learning about the work of the emergency services through this magical world of unicorns, dragons and witches. You can read my review here.

Today, I’m excited to share a post from author, Tracy Curran, talking about the books or authors that influenced her as a child.

Five Books or Authors that influenced

me as a Child …

Tracy Curran

Spot by Eric Hill

I was so young when my mum read these books to me and I just remember them
being completely joyful to read. Lots of them were interactive, with flaps to lift and
great page turns. Spot was my first introduction to a loveable and relatable character,
while his friends, Helen the hippo and Tom (I think) the crocodile, felt exciting. The
storylines were simple but reflected my own life at the time: making friends, going to
playgroup and finding lost things.

The Magic Faraway Tree and The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

I remember my Year 5 teacher throwing scorn on Enid Blyton books but, even though
they are very dated in their attitudes now, it was her books that I truly fell in love with
as a child. The Magic Faraway Tree is my all-time favourite series ever and, for me,
nothing has ever rivalled the unique characters and the immersive world-building. I
genuinely felt that Moonface and Silky were my friends and spent hours dreaming
about visiting the Land of Goodies or sliding down the slippery-slip.

As I got older, I discovered a love of adventurous mysteries and devoured The
Famous Five series. I was incredibly close to my cousins when I was growing up and,
as we spent the school holidays together in Cornwall, these characters really resonated
with me. My cousins and I would have adventures by day and curl up with the books
at night, before diving into a midnight feast!

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis

I still have my child boxset of this series but, as well as reading the books, I was a big fan
of the BBC TV adaptation. As with most people, I found The Lion, The Witch and The
Wardrobe the most iconic, with the White Witch and her Turkish delight but I also loved
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair. I read all of the books with my
mum, except perhaps The Horse and His Boy, and I was aware of some of the analogies
that existed between the stories and The Bible. Having said that, I think The Last Battle
went over my head and I’d like to re-read it one day.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

I couldn’t decide whether to include The Worst Witch or Stig of the Dump by Clive
King here but, although they were both iconic reads, I think The Worst Witch had a
bigger lasting impact on me. In fact, I recently read the original book again and loved
it as much as when I was in primary school. Mildred and Miss Hardbroom were
iconic characters for me – a girl who didn’t quite fit in and kept on getting things
wrong versus a strict and severe teacher. Mildred was a loveable ally and made me
feel better if I messed up. The animals also added an extra layer of fun and delight.
The atmospheric setting and descriptions definitely inspired my love of witch stories.

The Classics: A Little Princess, Heidi and Pollyanna

I often attribute my love of reading to my dad but I actually owe a big thanks to my
mum for reading the classics (and lots of other stories) to me. I’d forgotten how much
we actually read together and she opened my eyes to a lot of stories that I probably
wouldn’t have managed to read by myself. The ones which have particularly stayed
with me are A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Heidi by Johanna Spyri
and Pollyanna by Elenor H. Porter. All of these are wonderful stories and the three
heroines – who each go through some very tough times – greatly influenced my
outlook on life. Their strength, outlook and positivity really struck a chord with me
and I still sometimes find myself playing Pollyanna’s ‘Glad Game’ or finding ways to
talk myself through difficult situations like Sara. Also, the descriptions of the Alps and
the thick slabs of cheese and creamy goat’s milk in Heidi are just dreamy.

Thank you so much to Tracy for sharing her favourite books and authors that influenced her as a child.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Review: Shadowhall Academy: Ghost Story Society

*Written by Phil Hickes*
*Cover illustration by Keith Robinson*
*Published by Usborne*

Shadowhall Academy: Ghost Story Society is the second spooky adventure in the Shadowhall Academy series which opened with The Whispering Walls. This is such a welcome return to Shadowhall Academy where the ever-curious and determined Lilian finds herself immersed in another spine-tingling mystery … a creepy, chilling adventure that kept me utterly gripped from start to finish.

It’s midwinter and the start of a new term at Shadowhall Academy. Lilian and her friends, Serena, Marion and Angela are sneaking out of their room to attend a secret meeting in the library: the inaugural meeting of the Shadowhall Ghost Story Society. But what should have been deliciously, spooky fun turns into something much more menacing when an uninvited guest tells a truly terrifying tale … a dark tale from the academy’s past involving the manifestation of secrets entrusted to a sinister book.

Where there’s a mystery waiting to be solved, there’s Lilian determined to unravel it. Following a trail of clues soon leads Lilian and her friends to the drama room and the discovery of an ancient book: could this be the book which captures secrets in its whispering pages? What better way to prove if this is the book of secrets than to give it one? Despite her unease, Lily is determined to uncover the truth so she writes a secret and places it in the book …

And so begins a truly spine-tingling mystery as Lilian and her friends battle against an adversary intent on bringing their deepest secrets and nightmares to life. Could Lilian have unwittingly put her friends lives in danger? Can she find a way to outsmart an adversary that holds the knowledge of secrets and is prepared to use them against Lilian and her friends?

I absolutely loved the blend of eighties boarding school life with a chilling, creepy mystery which felt deliciously unsettling. This is an absolute page-turner that had me on the edge of my seat and gasping at some of the twists, cliffhangers and revelations as the danger intensified. There are some genuinely scary and jumpy moments, especially when secrets revealed relate to your own fears. I was absolutely gripped by the piecing together of the clues from the past to discover whether the book of secrets held real power. I loved the feeling of time running out as danger moved inexorably closer, wondering if the friends would be able to extricate themselves before it is too late … genuinely heart-pounding moments!

A firm friendship has developed between Lilian, Serena, Marian and Angela but will it be able to withstand Lilian’s determination to solve the mystery despite the increasing danger? Will they continue to support each other when their friendship is put to the test?

A superbly sinister mystery guaranteed to bring frissons of fear to those brave enough to open the pages and discover its secrets … perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Jessica Feichtlbauer and Usborne for sending me a copy of Shadowhall Academy in exchange for my honest opinion.

January 2025 Wrap-Up

Wow – why is January always such a long month. Arriving at work in the dark and getting home in the dark doesn’t help! It has however been a good reading month! I’m still loving reading middle-grade but it’s also been good to get to some more adult books this month.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 16 books this month: 3 adult books and 13 middle-grade. Highlights for me were Sword of the Sun (middle-grade) and Weyward (adult).

NetGalley:

I have four books on my Netgalley shelf but have managed to resist requesting any in January. My feedback ratio is at 97% .

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 9 books by publishers this month.

Books Bought:

I have bought 6 books this month.

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

Review: Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno

Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno is the start of an exciting new illustrated chapter book series for younger readers of 5+ who will love learning about the work of the emergency services through this magical world of unicorns, dragons and witches.

Firefighter Blaze has returned to the Unicorns in Uniforms’ headquarters with her mischievous emergency vehicle, Quench, who enjoys soaking others, including Blaze, at every opportunity. Just as she is getting ready to have some lunch, two playful young dragons cause mayhem before being sent home by Blaze after a warning to take care with flames …

But it is not long before Blaze gets an emergency call telling her that the young dragons have accidentally set fire to Witchy Wood. Blaze and Quench race to help save the witches, wizards and fairies who are trying to escape the inferno. But when they meet young witch, Jinx, and she decides to help with some magic, her spells cause even more trouble … Can Blaze and Quench get everyone to safety and save the wood before it is destroyed?

This action-packed adventure has just the right amount of peril for young readers as Blaze co-ordinates the rescue mission and shows real courage, determination and quick-thinking in saving everyone and dealing with unexpected problems. This wonderfully exciting story is a great way for young readers to learn about the role of the emergency services and the team work involved in helping with disasters. I have no doubt that they will adore this adventure set in the magical world of The Sunshine Realm where magical creatures cause chaos and where unicorns come to help those in need. I really liked the camaraderie and friendship between the unicorns as they support each other through the emergency situations.

Lots of young children are fascinated by learning facts so I really liked that there is a section at the end of the book which shares details about real fire engines.

The full-coloured illustrations are absolutely gorgeous – vibrant, expressive and energetic – and complement the story perfectly.

A fantastic start to this delightful, new adventure series for young readers of 5+ who I have no doubt will be eager to go on more rescue missions with the Unicorns in Uniforms.

Thank you to Graeme Williams and uclan publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blog Tour: All Brains are Wonderful written by Scott Evans and illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond

All Brains are Wonderful is an inclusive guide to help children talk about their brain power – and what a brilliantly informative and much-needed book this is! Perfect for both class and school libraries and for parents to use as a guide for young children to help understand and celebrate the diverse ways brains work and the unique way in which their own brain works.

The book is divided in to three sections focusing on science, society and taking action, each with clear explanations and lots of bright, fun illustrations and diagrams to aid understanding.

Science: Children are going to be utterly fascinated by some of the facts in this section from brain size comparison with other animals, how their brain begins, how it controls their body, how it helps them to understand the world, how they can train their brain and the challenges they may face. I really liked the analogies which helps with understanding alongside the illustrations and labelled diagrams. I also liked that children are not ‘talked down to’ but are given the correct scientific terminology alongside labelled diagrams to aid understanding.

Society: This sections focusses on the uniqueness of our brains and shares how neurodivergent people’s brains often work differently, helping young children who may be neurodivergent to understand why they may think, learn, communicate and process information differently but also emphasising that their neurodivergence is a special and unique part of them. I think any text that helps children – and adults- understand others encourages empathy and inclusion. The sections on discrimination and the importance of word choice when talking about neurodivergence will help children understand the importance of being inclusive and challenging stereotypes.

Taking Action: This section focusses on ways that children can ask for help from others when needed and also ways in which they can keep their minds healthy and happy. I loved the Mindful Maintenance section which is such a brilliant way to share with young readers ways to look after their unique and wonderful brains. The final section on What Can You Do? really empowers children to celebrate differences, to question and challenge stereotypes and bullying and to show empathy towards others through knowledge, acceptance and understanding.

This is an incredibly engaging, uplifting book that addresses young readers directly, helping them focus on their own unique brains. There are so many positive and empowering messages within the book that I really hope young readers take on board as they grow and develop their wonderful brains. I absolutely loved the message about being curious, asking questions and being a critical learner as they grow into their own person. Many young learners fear failure so it is wonderful to see a strong message about mistakes being stepping stones to success. I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power and I think that reading this book will really empower both children and adults to understand neurodivergence, recognise and challenge stereotypes and discrimination and develop empathy.

As a teacher, I think that All Brains are Wonderful is a much-needed and brilliantly informative, engaging read for both adults and children. It provides a perfect opportunity to open up discussion about neurodiversity and mental health issues. This is a book I cannot recommend highly enough to both class and school libraries, and to parents who want a book to help them open up a conversation about neurodivergence with their child.

Who’s behind the book?

Scott Evans is a neurodivergent primary school teacher, reading for pleasure adviser and enthusiast, and the children’s books consultant, content creator, critic and influencer, also known as The Reader Teacher.

The Boy Fitz Hammond is an illustrator who lives in Edinburgh. He has worked with various clients including Oxfam, Shelter, BBC, Honda, Microsoft and the Barclays Premier Leage.

Dr Rachel Williams is a neuroscientist researching the science of the senses, currently focussed on hearing. Rachel has featured on broadcast, live and live-streamed events for clients including the BBC, Wellcome Collection and Cheltenham Science Festival.

Thank you to b small publishing for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion. You can check the other posts at: