Review: Find Peace in a Poem

Find Peace in a Poem is a beautiful illustrated collection of poetry celebrating mindfulness. It includes a wide range of much-loved and brand-new poems which are perfect for both reading aloud, or curling up alone to enjoy.

Each of the twenty poems are presented on a single or double page with gorgeous, vibrant illustrations which will help bring the poem to life for readers, and will spark curiosity and reflection.

The poems centre on a range of experiences in an imaginative way, all focussing on aspects of mindfulness from living in the moment, expressing thoughts through art, noticing the things around us to help deal with emotions and finding an inner calmness.

In ‘You Are Here’ the familiar idea of a map of a town is inverted into a map of a person’s day allowing them to reflect in the simple and memorable moments. ‘The Ink Cure’ reminds the reader of dealing with sad emotions by expressing themselves through art such as doodling. ‘Listening for Silence’ addresses the importance of noticing the silences in the noise of everyday life.

I must admit that my two favourite poems in this collection, The Colours of My Dreams and The Magic Box, are ones I’ve used with my classes and both focus on the senses and imagery, using them in the most creative and beautiful way.

I loved being introduced to both familiar and new poems and felt that all of these are perfect to help take a pause from the stresses of everyday life.

This is a powerful, stunning collection of poetry for everyone , each one offering a unique insight into mindfulness, allowing readers an opportunity to listen, reflect and dream.

Thank you to Little Tiger for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? by Brooke Barker

Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a book entitled: How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? and this one is an absolute feast of fun and facts where the scientists who study animals share what they have learned about a brilliant selection of animals.

The book starts with some favourite animal facts and asks where these facts come from. I can see children quickly becoming immersed in sharing their favourite animal facts, before learning that these facts often come from scientists. And the interjections by the animals will bring immediate giggles!

It then introduces a series of scientists and the animals which they study with an illustration of the scientist and animal. There are gorgeous illustrations of the animals, lots of fascinating facts and colourful graphic novel style illustrations with hilarious callouts which are guaranteed to bring giggles.

Learn about how meerkats communicate, find out about the discovery of a new ocean species, and learn whether or not primates get grossed out. Did you know that crows remember human faces? Or that gars look the same today as they did when the Tyrannosaurus rex was live? Have you ever wondered how roosters know it is morning? Or that jaguars love the smell of perfume? Every animal chosen makes utterly fascinating reading, and I can absolutely see children wanting to find out more, not just about the animal, but about the scientists who study them. Perfect for STEM education.

What a fantastic way to make learning fun, memorable and engaging, and to introduce the world of animal scientists to children. I think this book is a wonderful introduction not only to some amazing animals, but also to some brilliant scientists and the lengths they will go to in order to learn more about the animals they study. Anyone for peeing in a bottle? How about getting stuck in deep mud? Or making fake poo? And have you ever tried to suck up an insect through a pooter? I love that children will get to see these scientists as real people who loved animals as children and who followed their dreams of studying animals as their career.

And, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? Read this fascinating, hilarious book to discover the answer to this, and many other intriguing questions about the incredible animals we share this wonderful planet with. This is a book that should be in every school library, and is a teacher’s dream for engaging children in purposeful, fun learning!

Thank you to Faber Children’s Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

BEAT THE BACKLIST READING CHALLENGE 2024

I took part in this Challenge last year and thought it was a great way to focus me on reading backlist titles that have been on my bookshelves for a while. Whilst I didn’t meet my target of 55 books, I did read 42 and am going to add the ones I didn’t get to on to this year’s challenge.

The Beat the Backlist Challenge is in its eighth year and was started by Austine Decker. Details of how to take part are on the blog but the rules are simple:

The book must have been published in 2023 or earlier.
You have to start and finish the book in 2024.
And that’s it!

The 2024 challenge runs from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024.

My target for this year is 46 middle-grade books.

The first 13 are the books I didn’t get to last year:

The next 33 are the books I bought last year, but which I haven’t read yet:

I’m hoping that I can meet the challenge this year – as well as reading lots of new releases this year!

WWW Wednesday

I’m aiming to read more adult books this year, so I’ve just started The Bone Season which I think I’m going to really like.

I’ve finished Bookshops & Bonedust which I absolutely loved – definitely a cosy fantasy read with a bookshop at its centre bringing people together – perfect! I’m really hoping that there will be more from Viv. I also finished listening to Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star which was a fantastic adventure with such a strong group of wonderful characters. I’m looking forward to the next one in this series. I’ve also finished reading Dreamstalkers: The Night Train which is being released in February. It was a wonderful read with fantastic world-building, a fascinating and intricate premise and a brilliant, fallible protagonist. I will be posting my review shortly.

I’m hoping to read The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts next.

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

Graphic Novel Review: Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey

*Written and Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey*
*Published by Bloomsbury*
*Published on 18th January*

Pablo and Splash is a wonderfully funny, full-colour graphic novel that is guaranteed to delight young readers of 8+ as they adventure back in time with two accidental time-travellers.

Even though she’s a penguin, Splash is not a fan of the Antarctica temperatures, and relies on a trusty scarf and hat for added warmth – even when she’s in a penguin huddle. Whilst her best friend, Pablo, thinks their home is paradise, Splash longs for a luxury holiday … in the sun! But how to get there?

After falling down an ice hole, the two friends are captured by Professor O’Brain and, whilst trying to escape her clutches, find themselves in a time-travel machine which transports them to a beach, but one which they’re sharing with … DINOSAURS! Can these accidental explorers find their way home? Or will they be stuck in the past, avoiding becoming the next meal for the locals?

This is such a fun read that brought plenty of giggles! The language is wonderfully playful including some fantastic puns – especially the fishy ones! The interactions between the two friends are just brilliant – filled with humour, warmth and oh so many problems to solve!

I adored the friendship between Splash and Pablo who are both incredibly likeable penguins! Pablo is more cautious, careful, and sensible whilst Splash is more curious, impetuous and daring with a sense of adventure. But what a brilliant pair they make as they team up to solve a rather big problem!

I loved the bright, vivid full-colour illustrations throughout which complement the energy, humour and warmth of the adventure. And, I didn’t know that penguin beaks and flippers could be so expressive!

The endmatter includes a guide for drawing Pablo and Splash and factual information. I especially enjoyed Pablo and Splash’s completely and absolutely true facts, particularly those about huddling and the Southern Lights.

A krill-tastic, laugh-out-loud adventure that is sure to capture the imaginations of young readers who, I have no doubt, will have a whale of a time as they join Pablo and Splash on their first time-travelling adventure.

Thank you to Bloomsbury for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Stitch by Pádraig Kenny

Stitch is an utterly breathtaking and heartachingly captivating, gothic tale: poignant, profound and perfect storytelling.

585-day-old Stitch marks each day of his existence with a chalk mark on the wall of the turret room in the castle where he lives. Like his friend, Henry Oaf, he has been created by Professor Hardacre who has been asleep for 327 days. Unlike his friend, who has been locked in a cage during that time, Stitch has been free to roam the castle and complete his chores. Stitch is torn between guilt at leaving his friend locked up, and going against his creator’s orders.

When the Professor’s nephew visits with his assistant, Alice, Stitch is given the confusing and upsetting news that the Professor is dead. Whilst the Professor was intent on scientific discovery, his nephew has his sights set on something darker … and Henry is his next experiment. But, before he can realise his goal, Henry escapes his clutches and runs from the castle …

Determined to find his friend, Stitch leaves the only home he has known, but can he survive in a world that he was never meant to enter? Will the friends be reunited, or separated forever by the fear, hatred and prejudice of others?

This is an absolutely stunning, incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story that completely gripped me from start to finish. The action, brimming with peril, discoveries and secrets, kept me turning pages as I was desperate to find out how the three friends would survive in a world where their differences make them more likely to be hated or feared than accepted.

Stitch is the most remarkable creation and shows more humanity than many of the humans in his life. He is empathetic, kind-hearted and perceptive as well as having an innocence and natural curiosity that makes him incredibly endearing. He doesn’t judge people on how they look and shows kindness towards those in need, even if this brings trouble for himself. The bonds of friendship between Stitch, Henry and Alice are wonderfully heart-warming.

This is a story that addresses some big issues, including selfhood and self-awareness, the depth of grief, and prejudice shown towards differences. It is a story that challenges the reader to think about what constitutes a monster: is a monster created by others or self? Are they created by our own fears, pain and prejudices, but who does that make the monster?

This is a stunning, heart-warming and unforgettable story of friendship and inner strength that completely captured my heart, and is one that I cannot recommend highly enough to readers of 9+.

Review: Marvin and the Book of Magic by Jenny Pearson with illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff

Marvin and the Book of Magic is a heart-warming and hilarious tale that had me giggling and feeling fuzzy in equal measure.

Marvin has given up on his dream of becoming a magician after a disastrous appearance on a TV Talent Show involving a badly-behaved squirrel and ensuing chaos. Giggles guaranteed!

Marvin has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his beloved grandad who had been a magician and had believed Marvin had a gift for magic, but Marvin no longer believes in this. His confidence and self-belief have been dented by the reaction to his TV performance which has made him doubt himself.

When his best friend Asha encourages him to take part in the school talent show, Marvin is adamant that he will never perform again. In fact, he is so sure that magic is no longer for him that he trades his box of magic tricks in exchange for an old book – a magic book. Has he just been conned, or is there still some small part of him that believes in magic? Can he find his magic again and make a comeback in the school talent show?

Be prepared for giggles galore as Marvin finds out more about his magical abilities through the book of magic, as his best friend Asha practises her talent show routine (seriously brilliant) and as they take to the stage.

I loved the friendship between Marvin and Asha which felt really genuine. Asha is confident, enthusiastic and brimming with positivity and, as soon as Marvin shows an interest in the talent show, she is immediately supportive. Will Marvin find his confidence and self-belief again? There is magic in this wonderful friendship and I absolutely loved how this was shown in the story.

The full-and-partial page illustrations throughout are wonderfully expressive and complement their warmth and humour of the story perfectly.

This is a gorgeously heart-warming, hilarious story brimming with the magic of sincere friendship, perfect for young readers of 7+.

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This one is for ages 7+ with a reading age of 7.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

WWW Wednesday

I’m currently reading Bookshops & Bonedust which I have been eagerly anticipating since reading Legends & Lattes last year. I’m absolutely loving being back with Viv in this gorgeous cosy fantasy. I’m listening to the audiobook of Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star which is just wonderful with a such a strong character in Cosima. I’m definitely intrigued by this one.

I’ve finished Lessons in Chemistry which, based on my reading habits, I shouldn’t have enjoyed, but I really loved it – in fact, there were tears at the end! I also finished The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor which was the perfect Christmas read. I’ve also read and reviewed two brilliant new short titles, one sci-fi horror and the other humorous and warm-hearted. Finally, I read and reviewed two graphic novels for younger readers which I know will be very popular with the children in my class.

I’m hoping to read Dreamstalkers: The Night Train next.

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

Graphic Novel Review: The Adventures of Invisible Boy by Doogie Horner

*Written and illustrated by Doogie Horner*
*Published by Scholastic*
*Published on 4th January*

The Adventures of Invisible Boy is a full-colour graphic novel which begins the adventures of a wonderful new superhero, and I have no doubt that children of 8+ will be keen to follow his first incredible adventure – and will be eager for more!

Eugene is working hard on his entry for the science fair, something he needs to keep secret from his parents as they don’t approve of his inventions. But he is hoping that, after he wins the science fair, he will be allowed to invent again.

Meanwhile, Stanley is worried about starting a new school in the middle of the year – what if he can’t make new friends? When he accidentally knocks over a potion at the science fair, something happens that will change his life: he is invisible! And the last place he intends to stay is in school … he’s off to have some fun!

But, when Stanley discovers that the creator of the potion has also turned invisible and he is out to cause trouble, Stanley decides that he must use his new powers to fight back – to become a superhero! Can Invisible Boy defeat the new supervillain in town? And, of course, every superhero needs a sidekick and what an unexpected, but brilliant, one he finds!

This is such a fun adventure with oodles of humour and mayhem as Stanley learns to use his new power; as he finds himself facing trouble in his efforts to help others; and, as he battles to defeat his would-be nemesis. There are so many cool inventions shared throughout the adventure and I can just imagine children wanting to use them – and maybe even come up with their own inventions!

This is also a story that lots of children will be able to relate to, or which will encourage empathy as it deals with issues such as worries about starting a new school, making new friends and loneliness.

The full-colour illustrations are brilliant and complement the action, humour and mayhem perfectly.

This is a fantastic first adventure for Invisible Boy, and is one that I know my class are going to love.

Thank you to Scholastic for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

December Wrap-Up

I’m getting ready to go back to work tomorrow after a wonderful couple of weeks off where I definitely got to re-charge my batteries, relax and catch up. This was a good reading month where I finally managed to read some books for adults as well as middle-grade!

Goodreads Challenge:

I had set my Goodreads Challenge for this year at 104 books and managed to surpass it with 170 books. This included physical books, e-books and audiobooks. I have set my Challenge for next year at 150 books.

Books I’ve read:

As I’ve had a wonderful break over the Christmas period, I’ve read more books than I normally would: this month I’ve read 17 books which includes 3 books for adults, 2 audiobooks, 2 graphic novels and 10 middle-grade (9 physical copies and one e-book).

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 95%. I have requested and been approved to read two books in December. I also have a physical copy of Dreamstalkers.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent eight books by Publishers this month. I have read and written reviews for six of them and will be posting my reviews over the next few days. I have already posted my review for Harley Hitch Takes Flight.

Books bought:

I bought six books, and have read two of them, Stitch and The Drift.

Books gifted for Christmas:

I hadn’t quite realised how many books I’d put on my Christmas Wish List- and there were a few surprises too! I got 11 to add to my TBR and have read one over Christmas.