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 His mother has withdrawn in to a world of her own, haunted by the loss of her husband yet unable to accept that he is gone.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 I could really feel Hugo’s fear, loneliness and sense of isolation as his mother becomes more and more withdrawn from reality and lost from her son.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:

Review: Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno

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

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:

Review: Ice Apprentices by Jacob North

Ice Apprentices is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy – and what a start this is! I was completely absorbed in this icy world, its magic, its danger and its diverse inhabitants: a world where danger lurks, where secrets twist and turn and where answers lie hidden for a courageous stray to unearth.

Oswin Fields is an outsider – a stray – found in Tundra (the last settlement in an ice-covered world) and adopted by Lullia, a mother who is harsh and cold towards him. His is a hard life, and one that he doesn’t feel will ever change, so he is shocked when his adoptive mother tells him that he has been selected to train as an ice apprentice in Corridor – a school which trains apprentices to contribute to Tundra’s survival.

Oswin is met with hostility by many in Corridor as they cannot understand why a stray would be asked to become an ice apprentice and also because his surname is synonymous with an uncle who is viewed as a traitor to Tundra. But, when he and another apprentice, Ennastasia, are attacked by a monster they’ve just learned about in a lesson, he might just be the only hope of saving the Corridor …

And so begins an absolutely gripping, action-packed adventure that swept me into a richly imagined world of ice, of monsters and of peril and deception. I found the magical system fascinating and really liked that, as this is part of a trilogy, I know there is lots more to learn – but I was given enough to satisfy my curiosity and leaving me eager to find out more. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns, moments of heart-pounding danger and incredible revelations that made this a real page-turner.

I really liked both Oswin and Ennastasia, and loved the friendship that develops between them, a hard won friendship and one they both desperately need. Oswin is impetuous, tenacious and endlessly curious, but he is also someone who doesn’t feel he belongs and doesn’t feel worthy of the place he has been given in Tundra and the Corridor. Ennastasia, because of who she is, fears opening herself up to friendship, yet Oswin, who doubts his worth so much, breaks down her barriers leading to a genuine, honest friendship that is so heart-warming.

This is an adventure that feels like it has so much more to come, and I cannot wait to join the ice apprentices in their next adventure – especially after that ending!

A breath-taking, perilous adventure into an icy world that will undoubtedly capture the hearts and imaginations of readers of 9+ who will be eager to continue the adventure.

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

Review: Libby and the Egyptian Escapade

*Written by Jo Clarke*
*Illustrated by Becka Moor*
*Published by Firefly Press*

Libby and the Egyptian Escapade is the final adventure in the truly wonderful Travelling School Mysteries series. And what a perfect ending to this fantastic series: an exhilarating, action-packed and intriguing mystery in a wonderfully vivid setting that kept me completely enthralled.

Libby and her best friend Connie arrive in Cairo, ready to participate in another term of learning and exploration with her aunt, Miss Mousedale’s, Travelling School. Meeting up with twins, Sebastian and Noah, and new student Anastasia, it is not long before they are visiting a museum to see some of its ancient treasures, including Tutankhamun’s death mask. And, as in all good school excursions, it ends with a visit to the gift shop where Noah buys a replica canopic jar. But, just as they are about to leave, an alarm sounds and Noah bumps in to a rather rude stranger …

When the children discover that an ancient artefact has been stolen from the museum, they wonder if a mummy’s curse has been reawakened, a curse that brings great danger to those who have the treasure. But the children are not thieves, so why does it feel that danger is following them …

And so begins another intriguing, action-packed mystery as Libby and her friends find themselves in perilous situations as they visit the pyramids of Giza, take a night train to Luxor and even join a cruise on the Nile. Could the children have unleashed a mummy’s curse, or could there be a more logical explanation for the bad luck that seems to be following them on their Egyptian travels?

I absolutely loved following these determined sleuths as they work to unravel another conundrum. I adored the twists and turns, the sense of peril and the uncertainty as to what/who the culprit could be. This is another really clever mystery that kept me turning pages as I was as eager as Libby discover the truth.

I have really enjoyed following Libby and her friends on their adventures with the Travelling School. They have formed such a close bond which feels really authentic and have made a brilliant sleuthing team, always looking out for each other. Despite Libby being distracted by her mum’s search for her dad, she is still determined to get to the bottom of a mystery that puts her and her friends in danger.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are wonderfully expressive and really capture the perils faced by the friends, and the stunning Egyptian locations they visit, as well as the closeness of the bonds between those who attend the Travelling School.

A fantastic finale to a brilliant adventure series: action-packed, exciting and fun – and perfect for young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Firefly Press for sending me a copy of Libby and the Egyptian Escapade in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Sword of the Sun

Written by Sinéad O’Hart
Cover illustration by Manuel Šumberac
Published by Piccadilly Press

Sword of the Sun is a brilliant contemporary fantasy adventure, steeped in the magic of Celtic myths and legends, that held me absolutely enthralled throughout.

When Ben and his older brother, Fin, lose their home in Dublin, the family find themselves with no other choice than to move in with their Aunt Niamh and her wife, Eun-Kyung. This move takes his mother back to her isolated ancestral home in rural County Clare. Whilst Niamh and her wife welcome them and have sympathy for their situation, their cousin, Ji-Ah is less keen to have them sharing her home and there is friction as they learn to accommodate each other.

Ben soon feels unsettled by strange dreams and a feeling that he is being watched by crows, building a real sense of foreboding. Ji-Ah tells the brothers that their grandfather was obsessed with the house and the surrounding land to the extent that he neglected his family, dying before anyone found out the nature of his obsession. Eun-Kyung reveals that their grandfather was a respected folklorist obsessed with the Sword of the Sun and she shares some local mythology relating to this weapon of the Tuatha De Danann. As Ben finds out more about the Sword and his grandfather’s obsession, as the crows haunt his dreams and threaten his reality, he begins to wonder if there could be any truth in ancient myths …

And so begins a breath-taking, action-packed adventure brimming with danger and a sense of foreboding, with secrets and revelations and with the clashing of ancient powerful beings. Ben finds himself thrust into keeping a family promise, a promise of protection passed on from generation to generation within his family, but one that he will have to discover for himself. Can Ben keep his family safe from someone determined to possess a weapon capable of great destruction? Will he have the strength and courage to overcome his fears, face great danger and make difficult decisions? What is he prepared to sacrifice to save those he loves?

This exhilarating adventure blends the contemporary with ancient legends perfectly. I am a huge fan of mythology in stories, and especially love Celtic mythology as these were the stories of my childhood. I am always in awe of how the author weaves these two threads into her adventures making the reader believe in the possibility of old magic, and bringing myths to life in the most unforgettable way. I also loved the vivid depiction of the wild Irish landscape of the Burren and Mullaghmore, places that are easy to imagine were home to ancient gods and goddesses.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Ben and his brother Fin which felt really authentic as they argue and fight, but clearly love each other. Neither finds the move away from Dublin easy as they have to leave behind friends, connections and interests. Ben is an anxious young boy who enjoys reading and is sensitive to the world around him, showing empathy towards others; he has an admirable inner strength and a courageous heart. There is some friction between the brothers and Ji-Ah as they adapt to living together but, as danger escalates, she proves herself a wonderful friend. I loved following the interactions, relationships and re-connections within the family as they adapt to living together and loved the diversity within the family.

A spellbinding, breath-taking adventure: a story of courage and hope, of old magic and new beginnings, and of trusting that there is light in the darkness. This is a story I cannot recommend highly enough for readers of 9+.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I have now purchased a physical copy.

December 2024 wrap-up

Well, December has been a month of two thirds hectic to one third relaxing! Both the run-up to Christmas at work and home were hectic, but it has been wonderful to have a proper break over Christmas.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 11 books this month (the same as in November): 4 books for adults and 7 middle-grade books. My highlights this month were Swordcatcher, Orbital, The Snow Child (all adult books) and Fia and the Last Snow Deer (a stunning illustrated verse novel set in prehistoric Ireland).

NetGalley:

I have added one book to my NetGalley shelf this month.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 8 books by publishers this month.

Fairyloot Adult Book

I’ve also now got a subscription to the adult book box for Fairyloot. This month’s read is The Courting of Bristol Keats.

Gifted Books

I didn’t buy any books this month as I had some on my Christmas wish list which have been very kindly gifted by my family and as part of the wonderful Reading Rocks Secret Santa.

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

Non-fiction Book Review: Dinopedia: An Encyclopedia of Prehistoric Beasts

*Written by Tom Jackson*
*Illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors*
*Published by Laurence King (an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group)*

Dinopedia: An Encyclopedia of Prehistoric Beasts is an absolutely stunning, beautifully illustrated hardback information book sharing fascinating facts about prehistoric animals. Many young – and older – readers are fascinated by dinosaurs and this is a book that is guaranteed to absorb readers as they enjoy learning more about the lives of these incredible creatures.

This stunning book is divided in to five sections: Palaeozic, Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous and Present Day. Each is introduced with a short explanation of what the period means and is followed by a double page spread consisting of a beautifully illustrated page and an information page about some of the animals that inhabited each of these periods.

As well as introducing readers to fascinating facts about a range of prehistoric animals, it also shares other more general, but related, information such as the mass extinction of animals about 252 million years ago, fossil hunters, the evolution of flight and the mass extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago. There is also more general information about dinosaurs including what they sound like, how they move, caring for their young and their colours.

This book really is treasure trove of information for curious young minds, presented in an accessible and engaging manner, often comparing habits and attributes of pre-historic animals to animals children will be familiar with. Did you know that the oldest wishbone we know about comes from the Coelophysis? Or that a Brachiosaurus could have looked over the top of a three-storey house? Or even that a Diplodocus replaced each tooth every month or so?

The full page, detailed illustrations are stunning and are guaranteed to capture the attention of readers as they can imagine each animal in its natural habitat as they read the information which complements each illustration.

This book is a perfect read for young dino fans who will be absorbed both by the wide range of fascinating facts and colourful illustrations. A brilliant introduction to palaeontology for young readers of 7+.

Thank you to Hachette for sending me a copy of this stunning book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Picture Book Review: King Winter’s Birthday

*Written by Jonathan Freedland*
*Illustrated by Emily Sutton*
*Published by Pushkin Children’s Books*

King Winter’s Birthday is an absolutely stunning hardback picture book – a beautifully told fairy tale which celebrates the four seasons and their importance in keeping balance in nature.

King Winter is celebrating his birthday and he wants to make it really special so he invites his brothers and sisters to attend. They are none other than: Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn. Despite being warned by the sun and winds, the leaves and trees, that this is not a good idea, King Winter is determined to celebrate with them in order to make his party the greatest ever.

But when his siblings arrive at the Winter Palace, something strange happens outside as the seasons become mingled together, upsetting the delicate balance of nature … will the seasonal siblings be able to bring an end to this imbalance before it is too late?

This story has a wonderfully warm message of the importance of balance in nature, but also of the warmth engendered by joyful memories – even when this is all we have left.

The illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous from the trees through the seasons on the end pages to the stunning, intricate internal illustrations which depict the personification of the Seasons in all their natural resplendence. The colour palette used to depict each season is just perfect from the crisp blues and whites of winter to the browns and golds of autumn, the yellows and greens of spring and the vibrant rainbow of summer colours. These images are full of energy and life and I have no doubt that, just like me, young readers will enjoy exploring them.

This story is inspired by a story with the same title written by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, a German Jew, whilst he was interned on the Isle of Man during the Second World War as an ‘enemy alien’. Information about Ulrich is included at the end of the book – and makes for a heartbreaking read!

A captivating, beautifully illustrated fairy tale that will make a treasured addition to any child’s book collection, and a perfect winter gift for young readers.

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