Picture Book Review: Mr Darwin’s Tortoise written by Angela McAllister and illustrated by Chiara Fedele

Mr Darwin’s Tortoise is a stunning hardback picture book which introduces young readers to naturalist, geologist and biologist Charles Darwin as he travels around the world aboard The Beagle with this story focussing on his exploration of the Galápagos Islands through a fictional encounter with a young boy with an enquiring mind akin to Darwin’s own.

A young boy, Antonio, lives on the Galápagos Islands. He enjoys exploring the island and has a natural curiosity about the wonderfully diverse environment that surrounds him, including the wildlife that lives there. Eager to learn, he is full of questions about the island which his parents try to satisfy.

One day, as he is waiting for tortoise eggs to hatch, he meets a stranger who is just as keen to ask questions as Antonio. When Mr Darwin reveals that he is interested in everything, Antonio offers to show him around the island, a home that he clearly feels proud to live on. As they explore the island, they watch giant tortoises and lizards. In return for showing him the island, Mr Darwin invites Antonio aboard his ship, The Beagle, where he shares with him the items he has collected on his travels including fossils and beetles. When it is time for Darwin to leave, Antonia gives him a special and precious gift.

This book is perfect to share with younger children in Key Stage 1, as it has a warm and informative tone, but would also be a great introduction to Darwin’s theory of evolution for older children in Key Stage 2.

I loved that this book celebrates the importance of asking questions in order to learn new things, and loved how eager Antonio is to learn more about the wildlife of the island where he lives as well as sharing his knowledge with Darwin. I can absolutely imagine readers wanting to find out more both about the natural wonders of the islands as well as Darwin’s theory of evolution after enjoying this story.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous – bright and vibrant – and celebrate the diversity and beauty of the Galápagos Islands perfectly. The book also includes a stunning double page spread of illustrations of some of the flora and fauna which live on the islands. Together with the story, these will encourage awe and wonder, and an inquisitiveness to learn more, in young readers.

An absolutely stunning picture book for young readers of 5+ celebrating the awe and wonder of the natural world and encouraging them to become explorers of a wonderfully diverse environment.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Zephyr Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Anya’s Quest written by Jasbinder Bilan and illustrated by Jane Ray

Anya’s Quest is a stunning and powerful story, inspired by Hindu mythology, that took me on an unforgettable journey along the Ganges to listen to nature’s song of hope and healing … an utterly enchanting read.

8-year-old Anya is grieving the loss of her mother three years before. She wakes in the early morning from a dream that she can’t quite remember: a dream of her mother, a white flower and a lullaby …

Whilst Anya’s father gives her all the gadgets and toys she could ever want, he does not give her the one thing she craves: his attention. It is not surprising that she feels jealous and lonely when she sees Mahi playing in the snow with her mother, the cook, as it brings back memories of time spent with her mama. When her friend is unable to visit due to the roads through the Himalayan mountains being blocked with snow, Anya’s father sends Mahi to play with Anya. However, Anya is rude to her and orders Mahi to go outside and build her a snow figure.

Later, feeling ashamed of her unkindness towards Mahi, Anya ventures outside to find her, but slips on the ice – and wakes to see the Goddess Ganga in the moonlight with her river dragon and spirit companion, Makara who pulls her chariot. Ganga has a quest for Anya to complete, and takes both her and Mahi on an incredible journey through the Himalayan mountains and along the course of the Ganges, a journey into the past and towards a future of hope … Can Anya remember her spirit song, discover her spirit animal and re-connect with nature?

I absolutely loved this stunning story with its blend of Hindu mythology, and powerful environmental message of the need to protect our planet from the harm humans are doing to it. I really liked that the message is one of hope and empowerment. Both the writing and illustrations are awe-inspiring and take the reader on the most magical journey of self-discovery, connection with nature and hope … mesmerising.

Anya is a sympathetic young girl whose grief, loneliness and jealousy initially leads her to be unkind and reject Mahi’s friendship, but she opens herself to new friendship as she searches for her spirit song and connects with Mahi through their shared appreciation of nature and desire to protect the planet through their actions.

The full-colour illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous and really encapsulate the enchanting quality of this story from the wintry scenes through the mountains and along the river to the depiction of Hindu Gods and Goddesses to the heart-warming images of family and friends surrounded by nature.

An absolutely captivating story presented in a stunning hardback edition with full-colour illustrations, perfect for children of 7+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy of this stunning book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Wanderdays: Journey to Fantome Island

*Written by Clare Povey*
*Cover Illustration by Ben Mantle*
*Published by Usborne*

The Wanderdays: Journey to Fantome Island is an exciting, enthralling aquatic adventure that completely captured me.

Twelve-year-old Nellie Wanderday is making breakfast, wondering when her mum, Nellie, will phone, when she is given the most terrible news by her best friend, Funmi. Her mum, a famous ocean explorer and documentary maker, has been reported missing whilst on her latest expedition in the North Atlantis Ocean.

After receiving an enigmatic message from an environmental journalist and friend of their mum, Flo and her brother, Joseph discover that their mum is involved in a dangerous mission. She is searching for proof that local TV presenter, Sir Frederick Titan, is not the environmental hero that he claims to be, but rather that he has been exploiting and destroying habitats for profit. Could Titan have discovered that Nellie was investigating him? Could he be responsible for the disappearance of her boat? And, what is the secret project he is hiding from the world on the mysterious Fantome Island?

So begins the most brilliant, edge-of-your-seat, exciting adventure. Flo, Joseph and their best friends, Funmi and Isaac, join Nellie’s friend, Marianne de la Mer, aboard a submarine in search of Nellie, and to discover the secrets of Fantome Island and proof of Titan’s crimes against the natural world. I loved the clever uncovering of clues along the way which allowed the children to follow Nellie’s trail. There is plenty of danger, threat and tension that kept me eagerly turning pages and I must admit I was completely taken by surprise at some of the twists and turns – utterly brilliant.

There is a powerful and pertinent environmental message weaved throughout the adventure which addresses exploitation of natural resources, damage to ocean life caused by ghost nets and the climate crisis.

I really liked the strong sibling bond between Flo and her younger brother, Joseph. Flo is incredibly supportive and protective of her brother who has OCD and is there for him when his intrusive thoughts and worries becoming overwhelming. Joseph has a natural curiosity and a love of marine life and doesn’t let his OCD hold him back from exploration and adventure. All four children have their own strengths and talents which make them a great team as they show courage and determination in standing against a vile villain.

A fantastic start to an exhilarating new series where friendship, teamwork and courage meet danger and dastardly villains – perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

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

Review: Feather (The Twitchers series) by M.G. Leonard

*Written by M.G. Leonard*
*Cover illustrations by Paddy Donnelly*
*Map* *illustrations by Laurissa Jones*
*Published by Walker Books*

Feather is the final wintery adventure in The Twitchers seasonal mystery quartet, and, oh my goodness, what an exhilarating and heart-warming ending to a series that has completely captured me with its intriguing mysteries, daring sleuths and superstars of the bird world.

Ava is on a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum when she discovers that a heist has taken place: hundreds of bird of paradise skins from the Alfred Wallace collection have been stolen. The only clue is a large, black feather left on the floor, but the police are not interested. The Twitchers have found their next case …

And so begins another fantastic mystery as the Twitchers find themselves following a trail of clues which leads them into ever-increasing peril. Could the mysterious girl, who Ava meets outside the museum, and her raven help solve the mystery? Will the Twitchers be able to outwit a dangerous gang of thieves and recover the bird skins before time runs out?

This is a brilliantly fast-paced and action-packed mystery that kept me gripped throughout. I loved following the Twitchers as they work together to piece together clues, putting themselves in danger to help someone in need as well as working as a team to attempt to recover the bird skins for the Museum. There is a real feeling of urgency and a genuine sense of danger as the children get closer and closer to uncovering the truth, but will they be able to escape the clutches of devious criminals who will stop at nothing to escape justice?

I adore this group of friends who have been brought together through an appreciation of bird-watching and caring for the environment. Their friendship feels incredibly authentic and I love the camaraderie between them. They all have their strengths which, when brought together, makes them a formidable sleuthing team. Ava discovers the heist at the museum and immediately takes the case to her friends. She shows herself to be incredibly kind-hearted and empathetic when dealing with a difficult situation. I love how Ava, Tara, Twitch, Jack, Terry, Ozuru and Tippi are so supportive of each other, their curious natures and their tenacity in bringing criminals to justice. Their respect for, and enjoyment of, the natural environment, and their passion for bird-watching and protecting birds, really shines through in these adventures.

Feather is a perfect ending to this exceptional adventure series which celebrates bird-watching, caring for the environment and friendship as well as having a fantastic mystery at its heart. I know that, just like Twitch, Spark and Clutch, this one will be flying off my class library shelves.