Katie Davieswith illustrations by Hannah Shaw(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books) It is a new school year and Anna has been asked to write a report on her summer holidays. Her mum wants her to “embellish” the truth but no, Anna wants to write about what really happened, and that, is the bloody massacre of her …
7+
Time Train to the Blitz
Sophie McKenzie(Usborne) When Joe, Scarlett and their dog Pippy come aboard the mysterious luminous train that has appeared, out of nowhere, in the middle of the park, they are not sure where it will take them. They certainly do not expect to go back in time, but soon find themselves amidst an air raid in 1941 London. It …
A Roman Rescue
K A Gerrard (text) & Emma Dodd (illustrations)(Templar) While doing an errand for his mum, Charlie and his dog Bandit fall down a hole and find themselves transported back in time to ancient Rome, at the time of Hadrian’s rule. He soon meets Cosmo, a young Roman boy, son of a senator, and finds himself …
The Boy Who Climbed Into the Moon
David Almond (text) & Polly Dunbar (illustrations)(Walker) Paul lives in the basement of a big tower block somewhere in the north of England. One day, Paul decides to have a day off school; he blames a tummy ache and headache, but really his parents and he know that Paul just cannot face school that day. …
Emily’s Surprising Voyage
Sue Purkisswith illustrations by James de la Rue(Walker Books) Emily does not want to move to Australia and leave behind England and her beloved grandmother. So it is reluctantly that she comes aboard the famous SS Great Britain, which is docked in Liverpool, ready for the long journey to half-way round the world. But her assumptions …
We Are All Born Free
(Frances Lincoln) Today is Human Rights Day and two years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrated its 60th birthday. I remember the first time I properly read it. It was 22 years ago, the Declaration was 40, I was 13, and my history teacher had made us study it,, after showing us the film Sacco and Vanzetti (with …
Secret Santa: Agent of X.M.A.S.
Guy Bass (text) with illustrations of David Lopez(Stripes Publishing) What does Father Christmas do the other 364 days of the year? Have you ever wondered? Well, I certainly never thought he would be doing that: top secret agent of the Xtremely Mysterious Agency of Secrets (X.M.A.S.), bringing justice to the world and protection from the …
Alienography, or How To Spot an Alien Invasion
Chris Riddell(Macmillan) Have you ever wondered what a Depravian Brain Sucker is, or how a Zyglon Tentacle Beast disguises itself? Have you got thirst for knowledge of all the wonderful creatures that (probably) live in worlds far beyond ours? If so, this book is for you! If you are an adult fan of all things …
Non-Fiction Focus Week: Usborne Little Book of Dogs and Puppies
Philip Clarke (text) & Stephen Lambert (illustrations) (Usborne) My five-year old daughter is a fan of stories. She does not enjoy non-fiction and it is always a struggle to make her read her school reading books when they are non-fiction. Unless it involves puppies. If it involves puppies, she will look at just about anything …