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 …
humour
Rapunzel Week (5): The Fairytale Hairdresser
Abie Longstaff (text) & Lauren Beard (illustrations)(Random House Children’s Books) Meet Kitty Lacey, hairdresser extraordinaire with an array of famous clients: from Little Red to Thumbelina, and from the Beast to Father Christmas, they all come to visit when their hair needs a trim. But when she is called to a rather threatening-looking tower, she …
Rapunzel Week (4): Happy Ever-After: Rapunzel Cuts Loose
Tony Bradman (text) & Sarah Warburton (illustrations)(Orchard Books) It is Saturday morning at the palace and Rapunzel, who has married her prince, is feeling very blue. Saturday is wash-hair day. Prince Dynamo loves her long blonde locks (it reminds him of when they first met) but it takes 12 servants just to hold it, and …
Rapunzel Week (3): Falling for Rapunzel
Leah Wilcox (text) & Lydia Monks (illustrations)(Puffin) Once upon a bad hair day, a prince rode up Rapunzel’s way.“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, throw down your hair!”She thought he said, “Your underwear” If you are looking for a humorous take on the traditional fairy-tale, this one is definitely the one for you. Hard-of-hearing Rapunzel becomes increasingly confused when …
A Bit Lost
Chris Haughton(Walker Books) When Little Owl falls off the nest, he is rescued by Squirrel who is very keen to help him find his mummy again. Basing his search on Little Owl’s descriptions, Squirrel is finding many contenders, but none turn out to be Little Owl’s mummy. Thankfully Frog eventually comes to the rescue to …
The Santa Trap
Jonathan Emmett (text) & Poly Bernatene (illustrations)(Macmillan Children’s Books) Bradley is a bad, spoilt rich little boy who gets whatever he wants (and more) from his terrified long-suffering parents and still is never satisfied. Particularly by Santa’s presents. Despite writing ginormous lists every year, all Bradley gets from Santa is a pair of socks. See, Santa knows Bradley …
Smudger the Dog Saves Christmas
Lissa Evans (text) & Holly Surplice (illustrations)(Red Fox) It’s Christmas Eve and Smudger the Dog finds himself thrown out of the house after taking an unwelcome interest in the preparations. While investigating the garden in his own special way, he makes a rather unusual encounter when unexpected guests drop in the garden. Forced to step in for …
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 …