Families Book Reviews

Name: Jenny Caddick
14 December 2022;

Genre: Fairy Tales & Folk Tales

A visit to Nana and Grandad's house for the summer holidays always involves Lana and younger brother Harrison's favourite game - playing in the nearby Hollow Tree . This 'magical' tree is where generations of children before them have loved to play imaginative, carefree and memory-making games...

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Name: Linda Brown
13 December 2022;

Genre: Funny Stories

Virtually Christmas is set sometime in the future with Christmas fast approaching. However, it's not like the Christmas that we know today. It has been renamed and is now called Winterzone, presents are delivered by drone, Santa is a hologram - and there are hundreds of these...

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Name: Kyle Matravers
13 December 2022;

Genre: Picture Books

The Christmas Pine is a magical festive story, based on true events, from the much-loved and critically acclaimed author, Julia Donaldson. Revealing and explaining the annual tradition of the UK receiving a Christmas pine from the Mayor of Oslo, the reader is able to ta...

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Name: Beverley Somerset
13 December 2022;

Genre: Romance & Relationships

Molly Bell hates Christmas. When she was very young, her parents (aka The Brussel Shouts) wrote and released the world's cheesiest Christmas record, Love Your Elf, and Molly, dressed as a cute little elf, delivered the last line. Now 15, Molly dreads anyone finding out about this. If the secre...

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Name: Maria faithorn
12 December 2022;

Genre: Picture Books

An old curse returns to entice and tempt a group of siblings into the Teller’s Hollow. Will the girl unknowingly fall victim to the curse, or will she have the strength to resist it?  Paradise Sands: A Story of Enchantment is an incredibly descriptive and enticing tale...

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Name: Maria faithorn
11 December 2022;

Genre: Picture Books

Freshly bathed, a new outfit and smart braids, MJ is ready for her first day at school. Mama gives her a special tiara and tells her she's ready to become 'Queen of the Classroom'. Queens are friendly, caring and kind. They are always helpful to others. With this is mind, MJ confidently begins...

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Name: Jenny B
06 December 2022;

Genre: Representation & Inclusion

Shows Julie Donaldson at her best. This book will draw children in with its rhyme and flow. Axel Scheffler's illustrations are captivating and there is so much hidden on each page. Can you find where Axel has hidden 'The Gruffalo' in this book? The Smeds and The Smoos i...

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Name: Ashley Clayton
05 December 2022;

Genre: Picture Books

I was initially skeptical about this book as I was not drawn to the illustration on the front cover. However, I read it to the reception children in my school, who took great delight in listening to it and guessing what the red sledge could become. The look on their faces when Mabel became Fat...

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Name: Amanda Shipton
05 December 2022;

Genre: Magical Realism

'Now, there is a tipping point in every adventure... a point where you either feel too frightened to go on or too curious to turn back.' In Bertie Crash-Wallop's noisy family, it can sometimes feel like there is no room for a quiet boy like him. Then Bertie discovers a family of goblins on the...

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Name: Sharon Porter
03 December 2022;

Genre: Friends and family

Hugg 'n' Bugg: Finding Home: "This book made me laugh out loud. It was so funny and a little bit rude. I'm really glad that Bugg found Hugg because it looks like they were made for each other." F aged 10.  "Our teacher shared this book with us and we loved it. Hugg looks so mu...

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