Families Book Reviews

Name: Rhiannon Cook
19 May 2020;

Genre: Adventure

These two titles from Little Tiger Group are designed to bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books for children aged 5-8, while also addressing emotions such as anxiety, loneliness, anger and sadness. Both books are fully illustrated throughout, in colour, and would work well as clas...

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Name: Ellen Green
18 May 2020;

Genre: Fairy Tales & Folk Tales

The Crow and the Peacock by Jo Fernihough is a gentle introduction to Aesop's Fable about the crow and the peacock, although both stories encourage children to be happy with who they are; the stories can be used alongside one another to compare the endings.In this story, Crow is ve...

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Name: Kyle Matravers
17 May 2020;

Genre: Environment & Nature

Isabel Otter and Clara Anganuzzi have created one of the most beautiful picture books I have had the pleasure of reading recently. Dear Earth follows Tessa, our inquisitive and caring star of the story. Tessa's grandpa was an explorer and now in his old age, regales Tessa with...

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Name: Stephen Leitch
17 May 2020;

Genre: Adventure

Alex Rider is back in this new adventure from Anthony Horowitz. Having just returned to school and enjoying his normal life, after being informed he will no longer be used for secret missions, Alex finds himself agreeing to take on one more mission for Mrs Jones, Chief Executive of MI6 Special...

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Name: Alison Kelly
16 May 2020;

Genre: Poetry

The irony of writing a review about a 'crazy life' in the surreal, crazy world we are currently living in does not escape me!  Joshua Seigal's latest book, Welcome to my Crazy Life, is a great distraction. He has an astute feel for what make children laugh but also what make t...

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Name: Alison Kelly
16 May 2020;

Genre: Poetry

Paul Cookson's new collection of poems, There's A Crocodile in the House, is bursting with fun and rich opportunities to perform. From the title poem on: 'Big sharp teeth / Open mouth / There's a crocodile in the house /... I did not know / What to do / There's a crocodile in...

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Name: Samantha Phillips
16 May 2020;

Genre: Funny Stories

I am currently a Year 4 Form teacher in a small Prep school and by coincidence my form, 4P, has only 9 pupils; so right from the start, The Worst Class in the World resonated with me. However, fortunately the similarities stopped there! Joanne Nadin has managed, without a doub...

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Name: Julie Broadbent
15 May 2020;

Genre: Suspense & Thrillers

Here Lie the Secrets is a tense psychological thriller that follows the story of 18 year-old Mia. Set in New York, Mia goes to stay with her aunt in Manhattan for the summer. Here she is introduced to her aunt's roommate Rav, who is a parapsychology student. Mia is intrigued t...

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Name: Linda brown
15 May 2020;

Genre: LBGTQ+

When Dylan and Ellis's secret relationship is exposed on social media, Dylan is forced to come out. Much to Dylan's surprise, they are met with support at their Easter high school dance and he feels that with Ellis at his side, things will not be all bad.But Dylan's happiness is sh...

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Name: Clair Bossons
14 May 2020;

Genre: Adventure

Sarah is a Jewish teenager living in Nazi Germany. She attempts to flee with her mother but finds herself orphaned at a soldier checkpoint. Now Sarah is alone in a hostile society. She is reliant upon her acting skills and powers of observation to survive. Sarah helps a British Spy and is taken...

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