Schools & Libraries Book Reviews
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The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle
Name: Lauren Maidman
29 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
This is the heart-warming story of Hector and Hugo and their love of music. Hector was a fiddle player, and his act was great, until a piano playing bear came along and he had to retire. Hector's dream of playing to thousands one day was shattered so he put away his fiddle forever. Until one nigh...
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Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes?
Name: Catherine Purcell
28 September 2018;Genre: Mental Health & Wellbeing
Holly Bourne has triumphed again. Olive's narrative is so simple, so real, so painful and raw. From the start, from page 1, we feel her mania; it's truly impressive how the writing draws you along, throughout you're skillfully soaring and plummeting with Olive as she struggles to catch hold of...
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Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys
Name: Catherine Purcell
28 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
This book takes to task the migrations of twenty animals. A double page spread is dedicated to each animal with each having a beautiful illustration spanning the full double page. The writing evokes the incredible journeys undertaken in a succinct fashion that both informs and encourages further...
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The Extinction Trials
Name: Jenni Prestwood
28 September 2018;Genre: Dystopian
Earthasia is in trouble, there is not enough food or medical care to go around. The only solution is to look for a way to kill the Dinosaurs that inhabit Piloria so they can take over the land they protect. Written from two alternating points of view, Lincoln (who wants to save his sister's life...
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Oi Duck-billed Platypus!
Name: Nikki Stiles
27 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
The latest book in the 'Oi Frog!' series, Oi Duck-billed Platypus was never going to disappoint. My class of year 1's thoroughly enjoyed this rhyming romp. And in their words 'Kes Gray is very good at rhyming, he's funny!'. The story holds direct links to the previous three books and if you have...
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We Are Together
Name: Nikki Stiles
27 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
Britta Teckentrup, a CILIP Kate Greenaway medal shortlisted illustrator, has created this stunning peep-through picture book in her usual fantastic style. This beautiful picture book celebrates the power of being part of a team and the joys friendship brings. The story begins with two children...
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The Space Train
Name: Kyle Matravers
26 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
The Space Train revolves around a small boy called Jakob who lives on a space station with his Granny and Derek - his robot chicken. One day Jakob discovers something hidden away in Hanger 19 of the space station.....a huge, abandoned spaceship. It turns out that this spaceship is actually the...
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The Garden of Hope
Name: Kyle Matravers
26 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
The Garden of Hope is the story of a little girl who finds courage and purpose as she transforms an overgrown and neglected garden into a place of hope. Isobel Otier, with the help from the beautiful illustrations of Katie Rewse, has created a story that shares a powerful mess...
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Seaglass
Name: Beverley Somerset
24 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
Lark is 13, and her life is difficult. Her mother is ill, her sister, Snow, has stopped talking and her best friend has a boyfriend, so she and Lark are no longer close. Lark is troubled, and struggles to contain her anger at times. Lark and her family come to a caravan park on the Welsh coast f...
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Happy Poems
Name: Alison Kelly
24 September 2018;Genre: Adventure
As we move into autumn from a glorious summer, this collection of 'Happy Poems' is just what's needed! With its sunshine yellow cover and emoji-style smile, we are warmly invited into Roger McGough's wonderful curation of happiness. Jez Alborough's 'A Smile' (p.1) is the right poem to open the...
