Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Hayley Summerfield
26 April 2024;

Genre: Magical Realism

Alyssa and the Spell Garden is an enchanting fantasy story that is set in a small London community. Alexandra Sheppard uses the story to highlight the reality of gentrification within a poor urban area of London that has its heart in the centre of a magical garden. Alys...

More

Name: Joanne Thomas
26 April 2024;

Genre: Early Skills

My Very First Spotter's Guide: I Spot a Snail is a gorgeous lift-the-flap book for babies. Spot the different mini-beasts as you explore and learn about them in this beautifully illustrated book. There are five different mini beasts to find and count with several chunky flaps...

More

Name: Giselle Age 11
26 April 2024;

Genre: Non Fiction

I think On Your Marks, Get Set, Gold! is a great book because it really lives up to its title - 'A fact-filled, funny guide'. I think that the funniest bits in this book are the basic training boxes - especially the trampolining one. Apart from being funny, On Your Mark...

More

Name: Jenny Caddick
25 April 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

"Astrid has lived in the rhubarb shed her whole life." When just the first line of the blurb of a story has you immediately burning with intrigue, then you know that the story that lies ahead is going to be captivating. Starminster is a simply stunning story about a life in the skies, where hu...

More

Name: Sue Wilsher
25 April 2024;

Genre: Non Fiction

No One Has Seen What You See offers a combination of sketchbook, biography and art inspiration. The ring-bound book contains small pages of text with information about Munch and his work, as well as pictures inserted between sketch book paper for the reader to experiment on an...

More

Name: Jacqueline Harris
25 April 2024;

Genre: Fantasy

When her sister vanishes after a mysterious earthquake, Ysolda sets off to find her, setting foot in the castle of the dreaded Wolf Queen. Can Ysolda rescue her sister by doing as the Wolf Queen commands? In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen is a story of magic and adventure...

More

Name: Jessica Bunney
25 April 2024;

Genre: Environment & Nature

I was very excited when I saw that a book from my childhood had been redesigned and republished by none other than the extremely talented Axel Scheffler!  Sam Plants a Sunflower is the perfect mix of narrative and information for any young budding gardener. What's more, this b...

More

Name: Jane Rew
25 April 2024;

Genre: Environment & Nature

On first appearances, I supposed Explodapedia: Rewild - Can Nature heal Our World? would appeal more to adults and doubted whether primary school children would have the stamina to read it. However, I now think it will not only interest but excite some youngsters - those who a...

More

Name: Sue Wilsher
25 April 2024;

Genre: Environment & Nature

Containing 50 poems inspired by nature, Outside In: Nature Poems is a wonderfully uplifting collection. Daniel Thompson's love of the outdoors and the healing joy of nature shines through each poem. There are poems about the weather, animals, the season… showing all the variet...

More

Name: Sue Wilsher
25 April 2024;

Genre: Myths & Legends

East Asian Folktales, Myths and Legends, the latest title in the Scholastic Folktales, Myths and Legends series, offers a collection of stories from East Asia, thoughtfully retold by Eva Wong Nava. The anthology includes tales from China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Mon...

More