Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Linda Winter
13 March 2017;

Genre: Friends and family

A grizzly, called Fred, 'is the star of the show' in Grrrr by Rob Biddulph - you might have seen his earlier picture books including Blown Away and Odd Dog Out. This grizzly is obsessed with winning prizes - something he's good at, and especially given his talent for gr...

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Name: Jane Welby
13 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

This is a hauntingly beautiful book. Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan have collaborated to write the stories of Jess and Nicu respectively. Both teenagers live on the edges of their communities, friendless and unsupported. Both are trying to escape: Jess from a violent and abusive stepfather and...

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Name: Catherine Purcell
13 March 2017;

Genre: Representation & Inclusion

I went into this book blind, so to speak. I hadn't read a single review of it - though there were plenty, and all of them congratulatory and effusive in their praise. I didn't know the film rights had already been sold and the main character as good as confirmed. I was unaware that the book wa...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

When Ben gets Penguin as a gift, he is delighted. However, no matter what Ben does, he cannot get a reaction from his new companion. In the end, he learns that when Penguin does speak, it's worth the wait! I can't believe this story is ten years old! With its timeless charm, it is as fresh today...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

Mole thinks his burrow is too small, too dark and too dull so with the help of his friends, he sets off to find himself a new home which is big, bright and beautiful. But, wherever they suggest just isn't quite what he is looking for... From Mole's nose peeking from his burrow as the sun is risin...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

Walter loves his home neat and tidy; in his beautiful home, everything is in its right place. When his squirrel-friend, Pansy, comes to visit, Walter's world is turned up-side-down as Pansy is very accident prone indeed! The Perfect Guest is a lovely story showing how opposites can make very goo...

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Name: Torie Walton
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

Originally published in 1947, this bedtime story is now celebrating its 70th anniversary. The gentle, rhythmic poem is filled with goodnight wishes to help lull small children to sleep. In a great green room, a small rabbit is tucked up tight in his warm, snug bed. Preparing for sleep - or perh...

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Name: Natalie Plimmer
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

This is a lovely and lively, colourful picturebook where the energy and fun bursts of the page. Kevin the Koala is described as being,a nicer grey fellow you never would meet, as soft as a soft thing from ear-tufts to feet'. The other residents, who all live on the ground, try inviting him to c...

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Name: Natalie Plimmer
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

This interesting debut novel is largely narrated by Alex Petroski, an 11 year old boy who is a budding rocket scientist. Following in the footsteps of his hero, Carl Sagan, after whom he named his dog, he creates a Golden iPod full of different sounds that he has recorded. Like Sagan, whose Gol...

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Name: Natalie Plimmer
12 March 2017;

Genre: Adventure

This new title in Franklin Watts' Tiddlers series for children who are starting to read alone is about Tom who plays with his wobbly tooth throughout the day: in class, in the bath and so on. Eventually it falls out but when it comes to bedtime and putting it under his pillow for the tooth fairy...

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