Latest Reviews

Name: Emily Marcuccilli
09 September 2019;

Genre: Friends and family

The Afterwards is, as I fully expected it to be, a very special story. It tackles the tricky and complex issue of loss and bereavement from a child's perspective, but we are in safe hands with AF Harrold and Emily Gravett. That is not to say that it is in any way simplistic, p...

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Name: Donna Burkert
08 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

It is a fortuitous event that spawns The Imp: a baby's first laugh, intertwined with a last sigh from her grandfather. This rarest of magic creates a Monster Who Wasn't. Named Imp by the gargoyles who adopt him, he is a rare creature indeed, human looking but with monster qualities but he posse...

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Name: Louise Gahan
07 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

What is in a Rainbow? is a lovely, simple book introducing young children to the science and wonder of light and colour. Set as a simple story it follows the TechTots; Mia, Seb, Isla and Oscar as they explore and learn about how a rainbow is formed. Questions, answers and simple statements ass...

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Name: Louise Gahan
07 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

Quill soup is a myriad of colour and imagination. It is a story of Noko the porcupine's search for food. Tired and hungry after his long journey, he finds himself in a village where no animal is willing to share their food. A plan is struck; a plan that will encourage others to join in and share...

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Name: Erin Hamilton
07 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

This is a beautifully illustrated book that softly and sensitively deals with love and loss, and the memories that keep loved ones alive in our hearts. Umpa has a garden full of treasure and the child loves spending time there! Umpa is clearly old and wise for he shares important advice with th...

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Name: Bryony Davies
06 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

A fascinating tour of land, sea and space in this excellent offering from DK. Covering a range of explorers from ancient history to present day, this text gives each person a double page spread explaining key facts into their lives and their expeditions. Author Nellie Huang clearly explains the i...

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Name: Nikki Stiles
06 September 2019;

Genre: Young fiction

So exciting to see new additions to the Reading Gems first readers series! The new additions include two phoneme-specific books including Pem's Little Brother and Mr Wimple's Potion. These are something new that we did not see in the first collection of books released. These are decodable books w...

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Name: James Hewish
06 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

Laugh out loud funny! During my teacher training, as a project, I created a picture book of my own. I was rather impressed with it to be honest. It was about a slug that becomes a superhero. So, imagine my surprise when I saw a book turn up on my doorstep that was all about just that! I thought...

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Name: Clare Wilkins
06 September 2019;

Genre: Fantasy

Patch Bridgewater has fled Tiviscan Castle, the home of the Pipers' Council. After absconding in disgrace and failing to complete his training as a piper, he has to eke out a living with travelling musicians, never staying too long in one place. Patch is ashamed; Pipers are revered for their a...

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Name: Lucy Georgeson
05 September 2019;

Genre: Adventure

Newt has been living and working in Bearmouth from a tender age. Daily life in the mine is full of strict routine and a quiet acceptance of how things are - until, that is, Devlin arrives and starts to ask questions. Newt fears any unrest will bring heightened oppression from the Master and his o...

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