Girls can vlog bk 2. Macmillan Childrens' Books, 2016. ISBN
9781509817382
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Pink cover, glittery lettering and cute
polaroids didn't bode well. As expected, the stereotypical tween
love triangle between protagonist, hot boy and narcissistic school
bully; results in Abby being continually set-up and looking foolish.
In this sequel to Lucy Locket: Online Disaster (Girls
Can Vlog bk 1) Abby's good times vlogging outweighs the
hijinks of Dakota, who is the ultimate mean girl.
Abby shines in the company of her loyal group of friends who are
members of the youtube channel she founded: Girls Can Vlog, but is
she neglecting her school work? Readers will delight in the
different genres used to re-create the girls' youtube videos. Text
messages, scripts, viewer counts, photos and comment feeds enable us
to experience each fun-filled vlog on paper. It takes initial
adjustment, but we quickly adapt and are thoroughly engaged.
Despite a predictable plot, readers cannot help developing an
interest in creating vlogs collaboratively, and learning about the
techniques and content via the featured video scripts. To be fair,
there are also lessons to be learned. Author, Emma Moss, touches on:
school pressures, cheating, bullying and friendship. Girls can
Vlog's strength lies in its innovative style. Macmillan
produced cute youtube trailers
for this series, which will no doubt attract equally cute youtube
responses. Recommended for junior high girls.
Deborah Robins
The magic show book: a performance in a book by Gemma Westing
ed. by Fleur Star. Dorling Kindersley, 2016. ISBN 9780241251133
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Magic, Illusion, Paper craft, Pop up book.
This amazingly designed book will intrigue and delight any reader
who takes an interest in design or magic, illusion or paper crafts.
Opening the book is magical in itself as the pages are brilliantly
enticing with their panorama of colour and invention. A contents
page on the inside cover shows the range of things to read and do:
abracadabra, wand tricks, rope tricks, coin tricks and disappearing
acts to the less well known tricky chicken and the slicer trick.
Even this list of contents is enticing. The first page tells the
budding magician what he or she will need to do these tricks, and
then over the page is the first trick Abracadabra, with an inserted
black page on which to write. This is followed by several pages of
wand tricks, and then numerology and the slicer. Each page has full
instructions and the double thickness pages make a solid base on
which to play out these tricks with the audience.
The book will be a wonderful addition to a class of kids wanting to
play some magic tricks, and is one of several published by DK: Magic,
Optical Illusions, Mind Benders, Colour Illusions
and More Illusions. Each is designed to intrigue and delight,
enticing readers to try these out with friends and families.
Fran Knight
A very Cheeky Monkey Christmas by Lisa Kerr
Five Mile Press, 2016. ISBN 9781760404086
(Age: 2-5) Recommended. Board book. Christmas. Cheeky Monkey is
determined to be good so that Santa will give him his presents. But
Cheeky Monkey has some problems when he tries to be helpful. He gets
tangled up in the Christmas lights when he is stringing them up; he
leads the Christmas band astray, destroys the gingerbread house,
grabs the largest stocking and has other misadventures until finally
it is time to go to bed.
This is a welcome addition to the Cheeky Monkey series that children
will love. It is a sturdy board book, with a cut out Christmas star
embellished with silver glitter. Cheeky Monkey has sparkly red
antlers that also give out the feeling of Christmas. Each page has a
short narrative and the reader must then look at the accompanying
humorous illustrations to find out just what Cheeky Monkey has
managed to do. The text flows along beautifully and will be lots of
fun to read aloud, and the illustrations are not only very funny but
contain lots of small details that children will love to find,
especially the tiny mice hiding in different places. The book is
worth a second visit to find all the funny things that may have been
missed in the first reading. This also could provide a springboard
for children to discuss Christmas rituals like putting up lights
outside, baking Christmas goodies, singing carols and so on.
A truly delightful book, the irrepressible Cheeky Monkey never fails
to delight the reader.
Pat Pledger
Hotel for the lost by Suzanne Young
Simon Pulse, 2016. ISBN 9781481423014
(Age: 15+) Ghosts. Horror. Audrey Casella is on her way with her
father and brother Daniel to stay with her grandmother, someone she
doesn't know. Her mother has just died, and her father can't cope
with his grief so he is dumping Audrey and Daniel. On the way, they
make an unplanned stop at the Hotel Ruby, where Audrey meets the
handsome Elias and goes uninvited to a party in the hotel's
ballroom. There are strange happenings in the hotel and Audrey will
have to make up her mind whether she can face a future without her
mother, or remain in an in-between place that is very strange.
The author builds up mounting suspense as the reader gets a picture
of the hotel, with its beautiful guests, the weird 13th floor and
strange occurrences. Audrey is attempting to deal with her grief and
getting together with Elias helps with that. She doesn't understand
why she is the only person without an invitation to the dances in
the ball room, and can't figure out the mystery behind the 13th
floor.
Readers who love ghost stories, the thought of life after death and
like a fabulous setting like the Hotel Ruby will enjoy this story.
Pat Pledger
Three dark crowns by Kendare Blake
Macmillan Children's Books, 2016. ISBN 9781509804559
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Like any good fantasy novel, this one
begins with a children's rhyme: 'Three dark Queens are born in a
glen... ' The song, sung by mainlander children while skipping
rope is haunting and hints at what is to come - or what should be to
come.
The much anticipated Three dark crowns sets the stage for a
violent battle to the death between three royal sisters on a
backwaters island in Fennbirn. Katherine the poisoner, Arsinoe the
naturalist, and Mirabella the elemental have been pitted against one
another since they were six years old. The triplets of the old
queen, they are destined to destroy one another in order to reign
over the island of Fennbirn. Seeded in tradition, they are separated
and raised to meet their bloody destiny with one of the three most
prominent gifted families; the Arrons, the Milone's, and the
Westwood's. However, it seems that more than one sister is without a
gift. Could Rho's claim that it is the sacrificial year be true?
Could Mirabella, the most talented of the sisters, ascend to the
throne without spilling blood and become the next White-Handed
Queen? She is already the only queen in history to remember her
sisters - the only to refuse to harm them.
I would highly recommend for fantasy lovers twelve and up. Blake's
world building brings you into the Queen's positions, making you
love, hate, and fear with them as the temple's power grows. Can they
survive the Ascension year? Or will their Island home rise up
against them before it is all over?
Kayla Gaskell, 20
The adventures of Pipi the pink monkey by Carlo Collodi
Retold and expanded by Alessandro Gallenzi and ill. by Axel
Scheffler. Alma Books, Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781847495594
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. What's that I hear you ask? Carlo
Collodi? You mean the Italian guy who wrote Pinocchio? Yep, that's
the one I mean. And no, I didn't know he wrote anything else either!
By the way, if you have never read the original story but
are only familiar with the contemporarised versions (like Disney)
you should!
For the first time ever Collodi's 'other' story for children has
been translated into English and has also been tweaked by Alessandro
Gallenzi. Alessandro is the co-founder of Alma Books (Alma
being the Spanish for 'soul'). This independent publishing company
produces around seventy titles a year, many of them translations of
classics in languages other than English.
Aside from the fascination of all of this (and I do mean
fascination) the story of Pipi is quite charming. With definite
overtones of the world's most famous marionette, Pipi is very
different to his brothers not only in his silky pink fur but also
because he is the naughty one.
From stealing a peasant's pipe to losing his tail while tormenting
an old blind crocodile to meeting a little boy named Alfred and then
being captured by an infamous brigand, Pipi adventure's are
thrilling.
And just as the Fairy with the Turquoise Hair (you know D's Blue
Fairy) promised Pinocchio that he could become a real boy, the
rabbit with the turquoise fur makes good on the promise that Pipi
will regain his beautiful tail, if only he keeps his word.
I truly love that I can hear Collodi's turn of phrase and expression
in this translation. The story is followed by a wealth of extra
material for readers with a glossary of monkey language,
biographical information about the author including a letter to his
child readers, details of the characters and even other 'literary'
apes/monkeys.
All in all this is a delightfully different addition to any primary
library collection. Not least of all because the message it provides
to young readers holds just as true today as it did in 19th century
Italy.
Highly recommended for readers from around 8 years upwards.
Sue Warren
An eagle in the snow by Michael Morpurgo
Harper Collins, 2016. ISBN 9780008134150
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. War, Historical fiction, Blitz, War
at home, World War One, World War Two. On the train traveling from
bombed out Coventry to London where Barney and his mother will catch
the train to Cornwall to stay with her sister, they are dogged by
German planes and take shelter in a tunnel. Here their companion in
the carriage tells them a story about a friend, one who showed great
courage during World War One, a man he calls Billy.
Thus Morpurgo, an iconic story teller relates the story of a real
decorated soldier, Henry Tandey, through a fictional tale fleshing
out the details and making it accessible to a younger audience.
Through Barney, Morpurgo tells his story from a distance, wanting
the listener to make up their own minds about this person, but at
the same time, using the eyes of a frightened ten year old, having
witnessed the horrors of Coventry when it was flattened in 1940. He
saw his whole street demolished, his neighbours scrabbling at the
rubble in the hope that someone was still alive, and was with his
grandfather when he found his working companion, his horse, dead.
The man in the carriage tells the story in the dark of the tunnel,
interrupted spasmodically by guards checking the passengers, and
Barney is entranced.
Billy was heroic, receiving awards for his bravery and in 1918,
leading two other men in an attack on a German post, overcoming and
taking twelve men prisoner. Billy's bravery was pushed by one
thought, to get the war over as soon as possible. He hated the
killing and waste of life, so when one German soldier refused to put
down his gun, Billy told the others not to shoot him, but let him go
home. But years later, when sitting watching the news footage in a
cinema, Billy sees who that soldier became: the new Fascist leader
of Germany, Hitler.
Morpurgo's story follows that of Henry Tandey in the main, showing
why this man was so brave but also showing the results of his good
turn which had dire consequences. In Morpurgo's hands the bare bones
of Tandey's life, becomes engrossing and rich, enabling young
readers to look at the idea of bravery, of the choices people make,
of the long term effects of war.
This is historical fiction at its very best.
Fran Knight
Replica by Lauren Oliver
Hodder and Stoughton, 2016. ISBN 9781473614963
(Age: Young adult) Recommended for lovers of Sci-fi fantasy
adventure (with a dose of romance). Themes: Cloning, Science
Fiction, Power and Corruption, Friendship, Identity. On cover: Two
girls, Two stories, One Epic Novel. Lauren Oliver has created
a back-to-back Sci-Fi fantasy story told from the perspective of the
female protagonists and presented as 2 separate books, inverted in
the same cover. Rather than an integrated story with both
perspectives interspersed into the narrative, it is two distinct and
separate stories telling about the same events, but giving the
different slants and histories of those involved. Lyra lives as a
scientific test subject in a facility hidden from the world because
of the unscrupulous scientific investigations into cloning and
biological warfare. Her status in this environment is only a little
higher than a lab rat. Her personal attempts to make sense of her
world reveal her as more than a test animal. Gemma is her rescuer,
but her own history implicates her family in the inappropriately
named facility, 'Haven', which is far from a haven! Set in the
Florida swamplands, the environment itself adds to the mire of the
circumstances of the Replicas.
Although the stories could be read in any order, Lyra's story gives
the reader a contextual understanding of the scientific world at
Haven and the horror of living life as a disposable 'Replica'. Power
and a moral vacuum pervade the story with corruption reaching
fatally into many lives. Gemma's life is almost easy in comparison,
even though she deals with daily bullying and problems with the
all-too-perfect mean girl 'clones' that seem to be a part of every
high school experience and has suffered major health issues all her
life, and lives in an overly protective parental environment as a
consequence. However, her attempts to make sense of who she is,
links her to Lyra. Into this amazing Science Fiction adventure and
mystery is woven friendship and romantic interests, with first
kisses and awakening interests in the opposite gender, as well as
murder and corruption. Other teen issues involving peer
relationships, parent-child concerns, friendship and the American
'Spring Break' expectations also appear.
Those who enjoyed Lauren Oliver's other books, and also Scott
Westerfeld's Uglies series will enjoy this book.
Carolyn Hull
by James Brown and Richard Platt
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781406370843
(Age: 8+) Information, Non fiction. 'From cloud classification to
Roman numerals, an essential miscellany of fascinating facts for
curious minds', reads the sub title on the front cover of this over
sized hard cover volume, reflecting a style of books from the past.
Opening the covers reinforces that supposition, but an inquisitive
child will linger over the miscellany of facts displayed here. The
table of contents includes a wide variety of topics, The periodic
table, Human skeleton, Phases of the moon, Music notation, Rivers
and Knots. Each topic has a monochromatic double page devoted to it
with one page of information and one page containing a diagram. The
text is clear and the stylish diagrams well presented, both sure to
attract the attention of inquisitive eyes. Even though children have
access to the internet, some will also be attracted to this book
full of wonder and interest as it presents such a diverse range of
information, and could be used as a reference tool as well as a book
of curiousities to satisfy eager minds. The stylised illustrations
reflect much detail as the eye is drawn into the myriad of
intricacies shown on each page. I enjoyed dipping into the pages.
One that caught my eye was Impossible shapes, which shows the sorts
of shapes that look as if they should be right as the mind tries to
justify them but on closer inspection he reader can see why they
trick the eye. Another page celebrates all the different types of
pencils and brushes, while another shows the phases of the moon.
Lots of interesting facts for those kids who love delving into
things with an alert mind.
Fran Knight
The four legendary kingdoms by Matthew Reilly
Jack West Jr. bk 4. Macmillan, 2016. ISBN 9781743534953
(Age: Secondary) Recommended. Fantasy. Jack West is called into Pine
Gap, the secret US base in outback Australia where he is told about
a runaway galaxy hurtling through space coming straight for Earth
and the Milky Way Galaxy. Jack West's adopted daughter Lily, Alby
and Sky Monster and his two dogs are kidnapped and taken to a remote
and secret location where Jack must fight to the death in a
restaging of the Tasks of Hercules. Under the auspices of Hades, King
of the Underworld, Jack and fifteen others are pitted against one
another and only one will survive. Jack is at a disadvantage because
he is one of the few who doesn't actually realise why he is there.
Others have been training and have been well prepared for the
contest.
Each contestant has a group of hostages to ensure that they give
their all. Each contest becomes more difficult and dangerous as each
stage proceeds.
The winner of each contest gains a golden orb which when placed in
its correct position within the arena, transmits signals to the
rogue galaxy, which proves there is still intelligent life on earth.
The odds are stacked against Jack with Hades' own son being one of
the contestants, and who is able to gain unfair advantages in his
father's realm.
Jack's knowledge of the ancient world and its myths and legends
proves invaluable, giving him the leverage he needs to overcome his
opponents despite all odds.
The readers of Reilly's books involving the heroic Jack West will be
familiar with the engaging cast of characters and the lengths they
go to survive and be more than satisfied that the ending sets up
another book to follow.
Mark Knight
The mix and match lunchbox by Cherie Schetselaar and Britney Rule
Exisle, 2016. ISBN 9781942934660
Imagine opening your lunchbox and finding almond joy popcorn, cream
cheese pinwheels and a melon and grape fruit salad. Or quinoa cookie
bites, chopped Thai chicken salad and a homemade ranch dip. Or any
one of the 27,000 three-course combinations embracing whole grains,
proteins and fruit and veggies that can be made from this glossy mix
and match flip book.
With Term 4 here and another 10 weeks of school lunches looming,
this is a timely release that lit up Miss 10's eyes as soon as she
saw it because there was nothing too difficult for her to make here.
Beginning with an explanation of why a healthy lunch is important
and then the role that the four food groups play in achieving it, it
continues with a section on the perfect lunchbox so that everything
stays fresh and cool and then helps with time and menu management by
helping to plan ahead and food preparation.
Each suggestion comes complete with coloured photo and the recipe at
the side using simple, easily available fresh ingredients so that
the lunchbox looks appealing, is healthy and satisfying. No more
dumping soggy sangers in the nearest bin!!
Having looked at it thoroughly, Miss 10 and Miss 5 (who could easily
help because of the simplicity of the suggestions) were heard to say
that they wished school was back already! Definitely one to promote
to parents not only looking for new ideas but also ways that will
encourage the children to join in the preparation and perhaps start
them on their cooking journey.
Barbara Braxton
The Creeping Shadow by Jonathan Stroud
Lockwood & Co. bk 4. Corgi Books, 2016. ISBN
9780552573153
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Ghosts. Horror. The fourth
in this fabulous series about a group of intrepid ghost-hunters,
sees Lucy hiring herself out as a freelance operative, after leaving
Lockwood & Co. She had seen in a vision that she would be
responsible for Lockwood's death and was determined to keep away
from him. However a surprise visit from Lockwood convinces her that
she can do one tough assignment with them finding the Source of the
legendary Brixton Cannibal. When the talking skull is stolen and
Lucy's life is threatened, she goes to Lockwood and Co for sanctuary
and from there the team becomes involved in the sinister activities
of the Rotwell and Fittes Agencies.
The creeping shadow does not disappoint. Lucy is an audacious girl,
who goes about the business of listening to and securing ghosts in a
very courageous way. The loss of the talking skull leads to
complications and she and the dashing Lockwood as well as the rest
of the team follow clue after clue trying to retrieve it.
There are some dark moments as they retrieve the Source of the
Brixton Cannibal, as Stroud describes what the Cannibal did to his
victim, but this is alleviated by the usual humour that pervades
Stroud's writing. The feelings between Lockwood and Lucy are only
slightly touched upon, but are an important thread throughout the
book as Lucy tries her best to ensure that she doesn't harm
Lockwood.
Some exciting moments in the final chapters of the book will have
the reader on the edge of the seat, and a cliff-hanger ending will
ensure that the next book is read as soon as it is published.
This is a series that is scary, funny and highly addictive.
Pat Pledger
A miscellany of magical beasts by Simon Holland
Ill. by David Wyatt and Kate Walker et al. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN
9781408881958
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Magic, Mythology, Legends, Monsters. A
coffee table book with the most glorious of illustrations will not
be out of children's hands for long. An enticing table of contents
tells the reader that inside they will find information about a
range of mythical beasts, including Harpies, Basilisks, the Chimera,
Pegasus as well as Giants, Werewolves and Elves. Many are not well
known so a double page spent on each is very welcome and most
informative. Opening to the section on Merpeople, the information
gives readers an idea of this mythological being from the
perspective of several countries. In Japan they are called Ningyo
and are said to be the bringer of bad luck, some European stories
tell about Melasine, and in Canada the First People have a story
about a half fish half person who creates storms, while many people
have stories about the Selkie. The double page gives a fascinating
overview of this being with rather touching illustrations by Helen
Ward. Another page which I was most interested in is the one about
the Basilisk. I have always associated this term with a hissing
sound, but I found out that the Basilisk is a serpent with the head
of a cockerel, whose stare can kill.
The slavering mouth of the Cerberus greeted me as I turned a page,
and so I had to stop to read about this ferocious animal, noticing
that the frightening illustration by David Demaret shows the animal
with two heads. I read on, finding that this animal has three heads
(I needed to flatten the book more) and is the keeper of the
Underworld in Greek mythology. Over the page more information is
given about other Gatekeepers, Ammut in Egypt, Yama's hounds in
India and Garmir in Norse mythology.
At the end of the book is a glossary of terms, ending off an
engrossing read about all sorts of beings accompanied by luminous
illustrations which will capture the interest of all who read the
book.
Fran Knight
Return by Aaron Becker
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406368437
(Age: 6-60) Highly recommended. Return concludes Aaron
Becker's picture book trilogy that began with the 2014 Caldecott
Honor Book Journey. His rich visual narrative once more
explores a child's escape from their everyday life. The fantasy
world in Return blends artistic and architectural styles,
turreted palaces, fantastic flying creatures and extraordinary
underwater scenes drawn from diverse cultures and imaginative
worlds. Becker's dramatic pen, ink and watercolour paintings are
intricate and multilayered; there is something to observe for all
ages.
This story begins with a young girl escaping her dark, boring life
by drawing a red magic door on her bedroom wall and entering a magic
world. Her busy father finally notices her red kite by his desk and
follows her into the colourful kingdom beyond. He soon discovers his
daughter with a neighbourhood boy and all three are soon drawn into
a dangerous quest. Using their magic markers to fashion a dragon for
escape, they become immersed in exciting and perilous adventures,
requiring their imaginations to survive. The dad becomes as invested
as the kids in vanquishing the bad guys. After an amazing journey, they return to the magic door, where the girl expresses her love for her father with a big hug. The red kite flies high above the bright city in contrast to the darkened empty house and presents a poignant ending.
Aaron Becker's wordless picture books are wonderful tools for educators. They encourage learners to create their own narratives, write literary texts, and explore the fantasy genre - the narrative arc, characterisation and experiment with their own artworks. Return is a wonderful book for families to share as well.
Rhyllis Bignell
Black water lilies by Michel Bussi
Translated by Shaun Whiteside. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2016.
ISBN 9781474601757
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Mystery. Art. The beautiful setting
of Giverny, the home of Claude Monet was what first caught my
attention, and once I started reading, the complexity of the story
was totally engrossing. Jerome Morval has been found dead in the
stream that runs through the gardens. He has a postcard of Monet's
painting of Water Lilies with the words 'Eleven years old. Happy
Birthday' in his pocket. Entwined in the mystery are three women: an
old widow who watches everything, a beautiful school teacher and a
young girl who is an exceptionally talented artist.
The setting of Monet's garden is beautifully depicted, and the
reader has a wonderful time imagining not just its wonders, but also
the havoc that constant tourists can have on the small French
village. The reader also gets to learn much about art, art awards
and art collections which is a boon for anyone who enjoys learning
about famous paintings and artists. The theme of the painting of
black water lilies winds its way through the whole book, making its
presence a second mystery in addition to the murders.
The mystery itself is very complex but the lives of the interesting
characters seem so real that it is easy to become totally immersed
in the story. And the final revelations were certainly a surprise to
me, making the story even more engrossing as I had to go back
through all the clues and think about all the implications of the
murder.
This is an outstanding detective story, with a wonderful location
and exceptional prose. It is one not to be missed by lovers of the
mystery genre.
Pat Pledger
