This clever, inventive book has great world-building and a plucky main character that you can't help but root for. A great mix of science fiction and thought-provoking social commentary around disability, health and inclusion combines with some creepy jump scares to make a really enjoyable read. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 29th January 2025

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Reed starts to make fake ID's for his school mates in a bid to generate money to help support his sister, Beatrice and improve their home life. Lots of discussion points raised; being a carer, taking responsibility, organ/bone transplants and dealing with a parent who can't cope, is depressed and becomes increasingly absent.

Reed's feelings about his mum's regular disappearing acts due to starting a new relationship is handled really well and very relatable. This book is full of empathy and you are with Reed all the way as he tries desperately to navigate incredibly difficult circumstances and with little support. That said, it's not a depressing read, the writing is solid and very readable and you do start to see the subtle threads of healing develop as the story unfolds. Great for empathy/discussion.

Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 22nd January 2025

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Taken from the view point of a young man and his father, this picture book memoir shows the determination, ingenuitity, and and sheer luck members of this Jewish family had in surviving the Holocaust and Nazi regime in WWII. A powerful and sobering reminder of the atrocities perpetrated in war, both in the past and present. A must for any KS2 history collection.

Reviewed by Debbie Bradley on 17th January 2025

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A little girl and her grandmother bond by making dumplings together, then when the grandmother is taken ill the little girl makes her dumplings to build up her strength and help her recovery.

This gorgeously illustrated ode to the deep bond between grandparent and child perfectly captures the changing seasons, from swirling autumn leaves to bright summer sunshine. The warm family life shared between the little girl and her adored grandmother is shown to the reader, along with some very yummy-looking dumplings! A beautiful read, ideal for snuggling up with. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 15th January 2025

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A simple and sweet tale about counting. Written in rhyming text, this has cute characters and delightful illustrations. A great addition to picture book selections.

Reviewed by Zeena Ark on 10th January 2025

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A good fun read with an exuberant dinosaur character, a sweet and sound message about confidence and lovely illustrations. Good for sharing

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 8th January 2025

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A beautifully photographed travel book covering the whole planet, with bucket-list experiences that showcase our planet's most amazing places. Each destination features fascinating facts and there are some truly awe-inspiring places to experience - a robot restaurant in China, husky sledding in Norway, or feeding crocodiles in Australia to name a few. Sure to make you want to go on holiday, this book is a great dip-in read that youngsters will spend hours looking through. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 4th December 2024

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The illustrations are detailed and really encapsulate the time period/key aspects of the war brilliantly. We also get a strong flavour of daily living (including fun moments) and the way in which ordinary people demonstrated true resilience. There is enough text to keep engaged but not enough to overwhelm and coupled with the plentiful illustrations make this good for KS2 reluctant readers and would also be great for discussion. The author is working on the next instalment which continues the story of this family’s war experience and is centred around being an evacuee. A solid read, beautiful book production and well worth the money.

Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 4th December 2024

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With a stunning and vibrant front cover, this heartwarming and poignant romantic novel grips from the beginning with its painstakingly raw themes of love, healing and self-discovery. The two main teen characters are real, raw and relatable, and their love story isn't just about romance, but more about what it means to love, to lose and then to find yourself
An impressive debut novel.

Reviewed by Zeena Ark on 27th November 2024

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Lots of detail to look at in the illustrations and the story is an uncomplicated but versatile read. One the surface, it's a straightforward story of a birthday wish coming true but it could also used to highlight climate change as when King Winter's siblings are all together (and not where they should be) the seasons start to merge into one and create havoc with the weather which brings about an unbalance of nature. The Jewish author was killed during WW2 which adds a further discussion point and really puts everything into context. Very good for schools/topics as well as library shelves.

Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 27th November 2024

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The front cover is eye-catching and the illustrations striking but as well as being lovely to look at, the contents do deliver. The tales are short, engaging and it's a great way of introducing classical music to young readers. There are links for individual famous music pieces that could be played in the background as you read each story. Good for reluctant readers, as a different approach and would be great as a dramatic storytime session. Could also be used to inspire creativity/craft session. A useful book to add to collections

Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 20th November 2024

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This book is arranged as a guide to different UK habitats, showing the changes seen across each season. The beautiful illustrations clearly show the plants and animals that young readers are likely to spot at different times of the year, and most types of habitat are covered. Ideal for consulting after a hearty walk for those who enjoy naming the things they're seen, or it would work equally well as an armchair browser to inspire adventures. Anything from the National Trust and Nosy Crow partnership is of high quality and this book is no exception. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys the natural world. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 13th November 2024

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This has been pitched by the publisher as a gender-flipping re-imagining of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. It is gripping from the outset with tense pacey action that really has you hooked, a feisty female lead with which you feel every blow and betrayal, strong cultural references that enhance the sense of place and setting, and a buzzing, well-developed plot with plenty of ups and downs. A harsh, gritty but excellent debut, Emily Varga is an author to watch

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 13th November 2024

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When the extended Gristle family are summoned to their ancestral home by Ignatious Gristle, family patriarch and extremely unpleasant individual, they don't expect to hear he is getting married. Things take an even more surprising turn when he is murdered in the middle of the night. With a snowstorm trapping the family in the old rambling house, and the sole telephone out of order, it falls to the youngest member of the family to uncover the circumstances of this murder mystery. 

With a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters and a conveniently isolated, pre-war country house setting, this book is a pitch-perfect take on the golden age of crime. In Edna Gristle readers have an irrepressibly curious and very amusing narrator and the plot is full of twists, turns and red herrings enough that the eventual conclusion is highly satisfying. Fans of Robin Stevens and Enola Holmes should really enjoy this first volume in a promising new series. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 6th November 2024

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Bryson could make any subject interesting, and this has been really well adapted for a younger audience to enjoy. There's something interesting on every page and it would be useful for language and British history topics, but equally works as a good leisure NF title, too.

Reviewed by Debbie Bradley on 30th October 2024

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