Attack of the Heebie Jeebies - Review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

I hope you are staying safe and well and managing with the social isolation. I'm lucky as I have a garden but I can't imagine how those of you who don't have one are managing.

So today I have another review for you.

Attack of the Heebie Jeebies by Tom Percival



Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: 2nd April 2020

Synopsis:

Erika's had a bad day. But going to sleep upset means bad dreams. She finds herself stranded in the Dreamscape along with a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies - and to make matters worse, she's being hunted by a terrifying Angermare!

Enter the Dream Team! Can they help Erika overcome her worries and get home, or will she be trapped forever? 

Review:

What a lovely book! 

Meet Erika. Erika is the older sister to her baby brother and has become VERY jealous and feels she is missing out on her parents attention. In fact, this has made her grumpy. VERY grumpy. So much so, she snaps at her brother and parents, she argues and finally, in a fit of rage tells her parents exactly what she thinks and storms off to her bedroom, where she cries herself to sleep.

This is where her adventure begins. She finds herself in another world. One that is full of Heebie Jeebies and she soon discovers that there are other creatures that she can talk to. However, there are bad things in store. Erika and her new friends have to work together, not only to defeat the nasty being, but also to get her back home.

I really enjoyed how the author has sensitively dealt with the problems that Erika has. I thought the illustrations particularly enhanced the story. They are mostly black, white and purple, which sounds boring, but actually depicts Erika's feelings and situations really well. 

I can see myself reading this aloud to my class. The book deals with anxiety, behaviour, jealousy and how to overcome these. It can be easily used within the LKS2 PSHE curriculum, being proactive, or indeed as circle time if you need to be reactive to a situation. In fact, it would also be an ideal book to give to a specific parent and child to read together, to help the child relate to Erika and then come up with their own strategies to deal with their problems.

I'd happily have this on my bookshelf at school but I would also happily recommend this for any parent to read with or give to their child to read. Not only would it help a child that finds themselves in the same situation as Erika, but it would also help those children who are lucky enough to have no worries, understand where Erika is coming from in order to empathise.

My rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Vanishing Trick - review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

I hope you are staying safe during these difficult times. 

Today I am doing a review for:

The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler

• Illustrated by Chris Mould
• Published by Simon and Schuster Ltd
• Release date: 30.3.20

Synopsis
Madame Augustina Pinchbeck, travels the country conjuring the spirits of dearly departed loved ones... for a price. Whilst her ability to contact ghosts is a game of smoke and mirrors, there is real magic behind her tricks too - if you know where to look.

Through a magical trade, she persuades children to part with precious objects, promising to use her powers to help them. But Pinchbeck is a deceiver, instead turning their items into enchanted Cabinets that bind the children to her and into which she can vanish and summon them at will.

When Pinchbeck captures orphan Leander, events are set into motion that see him and his new friends Charlotte and Felix, in a race against time to break Pinchbeck's spell, before one of them vanishes forever...

Review

Wow. What can I say other than I absolutely loved this book! 

I really enjoyed the setting. I'm liking historical fiction more and more. I think it can be particularly hard to capture the time period when writing for children, as they may have little understanding of this time, but I felt there was enough historical detail for them to understand.
Then there was the premise of the story set around the dark, sinister world of the seance and being able to see and talk to spirits of past loved ones. This was utterly believable. The introduction of the early camera was portrayed well and the whole mysteriousness of the 'other world' had a real sense of foreboding, even though we know, as readers, it was all done through magic. Yet, we're not actually sure how the magic works! Love that element.

This story follow Leander, an orphan and street child who just about scrapes through life stealing morsels of food and sleeping wherever he can, as he gets duped into believing Augustina Pinchbeck when she says she will give him a job and food in exchange for him working for her.

 I thought the character of Leander was totally believable. Despite where he has ended up in life, he has good morals. He knows right from wrong (even though he steals) and he believes that there is good in everyone. Just before he agrees to work for Pinchbeck, we get a mysterious glimpse of Charlotte, who we later find out also works for Pinchbeck, as she tries to stop him making the wrong choice. That section of the book in itself was a mystery as we feel ourselves asking the same questions as Leander.

Leander soon discovers that all is not as it seems. He learns to trust Charlotte and Felix (the third child) as together they try to stop Pinchbeck fooling the rich as she tries desperately to become a famous medium.

Pinchbeck reminded me of the child catcher. The author really worked her magic in making us, as well as Leander, believe that she is just looking out for him. Yet soon, we see her other side. A side that encompasses magic, stories, evil, darkness, greed and trickery. The more I read the book, the more I hated her but I just couldn't quite work out why things were happening. I just had to keep reading!

The book was full of suspense and a sense of fear for the children. Would they die? Would they survive? Would they be locked away forever? A fantastically written story that takes the reader on a heart stopping journey. There were times when I found myself reading quicker and quicker. I could feel my heart thumping as I was totally sucked in to the plights of the children.

For me, this book stands out as one of a kind. The setting, the characters and the plot all were different to anything I've read at middle grade before.

I'd highly recommend this book to children of about 9 upwards. It may be a little too tense for lower key stage 2. It easily fits within the Victorians topic and further research could be done in class to enhance the children's understanding of the time period. There would be so much to look into: clothes, development of the camera, travel, beliefs etc.

This has to be the easiest 5 stars I've ever given. 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Happy reading,

Allison xx

#FirstLinesFriday

Hello, hello my lovelies,

I hope you are all staying safe and well.

So today I thought I would take part in First Lines Friday again which is run by Becky's Book Blog.

This is what you have to do:

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page

• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first

• Finally… reveal the book!

So here we go ...

My name is Hazel Wong and I never expected a murder on my summer holiday - but then nothing about the English seaside was as I'd imagined it.

Any ideas?

It was the World Book Day book by Robin Stevens, The Case of the Drowned Pearl.

Synopsis:

While on a seaside holiday with their friends George and Alexander, the Detective Society discover the body of famous swimmer Antonia Braithwaite - nicknamed The Pearl - on the beach.

Everyone presumes that she drowned accidentally - but how could such a famous swimmer have struggled to swim?

Even more mysteriously, three guests at the girls' hotel all wanted Antonia dead...

Can the Detective Society solve this mystery? Or will they sink under the pressure?

I hope you enjoyed that. 

Happy reading,

Allison xx

x

Oh No Bobo! - review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

I hope you are all well.

Today I have another review for you.

Oh No Bobo! by Donna David. Illustrated by Laura Watkins
Due to be published 21.4.20



Synopsis:
Join Bobo the Orangutan on his quest to find the perfect pillow and ensure a good night's sleep.

Bobo is sure one of his jungle friends will be able to help. He plucks a feather here and a tuft of hair there but only causes upset! Bobo is left despondent and still without a pillow. But when Elsie the elephant enthusiastically strokes Bobo and wraps him up in her trunk in an effort to play, Bobo gets very upset indeed. Will Bobo and Elsie both learn and important lesson about asking permission? 

Beautifully illustrated, QED's Storytime series introduces young children to the pleasures of reading and sharing stories. Featuring charming animal and human characters, the books explore important social and emotional themes like friendship, gratitude, perseverance and overcoming fears. A Next Steps page at the back provides guidance for parents and teachers.

Review

This is a beautiful book. I actually felt quite broody as I wanted a little child in my lap to read this to! 

Bobo is a baby orangutan who can't sleep very well because his branch is a bit uncomfortable. We travel with him as he swings through the jungle meeting different animals that he wants to use as a pillow. Needless to say, those animals aren't too keen and definitely let him know about it! I have to admit I did chuckle when the slow loris bit him. I could just imagine a little one laughing out loud at this. 

Finally Bobo meets Elsie, a baby elephant who finds herself in exactly the same position. She can't sleep either! Unfortunately, or fortunately you could say, she gives Bobo a taste of his own medicine.

This is a gorgeous book. The illustrations are vibrant and really sell the story. I love the final picture of Bob with his mum, it would make a lovely print in a child's bedroom. The story is beautifully told, with short sentences making the it easy to read aloud, follow along, or for children to try to read themselves. Lovely repitition means the children can join in with their predictions too.

A beautiful bedtime book where, as Bobo and his mum snuggle together at the end, so can you and you child or grandchild as you put them to bed after.

Alternatively, this could be easily used in an EYFS setting. There is a page at the back with some ideas for teachers which is a lovely touch. If anyone does Talk For Writing in their setting, this would be perfect for that. 

A super picture book.

Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I hope you enjoyed this review and I have tempted you to go and buy a copy.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me this copy for my honest review.
I would also like to thank QED Publishing, Donna David and Laura Watkins.

Happy reading,

Allison xx

The House of Hidden Wonders - Review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

How are you?
I'm actually off work today but not because of the dreaded virus. I hope you are all safe and well.

So today I am reviewing The House Of Hidden Wonders by Sharon Gosling.



This is due to be published 02.04.20

Synopsis:

Zinnie and her sisters live in the murky tunnels beneath Edinburgh's Old Town. They keep out of the way of the authorities and remain undetected. Until, that is, rumours of a ghost bring unwanted visitors into the caverns they call home. Among them, a young Arthur Conan Doyle, keen to investigate, and MacDuff, the shady owner of Edinburgh's newest attraction, the House of Wonders. 
Caught up in a world of intrigue and adventure, Zinnie seeks answers. But how can she discover what secrets lie in the House of Wonders while also protecting the sisters she holds so dear? 

Review
To start, Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities in the Uk. I've only been there twice and both times I fell head over heels in love with it. I love the juxtaposition between the old and new architecture, the vibrancy, the history, the people, the accent and everything else associated with it; so I was already excited to read this knowing it was set deep in Victorian Auld Reekie. 

Add in a strong female protagonist who strives for the best despite adversity and we're on to a winner. Zinnie, the eldest of 3 sisters has a strong mother role where, despite living hand to mouth in the slums, wants the best for her siblings and will do anything to make sure they are all ok. Sadie, the next sister down is quiet and demure with a love for botany and the medicinal properties of plants. Lastly, there is Nell. The youngest sister and one who takes ill through the poor living conditions. The relationship between the sisters is extremely powerful and shows the bond they all have. They will do anything for each other and anything to stay together. Zinnie knows they don't live well but knows it is her duty to look after them. She wants the best for them but understands she can only do what she can. However, that doesn't mean she rests on her laurels and accepts things for what they are. In fact, quite the opposite.

She has a friendship with a young Arthur Conan Doyle and between the 2 of them, they seem to feed off each other. He understands Zinnie knows the streets of Edinburgh like the back of her hand. Zinnie knows that he is a learned man who is inquisitive and won't stop at what is there before him. If he feels there is more to something than the obvious, he and Zinnie almost think aloud together in a search to unravel a mystery.

Also in the book is another very powerful, strong lady called Lady Sarah Montague. How I would love to be her! She is widowed and has travelled extensively around the world on her own and intends to keep going, much to the dismay of the gentlemen around her who think a lady should be doing no such thing! Lady Sarah puts these men swiftly back in their place. She is an endearing character and one who takes an instant liking to Zinnie, albeit she is a street child,  knowing she is a friend of Conan Doyle. 

Then we have Dr Sophia Jex-Blake. Again another female character and as it turns out, another factual person from the time. I'm not going to spoil it here and tell you her history as I think it will be interesting for you to find out, as I did, when you get to the end of the book. I must admit, the author really has done her research and I love this aspect of the book, mixing fact with fiction. Delicious!

Then there is the bad guy. A supposedly American freak show owner who isn't all that he seems. As you read the book, you take an instant dislike to him and that's all down to the power of the writing.

Finally there is one more girl who I'm not going to say anything about. All I will say is that I cried when I found out about her. I'll leave that little nugget with you.

This was an absolutely fantastic book and one that I will definitely be buying. Suitable for upper key stage 2 as there are some darker themes, we follow Zinnie as she takes us on a rip-roaring adventure to solve her own Sherlock Holmes style murder mystery. You are thrown straight into the story from page 1 and to be honest, as I was reading, I forgot it was even a middle grade book. I was so engrossed that I needed to read and read until every little twist was put into place. 

This is a story of sibling love; a love for someone no matter what they look like, be that in race or disability. The bond between people through adversity to not only make the best of what they have but also stand by their morals and fight for justice and what is right. There is the history of the underground streets and a glimpse into life as it was then, yet just down the road, the rich lived with their staff.
I can already say with confidence, that this will be one of my best books of the year. I'd highly recommend this to anyone, adults and children alike who want an adventure that draws you straight in and you can get your teeth into.

Without hesitation, this gets ...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  5 stars!

I hope this review has inspired you to read this.

I would like to thank NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book for my honest review. Also Little Tiger Press Group and Sharon Gosling.

Happy reading.

Allison xx

The Dot by Peter H Reynolds

Blurb

"Just make a mark and see where it takes you."

Vashti says she can't draw.

Her teacher says she can.

She knows that there's a creative spirit in everyone and where there's a dot, there's a way ...

"A wonderfully liberating book ... The small line drawings, set in clear white space, convey everything they need to say with the utmost simplicity."
The Guardian

Review

I love this book! I love the message that even if you think you can't then maybe you can. As a teacher, this resonates with me as there are so many children that will readily say they can't without even trying; or they get really frustrated if what they have planned in their heads doesn't show it the way they want it to on paper. Yet this book shows that whilst it might be different to everyone elses, that's OK. Through someone elses eyes it might just be the best thing ever!

This is a great read aloud story that can be read at home or to a class which children can easily identify with and learn from.

Happy reading,

Allison x

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my brand new blog where I will be reviewing children's books for readers from 5 upwards.

I can't wait to get started and I hope you will follow me on my book journey.

Happy reading

Allison x