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Charlotte Carus - Editorial Expert

Latest Features By Charlotte Carus

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Latest Reviews By Charlotte Carus

Cat and Dumpling: Go Camping
There is something very special about a chapter book. Created for the 5–8 age group, chapter books fit that reading space between picture books (though, of course, we all know nobody ever grows out of picture books!) and middle-grade novels. This 5+ age is also very special as not only are children learning to read, they are rapidly learning about the world around them, about who they are, and how to become independent people. The Cat and Dumpling series fits this developmental stage perfectly. The illustrations are delightful, colourful and fun. The storyline bounces along in short chapters – a few ... View Full Review
Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome is the second in the Pets Tell Tales series that blends the entertainment of comics with historical fact. Sales of graphic novels are booming at the moment, with kids across the country strongly engaging with comics. They're fun, visually appealing, and accesible for a range of both avid and reluctant readers. Pets Tell Tales Ancient Rome is jam-packed with jokes and humour whilst giving an insight to life in Rome through the eyes of a cast of friendly and very knowledgeable animal guides. We learn about the birth of Rome, and the legend of Romulus and Remus ... View Full Review
The Questioneers: What's That Colour?
What's That Colour? is the first title in a brand-new board book series from the talented team behind The Questioneers, created to make STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) fun for young readers. The star of eponymous Aaron Slater, Illustrator (based on Aaron Douglas, the father of Black American art) is exploring colours with his fellow Questioneers. Spot the friends - Sofia Valdez, Iggy Peck, Ada Twist, Rosie Revere and Billy Jean Peet - as babies, experimenting with mixing paints to create brand-new colours. It's bright and fun, and all told in lively, bouncy rhyme. The final page folds ... View Full Review
Elmer and the White Bear
Elmer and the White Bear is David McKee's final gift to young readers. After his passing in 2022, David's family discovered a manuscript and some early sketches for a picture book, along with rough thumbnail illustrations. However, no colour artwork had been started. Marysia Milewski, a close friend and fellow artist, was entrusted with bringing the book to life. To honour David's legacy, his children packed up the paper he typically used for Elmer, along with his pencils and paints, and delivered them to Marysia. She then used all of David’s materials to create the artwork in his distinctive ... View Full Review
I Follow the Fox
Rob Biddulph's I Follow the Fox is the most gorgeous wintry tale of a small lost teddy returned to its owner by a beautiful fox, and a sprinkling of magic.  The picture book opens with a wonderful snowy scene of children and animals playing in a winter wonderland. Amid the snowball fights, snowmen and snow angels stands a little boy, looking forlornly at his empty sledge, “This morning I lost Little Fox in the park.” Keen-eyed readers might spot a smudge of rusty red peeping from behind a tree, but despite Mum and Dad searching long after ... View Full Review
How to Tame a Mummy Monster
Sisters Ruby and Junie squabble all day long. Whilst Mummy is trying to enjoy her breakfast coffee there's a soundtrack of teasing, then her morning work out is interrupted by a big row as the girls refuse to share their pencils. "You two are acting like cheeky monsters!" Mummy exclaims. "What if I were a monster all day?" And just like that, Mummy transforms into a MUMMY MONSTER! If you thought the girls’ behaviour was bad, it’s nothing compared to what the Mummy Monster can do. She gobbles up all the snacks without sharing, ruins the girls&... View Full Review
I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas
Step into a fabulously festive world where everything (and we mean everything!) is pink! The little girl in this Christmassy picture book is absolutely obsessed with her favourite colour. From her glasses and clothes to the bows in her hair, it’s pink, pink, pink! So naturally, her Christmas has to be pink too. A traditional green tree? Not a chance. She’s got a fluffy pink one, dripping with pink decorations and surrounded by perfectly pink presents. Even the snow in her garden doesn’t escape the makeover as bright lights give the winter wonderland a ... View Full Review
A Wonderful Wood Sensory Set: Cloth Book and Flash Cards
A Wonderful Wood Sensory Set by Elizabeth Davies and Lily Fossett is part of a new series from Kennedy Publishing, created specifically for very young children. Designed using images in high-contrast black and white, the flash cards and cloth book feature bold, simple illustrations that stimulate visual development, helping strengthen eye muscles, improve focus, and support early brain growth. Parcelled up in a very attractive sturdy box, the Sensory Set contains a four-page cloth book and six flashcards. Each page of the cloth book features a cute and colourful scene of the animals who live in the Wonderful Wood, with ... View Full Review
A Wonderful Wood
A Wonderful Wood by Elizabeth Davies and Lily Fossett is part of a new series from Kennedy Publishing, created specifically for very young children. Designed in high-contrast black and white, the book features bold, simple illustrations that stimulate visual development, helping strengthen eye muscles, improve focus, and support early brain growth. The story gently follows a group of woodland animals as they prepare for hibernation, journeying through various habitats and gathering food for the winter. Each double-page spread features striking black-and-white imagery, thoughtfully crafted to engage developing eyes that respond best to high-contrast visuals, without overwhelming them. Accompanied by simple, ... View Full Review
Fingerprint Activities Summertime
Get ready for hours of fingerprint fun with this delightful activity book and rainbow coloured ink pad — perfect for little artists with big imaginations! With easy-to-follow instructions, children will love bringing these summertime scenes to life using just their fingertips. From seashells and garden creepy crawlies, yummy ice creams and summer fruits, every page offers a new scene to decorate with brightly colourful fingerprints. With its cheerful illustrations and mess-friendly design, this colourful activity book makes art time exciting, hands-on, and wonderfully (if just a little) messy. Complete with all the ink pads you need, it’s a ... View Full Review
Doodle and Dot: The Trouble with Triangles
Who knew triangles were such troublemakers? Welcome to the creative world of Doodle and Dot where a new adventure is only a crayon drawing away. Doodle and Dot love to draw, and are spending the day drawing shapes. All is calm and peaceful until Doodle dares to draw a triangle. Havoc is unleashed! To escape an invasion of triangle aliens, the pair draw a hot air balloon which is quickly punctured by the triangle beaks of a flock of passing birds. Don't even mention the dinosaur. It's all great fun, bright colourful, and preschoolers get a basic lesson in geometry. ... View Full Review