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There are life lessons galore for young readers of this hugely appealing picture book. Little dragon Fergal is a bit anxious about going off to summer camp – he’s never been before – and when he arrives, he’s so determined to make his mark that he doesn’t notice he’s being a bit selfish and upsetting the other little dragons. Fortunately, the camp leader can sort things out and give Fergal some useful advice: he needn’t be best at everything, he just needs to relax and be himself and everything else will follow. It’s an important message for all young children and it’s fun to learn it with Fergal and his little friends, as colourful and companionable a group as you could hope to meet. Look out for the first Fergal story too, Fergal is Fuming, which is just as good at prompting conversations about feelings and behaviour.
Roger Paxton is an ordinary kind of boy and a very reluctant hero – which is unfortunate as he’s tasked with saving the world from a massive goblin invasion. At least he’s got a good team on his side, including the marvellous and utterly fearless dwarf captain Mossbelly Macfearsome. This is a wonderfully raucous bit of fantasy adventure full of thrilling scenes, some irresistible characters, and very entertaining details (I love the fact that the goblins smell of burnt toast and fart into bottles to make their drinks fizzy). The story is set at Hallowe’en and this would make a terrific October read, but it would be fun to share at any time of the year. You could go on from this to Terry Pratchett, it’s that much fun.
Return to the magical world of Platform 13 and discover why the secrets are escaping in this fun, magical adventure sequel by Sibeal Pounder.
Book Band: Purple Ideal for ages 6+ | Short, but action-packed, Chitra Soundar’s story has all the ingredients to make a tasty, satisfying story. There’s a magic lamp, seven wishes and a genie, and it all culminates with a delicious birthday cake. Manju and her cat Cumin are puzzling about what to give Manju’s mum for her birthday when they discover a magic lamp. A genie grants them seven wishes – surely they can conjure up the perfect present now, but it proves harder than they think and takes all seven wishes to get a gift that’s just right. In the new Bloomsbury Young Readers series this is a fun, accessible story perfect for children just getting ready to read on their own. A Tips for Grown Ups section and suggestions of fun further activities are helpful, an added bonus.
Uncle Gobb is back for a third utterly ridiculous, absolutely hilarious and totally originally told adventure. Michael Rosen and Neal Layton use a brilliant integration of words and pictures to tell this meandering and many-layered story which engages readers with the complexity and creativity of storytelling.
Book Band: White Ideal for ages 6+ | A plump and playful, loyal and loving, lovely little long dog called Sausage is the hero of this entertaining story, which will really appeal to children just ready to start reading for themselves. Sausage is planning his birthday party, but the family’s two cats Fitz and Spatz, are determined to spoil it. Short, action-filled chapters, carefully selected vocabulary, attractive illustrations and the funny story make this a perfect book for beginner readers. In Bloomsbury’s new Young Readers series there are also useful prompts for adults on the best way to share the story plus ideas for follow up activities.
In a nutshell: charming story of boy who can talk and joke with the animals | Lucky Vince – not only is his dad a zoo keeper but Vince has inherited the family trait and can talk to the animals. They can talk to him too of course, and sing, and what an eccentric but lovable bunch they are. In this adventure Vince recruits their help to track down stolen jewellery – the reward is a massive Swiss Roll, so wouldn’t you? Sophie Thompson’s narrative style is charming – she frequently breaks off to address the reader direct, and as though we are just the kind of people she really likes. She has a lovely turn of phrase – ‘There was a rittle-rittle-rootle and a frithy-frith-fatootle in the hedge’ - while the animals’ songs, interspersed throughout the story, are enormous fun. Illustrations by Rebecca Ashdown make this as good to look at as it’s fun to read aloud. Readers will also enjoy Harriet Whitehorn’s Violet stories, and The Bolds by Julian Clary and David Roberts. ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Julia Eccleshare's Debut of the Month, February 2016 When Vince turns eight years old he discovers he has the most amazing secret. Although he has always hated animals, which is embarrassing because his father is a zoo keeper, Vince suddenly discovers that he can talk to them. And hear what they say back! After getting some fish fingers for a penguin, Vince finds himself with a long list of food requests from all the other animals. And he is enjoying the best birthday of his whole life! ~ Julia Eccleshare
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. This is non-stop comedy involving twin boys who discover that when they reach 12 and a half they have the most extraordinary talents, but using their powers without causing chaos all around could be more difficult. You’ll laugh-out-loud, in fact you may even cry with laughter so be prepared. Rest assured you’ll be hooked from page one. Author Michael Lawrence and illustrator Chris Mould are both hugely respected and liked in the children’s book world. Be sure to check out other titles by this author, including The Killer Underpants and Jiggy McCue: Kid Swap. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. This is non-stop comedy involving twin boys who discover that when they reach 12 and a half they have the most extraordinary talents, but using their powers without causing chaos all around could be more difficult. You’ll laugh-out-loud, in fact you may even cry with laughter so be prepared. Rest assured you’ll be hooked from page one. Author Michael Lawrence and illustrator Chris Mould are both hugely respected and liked in the children’s book world. Be sure to check out other titles by this author, including The Killer Underpants and Jiggy McCue: Kid Swap. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ On the day before their sister’s thirteenth birthday strangely magical things start to happen around twins Brin and Arlo. Where has the magic come from and why? After some hilarious adventures, Brin and Arlo discover a family secret that has been kept very well hidden by their parents! Who knows what they will grow up to be? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ On the day before their sister’s thirteenth birthday strangely magical things start to happen around twins Brin and Arlo. Where has the magic come from and why? After some hilarious adventures, Brin and Arlo discover a family secret that has been kept very well hidden by their parents! Who knows what they will grow up to be? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ A school story in which strange and often hilarious things happen. Lon is sent away to his father’s old boarding school with a view to stop him being quite such a monster. Dr Ffelix Ffurter’s School for Young Monsters has had great experience of changing boys like Lon around…But how will Lon like it? This topsy- turvy school story will make ordinary school days seem very dull! Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Count Dracula’s heir should have the best life in the world! Set to inherit a huge castle, a grand title and the fame of being the greatest vampire in the world, Wilfred should have had a great future ahead of him. But there is nothing about being a vampire that Wilfred likes. Above all, he hates blood! He’d far rather drink some nice fresh milk from a cow. Something seems to have gone very badly wrong. Luckily, Wilfred meets Smirk and the twists in this entertaining mystery are unravelled. ~ Julia Eccleshare Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. It is printed on cream paper, which is proven to be more restful on the eye. The font is specially designed to encourage a smooth and easy read. There are frequent page breaks, short, headed chapters and illustrations on almost every page.
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. It is printed on cream paper, which is proven to be more restful on the eye. The font is specially designed to encourage a smooth and easy read. There are frequent page breaks, short, headed chapters and illustrations on almost every page.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Count Dracula’s heir should have the best life in the world! Set to inherit a huge castle, a grand title and the fame of being the greatest vampire in the world, Wilfred should have had a great future ahead of him. But there is nothing about being a vampire that Wilfred likes. Above all, he hates blood! He’d far rather drink some nice fresh milk from a cow. Something seems to have gone very badly wrong. Luckily, Wilfred meets Smirk and the twists in this entertaining mystery are unravelled. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Count Dracula’s heir should have the best life in the world! Set to inherit a huge castle, a grand title and the fame of being the greatest vampire in the world, Wilfred should have had a great future ahead of him. But there is nothing about being a vampire that Wilfred likes. Above all, he hates blood! He’d far rather drink some nice fresh milk from a cow. Something seems to have gone very badly wrong. Luckily, Wilfred meets Smirk and the twists in this entertaining mystery are unravelled. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Welcome to the Ministry of Silly Animal Names in the company of Kes Gray, one of our funniest picture book authors. A string of animals are lining up to change their names and the laughter from those behind them in the queue – let alone the readers – gets louder and louder as they reveal what they’re called: Blue-Footed Booby, Blobfish, Pink Fairy Armadillo. The names and the animals’ aggrieved or resigned expressions - as depicted by Nikki Dyson - are very funny indeed, while readers will be amazed to discover that all these animals really exist, even the Bone-Eating Snot Flower Worm. The comic timing and delight in words that marks out Gray’s Oi Frog works just as well here and this is a real treat for young and old alike.
Two books in one in this bumper book about a magical creature and the unusual things that happen when it is around. In The Great Expanding Guinea Pig Ruby Morgan introduces Thing, her special and very unusual friend who can do magic and often does so with very unpredictable results! Thing is also at the heart of Beware of the Snow Blobs. In both, Ruby’s chirpy first person storytelling brings both the everyday and the unexpectedly vividly to life. ~ Julia Eccleshare
This is the fifth and final fantastical adventure from the phenomenon that is Pseudonymous Bosch, author of the hilarious bestseller The Name of This Book is Secret. You'll just have to read this! Bursting with inventive characters and laugh-out-loud moments, readers will be instantly hooked by the stylish, tongue-in-cheek story-telling of Pseudonymous Bosch. Do NOT click here for the Pseudonymous Bosch website -http://www.keepthesecret.co.uk/
This is the fifth and final fantastical adventure from the phenomenon that is Pseudonymous Bosch, author of the hilarious bestseller The Name of This Book is Secret. You'll just have to read this! Bursting with inventive characters and laugh-out-loud moments, readers will be instantly hooked by the stylish, tongue-in-cheek story-telling of Pseudonymous Bosch. Do NOT click here for the Pseudonymous Bosch website -http://www.keepthesecret.co.uk/
This is the fifth and final fantastical adventure from the phenomenon that is Pseudonymous Bosch, author of the hilarious bestseller The Name of This Book is Secret. You'll just have to read this! Bursting with inventive characters and laugh-out-loud moments, readers will be instantly hooked by the stylish, tongue-in-cheek story-telling of Pseudonymous Bosch. Do NOT click here for the Pseudonymous Bosch website www.keepthesecret.co.uk
This is the fifth and final fantastical adventure from the phenomenon that is Pseudonymous Bosch, author of the hilarious bestseller The Name of This Book is Secret. You'll just have to read this! Bursting with inventive characters and laugh-out-loud moments, readers will be instantly hooked by the stylish, tongue-in-cheek story-telling of Pseudonymous Bosch. Do NOT click here for the Pseudonymous Bosch website www.keepthesecret.co.uk
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