Book Reviews

See our latest book reviews and search for all previous reviews. We’ll be adding more over the coming months, so check back to see if your favourite book has been reviewed by us.

Julian at the wedding

Julian at the wedding

Jessica Love

A second delightful outing into the non-judgmental world and community of Julian, last seen wanting to be a mermaid.

Black and British: A short, essential history

Black and British: A short, essential history

David Olusoga

From Roman Britain and to the toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol, this book is peppered with examples of real people and their stories.

Taking Time

Taking Time

Jo Loring-Fisher

Through the eyes of children from different countries, this book reminds us to take time out of our busy lives to stop and appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

The Garden of Inside-Outside

The Garden of Inside-Outside

Chiara Mezzalama, illus. Régis Lejonc, transl. Sarah Ardizzone

More than a story of childhood fantasy, this book provides a powerful treatise on civil war and its impact on young lives.

Max + Xam

Max + Xam

Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar

When Max and Xam fall out, they start a competition to see who is the most popular, using all their ingenuity to ‘make’ friends and prove a point.

I’m NOT a mouse!

I’m NOT a mouse!

Evgenia Golubeva

Olivia’s nickname, Mouse, gets her into some sticky situations. But will her mum ever stop using it? This fresh and funny look at pet names holds a deeper message about identity.

A Story about Afiya

A Story about Afiya

James Berry, illus. Anna Cunha

In this beautiful book, award-winning Jamaican poet James Berry creates a magical, dreamy world for a little girl who enjoys the freedom of spending her days outside.

Maia and What Matters

Maia and What Matters

Tina Mortier, illus. Kaatje Vermeire, trans. David Colmer

This is an extraordinarily powerful book dealing with the difficult subject of illness and bereavement.

Lost

Lost

Ele Fountain

Lola and her brother Amit wait for their father to return home after a days work. But days pass, and he fails to arrive...

Belonging Street

Belonging Street

Mandy Coe

Much of the book is a quest, a search for a sense of belonging, whether the searcher is a child, a tree-that-walks, the colour grey, or a butterfly...

The Wanderer

The Wanderer

Peter Van den Ende

A paper boat makes its way around a fantastical ocean world, discovering wonder after wonder until it reaches the shore.

Mrs Noah’s Garden

Mrs Noah’s Garden

Jackie Morris, illus. James Mayhew

As Mr Noah turns their vessel into a house, Mrs Noah sets about growing a fabulous garden… and a new addition to the family