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.
The Phoenix of Persia
Sally Pomme Clayton, illus. Amin Hassanzadeh Sharif
When the wish of King Sam and Queen Aram is granted and they have a baby, their joy turns to sorrow – anger even. The baby, Prince Zal, does not look like the prince the king wanted...
Moonstruck! Poems About Our Moon
Roger Stevens (ed), illus. Ed Boxall
This anthology is another ‘stuff in your schoolbag’ poetry book from the Otter-Barry series that encourages children to read and share poetry.
A Kid in my Class
Rachel Rooney, illus. Chris Riddell
The variety of poems is past imagining – the thoughts of a hamster; wondering what present to give a leaving teacher; haikus to describe pop-up ideas, including a ‘her-ku’, twins; school sports day; advice (with a twist) to a new boy; playground life; feeling shy; every aspect of the school day.
Poetry for Change: A National Poetry Day Anthology
Various authors, illus. Chie Hosaka
This book contains 43 poems – more than half are freshly written by living poets, the rest include classics that they want to share with you.
Sock Story
C K Smouha, illus. Eleonora Marton
Phil and Dave are a pair. They spend time together, making jokes, chatting and playing games. Suddenly, they get separated. Without having each other, life seems scary. But why is their adventure unique? I can give you at least two reasons.
Alfred and the Blue Whale
Mina Lystad, illus. Ashild Irgens
Alfred is scared about lots of things but speaking in front of the class in four days’ time about the blue whale is going to be the worst thing ever.
The Adventures of Anatole
Nancy Willard, illus. David McPhail
Nancy Willard’s trilogy which narrates the adventures of a boy and his orange cat Plumpet, now in one volume.
My storee
Paul Russell, illus. Aska
A young boy, possibly dyslexic, loves writing stories. However, his work is always heavily critiqued and covered in red slashes. How does everything change when a new teacher arrives?
Mira’s curly hair
Maryam Al Serkal and Rebeca Luciani
Mira’s hair is a riot of curls. Not what she wants at all. She would like straight hair just like her mother. But appearances are not always as they seem. When the rain comes down, Mira has a real surprise.
Tiger Lily
Gwen Millward
When things get spilt or broken, or even eaten, it is clear that naughty Tiger did it. Lily declares it is so, and also tells us that Tiger is not sorry. But some things do require punishment. So they run away to be wild. At first, it is exciting, but what happens when it is dark and cold? Sometimes you can be too wild.
Emmett and Caleb
Karen Hottois and Delphine Renon
Emmett and Caleb are friends. This does not mean they always like the same things, and sometimes this can cause a bit of friction. But for friends, there is always a way through difficulties - an invisible poem perhaps, with all the right words.
Me and Mrs Moon
Helen Bate
Mrs Moon looks after Maise and Dylan after school while both sets of parents are still at work. But what happens when Mrs Moon's behaviour becomes unusual?