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.
Crocodile tears
Roger McGough, illus. Greg McLeod
What happens when a bored Crocodile dresses up as a banana and says goodbye to the jungle?
The Body Image Book for Girls: Love yourself and grow up fearless
Charlotte Markey, illus. Tim Oliver
How girls view themselves, especially as they enter their teens? Dr Charlotte Markey discusses body image issues in a friendly but authoritative approach.
Last: The Story of a White Rhino
Nicola Davies
A moving and subtle introduction to the threat to the world’s wildlife inspired by the true story of the last Northern White Rhino.
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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
Tina Mortier, illus. Kaatje Vermeire, trans. David Colmer
This is an extraordinarily powerful book dealing with the difficult subject of illness and bereavement.
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
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
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
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.
Ella May does it her way!
Mick Jackson, illus. Andrea Stegmaier
Children are often encouraged to try new things but feisty Ella May takes that idea to a whole new level.
Calm Beasts
Herberts Dorbe, illus. Gita Treice, trans. Žanete Vēv ere Pasqualini and Kate Wakeling
Herberts Dorbe paints a curious world where wolves fall silent and lions lie down to be stroked.
Poems the Wind Blew In
Carmelo C. Iribarren, illus. Riya Chowdhury, trans. Lawrence Schimel
Be careful when you open this book: as soon as you do, the wind will whisk you up and take you on an adventure across the city. These poems reveal the magic in small, everyday things.
The Chronicles of Will Ryde and Awa Maryam Al-Jameel: A Tudor Turk (Book One)
Rehan Khan
Will and Arwa, unlikely allies, find themselves on a desperate quest to rescue the Staff of Moses on behalf of Murad III, ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
Akbar’s India: Growing up and becoming a great emperor
Marcia Thompson
Exploring the story of the life of the Emperor Akbar (1542 -1605) of India through a series of miniature paintings he commissioned.
Chalk Eagle
Nazli Tahvili
Dreaming of life above and beyond the city.
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