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 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.
Drawing Europe together: Forty-five illustrators, one Europe
Alex Scheffler (Foreword)
45 book illustrators from around Europe share their powerful illustrations of Europe’s past and future
Corey’s rock
Sita Brahmachari, illus. Jane Ray
An exploration of a family’s struggle with grief and loss set in the backdrop of a Scottish island.
Everyone’s the smartest
Contra, illus. Ulla Saar, transl. Charlotte Geater, Kätlin Kaldmaa & Richard O’Brien
Poems exploring school and family life.
The book of clouds
Juris Kronbergs, illus. Anete Melece, transl. Māra Rozīte & Richard O’Brien
Have you ever looked up in the sky at the clouds and imagined what they reminded you of? This book encourages close looking and creativity.
Queen of seagulls
Rūta Briede
What is the reason for Renata’s obsession with the seagulls who live around her block of flats?
Wild Wolf
Fiona French
When Proud Girl refuses Bravest Warrior as a suitor, he becomes angry and creates Ice Man in revenge who leads her into great danger.
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