Friday 31 August 2012

Magical Moon Cat: Moonbeams and the Talent Show by Annie Dalton (Children's, 7 years +, 10/10)



1st August 2012, Usborne
176 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: school talent show, fqmily running a cafe, yummy cupcakes, being shy, finding your inner talent, magical cat, helping others, friends helping you out, siblings outshining the quiet sibling, trials of a sick cat, being brave, lots of laughs, tissues needed

Summary from Usborne
Everyone is talking about the school talent show – except Jax. She's too busy with Moonbeans, her magical moon cat. But then she meets Hubble, the white rabbit. His owner, Howard, dreams of performing a dazzling magic act. But Howard's show has more mishap than magic. Can Jax and Moonbeans help Howard to conjure up his hidden talent?


Nayuleska's thoughts
This is the first book of the series that i've read (it's #3), and its awesome! Jax is a sweet girl who helps others with her special cat. Helping Howard teaches her not to be so hasty in forming judgements about people. Jax is a little like me in being hasty and wanting to know and do everything instantly. Even when events go horribly wrong she keeps going because of Beams's support.

Unbelievably I didn't cry in the story. I cried reading the Annie's message. Her cats sound just like mine (who had a sister who lived less than him). Cats really do know how you're feeling, do the unexpected frequently and are just there when you need them. This book captures the magic of being a cat owner - it takes a little work, and few will have Beams's powers, but like my Tolly cats are real companions.

This book is 10/10 read is made extra special by the yummy recipes at the back and the funky stickers at the front. Oh and the cool illustrations, my favourite being the little adorable dragon.

You can find out more on Annie's website.

Suggested read

For more magical cats try Kitty Wells's Pocket Cat series, one of my favourites is Dancing Dreams

  

Thursday 30 August 2012

Zoe and Beans: Pants on the Moon by Chloe and Mick Inkpen (Children's, Picture book, 10/10)


June 2012, Macmillan
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: imagination, laundry day, life on the moon, trials in space, making everything look normal, friendship, fun

Summary from Macmillan
Take a trip into space with Zoe and Beans!

Zoe is hanging her pants out to dry one day, when . . . whoosh! A big gust of wind blows her and Beans up, up, up into space – along with the washing line full of pants! When they finally land on the moon, there’s a lot of exciting exploring to do. But how on earth are they going to get home again?


Nayuleska's thoughts


Zoe and Beans love each other ever so much. The strength of their friendship is shown not only in the illustrations but seems to shine out from the words. Zoe takes anything extraordinary in her stride - even when she needs to find a way home she's intelligent & quickly finds a way that will make readers laugh. One star of the book who hardly features is the bird on top of the washing line pole, whose expressions has me giggling away in this 10/10 read.


Suggested read
Read another of Zoe's adventures in Zoe and Beans: The Magic Hoop.

Leave it to Eva by Judi Curtin (Children's, 10 years +, 10/10)



27th August 2012, O'Brien
256 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: summer holidays, mystery, home alone, midnight walks, going into foster home, fear, swimming trials, a baby mouse, second chances, a man hunt, fun times in London, learning right and wrong, an amazingly good friend, lots of humour and tough decisions, tissues needed

Summary from Frances Lincoln

Fun, feisty Eva Gordon’s never been one to shy away from helping her friends – whether they want her help or not! – but this time she might have found a problem that’s too big even for her …

When Eva and her family head to Seacove for their summer holidays, she’s looking forward to seeing Kate again, but it turns out things have gone very wrong for Kate. Her granny’s in the hospital, and with no else to look after her, Kate’s hiding out at home by herself, afraid she’s going to be taken into care. Eva tries to be a good friend and help her out, but how long can a twelve-year-old manage by herself?
 
It’s not just Kate who needs Eva’s help, though helping Ruby turns out to be a LOT more fun! Ruby needs Eva to keep her company on a trip to London where she’s trying out for a scholarship.
 
Is there any way the trip away with Ruby can help everyone sort things out? It seems impossible, but if you have a problem that needs solving, just leave it to Eva!

Nayuleska's thoughts
I love Eva to pieces. She tries to do the right thing, but struggles with internal conflict when what her friends want isn't the best form of action. Unexpected encounters provides opportunities for Eva to help her friends in need. This book in particular really touched my heart, as Eva learns more about emotions, and just how much emotions can hurt and change people. I had tears in my eyes at a few points, and cried at the end which is a sign to Eva that she makes more of a difference than she realises in this 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Judi's website.

Suggested reading
You have to read the other books which include book 2, Eva's Holiday.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

The Month of Zephram Mondays by Leslie A Susskind (Children's, 9 years +, 9/10)



November 2009, Good Manners Kids Stuff Press
180 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: an adventure, captured kingdom, laid back royals, quick thinking children, loss of valuable skills, learning to do things the hard way, practice makes perfect, never underestimate children, hapless army, arrogant enemy, a princess with attitude, deception, lots of humour, some peril, lots of smiling parts

Summary from Amazon (I don't get anything for mentioning them - theirs was the most comprehensive book blurb)

In the Kingdom of Zephram, everyone is magical - everyone except for the Royal Quadruplets: Tom, Lizzie, Ned and Nell. It's tough to be different, even if you are a prince or a princess. And Tom, Lizzie, Ned and Nell are treated differently by everyone in the kingdom! But when evil Prince Persius takes over the kingdom, it's the non-magical Tom, Lizzie, Ned and Nell who are the only ones left to try and save the day. Through their funny and challenging adventures they and those around them come to a better appreciation of the children's skills - and the big difference you can make by being different!


Nayuleska's thoughts
This is a heart raising story showing the resourcefulness ofthe royal children. It's their difference which saves the day. There are clear messages that working hard for a long time eventually achieves results. I loved seeing how each of the siblings used their skills to aid them on their quest. Tbe different obstacles they faced weren't always terrifying - I mean, getting an army to believe them took a little doing.

Those captured provided great entertainment at the very end in how they acted. I wish that the quadraplets's older sister could have had more of an appearance as her antics were genius. I like it that although there is peril, it doesn't feel too dark, perfect for the intended age group. There were a few places where the phrasing took me out of the stoey's magic, but overall I was delighted by this 9/10 adventure.

You can find out more on Leslie's website.

Suggested read
If it's humour and adventure you're after with a spunky protagonist, check out Jessica Day George's Dragonskin Slippers


Polly Price's Totally Secret Diary: Reality Tv Nightmare by Dee Shulman (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)



this edition June 2012, Double Day
138 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: an unmotherly mother, radical thoughts, not being allowed to go to school, bullying, keeping secrets, unwanted camera attention, plans to escape from ghastly situations, a near drowning, the reality of those in the TV industry, hard work, unfair requests, an insane amount of embarassment & hilarity


Polly Price didn't think it was possible for her actress mother, Arabella Diamonte, to be any more embarrassing than on the trip to San Francisco last summer. That is until she agrees to take part in a television programme called Celebrity Home Watch and a camera crew arrives at their home to film. Her mother lacks volume control at the best of times, so this is truly a reality tv nightmare - with no escape for Polly!

Nayuleska's thoughts

This is book 1, but I've read it last. Oh. My. Word. It's a wonder that Polly is normal and sensible with the radical life her mother leads. Polly isn't cared for at all. Her mother is a self-centred, self-absorbed primadonna. She switches life styles based on what suits her, she puts her needs above Polly's (including skipping school), she's rude to those she deems unsignificant, and ends up on TV for all the wrong reasons. I felt so sorry for Polly, I really did. What she goes through is traumatic. She's definitely the real star of this 10/10 read, even of she does half drown.

You can find out more on Dee's website.

Suggested read

The Demon Notebook by Erika McGann (Children's, 10 years +, see review for grade)



3rd September 2012, O'Brien
240 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: friendship, chaos of school life, the ocult, ouiji board, lots of terror

Summary from Frances Lincoln

School just got scary...

Grace and her four best friends, Jenny, Rachel, Adie and Una, are failed witches – and they have a notebook full of useless spells to prove it. Until one night, they accidentally unlock a portal into another world – and the notebook assumes a demonic life of its own. The girls watch helplessly as one by one, their spells start to work, moving pitilessly towards the worst one of all...
 
A possessed best friend, a terrifying local witch, a haunted cottage – do Grace and her friends have enough skill and courage to stem the powerful magic gushing from the Demon Well? And can they do it before something tragic happens...?

Nayuleska's thoughts
The reason I can't give a grade for this book is because I couldn't finish it. I adore the purple cover, which has similar designs (not purple) on the inside cover). The strength of friendship between the girls is clear. It's funny how their spells don't work out, and the appropriate warning of anything the reader does is at their own risk.

Unfortunately for me the girls got ready to use a ouiji board. There are some things I can't read about without getting freaked out and that's one of them. Until I stopped at page 25, I loved the voice and the closeness of the girls. I'm sure most readers will be able to read the entire book.

Suggested read
For paranormal fun minus ouiji board, try Divine Freaks by Fiona Dunbar (also with a purple cover)


Tuesday 28 August 2012

Who Ate Auntie Iris? by Sean Taylor & Hannah Shaw (Children's, Picture book, 9/10)



April 2012, Janetta Otter-Barry Books
32 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: living in a block of flats, appearances can be deceiving, perception of certain animals, lots of fear, constant unseen peril

Summary from Frances Lincoln
One little chinchilla loves going to visit Auntie Iris - but there's danger in the air at the block of flats where Auntie Iris lives. . .There are bears on the first floor, crocodiles on the second floor, wolves on the third floor. Then one day, when Auntie Iris goes down to put out the rubbish - she doesn't come back! 

Who ate Auntie Iris? Little Chinchilla bravely goes to find out. But who are the new neighbours on the fourth floor - and could they have something to do with Auntie Iris's disappearance?


Nayuleska's thoughts

I get spooked easily, and as Im writing this review I'm a bit on edge, which proves the book is well written. I was scared for the chinchilla searching for their auntie with the type of neighbours that are about. All of them are meat eaters! I felt more at ease when I saw into their lives as the investigation continued, but the silhouettes at the front of the book and the colour images (revealing what the silhouettes were) are creepy. 

Auntie Iris must either be hard up or very stupid to be the only vegetarian animal in the flats. It doesn't give her much security and I'm still scared for. I make this a 9/10 read - I'm mostly ok with being freaked out like this but usually endings feel happier than this one did.

You can find out more on Sean's website and Hannah's website.

Suggested read

For more thrills check out the awesome granny who saves everyone with her axe in Giles Paley Phillips' The Fearsome Beastie


Arabesque by Colin Mulnern (Young Adult, 10/10)



1st September 2012, Catnip Books
303 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: agility of gymnasts, bond of friendship, family ties, kidnap, witnessing horrifying scenes, tough decisions, several escape attempts, constant danger, being under guard, darker side of life, guns, theft, forgery, outsmarting the enemy, mega plot twists, almost constant suspense, some violence, prostitution (the world of, but no actual acts)

Summary from Colin's website

Amy May is the best at everything she does.
But how do you know you're the best until you're tested?
Until you're pushed to the limit?
A botched kidnapping drags Amy and her best friend
into the depths of a criminal underworld, a world where
the players think with bullets and blackmail.
Where they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
And what they want right now, only Amy May can provide.

Nayuleska's thoughts
This book ticks all the boxes for me: kidnapping, deadly dangerous criminals, always looking for escape. Amy and Mia are in deeeeep trouble, all because of their talents....among other things. Amy has a lot of non gymnastic based skills which both serve her well and throw her even deeper into trouble. Mia is the hysterical, sometimes helpless one. It takes time for Mia to find her courage. When she does, although she is apart from Amy both friends have their eyes set on freedom. Such a shame that they won't find it an easy goal to reach in this 10/10 read. Oh, by the way, if you don't like cliffhanger endings don't read this book.

You can find out more on Colin's website.

Suggested read

For more kidnap drama check out Michelle Davidson Argyle's The Breakaway, a favourite read of mine.

Monday 27 August 2012

Nayu's News #34

"This is me, honest!" 

Hi everyone! This is a speedy NN as I'm tired. I wanted to say hi so you know my reviews are by me and not by a clone with my name (obviously). 

The ketamine infusion is still working (whoohoo!) So that's good. 
"Whoohoo!"

I'm reading lots on my days off, leaving the work days for more anime. 
 "...must...read...book...no matter...how....zleepy...I am..." (that is what I'm no longer doing)

I'm currently watching... 


....Winx (Currently on season 1)....



...Shugo Chara (watching on Crunchyroll as one of my dvds is ruined)...
(Amu with Ran (pink) Miki (blue) Su (green) & the rarely appearing unhatched Dia (yellow egg)

...repeat those two a lot...
(Nothing says more than a hug from friends (Winx Believix transformation with Tecna (left to right) Flora, Musa and Stella)

(Shugo Chara, like Winx is also about friendship - here's a picture of the Guardians with their Charas in season 1)

...Chocolat & Vanilla (Sugar Sugar Rune in English, I have the French version...


Now, I have discovered a new tween show that I adore. It's even real people! (not anime. Surprised? I am. I'm really fussy with my human shows). The reason for looking is that at the moment I'm finding Charmed is now too dark for me (past season 3), ditto Star Gate. I need more happy go lucky ones/feel good factor (somehow The Unit fits the bill as I love watching that, even though it's emotionally tough going). 


I love my Netflix, and occasionally get surprised with new shows that it suggests based on my preferences. A while ago when I was searching for shows I came across H2O (as in water). It came up on Netflix, I dimly recalled seeing it so clicked on it and watched the first episode. 
(one version of the H2o symbol) 

I'm now hooked. It's sweet and cheery. The special effects look natural (come on, I think anime is 'natural'. I'm fussy with effects), the girls become mermaids after 10 seconds of water touching them. One can command moving water, one can freeze it, and yes I looked online and saw the 3rd can boil it. There are 3 seasons! It is on dvd, but for now I'm alright with Netflix (cheaper). I'm excited about having a fun human show to watch each day. I suspect I may get addicted to this. I love it! Sure it's a bit cheesy in places, but that's half the appeal. Would rather have more modest clothes, but when have  you seen a mermaid in a t-shirt? You don't. 


I'd love to hear if there are any cheery tween shows that you can recommend! I like them as they are low in romance, focusing on friendship and not too dark (some of them). It seems hard to find good ones.

What are YOU reading? #130

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel atHome Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.






Books I've read



Leave It to Eva by Judi Curtin
Release Date:  27th August 2012
Children's, 9 years +
(I sniffled throughout the story and cried at the feel good ending, so I believe this one needs a tissue warning!!) 
10/10






Kidnap in the Caribbean by Lauren St John
Children's, 9 years +
(An Enid Blyton style adventure with a superb heroine...) 
9.5/10





The Pony Detectives: Phantom: One Last Chance by Belinda Rapley
Children's, 9 years +
(Serious horse and rider issues for the group of best friends in Winter...)
10/10





Who Ate Auntie Iris? by Sean Taylor & Hannah Shaw
Children's, Picture book
(A truly terrifying tale that has me glad I don't live with wild animals!!!) 
9/10





Dark Eyes by William Richter
Young Adult
(Family means everything to Wallis, whose story wasn't as fast paced and action [filled] as I expected...) 
6.5





Polly Price's Totally Secret Diary: Reality TV Nightmare by Dee Shulman
Children's, 9 years +
(I'm reading these out of order, but its book one and Polly's mother is diabolical!)
10/10






Watched 





Winx Season 1
I'm back at the beginning of this awesome fairy series - one of the features in season 1 that I love is how the songs in episodes change to suit what's going on. This is most true of the 'Winx' song when the girls transform: before they form the group the song focuses on who/what the girls are fighting for/to protect.... 





Shugo Chara!
Yes, this is another anime I'm back at the beginning with! I think I'm going to alternate days of this and Winx Club, as they are both ones I relax to and I like to watch more than 1 episode in a row which isn't practical with watching other anime too. 




Chocola & Vanilla
French version
This is more awesome than I expected it would be. I haven't watched as much because when I'm tired I need easy to watch shows: because I've never seen it before, and I don't use subtitles (there aren't any), it's a bit of work listening to it in French which always seems really fast until I get used to watching a show. 





Various anime
I've watched a lot of first episodes as I've discovered the AMAZING anime streaming site Crunchyroll!
(I don't receive anything to mention them.  To list them is too energetic for me, but you'll start seeing them on the memes as and when I watch them.)



First Term at Trebizon by Anne Digby (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)


Reprinted 2012, Straw Hat
128 pages, ebook
Review copy

Themes: boarding school, quietish girl, work thieves, school sports teams, working hard, befriending the wrong person, misunderdtandings, homesickness, fun, happiness, turbulent times, getting on the wrong side of people, a lot of humour and some mild peril

Summary from Amazon (I don't gain anything by mentioning Amazon) 
Fresh from her London comprehensive, Rebecca is pitched into life at a famous boarding school. Trebizon is right down on the coast and a long way from home. She's the only new girl in her year and everyone else seems to have made friends already.

Lonely and anxious to prove herself, she decides to write something for the school magazine. But the piece that appears is not the one she submitted and it leads to a scandal that rocks the school.

It's a good thing that one girl, at least, is prepared to stick up for her.

Nayuleska's thoughts
It felt like I was returning home when I read the first of many stories about Rebecca's life at Trebizon. It's been well over 10 years since I last read it, and although it felt familiar and I vaguely knew what would happen next, a lot of it was a pleasant surprise. I wanted to yell at Rebecca for making the wrong friends. I wanted her to let people in so she didn't appear so stand-offish. 
I gasped when major events happened. Even though I knew the end result, part o me was scared the truth of events would remain hidden. This has the usual staples of boarding school stories which I never tire from: sly girls, enthusiastic girls, dorm antics, drama over dinner, encouragement in working hard and playing hard. The spirit of this 10/10 read is timeless (The girls would have been in awe of our modern printers compared with what they had to use).

Suggested read
For modern boarding school tales try School Friends by Ann Bryant which includes School Friends: Party at Silver Spires



Sunday 26 August 2012

The Great Snortle Hunt by Claire Freedman & Kate Hindley (Children's, Picture Book, 8/10E)



2nd August 2012, Simon & Schuster
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: a monster hunt, being scared, facing a fear, people ending up totally different to how they are perceived, a little humour, mild peril

Summary from Simon & Schuster
On a hill bumpy-steepy, there's a house scary-creepy,
And it's said that a Snortle lives there,
Now nobody's been, so nobody's seen,
But Mouse whispers, "Come, if you dare!"
Have you seen a Snortle? Would you want to? If you're brave enough, join Mouse and his friends as they go on a night-time Snortle hunt. Aaaaaagh! What's that?

Nayuleska's thoughts

This reminds of a certain bear who loves honey when he goes on a hunt with his friends. The friends hunting the Snortle are very scared, but together they can face anything. Each page of their adventure is filled with detailed pictures which tell have their own stories to tell. For example, in the water scene there are two jelly fish, one which is awake and another which is asleep. I think the sleeping one must be family to feel so content while the other jellyfish looks out for it.

My favourite character is the bunny in pink boots: Im a fan of bunnies, and this one looks ever so cute in the boots. Bunny is often the one hiding behind things, so Im guessing it's the most fearful of the friends.

The illustrations are finely detailed, but they gave the book an 8/10 because I got scared during the tale due to the colouring of the pages. They match the feel of the story, but isn't quite for me. The way the sentences rhyme is cool, and I like how the action told by the sentences fits the illustrations and takes on various shapes and sizes.

You can find out more on Claire's website.

Suggested read

For another of Claire's (with Ben Cort) books with monsters, try Monstersaurus


Saturday 25 August 2012

Never Lie On a Lion by Alan James Brown (Children's, Picture book, 10/10)



2nd August 2012, Bloomsbury Children's books
32 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: wild animals, how to behave around animals, having fun, being respectful, obeying instructions, taking care of pets, lots of humour and mild peril

Summary from Bloomsbury
Never lie on a lion or creep up behind a sheep. Why? Because all sorts of things can happen, as we soon find out in this lively read-aloud text for the very young.

Nayuleska's thoughts

I enjoyed the warm feeling I got from the pastel looking illustrations. Mpst are curved, with the strokes being curved too, which always has me enjoying a book more (I'm weird. Curves somehow equal good things).

It's clever how the explanation for each warning is explained in the illustrations. Readers will have to think about why you can't lie on a lion, which may spark interest in learning more about nature. My favourite parts are the page with cst (I chat to my cat a lot) and the page with the cow (I have a friend who is obsessed with cows) in this 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Alan's website.

Suggested read

For more animal mayhem try Boo Boo Baby and the Giraffe by Eileen Brown and Emily Bolam


Friday 24 August 2012

Polly Price's Totally Secret Diary Mum in Love by Dee Shulman (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)



2012, Red Fox
142 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: seriously deranged & embarassing mother, misunderstanding what things mean, poison, tragedy, scary family to be, delights of an old castle, being coerced into doing things you don't want to do, determination, courage, severe mishap, lots of laughs, occasional strong peril and lots of mild peril


I had been looking forward to going to France in the Easter holidays for weeks. Admittedly it meant going with Mum and her annoying, yuckily young, French boyfriend, Almond. But I knew we would be staying at Almond's parents' place: A CHATEAU! Everyone knows 'chat' means 'cat' in French - so I couldn't wait... 2 whole weeks in a houseful of cats! I love animals!

'Tragically things NEVER work out as you expect. Instead of a houseful of cats it turned out to be a houseful of Almond's annoying, totally weird French family. Before I had time to squeak 'murder,' I was on the ghastly trail of a heartless criminal. Could I, Polly Price, uncover the truth? Well - not if I was the chief suspect. And not if I starved to death trying to find my way through long, murky corridors to breakfast. I knew I was in a race against time. And I didn't even have a watch.

Nayuleska's thoughts

I had forgotten how truly awful Polly's mother is. It's amazing Polly is relatively normal. Okay so you need to ignore her wild imagination which ultimately causes physical damage to both humans and inanimate objects, she manages to annoy her future family, she has expectations raised through not knowing French, but she has a huge kind heart. I'd expect her to be like her mother - Im glad she isn't. Polly's antics never fail to make me smile and make the sun shine down of life for an hour and a bit. That takes talent, which Dee has shown in this awesome 10/10 read. Bring on a book 4!

You can find out more at Dee's website.

Suggested read

Especially because she doesn't want you to, check out Polly's other diaries which include On Stage in America


Matilda's Cat by Emily Gravett (Children's, Picture Book, 10/10)



2nd August 2012, Macmillan Children's Books
32 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: a cat's true nature, a child's idea of having a pet, bond between cats and humans, cute and fluffyness, playing, lots of humour

Summary from Macmillan
 
Matilda's cat must like something! But what?

Climbing trees, playing with wool . . . Matilda is sure her cat will love these things, but he doesn't seem very enthusiastic. Undaunted, she thinks up new ways to amuse her reluctant playmate. Tea parties? Dressing up? Or what about a nice bike ride? As the beleagured cat goes from nonplussed to terrified, Matilda gets more and more frustrated. After all, what use is a pet if it doesn't want to play?


Nayuleska's thoughts
I knew this would be a fun book because I enjoy Emily's humour in her other books. Ginger and white is one of my favourite cat colourations. The poor cat deals with a lot from Matilda, who doesn't quite understand that cats are a law unto themselves. Cats mostly don't do what you want them to do at specific times. I know this from experience! As usual with Emily there are cute touches such as cat themed crockery, and she even uses her book Dogs as a prop in this 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Emily's website.

Suggested read

Check out my favourite book by Emily, The Rabbit Problem.

Thursday 23 August 2012

My Grandpa by Marta Altes (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)



July 2012, Macmillan Children's Books
28 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: families, love, the elderly, signs which sometimes are associated with being old, compassion, everyone can both teach and learn in life, some humour, lots of love, a tissue may be needed.

Summary from Macmillan

My Grandpa is getting old. But that's how he is, and that's why I love him.

A moving and memorable book about the very special relationship between an elderly grandfather and his adoring grandson, this unique look at old age through the eyes of a young bear is big-hearted, poignant and beautifully observed.


Nayuleska's thoughts
My heart was warm and fuzzy from cover to cover. The colour and design of the illustrations are simple, yet convey deep and meaningful sentiments. Sometimes it can be a bit of hard work being with an aging family member, but they have a lot to give if you just love them. Children of all ages should read this book.

Find out more on Marta's website.

Suggested read
For another sweet read which you will need a box of tissues is Missing Mummy by Rebecca Cobb

The Pirate House by Rebecca Patterson (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)



2nd August 2012, Macmillan Children's Books
32 Pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: new neighbours, friendship, imagination, pretend play, classic signs of pirates, monsters, aliens, witches, lots of humour

Summary from Pan Macmillan
You never know who might live next door!
No one knows who lives in that house on the corner, but when all those seagulls fly onto the roof, Sam Turner says it must be pirates! In fact, Sam Turner tells his friends all sorts of things: that they mustn't look at the pirate washing or they will turn into jellyfish, that at night the whole house glows like an aquarium, and that if the door ever opens a huge wave will come out. And that's not the half of it. According to Sam, not only are there pirates living on their street, but a family of monsters are moving into Number 2! Surely Sam Turner is just a little boy with a big imagination . . . or is he?


Nayuleska's thoughts

Baby mermaids are adorable! They are cute and chubby with little tails. Awww! So very sweet. You might be wondering how that's related to pirates but they are mentioned by Sam as being with the pirates. It was a bit of a surprise who the new neighbour was.

The best part was the white and pink cat, a really grouchy cat peering over a fence (I love cats, for the record) and the last pages which were buzzing with Sam's imagination in a clever way. I liked the various dolls used in the book, with a young witch and a young girl exchanging dolls at the end. It was the little details like an anchor on the house and a port hole style window on the door which helped form this 10/10 read.

Suggested read
If it's pirates you're after try Pirate House Swap by Abie Longstaff