Review: Invisible Me by Bobby Scoynes (Young Adult, 8/10E)

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January 2025, The Book Guild, 400 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from The Book Guild

Invisibility – it’s a superpower, right? Well, not quite. Being the Invisible Boy... it's more of a curse.

Nayu's thoughts

First I need to confess while I didn't think it was a superhero book about invisiblity, I didn't realise it would be extremely detailed about how teen boys think. Some aspects of the book I totally would have preferred not to know! Which probably makes it perfect for young men to read, it just made me blush a bit. Moving on...

...it is a brilliant tale about feeling invisible, which I'm sure everyone feels especially if they aren't super popular in their school. It isn't just school life where he feels unseen, but at home too. Which thankfully he discovers by the end is so far from the truth. I did want to throw a pillow at him for thinking no one in his life cared about him. His mother loves him so much! He definitely struggles with self-esteem a lot, which is enough to deal with let alone figuring out he loved boys rather than girls. The tale is all about first love and how loopy it can make a person. It's about finally letting loved ones know who he truly is, which has a sweet conclusion I'm not going to ruin.

It has been a few weeks since I've read the book, my memory is like a sieve but I don't think the protagonist is ever named. Apart from the diary segments it's told from the first person point of view, and a quick google search hasn't revealed a name. I feel this is a deliberate omission to add to the realism of how invisible he feels. 

I didn't like all his behaviour, but teens do silly things. Falling out with the one friend he had lead to some really mean moments, which he thankfully regrets and does try to make amends eventually. However, all that drama is linked to his depression and poor mental health too. Life isn't easy, and unfortunately one one aspect of life is out of the balance the rest can topple over too, as he discovers. He has much drama at school with singing in a band and learning to be an opera singer (even I knew both wasn't a good idea), as well as juggling finding his true self and his mother's new boyfriend being around a lot. 

Being bullied is unfortunately something a lot of readers may be able to relate to, and does explain a lot of his erratic thoughts and behaviours. There is a resolution of sorts by the end, and it does deal with darker aspects of mental health which possibly should have had a warning at the start. I hadn't heard of Bobby before this book, but I tend to live in a cave when it comes to recognising famous people. 

Suggested read

For more teen drama with a female protagonist who is struggling with life check out Ellen Lives On by Lynda Haddock (Young Adult, 10E/10E)

 

Review: The Six Queens of Henry VIII by Honor Cargill-Martin & Jaimee Andrews (Children's, Non-fiction, 9/10E)

 October 2024, Hachette Children's, 48 pages, Hardback, Review copy

Summary from Hachette Children's

 We all know Henry VIII had six wives. But these ladies are FAR too interesting to only be known as wives. Did you know that Catherine of Aragon rallied her troops in full armour while heavily pregnant? Or that Anne of Cleves met Henry VIII BEFORE they married – only she didn’t realise, because he was in disguise! Or that it was Catherine Parr who persuaded the king to return his daughters Mary and Elizabeth – two of British history’s most famous monarchs – to the line of succession?

Nayu's Thoughts

I studied the Tudors at school, and I can tell you what happened to each wife: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survied, but I can't recall all the names, what happened to which wife and a myriad of other details. Those are all in this absolutely gorgeously illustrated book! The cover is stunning, I love how often what I believe is called the Tudor Rose features for all the queens. The bright colours make the historical facts all the more engaging. Relearning information about the brave women is presented in manageable chunks. 

Some of the queens lacked morals in how they met Henry or dealt with him before they and after they were married, but those facts are clearly explained and not lingered on. They all have inner strength and definitely were lucky to keep living since he was fond of executions. Each has the tale of how they met the King, then key moments in their lives are portrayed which makes them seem more real. I mean I know they were real, obviously,  but their contribution to the world is rather fascinating. I never knew Henry's final wife Katherine Parr wrote a book, or that Anne of Cleves needed an interpreter because she didn't speak English. 

I really liked how at the back the timeline of the queens as well as how they fit in the family tree was explained; sometimes it is easier to understand things visually in a timeline rather than simply having dates written down on the page. This is a brilliant introductory book to the Tudor queens, with all knowledge needed for younger students and perhaps a gateway to more indepth books for older ones. 

Suggested read

If you love learning about facts check out DK My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things by Dorling Kindersley (Children's, Non-Fiction, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review) 

 

Review: Braids Take A Day by Zainab Boladale (Young Adult, 10E/10E)

 

Stunning cover by Grace Enemaku

August 2024, The O'Brien Press, 240 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from The O'Brien Press

 Uncovering secrets is like undoing braids, one at a time… 

Abidemi can’t wait for summer. She’s ready to spend some time learning new hairstyles and see where things go with her friend Jack.

But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel…

Nayu's thoughts

I have little to know experience in the trials of non-caucasian hair. The little I do know is gleaned from TV shows, movies and books such as this one. I learned so much about haircare from Abi, I'm in awe of how much time and effort goes into creating braids. Her passion for creating cute hairstyles felt infectious (I don't have energy for hairstyles, but if i did I would have learned a few new ones from youtube after reading this book. Not braids, but I'd have learned how to do a french plait for sure)

I also learned a lot about her life. I really liked the relationship she has with her father, who is a single parent. That included when everything went wrong and he made some big mistakes which majorly affected his daughter. True to life, it wasn't just her family that had issues: due to some misunderstanding Abi had friendship issues too. It's the summer after her exams and there are a lot of changes on the horizon because she is at that stage  of life when change is inevitable. I loved how close she is to her best friend, who it turns out is also having issues. Of course there is some potential romance too so Abi has a lot on her plate, there is little that is steady apart from her hair.

The myseterious Nigerian lady added a lot of drama to her life. I liked how it shows families are complicated, there isn't an easy guide for dealing with parental loss and the ensuing grief. I struggled to put down the book to get on with my life because I just wanted to know what happened next. Abi's life at the end of the book is quite different to at the start, and I really hope there is a sequel one day to see how she is doing, as I suspect life will get more complicated in the future too. She has a lot of emotions to deal with about several topics, and she does not always handle them in the best way, but they are her way and she muddles through with help (and without it). I really loved this book and definitely will reread it one day. 

Find out more about Zainab on her website. 

Suggested read

If you like books that make you think try Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais (Young Adult, 10/10E) 

 

Review: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie (Classic Literature, Children's, 9 years +, 6/10E)

 June 2018, Penguin, 160 pages, Paperback, Personal copy

Summary from Penguin

'All children, except one, grow up.'

It was Friday night. Mr and Mrs Darling were dining out. Nana had been tied up in the backyard. The poor dog was barking, for she could smell danger. And she was right - this was the night that Peter Pan would take the Darling children on the most breath-taking adventure of their lives, to a place called Neverland, a strange country where the lost boys live and never grow up, a land with mermaids, fairies and pirates - and of course the terrible, evil, Captain Hook. Peter Pan is undoubtedly one of the most famous and best-loved stories for children, an unforgettable, magical fantasy which has been enjoyed by generations.

Nayu's thoughts

I've grown up with the tale of Peter Pan, saw and disliked the Disney version. It is very firmly in my mind as I attended Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital, who has the rights to anything to do with Peter Pan. I adore the Disney Tinkerbell movies, but never read the actual original book published in the early 1900s, so when the friend I read classics with suggested it I hopped on board and spent July reading about Peter's tale chapter by chapter. 

I can tell you a summary: Peter is in fact a villain not a hero, I felt sorry for Hook and the pirates, Wendy had a lot on her hands but for the most part enjoyed playing mother and taking care of everyone. Sure it's not the most politically correct tale, but written over a century ago what do you expect? I didn't realise that Peter actually kills pirates. Like hunts them down and murders them. Admittedly they want to murder him, but he is so nonchalent about it, and feels it is normal! It is very not normal to kidnap children to have playmates and be taken care of. He doesn't even look after them that well on the journey to Neverland! 

I have a very low view of him, and while I'm thankful I have read the original novel, I don't expect I will read it again. The dog Nana is adorable, the children's parents are a bit eccentric but they stood by their beliefs. And Peter...lives on, forever kidnapping girls to take care of him, although after Wendy at least some had time limits on how long they could be away from home. Tinkerbell is a little madam, and not very likeable so for that I do thank Disney for creating a cuter, kinder version. 

Suggested read

My favourite classic read is A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Children’s, Audio book, 9 years +, 10E/10E) 

 

Review: The Twirly Wiggly Dance by Farrah Riaz and Navya Raju (Children's, Picture book, 5 years +, 10/10E)

  1st August 2024, Oxford University Press, pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from Oxford University Press

 Little Intisar has a BIG job at her Auntie Mahira's wedding: she's going to dance in the group performance! But as Intisar struggles with getting the routine right, her family of movers and groovers come to the rescue to show her being herself is far more fun than being perfect.

Nayu's thoughts

The instant I saw the cover I knew I needed to review this book. The inside is even more colourful, with both pictures and words changing sizing and colour throughout the tale. This is for a south-Asian wedding - not all Muslim weddings have music and dancing. This one has days of celebrations, which is a lot of time for Intisar to be anxious about the dance step she can't get right. It definitely distracts her from the joyful festivities which made me sad for her. Glad she at least got some mendi on her, even if her head was on the dance.

Anxiety is tough to have - it's normal to get anxious from time to time, but I suffer from anxiety the disorder, and watching Intisar feel so dispirited and down about being unable to do the dance felt heartbreaking. Her older relatives should not have mocked her for not knowing it. She is so sweet the way her doll goes everywhere with her and appears to be alive at the same time. I was so happy at what happened at the end, so what if she couldn't do it right? It turns out perfection wasn't needed, and others were doing their own thing just like she discovered she could make up her own moves which were more fun. 

Suggested read 

For more wedding fun check out  The Perfect Flower Girl by Taghred Chandab and Binny Talib (Children's, Picture book, 10/10) 

 

Review: Bubba and Squirt: The Legend of the Lost Pearls by Sherri Ellis (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

  October 2024, Dancing Lemur Press, 112 pages, Review copy 

Summary from Dancing Lemur Press

Bubba and Squirt embark on their most dangerous quest yet. Whisked away through the vortex to Japan, they must find two fabled pearls that hold the key to saving their father.  

To top it off, they must go back and change the events of the past. As they race against time, the fate of their father, and their own lives, hang in the balance. 

Will they outwit the cunning creatures that stand in their way or face their own demise trying to save their father? 

 Nayu's thoughts

 The moment I started this book I felt sad, as I really love the brother and sister adventuring duo. Bubba and Squirt have a special kind of magic - I'm not talking about the supernatural skills they have and use, but there's charm to them that makes their at times very dangerous escapdes coming to a conclusion feel like the end of an era. There is heaps of danger and drama crammed into this final installment. If anything the stakes are higher than ever as failure would lead to great calamity. I couldn't stop turning the pages as new dangers emerged. 

The power within their enemies is strong and palapable, but both siblings have tricks up their sleeves which help save the day. I could have done without a giant snake (shudders). The spiders were a breeze compared to that. And a shout out must be given to the coolest frogs in the world! I'd love to have swum with them that's for sure, and not just because I'd be able to breathe underwater. It was so cool how they met up with various gods and goddesses/spirits, who clearly see the part Bubba and Squirt have to play in events.

I love the Japanese slant to the tale, as it's a world I already know well. The end in some ways felt a bit abrupt, but there probably wasn't any other way for it to happen, because of the events leading up to it. It certainly felt good for Bubba's entire family to be reunited, even if I was sad for it being the end of the tale. Or maybe it won't be! Only Sherri knows....

Suggested read 

Be sure to read other books in the series including: (somehow didn't review them all) Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China by Sherry Ellis (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E)

 

Review: Bubba and Squirt's Shield of Athena by Sherry Ellis (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E) 

 

Review: Pirate Academy 1 New Kid on Deck by Justin Somper (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

 

 March 2024, UCLan Publishing, 240 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Summary from UCLan Publishing

The year is 2507. The oceans have risen.

A new dawn of piracy has begun.

Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock are students at the elite Pirate Academy.

This is no ordinary school!

Lessons range from Knots Class and Sailing to Combat Workshop… The teachers are all pirate legends… The pressure is always on…. Friendship is everything.

When a new kid, the mysterious Neo Splice, arrives, everything changes FAST. Suddenly the dangers are no longer simply out on the oceans but right here, amongst them. In the face of real peril, the students of Barracuda class must put everything they have learned to the test against a ruthless and seemingly unstoppable new enemy.

Welcome to Pirate Academy – once you step through the door you won’t ever want to leave!

Nayu's thoughts

Apologies this a week later than intended (stupid insomina). Please note I was heavily biased when I read this book as I've read Justin's previous series, Vampirates - review below, so subsequently was already a Massive Fan. 

Let's take a moment to admire the awesome cover by Teo Skaffa. The academy monogram is extremely clever and well placed. I'd have liked an optional skirt part, but that could have got caught on ship parts so maybe that's why its just the adults who wear them. Otherwise I'd happily wear the uniform.

Pirate Academy is set in the same universes as Vampirates, just a few years earlier. The whole concept of a pirate academy a) makes total sense, as it makes sense for famous pirates to get an education somewhere. What I love about Justin's books he makes female characters as important as male ones. Trust me I would not really read it if there weren't female pirates! Needless to say my favourite character was Jasmine, who has a reckless streak but when that happens I can't blame her. She has a lot at stake and sticking to the rules won't help her get answers. 

I think because I've read next to no books about ship schools I found learning about what goes on in the academy fascinating. I shouldn't have been surprised how elite Pirate Academy is, a factor that did alienate the new boy Neo ever so slightly, although his mysterious arrival caused it's own problems too. I felt sorry for him as for quite a bit of the book I thought he was a murderer due to a description in chapter 2 but that was unfounded and simply me misinterpreting a sentence. Whoopsie! 

Being new means lots of questions, which Neo does not necessarily like. Just what is his secret? It wasn't exactly what I thought but was a great plot development and caused lots of chaos later on. The danger elements made the academy itself feel unsafe, which given that it should have been a safe area of learning had me metaphorically looking over the characters' shoulders, wondering when a sword may slice into them. Weapons are but one aspect of pirate life, and they do come into play from the start in a way that was very cool. I feel I'd be rubbish at knot tying as I only know the knot to tie shoe laces, but apparently most knots can be escaped from. 

The way the different school years are portrayed was clever, especially when the older years were involved in more advanced scenarios later in the book. Back to being the new kid, the range of suspicion and closed ranks for Neo kept the plot interesting: pranks were played, some were not participated in as they felt too mean. I really liked that part - bullying is not cool, even if hazing used to be the norm. The resulting apology was heartfelt and really spoke to me, made me a bit tearful at how sweet they all could be. 

The only reason I didn't carry on with book 2 is that I didn't want to muddle up the stories and my reaction to them (living with permanent brain fog makes that happen too easily). Rest assured I will be reading it this weekend, as it's why I reviewed book 1! The only issue I have is that I have to wait for book 3...

Suggested read

Make sure you check out my review for Vampirates 1 (the renewed cover version)  Blog tour: Review & Exclusive Guest Video for Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E)

Review: Curious Words For Clever Kids by Sarah Craiggs & Fiona Powers (Children's, Non-fiction, 10E/10E)

  August 2023, Hodder Children's Books, 68 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Book summary from Hachette Children's 

Have you ever wondered what an Indri is, eaten a Clapshot, grown a Cloudberry or come across a Colugo? Do you always find yourself looking up CURIOUS WORDS?

From Nefarious and Knots to Yuzus and Yews, this brilliant tour through over 1,000 wonderful words and their meanings, packed with awesome illustrations is the perfect book for kids who always want to know what EVERYTHING means!

Colourful pages burst with curious words on subjects from space and dinosaurs to colours and actions, while language spreads explain how different types of words can do what you want them to do.

Nayu's thoughts

Words to any language are strange and require time to learn, something I can still appreciate as I do speak more than one language and while I don't formally learn French and Japanese any more, I still pick up new words as I read manga and watch anime. It is impossible to learn every word that exists, and children have to learn a lot of words throughout school. Anything that makes learning memorable and interesting is an absolute must. Sarah's choice of words along with Fiona's illustrations are a perfect combo to portray over 1000 words stated in this book. I liked how immersive each double page is, no two pages are alike. Words are displayed at different angles; food words are shown through a food market, weather words are shown in a picture of the world including weather system. Some are brightly coloured, others in pastels. 

All are presented in unique ways  that hopefully makes assimilating the words easier to comprehend. I may be in my early fourth decade but I didn't know all the words in the book. I'd never heard of a "crwth", a welsh musical instrument played with a bow, and as a bird lover I'd never heard of an ovenbird, a bird who builds dome shaped nests (I guess like domed ovens). No matter our life experience we all have something to learn, and ok some of us may never need to know that a group of rhinos are called "a stubborness of rhinoceroses" (very apt name given their size and strength), but they might prove useful for general knowledge quiz games and are amusing to think about. The book itself is about A4 sized, which is plenty big enough to read alone or with a friend. I'm going to be giving this to my helper as I know her 4 children will enjoy reading this (two are far too young for now but it can wait until they are older). 

See more of Fiona's work on her website. 

Suggested read

If you love new words I believe there are some in A Kiwi Year and A Canadian Year by Tania McCarney and Tina Snerling (Children's, Non-fiction, 10E/10E)

 

 

Review: Pirates and Sea Monsters by Gill Lewis & Irina Avgustinovich (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

 11th April 2024, Barrington Stoke, 72 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Book summary from Barrington Stoke

 Tia’s mum has a new job as the vet on Gull Haven Island and there are a lot of animals who need her help.

When she’s called away to help a sickly cow on a nearby island and gets trapped there in a storm, Tia has to step up and care for the animals staying in the surgery. It’s a big responsibility and then she has to deal with a mysterious creature that washes up on the shore after the storm.

Their new life on the Haven Islands is clearly going to be full of adventures!

Nayu's thoughts

Starting life in a new home is never easy, and often those involved can dread it because it is a massive upheaval. I really liked that Tia is looking forward to it because all the things she couldn't do on the mainland she can do with her mum on friendly Gull Haven Island. I liked how instantly the close-knit community feel of the island is portrayed, everyone looks out for each other. Rather than being fed up of having to look after the animals it's all Tia wants to do, so when her mother is unable to return home one night she is really eager to take care of everyone. She knows what to do from watching her mum, and what I liked is that she was taken care of by a nice lady called Peggy. Tia did miss her mum from time to time, as nice as Peggy was she wasn't Tia's mother, but they all survived the storm safely which is what mattered. 

As for the sea monster - it was an amusing encounter, and the resulting plot twist was quite unexpected and well written. I am so eager for the next book in the series, partly so I have an excuse to reread this. I mean look at the cover by Irina, it looks so warm and inviting just like Gull Haven Island. It has the standard Barrington Stoke off-white pages which an easy to read font. 

Find out more on Gill's website.

Suggested read

If you like animal adventures try The Pocket Dog by Holly Webb and Sharon Renta (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

 

Review: Finding Figgins by Shayna Leib (Children's, Picture book, 9/10E)

 October 23, SNL Design Works Publishing, 38 pages, Hardback, Review copy

Book Summary

Figgins is a lonely stuffed animal who feels forgotten by his human friend, Julian. Figgins has a rich, secret life unbeknownst to Julian in which he is a professor, a painter and scuba diver. But when Figgins goes missing, Julian has to venture beyond his comfort zone into an unusual magical world. By retracing Figgins' steps Julian finds out just who Figgins really is, with a little help from Mrs. Zebrasky's cats who know all that goes on in their neighborhood.

Nayu's thoughts

An alternate title could include the fact that cats are EVERYWHERE and Mrs Zebrasky has 18. Eighteen cats! That seems so many, my family only ever had 2 at the most. Those 18 cats are very busy, they help Julian on his journey to find Figgins. I still love my plushies, but it is normal for some to neglect childhood plushies as they grow up. Julian wondered where his past-favourite bear was, and it turns out he was quite the adventurer. 

The bright and mostly colourful illustrations truly bring the unique story to life. At one point there is a field of crayons - I was convinced I could smell that specific crayon scent as I read about it. Flying penguins was a sight to behold, although the water labyrinth made me feel a bit odd (a me thing, I like solid land). The range of adventures really bring out Shayna's talent in the varied pictures that invite pondering over them, looking at all the intricate details.  Plus there are a lot of active cats who aren't lazing at home on a blanket on the sofa like my family's cat. It is hard to tell who is having the most fun, the cats, Figgins or Julian. Or me as looking at cats is very comforting! 

Find out more on Shayna's website.

Suggested read 

If you love stories with cats check out this gem with a cat on the cover Jump by Tatsuhide Matsuoka (Children's, Picture book, Board Book, 10E/10E)

 

Review: Sebastian the Kid Detective: Gossip Gone Haywire by Jalen Roddey (Children's, 7 years +, 8/10E)

 

 February 2024, Independently Published, 70 pages, Paperback, review copy 

Book summary

Sebastian and Telly are on the case and need YOUR help to solve the mystery!

Like stale cheese pizza for lunch, every Middle school is going to have a bit of gossip too. And no lie travels faster than one about the most popular kid in school.

When Blakeney's star lacrosse player finds out an embarrassing rumor about him floating around the school halls, he panics and hides away from his own pep rally.

With only hours before the big game, what will he do?

There's only one option, call on the school's detective duo Sebastian and Telly to find out who's stirring up all the gossip.

 

Nayu's thoughts 

School stories are usually a hit with me, and Sebastian the Kid Detective: Gossip Gone Haywire is no exception. First of all can we admire the cover art. The rest of the illustrations all have this style which I find really appealing. Seeing the flicker of another illustration whenever I turned the page made me smile and wonder what element of the story would get highlighted through Jalen's drawings. 

The story itself is a very curious one, I mean what else would have a team member too scared to play a game? Sebastian and his best friend Telly had to find out the root of the issue which had some unexpected turns. Unravelling a well-kept secret takes team-work and spotting seemingly non-existant clues that most people would fail to grasp. The truth of the mátter relates well to image, and how concerned some people are of maintaining a set image when really their interests are in an unexpected direction which is all I can say without spoiling the tale. Mean kids will always been mean but justice does get served eventually. 

The one criticism was partly style/narrative as it took me out of the immersion: most of the conversations rather than being integrated in the story with he said blah blah blah have the person's name in bold then the speech. If it was done for the entire book it might make a bit of sense: it might be easier for some readers to read it like this and I've seen similar in other books but some sentences were seamlessly added to the rest of the narration without this style which made it stand out even more when it was done. If that was more consistent I wouldn't have noticed it as much in what is a solid and engaging tale. I'm eagerly awaiting book 2!

Find out more on Jalen's website.

Suggested read

Other detective tales include Blog tour - Review & Guest Blog Post: The Case of the Exploding Loo by Rachel Hamilton (Children’s, 9 years +, 10E/10E)

 

Review: Scroll by Hui LI (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)

  September 2023, Little Brown Young Readers, 40 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Book summary

 After Grandpa introduces calligraphy and Chinese characters to Lulu and her dog Dumpling, they find themselves magically transported to a world where the characters they draw come to life! Soon Lulu and Dumpling meet a bird, a zither-playing musician, and many other animated friends. But when they discover an angry dragon, Lulu is not sure how to draw them out of this tense encounter.

Nayu's thoughts

I'm fascinated with non-roman alphabet languages, as there is so much to learn. I can understand and speak Japanese, it took years to get to a point where I can understand anime. Japanese has three alphabets, hiragana and katakana plus kanji which is pictorial. Chinese as a language is much more complex, there is simply the pictograph form creating thousands of characters. I'm in awe of both native speakers and those who learn it as a second language as it seems way more complex than Japanese which is more than enough for me.  

Hui Li uses images to explore the picture world of the Chinese language through Lulu  and Dumpling's eyes. It is easy to see how some words form because they really do look like the words they describe. Lulu's magical adventure with her canine partner take them to a world with a scary looking dragon which Lulu is desperate to avoid, but the eventual meeting did not go as I expected which was a wonderful twist. Lulu uses the characters in her journey and finds help in unexpected places. 

There are pages with extremely detailed watercolour illustrations that cram in so much Chinese culture. Other pages are simpler but no less symbolic, the lack of some details means the focus is on the characters, which is the centre of the story. I can see how this would help new learners to Chinese, I really hope Hui Li creates more books like this as they are stunning to look at and quite educational at the same time as being fun. 

Suggested read

If you like culture filled reads check out this tale about American pioneer life The Little Pioneer by Adam Hancher (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

 

Review: My Magic Land by Begona True (Children's, Picture book, Poetry, 9/10E)

 

May 2023, 31 pages, Paperback, Review Copy 

Book summary

From dancing plants and animals, to souring with friends through the skies upon clouds. From fishing on a bout that brings you the many potentials of your imagination, to the River of Laughter where a mysterious lady plays the piano with the drops of water from its cascade. And the magical crystal dimensions where anything can be created and where the main character creates an inseparable friend, her cat called "Yes".

Nayu's thoughts

What first appealed to me was Begona's soft and warm looking illustrations, simply looking at them makes me feel serene. I felt this was both a picture book and a poetry book, because there's a beautiful melodic feel to the words as imagination is explored, leading to fun characters and new places to explore. There is so much to look at on every image, from the full page illustrations to the smaller ones that fit alongside the prose. 

I can tell Begona had fun writing this, and is someone to whom boredom probably never exists with that vivid an imagination. It makes me feel like lazy summer days lying in the sunshine, or being cozy warm in winter as it drizzles with rain outside. This isn't a one-time read book, but one to return to when life is crazy and I need a break from the world. 

Suggested read

For more imaginative read check out The Art Garden by Penny Harrison and Penelope Pratley (Children's, Picture book 10E/10E) 

 

 

Review: Me and Aaron Ramsey by Manon Steffan Ros (Childrens, 9 years +, 9/10E)

 11th April 2024, Firefly Press, 160 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Book summary from Firefly Press

 Me and Aaron Ramsey tells the story of Sam and his dad who both love football, which is always there for them however tough real life becomes. That is, until Dad’s dreams of football stardom go horribly wrong. Sam’s love for the footballing legend becomes tangled with his relationship for his father as things go south in their family life.

Nayu's thoughts

Despite not liking the sport I thoroughly enjoy reading children's football tales. I like the dedication to the game that Sam has, it's such a good connection to have with his father who already has a secret. I feel that football really keeps Sam going no matter what life throws at him, which ends up being two major life events. Over the course of the book he learns to trust and lean on his best friend Mo who, as it turns out, has almost exactly the same kind of life worries. The moment when these two opened up together was so beautiful I cried a little, as boys need to talk about feelings as much as girls.

Sam has to cope with his parents not getting a long, which on its own is a major issue. Add to that the secret his dad keeps tight to his chest which restricts the types of part time job he can have while being a low paid professional footballer, and then a life-changing incident, there are a lot of complicated feelings that Sam's father endures which has direct effect on Sam and his sister (and their mother). Seeing their lives crumble was realistic, and it takes Mo's mother, who is a force of nature, to get Sam's dad feeling less sorry for himself and taking action to improve his life how best he can. I was cheering him on throughout that journey - I'm not spoiling what the secret was as discovering it for myself was a surprise and also not a surprise. Let's just say that not everyone is as fully educated as they ideally should be upon reaching adulthood. 

This book is full of heartwarming friendships and real life drama that is handled accurately and sensitively. 

Suggested read

Other sport themed reads include this poetry book, Give Us a Goal by Paul Cookson (Children's, Non-Fiction, Poetry, 8/10)

 

Review: Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo Switch, platformer, 9/10E)

 

February 2021, Nintendo Switch, Platformer, Personal copy

Game summary from Nintendo

 From riding down river rapids, to skating across icy tundras, to even exploring a theme park built in the Koopa King’s own scaly image – excitement awaits around every corner, as you travel through the Sprixie Kingdom to save the princess and her followers from Bowser’s clutches!

Mario’s not going it alone – Luigi, Peach and Toad are ready to join in on the fun! Each character has their own unique abilities, so choose one to suit you.

 As an enhanced version of Super Mario 3D World, some brand new gameplay improvements have been made to spice up this adventure.

All characters have received a boost to their running speed and climb even higher after picking up a Super Bell, making platforming that little bit snappier. You can now also use gyro controls for certain sections of the game that previously required touch controls.

Nayu's thoughts

Technically this game includes DLC Bowser's Fury but I haven't been brave enough to try that part yet. I only just finished the base game of Super Mario 3D World and, since I could, I played the entire game as Princess Peach. This was much before I knew Princess Peach Showtime is launching tomorrow (22nd March) as I pre-scheduled this review. I felt this game was totally what I wanted in a Mario game. Super cute levels, with a lot of running around in a cute cat oufit. There is a decent mechanic of if you are not great at levels you can use an invincible icon at the start and breeze on through to the end. This did not prevent me from repeatedly falling at various jumps or acrobatics, but in the final levels especially it enabled me to complete the base game without having to repeat sections far too many times in ways that would make me cry. 

I love the vibrant vibe to this game, I only ever play handheld as I only have a Nintendo Switch Lite. It plays really well in my view, the music is upbeat and most of the levels are pretty coloured. I found a good amount of the collectables, maybe one day I will slowly try to collect them all. I know to get certain ones I will have to use other characters - even Mario - which will be a slight challenge for me, but I can mostly play as Princess Peach and will even give Toad a whirl as he looks cute in cat form. Mario never, EVER looks cute. Ever!!!! I really don't like him. 

The sole pic I could find on Nintendo's site of just Princess Peach (Rest were in multiplayer)

 

 I reached my goal of completing the base game before Princess Peach Showtime so I'm happy. I may dip in and out for collectables. I will try Bowser's Fury but I'm quite anxious that may prove too hard for me as it is supposed to be a harder level (and in a different format). I've played most of it which is what matters. I like the cloud areas and the way the lands connect to each other. It gives me happy feelings when I play, unlike some other Mario games that were too frustrating. May Nintendo make more cute Mario games like this which are slightly different to the norm and allow other characters to be the main focus! 

Review: Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson, Translator Elizabeth Portch (Children's, 7 years +, 9/10E)

Originally 1948, this edition 2023, Puffin, 182 pages, Paperback, Personal copy 

Book summary from Puffin

 Poor little chap! He had been turned into a very strange animal indeed . . .

Although they're small, fat and shy creatures, Moomins have the most amazing adventures. It all begins when Moominpappa tries on a magic hat that makes exciting and funny things happen . . .

Finn Family Moomintroll is the best-loved book in the cult classic Moomin series by Tove Jansson. A must-read for both children and adults.

Nayu's thoughts

As a child I remember reading about the Moomins but some of the characters scared me so I then avoided anything to do with them. The Moomins themselves look like marshmallow creatures, white and rounded. The other creatures...well I still don't like them but their characters in their non-illustrative form are absolutely fine! 

There's a new Moomin game out on Nintendo Switch which is why I wanted to reread one of their tales. They are really charming, especially on learning they hibnerate. They all have distinctive personalities which as a whole lead to amusing tales. I liked how some of the scary seeming characters ended up being rather friendly souls and helpful in their own way. I like how the characters explain some natural phenomena, and just what an odd bunch the Moomin family which includes other creatures too. Some are philosophical, others are straight forward in how they view life. Overall they are fun and I may slowly collect the books and ignore the illustrations that still freak me out. 

Suggested read

A series from my childhood that I adore is Babar The Elepehant Babar's Celesteville Games + Le Chateau de Babar by Laurent de Brunhoff (Children's, Picture books, 10E/10E)

 

Review: Lie or Die by A J Clack (Young Adult, Thriller, 9/10E)

Don't let the chirpy cover fool you!

7th March 2024, Firefly Press, 304 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Book summary from Firefly Press

 Ten strangers trapped in a television studio

Forty-two remote cameras
 

One rule: Trust no one

When a casting call is announced for new reality TV show Lie or Die, Kass is tricked into auditioning by her best friend. Big Brother meets Mafia, Lie or Die pits contestants against each other as they try to discover who is a murderous agent and who is an innocent player. But when contestants start to turn up dead (the real kind, not the fake kind), Kass realises that not being eliminated and winning the game is the least of her worries. No longer a game of truth and lies, Kass and her friends are in a fight for survival. ‘Reality’ just got very real.

Nayu's thoughts

Hot in the wake of the thrilling BBC show The Traitors this young adult thriller is a perfect match for fans of the show (and if you haven't seen the show yet, do! I have seen most of the 1st season (not the finale as I can only watch at family's house due to lack of tv licence) and Lie or Die is far worse than traitors as people actually die. 

In the beginning Kass and her bestie Thea are the ones on the show, joining in a way that should have been an alarm bell for the chaos that follow. Kass is content as her other bestie Lewis is outside the sealed set, helping out the production in what feels like a dream come true role that runs into a distinct nightmare. At first the game feels fun, and the murders somehow go under the radar. How is that possible? Well you will have to read the book to find out how but in the world of TV where reality and fiction collide it is plausible for the contestants not to notice the deaths. There are warning signs for the reader but it takes Kass, Thea, and their rivals a lot longer to catch up. 

When the penny finally drops, and when the murderer starts laying clues, the tone of the show completely flips. It's impossible to know who to trust and who will die next. The mastermind behind the show is both extremely sadistic and very clever. Got to give credit where it's due, it took some planning to create the show and pull it off. The question is, can Kass and her friends survive alongside the other competitors and outwit the murderer? I'm not saying but the end itself is full of great twists and turns that made me glad I read it all in one sitting as waiting more than a few seconds to read on would have been agonising. 

I liked learning more about reality TV shows since I don't really watch them. The tension gets pretty intense, although it fell shy of completely wowing me as I feel spoiled since the Pretty Little LIars TV drama which blew my mind and made me less easily surprised in mysteries. Because of a certain incident Kass and Thea aren't actually getting along too well for a while, but when the murders become evident they team up because they both want to stay alive. Kass finds another ally, or so she thinks, but doing so also makes her look guilty. Lewis has to do all he can to help his trapped friends but his skills are severely limited for various reasons. There is a hint there may be a book 2 so I hope that will happen! 

Suggested read

Love a good scare? Check out The Retreat by Sherri Smith (Thriller, 10E/10E)

 

Review: Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)

  4th January 2024, Chicken House, 320 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from Chicken House

It takes courage to follow your dreams . . . 

Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning gold in Paris. It’s what Mum would have wanted.

However, elite training camp is super tough, even with the help of best friend Ryan and rising star, Jada-Rae.

Think ice baths, rivalry … sabotage.

When others will do anything to win, what will Pearl risk? Safety? Morals? Friendships?

This thrilling tale reminds us sport is about more than medals. It’s about making friends, being brave and freeing your soul.

Nayu's thoughts

I read this after a YA thriller, and honestly I was at at times more scared by the antics in Winner Takes Gold than the thriller. Partly because at least the killer in that novel was obvious about what they were up to, and partly because after the TV show Pretty Little Liars it takes a lot to scare me in a thrilling tale. I know, death is worse than gymnastic pranks but the pranks were serious and got the various competitors out of the training scheme. And I felt like Pearl didn't know who to trust, that included her best friend Ryan. Would Pearl be next? 

Once she and Ryan investigated a little, before they fell out, it seemed that so many of the staff and pupils were prime suspects. I had a sneaky feeling the staff's actions were less suspicious than they seemed  - as an adult I know how certain actions taken out of context by younger people can seem suspicious but its just part of someone's private life, not actually anything illegal.

How books start sets up the whole story, and Pearl being at her mother's grave was really touching. She has so much to live for and keeps her mum included in her gymnastic dreams. I like how realistic it was the way Pearl got onto the special program, and how by the end she does stick to her good principles even though it cost her her dream. I know competitive gymnastics is cut-throat, and Pearl does well to survive. I hope she gets to shine again and we get another tale with her as she has learned a lot in this adventure. 

 Find out more on Eloise's website, I'm certainly going to check out her other book, Sister To a Star

 

Suggested read

If you like heartwarming tales try The Girl The Cat, and the Navigator by Matilda Woods and Anusker Allepuz (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E) 

 

Review: Bubba and Squirt's Shield of Athena by Sherry Ellis (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E)

 

7th May 2024,  Dancing Lemur Press, 114 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Book summary

When Bubba and Squirt travel through the mysterious vortex on a quest to save their father, they end up in Athens, Greece where they meet an old woman known as the Oracle of Delphi. Her intriguing riddles set them on a path that leads to the Netherworld, a place where danger lurks around every corner.

With the help of their new friends and some unlikely allies, they must defeat the monster that holds their father captive. Will they succeed or be trapped forever in the labyrinth of the Netherworld?

Nayu's thoughts

This is genuinely one of my favourite sibling adventures. It has all the good stuff, friendship, dangerous moments, humour, and magical powers. I love how facts about the ancient world are woven into the duo's adventure. There's an ease with the protagonist that comes of being a few books into the series which is noticable from someone who has read the others. Bubba and Squirt definitely have a bigger picture adventure going on, I like how their family are more involved now, as unbelievable as their powers seem to be they come in handy too. The way they time travel feels natural and is well explained.

All is not plain sailing, but together with the temporary new friends they make they can overcome anything. I really liked the various deceptions that happened in this installment that I hadn't anticipated at all. I hope that readers decide to look further into ancient Greece as it's an amazing era with loads of fantastic myths and pot fragments to fangirl over (that might just be me, give me a fragment of a pot and I'm in heaven but I did my degree in Ancient History so I have more than a passing interest in it all). I like that there's a recipe in the book for a food they ate, makes the story more tangible. The Netherworld is a tricky place sure, they don't leave unscathed but they do succeed eventually.

Find out more on Sherry's website, like why music works it's way into her books as she is a musician. 

Suggested read

Check out the first book in the series, Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China by Sherry Ellis (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E)

 

Book review: Mouse and Mole Lo and Behold! by Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)

 

October 2021, Graffeg, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy 

Summary from Graffeg

 Snowmole

 Mole wakes one morning to find the ground is covered in snow! Mouse and Mole decide to build their very own snowy friend – Snowmole – but Mole doesn’t want to leave him alone so decides to keep him company all night long and wakes to find another snowy surprise.

Lo and Behold!

 Mole is impatiently waiting for Christmas to come when Mouse presents Mole with a brilliant gift – an advent calendar! Mouse and Mole use the advent calendar to countdown to Christmas and complete all the festive chores that need to be done and before they know it…it’s Christmas Eve!

A Bump in the Night

 Late at night on Christmas Eve, Mouse and Mole are getting ready for bed, when they realise they’ve forgotten a few important tasks – putting the stockings by the chimney, leaving the mince pies and cherry brandy out for Father Christmas and sending their Christmas lists – but as they finish these jobs something goes BUMP! in the night…

Nayu's thoughts 

This is quite a perfect winter read. The second and third story are amusing tales about Christmas, but the first was my favourite. I haven't read Mouse and Mole series before (this is the 7th book in the series, I think), but honestly it felt like I already knew them the way the story is written. It has such a cozy feel, and not just because I'm warm inside as I read it. 

The duo have definitely been friends for a long time. Mouse knew that Mole staying out in the snow to keep the snow mole company wouldn't end well so helped him get back inside while slept. I like how mole literally took his comfy armchair outside and plonked it beside the snowmole, it felt realistic to the tale even though in real life it would be extremely odd to do that. Their friendship meant Mouse understood Mole's anxieties and accomadated them by doing something extra sweet that made me smile. The following two tales cemented how strong their friendship is. They do have other friends but the tales are about them and how they understand each other. Honestly it's an utterly charming series and one day I hope to collect them all. 

Suggested read

It turns out I have read another book by Joyce, quite a while back in 2012 so do check it out, Do Dare Duck by Joyce Dunbar and Jane Massey (Children's, Picture book, 10/10E)