Get Kids Reading

Alis by Naomi Rich

2010-04-17T09:00:00.000+01:00

Faced with the prospect of being forced by her parents to marry a forty year old priest whom she does not love, young Alis chooses instead to escape the strict surroundings of her village and brave the outside world. In order to do this though, she must also leave behind Luke – a boy of her own age, with whom she is falling in love.

Life outside her own community may be less oppressively judgmental and controlling, but Alis faces other trials in the mercenary city, where one must toughen up to survive. Despite being reunited with her long-lost runaway brother, life is hard and eventually she is forced to return home and accept her fate. Thinking Luke dead, she submits and marries the priest - but their union is short-lived.

An enthralling love story in the Romeo and Juliet tradition, with some unexpected twists and turns – and a definite resonance with contemporary religious extremism issues - Alis is an impressively memorable debut.

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Sally Gets a Job by Stephen Huneck

2010-04-10T09:00:00.000+01:00

When her family goes off to work in the morning, leaving her home alone, Sally the dog starts daydreaming about what jobs she might like to do. Teaching, zookeeping, archaeology, paleontology and farming all cross her mind; until her people arrive home and she realises that she already has a brilliant job – looking after her family.

Huneck's coloured woodcut illustrations give the book a distinctly retro feel, that brought back memories of psychedelic 70s children’s cartoon Crystal Tipps and Alistair. Whilst the story itself has a sweet sentiment, and the woodcuts are clearly accomplished, Sally's static expressions (inevitable by the nature of this medium) are sometimes mildly disturbing.

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The Magic Rabbit by Annette LeBlanc Cate

2010-04-03T09:00:00.001+01:00

Unusually for a picture flat, The Magic Rabbit is illustrated almost entirely in black and white, with only occasional details being accented in yellow. But far from feeling drab, the use of monochrome actually adds to the magic of this atmospheric tale. There is more than a touch of the Sally Gardner about LeBlanc Cate's style, particularly in the boggle-eyed facial expressions and elaborately detailed spreads.

The opening spread pictures the two main characters - the magician Ray and his assistant, Bunny – in their urban apartment, which is brimming with books, trinkets and magical accessories. You could easily spend several minutes just contemplating this one scene, but for the promise of an intriguing story ahead.

As well as being business partners, Ray and Bunny are the best of friends, and go everywhere together, until one day Bunny gets scared by a dog during their act, and runs off into the busy street. As Bunny finds himself lost in the city crowds, he misses Ray terribly, and it's only when he starts nibbling on some discarded popcorn, that he spots a some magic stars and follows their trail all the way back to his own magic hat, and a delighted Ray. A charming little story about the everyday magic of friendship, brought beautifully to life by its skilfully evocative illustrations, The Magic Rabbit is an impressive début.

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The Mousehunter by Alex Milway

2010-03-27T09:00:00.000Z

Pirates, sea monsters, submarines and winged mice – all the ingredients are here for a rip-roaring, swashbuckling adventure – and Alex Milway's debut novel certainly delivers. In his imagined fantasy world, mice in all their weird and wonderful incarnations are highly collectible commodities that grown men will go to extreme lengths to acquire. Young Emiline is a professional mousekeeper in the employ of a wealthy collector, Isiah Lovelock. But seeking more intrepid exploits, she joins the crew of a ship in pursuit of the notorious and fearsome pirate, Mousebeard - so called because of the mice who live inside his unkempt facial hair. Leaping head first into a dangerous world of pirate politics and maritime menaces, Emiline soon finds she has bitten off more than she can chew, and has to keep her wits about her to survive.

The story is interspersed with amusingly illustrated entries from the 'Mousekeeper's Almanac', which provides collectors with intricate details and care instructions for every kind of mouse known to man - from the semi-mythical Methuselah Mouse to the highly coveted Golden Mouse. The colourful cast of human characters are equally well painted during a series of nail-biting capers, which include some surprising twists and revelations. As with all the best adventure stories, things are not always as black and white as they first appear, and Milway does a good job of keeping you guessing up until the very last pages.

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The Day that Everything Changed by Ben Myers

2010-03-20T09:00:00.000Z

Written in collaboration with a primary school as an Arts Council funded project, the remit in creating this novel was to provide stories that children would want to read. Told from the individual points of view of six children, all of different ages, as well as third-person sections called 'Everyone's Story', it can be read either straight through or by choosing one or more characters to follow. Presumably this structure is designed to make the book accessible to different levels of reader, but it could potentially become confusing.

The story itself has a distinctly environmental, somewhat preachy message, as each of the children has to complete a task - invariably a test on their personal weaknesses - in order to save humanity. This all takes place in what was their school, but is fast disappearing, as 'nature' rises up to reclaim the world in protest at man's mistreatment of it. Very much reminiscent of the meandering stories that filled endless exercise books in my own childhood, I can see how children might well identify on some level with the naïvely constructed characters and far-flung adventures, although more advanced readers may find it all rather patronising.

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Sunshine for the Sunless by Gareth Thompson

2010-03-13T09:00:00.000Z

Much of Andy's childhood has been haunted by the memory of a terrible event he once witnessed in which a father and son drowned in quicksand on the beach near his home. Blaming himself for not being able to help them, the shadow of this harrowing experience hangs over him as he struggles to move on. His only escape is in daffodils, a passion he has inherited from his grandfather - also the most reliable male role model in his life. Then the beautiful Angie comes into his life, taking an unexpected interest in Andy's unusual horticultural hobby, she also becomes the object of his desire, as the rumblings of first love begin to stir.

Set in a rough industrial town in the Lake District, the title refers to a line of poetry from one of the area's most notable exports, William Wordsworth. And very much in the spirit of Wordsworth, the landscape is passionately and intricately evoked, setting an atmospheric backdrop to what turns out to be a compelling and moving rites of passage. The unusual slant of daffodil obsession gives a familiar story a refreshing twist, and provides some genuinely interesting facts along the way.

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The Chocolate Cat by Sue Stainton, illustrated by Anne Mortimer

2010-03-06T09:00:00.000Z

Following on from Santa’s Snow Cat and The Lighthouse Cat, this established author/illustrator team return with another fantastical feline story, this time featuring that winning ingredient, chocolate.

Mortimer’s lavish illustrations bring to mouthwatering life the exotic creations of the chocolate shop owner, whose cat acquires a taste for chocolate mice and takes it upon himself to deposit them all around the town. Soon business is booming and everyone is smiling, including the previously downcast chocolatier.

There’s no doubt that chocolate can lift the spirits, but it should be pointed out that it can actually be poisonous to cats, so please don’t try this at home!

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Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillion

2010-02-27T09:00:00.000Z

In the spirit of 'Holes', with splashes of subtle magical realism, Couvillion's debut is a highly compelling and ultimately uplifting 'rise of the underdog' morality tale. On Horse Island, where nearly everyone is a chicken farmer with an alliterative name, the Schmidt family are relative outsiders, bequeathed their house by an uncle on the condition that they continue to care for its chickens.

Ignored and resented by his parents, Don Schmidt spends most of his home life trying not to annoy his neurotic chicken-hating mother. School isn't much better, until one day he wins a chicken-judging contest and becomes suddenly popular, so that even his parents are forced to notice him.

Meanwhile, Don has accidentally discovered that his name used to be Stanley, and is anxiously following a trail of clues about his past, desperate to find out why it was changed and what exactly his family has been hiding from him. As the truth gradually unfolds, with some cleverly plotted twists and turns, the story becomes ever more enthralling. Don/Stanley is a perfectly constructed hero – humble, naïve, kind and courageous - and you can't help but be consumed by his plight.

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Accidents of Nature by Harriet McBryde Johnson

2010-02-20T09:00:00.000Z

A deeply moving and provocative novel that boldly confronts attitudes to disability from the perspective of a sixteen year old with cerebral palsy. Set in a 1960s holiday camp for what would now be called 'special needs' children, it is the antithesis of the politically correct 'issue-based' book.

Jean goes to Camp Courage to please her parents, who have always tried to give her as normal a life as possible, and are keen to foster her independence. During Jean's stay she meets Sara - a veteran of what she herself calls 'Crip Camp' - and an outspoken rebel against the patronising influence of the camp leaders, and other 'normal' people in general.

Refusing to submit to society's expectations of her, Sara opens Jean's eyes to a whole new way of thinking about her disability. Based on the author's own experience of growing up as an invalid in even less liberated times, Accidents of Nature is not always a comfortable read, but all the better for that.

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Sephy's Story by Julia Green

2010-02-13T09:00:00.000Z

A simplified retelling of the Persephone myth for early readers. For anyone unfamiliar with the story – Persephone (or 'Sephy' in this version) is kidnapped by Pluto, the God of the Underworld, and tricked into agreeing to be his wife. Sephy's mother Demeter (Goddess of the Harvest) is distraught by her daughter's disappearance and stops caring for the earth, prompting Zeus (King of the Gods, and in the original myth, Persephone's father) to intervene.

After some negotiation, Sephy is allowed to live half the year above ground but must remain as Pluto's consort the rest of the time - thus explaining the changing seasons. Whilst Julia Green (best known for her young adult novels) does a decent job of condensing and conveying the essence of the story, the subject matter seems somewhat inappropriate for the intended age range. The fact that Sephy is portrayed as a little girl, forced against her will to live with a beardy old man, makes the whole thing frankly rather sinister.

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The Sailing Ship Tree by Berlie Doherty

2010-02-06T09:00:00.000Z

Originally published in 1998, The Sailing Ship Tree is a semi-biographical tale, based on the diaries of the author's late father - a butler in a big merchant's house. Set in Merseyside in the early 20th Century, it tells of four children from very different social backgrounds and how their lives become entangled. Walter and Dorothy are twins whose father works at 'the Big House by the Mersey'.

They strike up a forbidden friendship with Master George, who lives as a virtual prisoner in the house, under the custody of his bitter older sister, while his father is away at sea. An even more unlikely ally is Tweeney, the lowliest servant at the house, who remains feisty and determined in the face of constant oppression. Skillfully dotted with a wealth of historical detail, this sweet story of friendship against the odds also serves as a fascinating social document.

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Interview with Karen Wall and Jim Helmore

2010-01-30T09:00:00.000Z

Iona and Peter Opie, Janet and Allan Ahlberg, Colin and Jacqui Hawkins, Laurence and Catherine Anholt – there's a long line of esteemed husband and wife teams who've successfully harnessed their romantic chemistry to produce enduringly classic children's books. The latest couple to join this glittering list are Jim Helmore and Karen Wall, whose Stripy Horse books are fast becoming a favourite with children, critics, judges and even toy manufacturers. When I talked to Karen and Jim, the creative spark between them was evident, as they enthused proudly about their joint achievements.

Unlike many author/illustrator teams, who often work in isolation, Karen and Jim appreciate the benefits of having a constant “sounding board” for their work, which they describe as their “baby”. Their first book, Letterbox Lil (OUP) was a labour of love, born out of long held ambitions to illustrate and write respectively. “We sent it off to lots of publishers, without having much of a clue about how to get published” says Karen “we just kept persevering until someone noticed us”. Although Letterbox Lil did eventually get published, its rhyming nature was a stumbling block to foreign translations, which is partly what led them to doing something different for their next venture.

The idea for book two came from a drawing Karen had done in her capacity as a toy designer, from which Jim came up with the story of Who Are You Stripy Horse? (Egmont). The 'long forgotten shop' in which Stripy Horse wakes up and finds himself was inspired by a real life antiques market with which Jim was fascinated as a child. “There was this cavernous second hand shop called Sid Plummers in Shepton Mallet” he recalls with glee “full of amazing bits and pieces”. When I mention a certain likeness to Bagpuss's shop, they both admit to a love of Oliver Postgate, but deny any direct link between the saggy old cloth cat and Stripy Horse.

According to Jim, the first Stripy Horse story is all about identity: “The main motivation was for Stripy Horse to find out what he was for, so I put him with a bunch of distinctive characters who all have a specific job” he says. Most of these characters are directly based on the various bric a brac objects Jim has collected over the years. Once the elaborate cast of characters had sprung out of Jim's imagination, it was Karen's challenge to visualise them, and a process of conferring between the two began. “We don't always agree” says Karen “but then you'll wake up and realise that the other person has a point”.

Like many illustrators of her generation, Karen cites Quentin Blake as a major influence, and though her own style is quite different, she aspires to inject the same sense of “silliness, warmth and heart” into her drawings. Jim's literary heroes – among whom are Roald Dahl and Spike Milligan – seem to match this humorously anarchic bent perfectly.

Having done two Stripy Horse books (and with a third planned for next year), Karen and Jim are now moving onto something different, with the publication of Oh No, Monster Tomato! (Egmont) this autumn. In the tradition of classic fairy tales such as The Enormous Turnip and Jack and the Beanstalk, Oh No, Monster Tomato! was inspired by Jim's love of growing vegetables, and tomatoes in particular. “I'd heard of this festival in Spain called La Tomatina where everyone throws tomatoes” says Jim “and the idea came to me.” But instead of Valencia, the setting for this food incident is the made up town of Grislygust, where everyone is fiercely and hilariously competitive about their veg growing.

I am charmed to discover that some of the tomatoes in the book are photographed from Jim's own prolific produce, along with other bits and pieces of collage that accompany Karen's vibrant watercolours. Such personal touches reflect the deep intimacy that clearly underpins Karen and Jim's creative partnership and makes their books so warm and likeable. It seems likely that the inhabitants of Grislygust will get another outing at some point, as Karen and Jim talk enthusiastically about ideas for future stories featuring the same characters.

As well as their joint picture books, Jim also has aspirations to write something longer at some point. “I'm working on a novel that I pick up and put down every few months” he says. Meanwhile, the couple are keeping busy working on current projects and are starting to do more events - recently making their first festival appearance at Edinburgh. “I do all the talking while Karen draws” says Jim, making Karen chuckle playfully, but not in the least resentfully. Much like the other finely tuned aspects of their partnership – working or otherwise - it's obviously an arrangement that suits them both. While Jim grows tomatoes, Karen grows flowers and while he thinks up the stories, she brings them to life in pictures. If that's not domestic bliss, I don't know what is.

Originally published in Carousel magazine.

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Frog In Love by Max Velthuijs

2010-01-23T09:00:00.000Z

Originally published in 1989, Frog in Love was the first of 17 books to have been published in this classic character series. Taking the very grown-up theme of romance and presenting it on a level that children can appreciate is quite an ambitious endeavour, but this gentle and touching tale manages to pull it off with grace and sincerity.

At first Frog thinks the thumping in his chest must be an illness, until Hare diagnoses him as being in love. Anxiety turns to elation as Frog proclaims the object of his desire to be a beautiful white duck, and then back to anxiety again as he is too shy to tell her his feelings. But despite Pig’s reservations about the feasibility of an inter-species relationship (slight political undertones perhaps?), Frog finally gets Duck’s attention by showing off and doing the biggest jump EVER.

For such a simplistic character who really bears little anatomical resemblance to an amphibian, Frog is unfalteringly lovable and bursting with personality. Let’s hope that the re-release, with its more contemporary cover design, will keep Frog bouncing through the generations into the hearts of children for years to come.

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I Love You Muddy Bear by Jane Simmons

2010-01-16T09:00:00.001Z

Mousse the dog loves Muddy Bear almost as much as his best doggy-friend Nut. So when Muddy Bear gets accidentally rolled up into a snowdog, Mousse is distraught and sets off to find him with the help of Nut. Some well-meaning but misguided rabbits send them off on an erroneous mission to confront Big Bear, whom they think might have taken Muddy Bear, but they only succeed in needlessly waking a grumpy Big Bear form hibernation. Eventually Muddy Bear turns up, but not before Mousse has endured a fretful night without him.

The lost toy scenario is one which has been tackled by many a children’s book before, but the winning combination of lovable yet quirky characters, some clever tension building and a heart-warming happy ending make this a pleasantly refreshing take.

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Elephant by Petr Horáček

2010-01-09T09:00:00.001Z

Most children invent an imaginary playmate at some point, and for the little boy in this book, it’s an elephant. But is it imaginary? Just like Bernard’s monster in Not Now Bernard, the parents (or in this case, grandparents) can’t see the child’s unusual companion, and the child gets blamed for all the mess and destruction caused. But this un-named boy enjoys many an adventure with his elephant friend, and eventually the grandparents join in the game.

Softly drawn with grey scribbly skin and a docile friendly face, the elephant is surprisingly inanimate and lacks the personality of his anarchic anthropomorphic forbears - The Tiger Who Came to Tea, The Wild Things or even Bernard’s monster. The repetitious expressions on the human faces also make the characters feel slightly cold and removed, though the illustrations are by no means unpleasant. A simple if rather dispassionate tale, the themes of make believe and making a mess will surely appeal.

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The Roman Mysteries XVII: The Man from Pomegranate Street by Caroline Lawrence

2010-01-02T09:00:00.001Z

Since the release of The Thieves of Ostia in 2002, Caroline Lawrence’s rip-roaring Roman Mysteries series has taken its readers on a string of heart-stopping and vividly evoked adventures all over the Roman Empire - from the port of Rome to the capital city itself; to Pompeii, Rhodes, Athens, Egypt and even Asia.

Anyone who has followed the series cannot have failed to absorb at least some of the profuse and fascinating historical detail that has been carefully woven into its gripping pages, but most will probably have been more preoccupied with the ever-precarious fate of its four feisty protagonists.

Facing all manner of adversities in the pursuit of the truth, the headstrong heroine of the series, Flavia Gemina has matured from an nosy, naive child to a brave young woman with a talent for solving mysteries. Her loyal friends, Lupus, Nubia and Jonathan have all evolved too, each experiencing their own often heartrending rites of passage.

It hardly seems possible that the final book in the series has arrived so soon, but here it is - volume 17, The Man from Pomegranate Street. The story begins with fifteen year old Flavia being prepared for a marriage ceremony, then goes into flashback as she recounts her final - and most dangerous - mystery. Drawing together loose ends left from the previous books, and putting the four friends in almost constant peril, Lawrence delivers yet another absorbing and illuminating historical whodunit.

The main mystery this time is who killed the Emperor Titus, but as ever, there are many twisty-turny sub-plots that keep things constantly taut and suspenseful. Did Jonathan kill Titus? Will Nubia’s feelings for Aristo be revealed? And who is Flavia marrying? All will be revealed in the captivating conclusion to this epic and hugely engrossing series.

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Lifegame by Alison Allen-Gray

2009-12-26T09:00:00.000Z

Alison Allen-Gray’s first novel Unique, published back in 2004, received widespread praise and several well-deserved award nominations, including a spot on the coveted Booktrust Teenage Prize shortlist. An edgy and provocative thriller, it tackled the controversial theme of cloning from the perspective of a boy who finds out he is a clone.

Five years later, Gray returns with another hard-hitting, action-packed teenage novel that lives up to, and even exceeds her excellent debut. In the tradition of Brave New World and 1984, Lifegame imagines a future dystopia in which people are constantly under surveillance, can no longer write with a pen and paper, and live in a strictly controlled class structure.

The book begins on a cloistered island that is believed by its inhabitants to be the last bastion of humanity following some kind of global chemical disaster. Fella is an orphan in this isolated world and knows nothing about his family other than that his mother supposedly died in a car crash when he was a baby. Along with his best friend Grebe, Fella begins to question the stories he’s been fed by the Powers that Be and with the help of a journal left by his mother, starts to unravel the truth about his background - which in turn leads to some shocking revelations about the island.

Utterly compelling in terms of both subject matter and plot, Lifegame poses some uncompromising political and philosophical questions about the nature of society, the possibilities of science, and how the two can dramatically impact on each other. The development of the two (very likable) central characters - from subjugated, frustrated teenagers to revolutionary young adults, and the gradual blossoming of the romance that accompanies it - is truly enchanting. Unputdownable.

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The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant

2009-12-19T09:00:00.000Z

Set in an outwardly innocuous and mostly uneventful German backwater town, The Vanishing of Katharina Linden is an atmospheric, slow-building thriller in which nothing is ever what it seems. Peppered with German phrases and colloquialisms that conjure the spirit of the setting and its people, Helen Grant’s portrayal of place is cleverly and vividly executed.

A sometimes uncomfortably close community of curtain-twitchers and busybodies, everyone knows everyone else’s business in Bad Münsereifel, or thinks they do. For Pia, the schoolgirl infamous and ostracised for having an exploding grandmother, the unfolding of a sinister murder-mystery becomes a welcome obsession on which to focus her frustrated energies. She and the other school pariah, ‘Stink Stefan’ - thrown together by default - team up to try and figure out what is happening to the girls of the town, who keep disappearing.

Apart from said disapperances, the odd allusion to dubious incidents of the past, and some imparting of spooky local folklore, the first three-quarters of the book ticks along gently without much actual hair-raising. It’s not until right at the end that the pace really picks up and all of a sudden explodes into a startlingly chilling climax, packed with twists and turns and some genuinely stomach-churning moments. Gripping stuff, but not for the faint hearted.

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Tessa In Love by Kate Le Vann

2009-12-12T09:00:00.000Z

A realistically imagined and elegantly evoked ‘first love’ story with an unexpectedly tragic twist, Tessa in Love will pull at the heartstrings of anyone who is experiencing, or has experienced, what it’s like to be sixteen and in love.

Tessa has always been in the shadow of her prettier, more gregarious best friend Matty, never considering herself to be girlfriend material - until she meets Wolfie, a passionate eco-warrior with who she bonds over a fight to save the local woods. Wolfie opens Tessa’s mind to a new way of looking at the world, and as romance blossoms, she begins to come out of herself and grow in confidence. Watching the courtship unfold while its lovers evolve and flourish in each other’s company, one is utterly swept up in the intensity of that blissfully tortuous (and oh so familiar) process.

Then, just as the early uncertainties in the relationship start to give way to comfort and security, tragedy strikes. Whilst volunteering in South America, Wolfie is suddenly and shockingly killed, leaving Tessa devastated. Whilst deeply heartbreaking for both reader and protagonist, this unforseen conclusion is also somehow strangely uplifting. Unlike most teen romances, which invariably disintigrate into bitterness or fade to indifference, this one remains forever preserved as a shiningly perfect moment, untainted by the passage of time and inevitability. Profoundly moving and utterly absorbing, this is the best ‘girlie’ book I’ve read in a long time.

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The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster by David Conway

2009-12-05T09:00:00.003Z

In this topsy-turvy nursery rhyme world, Little Miss Muffett is bored of her repetitive role, and sick of being intimidated by spiders, so decides to break out of her own story to see what is happening elsewhere.

Bumping into all sorts of well-known characters along the way - including the Grand Old Duke of York, Jack and Jill and The Queen of Hearts - Miss Muffett upsets plots all over the place, causing much chaos in the process.

It’s an amusingly anarchic take on a familiar format, with matchingly madcap illustrations and satisfyingly silly. Inquisitive young minds will no doubt identify with Miss Muffett’s need to explore the unknown, though protective parents may not necessarily approve of her rebellious tendencies.

Miki by Stephen Mackey

2009-11-28T13:06:00.005Z

Despite its highly accomplished and beguiling illustrations, the presence of both penguins and polar bears in a single environment (a classic schoolboy error) was an immediate turn-off to this otherwise magical tale.

Topographical technicalities aside, Miki is a sweet and ethereal character, whose midwinter wishes take her on a strange underwater voyage where she encounters all kinds of weird and wonderful creatures.

In an unfortunate design flaw, black text on a dark background made bedtime reading difficult on several of the pages - interrupting the pleasantly rhythmic flow of the text. The author/illustrator Stephen Mackey, an established commerical artist, has certainly carved himself a new niche in the children’s picture book market with this enchanting tale - let’s just hope he does his geography homework in future.

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The Dressed Up Giant by Kaye Umansky, illustrated by Doffy Weir

2008-02-28T13:10:00.004Z

Giant Waldo is perfectly happy with his trusty old suit, and plans to wear it to Beefy Betty and Ed's wedding, but his girlfriend Heavy Hetty has other ideas. After a traumatic clothes shopping mission, both giants are dressed up to the nines, and are on their way to the wedding, when disaster strikes! Hetty's hat blows away and Waldo's shiny new outfit gets covered in mud whilst trying to retrieve it.

Resorting to his old brown suit, Waldo feels like himself again, and is extra delighted to discover that all the other men at the wedding are also wearing their ancient 'too-tight' suits! Umansky's witty text is perfectly complemented by Weir's rather retro, but wonderfully expressive, illustrations. The third and final book about these larger-than-life characters, The Dressed Up Giant subtly conveys the important message that personality is more important than appearance.

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Burn My Heart by Beverley Naidoo

2008-02-28T12:40:00.003Z

A hard-hitting political story that dramatically juxtaposes the contrasting lives of two young boys living in Kenya during the 1950s. Celebrated for her uncompromising treatment of racist issues, Naidoo once again pulls no punches as she explores and exposes the harsh realities of African colonial politics. Told from the point of view of two very different families on either side of the struggle for colonial freedom, Burn My Heart presents an enlightening, sometimes shocking, look at this often overlooked conflict.

Mathew is the son of a wealthy farming family of settlers (called 'wazungu' by the natives), and is friends with a native servant boy, Mugo, who works in his family's kitchen. At first oblivious to the political crisis in their midst, the boys' friendship is gradually fractured by the spiralling unrest.

Through a series of distressing events, each boy has his eyes opened to a complicated, frightening world of oppression and racism, that causes them to re-evaluate their respective beliefs and allegiances. A dark and harrowing ending is followed by a moving and informative afterword, reinforcing the severity of the crisis, and the fact that its repercussions are still felt today.

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I'm Not Going Out There! by Paul Bright, illustrated by Ben Cort

2008-02-28T12:38:00.001Z

What could possibly be scarier than a fire-breathing dragon, a ghost with no head, stubbly witches, or tutu-wearing monsters? An angry sibling of course!

Anyone who has ever hidden from an older brother or sister will identify with this vibrantly illustrated, light-hearted picture book.

Written in rhyming, rhythmic verses, young readers will enjoy anticipating and joining in with the refrain 'I'm not going out there!' on every page, as an assortment of potential menaces in the child's bedroom are eventually upstaged by the ultimate peril – a shrieking sister with a spider in her shoe!

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Wheelie Girl by by Miriam Latimer

2008-02-28T12:36:00.001Z

Wheelie Girl is Molly - a little girl with a big complex. Her insecurities are somewhat justified by the fact that she has wheels for feet. Struggling to keep pace with the everyday activities of her peers, and overwhelmed by frustration at the limitations of her predicament, she exclaims “I can't do ANYTHING!”, and is about to give up trying, when her wheels actually come in handy for once.

Molly's friends are bursting with praise when she is the only one who can catch up with Rufus the dog, returning him to his grateful owner. Much like Rudolph (the Red Nose Reindeer) before her, Molly discovers that sometimes it pays to be different. A rather obvious metaphor for disability, Wheelie Girl is nevertheless an entertaining and reassuring tale, with striking illustrations and a lively text layout that keeps the story moving.

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Mr Pusskins by Sam Lloyd

2008-02-28T12:34:00.003Z

In many ways, this is a classic morality tale that reminds the reader to 'count your blessings' and 'the grass isn't always greener...'. But it is also a witty and compelling story about a cantankerous, ungrateful cat, Mr Pusskins, who, bored of his owner's stories and constant fussing, decides to leave home in search of adventure.

As the honoured guardian of my very own contrary fluffy ginger cat, I was both highly amused and duly impressed at the author's convincing portrayal of feline characteristics. Lloyd succeeds in capturing the fickle, indifferent attitude that most cat-people will instantly recognise.

The illustrations have a slightly manic, almost child-like quality to them, and yet at the same time capture a range of expressions and emotions beautifully. From indifference at Emily's attentions, to glee at his escape and subsequent rebellious antics, to tragic self-pity when he realises that street life is not all it's cracked up to be, to his eventual remorse and contrition, Mr Pusskins' changing demeanour is perfectly delivered.

A happy ending, when Mr Pusskins is reunited with an ecstatic Emily, gives the tale a welcome feel-good factor which reassures the reader that it's never too late to say sorry.

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Wibbly Pig's Silly Big Bear by Mick Inkpen

2008-02-28T12:31:00.001Z

The latest Wibbly Pig story maintains the subtle simplicity of what has become a favourite character series, this time offering a touchingly hearfelt message: that being kind and fun is just as valid as being clever and coordinated.

The chemistry between Wibbly Pig and his silly big bear leaps off the page via Inkpen's expressive illustrations. WP's resigned reactions to his bear's inability to eat peas, put pyjamas on properly, or indeed undertake the most routine tasks with any efficiency, turn to joy as we learn that he can jump...crash...and bash and is enthusastic.

The humourous text has a pleasing rhythm to it, with emphasised words on each page that children will delight in shouting out, as this is one story they will surely be learning off by heart.

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Delilah Darling is in the Library by Jeanne Wills, illustrated by Rosie Reeve

2008-02-28T12:29:00.001Z

Has Clarice Bean got competition? Not quite... 'Delilah' makes no bones about jumping on the Bean bandwagon, most obviously in the layout and quirky text-design which scream 'CB wannabe'. Delilah is also a feisty, somewhat contrary female character, but with perhaps less of the off-the-wall humour which makes CB so appealing. On the upside, Reeve's trademark pastel colours and soft edges make the illustrations strikingly different to Lauren Child's modern, angular style, and lend the character Delilah her own distinct personality. The story itself takes place in the library, where Delilah makes a nuisance of herself, spinning tall stories from her overactive imagination. Despite my initial cynicism over the blatant stylistic imitation, I have to admit that 'Delilah' is an entertaining read, energetically written and attractively illustrated.

When Anna Slept Over by Jane Godwin

2008-02-28T12:24:00.000Z

This early-reader tackles the subject of staying away from home for the first time, and takes into consideration all the things that might worry a child, not least the matter of whether to take their comforter along. Any child who has a special toy or blanket, from which they cannot bear to be parted, will identify with this situation – the fear of ridicule set against the emotional attachment to the thing. While the story is reassuringly familiar, its telling is rather mundane, perhaps intentionally so, as the writing style is almost like that of a child describing their own experience. I cannot imagine this being a book which would stand repeated readings, but it may be helpful in dealing with this specific issue.

Greater Gains by K.M. Peyton

2008-02-28T12:13:00.001Z

Very much in the tradition of Jane Austen, Greater Gains is essentially a story of passion and longing, set against the backdrop of 19th Century rural Norfolk. The heroine, Clara Bywater, starts out poor, widowed, and pregnant by one of two possible fathers, neither of which is her dead husband. As if Clara’s problems weren’t enough for her long suffering parents, her sister Ellen is then transported to Australia, for accidentally killing a man. Such dramatic beginnings give way to a more gently-paced plot of romantic entanglement and family duties. Clara marries a man she does not love in order to save her brother, whilst secretly pining for a long-lost love, and only finds solace in her beloved horses. Greater Gains is the sequel to Small Gains, but it can be enjoyed perfectly well as as stand-alone novel, thanks to the author’s skill at subtly weaving in the backstory. I found myself more intrigued by Ellen’s antipodean subplot (of which there is little), than Clara’s constant domestic vexations, but was nevertheless curiously absorbed by the colourful characters and engaging dialogue. Romantically-inclined teenagers with a penchant for ponies will particularly enjoy this spirited historical drama.

The Saddest King by Chris Wormell

2008-02-28T12:04:00.000Z

A land in which everyone is happy all the time seems too good to be true...and it is. The people of this charming fable must feign constant happiness by order of the crown, until one day a little boy decides he needs a good cry, and is summoned before the king to explain himself. Wormell's rustic, almost unfinished illustrations give his imagined land a fantastical, fairy-tale feel, and the king first appears as a somewhat sinister figure, with an eerily fixed smile on a dis-proportionally large face. The little boy appeals to the king, whose permanent grimace turns out to be nothing but a mask, under which he hides his true sadness. Moved by the boy's honesty, the king realises that it's alright to be sad sometimes, and that it is better to express your true feelings than bottle them up. A worthy sentiment indeed, especially so for boy readers, who may feel less self-conscious about showing emotions having read this heartening tale.

Soul Eater by Michelle Paver

2008-02-28T12:02:00.001Z

The third title in this much-hyped prehistoric adventure series plunges its protagonists sharply into turmoil once again, as the hero Torak's beloved Wolf is kidnapped in a dramatic opening scene, by a ring of villains with an evil plan to take over the forest. Torak is understandably distraught at this turn of events, and sets out to rescue his pack brother, with little idea as to the scale of his undertaking. He and Renn must venture into the far north, an unfamiliar world of ice and other unknown dangers. Helped by the White Fox clan, they endure horrific ordeals to find Wolf, soon realising that saving him is the least of their worries, when unimaginable evil is now at large.

Into her carefully crafted narrative, Paver weaves subtle character development, particularly with Wolf, who is changing from playful cub to world-wise warrior. As they see each other through numerous close-shaves, Torak and Renn's bond grows deeper, and they too are growing up fast. Following a frantically tense climax in which the looming evil is for the time being forestalled, Torak mulls the future, tainted by his dark experiences. Elegantly written and imaginatively executed, Soul Eater is darker and edgier than the first two books, stepping up the pace of this excellent series, and promising plenty more adventure to come.

Flotsam & Jetsam by Tanya Landman, illustrated by Ruth Rivers

2008-02-28T11:57:00.001Z

Flotsam and Jetsam are quirky characters made of wood and string, conjured by the fleeting imagination of a child in a boat - who thinks he sees faces on some floating debris. But long after the child has forgotten this passing fancy, the characters take on a life of their own. A propitiously magical start gives way to a rather more mundane story of the everyday comings and goings of this eccentric pair, as they build a life amongst the detritus on the beach where they are washed up, and befriend a hermit crab who they find in a Sainsbury's carrier bag. I can't help feeling there was potential for more humour in this surreal set-up, which also promised more than it ultimately delivered in the way of magic and adventure. Nevertheless, a sweetly dreamlike tale which may well inspire young imaginations.

Is It Because? by Tony Ross

2008-02-28T11:54:00.001Z

The familiarity of Tony Ross's charmingly chaotic illustrations makes the potential awkwardness of his chosen subject matter somehow easier to swallow, in this simple poem about a common childhood problem. When a little boy asks his dog: “Pepe, is it because he's got silly names?..Is it because he's no good at games?...” and so on, we are initially oblivious as to the reason for his musing. It's not until the final few pages that we discover the boy is being bullied, and is in fact pondering over his tormentor's motives. Ross's refreshingly alternative morality tale boldly advocates a more philosophical approach to the too-often seemingly black-and-white issue of bullying, and by keeping it simple, cleverly avoids the usual patronising tone of other such 'issue' based books.

The Flower by John Light, illustrated by Lisa Evans

2008-02-28T11:48:00.002Z

The illustrations in this minimal-text picture book are very much in the Tim Burton tradition – muted pastel shades of brown and grey, vacant looking expressions on wide, round faces, and a distinctly dystopian eeriness fills its hauntingly mesmerising pages. “Brigg lived in a small room in a big city” begins the story - and so we follow the resigned drudgery of Brigg's soul-less, colour-less urban life - with which anyone who has ever lived or worked in London will immediately identify. One day Brigg steals a forbidden book from the library where he works, and learns about flowers - something he has never seen in the barren metropolis he calls home. Then, seeing the same shapes and colours on a packet of seeds in a shop window, he transforms his dreary accommodation by growing a beautiful plant. But Brigg's delight turns to anguish when the plant is sucked away by the automatic cleaning system in his apartment. All is not lost however, as the plant continues to thrive in a dust heap outside the city, and hope for a more colourful future is restored.

A simple story with a strong message against apathy, reinforcing the notion that it only takes one person to make a difference – a worthy philosophy indeed in the face of current climatological concerns.

Zarconi's Magic Flying Fish by Kirsty Murray

2008-02-28T11:45:00.004Z

Gus McGrath has never met his grandparents, and is oblivious to their existence, until his mother falls ill with cancer and he is sent to stay with them while she recovers. As if the shock of going to live with virtual strangers wasn't enough to cope with, it then transpires that they run a travelling circus - an unfamiliar and daunting world into which Gus is expected to assimilate himself. At first he is bitter and resentful about his situation, and is bewildered by the seemingly indifferent attitude of his grandparents towards him, unaware of the complicated history between them and his mother. But as he gradually adjusts to life in the circus, and begins to uncover a web of family secrets, he finds himself more comfortable with his new life than he could have imagined. A classic 'rights-of-passage' tale, which confronts the familiar issue of dysfunctional families, but within the more exotic setting of the Big Top, Zarconi's Magic Flying Fish is a pleasantly diverting, if not particularly challenging read.

Seven For a Secret by Laurence Anholt & Jim Coplestone

2008-02-28T11:17:00.005Z

It's not often that I'm reduced to tears by a children's picture book (let alone an adult novel for that matter), but this profoundly moving account of a little girl's correspondence with her grandfather had me in floods. Unable to sleep one night because of the noise of the city where she lives, Ruby writes a note to her grandfather, who is far away in the countryside. And so begins a series of letters between the two, in which each relays details of their everyday lives, and expresses their continuing hope that one day they will meet. The increasingly fond letters are punctuated by the presence of magpies, as Grampa tells Ruby about the birds who keep him awake, and teaches her 'The Magpie Song'. It becomes apparent that Grampa's health is deteriorating, then when Ruby sees a single magpie on her balcony (1 for sorrow), we realise that he has died. It was this cleverly implied execution which so tugged my heart strings. Anholt's skilful writing is complemented by Copplestone's softly energetic illustrations, which provide a subtle exposition of the story beyond the letters themselves. Further tears ensued in the final, fold-out spread, when Ruby discovers Grampa's secret, a generous legacy that will ensure her family's security. A memorable, moving, and ultimately uplifting tale.

Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson

2006-11-29T15:08:00.004Z

The return of Doctor Who to our TV screens in 2005 gave rise once again to the vast possibilities of using time-travel as the central premise of a storyline. Jumping on the time-travel bandwagon, Jeanette Winterson has seized upon its potential with a spirited originality in her first children’s novel, a gripping and provocative fantasy-thriller.

The central character, Silver, is an orphan forced to live with her selfish aunt Mrs Rockabye and her ferocious pet rabbits. Silver’s only comfort is the magical, sprawling house in which they live. When the mysterious Abel Darkwater arrives at Tanglewreck, seeking the legendary Timekeeper, Silver is dragged away from her beloved home and drawn into a sinister plot which sees her thrown through time and space, with the future of the universe on her shoulders. To give much more away would risk spoiling others’ delight in unravelling this juicy adventure story for themselves. Packed with colourful characters, and skillfully paced, Tanglewreck also throws up some weighty questions about the nature of existence. Rarely does one encounter a children’s novel which so succesfully combines pure entertainment with serious philosophical and scientific contemplation. A hugely satisfying and memorable read.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

2006-07-15T23:35:00.001+01:00

I've always secretly believed that my pets could understand everything I said, and that it was my own ignorance of their language which made meaningful communication a problem. It seems Gabrielle Zevin has a similar inkling, since her latest book (just published in paperback) opens with a moving account of a dog's reaction to her teenage owner's death, and its frustration at not being understood by the remaining members of the family. My heart was immediately won over by this touching prologue, which sets the tone for what becomes a magical, philosophical and tender interpretation of the Afterlife.

Following the post-death journey of a teenage girl, Liz, who is killed in a hit-and-run accident, Elsewhere's title refers to a kind of alternative heaven in which people age backwards and eventually start all over again, coming back to Earth as babies. On arriving in Elsewhere, Liz goes through the inevitable stages of denial, bitterness and desperation before coming to accept her new (non)life. She finds a niche as a dog warden (people in Elsewhere have 'Avocations' rather than jobs) and finds she has a natural gift for speaking canine. A far cry from other prescriptive and cliched (and often religiously weighted) metaphorical novels on death, Zevin has created an inspiring fantasy that encourages light-hearted contemplation on what would normally be a dark subject. Her airy, fluent prose conjures a dream-like, expectant atmosphere, and her engaging characters literally bring death to life. Elsewhere has all the ingredients of a classic teenage rites-of-passage, but with an elegant, original twist that sets it apart from the rest.

The Sirens of Surrentum by Caroline Lawrence

2006-06-16T11:55:00.002+01:00

Any long-running series of books, or television for that matter, runs the risk of its formula becoming tired and its characters falling flat. Thankfully, with her admirable attention to detail and carefully planned story arc, Caroline Lawrence’s Roman Mysteries have so far avoided this trap. Now on book 11, Lawrence’s historical japes are still fresh, intriguing and entertaining. The latest in the series, The Sirens of Surrentum, is possibly the most risqué so far – tackling the tricky themes of sex, love and lust, as well as incorporating the usual ‘mystery’ at the centre of the story.

Flavia and friends find themselves surrounded by debauchery and decadence when they visit their friend Pulchra, whose father Felix Flavia idolises, at the Villa Limona. The mystery is who is poisoning Pulchra’s mother – the possible culprits being the other house-guests, who include a selection of eligible young men and women. While the grown-ups wine, dine, flirt and frolic, the children attempt to expose the poisoner. But Flavia is preoccupied with matters of the heart, as her infatuation with Felix grows stronger and she longs for another year to pass so that she will be of marriageable age.

The customs and etiquette of Roman courting and marriage are explored throughout the book, as Lawrence once again manages to educate without patronising. The potentially controversial issue of tween love is gracefully handled, with a subtle appeal to the reader – don’t rush into romance, and when you do, choose the safe man, not the dangerous one. It is a timeless message with which anyone who has ever experienced the highs and lows of a teenage crush will identify.

I for one was relieved when, in the process of solving the mystery, Flavia finally sees through her idol’s glamorous façade and is released from her infatuation. Boys shouldn’t be deterred by the romantic theme – there is still plenty of action and adventure to satisfy them, including a hilarious scene in which nearly all the characters (except the wise Nubia) are tricked into eating poison. Sirens of Surrentum is certainly a strong contender for my favourite Roman Mystery so far – roll on book 12!

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

2006-05-06T18:25:00.001+01:00

Last year's Nestle Prize (0-5 category) Gold winner, Lost and Found, has just come out in paperback, prompting me to finally get round to reviewing it. Being rather a fan of penguins, I was immediately drawn to the cover, which depicts a boy and a penguin looking lost whilst floating in an umbrella not far from an iceberg. Jeffers's quirky, contemporary style puts me in mind of another promising young author- illustrator and former Nestle winner, Mini Grey, which is no bad thing. Both manage to convey huge amounts of energy and expression using stylised, simplistic drawings and unpretentious, child-friendly text. Before even opening the book, I was intrigued and expectant.

The story drops straight in, without any pre-amble, to an unnamed boy opening his front door to find a penguin. Presuming it must be lost, the boy sets out to return the penguin to its rightful location, not knowing where that might be. After rowing to the South Pole and dropping the penguin off, the boy finally realises that the penguin just wanted a friend, and a heart-warming reunion follows. Lost and Found is a touching, subtly moral story that encourages the reader to think beyond the seemingly obvious. One is utterly endeared to the silent penguin as he unquestioningly follows the boy, unable to convey his true desire for company. The unanymity of the boy is sure to appeal to young readers who will enjoy filling in the gaps, or indeed placing themselves in the starring role. Similarly, the uncluttered, open spaces between the pictures and text, and the big blocks of colour across double-page spreads leaves room for the imagination to breathe. Appealingly simple, gently atmospheric and pleasingly reassuring, Lost and Found is certainly deserving of its acclaim.

The Colossus of Rhodes by Caroline Lawrence

2006-03-27T19:19:00.002+01:00

Having read about a forthcoming television series to be made of Caroline Lawrence's popular Roman Mysteries series by the BBC, I was compelled to catch up with the antics of Flavia and friends. The most recent paperback, The Colossus of Rhodes takes to the sea, with the usual appealing mix of mystery, history, humour, myth and adventure. Each of the Roman Mysteries tends to focus on one of the four main characters - and this is Lupus's story. Setting sail from Ostia in Lupus's ship, with Flavia's father as Captain, the friends embark on their latest mission - to free the children kidnapped into slavery by the evil Venalicius the slave-dealer. Lupus also has his own agenda - to fulfil a sacred oath to himself to find his long-lost mother.

Lawrence's skill at mixing humour and tragedy is once again proved as Lupus's dream is dangled in front of him in an emotive, frantic and ultimately abortive quest. There is some resolution as far as the kidnapping strand to the story goes - but only after Flavia and co have run the gauntlet of obstacles and red-herrings, as always ducking out of mortal danger just in the nick of time. The journey from Ostia to Rhodes entails some wonderful descriptions of the Mediterranean and Greek Islands, conjuring an atmospheric backdrop and a vivid sense of time and place. Perfect entertainment for any families heading to the Greek Islands this holiday season, The Colossus of Rhodes keeps up the momentum of this excellent series, making you eager to read the next one.

Visit Romanmysteries.com for more information about the TV series and details of forthcoming books.

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

2006-03-07T09:10:00.001Z

Holes by Louis Sachar is one of my all-time favourite books, so it was with equal parts excitement and trepidation that I approached its sequel, Small Steps. Sequels can so often disappoint and even taint fond memories of the original (Star Wars…need I say more). Having said that, Small Steps is more like a spin-off than a sequel, since it picks up on two of the secondary characters from Holes three years after their horrendous hole-digging nightmare at the notorious Camp Greenlake correctional facility. The unfortunately nick-named Armpit is catching up on his education by way of summer school, whilst also making some money working as a gardening labourer – mostly doing something at which he is well-practiced - digging holes. The Small Steps of the title refers to his rehabilitation counsellor’s advice to take things one step at a time. This worthy intention is interrupted when his well-meaning but misguided friend X-Ray turns up with a dubious plan to make money by touting concert tickets, convincing Armpit to part with his hard-earned cash in order to purchase said tickets.
Sachar’s writing is as fresh and uncomplicated as ever, and one is immediately swept up into the compulsive narrative. Tension builds quickly as the two boys find themselves hurtling back towards incarceration when their supposedly fool-proof scam inevitably goes awry. Armpit finds counsel in an unlikely friendship with his neighbour – a younger girl with cerebral palsy who takes her problems in her stride and encourages him to do the same. A romance blossoms under the most unexpected circumstances and Armpit is drawn into the daunting world of a teenage rock-chick, further complicating his already fretful situation.

The somewhat far-fetched storyline is carried along by the tender and convincingly imperfect relationships and by the unaffected directness of the author’s voice. The story comes to a satisfactory conclusion, whilst mercifully avoiding a clichéd happy ending. Small Steps has a completely different feel about it to Holes – which makes it almost impossible to compare the two. Instead I would recommend treating the latest book on its own merits – a skilfully plotted, beautifully executed tale of friendship, trust, love, prejudice, disillusionment and redemption. I am happy to say that my only disappointment was with how quickly it was all over – I challenge you to try and make it last for more than one sitting – I couldn’t.

Mixed Magics (audiobook) by Diana Wynne Jones, read by Anthony Head

2006-02-04T15:27:00.005Z

Originally published in 2000, this collection of magical short stories is being published as a CD audiobook for the first time. Not having previously read any of the other Chrestomanci books, I admit to being tempted into starting with this one purely on the basis of it being read by Anthony Head. I was not disappointed - his mellifluous tones are easily absorbed and his subtle delivery perfectly complements Wynne-Jones's lively prose. I discovered that the stories work fine as a stand-alone collection and you need not have read the others in the series in order to appreciate them. Each of the four tales is linked by the mercurial and often unpredictable presence of Chrestomanci, an enigmatic enchanter who presides over many worlds, intervening when needed to maintain harmony and balance.

The first story, Warlock at the Wheel is a farcical romp, featuring a hapless warlock who has lost his magic powers and gets himself transported to another world in order to find them again. There follows a catalogue of disasters as he steals a car and in doing so accidentally kidnaps a demanding young girl and her aggressively protective dog. Stealer of Souls is an altogether darker yarn, in which two young enchanters are kidnapped by a wicked soul-stealer and have to use all their wits, without the use of magic, to overpower him. I found Carol Oneir's Hundredth Dream hugely entertaining, with echoes of 'The BFG'. Young Carol has the unusual gift of being able to control and record her dreams, but needs Chrestomanci's help when her characters go on strike. The final story, The Sage of Theare is the most complex and atmospheric of the four. It deftly confronts weighty issues through the eyes of the unwitting 'sage' Thasper, who threatens the supremecy of the gods with his incessant questions. Each story varies in tone, and as a collection, Mixed Magics strikes a satisfying balance between humour, intrigue, fantasy and philosophy. This (unabridged) audio version is bound to go down well with parents and children alike - Mums especially will be charmed by Head's dulcet tones, and Wynne Jones's clever, multi-layered narrative allows her stories to be appreciated on many levels.

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner

2006-01-13T11:24:00.001Z

Not since I feverishly immersed myself in the fantasy adventures of E. Nesbit and Elizabeth Goudge over twenty years ago have I been so utterly swept away with the fairies. As an adult I’ve enjoyed many ‘magical realism’ stories, and have at times revisited various interpretations of the traditional fairy tales, but Sally Gardner’s I, Coriander refreshed my imagination and enthusiasm for all things magical beyond any of these.

Part fairytale, part historical snapshot, it seamlessly weaves two sharply contrasting worlds – the oppressive, controlling and threatening real world of 1650s pre-Restoration London and a dreamlike fairyland – both seen through the eyes of our spirited heroine, Coriander. All the essential fairytale ingredients are here - a Wicked Stepmother, a Handsome Prince, Magic, Hardship and a Happy Ending - but there is also much originality and freshness about the author’s approach to the genre. Without the use of her paintbrush, Gardner expertly evokes through graceful yet unfussy prose a vivid, theatrical backdrop in which the reader feels almost part of the scenery. Her characters are equally well decorated, each with their own quirky back-story, and with a role to play in the advancement of the storyline.

Coriander’s transition from naïve and rather spoiled child to world-wise young woman is no picnic. She swings between heartbreak and exhilaration during an emotional and physical journey that sees the death of her mother, the prolonged exile of her father and exposure to brutal cruelty, as well as the forging of new friendships and the first flutters of romantic love. The impressively paced narrative comes to a satisfying conclusion without indulging in too many clichés and an uplifting ending suggests the beginnings of further adventures. Whether or not there is a sequel, I am content to entertain many more magical possibilities for the inhabitants of this beautifully imagined enchanted world.

Seeker by William Nicholson

2006-01-13T11:22:00.001Z

Nicholson’s latest offering, the first instalment of a new trilogy, took a while to get under my skin. The sleek prose at least made for an easy read, but I didn’t start to really care about the characters, or their respective quests, until quite a way into the action. The three young protagonists from different backgrounds are introduced separately to the reader, before their paths cross and they discover a mutual ambition. Motivated by different circumstances, they all long to become a Noma - a type of revered, mystical warrior - but must first prove they are worthy. The ensuing adventure sees the brave but naïve young adults have their individual beliefs and ideals challenged and sometimes crushed as they come up against the harsh realities of the outside world.

The setting is fantasy, but the modern day metaphors are somewhat transparent – themes of suicide bombers, public execution, religious intolerance, blind faith and unjust social hierarchies are all explored. The balance of good and evil is more ambiguous however – the separate communities are each convinced of the supremacy their own beliefs, and the reader is invited to judge for themselves. If you can get past a slowish start and avoid getting bogged down by these potential moral dilemmas, you will find yourself immersed in a cracking fantasy adventure with well-painted and ultimately likeable characters.