Category Archives: Book review

Book Review: I’m Not Scared A Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Adventure

Title: I’m Not Scared A Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Adventure

Written and Illustrated by: Britta Techentrup

Published by: Prestel Publishing

It is not very often nowadays you find a picture book suitable for the 5+ age range. Most picture books are reducing the word count and telling the story as sparingly as possible a lot of the detail needed to keep the emergent reader engaged is lost. In this beautifully written picture book Britta Techentrup has expanded her text to successfully create two distinct characters with their own voice and personality.

We met Little Hedgehog and Big Hedgehog before in Britta’s book, Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll, a story exploring nature and the beauty of the world. In contrast, I’m Not Scared, examines the complexity of being afraid, from dark basements to deserted streets, strange noises and swooping birds to cars’ glaring headlights, menacing foxes and friendly cats.

Throughout the book Britta does not identify the gender of either of the hedgehogs but we understand they have a parent-child relationship. As they embark on their picnic walk we see the different ways they react to unknown situations – how Big Hedgehog is protective and Little Hedgehog tries to act brave, insisting each time they were not scared.

Britta’s distinctive illustrations with their wild and rich layers of natural colour bring their emotions to life. Through picture and text the book subtly demonstrates a variety of different strategies for dealing with fear such as, accepting kindness, being still, counting, holding hands and whistling.

This would be a useful book for the classroom to stimulate a discussion on identifying and dealing with things that make us scared. It would also be the perfect book for an older emergent reader to explore and enjoy.

I have also previously reviewed The Swing by Britta Techentrup. To read this review see: Book Review: The Swing.

Book Reviews: The Crazy Critters Coronation

Title: The Crazy Critters Coronation

Written by: Wellow House School Year 1

Illustrated by: Wellow House School Year 1 using Canva

Edited and compiled by: Melissa Foster

Published by: Amazon

To commemorate the coronation of King Charles III last weekend the Year One class in Wellow School, near Mansfield Otto have written and illustrated this charming little story where their school mascot, Otto the Owl, sets off on an adventure to invite animals from all over the world to his coronation.

With the guidance of their teacher, Melissa Foster, Otto flies to each of the seven continents where he meets a different animal who will come to his coronation and celebratory garden party. This book is an inspirational example of writing for a purpose.

Each of the animals were chosen by a different child in the class who had to think of describing words beginning with the same letter as their chosen animal. For example, the snake is slimy, slithery and sad, to create a brilliant display of alliteration on nearly every spread.

The illustrations were made by the children for their chosen animal using Canva.

This book would be a good resource to inspire your own children to create their own picture books for publication. You can buy copies of The Crazy Critters Coronation by Wellow House School Year 1 from Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/5oH3dz8

Book Review: Silver Linings

Title: Silver Linings

Written and Illustrated by: Fiona Woodcock

Published by: Harper Collins

I love the simplicity of this large, A4 hard-back picture book, Silver Linings by Fiona Woodcock.

Pip is not having a good day but her best friend Parker is forever the optimist and always manages to see the bright side of everything that goes wrong for her. But when disaster strikes for Parker it is up to Pip to put the smile back on his face.

This is a lovely heart-warming story of friendship with a theme of having a positive mental attitude. Young children will empathise with the things that happen to Pip that could potentially ruin the day but will cheer with glee at parker’s imaginative and fun solutions. Fiona’s pastel artwork add a feeling of joy whilst reading Silver Linings. Every page oozes hope and the spirit of fun and adventure. The underlying message of looking for the silver lining in everything is portrayed in a touching and comforting way.

This book was a pleasure to read. Silver Linings will resonate with children and adults alike. Ideal for bedtimes and to read to the class. Fiona’s pastel artwork adds to the feeling of joy whilst reading Silver Lining. Every pages oozes hope and the spirit of fun and adventure.

I would like to thank Fiona Woodcock for the gorgeous postcard with the lovely handwritten message I received with the book.

The answer is YES I enjoyed reading this book and I’m sure others will too.

You can buy copies of Silver Linings by Fiona Woodcock from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.

Book Review: Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the King

Title: Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the King

Written by: Jane Riordan

Illustrated by: Andrew Grey

Published by: Farshore Books

When Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends go on an expedition to a Royal London Park they don’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a royal adventure. This charming story takes place at a very special Royal Coronation.

Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet lose Eeyore in the crowd so they come up with an ingenious plan to find their friend. Along the way they meet a King Charles III and learn about the importance of kindness, helping others and new beginnings.

I was particularly impressed by the detailed architecturally accurate illustrations of iconic landmarks in London by Andrew Grey. This is a remarkable achievement when you consider the speed they must have been drawn to get the book published in time for the royal coronation.

There are some well chosen interesting facts thrown in such as the River Thames runs through London, King Charles III’s love of the environment, the thistle being the national flower of Scotland and the pelicans in St. James Park were a gift to King Charles II in 1664.

This classic character children’s book will make a wonderful keepsake to honour the historic coronation of King Charles III.

The ideal commemorative gift centred around a children’s character we all love.

Book review: The King’s Hat

Title: The King’s Hat

Written by: Shelia May Bird

Illustrated by: Mark Beech

Published by: Welbeck Publishing

To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, I am posting a commemorative book review to mark the occasion.

In this fun rhyming picture book, The King’s Hat, by Shelia May Bird and Mark Beech our new King is finding his crown a little heavy to manage. His good friend Tom the gardener explains monarchs must wear all sorts of hats and he must be brave and allow himself to be the king he was born to be. The joyful rhyming text of The King’s Hats will delight little ones as they explore all the roles their king might have to take and the many hats he will have to wear during his reign.

I really enjoyed The King’s Hat because it made me laugh. The rhyming verses are a pleasure to read. I’m sure every child will love listening to this exquisite story published to coincide with the Coronation of King Charles III today, Saturday 6th May. It also coincides with The Big Help Out, designed to encourage a national day of volunteering, which will take place on Monday 8th May and is intended to create a ‘lasting legacy’ for this coronation weekend.

Mark Beech’s glorious and hilariously warm illustrations with a caricature-style are fun and his traditional pen and ink style bring the story to life. I particularly like the illustration of King Charles dancing around the garden in his kilt pretending to play a golden spade as a guitar.

The Kings Hat spread two

I believe young children will be able to identify and understand the different roles King Charles has to undertake and will enjoy thinking of other hats he can wear on other occasions. In the classroom children will love making and designing their own hats for a particular purpose and could do all sorts of role play using a selection of different hats.

I would recommend this book for all primary school book corners to commemorate this momentous event in British history.

You can buy copies of The King’s Hat by Shelia May Bird and Mark Beech from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.

Book Review: Mr Men Little Miss The New King

Title: Mr Men Little Miss The New King

Original concept by: Roger Hargreaves

Written and Illustrated by: Adam Hargreaves

Published by: Farshore Books

The Mr Men and Little Miss have been delighting children for generations with their charming and funny antics. Bold illustrations and funny stories make Mr Men and Little Miss the perfect story time experience for children aged two up.

In this charming and funny commemorative edition King Charles III goes on a royal tour of the Mr Men Little Miss world. It’s a right royal giggle from start to finish.

There have been preparations in every land. Everyone is very excited. In Happyland, Mr Happy and Little Miss Sunshine have planted a special flower display, while in Loudland, Mr Noisy and his band have been practising day and night and in Coldland they build a royal snowman.

Finally, King Charles III arrives at Middletown Airport for the Cleverland parade, where Miss Brainy had calculated the exact number of flags that were needed for them to wave. The King’s next stop is Nonsenseland where he looks right at home and the tour continues until he reaches Happyland and the grand gala ball and banquet.

A mad, raucous romp of a book guaranteed to make children squeal with laughter.

Book Review: Amazing Facts King Charles III

Title: Amazing Facts King Charles III

Written by: Hannah Wilson

Illustrated by: Chris Dickason

Published by: Farshore Books

Celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6^th May with this fascinating book packed with over 100 extraordinary and enlightening facts on the royal family, ranging from King Charles III birth to his appearance on Coronation Street.

These bitesize facts are delivered with humour and charm in this fun fully-illustrated book. Discover Charles is passionate about the environment, he was the first royal to go to school, Charles is a member of the Magic Circle and he does not need a passport whereas other members of the royal family do.

It is an entertaining read, easy to dip into and the ideal book to read on the day of King Charles III’s coronation. Great book for class book corners.

Book Review: : The Indestructible Tom Crean Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic

Title: The Indestructible Tom Crean Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic

Written and Illustrated by: Jennifer Thermes

Published by: Welbeck Publishing

The Indestructible Tom Crean Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic is a superb creative nonfiction picture book full of facts and information that will excite the imaginations of all young explorers. It recounts the incredible, gripping true stories of the Irish born explorer Tom Crean during his three treks to the Antarctica on the Discovery, Terra Nova, and Endurance expeditions. Each journey was laden with dangers from frostbite, hypothermia, loss of both human and animal companions, malnutrition and starvation. Tom Crean’s heroic acts of courage, perseverance, and teamwork is an inspiration to children of all ages.

The use of the present tense gives the text an immediacy I feel young children will enjoy. Jennifer Thermes makes excellent use of both graphic novel style panels and picture book techniques to keep the reader turning the pages. Her maps and dramatic illustrations were created using watercolour, coloured pencil, and salt. It would be fascinating to know how the salt effects the watercolour coloured pencils. Working with a limited palette to portray the Antarctica her artwork adds atmosphere and drama that encapsulate the perilous conditions Tom Crean and his companions would have encountered.

At the back of the book Jennifer lists some of the sources she used in her research which will inspire children to do their own research to discover more about the south Pole and the expeditions that took place. I like the inclusion of a timeline, vignettes of some of the animals you would find in the Antarctica and some fun facts to get the children’s creative juices flowing.

This book would be ideal for teachers to read to support a key stage one topic on the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.

You can buy copies of The Indestructible Tom Crean Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic by Jennifer Thermes from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org.

Book Review: Lizzy and the Cloud

Title: Lizzy and the Cloud

Written and Illustrated by: The Fan Brothers

Published by: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Brothers, Eric and Terry Fan, have collaborated to produce this well plotted and elegantly executed picture book resulting in a magnificent timeless work of art children will cherish.

In a few words the Fan Brothers have created a well-rounded character who the reader can empathise with. We feel Lizzy’s joy when she buys a cloud from the cloud seller and names it Milo. In the beginning she follows all the rules that came with the cloud but in her desire to keep the cloud forever she starts to ignore the last rule. The cloud soon becomes too big for her room and we feel her dilemma as she has an important decision to make. At the end of the book she adds her own rule to the list she received when she bought Milo.

The subtle illustrations use a limited colour palette on a mostly grey backdrop. The little details will keep young readers enthralled, such as the detail in the park, the way cloud gradually changes from a fluffy white to dark grey, the rainbow each time it rains and the different shops in the street.

In the classroom, Lizzy and the Cloud, could be used to discuss loss and letting things go, such as anger, frustration, bitterness and accepting change.

This is a book to explore and treasure with a beautiful message young children will be able to relate to.

Here is a video of the book being read with an introduction from the Fan Brothers produced by Simon Kids:

I previously reviewed this book for the online book review e-zine, Armadillo Magazine.

Book Review: Find Your Calm

Title: Find your Calm

Written by: Catherine Veitch and Sarah Davis

Illustrated by: Jessica Smith

Published by: Welbeck Publishing

Find Your Calm is a stylish fill-in journal designed to help children keep track of their daily life and their dreams for the future, as well as providing advice to increase their sense of calm and quiet a busy mind. I think it is suitable for children in Upper KS2 and higher to work through alone and would also be a useful resource for adults to dip in to.

It was written by Catherine Veitch in consultation with, Sarah Davies, a London-based (UKCP registered) child psychotherapist, who has a MA in Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling.

Find Your Calm is full of activities that provide the ideal space to explore creativity and mindfulness. In my opinion the activities provide some excellent supportive techniques which could be used in the classroom with younger children from ages 5+ as a great way for them to gain an understanding of what triggers anxiety whilst offering strategies to help them stay calm under pressure.

I thought the inclusion of pages on the brain and the nervous system and the explanations of how the body reacts in stressful situations was a useful addition to the book.

The illustrations by Jessica smith are eye-catching and supportive. The use of pastel colours creates a calming atmosphere to support the text.

Other books in the series include: Find your Happy, Find your Courage and Find your Body Confidence.

A useful book for all teachers.

You can buy copies of Find Your Calm by Catherine Veitch, Sarah Davies and Jessica Smith from your local independent bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.

I would like to thank Antonia Wilkinson for organising me a review copy of this book.