Anita Loughrey's blog. This is my journal about my experiences and thoughts on writing. As well as news about me and my books, it includes writing tips, book reviews, author interviews and blog tours.
For more information about me and my books see my website: www.anitaloughrey.com. Follow me on Twitter @amloughrey, Facebook @anitaloughrey.author and on Instagram @anitaloughrey
How to Make a Picture Book is the perfect gift for children who want to write and make their own books. It is full of bold illustrations drawn and narrated by the author-illustrator, Dr Elys Dolan, who speaks directly to the reader, anthropomorphised by a bookworm and helped by her trusty assistant Bert.
Elys and Bert talk the reader through where they can get their ideas from, to developing characters through interviews and character sketches. What setting is and how the setting can tell you more about the characters.
This fantastic book then goes on to help children decide what will happen in their story by providing story sentence starters and then illustrates how they can make their own books for the story to go in, showing them how to put the pages together and how the pictures can be used to add more meaning to the story and show the action. It even talks about page turners and the use of colour in your illustrations.
How to Make a Picture Book really is the ultimate step-by-step guide for making a picture book. This unique picture books is packed with brilliant activities, top tips and funny jokes to keep the children entertained. They will love finding out how Bert develops his story idea about the Pizza Delivery Dinosaur. The instructions are easy to follow and will inspire even the most reluctant writer to have a go.
Ideal for use in the classroom and at home. Children can spend days creating their own stories and picture books and sharing them with their friends. A fun project which the whole family can join in. Great for project work.
How to Make a Picture Book is released by Walker Books next week on Thursday 3rd November. Just in time to write your action-packed firework stories or reminisce on the spooky Halloween stories they have read and heard.
I would like to thank Antonia Wilkinson for sending me a review copy of this book.
If you would like more ideas on writing picture books you can see my post on Planning a picture book here:
Today I am going to share my book review of Phyllo Cane and the Magical Menagerie by Sharn W. Hutton.
The first in the series, Phyllo Cane and the Circus of Wonder, was hailed by the judging panel of The Booklife Prize to be ‘dizzyingly bewitching, articulate and intoxicating.’ The sequel, Phyllo Cane and the Magical Menagerie, was released on July 31st 2022.
However, before I begin the actual review, I would like to tell you all about the amazing book package I received of the review copies. This must be one of my favourite and most theatrical themed review book packages that I have ever received and I am in awe of Sharn for the organisation that must of gone in to doing this.
When I first received the parcel I did not know what it was – it really was a mystery package. When I opened it there was a Big Top shaped box that fit the circus theme perfectly. However, there was a piece of card covering the window at the front, which I had to remove before all was revealed. So cool! Just like magic.
Just the box was impressive enough, but when I removed the contents of the box I was overwhelmed to discover what I assume is a wind-up paper dragon (and not a butterfly), a bag of pop corn ideal for eating at the circus, or while you read the books, and a copy of not only the book I was asked to review but also the first book in the series: Phyllo Cane and the Circus of Wonder.
Sharn had also kindly signed both books, which was lovely.
It was so exciting! Thank you Sharn.
All I have to do now is get on with the review.
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Title: Phyllo Cane and the Magical Menangerie
Written by: Sharn W Hutton
Published by: Star City Press
Phyllo Cane and the Magical Menagerie by Sharn W. Hutton
I can say with hand on heart, the second book is even better than the first, as we follow Phyllo on another action-packed adventure. Twelve-year-old Phyllo Cane use to work with his family – brother, sister and father – in the Circus of Wonders. His dad runs the magical confectionery business where the enticing sweets are made of beautiful memories that will fill the person eating them with joy as they watch the show.
However, mishap and mayhem seem to follow Phyllo and threaten the circus wherever he goes from accidently burning down the big top to getting his twin brother hurt by confronting the jester. It is not surprising the exasperated Ringmaster orders Phyllis to start again elsewhere in the circus in a bid to discover his real talent and place in this incredible world of magic. The second book opens straight away from where the last book left off with Phyllo worried if he does not find his place he will be asked to leave the safety of the Circus and his family will follow him into the In-between.
In Circus of Wonder, Phyllo was apprenticed as a Trapeze Artist with an unfortunate fear of heights. In Magical Menagerie, we Join Phyllo for his next apprenticeship, which this time happens to be with Tamer Venor, who cares for all the mystical creatures in the Menagerie. This is such a great concept and will open the series up to Phyllo to draw on this incredible skill on more apprenticeship adventures in the future.
Tamer Venor is worried about her favourite dragon and needs to get it back on its feet before the ringmaster decides it is worth more money to use it for meat. The sand dragon is lonely and wants a mate, but finding a male sand dragon will be difficult as they are very rare. Tamar knows she will never be able to catch one on her own. So Phyllo becomes her apprentice to help her but the problem is Tamar already has an apprentice who she found on the streets and Panya seems to have taken an instant dislike to Phyllo. To catch the sand dragon Phyllo must first embark on a quest to discover his animal totem, a magical baton, a mystical portable altar and the exact words of command to control it.
This magical upper middle-grade, fantasy adventure is well written with some excellent world building. Sharn’s exceptional descriptions bring vivid pictures to the mind of the circus, the atmosphere, and the magnificent beasts in the menagerie. The reader is transported into the world of big tops, popcorn, breath-taking countryside and some brilliantly flamboyant characters.
The plot is full of unexpected twists and Phyllo, true to character, still makes slightly dodgy decisions with sometimes hilarious results. The book also touches on themes of depression and addiction.
I really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read the next instalment. I would recommend this book to fluent readers in Year Six upwards.
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The Adventures of Phyllo Cane are available as e-book for Kindle and are included in Kindle Unlimited. Paperbacks are available for order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones. Most book stores will be able to order it in. If you visit the Amazon pages you will be able to see full descriptions and the possibility of downloading a free sample for kindle. The international book link to the series is: mybook.to/PhylloCane
Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows by Jenny Moore
Maverick publishing is launching on Friday 28th October a top-notch new fantasy series with a fantastic premise. Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows by Jenny Moore is the first in this series about a girl who has hatched out of a dragon’s egg. She looks perfectly normal except for the scales on her arms and legs.
Emba has remained hidden from the majority of the world until an evil sorcerer, Necromalcolm, discovers her whereabouts. He lures Emba and Odolf Bravebuckle to Gravethorn Castle as he needs her dragon blood for his dastardly spell. Our two heroes have to save their friend and guardian Fred, the Wise Hermit of Witchingford Woods.
This fast-paced adventure has a small cast of characters who are all have very different personalities. Emba is loyal and courageous in direct contrast to Odolf who believes his bravery is determined by his stolen belt buckle. The fantasy world Jenny Moore has created is highly believable from the cave where the Tome of Terrible /Tomorrows is kept, to the Pool of Perilous Perception to the Grave Tower of Gravestone, with its impossible spiral staircases. The names are pure genius.
The most prominent thing for me that made this book stand out from many other middle-grade fantasy adventures is the authors distinctive voice. From the very start we are in the mind of Emba and daren’t leave her side right up to the ‘calamitous climax’. Even the often hilarious chapter headings are firmly in the style of Emba’s thoughts and opinions of what is happening.
Our heroes learn bravery comes from within and not from shiny artefacts and you are still part of a family even though you look different. With themes of courage, friendship and family, Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows would be ideal for children who loved reading Sophie Anderson’s books.
There is a brilliant hook at the end leading us to another exciting adventure. This is a great addition to any bookshelf at home or at school. I look forward to reading the second in the series, Emba Oak and the Beckoning Bones.
I would like to thank Abi Reeves from Maverick Publishing for sending me a review copy this book. Thank you.
You can buy copies of Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows by Jenny Moore direct from Maverick Publishing, or from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.
Published by: Pokey Hat an imprint of Cranachan Publishing
Tiger Skin Rug by Joan Haig
This brilliant fast paced and exciting middle grade adventure story will have you turning the pages late into the night. It is not surprising it was nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2021, as well as a finalist in The People’s Book Prize 2021 and one of The Reader Teacher‘s favourite Books of 2020.
I won a copy of Tiger Skin Rug for my grandson in a Twitter competition run by Joan. He has recently asked for it to be read to him again when he was staying over in the summer, bringing it with him especially from home. I would like to thank Joan for this great prize that has given us both so much enjoyment.
Tiger Skin Rug explores the themes of betrayal and what makes a home, whilst seamlessly weaving in environmental issues of tiger conservation and illicit trafficking of endangered species. It is expertly written and has a timeless quality.
The book opens with Lal who is feeling homesick. He and just arrived with his family from India to live in Scotland in cold and murky house that smelt of old age and is packed with the strange relics left by its previous owner. Lal thinks the whole place is creepy and in the drawing room he discovers an even creepier old tiger skin rug. He reminisces about the beauty of India and playing cricket with his friends and wants to go back home.
Lal’s younger brother, Dilip only speaks in a whisper and he has a special connection to the rug as only he is able to talk to it. Dilip discovers the tiger skin rug can come to life. He explains to his brother the tiger is unable to rest as poachers shot him before he had fulfilled his promise to deliver an important message.
The boys and their new friend, the feisty and wild-haired Jenny next door, are determined to help the tiger. They embark on a quest to discover what the message was and take it to its intended recipient. The tiger in return promises to take the children back home.
They use the tiger’s magic and their critical thinking skills to unravel the mystery and deliver the message. The three children embark on an incredible journey from Scotland to a nail shop opposite the abandoned Joseph Ecks Auctioneers near Waterloo station, then on to the Department of Conservation and Biodiversity at Coventry University in search of Professor Menko Chatterjee and finally they go to India.
Lal, Dilip and Jenny are brilliantly rounded characters, who are instantly likeable and relatable. Their diverse cultures are skilfully woven together. I particularly liked the strong bond between the two brothers.
Joan Haig has created a vivid sense of place with her delicate, yet vibrant descriptions. She takes us on a journey from the rainy Scottish suburbs to the bustling Indian cities, which portray the contrast between classes, with overcrowded buses and crawling through drains in monsoon rain and onto the rich, green jungle where criminal hunters lurk. The magic of this book is amplified by the addition of some beautiful illustrations of the tiger by Marian Brown.
I would recommend this book to all middle grade readers and it would be a much coveted addition to any school library or book corner.
Written by: William Shakespeare; Simon Greaves (trans)
Illustrated by: Simon Greaves
Published by: The Shakespeare Comic Book Company
Comic Book Shakespeare – The Tempest
I was greatly impressed by this comic book version of The Tempest and believe this series of books would be an excellent introduction to Shakespeare. Part of a series of books these Shakespeare comic books include edited original text with a modern English translation. They are vividly illustrated throughout to bring the play to life. Each of the comic books is supported by a teacher book containing over 50 pupil worksheets which meet the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy for KS2 and KS3.
The Shakespeare comic book version of The Tempest is an edited version of the Shakespearean play, retaining approximately 50% of his original text. The comic book dual text approach allows younger students to explore Shakespeare whilst providing key quotations, essential plot lines and clarity of understanding for the older pupil. The pictures help to bring the drama to life and provide visual clues for the reader to the characters and their emotional state.
I would not recommend they replace the original version all together but, they would be ideal to encourage even the most reluctant reader to take an interest in the classics. The structure of the book made it very easy to read and follow the plot. The clever line drawings added essential information on the characters feelings and attitudes. Even being able to see the way the characters are dressed provides essential information for the pupils to visualise the cultural and historical setting of the play. The books would also be brilliant for stimulating the children’s own role play and Shakespearean productions.
I Love You with All My Heart is a lovely sentimental picture book about the unconditional love between a mother and her child. Little Bear breaks her Mum’s favourite flower whilst playing and is worried Mum will be angry. Mum explains that she loves her no matter what. There are several memorable lines that will reassure and help young children throughout the good times and the bad times. My favourite being:
“My love will always be with you, wherever you are.”
Mum’s reassuring words help Little bear when she loses the race and when her kite sails away and again when she slips in the muddy puddle. At the end there is a heart-melting twist when Mum is upset she has burnt the cake and baby bear says the iconic line:
“Even when things go wrong, I still love you.”
Little Bear has truly learnt the meaning of unconditional love.
Jane Chapman’s illustrations support her text and portray Little Bear’s emotions perfectly from the joy of playing drums with Mum’s pots and pans, to the look of concern when the sunflower stem snaps and the sheer determination when she manages to retrieve her kite from the tree. I particularly like the end pages which show Little Bear’s house in the woods and you can see the balcony and the sunflower. When you turn to the title page and first spread you can then see the balcony and pot garden close up. This was a great touch that I think children will enjoy exploring.
A beautiful book to read aloud at story and bedtimes, which young children will want to hear it again and again.
I Love You with All My Heart by Jane Chapman is available to buy through all bookshops, large or small, and all the usual outlets online.
Sid’s Big Fib by Roo Parkin and Irina Avgustinovich
Sid’s Big Fib is one of the best picture books I have read this year. It is an extremely engaging and relatable picture book with a unique, fun concept that to be honest I wish I came up with myself. This brilliant story focuses on two children desperately trying to outshine each other. Sid is frustrated his friend Stella is always doing things ‘better’ than him, which drives him to launch a fib of epic proportions. Each fib will keep the children laughing and turning the pages eager to know what he will say next.
Sid’s fibs gets bigger and bigger until eventually the whole charade is discovered and he has a lot of explaining and apologies to make. I like the way Roo Parkin shows us at each stage of the fib getting more extreme, that he thinks of a way to get out of it and stop the lie but even so still can’t help himself continuing with the fib. I believe young children will be able to identify with Sid’s actions and how difficult it is to back down and tell the truth. I also think it is great the way Roo Parkin shows there are consequences for his actions.
I enjoyed the use of different font size and boldness and speech bubbles to add variation to the text. Irina Avgustinovich’s illustrations also help to bring the Sid’s fibs and exaggerations to life. The use of bright colours, background stars and planets and the hilarious expressions on the character’s faces complement Roo’s portrayal of the characters and events completely.
At the end of the book Sid discovers it is more fun to do things together without making up exaggerated stories to outdo each other.
With underlying themes of honesty and friendship, this is the perfect book for reading aloud to a class. or during quality time with your child. I would recommend Sid’s Big fib for use in discussions about telling fibs and thinking about the consequences and the right thing to do.
You can buy copies of Sid’s Big Fib by Roo Parkin and Irina Avgustinovich from Maverick, or from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops. It is also available at:
Title: Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent
Written and Illustrated by: Pippa Curnick
Published by: Hachette Children’s Books
Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent by Pippa Curnick
Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent is the first of a new series from author/illustrator Pippa Curnick, aimed at the 7+ age range. The humour is similar to David Walliams books.
This ingenious story is about Indigo and her little brother, Quigley, who is deaf. Their parents are famous exploders who go on a lot of expeditions to the known and unknown lands leaving them home alone. They post Indigo a unique assortment of orphans and misfits, such as the yeti twins, pink Ollie and blue Umpf, whose luminous coloured fur make them highly conspicuous in the snow and the ferocious looking but kind-hearted Queenie, the sharp-clawed goblin. They all live in a massive house that is different to any of the other houses on Jellybean Crescent but none of the neighbours seem to notice. That is none but Madam Grey and her pet dog Pebbles who lives opposite.
Forty-seven Jellybean Crescent is a sanctuary where the Monster Mail deliveries can belong without being bullied or afraid. They are all listed in The Abracadarium, an incredibly imaginative compendium of sketches with How To Train your Dragon style notations of Indigo’s observations on the magical creatures she has encountered.
The book opens with a newspaper style article of when the Wildes found Indigo. We then meet Indigo at the age of about ten when she receives some new Monster Mail that sends the comparatively peaceful household into chaos. All the inhabitants have to pull together to solve the problem of the missing creature and the complaints from the nosy neighbour.
Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent is jam packed full of beautiful illustrations guaranteed to capture even the most reluctant readers attention and bring Pippa’s characters to life. There are some amazing double-page spreads for young readers to explore. This book would be ideal for all primary school book corners.
My stop on the Petra and the Sewer Rat by G J Kemp blog tour today, will take the form of a book review.
*****
Title: Petra and the Sewer Rats
Written by: G. J. Kemp
Cover illustrated by: Andrei
Published by: TB5 Publishing
Petra and the Sewer Rats by G. J. Kemp
A quick and easy read. Petra and the Sewer Rats is the story of a young girl who dares disobey the town of Fairacre’s rules to save its unwanted orphans. The town is ruled by men who treat women like property. Petra is a plucky and persistent character who has to deal with being entered into an arranged marriage and then discovers she is pregnant by another man.
This novella provides a fascinating peek into a dark and dangerous world. I found there were a lot of characters to keep track of in such a short book. These characters may have been more familiar to me and easier to identify with if I had read some of the other books. Most of the action is moved on by speech which moves at a rapid pace.
Petra and the Sewer Rats is a story of discovery and determination. I can imagine it as a play performed on the stage, Oliver Twist style.
Am I made of Stardust by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Ecija
Each double page spread of this hard-back, colourfully illustrated non-fiction book answers some of the greatest questions about space. It is packed with fabulous facts that will keep curious young minds engaged. The bold, eye-catching illustrations and backgrounds by Spanish illustrator Chelen Ecija will also keep young children flicking through the pages.
Author Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist and pioneering figure in communicating science to children and adults alike. She has inspired generations of astronauts, engineers and scientists to follow their dreams. Her expertise and love of all things space orientated materialises form every page. I also like the addition of her robot assistant IQ and the useful glossary at the back of the book to provide definitions and extend the children’s science vocabulary.
In Am I Made of Stardust? the secrets of the solar system are revealed. You can follow the life of the International Space Station, be amazed at how stars can change into planets and discover why we don’t live on other planets yet, what would happen if I fell into a black hole and how to become an astronaut.
Aimed at key stage two, the writing style is accessible for readers from about 7+. there are over seventy questions in total split into three chapters. Starting with the wider picture there is a section on The Universe. We get closer to home with a section on Our Solar System. Then closer still with the final chapter Humans in Space, which covers such subjects as current space exploration and developments in the future with questions like ‘Could we grow plants in other planets?’, ‘Could I use my phone in space?’ and ‘Will everyone be travelling to space in 100 years from now?’
Am I Made of Stardust? will make an ideal gift for any child fascinated by space and all it entails. Children will enjoy discovering Astro facts and phenomenal ideas to try at home, which will inspire enquiring readers to explore and discover more about the earth and beyond.
This book would also be a great addition in the classroom to support a topic on space and/or technology and would be perfect for World Space Week on the 4th -10th October 2022.
I would like to thank Alice Furse from Michael O’Mara Books for sending me a hard-back copy of Am I made of Stardust by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Ecija to review on my blog.
For a change I am going to end this book review with a topical space joke:
Q. Why do restaurants on the moon get such bad reviews?
A. There’s no atmosphere.
Feel free to comment with some of your own space jokes.
I would like to thank Alice Furse from Michael O’Mara Books Limited for organising me a review copy.
Much To Do About Writing 