Empathy is created for the two characters right from the start where both are struggling from poor parenting.  The book is fast paced, highly readable with sensitively drawn main characters that you can't help rooting for.  It's a story of resilience and survival and will create discussions around children that are living in difficult situations.  Good for empathy.

Reviewed by Stephanie Preece on 18th July 2025

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Thank goodness the teacher has so many willing children to help her learn numbers, decorate her classroom and look out for her on breaks! A wonderful approach to starting school with bright illustrations and hilarious text.  It's a lovely twist on why we go to school and the teacher is oblivious that she is the one being taught.  It's a great book for sharing, and children and adults will laugh out loud at the reversal of roles. It's good fun and sure to be a favourite!  Be prepared to read it again and again!

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 16th July 2025

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Nora Inkwell is totally going to tell her best friend Ruby that she's in love with her. No matter that Baxter from Body Combat wrote on the school wall that she's frigid, or that Ruby is more interested in losing her virginity before university, or even that Nora's ex-friends say bisexuals are all attention-seeking wannabes. The impending zombie apocalypse might complicate matters though...

This riotously fun 'rom-zom-com' combines wall-to-wall horror action with hugely likeable main characters, a big dollop of humour and surprisingly sweet and tender romance. The twisty plot doesn't quite stand up to scrutiny but it has plenty of surprises to keep readers entertained. Ideal for fans of horror movies and LGBTQ romance. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 9th July 2025

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Really does capture those 1-2-1 moments with grandad, exploring the beach, creating a (wonderful) pebble collection, imaginative play and making memories. The story skillfully deals with adapting to changes when grandad moves away and the ending is positive and life affirming. All written with warmth and fondness and it's just a good, solid read without being heavy or trying to work out various concepts. Excellent book production and the illustrations are colourful and engaging with lots to look at, just lovey.

Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 9th July 2025

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A wonderful picture book, great for story times, with plenty of naughty llamas to borrow!  The illustrations are full of action and colour and there's plenty to pore over, making it great for sharing.  The rhyming text will make you giggle and the simple plot is amusing and imaginative. It's an immersive experience and shines a light on the joy of libraries.  The last page is a delight as the family discover the Dino Library next door.  Lovely stuff.  

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 2nd July 2025

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This fits squarely into the dystopian genre, but it is misleading as at times it feels comfortable and paints a picture of a good life. There are many themes that run throughout this story including blended families, nature/farming, sustainability, conspiracy theories, racism and love - both romantic and familial.

It's a richly woven story which centers on Xavier - a warm, questioning lead character who loves Dungeons and Dragons, loves his family, and uses his skills to support his family. His growth and development throughout the book is central; and it is good to see this kind of strong but soft masculinity. 

It's not always a comfortable read, and questions are raised throughout, not all of which are neatly answered, but there is a solid ending so the reader is not left disappointed. 

Likeable characters make the reader want the best for them even if you're unsure what that is at times. The world is well created and it's tightly plotted. The chapters are not overly long which gives a sense of pace. A great read for teens. 

Reviewed by Alison Tarrant on 27th June 2025

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An exciting page-turner as we follow Tom into a new world both for him and for us - a world of spies and trained master criminals. It covers a lot of genres - obviously crime and spy novels but will also appeal to those who like boarding school stories and historical fiction with it's setting in an alternative Victorian world that is managed and manipulated by the Shadow Thieves. A wonderful debut that's wrapped up well but there's hopefully more to follow! Good for fans of Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl and Alex Rider

Reviewed by Natalie Wise on 19th June 2025

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A truly lovely story about two Sophies who are best friends despite an enormous age gap. Eleven year old Sophie is determined not to let Sophie the Elder be diagnosed with dementia and moved to a care home far away. The book gently explores how we perceive and interact with the important people around us and how we interact with change. There's a poignant "tale within the tale" as the duo's exploration of memory leads to revelations about her childhood in Poland. I love that young Sophie's emotions and opinions shift throughout the story, not only with regards to her beloved elder Sophie but with other characters too. Her journey to accepting people and situations as they are is very moving. 

Reviewed by Nikki Gray on 18th June 2025

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We join the marching band through various different environments including the city, a building site, jungle, beach and space! Watch out for wrecking balls, tigers and yetis...

Everyone wants to join the fun...even aliens in outer space! 

Bouncy rhyming and repetitive text, and fabulous illustrations with loads to look at - it's just really good, fun for storytime. A must have

Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 11th June 2025

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What if you didn't make snot? What if your bones turned to jelly? What if you could take off your skin? This book has the fascinating (and frequently quite gross!) answers to these questions and more! The kinds of questions that young readers will want to ask are explained in a thorough and straightforward way, accompanied by quirky illustrations and an appealing layout. Perfect as a dip-in leisure read, this is sure to find a place on your shelves. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 11th June 2025

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A delightful and amusing story full of puns on fishy words, 'Calm down, clams, you might pull a mussel'. With lively illustrations and great momentum, kids will love the humour and antics.

Reviewed by Zeena Ark on 6th June 2025

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A great read covering multiple topics including the war, politics, and moral integrity. The characters are fabulous, and we really get to know them well and see them change as the story unfolds.  They are flawed, and we can understand why, and it's really satisfying to see how the goodness within them overcomes the fear.  Johnny is a really mean character and we dislike him from the outset, but he's clever and fools almost everyone around him because he is supposedly the helpful adult.  The friendship element is touching and there is great empathy amongst this group of wild boys.  The story is expansive but clear and it's a real page-turner. We don't know how Ronnie Smith is going to succeed but we know he will!  It's a brilliant read for boys.

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 4th June 2025

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Mayhem ensues when a girl accidently brings a shark into the hotel swimming pool after swimming in the sea. Flip flops, snorkels and goggles aren't the only things that one little girl has brought with her on her summer holiday...

It's very silly but kids will love it and the rhyme works really well and is perfect for reading aloud. A fun summer read.

Reviewed by Debbie Bradley on 28th May 2025

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Unreservedly silly fun, with a big cast of oddballs and plenty of noises to make. Wonderful to read aloud, and would work great for one-to-one sharing or for a big group (if you don't mind it getting seriously loud). Deceptively simple and packed with little details to notice more and more of with each re-read. Fab!

Reviewed by Lucy Forrester on 26th May 2025

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Oh, my goodness. This book elicits so many emotions. It makes you angry and breaks your heart. But it also makes you laugh, uplifts you and makes you feel hopeful. A must have for any public or school library collection.

Reviewed by Debbie Bradley on 21st May 2025

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