Sue Fairhead's Blog, page 37

The Princess in Black Takes a Holiday (by Shannon and Dean Hale)

After starting to read aloud a superhero book that (in my opinion) was rather dull, I suggested to my five-year-old granddaughter that, instead, I read her another ‘Princess in Black’ book by Shannon and Dean Hale. Her parents like this series, and a few days ago I read her ‘The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem’. I thought it well-written and gently amusing in places.

So I decided to start ‘The Princess in Black takes a Holiday’.... and ended up reading the whole thing. The wording of the ...

The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem (by Shannon and Dean Hale)

While looking after my grandchildren, I often read books aloud to them; both read for themselves but they still love hearing stories. And it’s always a good way to help them relax, or calm down if they have become a bit hyper. So when I asked for suggestions, they agreed that they would like to hear one of their favourites: ‘The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem’, by Shannon and Dean Hale. 

Apparently this book is the eighth in the ‘Princess in Black’ series; but, I’m told, they’re all goo...

Sadie the Saxophone Fairy (by Daisy Meadows)

I had read ‘Poppy the Piano Fairy’, the first ‘Music Fairy’ book in the very lengthy ‘Rainbow Fairy’ series by Daisy Meadows, borrowed from the library, to my grandchildren. Since the library also had the last of the ‘Music Fairy’ books (‘Sadie the Saxophone Fairy) I agreed to read that too. It was fairly obvious that seven instruments, stolen by the goblins, would be rescued one at a time (over the course of seven books) but I was mildly curious to find out how it would all end. 

The first book...

Lulu and the Cat in the Bag (by Hilary McKay)

My grandchildren were choosing library books, mostly rather stereotypical books such as graphic superhero stories, or rather fluffy fairy books. I wanted at least one or two that I would enjoy reading aloud to them, so when I spotted a couple of shortish books by Hilary McKay, it was an easy decision to add them to their stash. Three years ago I checked out ‘Happy and Glorious’ by the same author, for similar reasons, and my grandson, five at the time, loved it so much that I bought it and its ...

Poppy the Piano Fairy (by Daisy Meadows)

I don’t think I was previously aware of the ‘Rainbow Magic’ series of books by Daisy Meadows. Apparently there are around 200 of these books, and my five-year-old granddaughter has about fifty of them, mostly from charity shops. When she spotted, at the library, some she did not have, she decided to check them out.

Since I had not read any of the books, I offered to read ‘Poppy the Piano Fairy’ aloud. I was slightly surprised that my eight-year-old grandson wanted to listen too, but both childre...

Instant Daddy (by Carol Voss)

I had never heard of Carol Voss, but her book ‘Instant Daddy’ was offered free for the Kindle about two-and-a-half years ago. Aafter a quick check of the blurb I downloaded it. I like having something undemanding to read when travelling, though of course not much travelling has been possible until recently. 

I think it was billed as American Christian fiction, but the ‘religious’ aspect is fairly low-key and, I thought, well-done. God is an important part of several of the characters’ lives, and...

The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner (and other stories) (by Terry Pratchett)

I have very much enjoyed the late Terry Pratchett’s writing since I first came across the children’s trilogy ‘Truckers’, ‘Diggers’ and ‘Wings’ back in the mid 1990s. I have acquired many of his books over the years, and am currently in the middle of gradually  re-reading the lengthy ‘Discworld’ series.

But it’s only recently that I realised that Terry Pratchett also wrote a lot of short stories for children, many of which have been collected in books. I understand that they represent some of hi...

Ballet Shoes (by Noel Streatfeild)

I have always loved Noel Streatfeild’s books and have collected most of her children’s novels over the years. Her best-known story is probably ‘Ballet Shoes’, now considered a classic, and one which I re-read regularly. I thought I might start reading it aloud to my five-year-old granddaughter but she found it a bit long-winded so, having abandoned reading aloud after a couple of chapters, I decided to read the rest of it to myself. I last read it only four-and-a-half years ago, but, as ever, h...

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (by Joan Aiken)

It’s over two decades since I last read Joan Aiken’s classic novel for older children, ‘The Wolves of Willoughby Chase’. But I was in a second-hand book shop with my grandchildren, and saw a good quality paperback edition of this book for just a couple of pounds. I ascertained that they did not already have it, and bought it for them. 

Not long afterwards, sitting in a tea shop waiting for them to return with their parents after more perusing of books, I picked it up to skim through the first ch...

Team Hero: The Battle for Shadow Sword (by Adam Blade)

My grandchildren have always loved books, and despite both of them now being fairly fluent readers, I’m often asked to read to them - something I love to do. I kept reading to my sons until they were in their late teens, and love introducing children to books they might otherwise not have read. 

However, this works both ways. My eight-year-old grandson had just bought, at a charity shop, a book called ‘Team Hero: The Battle for Shadow Sword’. The author is listed as 'Adam Blade', apparently a na...