Heather James's Blog, page 6

The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith

Packed full of action, amazing world building and plenty of puzzles, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is a fun, magical story which children will love. Here are three reasons you should be buying it as a back-to-school gift. 
1. The world building is complex and detailed. Full of fun facts and jokes, the world of Quicksmith academy is one all children will want to visit. It's a school full of endlessly fascinating new discoveries where curiosity and inventiveness are championed. There is so much to get your head around and I really hope there is more to come.
2. Kip and his friends all have different strengths and each is vital to their eventual success. Their accomplishments are a team effort, and its nice to see everyone's differences and individual talents celebrated. Quicksmiths is a place where everyone is special in their own way. Kip's backstory is also extremely touching, and a real driving force throughout the novel. 
3. As the title suggests, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is full of tension, excitement and puzzles. The riddles helped keep tension and stakes high and made me desperate to keep reading once they started. The pace of this story definitely picks up once the first riddle appears and it was during the hunt for clues that this novel really shone. 

Blog Tour: The Worry (Less) Books

This book should be in schools everywhere! Informative, reassuring and very funny, The Worry (Less) Book is a non-fiction, comic filled book about anxiety. It would make a perfect addition to any classroom or school library. 
Rachel Brian is the co-creator of the viral "Tea Consent" video, and the Worry (Less) Book is just as eye catching and memorable.
I love that this books is aimed specifically at children (and will work particularly well for teenagers). It's full of relatable school experiences: such as studying for exams and  socialising with friends. Following the tips in this book will make small but important changes to readers' daily lives. It doesn't claim to cure anxiety, and points readers in the direction of professionals if they need further help, but it does help to build an anxiety toolkit which can be used in a variety of situations. 
I've already put it to use - my daughter was feeling anxious on her first day back to school last week, so we used the grounding technique on our walk to school to settle her nerves. School can be stressful at the best of times, but is particularly nerve wracking for lots of students at the moment, due to the long break and uncertainty over safety.

It's short and to the point, quick to read and easy to dip in and out of if you want a refresher. 
This book is also visually great. The fun artwork made this quick and easy to read, understand and digest. There was great use of bright colours in Mental Health Day yellow and lots of the pages would work as stand alone panels. 
Thank you so much Wren & Rook for letting me take part in the blog tour for this brilliant book. Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour this week.

A Poem for Every Autumn Day

A perfect poetry collection for ushering in crisp mornings and coolers evenings.

This beautiful collection contains every poem you'd expect given the title. I haven't thought of one I would have liked to see included and isn't, and I've discovered lots of new poems while reading. 

There are plenty of the poems I remember from GCSE English (and I say that fondly, as someone who really enjoyed reading and analysing poetry in school!) But also lots of newer poems - an extract from Sarah Crossan's One about returning to school, and Kenn Nesbitt's Xbox Xbox - A Love Poem. 

Many of the poems are atmospheric, conjuring images of fiery leaves, cold winds and bonfires. They are perfect for reading as the season turns, tucked up under a blanket on a chilly evening. 

But Autumn is more than just a change in the weather, and A Poem for Every Autumn Day reflects this.  Early September poems mention the return to school, November includes war poetry for Remembrance day, and the poems for the 31st October are an extract from John Kendrick Bangs' Hallowe'en and the memorably creepy verse sung by Roald Dahl's Witches. 

I also really enjoyed the short paragraphs of context included in with each poem, which aided my understanding of poems I hadn't come across before and increased my enjoyment of them. 

A Poem for Every Autumn Day is a lovely addition to Macmillan and Esiri's poetry series, and I look forward to seeing how they expand on it with such beautiful, thoughtful collections. 

Write Mentor

An extra post today because I forgot to schedule something in to celebrate!

Over the past few months I've been working hard with the wonderful Marisa Noelle on redrafting my YA, gender-reversed retelling of Snow White - Mirrored Snow - which is told from the perspective of a girl trapped inside the wicked queen's mirror. 

This has been part of the incredible Write Mentor Mentoring Programme and I'm so pleased and proud with the change Marisa's help has made to my story. 

You can read my cover letter and the first 500 words of Mirrored Snow as part of the agent showcase - and make sure you check out the other mentees' works too as they are incredible. There's even an anthology of all the entries. 

If you were following my blog last year, you'll know how much I admire Marisa's writing, so it was amazing to have the chance to work with her. 

I don't post many writing relating posts anymore, so if you'd like a more in-depth post about how the mentoring process works let me know in the comments and I'll write something soon. 

Regardless of what the agent showcase brings, I'm proud of this story and I will take so much invaluable expertise with me into future projects as a result of the mentoring process. Write Mentor is such an incredible writing resource and Stuart White is a huge asset to the writing community. If you haven't checked Write Mentor out already, please do - especially as their virtual writing conference - Wow Con - takes place later this month!

Dragon Mountain

Four unforgettable characters, a magical world children will desperately want to fall into and plenty of high-stakes action, twists and turns. Dragon Mountain is amazing!
I knew as soon as I heard about this story that I would enjoy it, and it definitely didn't disappoint. 
Every chapter was filled with action and potential peril, and I raced through this story, reluctant to put it down. From moving mountains to disappearing tigers, there's so much to amaze and wonder readers.
Billy, Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei were exciting protagonists readers will love. They are all different and uniquely engaging, but come together through their loyalty and courage, even if they are sometimes afraid. The bond between them is strong and touching - they're a group readers will wish they could be part of.
The dragons were also very well developed and described. I could picture each one clearly (although the stunning artwork on the cover helped too). I can see them inspiring lots of games, drawings, and stories, a lot like the dragons in the How to Train Your Dragon series.
The cliff hanger ending has left me desperate for book two. Dragon Mountain is the beginning of a brilliant adventure with end-of-the-world stakes and a formidable antagonist. 

Picture This: I Really, Really Need a Wee

When a little bushbaby realises too late that he needs the toilet, there isn't an empty one to be found. He's jiggly-wiggly desperate enough to brave bears and impossibly long queues, hopping up and down as his luck grows worse and worse. 

This picture book was an instant hit in our house. I've been asked to read it more times than I can count (even on the first day). My eldest has even been reading it to her younger brother and anything that encourages my book-mad but reluctant-reader daughter to actually sit and read words from a page is worthy of high praise!

I Really, Really Need a Wee is hilarious from beginning to end (and I think the end is my children's favourite). It's light-hearted and silly, and a story you can read again and again.

The illustrations are very funny - especially the little bushbaby's facial expressions, and every page is bright and colourful. Even the end pages are humorous and my three-year-old has spent ages flicking back and forth between them. 

Thank you so much Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

I Really, Really Need a Wee is written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Kidnap on the California Comet

Hal and his Uncle Nat are off on another train adventure, this time crossing America. But what Nat hopes will be a scenic journey with plenty of drawing opportunities for Hal, soon becomes a desperate attempt to solve the mysterious kidnapping of a billionaire's daughter.
Kidnap on the California Comet is a perfect back-to-school read for young mystery fans. It's filled with lots of red herrings and plenty of clues for junior detectives to pick up on as they read. After plenty of twists and turns, it builds to a satisfying conclusion. 
This story had an amazing setting and it definitely made me want to jump on a train and travel across America. Views from the Comet are brought to life both through the language and Elisa Paganelli's brilliant illustrations. I loved Hal's incredible artistic ability and it really works to see it reflected through the drawings in the book. 
Leonard and Sedgman perfectly capture the feeling of being overlooked because of your age. Hal's determination to save his friend despite all of the adults telling him to leave it to the experts is really admirable. While it is the quick thinking (and often underestimated) children who save the day, there are always adults they can turn to when needed. The bond between Hal and his uncle is one of this series' strengths. I liked how understanding and encouraging Nat was (and also his six watches, which sounded so cool!)
This story touches on series subjects such as homesickness, feeling neglected, and always trying to do the right thing. Hal has to learn that, when following leads, being honest is more important than getting answers, and that sometimes the direct approach is more effective. He grows as a character over the course of the story and its great to see him put some of his new knowledge into action in the story's exciting climax.
Kidnap on the California Comet is also full of strong friendships. Hal is open and kind and forms bonds which last beyond his adventure on the Comet. Hadley and Mason's magic tricks and performances provided endless fun (I would happily read a spin off story about these talented siblings). 
This series is a future classic and I'm looking forward to finding out where Hal and Nat travel next. 

Picture This: Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep

Arlo the lion is tired, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't get to sleep. While wandering the savanna, he meets an owl who sings him a soothing lullaby to send him to sleep. But lion isn't the only one who has trouble sleeping. Can owl's song help everyone to sleep when they should?

This is a gorgeous, soothing bedtime story, with a lovely sleepy feel. It's perfect for reading right before bed, or to encourage little ones to think about when they're struggling to drop off. The song is easy to remember after a few reads, and makes a wonderful bedtime lullaby for busy toddlers (I've used it once or twice since this book arrived!)

Rayner's illustrations are beautiful - I especially loved the bundle of sleeping lions on the final page. Arlo's mane is full of gorgeous detail, and the pages are painted in the colours of sunsets and rises, with inky, star-strewn skies in between.

Thank you so much Macmillan Children's Books for sending us a copy to review. 

Arlo, the Lion who couldn't Sleep is written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner

Victoria Stitch, Bad and Glittering

 

Perfect for fans of Isadora Moon who want something longer to sink their teeth into!
Victoria Stitch and Celestine should be princesses. Born of diamond, they were relegated to a life of nannies and normality thanks to a tiny impurity - a stitch. But Victoria Stitch knows she was born to rule, and she'll stop at nothing to claim what is rightfully hers. Can Celestine stop her from taking things to far? 
Victoria Stitch and Celestine are brilliant characters, filled with passion and creativity. Their relationship is a great example of the complexity of sibling relationships, as it is full of ups and downs, with the girls often struggling to regain the closeness of their youth. Sisters who struggle to get along will find a lot to relate to!

The world building is really special. Muncaster has created a world readers will want to dive head first into and never leave. From tree-stump palaces to flower bloom broomsticks, it is a world of small details and wonders. 
The story itself is full of adventure, magic and twists. Switching the focus between Victoria Stitch and Celestine gives readers a great insight into both protagonists, and I loved them both.
Muncaster's artwork is stunning. There's only a sample in the proof copies, so I'm looking forward to buying the finished version to see Victoria Stitch and Celestine's adventures in detail. I particularly loved the different crowns at the beginning of each chapter. 
My six year old and I are really enjoying reading her Isadora Moon collection together and I know she'll enjoy this story too in the future. 
Thank you so much Oxford University Press for sending me a copy of this magical adventure to review.

The Tindims of Rubbish Island

The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a sweet, funny story with an important environmental message. 

There is lots to keep young readers entertained on every page and my six year old loved reading this with me. She joined in with the songs and loved the Tindims quirky habits and terminology. 

The story itself is a delight to read and has a very important message at its heart. The Tindims are resourceful and considerate, and this story introduces themes of environmental conservation and recycling in a way that makes it easy for children to understand their importance. It's very hard to look at plastic bottles in the same way after reading about the Tindim's mountain. Their motto "Rubbish today is treasure tomorrow" is a great way of looking at waste, and will hopefully inspire lots of craft projects and upcycling. 

This story is also filled with lovely artwork and the design is wonderful, making it a visual treat. Every page has some kind of design element, making this the perfect story for young readers who are ready to move beyond picture books to something a bit longer, but still enjoy having pictures and visuals to accompany the story. 

I really hope the Tindims go on another adventure soon, as this would make a lovely series. 

Thank you Zephyr for letting me review an advanced copy of this book on NetGalley 

The Tindims of Rubbish Island is written by Sally Gardner and illustrated by Lydia Corry