Heather James's Blog, page 9

The Whales on the Bus

You'll find whales on buses, bees on skiis and plenty more hilarious scenarios in this brilliant picture book. 
Just like Car, Car, Truck, Jeep this book is a lot of fun to read aloud! My children joined in from the second line of each page and loved laughing at all the crazy scenarios. Their favourite page was definitely the seals on the sub, which I had to read three times in a row. We also laughed a lot when the dragon made an appearance and there was plenty of singing with the goats. 
Sharratt's artwork is bright and bold with his signature style. The story has a gentle, sleepy feel to the last two pages, making this story perfect for before bed, or as a pre nap-time read at home or nursery. We loved this story and would definitely recommend it. 

The Black Kids

The Black Kids is a powerful and timely novel about growing up as a black woman in 90s Los Angeles.
It explores racial inequalities in a way that holds a lens to our own time. Here are three reasons I would recommend it: 
1. The Black Kids is filled with complicated relationships - between both family and friends. It explores growing up and moving on, and finding people who value who you are. It also  reflects both the difficulties and importance of reconnecting with family, and understanding your family's history and where you come from.
2. Ashley undergoes a lot of character growth throughout the novel. She makes mistakes and learns to live with the consequences, as do many of the other characters in the novel. This story shows the importance of owning up to the things you have done wrong, and forgiving others for mistakes they have made.
3. The Black Kids' bittersweet ending ties up loose ends, but reminds readers that in real life, no ending is perfect (or final) and that sometimes the future can take us in unexpected directions. 
Bonus reason: 90s LA, in the midst of the Rodney King riots, made a vivid and dramatic setting that will draw you in immediately, and stay with you long after you've read the final page.
I was provided with an advanced copy of The Black Kids for review via NetGalley

Rocket Boy

Join future astronaut Callum and his cat Oscar on a trip to Mars in a cardboard rocket. Rocket Boy is the newest story in Little Tiger's colour illustrated early reader series. 
This story is brilliant! It is a celebration of the limitless nature of children's imagination - it is make believe play at its finest and will inspire everyone who reads it. 
Both my five-year-old and three-year-old were hooked throughout, and went off on their own space adventure as soon as we finished. The artwork is fantastic and brought Callum's journey to life in a way young readers will be desperate to imitate (start saving cardboard boxes now!)
As with the other stories in this series, vocabulary is pitched at the right level for emerging readers, so this is a book 6-8 year olds will be able to enjoy on their own, or with only a little help. It's great for students in years one and two who are ready to move beyond picture books but still want their stories to be full of colourful artwork. 


We've had so much fun with this story! Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

Picture This: She Rex

Maisy wants to play dinosaurs with her brother, Ed. But Ed says dinosaurs are only for boys, until Maisy introduces him to the fiercest girlosaur of them all - the lizard queen, She Rex - that is!
She Rex is a great story which challenges gender stereotypes and makes it clear that all toys are for girls and boys. I have definitely heard people say that my daughter won't be interested in dinosaurs 'because she's a girl' but, like Maisy, she loves them all the same. I loved that She Rex wasn't a 'girly' dinosaur like Ed imagines, either. "She hunts! She eat! She roars! She fights! Girl dinosaurs have equal bites." 
Maisy is a fun, determined protagonist who I would love to see in other picture books. 
Allwright's colourful artwork is brilliant and a real highlight in this story. Her dinosaurs have so much personality and they are lots of fun to look at. 
Thank you Bloomsbury for letting me review She Rex on NetGalley - I'm looking forward to buying a physical copy!
She Rex is written by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Deborah Allwright

Picture This: Together

Together is a soft, comforting story about friendship and belonging. A baby gorilla feels alone in the forest until an adult takes them under their wing. When they are together, the forest becomes a magical place of wonder and safety, and the world no longer seems so scary. 
The stand out feature of this picture book is the beautiful artwork. Every page is stunning! The soft green colour scheme also adds to the calming nature of the story. 
Together is a story that will make little ones feel safe and loved, with a soothing bedtime feel. 

Together is written and illustrated by Jane Chapman
Thank you Little Tiger for sending me a copy to review

Dear Emmie Blue

I don't even know where to start with this review. I have been walking around with my Kindle glued to my face because I couldn't bear to put this down and leave Emmie for a moment. I have so many feelings and I'm worried this review is going to be a random, jumbled mess of how much I loved this novel and these characters. 
Dear Emmie Blue is a heartwarming and perfect story of love, friendship and loneliness. It made my lips hurt from smiling and my heart ache with sadness. Through Emmie's story, Louis explores how we allow memories and experiences to define us, and the importance of connections and friendships in helping us to move on. I loved the concept of the balloon, Emmie, Lucas and Eliot's friendship, the mixtapes, the secrets, the stars. Everything about this novel was so special. 
Emmie is a wonderful protagonist who was so easy to relate to and I loved seeing her grow over the course of the novel. Even though she's a "closed book" to those around her, Louis shows her emotions so vividly in her narrative that I felt for her in every chapter. The side characters were equally well defined, with their own motivations, problems and desires - I especially loved Rosie and Fox.
I bought Somewhere Close to Happy straight away so that I could read more of Louis' wonderful writing. She will be joining Mhairi McFarlane on my list of auto-buy contemporary authors. 

Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found

Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found is a wonderful Middle Grade adventure which will delight readers and have them racing to reach the end. It is full of rich world building, and the Sahar Peninsula is exquisitely described. From midnight souks, to animal-companion jinni, it has a magic children will long to be part of.  
The real stand out for me in this story was the wonderful narration. It has easily the most vivid, exciting narrator I have come across in a children's story for a long time. The short stories woven through the main narrative are also skilfully done, and it was always a treat to have a glimpse into someone else's world.
Moonchild is full of representation, from characters with mental illness, to different skin tones, to Amira's two mothers. Despite its extraordinary magic, readers will find themselves reflected within Moonchild's pages, and a world that will welcome them no matter who they are. There are even discussions about periods, which I can't remember seeing in Middle Grade before and know I would have so appreciated at that age.
Bushby also packs in a powerful exploration of emotions and the importance of understanding them, rather than always trying to push them away or keep them bottled up inside. This story really is superb, and there's so much potential for the next in the series - I can't wait to find out what happens!
Thank you Egmont for letting me review this story via NetGalley

Sky Pirates: Echo Quickthorn and the Great Beyond

11 year-old Echo Quickthorn has grown up believing that nothing exists outside the Kingdom of Albion, but everything changes when an eccentric professor parks his airship outside her window armed with a map that shows all the magical places that exist beyond the city walls. Together with her pet lizard, Gilbert, Echo sets off on an incredible adventure to find her missing mother; an adventure that will take her to unimaginable places… {goodreads summary}
This Middle Grade adventure novel is so much fun! Echo's story is full of twists and faced-paced action. There was a little bit of everything: chase scenes, mechanical dragons and (of course) pirates.  The plot was really tight and everything came together very well at the end (although I hope we discover what happened to the second hair pin in book two...)
The locations were wonderful and vividly described. I would love to visit the Violet Isles and Port Tourbillon. The man-eating fauna, beautiful butterflies and an assortment of pickled food brought English's world to life, creating a story that young readers will love to lose themselves in.  
Echo is a really strong protagonist - she's opinionated, brave, and never gives up. I loved her relationship with her pet, Gilbert, and her complicated friendship with Prince Horace. Both Echo and Horace undergo some really strong character development over the course of the novel, and it is heartwarming to watch them grow.
I really hope there's more to come from Echo, Gilbert and Horace. 
I was provided with an advanced copy of Sky Pirates by Alex English via NetGalley for review.

Picture This: Grumpy Fairies

A sweet picture book that will resonate with parents everywhere! 
This story is lots of fun. Everyone thinks fairies are sweet and helpful, but there are lots of fairies - usually the youngest ones - who are a "foot-stompy, frowny, bottom-lip-sticky-outy kind of grumpy" instead.
The grumpy fairies don't want to walk snails or water wildflowers. They're too busy stomping off through the forest to help the woodland animals they come across, or to notice the goblin who's been creeping up behind them...
Grumpy fairies are a goblin's favourite things to eat. Can these five fairies change their attitudes before it's too late? 
Grumpy Fairies is full of adorable illustrations and funny words. It will be a hit with anyone who loves fairies - and any grownups who are used to spending time with grumpy ones!

Picture This: The Sloth and the Dinglewot

A magical story of friendship and adventure. 
Samuel the sloth dreams of leaving his sleepy home and discovering the wonders of the forest beyond, but his family would rather sleep the day away and Samuel is afraid of what he might find outside the safety of his home. When a sparkling dinglewot arrives to lead him off on an adventure, Samuel discovers that facing your fears can lead to endless fun and new experiences. 
This is one of the prettiest picture books I've read this year! Every page is full of colour and joy. The cover sparkles with a beauty it's very hard to capture on camera and the inside is just as wonderful. I would buy other books illustrated by Amanda Enright immediately off the strength of this. 
The words were also lovely, encouraging readers to take risks by trying new things, and not to let their fears hold them back. Samuel and the dinglewot go on an adventure filled with animals, parties and flights through the jungle, providing non stop excitement and fun.
Thank you so much New Frontier Publishing for sending me a copy to review.