Swop The Satsuma-Sized Secret

by Lucy Noguera

What would you do if you found the world's smallest dog?

When Ernie and his family leave the countryside to move to the city, Ernie feels like he will never settle into his new home.

Yet on his very first night, a surprising new friend introduces himself – Swop is a very tiny dog. A dog that just happens to be the size of a satsuma.

Ernie vows to keep Swops secret, but Swop has other ideas and he's determined to make Ernie's first day at his new school a memorable one!

Suitable for 7+ Chapter book with back and white illustrations throughout in order to break up the text and make it more accessible to more readers. Has a dyslexic friendly layout and font. It features sign language and introduces finger spelling as the main character has a deaf sibling.

First in a new series.

Genres: Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2021

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Lovebookstours


Swop the satsuma sized secret is a Ernie who has moved from the city to live near his grandmother. His mum has a new job as a doctor and Ernie is struggling to be happy with his current changes. Ernie lost his father and misses him immensely.
When Ernie is in his new room he discovers an amazing surprise! A tiny puppy no bigger than a satsuma.
I lovednot only how adorable this book and illustrations are, but also how much fun this story is.
The story touches on some sensitive areas but it written very well and easy to follow and understand for children.
The book is a great adventure and I struggled to 0ull myself away from reading it!

[Nicola Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous debut from Lucy Noguera that is highly complimented by Laura Ireland's wonderful illustration. The story is crammed with charm and warmth and centres around an engaging young character doing his best to cope with big changes in his life. An uplifting story that highlights the importance of trust and friendship. I loved every page of it! Perfect for readers age seven and upwards.

[Deb Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down to read this and couldn't put it down, it was a nonstop adventure, that ticked all the boxes for a good read.

Ideally suited to the 7+ age recommendation, but I would certainly use with my older readers as well, those that want to not be on the school reading scheme, or that want to read a 'big book' like all the other children are in the class.

This book mentions lots of important issues and I am really interested to see where the author goes with them, as this series of books could certainly develop as the readers mature. Issues such as the loss of a parent, first days at new school, moving home to a new town, a class bully and a sister who is hearing impaired all grip you from the start and once the rollercoaster of a story had finally stopped, I went straight online to see if there was a book two.

Cracking read, a clear recommendation from me.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is modern and has so much diversity, it teaches you how to spell out your name in sign language as it has a sign language page which links with the topic of deafness. It’s great for kids to be able to see themselves in kind and resilient characters.

[beckys_book_blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great early chapter book which my daughter and I loved.

The story starts when Ernie and his mum and sister have just moved house. Ernie is a bit sad to move and misses his dad. As he is unpacking he discovers a tiny, satsuma sized dog in his special E.T suitcase and decides to name him Swop.

The new house doesn't allow pets so Ernie decides to keep Swop a secret. This is where all the hilarious adventures begin as Swop manages to sneak into Ernie's school bag for his first day at his new school.

My daughter found this such a funny book and was laughing so hard in so many places! Her favourite parts were when Ernie and his new friend had to pretend to make barking sounds at school to cover up the noises Swop was making. She also found it very funny when he did his 'ladybird sized' poos and when he was mistaken for a rat at school and scared the teacher!

We loved the character of Ernie and we were on the edge of our seats hoping Swop didn't get discovered at school or get Ernie into any more trouble! Swop is so adorable as well as being quite naughty!
There are fantastic large black and white illustrations throughout the story which really add to the enjoyment of reading it.

This book deals with so many important issues: moving house, making new friends, a school bully,
losing a parent. It could be a very useful book to read with children in school (as well as home) and lead to lots of useful discussions. I also really liked the links to using sign language (as Ernie has a hearing impaired sister) and we had fun trying to spell our name using the sign language alphabet at the end of the book.
This is a fantastic story for readers aged 6+ and I would definitely recommend it. We're looking forward to reading the next book in this fabulous new series.

[Layla Penfold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book.
There are gorgeous illustrations, absolutely perfect.
This is just a perfect read for a child, now I have read this, my eldest daughter can finally start it.
Really felt sad for Ernie at this time of his life, change of home, different surroundings, loss of a parent.
Ernie was really struggling with the changes around him.
Then out popped a little tiny dog. Everyone needs a satsuma-sized dog 🐕
Swop the dog definitely turned up at the right time, the little fella gave Ernie a massive boost in his life.
Swop definitely tested Ernie’s patience at times 😂

It was such a fantastic read.

[Claire Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartwarming tale which I really enjoyed reading. As a teacher this is a story which I will be sharing with the children in school and I know they will love it! A little boy has lost his father and had to move house to be closer to his gran. When he gets there he finds a small (satsuma sized!) dog in his belongings. I love the characters in this story and the relationships that are formed throughout show children a lot about how those relationships should be valued. There’s even some 💩 humour in there too! 🤣 Children love that! I look forward to reading the next instalment…

[Lyn Failes · Rating 4 out of 5]

#bookreview #booktours
#swopthesatsumasizedsecret
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Blurb
What would you do if you found the world’s smallest dog?

When Ernie and his family leave the countryside to move to the city. Ernie feels like he’ll never settle into their new home.
Yet on his very first night, a surprising new friend introduces himself – Swop is a very tiny dog. A dog that just happens to be the size of a satsuma.
Ernie vows to keep Swop a secret, but Swop has other ideas and he’s determined to make Ernie’s first day at his new school a memorable one!

A book about a small satsuma sized dog that reads like a dream. Who wouldn’t want a secret wee friend to have adventures with. Keeping this small cute doggy turns out to be a huge problem for Ernie which turns out to be a fun and laughter inducing read. Kids will love this book!!
I loved the illustrations within the book and the cover is just the cutest. A perfect gift for the satsuma sized person in your life 🥰 🐶 x

[Danielle Amor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enlisted my Godson Zachary (Aged 9) to read this book as he has a very special friend called Doggy Dog who reminded me of Swop right away!

Swop The Satsuma-Sized Secret is a beautiful book for middle grade readers. What is fabulous about this book is that is has dyslexia friendly text and illustrations throughout.

Zachary really enjoyed this book and thought the story was fun and adventuress.

What I especially was fond of was that Ernie’s Sister was deaf and that sign language was cleverly incorporated into the book - and there was examples at the back for children to join in!

[Tracey Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I requested to get a blog tour spot with Love Book Tours to read and review Swop. I hadn't realised that not only was this the first book to be published by Brilliant Monsters Books who are trying to publish books which are specialising in accessible books that promote empathy and inclusion which is fantastic but also that this was Lucy Noguera's debut novel. I just wanted to say a big thank you to all concerned and I feel very honoured.


I loved the story it showed how the main character Ernie who was adorable coped with the situation he found himself in after a life changing event. The whole book was so positive and just like the ethos of Brilliant Monster Books there was inclusiveness as Ernie's sister Ivy was deaf and I loved how Ernie would sign commands to Swop. Readers can also learn how to spell their own names using BSL. Then you had humour, empathy and kindness by the bucket load. Now let's talk about Swop for a little dog not only had a massive heart but also was a very mischievous on a whole new level. I also loved Laura Ireland's illustrations she really captured the whole feel of the book. For all these reasons Swop The Satsuma-Sized secret gets 4 stars

[Vanessa Hoyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really charming gentle funny book. It has lots of action and a big heart. Swop is a thoroughly convinving tiny dog, down to his ladybird-sized poos! This really is the perfect book for a dog-loving kid, whether they are able to own their own pet or not. I also enjoyed the sign language element which was woven neatly into the story. Definitely recommend.

[Catherine Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swop: The Satsuma-Sized Secret is a humorous tale of a little boy and the world’s smallest dog he finds in his suitcase.

Ernie and his family leave the countryside to move to the city to be close with his Granny. He is missing his home and feels like he’d never get used to this place. However, things change when a surprising friend literally stumbles into his life.

Ernie’s new landlord is strict. Pets aren’t allowed in his new home and he had to give away his precious pet before moving. So Ernie decides to hide his little dog in his room. But the little fur ball has different plans.

Chaos ensues when Swop sneaks into his lunch box and accompanies him to school. The rest of the story follows Ernie and his friend trying to hide Swop from the others, leading to various hilarious encounters. It’s a beautiful story children would enjoy just like my nieces did.

*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this with my little ones.

Swop is such a lovely character and the girls loved it when he managed to get to school inside the lunch box!

So inventive to include a deaf character and sign language. I loved this addition to the story.

5 stars from us ❤️

[Becky disneyallthe_way · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! My two children and I have loved reading this book together. Swop is a satsuma sized dog that Ernie discovers in his new home. He’s had to move there after the loss of his Dad.
Swop is such a cheeky little dog and Ernie is a lovely lad, we watch him start a new school and make friends. It’s a very heartwarming and funny story, perfect for young readers.
Great illustrations throughout too, we were all very pleased to see there is going to be another adventure with Swop and look forward to reading it.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book came so beautifully wrapped that I didn't want to open it! The cover was eye catching & it was beautifully illustrated throughout.

It's the first book in a brand new series of Swop's adventures. Beautifully written touching on disability, colour, bullying & the loss of a parent.

A highly enjoyable read for ages 7+.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for my tour spot & gifted copy.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be send a copy of this lovely book as apart of @lovebookstours. The book is written by @brilliantmonsters (Lucy Noguera) My copy of the book arrived beautifully wrapped in matching orange tissue paper along with mini wooden dog bone and a super cute Swop book mark. I love colours of the front cover and how the cover follows onto the inside of the book. The book layout is designed to be easily read and they have used dyslexic friendly fonts to make the book more accessible to readers.

The book follows a young boy Ernie who is going through some changes, of which many children face, including moving to another part of the country and starting at a new school.
One evening Ernie is surprised when he meets a new friend, Swop. Swop is a dog and not a regular one as he is the size of a satsuma. Follow them both as Ernie tries to keep his new friend a secret and Swop a determined young pup tries his best to make sure Ernie never forgets his first day in his new school!

I loved how the author has incorporated BSL into the story. Ernie young sister is deaf and Ernie uses his knowledge of BSL to communicate commands to Swop. Readers can also learn the alphabet by using Ernie guide to signing that can be found at the back of the book.

I read this at bedtime with our eldest son aged 7. We absolutely loved the story and can’t wait for more adventures with Swop! #ad #gifted

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, touching, funny book to read ! It definitely hits all the things you'd want in a younger readers book and so much more!

Oh how I wish I had Swop , such a sweet, mischievous little puppy! He plays such a big role in Ernie’s life , after losing his dad and having to move house , Ernie went through a lot of the same emotions that a lot of us have experienced in life . However when Swop appears in his life he has something that gives him joy again. Going on their adventure together brings warmness to your heart , even from the fact the dog sleeps in his fathers old beanie hat (this book had me weeping a few times).

The subjects touched on in this book are done beautifully and respectfully, it is a book that has a lot of different emotions and is expertly written. I can't wait to read the next one!

Some themes touched on in the book:
Friendship
Adventure
Family
Deaf sibling
Sign Language 
Acceptance

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally out of my comfort zone. I have never reviewed a children’s book (7+) before but I was attracted to this one as it has a dyslexic friendly font and layout and Ernie has a sister who is deaf and sign language and finger spelling are introduced. I really liked this concept. As for the story it was delightful. I really enjoyed reading it and I can imagine any child loving it.

Briefly, Ernie and his family have moved to the city following his father’s death and Ernie isn’t happy. But on his first night in his new home he finds a tiny dog. As the landlord doesn’t allow pets he decides to keep him secret from everyone. Naming him Swop. On his first day at school Swop is left at home, or so Ernie thinks. But Swop is determined to be part of the fun.

I loved everything about this book. The way it was written, the illustrations, the storyline; in fact I want a satsuma-sized dog. I can imagine some children would also love to colour in the lovely black and white illustrations. I would recommend this book to any parent, to read to younger children or to give to older ones to read themselves. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ceri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read with the kids! Its full of lovely pictures to keep them involved, no matter their ages. Its easy for 7+ to read, maybe with a little help hear and there.

I loved that the book made issues that come up in life seem a little more fun, more playful and just a really good way for kids to understand and think about things differently.

The book touched on some bigger topics for younger ones but I just really enjoyed how they made it all fun. Definitely a winning book here and we can't wait to see any follow on books!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @lovebookstours & @brilliantmonstersbooks for sending me a proof in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this one! It was such a cute kids book, I read it in one sitting, I didn't want to put it down. & I think I've found my new favourite bookmark 🙈

The story deals with loss and moving to a new school so well, with a really diverse range of characters - there is even a deaf character & they manage to show/describe the sign language. I just thought that was so good.

If you have little kids, this is a definite recommendation! I can't wait for the next one...

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ernie is lonely boy. His dad has died and to be nearer his Gran, he’s moved with his mum and sister Lucy to London. His dad had promised they’d get a dog one day, but he died before they could, and when the family moved to London their landlord said “No pets!”. Not even Sticky the Stick Insect. Ernie is struggling with grief and moving, until a surprise wiggles it’s way out of his box of treasures. The tiniest black and white puppy, the size of a satsuma! Ernie and his new friend experience the first day at school together and have lots of adventures.

I enjoyed this book. Yes, I’m 30+ years older than the target audience, but still, I enjoyed it. Swop is adorable and mischievous. The school setting and interactions of the children are very realistic, including the school bully and ‘interfering’ Gran. I loved that the author integrated Lucy’s Deafness and use of sign language as nothing remarkable into the plot, a natural part of the story. There needs to be more children’s books normalising different disabilities and ways of communication. I really loved Laura Ireland’s illustrations, they are so funny and rather sweet.

I must commend the use of Dyslexia font. I’m not dyslexic, being irritatingly hyperlexic from a young age (ask any of the teachers I had in primary school who are still alive), but I appreciate the easier to read font as much as anyone. Also, I have dyslexic friends and relatives, and I know how much they struggle to read. Everyone should be able to access literature.

This is a good book for newly confident primary school readers and I hope the book finds it’s way into many school libraries, just like Swop found his way into Ernie’s school library.

[Susan Bacakoglu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book & even learned how to sign my name!
Beautifully written with positivity, humour & friendship throughout.
Really looking forward to more adventures with Swop & Ernie.

[Rachel Tulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you found the world’s smallest dog? Ernie and his family leave the countryside to move to the city and on their first night Swop arrives…

Adam: I liked the pictures and that swop was small enough to fit in Ernie’s pocket. I’d like a dog that I can carry with me, but that’s real, not just pretend. I liked that Swop gets up to mischief but in the end it’s good that they’re friends.

Rachel: Adam and I enjoyed this book. It’s a great length. It’s not too short that the story is over before it’s begun but the chapters aren’t so long that Adam loses interest. The illustrations are so good. They capture the story but aren’t too distracting from the story itself.

We are looking forward to the next one: Swop The Daring Dinosaur Detective.

[Gemma The BookCosy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous chapter book is perfect for children aged 7 to 9. It has beautiful illustrations by Laura Ireland which help ignite the story visually and break up the amount of text on the page, perfect for reluctant readers.

Ernie has just moved house with his mum and older sister Ivy. With his toys still in boxes, Ernie starts to unpack and discovers a tiny dog in his memory box. But with a 'no pets allowed' rule in their rented house what is Ernie to do with this satsuma-sized dog? With a dog so small, Ernie comes to the conclusion that he can easily hide it away from his family and so the adventure begins; Ernie and his new best friend Swop.

Noguera has produced two endearing characters: Swop and Ernie. The story is full of fun, adventure and laugh out loud moments which I know children will enjoy, especially the toilet issues that Ernie has to face and Swop's mischievous nature. Noguera explores themes of losing a parent, starting a new school, and bullying with sensitivity, which could encourage lots of discussions, both at home and at school. I love the added addition of Ernie's guide to signing the alphabet, at the back of the book, along with a message for the readers to decipher.

What an amazing start to the series and I cannot wait to see what Noguera has in store for Ernie and Swop's next adventure.

[Jasmine]

Swop the Satsuma-Sized Secret is an adorable read for kids, and it touches upon the importance of friendship and trust.
Ernie is the main character. He and his family move to the city from the countryside, which is already a pretty big change. Ernie misses his dad, who has passed away. It's definitely not an easy adjustment, but when Swop appears, everything changes. Swop is a tiny dog, only the size of a satsuma (a citrus fruit like an orange), and he brings a new light and joy to Ernie's life.
I loved how this story tackles subjects that may not be easy to read about (like the loss of a parent). It's done in a way where young readers can empathize with Ernie even if they've never had to go through such a traumatic experience. Plus, the introduction of Swop will make kids smile.
I also loved how the book is inclusive and showcases a character who is deaf. As someone who grew up with a deaf twin sister, this was a delight. The book does feature sign language, which is something I do think more kids should be introduced to. That was a nice little addition to the story.
The illustrations are lovely, and the overall story itself is full of humor and heartwarming moments. Something that will appeal to readers of all ages.
5 stars!

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one with my teacher hat on and it's a lovely little book. I especially like that it's published in a dyslexia conscious format. The story is simple enough for children who struggle with comprehension to follow it and it's set in the familiar surroundings of a school day. There are plenty of little action scenes to hold interest involving Swop and lots of scenarios that many children would be able to relate to. I also really liked how Ernie has a hearing impaired sister and sign language is incorporated into the book - big inclusivity bonus points there!
I did read this very aware of it being a children's book but even so I thought a couple of events felt slightly rushed and I did have to go back at one point to double check I hadn't missed something. Overall though this is a lovey book, I really like the author's awareness and conscious effort to be inclusive and accessible and this would be a good book to have in a class library. The illustrations were also lovely, nice and simple and clear and directly relating to the text on that page to aid comprehension.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect middle grade book! I was drawn into this book tour by the amazing artwork on the cover and I can envisage lots of pairs of small eyes being drawn in the same way too.
This book is so much more than a story, it’s about heart ache, determination and resilience. This is perfect for 7 – 9-year-olds as it showcases how to overcome those burgeoning feelings. The dyslexia friendly text and beautifully drawn illustrations are perfect too, so that everyone is able to join in with the adventures of Ernie and SWOP, his satsuma-sized buddy. I can’t wait to be able to share this with the children in my class, as I know, like me, they too will really enjoy this fun narrative, and they will be begging me to ‘read just one more page’.
I am really looking forward to the next instalment and to join in with the adventures of Swop and Ernie.
Many thanks to @lovebook tours and @brilliantmonsterbooks for a gifted copy in return for an honest review.

[MrsD271015 D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - I was initially drawn to it because of its inclusion of sign language and deaf representation (There wasn’t as much of this as I had initially thought there would be)
The main character has a deaf sister and teaches his dog sign language to aid communication whilst keeping it a secret.

There are several signs used that are described and also a BSL Finger spelling alphabet at the end to encourage you to sign.

The story itself is funny and light (although it does touch on some tougher aspects such as loss of a parent, moving schools/home and bullying) It also focuses on friendship, joy and laughter.

There were plenty of adventures with Swop and I am sure there will be more to come.

The book has illustrations throughout which add to the story and help break up the text making it more accessible.

Ideal for children aged 7+ this is a book that would go well in any library.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swop by Lucy Noguera
We have loved reading this book! Koa (age 6) and I have been reading it at bedtime and have fallen in love with little Swop - we'd both love a satsuma sized dog like Swop although we've both agreed Swop is quite mischievous!
What I really liked about this book is how the characters are likeable from the first page. The writing style is easy to read with interesting and varied vocabulary. Great for more independent readers as well as those who need support. The illustrations are lovely and really capture the cheekiness of Swop. We would love to read more books about Swop and hope there will be more.
Thank you to @brilliantmonstersbooks
and @lovebookstours for a place on the tour in exchange for an honest review.
#Ad #Gifted #swop #tinydog #bookreview #petdog #booktour

[Kirsten Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable wee gem.

The first page deals incredibly well with the death of Ernie's father, it's a hard theme to manage but I feel Lucy writes about it perfectly. (Please do consider trading it first if you are going to give it to a child who has recently lost a family member.)

The story follows Ernie's move to a new house and a discovery of a tiny satsuma sized dog. Swop manages to sneak into his bag on his first day of school and you can imagine the impact this has!

As an extra the book is printed on dyslexia friendly font and Ernie teaches Swop some British sign language, there aren't many books that manage to include sign language, it is so lovely to see! Added with perfect illustrations throughout make it perfect for a child who is staying to read longer books.