Amelia Fang and the Naughty Caticorns (The Amelia Fang Series)

This is the first time I have read any of the books in the Amelia Fang series and I hope it's not the last. The author has managed to merge creepy, scary images and make them cute and suitable for the younger reader who is ready to move on to something with more 'bite' in it (sorry for the pun!). The story opens with a wonderfully illustrated map of Nocturnia and a brief description of the characters in the story. Amelia Fang is a young vampire with a big heart. Her mother is about to have a baby and she really wants to prove to her parents that she can be a reliable and loving big sister. She gets this chance when her auntie turns up with her three Caticorns - Gerrard, Butler and Mo. Due to the early arrival of the baby, Amelia ends up looking after these little characters. What can go wrong, they are such a cute trio? But as soon as the front door closes, everything changes! With the help of her friends; Florence a rare Yeti, Grimaldi a trainee grim reaper and the Prince of Nocturnia, Tangine, Amelia aims to prove she has got what it takes to be the best sister ever... Young children will be absolutely delighted with this story, with its laugh out loud humour, play on words, gross foods and lots of other details that children of this age love and find so funny, for example Mo writing the word 'Bum' on everything! The beautifully illustrated pages with short manageable chapters would be suitable for the confident 7+ reader. The book would also be great for parents who enjoy reading aloud to, or along with, their children. It's a great book for primary intervention groups/reading clubs. I will be keeping an eye out (sorry another pun, you will have to read the story to get that one!) for the next release called Amelia Fang and the Trouble with Toads, I'm sure it will be another hilarious adventure. 198 Pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+