Mike Falls Up

It's the sunny season and it's just too hot for young Mike and his dog, Bowow. Unfortunately, as they try to stay cool in the shade of the house, Mama sends them out to play. They head off to the surrounding Chocolate Hills when all of a sudden an earthquake causes a rumble and the ground below Mike zigzags and cracks open. Out of the hole blows a mysterious party invitation; 'Birthday. Come now. Just fall up'. Jumping into the hole, Mike tumbles down until he lands in an unfamiliar place. He's landed in a house in snowy London where a little girl, Kaneisha, lives with her dog. She, too, receives a similar party invitation saying 'Just fall up!' As the two new friends and their dogs fall up the chimney they are whisked into a topsy-turvy adventure in a land where they make another new friend and have fun celebrating their birthday.

This is a fun and enticing story, perfect for children who are beginning to read independently. The text cleverly helps the reader to add expression by emphasising speech and action by using differing bold, large print. It is colourfully illustrated with bold and appealing pictures which will aid the reader with their understanding whilst adding to their engagement. There are plenty of opportunities to discuss the story events, characters, setting and also to make comparisons between different locations and environments. The reader will be filled with anticipation on what happens next to the two new friends, Mike and Kaneisha.

96 pages, Reviewed by Maria Faithorn, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Mike Falls Up is part of the new Little Tiger readers, designed to support children moving from picture books to their first chapter books. The book itself is sumptuous- a lovely, thick cardboard cover, small enough to fit comfortably in little hands with an engaging picture front and back. These books will take pride of place on any bookshelf and will be regularly picked up for a quick read.

Mike Falls Up shares the story of Mike and his dog, Bowow, who live in the sweltering tropics. His mum sends him out for a walk when the earth suddenly splits and a party invitation floats up from the crack. Bowow gets over-excited and falls into the gap, so Mike jumps in after him. He is astonished to find himself flying out of the fireplace belonging to a girl called Kaneisha who lives in snowy London. She also has a party invitation so they jump together into the fireplace, are reunited with Bowow, and find themselves in a very strange place, with a very strange birthday boy who appears very scary at first...

This is an engaging tale about not judging people without getting to know them. It's filled with interesting geographical facts that entertain and educate without interrupting the story. The pictures are cartoonish in a way junior readers will love and they break up the text into manageable chunks. Some of the vocabulary is challenging but can be worked out from the context of the story without too much effort. 

This is a nice book that will be popular in school libraries and classrooms or a great present for a 7, 8 or 9 year old. I'm sure children will be asking if there any more books featuring Mike and Bowow after this.

96 pages / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

Mike falls Up is a short chapter book about friendships and adventure from Little Tiger books. Mike and his dog Bowow are relaxing in the Chocolate Hills when after an earthquake a huge hole appears in the ground and Bowow disappears. Then a note floats up ...Birthday. Come now. Just Fall Up. Mike is confused about how to 'fall up' but jumps into the hole! Here his adventure begins with new friends and a monster, too. 

This is a fun read with lovely glossy pages illustrated by Carles Ballesteros. This book would appeal to young readers moving on from picture books. The unusual title immediately draws you in to find out more!

96 pages / Reviewed by Maria Aldred, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+