Schools & Libraries Book Reviews

Name: Amanda Shipton
03 November 2025;

Genre: Funny Stories

Hot Food: Nice! takes the simple notion that Dad knows everything and gently disproves it.  Based on Michael Rosen's much-loved poem, the theme of the story is one that most families will relate to and see the funny side of. Illustrations are beautifully colourful, well sized...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
03 November 2025;

Genre: Fantasy

Having saved Huswyvern, her magical home, from the evil machinations of her uncle, Eglantine and other members of Miss Hegotty's Secret Society of Witches are having their meetings there. But Hus is not feeling at all well and is causing chaos with every sneeze. Its undiagnosed condition is re...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
03 November 2025;

Genre: Horror

The Last Day of October is a real spine-tingler of a tale! One Hallowe'en, three friends, Cody, Sean and Duri, decide to locate the ruins of the haunted McBride House, the scene of a tragic accident, deep in the woods. Finding the house turns out to be more terrifying than they could ever have...

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Name: Lucy Hopkins
03 November 2025;

Genre: Friends and family

A nice story about friendship. Boo and Cedric are best friends. When it's Boo's birthday, Cedric makes a huge effort and they have a lovely day. Shortly after, when it's Cedric's birthday, Boo forgets! This book provides a really interesting opportunity for chi...

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Name: Tina Derry
03 November 2025;

Genre: Poetry

A recipe for a perfect way to spend a wintry afternoon: Take 1 book full of clever and witty poems. Add some facts to increase knowledge. Sprinkle liberally with wonderful illustrations…. I LOVED THIS BOOK! The latest work of much loved poet Brian Bilston is ably suppor...

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Name: Jacqueline Harris
03 November 2025;

Genre: Animals

Katie and her horse Sheriff take centre stage in this Paddock Grove episode. Katie is picked to be team captain for the inter schools riding competition. She is surprised and rather overwhelmed, suffering from lack of confidence. Strange things start to happen at the stables and Katie is sure...

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Name: Jenny CADDICK
03 November 2025;

Genre: Fantasy

The Fate of Podkin One-Ear is the finale in a stunning nine-book series that I have adored for years. As an adult reading "children's" literature, this series has been like revisiting the books of my childhood that built my love of reading. The Podkin saga is an epic, sweeping...

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Name: Jane Rew
03 November 2025;

Genre: Non Fiction

Straight away, children will be enticed by the colourful, zesty cover of Quantum, which hints at both the fun to be had and the new discoveries awaiting us. Our guide is a chatty quark, Q, explains difficult concepts - like the electromagnetic spectrum or the large hadron coll...

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Name: Lucy Hopkins
03 November 2025;

Genre: Seasonal

A festive story about the magic of santa! My favourite thing about this book is the illustrations. The colours are very soft and all of the pictures are soaked in a wintery, blue colour which ties each page together nicely. There are lots of lovely, festive illustratio...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
03 November 2025;

Genre: Fantasy

Having beaten the White Prince in the race for the Midnight Treasure and having discovered that they are, in fact, twins, Tibor and Roza now know that they are heirs to the throne of Princeland. However, now mortal, having lost their powers using the Dark Lantern, reclaiming their inheritance...

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