CHILDREN’S REVIEWS 6-12 YEARS
The Great Galloon by Tom Banks Hot Key PB/EB Out March On the day that Meredith Anstruther is to marry Lady Isabella, his brother
Zebediah steals her away – quite an achievement, as Meredith lives in the stratosphere, captain of the mighty airship The Great Galloon. He now has two problems: keeping the Galloon afloat and rescuing Isabella from Zebediah’s clutches. This spirited, vividly illustrated story is surprisingly leisurely at times, but gathers speed as the Galloon’s crew are beset by encounters with oddball characters. A smashing debut from Tom Banks, this rollicking airborne adventure is a welcome twist of imagination and humour to a well-worn genre.
AM, M
The Hanged Man Rises by Sarah Naughton S&S PB/EB Out February Titus Adams and his little sister Hannah are trying to make their way in the world
after the death of their parents. Titus finds a job as a stable boy for the kindly Inspector Pilbury. Meanwhile, a child murderer with a nasty modus operandi is on the loose in a sinister, fogbound Victorian London. Can Titus help Inspector Pilbury find a way to stop the killings? Full of suspense, this debut is a thoroughly enjoyable page-turner.
AW
Timmy Failure: Mistakes were Made by Stephan Pastis Walker HB/EB Out February Meet 11-year-old Timmy Failure, CEO of Total Failure Inc. Timmy’s dream is that his
detective agency will become a global enterprise so rich that his mother won’t have to stress about bills anymore. Add to the mix his Arctic business partner, 1,500-pound polar bear Total; his Segway ‘failuremobile’; his best friend Rollo Tookus; the evil one; and, most importantly, his mother. This is a hilarious story with captivating illustrations which will enthrall young readers (and their parents) come bedtime.
PH
Upside Down in the Jungle by Helen Philipps Chicken House PB/AB/EB Out March
Rainforests, secret beauty spas, missing fathers, extinct birds and volcanoes: this
book has them all. Mad and Roo are searching for their father the ‘Bird Man’, who has disappeared while working for the greenest spa in the world, whose miracle treatment needs the bones of a magical bird believed to be extinct. The plot twists and turns so that the reader is never sure who to trust, and is both appalled and applauding the characters in turn. Magic, skulduggery, peril and first love – what more could you ask for? CD
65
welovethisbook.com
Fluff the Farting Fish by Michael Rosen Anderson PB Out now
Michael Rosen’s latest story is brought to life with Tony Ross’ illustrations. We meet Elvie,
who is desperate for a puppy she can train to do tricks. But when her mother goes to the pet shop, she returns with a fish. Elvie tries to teach her new pet the tricks she had planned but Fluff can’t sit, fetch or bark. But she does have a special talent of her own – she can blow bubbles with her bottom! Before long Elvie has taught Fluff how to count, how to do sums, and even how to sing. A hilarious tale that will encourage young ones to read.
EC
The Revenge of the Ballybogs by Siobhan Rowden Scholastic PB Out February Barnaby and his parents are happily working at the pickle factory when Barnaby’s mum
suddenly disappears, and he has to undertake all kinds of revolting tasks to rescue her. His mission is made tougher by the interfering Ladies Pickled Institute and the unravelling of family secrets. Mad characters, disgusting adventures and vinegar- soaked pickles will keep children amused throughout. With wonderful illustrations from Mark Beech, this new story from Siobhan Rowden is a madcap adventure of revolting proportions.
BJ READERS’ CHOICES
The Odds by Adam Perrott Stripes PB Out now A great book
about a family whose job is to
meddle. Boys and girls who love being cheeky will giggle as they read this fun, exciting book. Lani Heywood, 8
Call Me Drog by Sue Cowing Usborne PB/EB Out now An intriguing book about Parker and Drog,
who is no ordinary puppet and changes Parker’s life forever. If you like comedies, you will love this book. Joe Butterworth, 10
Opal Moonbaby by Maudie Smith Orion PB/AB/EB Out now Opal is an alien who has come to earth. The book is
funny, sad and happy, and some parts of the story are cheeky. I really enjoyed this book because it was funny. Jessica Monteiro, 9
Chosen by Junior Book Clubs members at Storytellers, Inc., Lancashire
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