BfK 5 – 8 Infant/Junior continued


It’s a unique way of celebrating differences,


accepting each other


and being ourselves and is definitely worth a read. SG


Gaspard Best in Show HHH


Zeb Soanes, illus James Mayhew, Graffeg, 32pp, 97812654673, £12.99, hbk


A beautifully illustrated picture book for older children, featuring Gaspard ‘the handsomest fox in London’ who we previously met in Soanes’ and Mayhew’s first collaboration Gaspard the Fox. Trouble and mischief are never


far away when this inquisitive and endearing little


fox is about, and


teamed up with his friend Peter – a somewhat smug, but very intelligent cat – adventure is just around the corner. Gaspard is determined that Peter is introduced to his new friend Finty ‘a little dog with curly brown


hair’, but first the pair must find Finty. Peter is initially reluctant, he thinks dogs are rather vulgar. ‘…forever sniffing unmentionable parts of each other’s anatomies’, but, concerned for Gaspard’s safety – foxes should not be ‘out in broad daylight’ - agrees, on the condition that he acts as Gaspard’s guard cat. The pair set off on their quest, Gaspard following his nose and Finty’s scent. The friends eventually find themselves at the local village fete where inevitably there is a fancy dress dog show. Needless to say mayhem and hilarity ensue, culminating in Gaspard, accidently dressed as a musketeer, bursting the bouncy castle with a toy sword. Despite the chaos all ends well for Gaspard as he is reunited with Finty and makes friends with her owner Honey – based on Soames neighbour


actress Cleo Sylvestre.


Even Peter is happy as he ends up snaffling fresh cream eclairs.


but more than that it demonstrates people’s ability to bring about change through democracy and the strength of joint activity. The book is supported by Amnesty International and comes with a foreword by Chris Riddell, no stranger to the power of the visual image. A book to prompt discussion and to inspire.AR


The Velvet Fox HHHHH


Catherine Fisher, Firefly Press, 202pp, 9781913102081, £6.99 pbk


Rise Up: The Art of Protest HHHHH


Jo Rippon, Palazzo Editions, 64pp, 978-1786750822, £12.99 hbk


These days, we seem to be surrounded by protests and the news is frequently dominated by images of marches and protestors, either in this country or across the world.


Many young


people will already have taken part in a demonstration, many more are probably considering it.


This book


provides a marvellous illustrated history of protest, using the banners and posters created by different people over the decades to make their feelings and demands known. It looks at six key areas of protest, including women’s rights – starting with suffragette banners from the UK and Europe – gay rights, environmental protests, the civil rights movement and anti-racism. The accompanying protest banners are often very beautiful, but all are powerful in their ability to make their points even hundreds of years later. It makes for an unusual history book,


This is a sequel to The Clockwork Crow, and, while this story does stand alone with sufficient background explanation included, it is probably helpful to have read that first to get the full flow of the story. It is, of course, to be a trilogy. Seren Rhys has settled happily into


her godfather’s household at Plas-y- Fran, especially after she rescued the son of the family, Tomos, from the fairies in The Clockwork Crow. Their happy first summer together ends when a new governess arrives, and Captain Jones can’t quite remember arranging for that to happen, but Mrs Honeybourne is charming and elegant and of course it’s all right- or is it? The new governess praises Tomos’ work, but gives Seren harder questions and belittles her, and gradually Seren realizes that she is not what she seems. Mrs Honeybourne’s birthday gift to Tomos, a carousel, plays mystical music that Seren recognizes as fairy music, the enchanting tunes of the Tylwyth Teg, and sure enough, Tomos starts to ignore Seren and to wander about at night, looking for the fairy door through which he disappeared before. The figures on it, the Juggler, the Soldier, the Dancer, and, most deadly of all, the Velvet Fox,


26 Books for Keeps No.239 November 2019


James


Mayhew’s beautiful


illustrations give a wonderful vibrancy to Gaspard and his friends and the streets and greens of London are magically bought to life by his perfect use of colour. The story is simple and Gaspard and his friends are an engaging team. Soanes use of language is somewhat challenging at times, so definitely a picture book for older or more confident readers. AB


In Every House On Every Street HHHH


Jess Hitchman, ill. Lili La Bateine, Little Tiger Press, 24pp, 9781788814065, £11.99 hbk


This is a gorgeous and heart-warming book about a street - as simple as that. The illustrations and language make it just right to be read as a bedtime story or a story to share. It demonstrates


how little, everyday


things are really quite special and in fact should be treasured. It’s not about adventures or exciting places, it’s about people being important.


8 – 10 Junior/Middle


come to life-size and hide in the house, and Seren is accused of taking them and breaking the toy out of jealousy. Incidents caused by the figures and their magic are blamed on Seren, and, locked in her room in disgrace, she manages to get a message to the


clockwork Crow. Together, with


Crow’s knowledge of magic and with some help from unexpected people, they defeat the fairies’ plan to abduct Tomos again, and the reader can take a breather before the next instalment. Catherine Fisher was the first Wales


Young People’s Laureate, and The Clockwork Crow won the Tir na N’og Welsh Children’s Book Award. There is humour as well as excitement in this excellent story of a brave and resourceful heroine who surprises even her mentor, the Crow, and we can look forward to finding out what happens next. DB


The Dead World of Lanthorne Ghules


HHHH


Gerald Killingworth, Pushkin Children’s Books, 283pp, 9781782692362, £7.99 pbk


Edwin is suffering a severe case of sibling jealousy, coping with a new house, school and baby sister, when he answers a strange pen pal advert from an old piece of paper found in his new bedroom. When his new penfriend,


Lanthorne Ghules, a


mysterious, small, grey-skinned boy with a skeletal look, appears through the back of his wardrobe, Edwin’s life takes a disturbing new direction. Drawn into Lanthorne’s ‘Dead World’ via a portal in a cupboard, Edwin discovers a strange,


creepy houses and the constant


threat of being eaten as a “shiner” from another world. Edwin’s resolve never to return, despite Lanthorne’s desperate need for


a friend,


broken when his despised wicked


Aunt is baby


sister, Mandoline, is kidnapped by Lanthorne’s


Necra.


The two friends set out to rescue her, undertaking a perilous journey through the dead world. This book cleverly mixes humour,


fear and gruesome details in a blend that should capture the imaginations of young readers with strong stomachs who will relish the brilliantly created


atmosphere courage, often all of at


and with a humorous and sharply irreverent


turn of phrase.


once, Kind,


The idea is a rather lovely one. The narrator (a little girl) takes us through her house which, from the street, looks like any other house. But inside they are not just rooms, there is a recurring theme with the words ‘but we never just...’. For example, ‘... we never just play... we clear up the mess at end of the day. We learn to say sorry and wipe tears away.’ Each double page has a sketchy


yet bright bold illustration to share what happens in each room. The descriptions take us


through the


whole house and lead up to a grand finale of pages opening out into a peek inside rooms inside the whole street. The houses are in a beautiful French style with fancy shapes and details that catch the eye. There are big bold pictures and then much smaller details which add to


the overall


journey of the book - from the outside of the street to the detail inside the room. All in all it’s a charming read and helps us appreciate the simple things in life. SG


doom,


menace, secrecy and rottenness in the dead world. Edwin is an excellent character, full of fear, anger, defiance and


gentle thoughtful Lanthorne acts as the perfect foil as Edwin learns the value of friendship, trust and family love throughout


quest to rescue his baby sister.


his determined This


would be a perfect Halloween read for children who enjoy a mix of fun, scares, creepiness, grisly details and exciting adventure. SR


The Night’s Realm HHH


Nick Ward, author and illustrator, David Fickling Books, 285pp, 9781788450430, £6.99 pbk.


Nick Ward’s skilful, lively and atmospheric illustrations add hugely to the attraction of this fantasy story about a boy who conquers his fears. the


eye-catching, foil-blocked colourless


land with threatening inhabitants, two-headed monsters, putrid food,


From cover


through starry borders and motifs to the detailed, cross-hatched black and white full page illustrations, the reader


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