I wish I’d written…


The book I wish I’d written? It’s a tough call between Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch Roald Dahl’s Matilda,


Pullman’s Northern Lights and C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But I think C.S. Lewis wins.


Abi Elphinstone’s new book The Shadow Keeper (978-1-4711-2270-5), book 2 in the series that began with The Dreamsnatcher (978-1-4711-2268-2) is published by Simon and Schuster, £6.99.


No other moment in literature has affected me so powerfully as when Lucy Pevensie pushes open that wardrobe door. I’ve always loved the idea that ordinary objects from our world might be portals to another world but I felt the wardrobe stood for more than just a gateway into a fictional land. It signaled the start of an adventure, a glimpse into an eternal winter and a promise that witches, fauns


Good Reads


The Thing about Jellyfish Ali Benjamin, Macmillan Children’s Books, 978-1447283836, £10.99 I would recommend this book to readers aged 10 – 5 because it’s complicated and sad. The bit I liked best is when Suzy talks about the swimming pool because it is deeply descriptive. Well done to the author for putting in an amazing description of the death of Franny. Review by Daniel


Timmy Failure Sanitized for


Your Protection Stephan Pastis, Walker Books, 978-1406363494, £9.99 hbk


I would recommend this book to all my friends because it is incredibly funny. I like books like this where the author is talking straight to you. This is like Timmy’s private diary. The bit I liked best is when Timmy Failure boarded himself in the motel room because he’s saying he’s the boss but he isn’t really. My favourite character is Total the polar bear, Timmy’s business partner and accountant. He eats


by Isabelle


bonbons. He is so funny. He gets in a huff if he doesn’t get what he wants. 10/10!


Review by Alex


The Thing about Jellyfish I graded this book awesome and gave it ten out of ten. I would recommend it to people who have great friendships because it is really a book about friendship.My favourite character is Suzy, who is the central character.. Sathana


18 Books for Keeps No.217 March 2016 Timmy Failure Sanitized for


Your Protection I would recommend this book to people who like humours stories because this book has humour and more. Well done to the author for his drawings and for bringing joy into reading. The bit I liked best was when Molly Moskins forced Timmy to dance with her and my favourite character is Total because he’s funny and acts like he owns the place. If you like this, you’d also like Danger is Everywhere and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.


Review by Tyler


Chatterbooks is a network of children’s reading clubs run in libraries and schools to encourage reading for pleasure. Chatterbooks clubs are run by library staff, teachers, teaching assistants and volunteers - people who are passionate about reading.


series, Philip


Abi Elphinstone on the magic symbolized by a certain wardrobe.


and wolves lay ahead. It became, for me, like Cinderella’s glass slipper or Little Red Riding Hood’s cape – an iconic symbol of magic – and even now, I can’t look at a wardrobe without imagining Narnia beyond it.


C.S. Lewis’ characters are exquisitely drawn – Lucy’s curiosity, Edmund’s betrayal, Mr Tumnus’ self loathing, the White Witch’s cruelty and Mr and Mrs Beaver’s generosity – and the narrative voice is so wise, warm and magical I felt, as a child, that C.S. Lewis had written the book just for me.


The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (978-0-0073-2312-8) by C. S. Lewis is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, £5.99


Our thanks to the Baring Bookworms Chatterbooks group for this issue’s Good Reads. As part of the Chatterbooks Star Reviewers scheme they were asked to read and report on two books, Timmy Failure Sanitized for Your Protection by Stephan Pastis, and The Thing about 


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