The Incredible Billy Wild

'When Billy Wild's teacher asks the class to write a letter to their god, Billy's request is simple: Please send me a dog. So when he discovers a greyhound hiding in the shed, he decides someone must really be listening. With the help of his brothers, Billy sets out to hide her from Dad, who's far...

How Many Dinosaurs Deep?

How Many Dinosaurs Deep? by Ben Kitchin and Vicky Fieldhouse (New Frontier) is a delightful book that brilliantly portrays the parent/child relationship. 'Jim is not quite sure that he's ready to move from the baby pool to the middle-sized pool. Can a group of splashing, sploshing dinosaurs help him face his fears?' Anyone who has...

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

'Can a text message destroy your life? Carver Briggs never thought a simple text would cause a fatal crash, killing his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. Now Carver can't stop blaming himself for the accident and even worse, there could be a criminal investigation into the deaths. Then Blake's grandmother asks Carver to remember her...

Out of Heart by Irfan Master

'Adam is a teenage boy who lives with his mum and younger sister. His dad has left them although lives close by. His sister no longer speaks and his mum works two jobs. Adam feels the weight of the world upon his shoulders. Then his grandfather dies and in doing so he donates a very precious...

Grandad’s Secret Giant

Billy doesn't believe his Grandad when he tells him there's a secret giant living in their town and protecting the residents with secret good deeds. Billy doesn't believe in what he can't see. '"But Grandad," Billy said, 'if the giant is so helpful and good, why does he want to stay such a big secret?"...

We Come Apart

There are some authors whom you cherish. Their words bring you to life. Their books are stroked and collected in different editions. A new book's publishing date is scribbled on your calendar and you inhale it when it arrives. There are so many authors whose work sends me a bit giddy like that and Sarah Crossan...

Young Ambassadors for diversity and inclusion

I'm making the assumption that if you read this blog you are already on board with the fact that inclusive and diverse books are groovy and important things. I figure you know that they can, and will, help the next generation change the world. And that's why I want to share this campaign for Young...

Behind the scenes of Happy, Sad, Feeling Glad – with giveaway

I am thrilled to have a guest post from award winning illustrator Yasmeen Ismail as part of the blog tour for her Draw & Discover series of activity books. Yasmeen is the bestselling author/illustrator of Time for Bed Fred and I'm a Girl. The books in the Draw & Discover series are her first activity...

Stargazing for Beginners by Jenny McLachlan

There's a lot to love in this book about friendship and finding yourself amongst the chaos of life.  'Science geek Meg is left to look after her little sister for ten days after her free-spirited mum leaves suddenly to follow up yet another of her Big Important Causes. But while Meg may understand how the universe...