The Ghosts and Jamal

I want to share my love for this one far and wide because it has filled my heart on many levels. The Ghosts and Jamal is a beautifully written and important story that deserves to be read and celebrated widely. Reading this book has also introduced me to a new-to-me independent publisher, HopeRoad, who I...

Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival

I love a book that celebrates individuality and finding, and loving, what makes you unique. Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury) does just that. 'Norman had always been perfectly normal. That was until the day he grew a pair of wings! Norman is very surprised to have wings suddenly - and he has the most...

Girls can drive fire engines too!

Erm... you guys... have you seen this gender-stereotype defying gem? Here We Go! by Petite Boutique is a fab new lift-the-flap board book with a fun format. Each page has a giant tab in the shape of the wheel of the vehicle from the corresponding page, perfect for little fingers and hands. There's lots of...

Women ROCK!

There's no denying that our young women have some stunningly good role models to look up to. There's a rich herstory of game-changing women across all fields of life. The key is re-writing the history books to bring these women to the surface and celebrate them as they deserve. And that's where books like these...

Piglettes by Clémentine Beauvais

I can't tell you how much I loved this book. To do so I would have to come and meet each of you individually and just hug you, really tight, go off on an animated political rant and then possibly dance and force feed you cheese. Because there is so much going on in this...

I Have No Secrets

'Jemma knows who did the murder. She knows because he told her. And she can't tell anyone. Fourteen-year-old Jemma has severe cerebral palsy. Unable to communicate or move, she relies on her family and carer for everything. She has a sharp brain and inquisitive nature, and knows all sorts of things about everyone. But when she is...

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...

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...

Under the Love Umbrella

I love to wave my diversity flag and champion books that are inclusive and celebrate diversity. Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys (Scribe) does so beautifully, and I am thrilled to be a part of this blog tour and sing the book's praises. This book deserves to be in every nursery...