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Book Reviews

   
Princess Hannah and the Little Black Kitten (Tiara Club) Princess Hannah and the Little Black Kitten (Tiara Club) by Vivian French
ISBN:  978-1-84616-498-9 £3.99  age 5-8

Princess Hannah is so pleased to be at Pearl Palace with her friends from Lily Room! But when she finds a little black kitten, the nasty twins are determined to get her into trouble!

 

Totz2teens Member Review:  I enjoyed reading Princess Hannah and the Little Black Kitten.  I found it interesting to read.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  3/5
 

Chrissie the Wish Fairy (Rainbow Magic) Chrissie The Wish Fairy by Daisy Meadows
ISBN:  978-1-84616-506-1  £5.99  age 5-8
Chrissie the Wish Fairy has a very important job - each year, she comes to the human world to hide her three magical wish items so that Christmas wishes come true. She loves her visits, but this year it's not entirely fun - she has to protect her magic objects from the goblins! Jack Frost is eager to get his hands on the items and make some wishes himself. Can Rachel and Kirsty come to Chrissie's aid before it's too late?

Totz2teens Member Review:  This is a really cool book which I read with great pleasure.  I would like to recommend it to other girls as it was so lovely.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 
Emily Brown and the Thing Emily Brown and the Thing by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton
ISBN:  978-1-84616-693-8  £10.99   Hardback
ISBN:  978-1-84616-694-5  £5.99     Paperback    Age 3-5
Our feisty eponymous heroine is back with her trusty companion, Stanley, in this warm-hearted and witty take on a classic theme: being scared of the dark. When Emily and Stanley find a Thing crying outside their window, they embark on a series of adventures to find everything he needs for a good night's sleep ...but nothing seems to work. What is really troubling the Thing, and why can't he get to sleep? Parents and children the world over will recognise all the bizarre excuses a child can make to keep the light on and a parent in the room at bedtime, and this story   shows how important it is to talk to children, and find out what is really going on in the complex depths of a child's imagination. 

Totz2teens Member Review:  Emily Brown is one strong young lady.  She deals with all sorts to help The Thing.  She then recognises why he is doing all he is and manages to encourage him.  As an adult I could recognise the excuses but I am not sure my child actually realised that was what The Thing was doing which didn't matter because when we were told it finally clicked.  We loved the way that the story develops and that the writing is swirling across the page making sure we see all of the illustrations which were all so well drawn.  The toy rabbit Stanley had the most expressive face and it was a pleasure to watch the story unfold through the pictures.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5

 
Big Blue Train Big Blue Train by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds
ISBN: 978-1-84616-435-4   £10.99  age 3-6
Toot toot! Hold tight! Ben and Bella are off on another adventure! This time with the Big Blue Train! They set off for the seaside, with various animal friends jumping, leaping and squashing aboard along the way, but will everyone manage to squeeze on, and just why is everyone heading for the seaside? A brilliant second title from Julia and Adrian, the team that brought you the bright and bouncy award-winning Big Red Bath.

Totz2teens Member Review:  WOW what a busy adventure Bella and Ben have with the Big Blue Train. This book flows well due to the rhyming rhythm throughout the story.  Sometimes I found myself loosing that rhythm but I dont think my son noticed.  The story shows the imagination that children can have when they decide to play a game and it became a fun time for Bella and Ben.  We were able to discuss what animals we would try to fit in our train and where we would get them from which was interesting.  A thoughtfully written book.
 

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5
 

My Unwilling Witch (Rumblewick Letters) The Rumblewick Letters:  My Unwilling Witch by Hiawyn Gram
ISBN:  978-1-84616-063-9   £5.99   age 3-6
Meet Rumblewick! He's a witch's cat with one BIG problem - his witch, Haggy Aggy, doesn't want to be a witch anymore. She wants to be a regular girl and do regular girl things. If the Hags on High catch her, Rumblewick will be out of a job! How can Rumblewick persuade her that witchy ways are best? An original and delightful title with pull-out spells, certificates and more!

Totz2teens Member Review:  Super.  A clever childrens book.  The story is told in letter between the witches cat and his uncle.  For added interest the book contains lift up envelopes to make it feel like you are really reading someones letters.  Excellent.  The pictures are detailed and interesting allowing the story to develop further in your mind.  We thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  Thank you.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 
Lili's Wish by Emma Thomson
ISBN:  978-1-84362-927-6   £10.99
Meet Lili the ragdoll and her delightful sidekick, Little Pickle Panda. This charming and engaging story celebrates friendship and has all the qualities of a timeless classic. In this very first adventure you'll also find a knit-your-own Little Pickle panda pattern!

Totz2teens Member Review:  Beautiful.  This book would make many a young girl hugely happy.  The little things to do are so clever and I know a WOW would come from anyone reading this too.  A delightful story with pop ups and things to collect.  I would definately recommend this as a present for a little girl as I am sure it would be gratefully received. This is so much more than just a book. 

Totz2teens Rating:  5/5

 
CHRISTMAS WISHES Christmas Wishes by Tony Mitton and Layn Marlow
ISBN:  978-1-84362-876-7    £10.99
Young children will love to join in the excitement of waiting for Santa to visit on Christmas Eve, as seen through the eyes of two little mice. Cosy and festive images abound in what is destined to be a seasonal classic.

Totz2teens Member Review:  We are now in a festive mind set.  This book uses the same rhythm as 'twas a night before Christmas' so as soon as you have worked this out you aer able to read it in that pattern.  The story is done from the mice's view and their family.  Utterly charming and a delight to read.  We loved reading and looking at this book and it is definately worth a pre Christmas purchase.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5 - Merry Christmas
 
Keep Love in your heart, Little One by Giles Andreae & Clara Vulliamy
ISBN:  9781843625421    £10.99

 

"And please above all remember, Keep love in your heart, little one
Reach out to the world like a beautiful flower, Stretches out to the warmth of the sun."

 
A heart-warming and joyful tale of parental love and a child's boundless energy and enthusiasm for life.  From a multi-award winning author and highly acclaimed illustrator, this beautiful and lyrical book is a modern classic in the making

 

Totz2teens Member Review:  This is one of those books you love to read to your child since it tells them about how we creep in and give them a little kiss or tell them we love them just that one more time.  A very precious book that makes you all tingly and it is a warm story for any child to listen too.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5

 

Princess Parade The Tiara Club - Princess Parade by Vivian French
Mr Pusskins and Little Whiskers Mr Pusskins and Little whiskers by Sam Lloyd
My boys favourite stories, aged 4 & 2&1/2 years Dig Dig Digging by Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe
ISBN:  9781846167591   £4.99
Based on the best selling picture books, young children will love to explore  all the different textures in this book,  From Scratch sand to scrunchy rubbish - in this bright, lively board book packed with noisy, busy machines: Digger, bulldozer, rubbish truck, tractor and lorry.

Totz2teens Member Review:  A clever little book.  The touchy feely bits are lovely and thoughtfully done. The tyres on the vehicles are really cool and I loved the sand.  Oh sorry my little boy like it too - when he had a chance.  We definately loved this book and we would be happy to recommend it too.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 
Being Impossible Being Impossible by Hiawyn Oram
ISBN:  978-1-84616-336-4   £5.99
Twelve year old Logan already feels like the odd one out, the awkward one of the family, and when everyone abandons her to the mercy of a skeleton-thin housekeeper and a hate-filled parrot, she decides to strike back -- by becoming impossible. But then she meets Tiff -- a truly impossible cat, who can talk, cook, and play the piano. Tiff helps Logan to change her life, not by behaving impossibly, but by doing what everyone else is convinced is impossible. A warm, funny and emotional novel which introduces Tiff - a truly amazing and endearing cat who is able to help families to resolve their problems.

Totz2teens Member Review:  CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW

 

I Dont Want a Posh Dog by Emma Dodd
ISBN: 978-1-84616-928-1  £10.99
A posh dog, a tattern dog, a handbag dog, a snappy dog... Children will love imagining what makes the perfect dog... or not!  with a bouncy fun text and vibrant pictures, this book will delight dog lovers young and old.

 

Totz2teens Member Review:  We smiled our way through this book.  I dont want a posh dog is a beautiful example of simplicity, few words but lots of pictures and we found it easy to talk about each page too.  We would definately recommend this one.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5
 

Ten Days to Zero Ten Days to Zero by Bernard Ashley
ISBN: 978-1-84616-957-1   £5.99
When journalist Ben Maddox is thrust full-throttle into an investigation for Zephon TV, he worries that he's in over his head.  But as he digs deeper, he realises that what's really important is being prepared to fight for what you believe in, and if that means risking his life, then thats exactly what he will have to do.

 
Gothic Goddess by Carrie Bright
ISBN:  978-1-84616-328-9   £4.99
Maddy Blue lives her whole life through magazines. She wishes she could trade her boring lifestyle for an exciting, action packed adventure - just like she reads about in her favourite mags! She blurs the edges of her real life and the fantasy magazine world to help her deal with her everyday existence, and believes all that the horoscopes/5-min quizzes/style tips/problem pages tell her. Maddy is constantly striving to discover who she can be, and live up to her own dreams. Funny, action-packed, yet touching, this book takes you on the roller coaster of worries and dreams, that is Maddy Blue's life. Through the influence of magazines, Maddy and Starr become new-age fans, and plunge themselves into a world of astrology, numerology, dreams and spells. Scott despairs at their new interest, which he thinks is a waste of time. Trouble surfaces when Maddy thinks she's put a boy under a spell to make her madly in love with her! But will it all end in true love?
 
Helena the Horseriding Fairy Rainbow Magic - The Sporty Fairies - Helena the Horseriding Fairy
ISBN:  978-1-84616-888-8   £3.99
The Sporty Fairies are in need of Rachel and Kirsty's help. Everyone in Fairyland is preparing for the Fairy Olympics, but Jack Frost and his goblins have stolen the magic sporty items so they can win by cheating! What's more, with the items missing, everyone in the human world is playing sports really badly, and so the human Olympics is in danger of being ruined too! Can Helena the Horseriding Fairy get her Magic Hard Hat back before a goblin gallops off with it?

 

Posy Posy by Linda Newbery
ISBN:   978-1-84362-990-0   £10.99

Follow the delightful Posy kitten as she bounces and pounces through her adventure-filled day. This beautifully illustrated picture book by an award-winning author and illustrator team is bound to be adored by cat lovers of all ages, everywhere!

Totz2teens Member Review:  Posy is a cheeky, inquisitive little kitten. The book runs through some of the activities that Posy likes to do whether it be good or bad.  The illustrations are beautiful yet very simple.  A short but pleasant book.


Totz2teens Member Rating:  3/5

The Witch's Children Go to School (Witchs Children) The Witch's Children go to school by Ursula Jones & Russell Ayto
ISBN:  978-1-84362-857-6    £10.99
In this third electrifying title, the witch's children's friend, Gemma, is scared about her first day at school. So, the Little One turns her into an ogre to give her courage ...but ogres don't fit in at school. Never mind. The Little One has a solution - to turn the whole school into a storybook, which is a good place for an ogre. The trouble is, the witch's children are very good at doing spells but not so good at undoing them...who can help?

Totz2teens Member Review: 
We thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  The children are going to school and Gemma is scared. She is turned into an Ogre to help her gain some courage but with disastrous consequences.  We have read this book twice today already as it was  a real hit.  I dont want to give the game away but it is a very enjoyable story to read to children.  A nice balance of words and pictures.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 
Eggs eggs by Jerry Spinelli
ISBN:  978-1-84616-700-3   £5.99
Nine year old David is sad and angry - his mother has recently died in a freak accident and now he has to live with his grandmother, as his father is too busy to care for him. Then David meets thirteen year old Primrose, who has no dad, and a neglectful and eccentric mother. Together these two damaged children help each other to find what is missing in their lives.

Totz2teens Member Review: 
This is a story of 2 misfits, meeting and helping each other realise that life's not so bad.

I found the writing boring. You never got a feel for each of the characters, so never really cared about either of them. The story was dull and never really went anywhere.   It was one of those books that you read and forget.

Totz2teens Member Rating: 1/5

 
Beryl Goes Wild Beryl goes wild by Jane Simmons
ISBN:  978-1-84616-620-4  £8.99
....a twig cracked.  "Are you alright?" said a voice.  Beryl looked round.  Out of the foliage stepped a scruffy little creature.  Beryl blinked at it, trying to work out what it was.  Under all the brown, straw-like hair and caked on mud, it looked like a kind of pig.  Beryl's heart thumped against her ribcage, as she realised what this strange creature must be.  A wild pig!  When Beryl escapes from the lorry taking her to the abattoir, she sets off on a journey that will take her into a new and rather frightening world.  A world of wild pigs, where she makes a friend called Amber, meets the sisterhood of the mystic boar and goes on an epic journey - but will she find a home?


 

The Gallowglass - Promises of Dr.Sigmundus Trilogy The Gallow Glass by Brian Keaney
ISBN:  978-1-84616-089-9   £5.99
In THE HOLLOW PEOPLE, Dante the kitchen boy found that he had the power to manipulate Odyllic Force to confront the evil force that was behind Dr Sigmundus. Now, we meet Dante's nemesis: his evil twin Luther. Luther is being manipulated to do evil in the name of Dr Sigmundus, and only Dante can stop him. Meanwhile, Dante's best friend Bea, is being held captive in a sinister institution, forced to take the drug Ichor, which represses all individuality and creativity. When Dante sets out to save Bea, he has to make a terrible choice.

 

Blue Gene Baby - Silk Sisters Blue Gene Baby by Fiona Dunbar
ISBN:  978-1-84616-231-2   £5.99
The Silk sisters are back, rescued from their evil uncle by the impossibly glamorous fashionista Nolita Newbuck. But could it be that the devil really DOES wear Prada? The sisters must continue the dangerous search for their mysteriously missing parents, but nothing is ever quite as it seems...
 

Totz2teens Member Review:  This book was so good full of intrigue, mystery and fun. My daughter felt so grown up reading it, she loved it. I think it is aimed more at the older children but my 7 year old was able to read it fairly easy.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  I would give this 4/5 , a bit too long to keep the younger reader interested.

 

Shannon the Ocean Fairy (Rainbow Magic) Shannon the Ocean Fairy by Daisy Meadows
ISBN:  978-1-40830-025-1  £5.99
It's the summer holidays and Rachel and Kirsty are visiting Kirsty's grandma, who lives by the sea. After discovering a magical shell on the beach and being whisked away to Fairyland, the girls discover that the fairies need their help. Naughty Jack Frost has stolen Fairyland's three enchanted pearls and this is causing chaos in the oceans and mixing up daytime and night-time! The girls must help Shannon the Ocean Fairy explore a magical underwater world (meeting many strange and wonderful sea-creatures along the way!), outwit Jack Frost and his goblin henchmen, and return each of the enchanted pearls to their rightful place...

Totz2teens Member Review:  My 7 year old daughter loved this book , it was so easy to read, the print wasn't to small. The added bonus was it has 3 stories in one book.

I would definitely recommend this book for any little girl that loves fairies.

Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
Draglins in Danger Draglins in Danger by Vivian French
ISBN:  978-1-84362-708-1   £3.99
Charming Borrowers-style stories about mini-dragons who move from their home in the attic to the great Outdoors. Wowling has been heard near the draglins' home in Under Shed! Daffodil, Dora, Dennis and Danny come face to face with a scary chat for the first time ever -- are four little draglins a match for terrible teeth and sharp claws?
 
Zepha the Monster Squid - Beast Quest Beast Quest:   The Golden Armour  Zepha The Monster Squid by Adam Blade
ISBN:  978-1-84616-988-5  £4.99
 
The evil wizard Malvel has stolen the magical suit of golden armour and scattered it throughout Avantia. Tom vows to find the pieces -- but they are guarded by six terrifying new beasts! Will Tom survive an underwater battle with Zepha the Monster Squid and collect the first piece of armour? Don't miss CLAW THE GIANT MONKEY, SOLTRA THE STONE CHARMER, VIPERO THE SNAKE MAN, ARACHNID THE KING OF SPIDERS, TRILLION THE THREE-HEADED LION

 

The Beginner's Guide to Bears The Beginner's Guide to Bears by Gillian Shields & Sebastien Braun
ISBN: 978-1-84616-103-2   £10.99
This fabulous book tells you what you need to look for in a bear, what they like to do, and how much fun you can have together!  Filled with teddy bears of all descriptions and familiar objects from a young child's world, this is a perfect baby shower or christening gift.

Totz2teens Member Review:  A lovely padded cover gives an opulent start to this delightful book.  The pictures of each bear are all adorably cute and have such cuddliness oozing from them.  We love the mirror page at the end too. I am sure that my baby will love this book for a long time yet.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5
 
 

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