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Early Reader Book Reviews
Aesop’s Fables
Katie Haworth, illus. Lara Hawthorne, pub. Templar Books
It has been many years since I discovered an antiquarian copy of Aesop’s Fables in a Cambridge bookshop. I loved visiting Cambridge and its bookshops as a teen, it was only a bus ride away from home and always an exciting experience. To spend the money from my Saturday job on a beautiful book was a choice I have never regretted. The book is still with me, on my bookshelf, still read and much-loved. That doesn’t mean that I can’t love other versions of Aesop’s Fables though, which is partly how I came to be reviewing this one.
Fables, rather like fairy tales, have an author, in this case an author from a world now ancient history to us. Yet they are not stories which demand only their original author can tell them, they are part of an oral history of storytelling that one person chose to write down. They are part of a tradition of stories which love to be retold for new generations so that they remain in the consciousness and in a manner which people can relate to. For those who, like me, love to see modern and older versions of the same story it’s an absolute treat to be able to have different versions on the bookshelf to enjoy.
Katie Haworth has brought her own imaginative ideas to the fables, giving them a few new twists. She has chosen to include twenty of the Fables, not all of these will be familiar to readers as having come from Aesop’s Fables which adds more wonder to their telling. They have all been illustrated in vibrant colours and with the uniquely imaginative touch of Lara Hawthorne whose love of nature, myth and magical creatures gives an additional layer of life and story to each tale. This is a collection to be added to the bookshelf alongside older or alternative ones or to begin a collection of stories which have stood the test of time and will continue to do so if we continue to retell them as they wish.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
The Bestest Story in the World Ever
Chip Colquhouhn, illus. Bethany D’Arcy, pub. Epic Tales
According to “everyone” Noah is a troublemaker simply because he doesn’t like being told what to do. It’s not his fault he’s allergic to all this telling and he’s determined to show “everyone” that he’s very good at something... At... something! The Young Inventor competition should be a chance for Noah to show how good he is so he makes it his mission to win. There’s only one small issue. He needs to have an invention. How hard can it be? Harder than you’d think, funnier too…
One of the biggest hurdles Noah faces is not with his imagination, he has plenty of ideas that could help him win, it’s the troublesome elf who shows up in his bedroom every night, determined to hamper his plans. Now Noah needs a new plan - he needs to decide how he can stop the pesky elf and get back on track in time to enter, and of course win, the competition.
Chip Colquhouhn’s storytelling is pacey, fun and perfect for the reader who is beginning to find their own way with books, stories and longer chapters. There are many elements to this story to entertain - the pesky elf, Noah’s endless ideas but also elements to give the reader pause for thought, things to take in and consider. Resilience in the face of opposition, determination, creativity and sticking to your guns are just a few of them and none feel as though they are being ‘taught’ to the reader, they simply thread through the story waiting to be found, waiting for their moment.
Set aside some time to discover wonderful storytelling, creativity and some fantastic illustrations to top it all off!
May Ellis
The Boy, The Father, and The Bear
Per Gustavsson, trans. Eva Apelqvist, pub. Greystone Books
I’ll be honest, because that is what a review should always be, and say that this book may not be for everyone. That said, I still feel if you have a chance to read it you should. Let me explain what I mean.
The Boy, The Father, and The Bear is the tale of a boy and his father who live together on a small island. They play football, fish together and have a nice existence. When the boy asks about the wider world the father offers little in return telling him, ‘There are bears in the forest and sharks in the sea. We should beware of them. We’re fine here.’
As the boy’s father grows older and becomes too old to play, his life comes to an end and he grows into a tree, right there in the kitchen where he has been sitting. Eventually the tree becomes so large it breaks down the walls of the boy’s home forcing him out into the world he has been sheltered from. Finding himself alone the boy encounters the bear and shark that his father spoke of and slowly begins to find companionship and new beginnings after his loss.
Despite being what could be considered a picture book, the story is split into short chapters, beautifully marked not only by title, but by each chapter being represented by a different colour wash to Gustavsson’s delicate, and intricate, drawings. A story of grief, loss and transformation The Boy, The Father, and The Bear has a dreamlike, fairytale quality which urges us to consider its deeper meanings and to contemplate life, and change. It is simple, yet complex, heart-warming and heart-breaking and I found myself moved to tears by its themes whilst smiling at its absurdities.
If you like stories which have layers, then this is for you. If you prefer a simpler less nuanced text, then maybe not. Nonetheless this is a book I highly recommend you read if you have the opportunity. I loved it and, whilst it is apparently aimed at children aged 6-8, I feel this is a story for us all irrespective of age. It is a stunning example of how words and pictures can combine to offer hope in the darkest of times, and Gustavsson’s tale will be one that I turn to time and again.
Tracey Corner
The Dragon Mountain
Mathieu Pierloot, illus. François Maumont, trans. Charis Ainslie, pub. Post Wave Children’s Books
When two young witch sisters stumble across a lost boy and his duck, they have no idea they are about to embark on the quest of a lifetime! After discovering a mysterious egg hidden inside the boy’s bag, sisters Medusa and Lilith soon figure out what it is: a dragon egg! But keeping a baby dragon away from its parent is a recipe for disaster. To keep everyone safe, they must return the egg to its mother as quickly as possible. The trouble is the egg belongs to a Stormbringer — a notoriously bad-tempered dragon who definitely doesn't like to be kept waiting!
Living with their uncle, Otto the wizard, the sisters have spent years learning all sorts of spells and mixing magical potions. While Medusa and Lilith have very different personalities and approaches to magic, both are wonderfully talented witches in their own right. They are going to need every ounce of that magic for the road ahead! To return the egg, the unlikely group — including a confused young boy, Julius, and his trusty duck — must journey all the way to Dragon Mountain. Along the way, they have to navigate the murky depths of Giant’s Lake, dodge danger in the shadowy Forest of Sidra, and even cross paths with an ancient civilization known as the Croakes. Traversing these treacherous lands is no easy feat, and the brave crew must work together if they hope to reach the summit in time!
Translated by Charis Ainslie, The Dragon Mountain is an enchanting, fast-paced fantasy adventure for young readers. The small cast of characters works brilliantly, and Julius makes a charming addition to Otto’s quirky magical family. Packed with humour, peril, and plenty of spellcasting, this short story keeps readers hooked from the very first page. It is a must-read for any young bookworms who love magic, fantasy, and fun!
Tom Joy
The Elementals: Peo Saves the Trees
Love Ssega, illus. Erika Meza, pub. Little Tiger
Peo and her friends will do whatever it takes to keep Sealand - their island home - safe. They all have magical powers connected to the four elements: air, water, earth and fire. Fun and smart Peo is learning that her earth skills are stronger than she knew...
Peo is shocked to find that she can talk to trees when she hears a call for help from a nearby island. The Elementals set off straight away, but when they arrive, all the trees are gone... Can they work together to solve the mystery and save the trees? The first thing that grabbed me was the stunning front cover. This is definitely going to make a child pick it up. The next thing I noticed was that this is perfect for newly independent readers, the chapters are short, with larger font and a lot of the pages have an illustration. At my school I have a dedicated bookcase full of these types of books, this is also perfect for the reluctant readers in our lives.
The story was fun to read, and it's perfect for those who seek adventure. The concept of the book was a great way to introduce environmental stewardship, if you enjoy the Woodland Explorers then these are a great next read. The feel of the book gave me a modern Famous Five vibe. This looks like a great series.
Helen Byles
The Flying Machine of Dreams: Come Aboard for a Magical Poetry Ride!
Kate Wakeling, illus. Viviane Schwarz, pub. Otter-Barry Books
Who will win the Magnificent Race of the Animals? Frog on roller-skates or zebra on a scooter? Find a morning moon, six ways to look at a leaf, beautiful bubbles and amazing shapeshifters. Have a feast of words, make a den and then guess the names of the night animals…
In schools up and down the country children as young as 4 are starting on their journey into poetry, they are learning about rhyming words, and how fun poems can be, they are also learning that poems can be acted out and even have music to them. But it’s very hard to find anything suitable for the young, now we have this book. And this book has poems on everyday things that young children will be able to identify with including cute animals, vehicles and everything a young person learns very early on.
My favourite poem was by far Raindrops and after reading this one I know it is going to be perfect for using musical instruments with. shakers for the pitter patter, a tambourine for the splosh. Oh, what fun we are going to have with this one and many more! In addition, the illustrations are lively and fun, and now I can’t wait to share this book with young people.
Helen Byles
Indie In Disguise: Stylist-ing and Other Jobs
Katie Clapham, illus. Emma Farrarons, pub. Walker Books
Indie is a confident and creative young lady who believes she can turn her hand to anything. One day she is a stylist, another a cleaner. In this cute, funny book, perfect for beginner readers, we follow Indie's talent and mishaps as she explores different professions with willing members of her family who join in with the game. Indie has style but can she give the right tips to others? Indie has rubber gloves and a sponge but does she know what needs to be cleaned away?
With just a few words on each page and an easy-to-read font it is perfect for those children who are keen to explore a longer book that is handily broken down into small stories that can be read again and again. It has gorgeous, colourful pictures on every page and the fun front cover draws you in to a series of exciting adventures exploring the grown-up world of jobs from the perspective of a child.
Remember - anything is possible when you have an imagination as big and as brilliant as Indie's. So set yours free, enjoy these stories and then decide what you might like to try. A wonderful book to encourage younger children to gain confidence reading alone and also to try something new.
Hayley Reeve
Jake Takes Charge (Maple Street)
Michael Catchpole, illus. Shanarama, pub. Otter-Barry Books
Jake Takes Charge is the second in the Maple Street series of chapter books written for young readers – the first being Jake in the Middle. As with its predecessor Jake Takes Charge contains four short stories, centred around a Black British extended family.
Jake lives with his mum and dad, his bossy older sister Ellie, and younger brother Sam who seems to get away with everything. Grandad lives in the basement flat but spends a lot of time upstairs with the family. There is nothing fantastical or magical about any of the four stories as, refreshingly, they are rooted firmly in the everyday world that children will instantly recognise and be familiar with. In The Surprise Party, Jack is tasked with keeping Grandpa out of the house while it is being prepared for his surprise birthday. In The Christmas Performance Jake is disappointed that he hasn’t got a more important role in the school nativity and then suffers pre play nerves. A Great Adventure sees Jake bringing home Algy, the class bear. When his friends have taken the bear home, they take photographs with him doing exciting things for all the class to see, and Jake wants to do the same. Unfortunately for Jake, the family don’t seem to be able to do anything exciting and he is very disappointed. But when they go for a walk, Algy goes missing and goes on an adventure that none of them expected. In That Was Lucky, Jake’s friend, Jayden comes round to play and the two of them get into mischief – each time they agree that they have been lucky not to have got in trouble, however, it seems that their luck may have run out when they accidentally trample on Grandpa’s new plants!
An ex headteacher, Michael catchpole is very familiar with children and the way they think and talk – a fact that shines through in these gentle, heartwarming stories that are full of fun and humour. They will be great for children to read themselves and perfect to read out loud to a class or at bedtime. Each story has been illustrated in black and white by Shanarama who has perfectly captured the mood and tone.
Damian Harvey
Penny & Luck: The Shadows of Rosehall
Claire Karowski, illus. Sîan Roberts, pub. DK Flip
Penny Jones is a grand old nine years of age. Her corgi and sidekick, Luck is younger but no less adventurous and the pair had thought they were going to have an ordinary summer. Clearly they didn’t read the memo, you know the one, the one that says no children should ever have an ordinary summer, there should always be some adventure sprinkled in!
So it is that far from the ordinary summer the pair had planned theirs becomes incredibly exciting. It begins with them finding a hidden portal in their garden and that of course means there is magic involved which in turn means a little bit of chaos and a whole lot of fun! Where does the portal take them, because of course they have stepped through it? It takes them to a magical forest where there are flying bicycles and birds as big as watermelons! But there is also trouble in the air and a princess who needs them to help.
Penny and Luck are about to introduce us to an amazing, wonderful and magical world but also to a world where nothing is quite as it seems. Their story is shared with us through short chapters with simple language perfect for readers setting out on their journey to independence, and of course some bright and bold illustrations bringing the worlds we are exploring to life. Humour, adventure and fun all fill the pages of this book and readers will quickly find themselves loving these characters.
Antoinette Colin
Pricklepaper’s Letter Magic
Tom Read Wilson, illus. Rebecca Bagley, pub. Words and Pictures
Tom Read Wilson is well known from his appearances on television as a presenter and contestant, but he is also a talented writer with a keen interest in words and their etymology – as his books Every Word Tells a Story, and Wonderful Words That Tell a Tale clearly show. Pricklepaper’s Letter Magic, written in rhyme, is Tom’s first picture book story for young children – bringing his love of words to a younger audience.
This book is the tale of a litter picking hedgehog who loves to help others. After being woken by a nightingale singing in a tree, Pricklepaper sets off on his evening rounds, picking up pieces of paper that have been left in the park. He sticks the pieces of paper onto his prickles until every last one has been collected. Then he likes to see if he can make a word from the letters that are written on the pieces of paper. In the story, the little hedgehog is delighted to find that he can make the word ‘pullover’ as it gives him warm thoughts. Pricklepaper then continues his evening walk around the park and comes across different animals (and a statue) along the way – all who are in need of his help.
First, he comes across a lion in a rowing boat. The lion has lost its ‘roar’ and is going around in circles as it only has one ‘oar.’ Pricklepaper helps the lion get back to the shore and offers an ‘r’ which gives him his ‘roar.’ The story continues in this way until Pricklepaper gets back home and is ready for bed. It’s then that he realises that, after giving away four letters to help others, he no longer has enough for ‘pullover’ and he feels sad. When Pricklepaper spreads out his remaining letters, ‘o’ ‘e’ ‘v’ and ‘l’, he is delighted to find that he can still make a word.
This is a well thought out, heartwarming story and it’s been beautifully brought to life with bright, bold illustrations by Rebecca Bagley.
Damian Harvey
Raising Hare (Children’s Edition)
Chloe Dalton, illus. Denise Nestor, pub. Canongate Books
If you happen to have been in a book shop over the course of the last year, and I hope you have, you will more than likely have seen Chloe Dalton’s beautiful memoir Raising Hare. I’ll be honest and say I’ve picked it up myself many a time, looked at the stunning illustrations, read the blurb and added it to my ‘to be read’ list – which I’ll admit grows longer every day! So, imagine my delight when I was asked to review this stunning new children’s edition.
The book tells of how Chloe Dalton stumbled upon a leveret (a baby hare) whilst walking near her home in the English countryside. The leveret is clearly afraid and lying in the middle of a track out in the open, but Dalton decides that moving it could do more harm than good, if it’s mother returns and Dalton has moved it, it may well be rejected, and so she goes on her way deciding to let nature take its course. However, upon her return some hours later she discovers it’s still there and seeing a buzzard flying overhead she eventually decides to take it back to her home to keep it safe.
What follows is a heart-warming tale of how Dalton begins to care for the young hare and how, through trial and error, they grow to understand one another, developing a beautiful and utterly remarkable relationship. Dalton’s wonderful writing eloquently captures their journey through the seasons as the leveret grows and Dalton tries her very best to care for it. She makes a promise to herself to interfere as little possible, helping the hare to remain a wild animal, with a view to eventually returning it to the countryside where it belongs. However, as the two learn to live side-by-side and months turn into years, the lives of both are changed in the most incredible ways.
This memoir, stunning and magical in every aspect, and beautifully illustrated by Denis Nestor, not only teaches us so much about hares, but also encourages us to look at our relationship with the natural world and question our impact on it. Complete with an amazingly detailed hare fact file at the end of the book, as well as a postscript by Michael Morpurgo, this book has been perfectly adapted for those aged around 8+.
Raising Hare is a rare and beautiful five star read which I cannot recommend highly enough!
Tracey Corner
Trouble in Ogreville
Vivian French, illus. Pauline Gregory, pub. Walker Books
This was such an enjoyable read. It's set in Ogreville, a place which has been ruled by the King for two hundred years, but now the evil ogre Hogspittle Slumsit is planning to steal the King's throne. Can he be stopped and by whom?
There's chaos from Monnie, a young ogre who inadvertently destroys everything he touches, including the village's bakery where Samson bakes the most delicious, and very best, chocolate cakes in the world. And ogres, as well as humans, adore chocolate cake. So, the baker's children, Maudie and Jimmy, along with the extremely game Gran, set off on a perilous journey across the lands, crossing the River Clutter which is filled with serpents, encountering hazards and mishaps along the way, climbing the Quivering Hill to get to the Kingdom of Ogreville. Their mission is to free Samson from the tyranny of his landlord, to repair the bakery, find somewhere new to live and vitally, to stop Hogspittle Slumsit from stealing the throne.
There are some great names in this book, I particularly loved Monstrosity Tunk and Auntie Pelmet, along with a cast of fun characters which have been gloriously illustrated by Pauline Gregory. Trouble In Ogreville was a delightfully fun book. I wanted to read this out loud with different voices. Go on, I bet you will too!
Carol Farley