Illustrated fiction is a joy to read! These six books for younger readers will delight and entertain!
Bad United, Just for Kicks by Louise Forshaw, Published by Little Tiger
This short graphic novel will be the ideal introduction to that wider genre for new readers. Hoof loves playing football but hasn’t found a team where he feels he belongs. When Bad United scout for new players, Hoof sees his chance. It’s a motley crew of a team and their differences are their strength. In their first match, it’s not looking great but a pep talk from the mermaid coach soon has them remembering what it is to be part of a team! It’s a brilliant story filled either humour and snippets of wisdom on being yourself and a team player. Looking forward to more from this series.
Destiny Ink by Adeola Sokunbi, Published by Nosy Crow
Destiny Ink is having her first ever sleepover and she feels a bit nervous about it. Will she have help to wrap her hair, will she like sleeping outside, Will there be bedtime stories? So many questions and luckily her parents are on hand to help her feel less worried. The night before the sleepover, Destiny is up late worrying when she hears a noise and discovers a monster. Gathering all her courage, she makes a new friend and they have a practice sleepover together. Destiny is now more excited than nervous for her sleepover. A lovely story that will encourage readers to doodle and sketch to calm down and explore their feelings.
Bertha and Blink by Nicola Colton, Published by Little Tiger
Bertha, inventor extraordinaire lives a solitary and happy life in the jungle. She left the big city after she was hurt by a friend and she hasn’t quite gotten over it. One morning she meets the post bird and realises how lonely she is. Inventing Blink, she now has a friend and sidekick. They must now work together to discover all the noise happening around the jungle. Using inventions and knowledge of nature, the pair find the noise but also discover their next mission when a surprise visitor arrives. Colourful and creative, this is a super start to a new series!
Call the Puffins by Cath Howe and Ella Okstad, Published by Welbeck Children’s
Muffin and the Shipwreck is the third book in the Call the Puffins series. Muffin and her friends are working on their Better Together badge as part of their training to be rescue puffins. One of the new members, Forti, is a bit headstrong and makes some poor choices. When the puffins are warned of a storm and a shipwreck, they are told to stay away but they soon find themselves having to rescue Forti, who has gone exploring. A delightful series with wonderful illustrations. It’s a great series for promoting friendship, resilience and being part of a team.
Watts and Whiskerton by Meg McLaren, Published by Piccadilly Press
I love this start to a new mystery trilogy. This instalment tells of how Watts and Whiskerton met and solved their first series of mysteries together. Watts comes from a family of detectives but he isn’t sure that is what he wants to do. Pearl Whiskerton wants to be a detective and supports Watts in discovering his talent, which happens to be in detecting and writing. When bones are discovered and roses are moved, the pair must figure out the who’s and why’s and then catch the culprit in action. Colourful and fun, this new duo are sure to be favourites of young readers.
Rabbit and Bear This Lake is Fake by Julian Gough and Jim Field, Published by Hachette
This is the sixth and final Rabbit and Bear book and I admit that makes me sad. I love these accessible, funny and wonderfully illustrated stories about the friendship, challenges and lives of this dynamic duo. In this story, Rabbit and Bear are looking forward to Spring and fresh air as their den is quite pongy and filled with poo. Rabbit has visions of a hot chocolate lake with floating marshmallows and Bear, his ever patient bestie, swims him to search for this place. Friendship is at the heart of these stories and children adore them!
I am a primary school teacher, turned librarian. Now I have the title Reading Advocate for ASSET Education Trust, based in Suffolk.
I read constantly and have more books than bookshelves, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I celebrate reading every day at work and at home with my two children, aged 11 and 9.
I sit on the National Executive Committee for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and run an OU/UKLA Teachers as Readers group!
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My Shelves Are Full 