LJ's beautiful books

Written and illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson Published by Farshore Books Ages 5 and upwards Marnie Midnight is an absolute delight of a book!  No-one will fail to be charmed by Marnie's hopefulness, Milo's cuteness, Star's militancy, and ultimately Laura's wacky imagination and genius plot twists at the end. Floyd (an A not a Bee) embodies flamboyant uniqueness, Star the ant made me laugh and Marnie never stops believing or being curious about what she is passionate about (the moon and moon explorers). Easy to read for all ages approaching chapter books and onwards, I'm confident adults will chuckle at Laura's jokes too. I hope Marnie introduces many more children to Laura's growing host of characters and stories. 

By Katherine Rundell Published by Bloomsbury Ages 9 + Once upon a time, magical creatures such as unicorns, dragons, lavellans (the description of lavellans in the bestiary made me laugh out loud btw) and ratatoskas wandered the whole earth. Now they live in Archipelago, part of our world that is hidden by magic. But they are dying. Mal, from the Archipelago and Christopher, staying in Scotland, meet and unite both to save Mal from a murderer (!) and to find out what is happening to the creatures in the magical world... As an animal lover I felt an immediate connection to Christopher who attracts animals wherever he goes: 'his allegiance was to wild and living things.' and I loved this feature. The unicorns are beautifully described: 'like a cluster of ambulant stars' in varieties of silver and white. And the Sphinxes 'yellow-gold winged cats: cats that stood ten feet high' are so wonderfully proud and all-knowing. I like Jacques the tiny dragon.  The chases a...

Published by DFB Ages 9 upwards 'You must open the doors of perception, and go through to the other side.'  Tyger is a beautiful, poignant story about empathy and equality, creativity and potential. This story is set in an alternate, dystopian London within a British Empire where classes and races are segregated and animals are nearly completely extinct. Adam and Sadie find a wise, other-worldly Tyger who encourages them to see themselves and the world beyond what they are living in.  I adored the references to William Blake both in actual words and in the physical animals of the lamb and tyger. The book reminds me of Northern Lights by Phillip  Pullman and The Giver by Lois Lowry and joins them in being unforgettable.  The bold, timeless illustrations by Dave McKean add to the themes of art and history. I love the Tyger swimming in the water. At the heart of this story for me and what I loved, is the message, power of imagination: ' You can see possibilities, and tu...

Katie and Kevin Tsang  Published by Farshore Ages 5-8 The Space Blasters crew (now with Moon Bug included) are back for their third adventure!  This story features gobbling galaxies, a crying comet, bouncing pengoos, alien polar bears and a special monkey! We learn lots of cool new space facts, as well as Five-Eyed Frank's uncovered star skills and there's a HUGE reveal at the end! This book also explores feelings in an intergalactic way and Suzie is inspiring as always by both coming up with inventions and not being afraid to ask questions. As Captain Jane says of Suzie: "We all need more curiousity and cheer."

Published by Puffin Books Ages 9+ An entertaining, eerie, unputdownable story! Arkspire is utterly brilliant - I couldn't put it down. What world-building and characters! I love Cinder so much! Moments from Juni, Thea, Everard and Cinder had me laughing out loud.  'When the world gives you an empty bag, it's your job to fill it.'  An under-dog tale with mysterious magic, humour and vivid illustrations, Littler is talented indeed. I get asked almost daily by parents what do their kids read next having finished Harry Potter. I will be directing them to Arkspire. 'You would be a change for good... you are someone who would remember the little guy for once.'

Cursed Crowns By Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber Published by Electric Monkey Ages 13 + 'After all, everything came at a price...' After loving book 1 and it's swashbuckling humour, I was so excited to get Cursed Crowns (thank you Harper and Electric Monkey) and was excited every time I picked it up to read!  We meet new characters in book 2, and visit different parts of the world only mentioned in book 1, but even in different settings, with Wren in Gevra and Rose in the Sunkissed Kingdom - we get the tantalizing dual, split voice and character arcs much loved in Twin Crowns. I love that this format stayed the same - it works so well.  BUT there is a magical, mirror-induced way in this book that the twins communicate and experience each other's drama and honestly these chapters are brilliant - both strategic and surprising and always hilarious with comic situation. (Rose staring at dead mice and Wren throwing a fruit bowl both made me laugh...) This also leads to ...

Moonflight by Gill Lewis Illustrated by Pippa Curnick Published by DFB Ages 9+  'Warriors come in all shapes and sizes.'  With witty prose and rats in clothes, I knew I'd enjoy this book from the first page. It's a story involving danger and diamonds and a small but very clever rat, Tilbury. I adore the illustration of the family of rats in outfits.  I really like the character of Marfaire, Keeper of the diamond because she believes in Tilbury and the plot twist involving her was one of my favourite moments!  I love Tilbury's friendly relationship with Marmalade the cat - and how this helps when he meets the tiger later on in the adventure. There are varying dynamics between rats and cats throughout the book (including baddies) but the image of a tiger carrying little rats is delightful and reminiscent of Aesop.  This is an epic, colourful, well-told adventure story with so many different kinds of rats and lots of danger but it keeps you guessing and Tilbury is ...

By Katie and Kevin Tsang Published by Simon & Schuster  Ages 8 and upwards  'He and his friends were the ones claiming that humans and dragons could live together peacefully, yet here was a dragon destroying Buckingham Palace in a rampage.'  Book five, the finale of this Dragon Realm series, is here - and the stakes are higher than ever! The Dragon Realm has fallen into the Human Realm, world leaders want to capture and exploit the dragons and a dangerous pack of dragons want to remove all humans. Billy and his friends just want peace and dragon friendships like theirs, but they learn this might not be possible: '... most humans see dragons as something they can tame or claim, not as creatures that they can live alongside.' Instead they search for a new home for the dragons, which involves invoking the ghost of the first dragon that ever existed, which leads to danger, frustration, adventure, superpowers and a twist that will change the world forever....  Althoug...

By Katherine Rundell and Sara Ogilvie Published by Bloomsbury  Ages 4 upwards  "... he took off at a gallop down the street. There were a few adults on the pavement, but they were all looking at their phones: adults rarely notice things." In this story, Gabriel the zebra is lost after his parents have been taken by the villain Mr Spit. Gabriel finds a brave little girl, Mink and through speaking to her in pictures, asks her for help. She comes up with a plan, with the help of Rainbow the dog, to find them. They learn that zebras aren't the only animals Mr Spit has taken. Can they rescue the zebras and the other animals all on their own?  This tale is funny, witty, has a brave heroine, animals talking AND a spectacular ending. I love the animals communicating with each other and with Mink, that different species help each other and the message that wild animals should be free. Rundell's adventure reminds me of Roald Dahl and my favourite illustration, apart from Ogilvi...

By Katie and Kevin Tsang Published by Farshore Ages 5 and upwards Super cool inventor Suzie finds herself not only sucked into a space TV show, but into outer space itself! But weird things are happening to planets and creatures - can Suzie help to save the universe? Expect to be entertained by cheese planets, space rabbits, moon-stealing mysteries and Spaceman Jack's smoulder! The writing is really funny and Tommy the space lizard is SO cute. This story is both fun and inspirational - Suzie looks for solutions in every problem. I love how imaginative Suzie is. I think she's a great role model -  not just in terms of diversity but her positive attitude and creativity. Paired with a dazzling cover and vivid illustrations, this is a whacky, wonderful space adventure that all children will enjoy. 

By Aisha Bushby Published by Farshore Ages 9 and upwards 'Adventures sound rather exciting, I know. Most stories will tell you to seek them. But the sorts of adventures I went on were bothersome, repetitive and exhausting.' In this story, Hazel moves to England from Kuwait, which triggers visits from ominous fireflies that come when she experiences anxiety. At the same time she is learning about fairytales at summer school. They are so much like her firefly adventures that Hazel suspects she may be in a fairytale and she needs to find a way out... Hazel's real life and fairytale lore merge and mingle with each other so cleverly in this book. And, although described using fantasy elements, I can relate to the call, compulsion and frustration of following the fireflies, as well as the need to stand up to them, as a fellow sufferer of OCD. Their tasks are such a unique and yet relatable way of describing it. This story reads like a eerie fairytale itself, whilst exploring fair...

By Lily Bailey Published by Orion/Hachette Kids Ages 9 upwards Out in June 2022 This book shows Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in the most detailed way I have ever come across in children's fiction. As a sufferer, I can relate to Ben from the first chapter, especially in relation to his compulsions and then later his assessment and therapy sessions. Ben is a really likable and relatable character. He also suffers from OCD which means he deals with stressful situations (or tries to prevent them) by avoiding certain colours or repeatedly counting or doing movements related to the number four. These compulsions take over his day and decisions. But everything starts to change for the better when he makes a new friend at school, April, who recognises the disorder in Ben, accepts him and encourages him to get help.  I love the early moments in this story when Ben is distracted from his compulsions/thoughts because he is having fun with April. They are glimpses of a life not controlled by ...

By Melinda Salisbury  Published by David Fickling Books Ages 14 and upwards I flew through this like one of the Furies themselves!  This YA novel hits the mythical and modern ground running, in an original and unusual combination. It is told from Corey's point of view and we really go through the chaos down to the Underworld with her. As she uncovers her powers, we see how much human emotions cross over - what makes a monster? Who deserves mercy? Gardening is a big theme, naturally, and I can relate to the joy in growing, in flowers, in creating. Oh and Corey is a vegan - LOVE! It is gripping. Unputdownable. Funny then dark. I loved it and am excited for others to read it. 

By Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber Published by Electric Monkey/Farshore  Ages 13 and upwards This book has such a brilliant opening... an undercover princess switch! With witches!  The following chapters alternate between the princesses, with surprises, reveals and laughs, as Rose and Wren each navigate the other's world - and the handsome men in it... Both girls face unexpected obstacles, through which we grow to admire Rose's bravery in facing them and are entertained by Wren's creativity in trying to solve them. The dual author choice really works in giving Rose and Wren distinct voices. And (slight spoiler) when Rose and Wren come together it is so exciting.... and there are some HILARIOUS moments, comedy in the chaos! This is a refreshing, funny, fantasy YA read with hints of The Princess Switch and Throne of Glass. I love the chemistry between Wren and Tor and the beautiful places Rose visits are easy to imagine. The journey Rose goes through to accept herself a...

By Jo Loring-Fisher Published by Frances Lincoln Ages 3 upwards There is so much to love about this picture book! The illustration throughout is stunning - especially the animals and the colours of the leaves. It makes you want to linger over the pictures after reading the text. I love how Sophy loves and responds to animals the most and that she learns her skills, both bravery and empathy, that way. But this story takes this even further and Sophy translates these skills into how she interacts with humans. A wonderful book - picture and message.    

By Tamzin Merchant  Illustrations by Paola Escobar  Published by Puffin Books  Ages 8 and upwards 'The Mapmakers' delves deeper into the magic and Maker world that we are introduced to in book 1. It is darker, but also includes cute fireflies! What a beautiful, beautiful cover - from the colours to Tudor houses! Cordelia's search for her father in this story (using the starlight map from book 1) not only reveals a river that responds to human commands - amazing - but crucially, a Secret Society of Mapmakers!!! This has an important connection to Merlin of Arthurian Legend - which I love! At the same time, an evil villain is let loose, causing storms and threatening ALL magical places. Cordelia needs to find a way to stop him and help the Mapmakers. Will the other Makers help her? Where is the vital secret map hidden? What is the winged monster appearing in the storms? Who is the mystery woman all in black? This all culminates in a riveting race for Cordelia to save magic ...

By Tamzin Merchant Illustrations by Paola Escobar Puffin Books Ages 8 onwards This standout story is colourful, magical, vivid and funny - with a sprinkle of historical fiction including King George and a Tudor mention of Henry VIII!  The language sparkles with the energy, hope and magic of the main character, Cordelia - the 'littlest hatmaker'. Her world of 'Makers' is filled with Mary Poppins-esque magic, told through gorgeous little details used to make the hats.   This story is full of mystery and suspense (where is Prospero Hatmaker? Will Agatha the Quest Pigeon come back? Who is stealing all the Maker's things for the King?). There are surprises around every corner and the writing is full of humour (my favourite line includes a donkey!). This is a wonderful story, packed full of imagination. I LOVE the focus on creating. This book carries this lovely, encouraging message:  'Everyone has the magic in them to make things.' Buy from  www.waterstones.com .

By Anna Currey Published by Oxford University Press All ages This book is a delight. Perfect for Christmas bedtime reading! Florian the Unicorn wants to find out more about Christmas and the coloured sparkly lights. Milly is in a different house for Christmas and looking for a friend. When Florian shows up in her yard (nods to The Snowman) friendship and cute Christmas mischief happens. I love Florian helping to decorate the Christmas tree and him eating straw from a nativity scene... A truly lovely read with vintage-style and watercolour illustrations - a new winter classic. 

Ella's Night Lights by Lucy Fleming Published by Walker Books. All ages. This is a stunning picture book, an immediate favourite! The illustrations are magical and expressive depicting the gentle Ella, animals, nature and winter beautifully. I love the fox! This is a sweet story about friendship, caring and creativity as well as appreciating the big and little lights of the world. It will want to be read again and again. 

  All ages By Briony May Smith     In this story, Margaret looks after a lost baby unicorn until the adult unicorns return to the island. Exploring and experiencing things together helps her to settle in to her new rural home. The illustrations are gorgeous, warm, atmospheric, detailed and the baby unicorn is ADORABLE. It is such a gentle, heart-warming tale that reads, looks and feels like a classic already, made with love.