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< Back Danielle Marietta and Marissa Kearney Truth Tales: The Air Fair-He Gabe’s adventure with the tooth fair-he. One day, during school, Gabe loses a tooth when he bites into an apple. He looks after the tooth carefully until he returns home, hoping he might receive a payment from the tooth fairy. He wonders, Do tooth fairies really exist? And how do fairies get their magic? Gabe has an idea. That evening, he asks his dad to help him catch a tooth fairy so he can ask her himself. He places the tooth under his pillow and uses an old glass saltshaker as a trap, to catch the fairy and block her magic. In the middle of the night, Gabe is woken by the bell he attached to the saltshaker. Much to his surprise, he finds a warm glowing light shining inside the trap and a tiny tooth fairy. But this is no ordinary tooth fairy. This isn’t even a she-fairy. This is an air fair-he, or tooth fair-he. A male tooth fairy, with a fresh haircut and cool winged-sneakers. Tony, the air fair-he, agrees to tell Gabe all his fairy secrets, on the condition that he releases him from the trap. Tony shrinks Gabe to miniature proportions and travels with him in his backpack to a toothy kingdom. After receiving his own pair of winged-sneakers, Gabe is shown around the Root Canal and learns all about the air fair-he’s, the jewel-hers, and the mouthguards. B ut just as he learns how human teeth are turned into precious gemstones, the mouthguards notice an intruder in the kingdom. Can Gabe escape before the mouthguards capture him? Truth Tales: The Air Fair-He is a fun and imaginative tale for newly independent readers by Danielle Marietta and Marissa Kearney . The book is a modern twist on the traditional tooth-fairy story, with a lesson or two on dental hygiene. It follows the journey of a young boy named Gabe on a quest to trap the elusive tooth fairy. But the tooth fairy isn’t quite as he imagined, and he goes on a magical adventure to the land of the air fair-he’s, the jewel-hers, and the mouthguards. The book beautifully captures the innocence and wonder of childhood, making it a charming read for children and the young at heart. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A traditional tooth-fairy story, with a contemporary twist. Purchase here

< Back Aaron Derr Baseball Buddies Building a Team Can new team captain Luis motivate a team of baseball players? Eleven-year-old Luis has recently moved from Texas to Ohio and misses his old friends. He joins the McIntyre Manatees, a community baseball team of boys and girls from the local neighborhood. It is the first day of practice, and he meets his coach, Joe, and his new teammates. Joe explains that now the players are a little older, it is time for them to take more of a leadership role in the team. He asks each player to describe their reason for playing baseball, and Luis explains he plays baseball to have fun. Joe selects Luis as the new team captain, because although baseball is about working hard and trying to win, it’s mainly about having fun. But Luis is not happy. He has never been a captain before and does not think he would make a good leader. The Manatees have three weeks to get ready for their first game and Coach Joe helps Luis prepare the team. Luis thinks the team are working too hard, and not enjoying the practice. They start to incorporate more fun into the practice, but soon the players are having too much fun! Luis calls a players-only meeting to try and improve their game, but some of the team are not happy with the new arrangement and only one player turns up to the meeting. Can Luis bring the team together? And how can he motivate the team to work hard, whilst still having fun? Baseball Buddies: Building a Team is a baseball-themed chapter book for middle grade readers by Aaron Derr. The book follows Luis’s journey as he joins a new baseball team in a new town and is immediately given the responsibility of team captain. Luis is a reluctant captain, but with help from his coach, he develops confidence and leadership qualities. The book shows that anything is possible with a little guidance and a positive mindset. It demonstrates the importance of friendship, teamwork, commitment, and fun, both on and off the field. This is a fun and entertaining book that will help young readers develop confidence and self-esteem. It might also inspire young readers to take up leadership roles, in sport or elsewhere. Perfect for budding baseball players, and anyone interested in sport and other team adventures. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, entertaining and inspiring baseball themed chapter book, with a positive message about the importance of friendship, teamwork, commitment, and fun. Purchase here

< Back Kathe Hudson and Melanie Moyer The Magic Peach Tree, A Yoga Storytelling Adventure A magical story about kindness and compassion, with a unique, yoga-inspired twist. The Magic Peach Tree, part of the Yoga Storytelling Adventure series by authors Kathe Hudson and Melanie Moyer is a creative, fun, and interactive illustrated picture book, that combines a traditional Chinese folktale with yoga movement. Young children can read the story, and then retell the story with yoga poses. The book will help children not only to express themselves creatively, but also to engage in physical practice that is beneficial to health and wellbeing. The story, adapted from a Chinese wisdom tale, follows an elderly man who ambles into a village looking for food. He is hungry, but a stall holder refuses to give him a small peach. A young girl shows the elderly man kindness and buys him a peach. After he eats the peach, the man plants the seed in the ground and a peach tree grows, feeding the entire village. The story demonstrates the importance of compassion and will encourage young readers to show kindness towards their neighbours. T he Yoga Storytelling Adventure series is a unique and innovative concept, sure to appeal to young readers who enjoy traditional folk tales and creative activities. The book Includes a Chinese word guide, to help readers develop an appreciation of a different language. Each yoga pose and breathing technique is described, with a visual image to accompany each pose, to guide young readers on their own creative yoga journey. The illustrations by Cher Jiang are stunning and complement the traditional folk tale perfectly. There is also a bonus grilled peach recipe at the end of the book, for those who are inspired by the food in the story! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A creative, fun, and interactive illustrated picture book, that combines a traditional Chinese folktale with yoga movement. Purchase here

< Back D Burton Smith Quoth the Raven Author D. Burton Smith offers a fascinating insight into the world of a young raven. Named after an Edgar Allan Poe poem, Quoth the North American raven lives high up in a nest on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the ocean. He is one of three chicks, and his mom and dad take good care of him and his siblings. They keep their nest fresh, clean, and tidy, and bring food for the chicks every day. Until he is two or three years old, and finds a partner of his own, Quoth joins a rowdy group of young ravens, called the unkindness of ravens. He enjoys dropping and catching objects from the sky, and he catches small animals, like mice, to eat. He likes shiny things, and often picks up objects that have been left by humans. One day, he meets a raven named Viola. After courting for many months, Quoth and Viola build a nest together and prepare for their own chicks. Quoth the Raven is a delightful and beautifully illustrated picture book by author D. Burton Smith, about the life of a North American raven, named Quoth. The book follows his journey from before he was born, his life as a chick and a young adolescent, until he meets a life partner of his own. Burton Smith describes the behaviours and habitat of this beautiful, and often misunderstood, bird. While often associated with death and illness, raven’s are one of the smartest birds in the world. They can use tools, play games, and mimic animal, bird, and even human sounds. Ravens can even recognise people and hold grudges against those who have wronged them! The illustrations by Paul Hock are stunning. Each page is a work of art, with vivid colours and intricate details that bring Quoth’s world to life. Written from the perspective of the raven, this is a charming story that will engage readers of all ages. While primarily aimed at children, the illustrations and story make it a pleasure to read for adults and children alike. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful and beautifully illustrated picture book, that will spark children’s curiosity about the natural world and this magnificent species. Purchase here

< Back Eliana Hidalgo Mrs Owl's Messy Library Mrs Owl has so many books, she doesn’t know what to do with them all. Mrs Owl had many, many books. She loved all of her books, but her library was a mess! It was crowded, dark and very, very dusty. One day, Mrs Owl couldn’t find one of her favorite books. She searched the library and tripped over a pile of books, falling all the way down the stairs. Mrs Owl had finally had enough of the mess and decided to clean the whole library. Several weeks later, the library was thoroughly clean, but the book Mrs Owl was looking for was still nowhere to be seen. But when she finally finds the book, hidden in a special place, Mrs Owl thinks there is something missing from the library. She decides to open up the library to the neighborhood and invites all of her friends to borrow and read the books. Mrs Owl's Messy Library is a charming, illustrated picture book by Eliana Hidalgo, about a wise and book-loving owl who has so many books, she doesn’t know what to do with them all. After she loses one of her favorite books in the mess, she decides a thorough clean is well overdue. After the library is clean, she realizes that the library could be enjoyed by others in her community and opens it up, so others can enjoy her beloved books. This is a sweet story with an adorable owl character. The book celebrates the joy of reading and sharing an enjoyable book with others. It will hopefully inspire a love of reading among young readers. The pastel colored, whimsical illustrations by Sara E, Steinberg are simply delightful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: With sweet animal characters, themes of kindness and generosity, and the joy of discovering an enjoyable book, this is perfect for young readers who love animals and books alike. Purchase here

< Back Kathleen J Shields The First Unicorn How the first unicorn got his horn. A young colt named Aden was different to all the other horses. He liked to do good deeds, give to others, and bring good cheer. One day, after helping a nest of baby birds who were being hunted by a wild cat, Aden was approached by an angel. The angel told Aden that God had been watching him and was impressed by his kind actions. God gifted Aden a golden horn, on the condition that he shares his gift with others. But when Aden went to tell his herd of his extraordinary gift, they were not pleased. They thought the horn could be used as a weapon against them, and they chased him away. Aden traveled for miles and finally settled in a new home deep in the woods, where he shared his gift with all the woodland creatures. With his new horn, he helped a trapped turtle escape from a cavern, and an injured hedgehog who was unable to gather food. Aden was happy in his new home, giving and helping others. But one day, Aden learns that his mother has been severely injured by a wolf. He returns home to his herd and prays to God to perform a miracle. God answers his prayers, and his mother recovers from her injuries. The herd, keen to learn from Aden’s miracle, soon become a herd of unicorns, sharing Gods word. The First Unicorn by Kathleen J. Shields is a thought-provoking Christian graphic novel for middle grade readers. Partly inspired by the movie ‘The Last Unicorn,’ Shields tells the story of the first unicorn and how the horn was a gift from God for demonstrating love, kindness, and goodness. Beautifully written in rhyme, with charming illustrations and an endearing protagonist, this book is a great way to engage younger children in conversations about faith. Overall, an enchanting story that explores the origins of the mythical creature that has captured the human imagination for centuries. The book will appeal to Christian readers, and anyone with an interest in these beautiful, mythical creatures. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An enchanting story, beautifully written in rhyme, with charming illustrations and an endorsing protagonist. Purchase here

< Back Hans Ness Rolo the Pet Earthling Will a pet earthling discover the truth about his species? Zira, a Blorxling from the planet Blorx, wants a pet earthling. She begs her mom for many years, until one day she receives her very own human pet. She names the little earthling Rolo, and he soon settles into his new home. Luckily, Rolo is potty trained, but he does like to sneak into Zira’s bed at nighttime. As Rolo grows taller, hairier, and smellier, he becomes unsettled and very bored. While out walking one day with Zira, they meet a group of animal rights activists in the park. The activists are protesting about the rights of earthlings, chanting ‘Earthlings have rights too.’ Rolo becomes curious and wonders, Where do earthlings come from? And how did they live before they were pets? As he hangs out with his earthling friends in the park, he is spotted by the Animal Control Force and captured for not wearing his harness. Scared and confused, Rolo manages to escape from the bots. He is chased into a wormhole and finds himself in the big city, far away from his family and beloved Zira. Can Rolo find his way home before the Animal Control Force catch him? And will he ever discover the truth about the origins of his species? Rolo the Pet Earthling is a chapter book for middle grade readers by author Hans Ness. The book follows the adventures of a young alien from the planet Blorx and her earthling pet, Rolo. Owner and pet are involved in a fast paced and frantic cat and mouse chase, as they try to find one another before the human-catchers do. This is a fun book, set in a captivating alien world where human/animal roles are reversed. Children will enjoy the story and laugh out loud as the pet earthlings are treated in the same way we treat our pet dogs. This is a brilliant concept, with a compelling alien world and a captivating cast of weird and wonderful characters. The book will delight young readers who enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and funny stories. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A creative, imaginative, and funny book for middle grade readers, about a young alien and her beloved human pet. Purchase here

< Back Kat Farrow Bobbin and the Magic Thief Can a young faerie rescue her friend from an evil thief? Miss Bobbin, a head-strong young Spindle Faerie, is an outsider in the realm of the Eastern Faeries. But she needs all the help she can get from her fae-folk when her best friend, Heddy, is stolen. One day, whilst out exploring the woods, Bobbin and Heddy approach the millers cottage. The friends know they are forbidden to get close to humans, but Heddy is attracted to something in the cottage. Entranced by the millers’ daughter singing, Heddy enters the cottage and dances on the spinning wheel. Bobbin tries to coax her out of the cottage, but Heddy is snatched suddenly by a flying sack. Bobbin chases the sack and finds the thief; a strange, little man. She chases the thief but soon loses sight of him. Unable to find her friend, Bobbin seeks the help of the fair Queen Maeb. She pleads with the Queen to help her, but the Queen makes it clear that Bobbin must rescue Heddy herself, because she is the one responsible for her disappearance. As Bobbin sets out on her mission to locate the thief and rescue her friend, she joins allies with a host of woodland creatures. But unbeknownst to Bobbin, the thief has another, more sinister motive for stealing Heddy. When Bobbin learns of the thief’s plot, she is forced to break the faerie law in order to save her best friend. Will Bobbin save her friend? Or will the thief achieve his goal and destroy the Spindle Faeries? Bobbin and the Magic Thief: A Spindle Faerie Tale is the first book in the fantasy fiction series, by author Kat Farrow. The story is a retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin fairytale, with a magical infusion of faeries. In this imaginative adaptation, the author transports the reader to an enchanting faerie realm, full of charming characters, wonder, and adventure . The plot, while retaining some of the original Rumpelstiltskin story, takes on many twists and turns. Bobbin is a delightful character, and her journey to rescue her friend is also a personal journey of self-discovery. This is a wonderful novel for young readers, combining elements of magic, mystery, and suspense. It will appeal to readers who enjoy traditional fairy tales as well as contemporary fantasy fiction. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A traditional fairy tale reimagined and infused with enchanting faerie magic. Purchase here

< Back Claudine C Wargel Hattie and Dirks Great Garden Surprise The second instalment in The Adventures of Hattie Mae Bramble series Twelve-year-old Hattie Mae lives on a farm in Central Illinois. She dreams of becoming a veterinarian and enjoys helping out with the farm animals, but is less keen on tending to the plants, especially in the hot Illinois summer. Halloween is approaching and Hattie is looking at the pumpkins in Mr Pinchly’s garden shop, with her little brother, Dirk. They notice how expensive the pumpkins are and think they could produce their own pumpkins on their farm, for a fraction of the cost. When they bump into Dirk’s friend who cannot afford to buy a pumpkin, the siblings have an idea to make sure every kid has a pumpkin for the next Halloween. Hattie and Dirk are carving pumpkins with the 4-H club in their garden. The session ends with a messy pumpkin fight, and squidgy pumpkin guts splattered all over the ground. In the spring, Hattie and Dirk plant their pumpkin seeds, and look after the seedlings carefully. But during the summer, their piglets escape and trample all over the pumpkin patch. Most of the pumpkin plants are destroyed, but in the fall Hattie and Dirk harvest a small number of pumpkins and sell them from their farm. But little do they know, following their pumpkin fight the previous year, there is a surprise hidden away in their back garden. Hattie and Dirk’s Great Garden Surprise is a delightful book for middle grade readers by Claudine C. Wargel, and the second book in The Adventures of Hattie Mae Bramble series. Set in the 1970s, on a Central Illinois farm, this is a charming story of a twelve-year-old girl, and her adventures with her little brother. The book beautifully captures the essence of rural life, during a time before cell phones, the internet, computer gaming and social media. It is a reminder of a simpler life when children could play in their natural environment without external distractions. But it is not all play, as Hattie and Dirk have to help out on the farm and complete their daily chores. Hattie and Dirk learn important lessons about responsibility and perseverance, and the rewards of hard work. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautiful story, delicately crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. Purchase here

< Back Cheryl Johnson Charli's Adventure Journal, Destination Victoria, Texas and Beyond Young explorer, Charli, and her adventures in her hometown, Victoria, Texas. Inspired by a famous explorer from the 1800’s named Ida Phieffer; Charlotte (Charli) Beatriz Phieffer writes stories about her travel adventures in her journal. Charli’s dad travels all over the world with his work, and sometimes Charli travels with him. She loves to explore and learn new things about the different places she visits. In this book, Charli explores her hometown, Victoria in Texas, which was founded two hundred years ago and has a fascinating history. In her journal, Charli captures a series of adventures in Victoria and beyond: from camping at Lake Texana, zoo-keeping at Texas Zoo, and the annual, lighted Christmas parade. There are twenty-two adventures in total and each adventure is captured on a double-page spread. Each spread includes Charli’s personal experience of the adventure, lots of fascinating facts and beautiful photography. It includes the location of the adventure, Charli’s favorite and most interesting things, and a special imagination or adventure challenge, where Charli had to learn something new or take part in a new activity. Charli's Adventure Journal, Destination: Victoria, Texas and Beyond, is a wonderful travel adventure book by author Cheryl Johnson. Written as a journal extract, the book combines a story of a fictional character, with a handy travel resource. Charli is a charming, fun, and adventurous character and I particularly liked the whimsical illustrations. Young people will relate to the character and enjoy reading about her adventures. The travel resource provides lots of fascinating facts and insightful information about each place and can be used by readers to help plan their own travel adventure. I didn’t know much about Victoria before I read this book, but I do now! It has inspired me to visit this fascinating and historical town, and I look forward to reading more about Charli’s other adventures too. Overall, an insightful and entertaining book for adventurers and travel enthusiasts of any age. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, insightful and entertaining story, with a charming protagonist and a handy travel guide of Victoria, Texas. Purchase here

< Back Laurie Anne Zaleski Travels with Ariel - What's up in Baker Lake? Can a young scientist rescue injured caribou and repair a twenty-year-old borehole? Eleven-year-old Ariel is passionate about the earth, rocks, and science. After winning first place in an International Science Fair at school, she is selected for a HER ( Headquarters of Environmental Resolution) mentorship program . As part of the program, she has the opportunity to work alongside real scientists and be part of a real-life scientific investigation. She is given an assignment in Baker Lake, Canada, and travels with her mom and beloved dog, Champ, to a site on the very edge of the Arctic Circle. She meets her mentor, a world-renowned geomorphologist Dr Bryce, and learns that several caribou have been injured near a damaged borehole on the Arctic Tundra. Her mission is to work with the scientists to investigate, repair, and recalibrate the old borehole and safeguard the migrating caribou. Ariel and the team trek to the site and find an injured caribou and her young calf. They secure the site and take the injured caribou back to the town for treatment. As the caribou are treated, the scientists attempt to repair the borehole, so it can continue to capture important data about the terrain. Will the caribou recover from their injuries? Can they be released back into the wild to continue their journey? And will the team be able to repair the twenty-year-old borehole to secure the site for future generations? Travels with Ariel - What's up in Baker Lake? by author Laurie Anne Zaleski is a chapter book for newly independent readers about a young girl who goes on a scientific adventure of a lifetime to the Arctic Tundra. Ariel is a charming, likeable, and fun character, with a love for geology and conservation, and a passion for adventure. Her journey is inspiring, as she wins a contest and fulfils her dream to be involved in a real-life scientific investigation. The book is full of interesting facts and figures about the earth, geology, and science in general, and will encourage young readers to explore more about these fascinating subjects. I hope this book will inspire a love of STEM, and the next generation of geologists and scientists. Fascinating, insightful, and inspiring. Who said rocks were boring? Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful, inspiring story about a young geologist who goes on an amazing adventure to the Arctic Tundra, Purchase here

< Back Jo-Ann Scranton Kathi Q Builds a Time Machine? Can Kathi Q fulfil her dream and build the worlds first time travelling machine? Kathi loves to build machines. She can practically build anything and everything from everyday household items. One day, Kathi has an idea. She decides to make the world’s first time-machine. Inside her garage, she connects old buttons, gears, switches, toggles, batteries, and zippers together. Eureka, her time machine is born! But when Kathi switches on her time machine, something very strange happens. Everything and everyone are upside down. She hasn’t built a time machine; she has built an upside-down machine! But Kathi doesn’t worry, she decides being upside down is much more fun anyway. As Kathi uses a pair of suction cups to stick to the floor, she quickly adapts to the upside-down world. But, as everything starts to fall to the ceiling, she soon discovers life upside down is not as fun as it seems. How long will Kathi be stuck upside-down? And can Kathi’s machine make the world the right side up again? Kathi Q. Builds a Time Machine is an illustrated picture book by author Jo-Ann Scranton about a very creative, inventive, and talented young woman who loves to build magnificent machines. But when things don’t go quite to plan, Kathi doesn’t worry and makes the most of the situation. This is a fun book for readers, who will enjoy reading about Kathi’s adventures and the silly situations in which she finds herself. It will encourage young readers to be creative, and might even encourage them to start their own science or technology project! This is a unique and imaginative picture book, with an interesting and memorable protagonist. I would love to read more about Kathi and follow her amazing STEM inspired adventures. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, unique and imaginative picture book about a creative and inventive young woman who loves to build magnificent machines. Purchase here