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< Back Anna Kutishcheva Jake and Nick's Spooky Fall A spooky tale, with a couple of adorable canine characters from author and illustrator Anna Kutishcheva An adorable picture book about two canine friends and their fun-filled adventures. Jake wants to play. He is happy, confident, and energetic. He wants to jump and frolic in the leaves with his friend Nick. But Nick isn’t in the mood to play today. He is tired and a little scared. He sees monsters everywhere! In the closet, under the bed, and behind the shower curtain. Nick has nowhere to hide! Jake is not afraid of monsters. He reassures his friend there are no monsters, it’s just his imagination. But the dogs need to be on guard. Someone or something is stealing their kibble! Is it just Nick’s imagination? Or do monsters really exist? The story and the fear of the unknown will resonate with young children. Those sudden movements, unusual objects or unexpected sounds can often create such anxiety in little people. The book will provide comfort to young children that it is perfectly okay to be a little scared sometimes, but that not everything is as it seems. Things that might at first appear scary are usually nothing to worry about at all. Young children will love the adorable canine characters and their fun-filled adventures. They will laugh at Nick’s attempts to run away and hide as they discover the real identity of the ‘monsters.’ Kutishcheva’s illustrations are delightful. The whimsical, watercolour style illustrations bring the story and the characters to life, and will engage readers of all ages. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A super cute book, about two canine friends and their fear of monsters. A FINALIST and highly recommended. Purchase here

Readers Choice Book Awards, book reviews and awards voted by readers in three categories, with cash prizes for gold award winners: Best Childrens Book 3-6; Best Childrens Book 7-10; Best Childrens Book Illustrations; Best Childrens Book Cover Design. Previous Winners Autumn 2023 Spring 2023 Autumn 2022 Spring 2022 Winter 2021 Summer 2021

< Back Susan and Megan Downing Bradykin Unleashed: A Summer Camp Adventure Bradykin and his siblings enjoy a fun-filled summer at camp. Six pup siblings arrive at camp for a fun-filled, summer adventure. They settle into their lakeside cabin, and make up their bunk beds. During their week-long stay at the camp, the pups take part in many land-based and water adventures. The camp counsellors organise lots of crafts and activities, they build campfires and toast marshmallows, and sing songs together under the moonlight. Bradykin enjoys sailing on the lake and feeling the wind in his face, Baileykin likes the speed and thrill of waterskiing, Mattykin plays whiffle ball games on the sandy shore of the lake, and Megykin prefers the energy and zest of volleyball. The pups make lots of new friends at summer camp, develop new skills, and learn more about nature and the forest. Bradykin Unleashed: A Summer Camp Adventure is a sweet and charming picture book about a group of loveable, sibling puppies who go to summer camp together, by Susan and Megan Downing. The book explores the pups journey, as they experience the joy and wonder of camp together for the first time. While the siblings enjoy spending time together, each pup is unique and take part in different sports and activities. The pups make new friends, learn new skills, and make memories at camp that will last a lifetime. The colourful illustrations and depictions of camp-life are sure to captivate young readers and encourage them to try new things. This is a perfect book for any child attending summer camp for the first time, or simply looking for an entertaining summer read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful picture book, capturing the excitement and wonder of attending summer camp for the first time. Purchase here

< Back April Lopez Napoleon: No Ordinary Donkey Will Napoleon the donkey find his special and unique gift? Arthur, a bouncing little bull, and Napoleon, a darling little donkey, are best friends. When a storm brews over Sunny Hills Farm, Napoleon follows Arthur into the little red barn to take shelter, with the other cows. But Brutus the bull does not like the little donkey in the cow barn, and Napoleon has to go outside, alone in the storm. Napoleon is sad, cold and drenched, and doesn’t know where he belongs. He meets a momma duck and her six ducklings and tries to tuck his head under his foreleg like the ducks, but he falls over. Napoleon is sad that he isn’t big and strong like Brutus, and that he can’t fly or sit in the rain like the ducks. He stumbles into the stable and meets Sampson the noble steed, but Sampson doesn’t let him stay in the stable either. Napoleon sits in a puddle in the middle of the storm, and cries. He thinks he doesn’t fit in and wishes the rain would wash him away. He meets Alfred the Great, the wise billy goat, who lets him shelter under the shed, and explains he has a special and unique gift. Will Napoleon find his special and unique gift? Can you guess what it is? Napoleon: No Ordinary Donkey by author April Lopez is a sweet picture book about a little donkey, who doesn’t feel like he belongs. When a storm arrives, he is pushed out, left out, and has to endure the stormy weather all by himself. Until he meets a wise billy goat who helps him discover his special and unique gift. Younger children will love the adorable donkey character and will relate to his experiences as he is isolated by his peers. The book will encourage young children to find their own special and unique gifts, and will help them develop confidence and self-esteem. This is a delightful book and a pleasure to read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An inspiring and uplifting illustrated picture book for pre-school children, with adorable animal characters, and an important message about the value of friendship, kindness and inclusion. Purchase here

< Back Nadia Khan Zoey Wonders Why Zoey is proud to share her cultural heritage at her new school, by author Nadia Khan Five-year-old Zoey is starting school in September, but she is a little worried about the homework she has been set. The children have been asked to tell their family stories, and to share their culture and food with the class. Zoey is confused. Her parents are from India and Pakistan in South Asia, and Nigeria in Africa. Zoey was born in the United States, so she asks her mommy, What am I? Who am I? Zoey is confused and is worried she will not remember when she has to share her story with the class. When school starts, Zoey listens to the other children tell their family stories and is looking forward to tasting all the delicious food they have brought in to eat. She gets over-excited and disrupts the class, and the teacher sends a letter home to her parents. Her mommy talks to her, and explains the importance of staying calm and being kind. With a little help from her mommy, and her brothers Zaky and Max, Zoey prepares the food to share with her class, delicious samosas with aloo and rice. But, Zoey gets over-excited again and pushes her brother over to taste the food. The next day, its Zoey’s turn. She is proud to tell the story of her family, and shares her food with the class. Zoey Wonders Why by author Nadia Khan is a sweet story about a little girl who is daunted by starting school and sharing her family story with her class. She is proud of her rich cultural heritage, but it is complicated and confusing for a little girl to understand. As she learns more about her family history, she also learns about the importance of showing kindness to her friends and brothers. The book has several themes, ie, starting school, family culture and history, making and sharing food, relationships with brothers, behaviour at school. Overall, this is a lovely picture book, which will help younger children learn about different cultures and will encourage them to show kindness to others Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet picture book, with an important message about cultural diversity, and showing kindness to others. Purchase here

< Back Ed Norwood Be a Giant Killer: Overcoming Your Everyday Goliaths Author Ed Norwood helps others to face their fears, through following the teachings found in the Bible. Be a Giant Killer: Overcoming Your Everyday Goliaths by Ed Norwood is a non-fiction Christian book about how to overcome adversity and take back control of your life. The author draws on his experience of losing twenty-seven members of his own family, when cult leader, Jim Jones, massacred over 900 people in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978. Norwood describes the guilt and shame this placed on his own family, and how the tragedy turned many of his relatives away from God. This tragic event overshadowed his own life until he reconnected with God and discovered the life lessons in this book. He refers to negative events, people, and thoughts as ‘giants’, which exist to intimidate us and kill our dreams. Rather than run away from these giants, he explains that we must run towards them, confront them, and face our fears with courage to break the chain of transmission to the next generation. Norwood identifies seven giants (fear, dissatisfaction, unforgiveness, addiction, laziness, procrastination, and folly) that many of us will face in life, and he uses the biblical story of David and Goliath throughout the book to show how we can overcome those giants. This is a powerful, deeply moving, and inspiring, self-help book that will help readers identify and conquer their own giants. Whilst this book will appeal to those who might be seeking spiritual guidance, you do not need to be religious to understand the messages within this book. Ed Norwood is an inspirational man, and he tells his story with honesty and compassion. He has shown how he has slayed his own giants through following the teachings found in the Bible, and he uses his experiences to help others to overcome their own struggles. A remarkable book, by a remarkable man, and highly recommended. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful, deeply moving, and inspiring, self-help book that will help readers identify and conquer their own giants. Purchase here

< Back Apple An Mother of Red Mountains: A Novel of a Woman's Journey Through Revolutionary China Eleven year old XiaoJun Liu, enjoys helping out in her father’s store in Chifeng, northeastern China. The Liu family is close knit, but life changes when the eldest son joins Chiang Kai-Shek’s National Army to fight in the Civil War, and Mrs Liu dies suddenly. XiaoJun starts school and excels academically, but she is made homeless at the age of 17 when the government of the People’s Republic of China seize the family home. XiaoJun finds friendship and comfort with a schoolboy named Yanshao. XiaoJun changes her name to Jun, and attends a vocational school to study civil engineering with Yanshao. Jun and Yanshao develop a deep affection for one another, but dating at school is strictly forbidden. Following her graduation, Jun finds work in a prestigious civil engineering institute, and drifts apart from Yanshao. She meets a man named Binkai and becomes pregnant out of wedlock. She quickly marries Binkai, but due to their different social statuses, she is never fully accepted by his family. Jun struggles to balance work and new motherhood, and is forced to rely on Binkai’s family for support. But when the Red Guards threaten the in-laws, Jun has a difficult decision to make to protect her children. Mother of Red Mountains: A Novel of a Woman's Journey Through Revolutionary China is a historical fiction novel by author Apple An. Set in China between 1946 and 1966, this is a powerful and poignant novel about a young girl growing up during a turbulent period of China’s history – a time marked by war, political upheaval and social change. Jun faces unimaginable grief and hardship in the new People’s Republic of China, but fights to survive against all odds to give her children a better life. Apple An masterfully blends historical moments with a deeply personal narrative, capturing the struggles of a generation alongside an individual perspective. XiaoJun Liu’s journey is both heart breaking and inspirational. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A powerful and poignant historical fiction novel that transports the reader to mid-twentieth century China. Purchase here

Books age 3 to 7 Books age 8 to 12 Books for teens / young adult Books for adults

< Back Jeremy Bazley My China - Living Inside the Dragon A fascinating insight into China and Chinese culture, by author Jeremy Bazley. My China - Living inside the Dragon is a memoir by author Jeremy Bazley about his experiences and observations of living, working and travelling in China between 2002-2017. Bazley went to work in China in 2002, on behalf of a UK based entrepreneur, managing a joint venture with a state-controlled company making high quality cigarette paper for the huge Chinese market. During this fifteen-year period, Bazley visited twenty-four out of thirty-three regions, covering 73 per cent by region in all geographic areas of China. The book provides a unique western perspective on living in China, away from the more ‘isolated chattering classes, intelligencia and professional communities of the larger cities’ . Bazley built a home and life for himself in a country where he initially did not speak the language. He benefited from many privileges that came with his job, but he also made significant personal sacrifices, that impacted his marriage and children. Bazley’s work brought him in contact with all aspects of Chinese life and culture, from Beijing to the modern mega cities and the rural countryside. Bazley describes his early days in the city of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province in eastern China; his experience of China and ways of life, including Chinese drinking culture, food, leisure pursuits, business dealings, politics and education; his personal life, and his travels across the country. Bazley provides a non-judgmental commentary on China’s politics, economic growth and culture during a period of historic growth and evolution. During his time in China, Bazley was presented with various awards of recognition through the all-important ‘Friendship’, from the Jiaxing city and Zhejiang provincial governments in China. This is an enlightening, engaging and entertaining book about an English man’s life, work and travels across China. I particularly enjoyed Bazley’s extracts from detailed personal diary notes , which were heartfelt, funny and fascinating. The book will appeal to readers who are interested in China, and Chinese culture and politics, those who are considering working and living in China, and anyone interested in travel and adventure. China is an amazing country and is now firmly on my bucket list! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An enlightening, engaging and entertaining book about an English man’s life, work and travels across China. Purchase here

< Back Nikita Kapoor Pack of the Lost- The Uninviting Forest Two young wolves must face their fears and enter a dangerous forest, by author Nikita Kapoor A pack of majestic wolves live peacefully in a cave on the edge of the forest on a crooked mountain. But when the roof collapses and the cave crumbles, two young wolves, Daffodil and Jasper, become separated from the pack. Jasper tries to persuade Daffodil to search for the pack in the forbidden, uninviting forest. The forest has hidden dangers and Daffodil is scared, but she won’t allow Jasper to journey alone. She reluctantly agrees, and together they venture into the depths of the forest. Jasper and Daffodil are chased by hungry tigers, and become separated. Jasper desperately searches for Daffodil, and whilst trying to avoid danger, he meets two dogs, Cosmo and Nova. Meanwhile, Daffodil is lost, scared and alone, deep in the forest. She meets a white wolf named Iris and finds a magical amulet, with a connection to her ancestors and the wolf god, Felix. The ghost of Felix helps the pair out of danger and the friends are reunited, but Daffodil is troubled by inner turmoil, and Jasper is haunted by a disturbing dream. Will the pair ever find their way out of the uninviting forest? And can they rebuild their pack? The Uninviting Forest, by ten-year old author Nikita Kapoor, is an imaginative, magical, fantasy fiction novel for middle grade readers. This is the first book in the Pack of the Lost series, and is packed full of action and adventure. The two main characters show strength, determination and leadership skills, as they face their fears and overcome many challenges in the forest. With excellent writing for someone so young, superb world-building, and captivating characters, Nikita Kapoor is a talent to watch out for. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An imaginative, magical, fantasy fiction novel, packed full of action and adventure. Purchase here

< Back Aimee Hill All The Gray In Between Two clients, two deaths, one month apart . Thirty-year-old therapist, Lexi, specialises in cases of child neglect and parental alienation, a form of abuse where one parent is intentionally negative towards the other parent. Lexi had a good childhood, but everything changed when her wealthy stepfather abused her during her teenage years. Lexi’s mother stuck with her husband, and abandoned Lexi when she reported the abuse to the police. Following her stepfathers conviction, Lexi was awarded millions of dollars in compensation, which meant she never had to work again. However, as a result of her own trauma, she was determined to help other children, and qualified as a therapist. Lexi has had an on-off relationship with Beau, a detective for the Key Sebastian Police Department, for many years. Beau was also neglected by his mother and abused as a child. Lexi loves him deeply but is scared of commitment due to their troubled upbringings. When one of Lexi’s clients commits suicide, she wonders whether she could have done more to save her life. One month later, another client also commits suicide in similar circumstances. Lexi becomes suspicious and questions the cause of both deaths. Lexi believes there is foul play and starts to investigate the case with Beau. They find a connection between the deaths and a police officer, her own brother, and the son of one of her clients. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or is someone targeting Lexi’s clients to get to her? Meanwhile, Lexi thinks she is being followed, and her estranged mother pays her an unexpected visit. Will Lexi and Beau solve the two mysterious deaths? Will Lexi forgive her mother? And can the couple leave their past behind them and move forward with their lives together? All The Gray In Between is a harrowing, psychological thriller / crime mystery by author Aimee Hill. Hill weaves a chilling tale of a therapist whose life takes a dark and twisted turn when two of her clients are found dead in mysterious circumstances. As Lexi, and her on-off partner, Beau investigates the case, old wounds are opened, and their relationship is put to the test. With strong characters, and an original plot with plenty of twists and turns, this is a captivating read that was hard to put down. The twist at the end of the book was totally unexpected and made me reevaluate the whole story. A must read for fans of psychological thrillers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A harrowing, psychological thriller about a therapist whose life takes a dark and twisted turn when two of her clients are found dead. Purchase here

< Back Karen K. Brees Crosswind The adventures of a female spy during WWII, by author Karen K. Brees It’s June 1940, and MI6 Agent, Katrin Nissen, a Danish-American Professor of Botany, is sent to Nazi Germany to investigate the disappearance of a missing MI6 operative. Dieter Weiss, a German operative working for the Allies, has gone missing along with a top-secret microfilm believed to be in his possession. Dieter was last known to be searching for his estranged sister, Kristine Trautmann, a staunch Nazi Party member and a photographer working with Heinrich Himmler, a leading member of the Party. Using her academic research as a cover story, Katrin attends a horticultural conference at the University of Berlin to deliver a research paper, putting her life and reputation at risk. The conference is organised by Heinrich Himmler, to showcase the Nazis' plans to redesign nature and eliminate undesirable plants, aligned to Hitler’s social policies of eugenics. At the conference, Katrin m eets Weiss’ sister and discovers more about the Nazi’s horrific plans. But as Katrin lear ns of a number of mysterious deaths amongst the university faculty, she soon realises that the Nazi’s aren’t the only ones to fear. Crosswind: The WWII Adventures of MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen, is an excellent and satisfying World War II spy thriller, by author Karen K. Brees. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and gripping novel about a female spy on a secret mission to solve a mystery for MI6. Set in Berlin during the early days of World War II, the book is extensively researched and historically accurate. While a work of fiction, the novel was inspired by the remarkable stories of the many female spies who risked their lives during World War II. Beautifully written by Brees, the narrative slowly builds tension as it shifts between Katrin’s point of view, and other perspectives. With a well-developed and authentic character, and a gripping plot with plenty of twists and turns, this book will appeal to readers of historical fiction, espionage and political thrillers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An excellent and satisfying World War II spy thriller, about a female agent on a secret mission to solve a mystery for MI6 during World War II. Purchase here