Search Results

< Back Ali Barclay The Tales of Charlie Wags: London Part of the Charlie Wags series, this book follows Charlie as he visits London, England. With a familiar introduction to the story, Charlie wags his tail and travels to London. His first stop is the grand Buckingham Palace, where the King and Queen of England live. Next, he visits Westminster Abbey, the church where Kings and Queens are crowned, and royalty get married. He see Big Ben, the big clock tower and has tea and scones in a fancy restaurant. He hops aboard a boat on the Thames River and passes under Tower Bridge, and he visits the great Tower of London where he sees the royal jewels. With a trip to Borough Market, and a ride on the London Eye, this is a trip Charlie will never forget. In The Tales of Charlie Wags: London by author Ali Barclay, a little pup takes a trip to London, the capital city of England. Each stop on the journey is brought to life with watercolour style, pastel illustrations that capture the magic of this special city. The story is a great addition to the series and encourages young readers to explore new places, and embrace new experiences and different cultures. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A pup-filled travel exploration of London. Joyful, colourful and full of adventure. Purchase here

< Back Regan Walker The Irish Yankee Book blurb... In June 1775, amid the Revolutionary War’s early stirrings, Irish Yankee Jeremiah O’Brien, seizes a British armed schooner off the Maine coast to thwart the cargo of lumber she was escorting from reaching British forces in Boston. Inspired by this daring victory, Jeremiah abandons his lumber business to command privateer vessels, relentlessly pursuing British merchant ships across dangerous waters. Defying the British navy’s tightening grip on the Massachusetts coast, he risks his life and his ships to capture many prizes. Yet his greatest battle may lay onshore: winning the heart of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, a fiercely independent woman who loves the freedom he fights for. Only a man worthy of the title “the hero of the Lexington of the Sea” could earn her love and prove himself worthy of her strength. Purchase here

< Back Debz Hobbs-Wyatt If Crows Could Talk Book blurb... George Tucker and April Jefferson have never met but they share a secret. Born the same day fifty years apart, in the same town in Florida, both are battling demons. George is African-American - now living in Atlanta, having run from Jim Crow - only it seems you can't outrun the past. April is a white teenager terrified she will end up like her mother. George's story is set over fifty years, April's over a single year... yet their destinies are tied up together. They must meet... but how is the troubled teenager April the key to unlocking the secrets of George's past? Find out in the gripping If Crows Could Talk by award-winning literary writer Debz Hobbs-Wyatt. Purchase here

< Back Leah Ingledew Where's My Shell? Help find a tiny turtle a brand-new shell, with author and illustrator Leah Ingledew He is small, he is scared, and he is naked. He is a teeny, tiny turtle with a rather big problem. He appears to have lost his shell. A shell that protects him from the elements, and from pesky predators that might gobble him up at any moment. But (thankfully) no-one wants to eat the naked tiny turtle, because without his shell no-one can quite figure out who or what exactly he is! So the tiny turtle sets off to find a new shell, and with a little help from his coastal friends, he tries on many new shell-like substitutes for size. The seaweed is too scratchy, the pebble is too tough, and the hermit-crab’s shell is already rather occupied. The tiny turtle finally finds his perfect shell, just in time to help a slimy sea snail. A slimy sea snail who is small, scared, and naked. A slimy sea snail with a rather big problem… This is a fabulous and fun picture book for young children. It is well written by Ingledew, with great use of repetition and alliteration. This is a great read aloud story where children will love to repeat the phrases and the tongue-twisting names of all the creatures. They will laugh at the turtles’ antics and his unsuccessful attempts to find a suitable shell. They will adore the little turtle character and enjoy the glorious coastal scenes, beautifully illustrated by Ingledew. Leah Ingledew has an amazing talent for both illustration and storytelling and we look forward to watching her progress further in this artform. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fabulous and fun picture book with an adorable main character. Well written and beautifully illustrated. A BRONZE WINNER and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back J.R. Buchta NORTH: A Magical Friendship Story Set in the enchanting North Pole, the story follows three old friends, the North Wind, the North Star, and the Northern Lights as they try to find new friends. They enjoy each other’s company and have lots of animal friends, but they would like new companions to brighten their frozen magical world. They think about all the different attributes of a good friend – kindness, helpfulness, loyalty, honesty, respectfulness, and friendliness. The North Wind, the North Star, and the Northern Lights work together and use their imagination and magical powers to create new friends using stardust and snowflakes. Out of the bright sky, lit by the Northern Lights, stirred by the North Wind, and dusted by the North Star, the three friends bring to life something extra special that will bring joy to the North Pole and children everywhere. NORTH: A Magical Friendship Story by author J.R. Buchta is a delightful and heartwarming story that celebrates friendship, imagination, and teamwork. The book emphasizes the importance of collaboration and creativity, showing how magic happens when friends work together. Erin O’Leary Brown’s whimsical artwork brings the snowy landscapes and magical characters to life beautifully. The surprise at the end of the story, adds an extra layer of excitement for young readers and sets the stage for future adventures. Overall, this is a beautifully crafted picture book that combines a magical storyline with stunning illustrations. Adults and children will enjoy this imaginative journey to the North Pole. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful, imaginative picture book, with a timeless message about friendship, community, and collaboration. Purchase here

< Back Shawn Callaway Hays and Stephen Callaway Hays What Light Was What Light Was is a dialogue novel by authors Shawn Hays and Stephen Hays. The book interweaves the stories of two famous authors, Mary Shelley, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The authors reconstruct their worlds, drawing connections between their personal lives, relationships, and their literary masterpieces. Mary Shelley, the nineteenth century English author of Frankenstein, whose personal life was as dramatic as her iconic novel. Her story is not just about her literary creations, but of the devastating losses she experienced throughout her life. Shelley’s writing became a form of healing, a way of finding her voice and making sense of her grief and heartache. A century later, American author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby represents Fitzgerald’s disillusionment with the Jazz Age – a period marked by excess, wealth and prohibition. Fitzgerald drew from his own personal experiences, his relationship with his wife who initially rejected him because of his lack of wealth, and led him towards the lifestyle he loathed. What Light Was is an extraordinary novel written in dialogue by authors Shawn Hays and Stephen Hays. The stories of Shelley and Fitzgerald are beautifully retold through of blend of dialogue, poetry, and meditation. The book captures a writer’s life, their fears, anxieties, self-doubt, and inspiration. It highlights the emotional and artistic parallels between the two authors, and explores the impact of the creative process on the artists. It examines the relationship between suffering and creativity. Do you have to endure heartbreak, tragedy and turmoil to produce something extraordinary? This is a fascinating and unique novel, and nothing like I have read before. I was totally engrossed from the very first page to the last. The book offers a fresh perspective on two literary icons and will appeal to readers of literary fiction, and fans of Shelley and Fitzgerald. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A masterpiece of literary fiction by Shawn Hays and Stephen Hays. Purchase here

< Back Greg Payne My Grandpa's Grandpa An unforgettable bedtime story, by Greg Payne Charlie’s grandpa and grandma are visiting, and after a fun-filled day of adventures and wrestling, his grandpa tucks him into bed. Charlie asks his grandpa whether he had a grandpa when he was young. His grandpa tells Charlie that he had a grandpa and he loved him very much. He explains that his grandpa lived on a farm when he was a boy, and had to help out with farm duties whilst also going to school. His grandpas’ grandpa loved sports, just like Charlie, and when he left school he joined the army and fought in a great war. Charlie’s grandpa shows him photographs of his grandpa and describes how he liked to wrestle with him and climb on him, and how his grandpa took him to many fun and wonderful places when he was a young boy. Just before Charlie drifts off to sleep, he asks if he can meet his great-grandpa, His grandpa explains that one day, many years in the future, Charlie will meet his great-grandpa, great-grandma, and many other members of his family. My Grandpa’s Grandpa is a sweet and heart-warming picture book about the love and unique bond between a grandchild and grandparent, and the special times they spend together sharing stories. Through their adventures and stories, Charlie learns more about the past, his family history and what life was like many years ago. The book introduces younger readers to issues they might be unfamiliar with, such as rural life, war and death, and will encourage further discussions with caregivers. This is a great intergenerational picture book for grandparents, or any care-giver, to share with children at bedtime. The illustrations by Narayan Baidya are wonderful, and I particularly enjoyed the images of Charlie ‘watching’ the historical scenes of his great grandpa brought to life. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet and heart-warming picture book about the love and unique bond between a grandchild and grandparent, and the special times they spend together sharing stories. Purchase here

< Back Sasha Graham Whitney Wins Everything: A Tiny Ninja Book Competitive Whitney learns an important life lesson from her Tiny Ninja, from author Sasha Graham Whitney really does win everything. From football and roller staking, to running and jumping. She is the best at everything, and she knows it! Whitney’s Tiny Ninja tries to remind her that winning is not always the most important thing, but Whitney doesn’t always listen. Whatever it is, Whitney is determined to win. Until one day, Whitney is not invited to a party because her friends are worried that she will win all the prizes, and then her soccer coach changes the rules so her team cannot win the match. Whitney is confused but soon comes to realise that there are more important things than winning and maybe her Tiny Ninja was right after all. This is a charming children’s picture book, with a positive message about kindness and compassion. It reinforces the message that being kind and helping others to succeed feels good, and is just as rewarding as winning yourself. Some young children are extremely competitive by nature and hate to lose, and this book will remind them to focus their energies on having fun and building good friendships. An important life lesson for both children and adults. The illustrations by Angelina Valieva are colourful, whimsical, and extraordinarily detailed. Children will love to find the Tiny Ninjas hidden in the pictures. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A charming children’s picture book, with a positive message about kindness and compassion. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back David Zelman PhD What's Next? Get Clear & Get Going The opportunity to create your life awaits you. What's Next? Get Clear and Get Going, is a self-help book from author and CEO of Transitions Institute Inc, David Zelman, PhD. Based on forty years of experience teaching , training, coaching, and mentoring thousands of people, Zelman presents the Transitions Program, a unique approach to help people resolve their own problems and achieve their goals. Zelman argues that his program is different from traditional self-help programs because it encourages people to take ownership of their past and the present, to develop an enlightened relationship with their future. He argues that the key to success lies within us, we just have to learn how to unlock it. The program focuses attention on achieving both tangible (ie the things you want to achieve, such as getting a new job, or moving home) and intangible positive outcomes (ie your experiences and emotional responses to the things you are and are not accomplishing). Central to the program is the theory that people cannot focus on two distinctly different thoughts at the same time (ie positive and negative thoughts). As such, by focusing on positive thoughts, the process helps to free people from the distracting and negative thoughts that might hinder their progress. What's Next? Get Clear and Get Going by David Zelman, PhD is a powerful and inspirational self-help book that takes readers on a journey towards self-awareness, self-improvement, and self-discovery. The book explores the power of the mind, encouraging readers to cultivate a positive, future focused outlook. Zelman draws on his own personal journey towards self-improvement, including learnings from Transcendental Meditation and Erhard Training. He presents real life stories from a number of clients he has helped throughout his career, and the tools and techniques he used to help them discover their full potential. T hrough following Zelman’s guidance, readers will discover their innate ability to create the life they want to live. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful and inspirational self-help book that empowers readers to take control of their lives and shape their own futures. Purchase here

< Back Danny Holst Promised Land Author Danny Holst provides a moving insight into the experiences of African American men during the Great War Robert Johnson migrated from Maryland to Harlem in 1913, with his daughter Belinda, who was born blind. Robert falls in love with Mary, a teacher at Belinda’s school, and they start to plan a future together. But, following a violent incident at a peaceful, democratic protest, Robert and his friend Clifford are wrongfully arrested. They know they will face racial discrimination if the case goes to trial, and so they reluctantly agree to sign up for the army to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Mary takes care of Belinda and Clifford’s six children, as the pair are sent to the South for military training. Robert and Clifford face racism and brutality throughout their training, and during their military combat in the Great War. Both are sadly lost in action, but receive posthumous bravery awards from the French government. Meanwhile, Belinda is hit by a car and spends fifty years in a coma. When she finally awakes in 1969, her whole family is gone, and she is left to fend for herself. The entire world around her has changed, but racism and discrimination are still present in Harlem. Belinda faces tremendous hardship as she tries to find her way, alone, homeless and on the streets. Promised Land is an inspirational story about an African American family and their experiences of growing up in Harlem in the early 1900s. The book provides a unique insight into the experiences of African American men during World War I, and how the racial injustices they experienced at home followed them overseas and into war. With vivid dialogue and graphic descriptions, the book provides a fascinating insight into Black American history and the social, racial, and political tensions during this period. A captivating read. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A captivating and inspirational story about an African American family and their experiences of growing up in Harlem in the early 1900s. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back K J Kelly However Long the Day Lorna escapes an arranged marriage in Canada and builds a new life in Michigan, enduring hardships such as mining accidents, brutal winters, and the loss of her husband, Patrick. Lorna's determination and resourcefulness shine as she raises her children amidst adversity, eventually remarrying Max to reunite her family after a period of separation. Lorna's daughter, Grace, inherits her mother's strength and tenacity. Grace marries Joseph, a charming and ambitious man, and they move near to Tacoma, Washington. As the couple build a family, Grace navigates the challenges of living next to Joseph's controlling and judgmental family. Her struggles intensify after Joseph's untimely death, leaving her to raise five children alone during the Great Depression. Despite the hardships, Grace demonstrates remarkable resilience, finding ways to provide for her family and maintain their dignity. The story delves into the complexities of family relationships, particularly the tension between Grace and her in-laws, and the enduring impact of hidden family secrets. The story is set against the backdrop of key historical events, such as the Great Depression, World War I, and World War II, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual lives and broader societal challenges. However Long the Day by author K J Kelly is a heartfelt and poignant historical fiction novel that spans multiple generations, exploring themes of resilience, family dynamics, love, loss, and survival. The story is rich with cultural references and captures the struggles of a family navigating personal tragedies, societal expectations, and the challenges of survival during the Great Depression. The characters are well-developed, each with their own flaws, strengths, and motivations. The story captures the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the importance of family, even when relationships are fraught with tension and pain. The story's conclusion leaves readers with a sense of unresolved tension and the possibility of a sequel. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A moving and intricately woven tale that explores family dynamics, love, and loss amidst life's hardships. Purchase here

< Back Rachel Goguen Sticks Paws & Pucks - The Championship Game Brothers, Owen and Liam, are coaches for the Boston Hockey Team. It is the most important game of the season as Boston face their opponents, the Wilds, in the championship game. Owen and Liam meet their fellow coaches and the players to prepare for the big game. The team head to the rink, and greet the fans who are hoping for a glimpse of their favorite player. Boston start well and lead the game at the end of the first quarter. The coaches gather the players in the locker room and provide motivation and encouragement for the second period. But during the second period, one of the Boston players, Billy, is injured when the puck hits his leg. Billy is forced to retire from the game, but the other players are not discouraged. The coaches and the players become even more determined to win the trophy for the team. Sticks Paws & Pucks - The Championship Game is a book for newly independent readers by author Rachel Goguen. The story follows the Boston Hockey Team coaches and players as they prepare for, and play in, the biggest game of the season – the championship game. But, when the game doesn’t quite go according to plan, the Boston players and coaches show teamwork, perseverance and determination to finish the game. Goguen masterfully captures the camaraderie of the team and the fast paced excitement of hockey, while weaving in themes of friendship and resilience. Young hockey players and other athletes will enjoy this fun and inspiring story. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun and action-packed story about a hockey team, determined to win the championship. A perfect pick for hockey fans. Purchase here