< Back Lisa Gerlits Rewilding Eleven-year-old Joy Holderman is trying her best to look after her little brother, Ian, after her dad left the family home. Her mom has spiralled into a deep, dark, depression and is unable to care for herself or the children. When the school counselor asks questions about her home life, Joy fears that she will call Child Protective Services. While Joy tries to present some sense of normalcy at school, she is troubled by early childhood memories. She worries that she might hurt her little brother, after comments made by her dad many years ago. One day, Joy and Ian find a baby bird in their garden and decide to take care of it. They name the bird Lady, but when the bird becomes sick they are forced to seek the help of a neighbor, Ezzie. Ezzie helps Joy and Ian look after the bird, on condition that the children help her rewild her garden. Joy and Ian find comfort in nature, and a sense of purpose and belonging. At the same time, Joy develops a new perspective that makes her question the actions of her father. Rewilding is a heartfelt coming of age novel by Lisa Gerlits, about a young girl and her brother, whose lives are turned upside down when their mom and dad separate. Both parents let the children down at the time they need them most. Unfortunately, their experience is not uncommon, and many readers will relate to this story. Lisa Gerlits delicately handles themes of abuse and neglect, while also celebrating the restorative and healing power of nature. Highly recommended for young readers who are experiencing change or seeking comfort. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heartfelt and touching story for young readers, and a reminder that even in difficult times, beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. Purchase here

< Back Nick Vakalopoulos A Blue Jay Is Hungry A Blue Jay Is Hungry is a photography book by author and wildlife photographer, Nick Vakalopoulos, about the magnificent bird, the Blue Jay. Written in rhyme, the book follows a Blue Jay as it goes about its daily business. The Blue Jay is captured in glorious photography, as it searches for food, rests on a branch, and then launches into the air, before swooping down like an arrow to eat a tasty nut. The photographs depict the bird in various moments of flight and action, showcasing the birds beautiful colors and patterns, as well as its anatomy. A Blue Jay Is Hungry is an educational and entertaining book for readers of all ages. Full of interesting facts about the Blue Jay and stunning photography from Vakalopoulos, the book will appeal to readers who are interested in nature and wildlife photography. Each page includes a full color photography of a Blue Jay in its natural habitat, resting in trees and soaring through the air. The book will increase awareness of the magnificent bird and will help to prompt further discussions about wildlife and conservation. Written in a simple and engaging rhyme, this book can be enjoyed by readers both young and old. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful and insightful picture book about the magnificent Blue Jay, accompanied by glorious wildlife photography. Purchase here

< Back Hans Ness Rolo and the Legend of Jack Bones Rolo and the Legend of Jack Bones is the third installment in Hans Ness’s imaginative and witty middle-grade series. The series follows the adventures of Rolo, a human boy raised by a troupe of animals on a future Earth where cats, dogs, and other creatures have been genetically engineered to be intelligent and larger than life. Like its predecessor, Rolo on the Planet of the Cats, this novel delivers a rollicking, heartfelt, and thought-provoking adventure that stands on its own while expanding the series’ rich world. Rolo’s ordinary school field trip takes a wild turn when he’s swept away on the legendary pirate ship, the Jolly Wagger, commandeered by the infamous houndrel Jack Bones and his canine crew. Trapped at sea with pirates who have never met a human before, Rolo befriends Jojo, a teen dog with her own complicated family history. As they journey through the pun-filled Catibbean, Rolo learns the truth behind the houndrels’ exile by the Felion Empire and witnesses the ongoing struggle between cats and dogs. The story weaves together daring escapes, pirate raids, a cuddly kraken named Scuddly, and a looming naval confrontation, all while exploring themes of loyalty, prejudice, and the search for belonging. Ness’s writing sparkles with humor and clever wordplay. The world-building is inventive, blending futuristic technology with classic pirate lore and animal antics. The cast is diverse and memorable, including the gruff but noble Jack Bones, the conflicted Jojo, and a host of quirky pirate dogs. The novel balances fast-paced action with emotional depth, particularly in Jojo’s journey to understand her family and her place in a divided world. Perfect for ages 8–12 and anyone who loves animal adventures, pirate tales, or stories with both humor and heart. The book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series, and is sure to delight fans of Rolo on the Planet of the Cats with its blend of action, laughs, and meaningful messages. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A captivating, clever, and compassionate adventure that will leave readers cheering for its heroes and reflecting on the importance of understanding and unity. Highly recommended. Purchase here

< Back Daniel Collins The Little Candle Book blurb... This children's picture book follows a short candlestick's journey to self-acceptance. The story begins in a candle shop, where the short candle is bought by a man as a holiday gift for his youngest daughter Tonya. Tonya treasures it as her own holiday candle, carrying it with her as a valued possession during the Christmas Holiday. The short candle eventually realizes that his size doesn't matter when it comes to making someone happy. He soon learned that he was a century candle, and that he was made to burn for a hundred years or more. So joyful was he to learn this that he would have jumped for joy had he been gifted with any legs. Through the example of a candle, The Little Candle shows readers why comparing oneself to others isn't worthwhile. Everyone has their own special gifts and talents and it is recognized by others, although it may not be apparent at the moment. Purchase here

< Back Elizabeth M Grieco Paws in Paris: The Adventures of Tenny and Bella An exciting cat adventure through the streets of Paris, by Elizabeth M Grieco Journalist Sarah has been offered a new job in Paris. Sarah accepts the position on the condition she can take her two beloved cats with her, Tenny and Bella. After a long flight from Atlanta to Paris, Sarah and her two cats arrive in Paris, but no sooner have they found their new apartment, Sarah receives an urgent call and has to travel to Berlin for an important job. Tenny and Bella are left alone and scared in a new apartment in a strange city, under the watchful eye of their new neighbour Mme Gautier. But Mme Gautier accidently leaves a window open, and the two cats go outside to explore the garden. With new sights and sounds all around them, the frightened cats escape the garden and find themselves lost in the streets of Paris. They meet a tomcat, Mephisto, and ask for his help to find their way home. Mephisto takes the cats to meet his friends Cleo, Maurice, and Seraphine, who advise the only way back is to seek assistance from Pierre le Matou, the notorious leader of the brutal Graveyard Gang. The cats are scared but agree to find Le Matou and fight their way into his secret hideout. But before their journey can begin, Tenny is catnapped by a struggling artist as a gift for his wife, and Bella is hit by a motorbike and seriously injured. How will Tenny escape from the artist who thinks she is a stray? Will Bella recover from her injuries and ever see Tenny again? And will the pair ever find Le Matou and their way back home to Sarah? Paws in Paris: The Adventures of Tenny and Bella is a sweet and charming book for young independent readers by Elizabeth M Grieco. With two adorable cats, an intriguing plot, and a wonderful Parisian setting, this book will appeal to those who like animal stories and travel adventures. The book opens with Sarah and her husband Mark as they notice a painting from a famous artist featuring their beloved cat Tenny. How on earth did their beloved cat find her way into a famous painting? This is a great opening for a story, and will leave readers thinking of all possible scenarios. What follows, is an unexpected and exciting cat adventure through the streets of Paris. Readers will be engaged and entertained, as they root for Tenny and Bella, and at the same time learn about the magnificent city of Paris. The first chapter would make a fantastic prompt for parents, carers, or teachers, to encourage children to tell their own version of the story and engage them in imaginative thinking and creative writing. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet and charming story, with two adorable cats, an intriguing plot, and a wonderful Parisian setting. Purchase here

< Back Mary Myers Pocket Watch Portal Adventure Book blurb... Introducing Pocket Watch Portal Adventures - a thrilling, heart-warming tale that will captivate your imagination and inspire your heart. The Story of siblings Justice, Teddy, Ellie, baby Artie, and their fearless Uncle Jeff, an ancient pocket watch becomes their ticket to the extraordinary. From prehistoric jungles teeming with dinosaurs to futuristic cities of flying cars and holographic zoos, every twist in time is brimming with wonder and danger. But when a shocking mishap strands them in the year 2525, they find themselves in a world without trees, familiar food, or faith. As they fight to survive, they discover that courage, love, and belief are the greatest tools they have. Meanwhile, their heroic father, Christopher, embarks on a daring mission across time itself to bring his family home - proving that love knows no bounds. 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 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 E.M. Schorb FIVE AND TEN, A Fairy Tale, a Few Poems, and a Fable Five and Ten, A Fairy Tale, a Few Poems, and a Fable is a collection of previously published stories and poems by author E.M. Schorb. The stories and poems are accompanied by a small number of sweet, hand drawn, illustrations by the authors’ daughters. The first story is a traditional fairy-tale called The Golden Squirrel about the Czar of Russia who asked his magician to perform a magic poem to turn his son, Prince Leo, into a golden squirrel. By turning his son into a squirrel, he hoped to bring him home from China in secret, and to protect him from being stolen by his enemies. Prince Leo, in the guise of a little squirrel, faces a perilous journey back to Russia, where he comes face to face with his fathers’ enemies, and a great white bear. The collection includes six sweet and funny, cleverly crafted poems, The Ghost Shop, The Riddle of the Clock, Monsieur Elan, Instant Angels, The Squid, Sock Puppets Song, The Horrid Truth, and The Rubber Church. My particular favourite from this collection is, It Must Have Been the Angels, which beautifully describes the wonder of nature and humankind. This is a beautiful collection of traditional poems and stories, reminiscent of a time gone by. Reading this book, I was taken back to my own childhood, sitting on my grandmother’s knee, whilst she read poetry. I hope young readers will get to experience the same joy and wonder whilst sharing this book with their loved ones. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy poetry and those who enjoy classic fables and fairy tales. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful, sentimental collection of poems, fables and fairy tales that will be treasured by readers forever. 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

< Back Kristin Nilsen Worldwide Crush: A Novel Rory Calhoun is a teen popstar with perfect teeth and messy hair who’s inspiring first crushes all over the globe. Millie Jackson is just one of the millions of fans who love him—but that doesn't mean her heart doesn't break for him every single day in this laugh-out-loud coming-of-age story. How many of Rory’s fans collect “data” about him in a special notebook hidden in their underwear drawer? Or have faked a fascination with whale migration for a chance to visit his hometown? Millie may not be Rory’s only fan at Susan B. Anthony Middle School, but she's convinced she's the biggest—and the best. Rory’s new song “Worldwide Crush” is climbing the charts, and his lyrics are clear: he’s looking for love—and he’s looking in the audience. Meaning Millie’s secret fantasies of running in the surf and eating waffles with him may not be crazy after all . . . she could be that girl! But first she has to get to his concert—his completely sold-out concert in a city nowhere near her home for which she does not have tickets or a ride. She just has to figure out how. Purchase here

< Back Nick Vakalopoulos There's Something About ROBINS The beautiful robin is captured in this children’s picture book, by author and wildlife photographer, Nick Vakalopoulos. There's Something About ROBINS follows a robin in its natural habitat, as it hops in the grass, searches for food, listens for predators, and prods the ground to find a worm or a bug. The robin soars through the sky before landing on the ground to feed its young. There's Something About ROBINS features glorious technicolour photographs of Robins in their natural environment, taken and edited by Vakalopoulos. This book is a great introduction to robins for young readers, but older readers will enjoy the photography too. We might be fortunate to spot a robin in nature, but we rarely get an opportunity to see a robin up close, and in this level of detail. The robin is a stunning bird, and the photographs wouldn’t look out of place on a festive greetings card. The book might inspire children and adults to grab their binoculars and explore birds in their natural habitats. While aimed at a younger audience, this book is a great reference for readers of all ages. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A glorious book about the beautiful robin, and a perfect resource for wildlife enthusiasts. Purchase here