< Back Charles Byrd The Reaper's Guide on How NOT to Take a Soul! A young girl dreams of becoming a Grim Reaper. Eleven-year-old Lyra Corvin is a living girl in the Underworld. She has no memory of her childhood or recollection of how she came to the Underworld. Lyra works as an assistant to a Grim Reaper named Silas. She hopes one day to become a Grim Reaper herself, but Silas does not think she has the necessary people skills to do the job. But, when a strange case presents itself to the Grim Reaper, he asks for Lyra’s help. Lyra is sent to the Living Realm, to help guide a young boy to the Afterlife, but the circumstances on the death scroll keep changing. Lyra meets the boy named Casper at a bus stop, and discovers she is not invisible to him, as expected. Casper is scared of Lyra and runs away. As she tries to catch him, Lyra trips and falls, and her precious necklace is broken in the tussle. Casper falls in the road and is hit by a bus. His soul leaves his body and becomes a ghost, but his body does not die. Lyra must take Casper to the Underworld to seek Silas’s advice. During the journey, Lyra and Casper are chased by Soul Eaters who want to capture their souls. But when Silas suddenly disappears, Lyra seeks help from various creatures of the Underworld. She wants to help return Casper’s soul to his body, find her necklace, and understand why she has no memories of her childhood. As Lyra and Casper try to evade capture from Soul Eaters and Spectres, they go on a journey to the Greek Afterlife, where Lyra finally learns the truth about her family history. The Reaper's Guide on How NOT to Take a Soul! by Charles Byrd is a funny and slightly scary book for young readers about ghosts and ghouls, spectres and soul eaters, and all kinds of terrifying creatures that inhabit the Underworld. The book follows a seemingly ordinary girl who somehow came to live in the Underworld, and her work as an assistant Grim Reaper. At just eleven, she is not quite ready to step into the Grim Reaper’s shoes, and she must learn the key tricks of the trade. Byrd crafts a rich, detailed world, filled with intriguing characters and dark secrets. Overall, this is a unique and captivating book that explores the darkly enchanting world of life, death and the supernatural. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An imaginative, funny and slightly scary book for young readers about the job of a Grim Reaper, and the ghosts and ghouls that inhabit the Underworld. Purchase here

< Back David Kopacz A Bowl Full of Ideas for Inventive Minds A Bowl Full of Ideas for Inventive Minds is a collection of eighteen short stories / vignettes written by visionary healer, artist and founder of a global network of Sound Peace Chambers, Southern Ute elder Joseph Rael (Tiwa name, Tsluu-teh-koh-ay ‘Beautiful Painted Arrow’). The collection is curated by David R. Kopacz, MD and is designed to ‘stimulate inventiveness, creativity, and an appreciation for sacredness in everyday life’. Each story is centred on the four elements of life (earth, water, air, and fire), and the concept of the ‘bowl of life’. Mother Earth is a great big bowl, and all families live in little bowls. From early pioneers to the present day, people have settled in bowl-shaped landscapes to grow crops, graze cattle, and raise children. ‘ The Creator made Earth, Water, Air, and Fire and put them in a bowl and the bowl was shaped like a wheel. The Medicine Wheel holds together Earth, Water, Air, and Fire so that we and all things may live. We are made of these four things: earth, water, air, and fire—energies awakening us to vibrations of life.’ A Bowl Full of Ideas for Inventive Minds is a profound and deeply moving collection of traditional stories and teachings by Joseph Rael (Beautiful Painted Arrow) and David R. Kopacz, with artwork by Rael. The book presents a series of tales that explore the concept of the ‘bowl of life’, a metaphor of balance, connectedness and respect for Mother Earth. This is a stunning collection of stories and art, offering an introduction to the spiritual teachings of Rael, and an insight into the values and beliefs and the Southern Ute people. The abstract illustrations are vibrant and expressive, fully capturing the narrative and Rael’s spiritual teachings. The collection is perfect for readers of all ages who are interested in Native American art and storytelling, and a must read for anyone on a journey of self-discovery or spiritual growth. Star rating: 5 stars Summary : A profound and beautiful bowlful of Native American spirituality, wisdom, and art. Purchase here

Will Fox Canidae save his beloved factory and city from the villainous Doctor Monkeyshine and his criminal gang? < Back Ryan Poirier The Herd Foxy Fruits merges with Bodaceous Herbaceous and develops a new product - a genetically modified juice, crossed between a fruit and a vegetable. But just before the big launch of the new juice sensation, a disgruntled employee Professor Doctor Monkeyshine and his criminal gang (The Pack), alter the genetic code of the juice, and threaten to destroy the company and the city. The CEO of the company, Fox Canidae, must act fast to beat The Pack and to save his family, his company, and the whole of Maple City. The Herd: Volume 1 Omnibus is a unique and creative graphic novel, full of wit and humour. Poirier has created an extraordinary fantasy world like no other. The characters, the plot, the book design, and every minutia of detail has been well thought through and excellently presented. The work and effort gone into the production of this book is remarkable. The digital illustrations are magnificent. The author has a real talent for digital, cartoon illustrations. The book captures every expression, every moment, and every scene beautifully. This book is on the lengthier side for a graphic novel, but I was completely enthralled and found it hard to put down. I can’t wait to read part 2! Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An imaginative story, with magnificent digital artwork’. A FINALIST and highly recommended. Purchase here

< Back Lori Giesey Staycation Book blurb... “Is that what you're feeling?” Papa has to stay close to home this year, so Mima adapts Cousin Camp into a staycation adventure Charlie, Maddie, and Sophie will never forget. When big feelings arise during pool parties, crafting, and climbing, they must learn to lean in and listen or let the discomfort ruin their opportunities for laughter and growth. After three decades of facilitating adventures for youth and adults in both personal and professional settings, Mima (aka Lori Giesey) is capturing the most memorable moments from real-life events in Cousin Camp Chronicles, a series of purposeful adventures curated to help young children cultivate their imagination, sense of wonder, and belief in themselves. Join a growing group of cousins who learn they are physically, mentally, and emotionally stronger than they think, especially when they work together. Avid adventurer Mima (aka Lori Giesey) finds joy in helping others discover their strengths and power. Purchase here

< Back Heidi Solomon-Orlick I Have a Voice: A Book of Listening Book blurb... Join Victoria and her lovable sidekick, Viktor the voice monster, on an enchanting journey to discover their inner voice in "I Have a Voice". Together, they navigate adventures and challenges, learning the power of courage, kindness, and self-belief. With vibrant illustrations and 5 interactive worksheets, this heartwarming tale teaches young readers to trust and embrace their unique inner voice. Perfect for bedtime or classroom reading, this magical story will inspire imagination and empowerment in children and parents alike. Purchase here

A lost little girl finds her inner magic, by author Sally Kingman < Back Sally Kingman Everything Is Everything: Finding Your Magic Sally and her faithful little pup were out for walk one day, enjoying the sunshine, the flowers, the woodland creatures, and the aromas of the meadow. Deep in thought, and in admiration of the beautiful surroundings, Sally’s inner voice interrupts her serenity. Her inner voice was telling her to stop. To stop the daydreaming and the meaningless meandering through the meadow. Her inner voice reminded her of the much more important and productive things she could be doing with her time instead. Normally, Sally would listen to the inner voice and head back home, but today was different. Today, Sally chose to ignore the inner voice, and continued to enjoy her time, simply appreciating the beauty of nature. As Sally chooses to do what makes her feel happy, she feels a sense of peace and discovers a whole new magical world, full of adventure. This is a sweet story about a cute little girl, who, disturbed by negative, controlling thoughts, decides to follow her heart and finds true happiness and self-love. It will encourage readers to think positively and to pursue interests that make them happy, rather than what makes others happy. A note for the author: we did spot some typos and grammatical errors, and therefore recommend a thorough editorial review. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A sweet story about a cute little girl, who finds true happiness and self-love. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Steven Thedford The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa (A Zulu Celebration) Shaka Thomas from Charlotte, North Carolina, is preparing to honor his ancestors by singing the ngoma at the Kwanzaa first fruits harvest festival in South Africa. The festival (also known as the Calabash Festival or Umkhosi Woselwa) is a celebration among Zulus. Shaka’s grandmother was the first daughter of the Zulu king, who moved to America after marrying a man from the United States. She promised to return to South Africa every year with her family to attend festival. But Shaka is still recovering from his last bout of sickle cell anaemia and is unsure whether he will be strong enough to sing. The book highlights the significance of family, community, and cultural heritage, and offers readers a fascinating insight into the vibrant traditions of the Zulu people and the African American holiday of Kwanzaa. Through Shaka’s journey, readers learn about different cultural practices, such as the Reed Dance, the royal tasting ceremony, and the energetic Indlamu dance, and of the importance of honoring ancestors, preserving traditions, and overcoming personal challenges. The glossary at the end provides helpful definitions of key terms, enhancing the reader’s understanding of Zulu culture and language. The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa by Steven C. Thedford is an engaging and educational story that celebrates African heritage and the universal values of family, courage, and cultural pride. It serves as a valuable resource for readers seeking to learn more about the traditions of Kwanzaa and the Zulu people, while inspiring them to embrace their own cultural traditions. The illustrations by Khosi Pholosa beautifully complement the story, bringing the story to life with vivid depictions of family gatherings, traditional attire, and ceremonial events. The book also touches on themes of resilience, as Shaka overcomes his fears and physical limitations to perform at the festival, supported by his family and cousin Lincoln. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An engaging and educational story celebrating Zulu culture and African heritage. Purchase here

Paula Welch presents The Interlopers, intrepid alien explorers in a desperate search for a new home. < Back Paula Welch The Interlopers Seven-year-old Charlie Featherstone lived on a farm in New South Wales, Australia. He loved nothing more than to look up at the sky at night, and dreamed of becoming an astronomer or an astronaut one day. On one starry night, Charlie witnesses a dazzling meteor shower that would change his life forever. Fast forward twenty-five years, Dr Charlie Featherstone is now working at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex when he discovers some strange activity radiating from the moon and a not too far away planet. Meanwhile, hidden beside one of Jupiter’s moons, is the Zephyrus, a spaceship that has travelled from a far distant galaxy to flee war on their home planet of Lamatra. Captain of the Zephyrus, Lathaniel, has been searching for a habitable planet, and hopes the beautiful blue planet Earth will provide much needed shelter and safety. Lathaniel reaches out to Charlie and his team at the CDSCC in the hope they can persuade the authorities to let the Lamatrians settle in Australia. After long negotiations, the aliens are given permission to stay, and they soon adapt to life on Earth. But not everyone is happy with the new arrivals, and when innocent aliens are brutally attacked by humans, the Lamatrians have an important decision to make. Should they stay on Earth or leave and seek out another planet? The Interlopers is an outstanding science fiction novel for pre-teen readers. The book has a perfect balance of insight and factual information, and creativity and imagination, to make this both an entertaining and believable story. It might even persuade the most passionate sceptics to question the existence of extra-terrestrial life! The book is packed full of interesting facts about science and technology, the planetary systems, and space travel. The narration by Emma provides further context and information, for those readers that might be less familiar with these subjects. The book is beautifully written by Paula Welch. The characters are likable and well developed, particularly the two main characters, Charlie, and Lathaniel. The story follows their individual journeys, over time and across space, and readers will connect with their experiences of love and loss, their dreams and insecurities, and their successes and failures. We hope to hear more about Charlie and Lathaniel, and their human-alien relationships, in the future. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An outstanding and believable science fiction story, beautifully written by Welch‘. A GOLD WINNER and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Pannell & Sigfusson The Crow's Tales: The Big Dream (Second Edition) Book blurb... With summer just around the corner, the last thing on Brandon’s mind is his final essay for sixth-grade English class. In fact, all he wants right now — aside from a refreshing, escapist nap — is to hang out on the rooftop with his friends and his pet crow, Ralph. Or even better, to build a remote-controlled car for the big upcoming race! Not only will the winner be the talk of the town, but the winning car will be featured in an exciting new video game. Can Brandon and his pit crew of friends and family raise the funds to buy the parts and construct a victorious speedster before time runs out? Through bake sales and car washes, run-ins with local police, lots and lots of elbow grease, and even more grease grease, Brandon chases the wildest dream he’s ever had. In this fun and quietly compelling middle-grade novel, Brandon experiences a true awakening when he learns the values of persistence, honesty, and community. 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

< Back Hazem Nassar If I Must Go, You Must Stay Salma is all alone, trapped underneath the rubble following an explosion. She cannot see or hear her mama, or papa, or big brother Ahmad. Suddenly she hears Ahmad’s voice. She cannot see her brother, but she can see a small yellow bird. Ahmad provides comfort and reassurance that someone will rescue her soon. But, it is so dark, and Salma is frightened. Ahmad explains that he is on his way ‘up’ and it is time for him to use his wings and go. Salma begs him not to leave her behind. She wants wings too, and wants to go ‘up’ with him. She does not know what she will do without her brother. Ahmad explains that she is not ready, but if he must go, she must stay to tell his story. Will Salma find her own wings? Will she be rescued from the rubble? If I Must Go, You Must Stay is an illustrated picture book by Hazem Nassar about a little girl who is trapped under the rubble after a bombing in her village. Alone and frightened, Salma hears her brothers voice, and sees a small yellow bird. Realising the bird is Ahmad’s spirit watching over her, Salma finds comfort and strength in a dire situation. This beautifully written and illustrated picture book explores the devastating impact of war from a child’s perspective, and handles grief sensitively and with grace. Salma’s journey from fear to courage, guided by her brothers spirit, is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heart-wrenching and uplifting story about the devastating impact of war on young children. Purchase here

< Back Tracey Sullivan The Polar Bear in the Closet Book blurb... Scotty is a precocious kindergartner that believes his neighbor, Miss Cora, lives with a polar bear named Poley. He shares his arctic adventures with his teacher, Miss Gracie, his classmates, and Mom a LOT. In fact, Scotty wears a parka to school everyday even thought it is hot out. Mom and Miss Cora come up with a plan so that Scotty can meet the real Poley. Scotty's fantasy takes a twist that introduces him to a new friend. Miss Gracie even gets permission from the principal for Scotty to bring Poley to school. Scotty's friends, Jessica and Ian, are excited to finally meet Poley. In this children's story, a young boy's imagination with a polar bear takes a surprising turn with Poley overcoming shyness, and a magical friendship begins. Purchase here