Set in an eerie, fog-drenched house in England, Lucy Strange’s newest novella explores wartime grief and loneliness in a Victorian historical setting. Published by Barrington Stoke for ages 9+ (with a reading age of 8+), this dyslexia-friendly book delivers a supernatural tale with an unexpected twist.

Ian Eagleton’s deeply personal connection to the subject matter, including his own diagnosis of OCD as a youth adds an extra layer of authenticity. This is a gripping tale that masterfully blends the real and the supernatural, offering readers both an exciting ghost story and a powerful exploration of mental health, friendship, and resilience.

A special welcome to those who have found my review today through the official Usborne Blog Tour - so happy to see you here! As the second of ‘The Book of Stolen Dreams’ adventures publishes in paperback, I get a chance to celebrate this unforgettable story all over again!!

I’ve been waiting for Rachel to whisk my imagination away on another one of her sweet magical adventures. I adored ‘The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice’ (Walker Books, 2023). 10 year old Callie struggles with a far away house move and grief after losing her mum. A magical mishap brings some much-needed sparkle into her life again in more ways than one.

Literally the most comedy you’re going to find in a chapter book for young readers!! In this latest Grimwood adventure, it all starts with a dream. Many dreams, but one in particular - Nancy’s dream. She is having a recurring dream, a memory trying to resurface according to Dr Khan (highly recommended pigeon psychologist over in Twinklenuts). Could it be that she’s finally remembering what happened to her parents?

Based on the true events that took place in Paris during WW2, of a community of heroic and compassionate North African-heritage Muslims who selflessly risked their lives to ingeniously hide Jews (and sometimes British soldiers) from the Nazis, then helped them to escape; I simply cannot wait to share it with you.

GM Linton is a truly exciting debut author, her writing filled with charm, wit and soul. Paying homage to her parents of Jamaican origin, she wanted to honour their legacy and knack for storytelling in a book for children that respects the experience of the Windrush generation and reflects how they are remembered and celebrated in our time.

I love to travel in the books I read (as you know)… and I have never read a book before filled with narrative from the perspective of the First Country people of Australia. The landscape, wildlife and plants of the bush, almost feel alien to my own lived experience of the European countryside. It is totally fascinating. This is top notch storytelling from someone who has an incredible imagination, foresight and attention to detail. This book is so 'deadly'!! I loved it!!

'Wilder' is set in a British water-side village, perhaps 150-200 years ago, telling by the landowning gentry, clothing worn, lack of industry, Christian superstitiousness of traditional folklore ways. A touching story that achieves the delicate balance between sacrifice, loss, and an appreciation for life entwined in the presence of nature in any given moment.

A powerful true story of the WW2 Holocaust everyone should read. Greene’s illustrations seep into the reader’s consciousness emotions of surprise, disappointment, confusion, ignorance, bewilderment, pain, starvation, triumph, hope, love and more. Dronfield has masterfully retold the Kleinmann’s story.

A brilliant debut from Townsend!! A lonely human soul, 12 year-old Orla lives in a simple wooden shed in her garden away from the rest of her water-side rural village of Thorn Creek. She's grumpy, stubborn, closed, hurt, conflicted...and she has a lot to live up to. I will never forget Orla's story and the underlying legacy and importance of female healers and wise-women.

A gripping and intense story of two worlds, one where grief, bullying and neglect exist and another where beauty, someone loved (but lost) lives, and where there is peace, safety and control... ‘the best prisons…are the ones in which you think you’re free. How do you escape a trap you don’t realise you’re in?’