Today we have a review & giveaway for little ones…

Jasmina, the Rainforest Macaw -Yash Kumari

Jasmina is a blue and gold macaw who is taught an important life lesson by her Mum and Dad that ‘Never give up! You’ll find what you’re looking for!’

The first thing that I noticed about this book was the absolutely beautiful illustrations, they were so lovely that I had to look at them all before reading the book and my children found them entrancing too!

The book tells the tale of Jasmina getting lost in the rainforest and how she finds her home and her Mum and Dad again by remembering that they said to her ‘Never give up! You’ll find what you’re looking for!’ Along her adventures she meets lots of other animals and it is therefore a good book for children to help them learn the animal names and the description of these animals.

It is longer than we would normally read for a bedtime story but it so beautiful and the story such a positive one that I can’t resist reading it and the children love repeating the saying ‘Never give up! You’ll find what you’re looking for!’ It has already become a favourite read in our house – helped by the fact that my daughter is Jasmine!

My three year old enjoyed the story, which held his attention well and he liked naming the animals.

M five year old was also interested in learning all the animals and we had a good discussion about its message of never giving up.

Thanks Wendy, and thanks to Book Guild for sending us a review copy and offering one lucky Bookbabbler the chance to win a copy. To be entered into the draw, comment on this post, ‘like’ it on Facebook, or retweet it. We’ll pick a winner at 7pm on Sunday (UK only).

Today we hear from bookbabbler Amber..

Skate School: Stars on Ice – Kay Woodward

Things are hotting up at Skate School and Frankie’s got her sights set on gold at the World Championships. She’s also falling for the gorgeous Dylan. When they skate together it’s magic. The problem is that any hint of romance is strictly forbidden by their coach so Frankie and  Dylan end up skating with each other in secret…

This is the third book in the Skate School series, and I have to say, it is fabulous. It’s everything I expected it to be, and more! Romance is in the air for Frankie, but it’s strictly forbidden at skate school…so what can she do? Risk her place at Skate School and be with Dylan….or ignore her feelings for him and keep her place? This book keeps you on the edge of your seat at all times, and it’s really, really good. You even learn stuff from it (not in the boring way, though!) I’ve learnt quite a few skating terms so far, which is really cool IT WAS SOOOO GOOD! I loved it and I think Kay’s done a really good job with it. 5/5!

Thanks, Amber, and thanks to Usborne Children’s Books for sending us a copy.

Today we hear from Bookbabbler Bethan..

Mr Call – Edward Oliver

Henry Maskell is a young boy who lives with his mother at 56 Greville Avenue.

It is shortly after the Second World War and Henry is finding life very difficult.

His father came back from the war badly injured and died shortly after returning, the lodgers that live in his house are boring and miserable, his mother never seems to have any time for him and his only real friend is the scruffy black cat from next door called ‘Tufty’, owned by the spiteful girl next door, Ruby.

Life doesn’t seem to be very fair at all. One day, however, Henry hears three sharp knocks at the door and discovers a curious looking man who is going to change his life forever…

Mr Call is a really good book filled with magic and fun.  Harry is an ordinary boy who is bored with his life, until his mum gets ill and their lodger Mr Call has to look after him.  He thinks being with Mr Call will be boring too, especially going to work with him, but he’s in for lots of surprises!

This story is set after the war but it isn’t like any book I’ve ever read before.  I couldn’t ever guess what was going to happen next and once I’d started reading it I didn’t want to stop!

My favourite character is Mr Call because he has a flying carriage pulled by horses. The best part of the whole book is right at the end which is really exciting!  I would recommend this book for girls and boys aged 6 to 10 but younger children might enjoy having it read to them because it’s not scary and it’s very interesting.

Thanks, Bethan.

Today we hear from Helen…

The Adventures of Titch and Mitch – Garth Edwards

(The Magic Boots & The Blue Wizard)

These books are the latest in a series (The Magic Boots is number 4 and The Blue Wizard number 5) about two pixie brothers, Titch and Mitch and a group of friends who are mostly animals or birds, including Wiffen the intelligent turkey, Perry the Old English sheepdog, Budgie the yellow seagull and Misty the fairy.  Despite the fact that we had not read the earlier stories, we were well able to follow what was going on as each chapter (there are five per book) is a standalone story, and although the stories do build on things that have happened previously they are fully understandable in their own right.

Titch and Mitch live on an island and have adventures which sometimes begin by going on a journey on their magic flying bicycle and other times by someone coming to visit them.  The adventures involve magic, friendship, humour and very little peril most of the time, making them suitable for young children from about 3 or 4, going up to 7 or 8 for independent reading.  In The Magic Boots the only thing that worried Erin (age 5) was the pixies’ encounter with some unpleasant trolls, and in The Blue Wizard there is a witch who is up to no good, but as each story is complete in itself there shouldn’t be much ongoing tension at bedtime!  Another good feature of the series’ suitability is that it should have equal appeal to both boys and girls.  Many of the characters are male and the pixies in particular behave very much like young boys (although, being pixies, they are able to live alone without parents!).  The kind of adventures they have, e.g. going off in search of magic boots, helping Father Christmas, rescuing a princess and wondering what will hatch from an enormous egg they have found, do not seem specifically geared towards either boys or girls in particular.  If I were to compare the stories to more well-known books I would say they are something like Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series in that there is a cast of characters, each with their  distinct personalities, and themes of friendship and helping as well as magic and adventure.

The chapters are each about 20 pages long but this includes at least one illustration per double page which means there is plenty to look at for non-readers as the story progresses.  Erin found the characters fun and appealing, especially the humorous touches, such as Wiffen’s tendency to assert himself as a bold leader but then be the first to run and hide under the table at any sign of trouble!  The stories are interestingly told but the pace moves quickly enough to maintain the interest of young children and they are the kind of tales that could be enjoyed more than once without becoming boring.  We really loved both books and looked forward to getting onto the next adventure each evening!

Thanks, Helen, and thanks to Inside Pocket Publishing for sending us copies.

Today we hear from Bookbabbler Aly..

A Gathering Light – Jennifer Donnelly

An incredible and brilliant coming-of -age drama set at the turn-of-the-century in the USA and based on a real murder. When Mattie is given the letters by a guest at the hotel in which she has a summer job she thinks that the giver is simply upset. But the next day when the woman is found drowned in Big Moose Lake Mattie has to decide if she will read the letters, or burn them as the woman requested. But Mattie has problems enough of her own as she is growing up and trying to decide on her future. Her desire to be a writer and her dreams of life outside the small rural community in which she has always lived are beginning to overwhelm her. Will Mattie make it away from home? Will she leave the family and boyfriend who both love and smother her? Will she be like her friend and settle to married life or like her other friend and mentor the poet Ms Wilcox. Slowly the two stories merge to one amazing conclusion as Mattie finds the courage to make very important decisions. Set in 1906 and built around the real life murder of a young woman in a popular holiday resort this novel is touching, surprising, moving and compelling.

A Gathering Light started off slowly for a few chapters or so, but when it kicked in, it really kicked in. Mattie doesn’t live the easiest of lives, her mother is long gone and herself and her father are the people her younger sisters rely on. It is obvious that she is a role model for them. Perhaps intellectually more intelligent than most around where she lives and ambitious, it makes her stand out from the rest. Her father is a simple farmer and, like many, they are poor. Since her mother’s passing, her father is a broken man, his son leaving for unknown reasons has only hurt him further. It is up to Mattie to keep everything in order. Throughout the novel you notice her sincerity and kindness towards those who are less fortunate than herself even though she herself doesn’t have much. People come to her for help because they feel they can depend on her. Mattie to most readers will be very relatable. She has a touching love for reading and writing and wants an education. Her father is not as supportive.

I had no idea that parts of the book were based on real life events, for example, the Grace brown murder. It’s enchanting to see Jennifer Donnelly blend fiction with reality so well. Her best friend Weaver is more fierce than most and is at a constant battle with those who discriminate against him because of the colour of his skin. Her other best friend Minnie is growing up too fast and Mattie fears she is next. It is upon meeting Royal that changes things. With the support of a teacher, her ambition to be a writer almost seemed tangible but Mattie knows if she is ever to be with Royal she will have to throw all possibilities of that dream away. A Gathering Light tackles a girl trying to survive in a cruel and often a man’s world. Upon discovering Grace Brown’s letters, she starts to peel away the layers and discovers her death may have been something completely different. Mattie must choose, is she willing to spend the rest of her life in an endless cycle or will she, unlike Grace was unable to, finally break free?

The author does not shy away when detail and very vivid descriptions are involved. Some aspects are almost horrifying when it comes to what a family may have to do and to sacrifice in order to feed themselves, as well as the detailed scene of giving birth which may be slightly difficult to read for the younger readers. A Gathering Light is an enchanting novel that I could not put down. It demands your complete attention and wills you to listen to to a story that must be told.

Thanks Aly, and thank to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending us a copy.

Wow – it’s time to be thinking of Christmas already! Still time to get plenty of reading in before then, though, and this month we’ve chosen 3 old favourites for you to read with us, and have made sure that all are available from our shop, linked to Amazon, for less than £4 each –  book bargains! Remember, when you do get round to Christmas shopping, buy from Amazon via our shop (anything at all, not just wonderful books!!) and you’ll be supporting Bookbabblers – thanks. Onto our delicious reads….

The Iron Man – Ted Hughes

Mankind must put a stop to the dreadful destruction by the Iron Man and set a trap for him, but he cannot be kept down. Then, when a terrible monster from outer space threatens to lay waste to the planet, it is the Iron Man who finds a way to save the world.

Charlotte’s Web – EB White

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase – Joan Aiken

It’s 19th-century England during the reign of King James II, but it’s not the England we know from the history books. This country is overrun with wolves that roam the forests, providing the perfect setting for a witty and dramatic story spanning the whole country, from the frozen North to the city of London, and peopled with all manner of evil governesses and ancient aunts.

Now, you may well have read these already. If you have, go tell us what you thought in our forum now. This may also be a chance to revisit them and enjoy them all over again. If you haven’t, please take this opportunity to discover them with us.

Happy Reading, Bookbabblers!