Archive | September 2025

Adventures In Lylaland by Louise Pentland

Sep22

Life Lessons For Us All

Adventures In Lylaland by Louise Pentland is a wonderful debut novel for girls aged eight years and over. It is a very charming read, with life lessons for us all whatever our age.

We witness the power of the mind to transport us to faraway places where the only limit is our imagination. Lead character Lyla is ten-years-old. She escapes to Lylaland whenever life gets hard for her. Bullies tease her for this, whilst others long to hear her stories.

As the novel progresses, Lyla learns that she can control her thoughts and “Lylaland is for fun, not for escaping to when life feels hard.” When life is hard, we need to face it and we need to share our fears with others.

We see Lyla navigating school with its’ pitfalls of friendships, the playground, and the forceful Maths teacher. With kindness and also by applying herself to her lessons, Lyla has the power to overcome it all.

Divorced parents create a rocky road for Lyla as she is caught in the middle. Lyla loves both her parents. We see the unconditional love that her mother gives her, and the not always so great, advice she receives from her father’s girlfriend.

Lyla’s Aunt Kath teaches her a wise lesson about love and loss. Those we have loved and have lost, live on in our hearts and minds.

Continue reading →

The Magic Of Mister Mishkins

Sep20

Paw Pact

The Magic Of Mister Mishkins by Samantha Mattocks is a beautiful contemporary offering for children aged six years and over. It is the second book in The Magical Mister Mishkins series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story surrounds Mister Mishkins and the many cats who live with him in his apothecary. Mister Mishkins is part Maine Coon, suffering from a common complaint of hip dysplasia. He is a caring cat who knows exactly what people want when they appear at his shop.

The book is about helping those in need. “Mosaic Street, and Mister Mishkins Apothecary was only ever found by those who needed their fears calmed or worries banished.” It is mainly children who come to Mister Mishkin’s door. For each child, there is a cat waiting to take them on an adventure and calm their fears. We see the lonely; the hurting; the frustrated; those with a fear of spiders or heights. With the help of a cat, children face their fears and overcome them, being able to live in freedom.

Continue reading →

The Last War Orphan by Jenna Ness

Sep19

Gripping

The Last War Orphan by Jenna Ness is a gripping historical read that I just could not put down. It is the second book in the Orphans Of St Agnes series. The books need to be read in order as they follow on immediately from each other.

The series is set in France during World War II. This book sees two of the three orphans returning to Paris in order to be re-united with the third, Lucie, who had fled back to the only home she had ever known – the orphanage. Unfortunately, this is now occupied by a leading figure in the Nazi party. The reader witnesses the snake-like nature of a man who pretends to be-friend Lucie. Lucie has a caring, trusting nature, and this could lead to a downfall.

We learn what makes a family. “She was still my sister, by love if not blood.” Love unites very different characters who become one big family – added to one abandoned baby at a time.

Continue reading →

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James

Sep18

Don’t Let The Old Man In #thetravellinggrandad

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James is a charming contemporary novel that I absolutely adored.

This is a fun, light-hearted read showing that life is for living whatever your age. The lead character, Atticus Arnot, is seventy and is told “You’re never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”

For five years, Atticus Arnott’s life has been on hold following the sudden death of his wife, Clara. An unexpected discovery of Winnie the VW camper van in his barn, awakens the adventurer in him. Encouraged and helped by his friend and his grandson, Atticus Arnott decides to live the dream he and his wife had, and he sets off for Spain with only his dog, Ness, for company, in Winnie the camper van. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, all of whom, welcome him with open arms. A closed life becomes a very open life.

New to social media, Atticus Arnott believes he is posting his photos on Instagram and only his friend and grandson can see them. Unknown to him, #thetravellinggrandad soon has a huge following. “You’re showing the world that age isn’t important when it comes to following a dream.” Whilst we are still breathing, we need to grab life with both hands.

Continue reading →