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A Ticket To Ride by Sue Wickstead

Oct23

So Beautiful

A Ticket To Ride: Stories & Rhymes by Sue Wickstead is a most beautiful book for children aged five years and older. Whatever your age, these rhymes will delight you.

The book covers a variety of topics from bumble bees to lions, from arks to buses. There is something here for everyone to enjoy.

There are unique takes on familiar rhymes such as Jingle Bells, and stories such as Noah’s Ark. Sue Wickstead gives a new, fresh perspective that entertains not only the children, but the adult reading aloud too.

All the poems are beautifully illustrated. Each picture is a wealth of information and colour. It is a starting point for discussions with our children.

Sue Wickstead always produces the most beautiful books that will enhance any child’s personal library.

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The Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St John

Oct9

Caretakers

The Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St John is a fabulous contemporary children’s novel that is perfect for ages eight years and over. It is the second book in The White Giraffe series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, I recommend reading book one first as this book continues on where the previous book ended.

Once more we join eleven-year-old Martine, her friend Ben and her grandmother on Sawubona game reserve in South Africa. All are caretakers and guardians of the animals. “If we don’t fight for them, who will?” As the book progresses, we see how important it is, to look after our animals and planet for their future and for our future generations.

The focus of the novel are lions. We ‘meet’ the literary lion, Aslan, and also stolen and ill-treated cubs and lions. Their heritage and breeding shines through as characteristics from ancestors have passed down the lines.

Life gives us scars. Scars show where we have been. There reveal our battles and show that we have survived. “Even with all his scars he was… perfect.” Our scars reveal our character.

Martine is connected with the ancients. “When Martine heard the lion’s command, she spun round… she felt as if he’d spoken to her heart.” Her heart ‘hears’ even if her eyes do not see. When Martine speaks, she can be trusted even though she is young.

Education is important. Ironically it is the children who recognize the importance of preserving the planet and animals for future generations.

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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.

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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.

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