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Five & The Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith

Jan25

A Fabulous New Series

Five & The Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith is a marvellous children’s book and just perfect for eight years and older. It is the first book in a brand-new series called The New Famous Five which promises to be fabulous.

I grew up on Enid Blyton’s original Famous Five books so I was excited to read this new version. Of the original famous five, we meet George who is now a professor. Just like her father.

The book is set fifty-five-years after the original. We meet three new children and their dog who go to stay with George. She is the cousin of their grandpa Dick who was in the original series.

A new adventure awaits but it is linked to an old one, fifty-five-years ago. Blending old and new, Chris Smith has created the perfect tale for old and new readers alike.

There is a feeling of familiarity to the book as locations, as well as characters, are familiar. There are picnics and lashings of ginger beer – a nod to the originals.

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The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree

Jan25

Entertaining & Thought Provoking

The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree is a beautiful contemporary children’s novel and just perfect for the over tens. It has a powerful message of forgiveness at its’ heart.

Following a dreadful accident, a family is fractured when a young boy ends up wheelchair bound. There are feelings of both guilt and anger within the family, as it falls apart. What the family really need is love and forgiveness. They need to celebrate what they do have, instead of mourning what they don’t.

We witness how life has changed for the young boy. He misses his past life. “He’d been so angry with Dad over the past year that he’d forgotten how much fun their adventures used to be.” Anger has eaten away at him. His eyes need opening to the new world of possibilities around him. This includes new friends and hobbies, such as competitive horse riding for the disabled.

A spirit from heaven, whom only children can see, falls to earth for a special mission. Her ethereal presence wafts through the tale, spreading peace and love. She reveals the heart of God the Father: “He’s got millions of children, but I always feel like I’m special to Him… He says I am.”

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A Load Of Old Tripe by Gervase Phinn

Jan16

A Real Gem

A Load Of Old Tripe by Gervase Phinn is a most delightful children’s historical novel and perfect for ten years and over. Whatever your age, this is another gem from Gervase Phinn.

The story is set in 1957 as we follow Jimmy who’s eleven and his friends Micky and Iggy.

Told in a wonderfully down-to-earth style and with much humour, we follow Jimmy as he prepares for his eleven plus.

Jimmy is a likable lad and a good friend to Iggy who is clever but has a poor home life and is a social misfit. We drop in on their class as they have various activities including a trip to Whitby.

Jimmy is an ordinary lad who gets into scrapes – dropping the tripe for his dad’s tea, and eating a whole coffee and walnut cake to name but a couple.

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Bad Becky In Trouble by Gervase Phinn

Jan16

Very Charming

Bad Becky In Trouble by Gervase Phinn is a very charming contemporary children’s novel perfect for ages six to ten years old. It is the second book in the Bad Becky series. There are three tales within the book that are just the right length for bedtime reading – or end of the day at school.

Becky is a very likable little girl who comes to life under the author’s pen. Trouble seems to follow her around. She doesn’t mean to be bad.

The illustrations by Lindsey Gardiner are beautiful in their simplicity.

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