Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure

Watts comes from a family of great detectives, but he is not sure he has what it takes to be one. So when his parents head off on their next case, he goes to stay with an old client of theirs at Whiskerton Manor. Here, he meets Pearl, Count Whiskerton’s daughter, a very curious kitten who really wants to be a detective. When strange things start happening in the Manor grounds, Pearl persuades Watts to investigate…

Proving that opposites attract, Watts and Pearl make the purrr-fect team! This is a delightful story, full of lovely illustrations, gentle humour and a brilliant mystery to solve!

Watts is such a sweet character. Thoughtful and steady, but somewhat lacking in confidence, he believes that he will never be as good at solving mysteries as his parents. However, his new friendship with bubbly, talkative, impetuous Pearl helps him to realise that he is a skilful detective in his own right! So many of us can feel overshadowed by the achievements of others, but like Watts can find our own way in life and come to appreciate the skills we do have!

The story is really carefully plotted and Watts’ notes will help readers to follow each stage of the investigation as it unfolds. A perfect balance of text, illustrations, comic strip, labels and speech bubbles makes this an incredibly appealing book for younger readers, as engaging for those reluctant to read as much as those who devour books! There are many jokes to enjoy- for adults as well as for children- with plays on words like Dr Arty Fact and plenty of visual jokes in the pictures! I particularly like the fact that vocabulary like ‘archaeologist’ is also explained in the context of the story- and readers are given a little insight into how archaeologists work!

Both at home and at school, the book could be used as a starting point for many enjoyable activities. The little finger puppets (pictured above) help to make the story even more interactive as readers can act things out as it progresses or create their own little plays and mysteries and perhaps put on performances! Sections in the story where speech bubbles have been used are perfect for teachers to use to support their teaching of speech punctuation as well as developing speech clauses, drawing on the wonderfully detailed visual clues the pictures give to add the characters’ feelings/ actions. The book would also make the most wonderful prompt for a book group or library session, encouraging children to solve a mystery by following clues- or one which encourages children to create their own comic strips perhaps!

I love Meg McLaren’s picture books (The Station Mouse is my favourite!) and am delighted to discover that her talent for creating endearing characters through gorgeous illustrations and engaging storylines will support children in the next stage of reading. I can’t wait for the next case for Watts and Whiskerton!

Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure

Meg McLaren

Piccadilly ISBN: 978: 1800786592

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

Peregrine Quinn has always loved hearing her godfather, Daedalus’s stories about being an immortal, but when they visit the Bodleian Library and the portals that connect the Terran Realm with the Cosmic Realm mysteriously shut down and he is kidnapped, she finds herself thrust into a desperate race to rescue him before an ancient evil is unleashed on the world. With help from dryad librarian, Rowan Strong, and Olympus Inc. liaison Callimachus Thorn, a faun, the fate of the world is in Peregrine’s hands.

What a story! ‘Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm’ is packed with magic and myth, action and adventure, making it an unputdownable read from the very first page.

Rich in references to Greek mythology, the plot romps along at a pleasing pace with many surprising twists and turns- and plenty of humour. The story moves from Oxford to the rivers of London and into the Under-Underground, transportation for Immortals to sites of significant Cosmic interest, and the dangers of the Under Realm, with each location being vividly brought to life.

Peregrine makes an amazing heroine as she faces challenges with determination, courage and ingenuity. Impulsive at times, her relationship with Rowan Strong, who likes to play by the rules and as a career Librarian finds a ‘lack of adequate information…particularly stress-inducing’, is wonderfully captured as the two come to appreciate and rely on one another.

‘Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm’ would make an excellent class read, offering plenty to discuss and enjoy- and more to look forward to in future books in the series.

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

Ash Bond

Piccadilly   ISBN: 978-1800786806