Reviews

There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.

Picture Book, Penguins, Humour Sue Wilsher Picture Book, Penguins, Humour Sue Wilsher

Penguin Huddle

Every day, the penguin pack plays on the frozen southern pole, but when the sun goes down, they squeeze together in a penguin huddle, warm and cosy, all night long. However, one morning, after a freezing gale, the penguins wake up to find themselves stuck together. Luckily, Pipsqueak, the smallest of them all, has the biggest ideas…

Perfect for the chilly winter evenings, ‘Penguin Huddle’ is a delightful tale of friendship and helping others, full of Ross Montgomery’s humour and Sarah Warburton’s charming illustrations. There is so much to discuss and enjoy on each spread that this will quickly become a firm favourite with young- and old(er) readers everywhere.

So many creatures step up to help the huddle in need, showing the importance of kindness and lending a helping hand -or paw-or claw-or flipper- whenever you can. Pipsqueak’s positive nature and good ideas lead the penguins to work as a team, eventually solving their problem. The wonderful illustrations lend themselves to children inventing their own stories- the mouse family being aided by the fire-giraffe, for example! There are also plenty of touches of humour to explore in the posters about town and in the Doctopus’s surgery!

The book also lends itself to inspiring creative activities- penguin skittles (made from toilet roll tubes), making lollies, using the features of individual penguins to create new ones- perhaps in a game of Build-a-Penguin! So many possibilities!

That said, this is simply a delightful story, packed with personality and penguin power! One not to be missed!

Penguin Huddle

Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406389838

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Fiction, Magical Sue Wilsher Fiction, Magical Sue Wilsher

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief

Having recently fought dangerous wizard, Silas, Willow Moss has been drained of her magical powers, but the danger to Starfell is far from over. With the help of her friends, Willow decides to go in search of the legendary Craegun, a powerful creature believed to be able to restore anything which has been lost, who lives in the mountains of Nach. Willow knows there will be a heavy price to pay, but Starfell and everything she loves is in danger, leaving this brave young witch determined, once again, to do her best.

The ‘Starfell’ series has been incredible and this latest (but I hope not last!) visit to Willow’s world is every bit as wonderful as the others. Full of endearing and engaging characters, the stories celebrate friendship, loyalty and believing in yourself.

Willow is so lovely. Over the course of the books, she has grown in confidence and has come to value her abilities whilst remaining kind, thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of others. Through her gentle nature, she inspires loyalty and love from those she meets- finally, her sisters recognise her worth, giving her due credit! Names (always so important to me!) have been so carefully chosen, adding to each character and Oswin continues to capture everyone’s heart with his ways as cantankerous as ever, but his affection and devotion to Willow unshakeable.

The Starfell world is richly developed and full of detail and colour with each location vividly drawn, pulling you into this world of magic and wonder. Sarah Warburton’s illustrations are the perfect complement to the text and under the dust jacket, the book cover is a joy.

An excellent series which captures both the heart and the imagination, the ‘Starfell’ books are simply brilliant!

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief

Dominique Valente, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008308513

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