The Guardians of Magic. Book 1 of the The Cloud Horse Chronicles @chrisriddell50 Guest reviewer age 8 @fendaltonschool. Thank you Hannah.

I adore Chris Riddell and his talent for storytelling and creating the most amazingly gorgeous illustrations. I continue to add his books to my school library but also to my own collection. I shall die poor! Today I have a guest reviewer with her views on his latest book. Hannah is 8 years old and loves his books too and we have neat discussions about his books.  This is a new series and we are already keen for book two. No pressure Chris! Thank you so much Hannah for your review. You did beat me to reading it first.

Three children, three objects, three places that results in to a thrilling story of mysteries and magic. This story has made my imagination fly because of its characters creative thoughts. It’s the most mesmerising book I have ever read because it’s full of surprises. It has taken top place of my Chris Riddell list because it’s a different structure to his other books and I prefer this type of structure. As soon as I opened this book my eyes fell in love with it. You have to read this book.

        “ A magical story awaits your eyes”.

A book review by Hannah H age 8

I go quiet by David Ouimet : stunning, beautiful and imaginative sophisticated picture book@AllenAndUnwinNZ @canongatebooks

I go quiet

By David Ouimet

ISBN 9781786897404

Canongate Books

David Ouimet and his publishers have produced a stunning, imaginative sophisticated picture book. It deals with a girl who is extremely introverted. Shy and unassuming she doesn’t even have a name. She goes through life feeling overwhelmed and struggles to find a place where she can fit in. She longs to be heard. This is her journey.

I adore the fact that this solitary, nameless girl finds solace in books. 

“When I read

I know there is

a world beneath

my branches.”

Books and reading helps her and gives her courage. The illustrations are dark and moody but they are also beautiful and hopeful. It is for the more mature reader but this would be a great book to unpack with a class and delve into the depths of its beauty and meaning. Love it.

 

Two fun early chapter books from Scholastic. The Invincibles book 2 by author Peter Millett @petermillett : Miniwings and their next adventure by Sally Sutton

 The Invincibles: Short Circuit (Book 2)

By Peter Millett

Illustrated by Myles Lawford

ISBN 9781775436003

Scholastic NZ

 

Book two in this adventurous series by author Peter Millett is just as much fun as the first book. The Invincibles; Tana, Scotty, Zinnia, Andrea and Muzza still have their super powers but this time there’s a problem and the children have all shrunk to tiny insect-sized versions of themselves. However, it does not stop them from getting into trouble or from trying to save the day against Tricky Ricky. More adventure, mystery and fun, although trying to escape magpies when you are very tiny morsel sized humans can be a little on the dangerous side.

A good series with short chapters and funny illustrations to break up the text making this ideal for readers who are just enjoying their first chapter books.

 

Miniwings: Moonlight the Unicorn’s High Tea Hiccup

By Sally Sutton

Illustrated by Kirsten Richards

ISBN 9781775434887

Scholastic NZ

Clara and Sophia have a secret and readers are encouraged to keep that secret safe. The girls have a small herd of miniwings, tiny little live horses. Guess what? They can fly and when they fly they always create a mess and cause trouble for the sisters who do everything they can to keep them hidden.

The miniwings are all back in this latest book and still up to their naughty ways. This time they get up to mischief at a high tea and get stuck into destroying all the fancy food. Watch out for some flying teeth. Yes, teeth!

The illustrations have lots of pinks and purples, greens and blues and they are definitely cute and certainly funny.

A little bit naughty and lot of fun. If you like this one, there are others in the series just as funny.

Eekily, sneakily by Anne Hunter, illustrated by Dave Gunson. Fun poems to introduce young children to New Zealand’s small wildlife

Eekily, sneakily

By Anne Hunter

Illustrated by Dave Gunson

ISBN 9781869665036

New Holland Publishers

Simple poems introduce young children to some of New Zealand’s smaller wildlife.

We meet frogs, snails, stick insects, worms, spiders, butterflies and others and even a lizard. Lots of alliteration and made up words make this a fun learning read. Dave Gunson’s illustrations are bright and cherry yet well detailed.

There is a section at the back with facts for each creature to add to their poems.

Eeekily, sneakily is a simple non-fiction book in picture book format. Many of the insects are found in our own backyards so this is good to help children identify them when they see them flying around.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling illustrated edition by Jim Kay @BloomsburySyd @BloomsburyBooks

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

By J. K. Rowling

Illustrated by Jim Kay

ISBN 9781408845677

Bloomsbury

 

This is another beautifully illustrated collectors edition from Bloomsbury Publishers.

It doesn’t matter that I already have the set in paperback and hardback, this is something I just have to have, especially as I have the others in this beautiful format. Actually the original copies in the house belong to my now adult son, these illustrated ones are mine. The story is still the wonderful world of magic and mystery, although in this particular book the series takes a more dramatic turn and becomes darker and scarier, and sad too. It doesn’t really matter how old you are because if you are a fan of Harry Potter, then you are a fan for life. It also doesn’t matter how many times you read the books, there is always something new to discover that makes you suddenly think, so that’s why such and such happened.

Jim Kay brings a whole new element to the stories with his magical illustrations. There are stunning illustrations both in colour but also black and white which add mood and mysticism. Stunning.

Play around on the Wizarding World website to see much more.

My cat Dusty protecting my copy bought yesterday, one day after publication day.