The Famous Adventures of Jack by Berlie Doherty

Review by The Mole

We've all heard the story of Jack haven't we? Well, we've all heard stories of at least one Jack be it Uncle Jack, Daft Jack, Jack the Giant Killer or one of the many other Jacks. This is the story of some of them. When Jill asks for Jack then Mother Greenwood tries to find out which Jack by recounting some of the stories and, naturally, we are privileged to listen in too.

But the retelling is not done as a disjointed separation of Mother Greenwood's telling and the separate story of Jill but rather as one smooth flowing narrative that makes the reading a true delight and extremely engaging.

A wonderful balance of light hearted reading. One for young children to enjoy time and again or to be shared, occasionally, as a bed time reader.

Publisher - Catnip
Genre - Children's Fairytale Fiction, 7+

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Roodica The Rude - Party Pooper by Margaret Ryan

Review by The Mole

Roodica, a Celtic princess, is planning a party when her plans are cancelled because her family must attend another party, at the same time, being given by the Romans. But Roodica is a girl of spirit and is not going to take this lying down. In fact if she can take advantage of it, then she will!

This is a story without a hidden meaning - it's one that is purely for fun and fun it certainly is. Yes, there are things in there to be learned but it can also just be enjoyed and perhaps that's the best kind of book - one that motivates its young reader on the promise of laughter. Although they may learn a bit about Roman life - but is that important?

Aimed at the 7+ audience and with lots of simple but amusing black and white drawings this is bound to delight at Christmas and there are three others stories in the series already to keep them laughing and reading.

Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 7+ fiction,Comedy, Historical

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Hidden Lies by Victor Watson (A Paradise Barn Story)

Review by The Mole

It's May 1944 and Cassie Covington fleas from her uncle's funeral to find strangers searching her house so once again she fleas in fear of her own safety. She knows little about her uncle except that he had been a spy before the start of the war and that he was her only living relative. Where would she live now? Who could she turn to for safety? Little does she know that she holds the lives of thousands of soldiers in her hands.

A fast moving story of 'Who are the bad guys? Are there actually any bad guys?' in the Enid Blyton fashion but here Watson does it in a new way for a new generation. He tells the story without patronising the reader and brings to the young reader a lot of history about the war in a semi educational style. Having said that he brought forward things about the war that I didn't know (but that's not too hard) and that Maryom didn't know (and that's much harder). He also made you think, more deeply, about what life was really like for children during the war. We have all been told in the classroom what it was like but here Watson brings it much more to life and brings day to day things that you may not have considered before into your thoughts as well.

But without all this 'educational resource' stuff he first and foremost tells an excellent story that entertains for the sake of it. With a young girl for hero but boys dotted throughout the story it will appeal to all readers of nine or older although mature readers would probably enjoy this from the age of seven. Having said that, I am a little older than either of those age groups and I learned from it and more importantly thoroughly enjoyed it.

Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 9+ fiction, War

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Tilly Tiptoes Takes a Curtain Call by Caroline Plaisted

Review by The Mole

When the choreographer Mitzi Morgan decides to give the premier of her new ballet at The Grand Theatre then there is a chance for Tilly to be one of the dancers. There  is hard work ahead for all the Extras but Tilly has been given number 13 as her audition number. Bad luck starts to strike her at every opportunity but can she get over it and get through the auditions?

This is one for the very young ballet fans out there. Packed with ballet terms and walking the reader through the audition and even rehearsal procedures it is bound to delight those going to ballet school as  well as those wanting to go. The publisher says it is aimed at the 7+ reader but I would say it's appeal will start younger at 6+. An easy read with delightful line drawings peppered throughout and a plot that is essentially 'nice' - that is to say very little jealousy, backbiting and bullying, something that tends to be a foundation stone of stories like this.

Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 6+ fiction

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Song Quest by Katherine Roberts

review by Maryom

The Isle of Echoes is home to the Singers who seek to maintain harmony in the world through the ancient Songs of Power - Challa for healing, Kashe for laughter, Shi for sadness, Aushan for discipline and Yehn for death. Rialle, Kherron and Freyn are young singers training at the Echorium, but when a fearsome storm washes a stranger ashore and the sea-dwelling Merlee half-creatures call for help, their life changes completely. Journeying to the mainland they discover that an evil force is trying to destroy everything the Singers have worked for. The only hope lies in the power of Song...
A highly enjoyable and original adventure fantasy. It rather plunges straight into the story- so much so that I wondered if this was book 2 of a series although it is the beginning of a trilogy - but I was soon up and running with the characters and setting. Behind the adventure are warnings of what could happen if we too continue to destroy the world around us, making this story both entertaining and thought-provoking.

With a strong female lead and 2 contenders for the title of 'hero' it is a tale that will appeal to both girls and boys.

Maryom's Review - 4 stars
Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's fiction 10 -12, fantasy

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Digging In The Dark by Hilda Offen

Sometimes Friends are needed
Review by The Mole

Josh's cousin, Malcolm, is dropped off unexpectedly by his parents who disappear without an explanation. Heavily into history and extremely unsociable, Malcolm then proceeds to dig holes everywhere until he declares that he has found a Roman villa. As Josh tries to help Malcolm be accepted by the children of the neighbourhood and Malcolm seems to work to not be accepted, we are witness to a great deal of funny moments but that doesn't change the fact that the story is mainly a light hearted adventure for early readers when Malcolm goes missing. The reason Malcolm has ended up at Josh's becomes apparent and is of great embarrassment to Malcolm. Izzie, Josh's sister, ensures the whole school knows about it and makes Malcolm's life a misery.

At only 112 pages this book will be a quick read for children looking for a light hearted adventure and with plenty of pictures throughout, this book is sure to be enjoyed by children 7+. It has plenty of examples of good behaviour from Josh and he would make an excellent role model as he shows friendship and loyalty to Malcolm. Malcolm however, doesn't appreciate Josh's kindness even when Josh manages to save the day! But Josh will have you laughing at his antics!

Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 7+ fiction

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The Court Painter's Apprentice by Richard Knight

The power of a picture
Review by The Mole

Johann is the son of a pub landlord until Hugo finds his work and offers him an apprenticeship. Johann quickly learns to paint what he sees in people and is appreciated for it until one day one lady sitter is disappointed with result and Johann decides to paint what he would like to see in the lady. Suddenly the lady's luck changes, but surely that's coincidence? Potential clients don't seem to think so.

Paintings can be magical and the idea that you could step inside and be part of the story of that painting is one that has been explored before by authors, but this is the first time that I have read one where the painter himself appears to be the magical element. This and Johann's struggle to get recognised by the Guild as a Master Craftsman become an enchanting and entertaining story for the more serious minded of our younger readers.

I also found this book raised certain issues about people's attitudes to the younger person. A very good read that will be enjoyed by girls and boys alike.

Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 8+ fantasy fiction

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Edwin Spencer: Shadow Magic by J D Irwin

Return To Hysteria
Review by The Mole

Edwin receives a visit from Hysteria asking if he will go back and assist a still recovering Auvlin. Amidst assurances that no danger awaits him he decides to return and Perpetua invites herself along again. Only we all know that 'no danger' means 'no story' and so Edwin once again dices with death.

This story is every bit as good as the first Edwin Spencer: Mission Improbable, if not a little better. This time I did guess the key fact and proved to be right - but not at a cost to my enjoyment. It was still great fun with adventure for young confident readers with just enough humour thrown in.

We also see the friendship between Perpetua and Edwin growing stronger although we also witness Edwin out-thinking Perpetua which surprises and hurts Perpetua just a little bit.

I am sure Edwin will return to Hysteria at some point (although probably not on his own!) in the future and I am sure it will continue to delight younger readers.

Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 8+ fantasy fiction

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Edwin Spencer: Mission Improbable by J D Irwin

No ordinary science lesson
Review by The Mole

Edwin Spencer is an ordinary boy (and that makes a bit of a change before we start!) with three academically excelling sisters while he plods along, like boys do, doing the minimum at school. Then in a science lesson a vortex appears and a voice commands him to enter it. Edwin hasn't lost control of his mind and like all sensible people keeps well clear. But the vortex is out to get him and one day, while hiding in a cupboard, he gets dragged off to a strange adventure.

I made a mistake with this book and tried to out guess the author but it's not a book like that. The story twists and turns and the reader knows all the information as it's given and can try to guess who the bad guys are. It didn't help, I still got it wrong!

Well plotted, engaging and fast moving this story is bound delight the 9+ readers, both boys and girls. The story is shared with a heroine in the form of Perpetua, an academically excelling student in Edwin's form who also happens to be 'concerned' (nosey?) about Edwin and so gets caught in the vortex.

This story is bound to delight young readers and another adventure follows in Edwin Spencer: Shadow Magic.


Publisher - Catnip Publishing
Genre - Children's 8+ fantasy fiction

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