Little Bell and the Moon by Giles Paley-Phillips

Illustrator Iris Deppe

Review by The Mole

Little Bell loves the Moon and the Moon loves Little Bell. Every night the Moon takes Little Bell's hand and together they cross the oceans and the mountains on their adventures. Little Bell grows old and frail but one last flight with the Moon makes something very special happen to Little Bell.

Inspired by a need to help children come to terms with death and the loss of a loved one this book tells its story in rhyme.

Each double page has a verse and a picture that complements the story with detail of the kind that the moon does 'see' and it travels around the world. We see Little Bell become older as the story progresses with toys disappearing and grey hair starting to appear. A beautifully told story, and very well illustrated, that tells the young reader that death is not necessarily the end.

Plenty to talk about on each page means this lovely book is ideal for sharing and talking about a subject that is best shared.

Publisher - Fat Fox
Genre - Children's Picture Book

Tamara Small and the Monsters' Ball by Giles Paley-Phillips

A Shadow In The Dark?

Review by The Mole

When Tamara can't get to sleep the monsters come and get her. They take here away to the Annual Monsters' Ball where they dance the night away.

Once again Maverick have come up with the goods in the form of a bright and cheerful picture book emblazoned with lots of bright colours and monsters that you could fall in love with.

The story to go with it is easy to read and humorous to entertain the youngest of readers or adults as they share the reading while also being in simple rhyme that has a rhythm that children will enjoy immensely. Perhaps a story to read when the shadows seem to threaten and they need to be explained?


Publisher - Maverick Books 
Genre - Children's Early Reader, Picture book

Buy Tamara Small and the Monster's Ball from Amazon (pre-order till September 2012)

The Mole's Christmas reading suggestions...

The problem with a list like this is that any you leave out you seem to be 'knocking' in some way, but that is not the case, it's just the list has to be the one's that made the biggest impact on me.

Maryom has made her choice, which is HERE

Starting with children's and getting older as we go

The Fearsome BeastieA book to share with younger readers that is just good fun.

Ralph is not a spy Laugh out load moments with lots of activities too for young apprentice spies.

Lee On the Dark Side of the Moon

Just simple fun for younger readers with lots of laughs.

The Sons of Rissouli Boys own adventure stuff that they won't put down. Peace and quiet on Christmas afternoon?











Moving on to teenagers and beyond...

The Kiss of Death
A bit daft putting this one in really because it's out of print but if you can find a copy...

Philip Ardagh's Book of Howlers, Blunders and Random Mistakery

If you can bear to have your Christmas interrupted by someone piping up "Did you know...?" then include this one - otherwise get it for yourself and ruin everyone else's peace and quiet!

Spider

This is a very powerful story of speed, adrenaline and fallout - see if they can put it down.

Star of Sakova

I have read some fantasy this year but this one sort of 'sticks' with me more than the rest.









And now to just the adults readers...

The Liberation of Celia Kahn

A well told story of growing up.

Hot Dogs under the Dakota

Another one I keep coming back to as I found the story most intriguing.

Night Watcher

We found that we didn't get on with e-books but of the few I have managed to read that way this one was certainly worth reading.

Return to the Olive Farm

And last, but certainly not least, Carol Drinkwater's experiences certainly made me start to question much about the 'organic' labels.









To all those books that I have read and not included - apologies but I had to choose just 10... (Ssshhhh... she hasn't counted them!)

Giles Paley-Phillips author interview

Today the Giles Paley-Phillips blog tour arrives at Our Book Reviews Online. We have reviewed "The Fearsome Beastie" and "There's a Lion in my Bathroom". Today we are publishing an interview that he found time to give us.

You "neglected your education to pursue a career in music"... are we likely to have heard your music on the radio? Yeah we had a bit of airply back in the day, we got to play a few big events too, like Glastonbury and Essential festivals

You are now performing with Burnthouse. What type of music is it you perform?
Alternative Rock

You now write poetry books. Did you write any of the music you have performed?
Yeah I used to write music and some lyrics, but the band was always a collaboration of all the members, where as this is now me on my own!

With your poems, are there any poets that have influenced you at all?
I'm a huge fan of Shel Silverstein, his work was a huge inspiration for me to start writing in the first place.

Your first book of poetry - Linear Hymns was being sold to raise money for leukaemia research. Would you like to tell us more about your involvement with this charity?
My mum died of Leukaemia when I was 6 and I have been a life long supporter.

You wrote a collection of nonsense poems called "There is a Lion in My Bathroom" with illustrations by Matt Dawson. How involved were you with the choice of illustrator?
I loved Matt's work as soon as I saw it and did ask my publisher for him to be involved.

Where do you draw your inspiration for your poetry?
From lots of different things really, just stuff that pops in there!

You have also produced an illustrated children's story in poetry called "The Fearsome Beastie". The illustrations were by Gabrielle Antonini. Again how was this particular illustrator chosen?
Like most picture books, my publisher looked to pair my work work with the most appropriate illustrator.

You are now a father of 2. Can you tell us how your children are involved in the creative process?
They are always getting stuff read to them, to gauge their interest and to get their thoughts, my eldest is 4 and massively opinionated! and of course I write stuff I hope they will like.

If your children came home, as young teenagers, and said they were going to go on tour with a band - would you support them in their venture or try to prevent them?
I would like to think I would support them in what ever they decide to do when they are older, if it was something they were passionate about then of course I would actively encourage them to pursue their dreams.

What plans do you have for the future?
I have several more picture books coming out on the next couple of years, plus I've recently become a patron for FSW, a family support work charity based in Sussex, so I will be working closely with them to build up awareness and we are working on some very exciting new events over the next two years, so please do watch this space.

Many thanks for Giles' today and we wish him all the best, particularly in his charity work and fundraising efforts.

There's A Lion In My Bathroom by Giles Paley-Phillips

Nonsense
Review by The Mole

Poetry is, for me, a funny thing, I know what I like and it has to be entertaining. This book is a collection of Giles's nonsense poems and although they seem to talk to the younger reader there are also plenty in there to appeal to adults too. To describe them as 'nonsense' is not absolutely correct. For example apart from 'why would a lion be using the shower?' the poem makes a of joke of the dilemma this creates in a humorous way. As for other examples... best to read the book perhaps?

There are regular black and white pictures throughout that are well drawn by Matt Dawson and they enjoy a quality of cuteness making the collection of poems that much more enjoyable.

I really did enjoy this collection - those suited to the younger reader as well as those for the more mature reader.

It is also worth noting that a donation from the profits on this book will go to Leukaemia research.

Publisher - Rebel Books Publishing
Genre - Nonsense Poetry - all ages

Buy There's a Lion in My Bathroom: Nonsense Poetry for Children from Amazon

The Fearsome Beastie by Giles Paley-Phillips

With Illustrations by Gabrielle Antonini
Good Old Gran!
review by The Mole

When you get a book suitable for 'shared reading' - that is where you sit by the child as you read and actions and sounds are made by one or both - they are frequently more about the pictures than the words. True classics of this genre are the ones where the words do most of the work and the pictures become the support act. I can name but a few that I would call true classics - and can still (8-10 years later) recite some of them. This book deserves to become one of those classics. Don't misunderstand though the pictures are beautiful and action provoking in their own way, but the poetry in this book is extremely 'catchy'. It has a rhythm that scans well throughout. The story line is not over simplified but is also not over complex and not only makes an excellent shared reader but the choice of font makes it ideal as well for an early reader book.

The subject matter is the beastie in the dark that children tend to get worked up at. I don't think I am giving too much away if I say that Gran saves the day... Don't they always? That's why we love them.

My only regret with this book is that at 13 my daughter doesn't want picture books at bedtime any more!

In coupling these poems with this illustrator then this book has really become a wonderful book.

Publisher - Maverick Books
Genre - Childrens 5+


Buy The Fearsome Beastie from Amazon