The Crocodile Curse by Saviour Pirotta

 illustrated by Jo Lindley

Brothers Renni and Mahu, aided by their friend Princess Balaal  are off on adventures again. Renni has been working with his uncle decorating the interior of a tomb but the Pharaoh has decided alterations need to be made to the entranceway, so for a while Renni has nothing to do. Meanwhile floodwater has covered the land where Mahu grows his family's food. When it recedes, fertile black soil will be left for crops to flourish in, but for now Mahu has time on his hands. Balaal suggests they go on an a trip to Shedet, the city of Crocodiles, where the most sacred of the temple's crocodiles has died and is to be mummified.  

A fun journey soon turns more dangerous when among other visitors the friends spot Paser, Pharaoh's evil vizier. He's bound to be up to no good, but the three are determined to stop him, helped by a very unusual ibis.

This second book in the Nile Adventures series, following on from The Heart Scarab, reintroduces us to Ancient Egypt, and to the two brothers, Renni and Malu, and their friend Balaal. Since their father died, Malu, as the eldest, has to provide for his family, growing crops and fishing. Renni is quieter and more artistic and works as an apprentice to his uncle, helping with the decoration of the Pharaoh's tomb. In her own country, Balaal is a princess but she's come to the Black Land, Egypt, to discover more about its people and way of life. 

The Crocodile Curse is a book to entertain and educate.  It takes the three friends to Shedet and its temples dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and while young readers will find themselves caught up in their adventures, the background is full of informative facts about the culture and life of Ancient Egypt. It's a perfect tie-in to school KS2 history projects, helping to bring the past to life. Jo Lindley's black and white illustrations are full of slithery crocodiles, magnificent temples, and of course the three friends helping young readers to picture the scenes. 

The Wolf's Song by Saviour Pirotta

illustrated by Davide Ortu

Wolf, the Neolithic boy from the Orkney islands, has completed his journey to regain his precious amulet. Now it seems the only thing left to do is return to his home in the far north, and fulfill his dreams of becoming a shaman to help his people. But things aren't that simple. Being reunited with the amulet has brought strange dream-like visions of underwater creatures dying and being reborn, and when he is tempted to return to the temple of the Sleeping Goddess he unleashes her fury. Can he set things to right?

Fourth and last of this series set in prehistoric Britain and Europe, The Wolf's Song brings this story to a dramatic close. Wolf starts out from his home in Orkney as a young boy with aspirations to become a shaman, but with little knowledge of human nature or the wider world outside his island. On his journey, Wolf has traveled many, many miles, seen wondrous sights, and overcome numerous obstacles and challenges. Now he has at last gained the insight he needs to truly be a help to his people, but they are in physical danger. 

This has been a wonderful series, mixing nail-biting adventure with historic fact, and exploring problems and situations that are as relatable to today's readers as to the late Neolithic characters. It's a perfect read for the 7+ age group, whether they're learning about this period in school or not.

As with the previous books, the characters and atmosphere are captured by Davide Ortu's black and white illustrations. 

The previous books are - 

The Stolen Spear

The Whispering Stones

The Mysterious Island

 

The Mysterious Island by Saviour Pirotta

 

illustrated by Davide Ortu

Wolf lives in the Neolithic Age on the islands of Orkney, off the north coast of Britain. He's no good at the things that matter to his family and fellow islanders - things like fishing, hunting, or minding sheep - but has at last discovered his place in life and how to help his people, by becoming a shaman. The village's current shaman is willing to help him, but the shaman's son, Rain, who has never really liked Wolf, wants to be the one to replace his father, and his ambition will stop at nothing. 

Now, Rain has stolen Wolf's precious amulet, and in an attempt to retrieve it Wolf and his friend Crow (a young female warrior) find themselves on a journey across seas and unknown lands to an island at the centre of the world. Along the way Wolf and Crow see caves filled with paintings, a mountain that shoots fire into the sky, and temples constructed by long-forgotten people, but the most important discovery comes from within Wolf himself; that forgiveness is better than retaliatory anger.

This third book in the Wolfsong series continues Wolf's story on the path to achieving his ambition of becoming a shaman, to help his people interpret the spirits around them, and to conquer the evil ones that live within him. Aimed at children aged 7 and over, it fits well with Key Stage 2 history, but is first and foremost an adventure story, full of dangers and wonders, bringing the past to life with characters and situations that children can relate to, aided as always by Davide Ortu's illustrations. 

The Heart Scarab by Saviour Pirotta

 illustrated by Jo Lindley 

Saviour Pirotta is back with a new historical adventure series for children, this time set in Ancient Egypt, with brothers, Reni and Mahu as the main characters.

Renni is the younger, quieter and more thoughtful. He's learning to be an artist, helping his uncle Pepy decorate the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. His older brother Mahu is always full of schemes - often ones which get the brothers into trouble. He's interested in boats, fishing and hoping to one day find work on a ship that would take him to far distant places. To get such a job he'll need to bribe one of the crew, and his current plan is to steal something valuable from one of the tombs (or persuade Renni to) and barter it for an item of interest to a sailor. Things aren't as easy as Mahu claims. Renni is persuaded to enter the tomb of a dead general and steal a heart scarab placed on his chest but this is the beginning of the brothers' problems, for the Pharaoh's vizier also wants the heart scarab and will stop at nothing to get it. 

As with the author's previous 'Wolfsong' series set in the Neolithic period, this story mixes an exciting, maybe a little bit scary, plot with rich historical details; the first will engage younger readers, the second teach them about Ancient Egypt. Through the lives and adventures of Renni, Mahu and their friends, history is presented in a way to interest children. Pharaohs and their Gods can seem a little remote to the average 7 to 9 year old; experiencing that world through the eyes of  similar-aged children brings it to life. Everyday life probably didn't involve mummies coming back to life, or pursuing an enchanted thief through the corridors of a tomb, but this is definitely a story to entertain as much as it educates. 

There are black and white illustrations by Jo Lindley throughout to bring the characters and settings to life, and at the back a glossary of the more unusual words, notes on Gods and the locations of the story. As it's not all dull learning, the book ends with instructions for how to play the Ancient Egyptian board game of Senet.

Audrey Orr and the Robot Rage by Jenny Moore

Audrey's mum has won an all expenses paid cruise to Norway, but there's one snag. The holiday has to be taken during term-time, and Audrey's headmaster, Mr Stickler, doesn't allow ANYONE to take holidays during the school year, no matter how educational Audrey's mother says it will be. Granddad though has a clever plan. In the back of his favourite knitting magazine he's spotted an advert for lifelike robots. Maybe one could take Audrey's place at school while she joins her mum and dad on the cruise? 

The robot though soon develops thoughts of her own, and Audrey's plan starts to fall apart. 

It's a tempting idea, isn't it? Get a robot twin to do the boring stuff - go to school, do your homework, and anything else you don't want to do. If you're thinking it sounds cool, give this book a read. As Audrey finds out, there could be a downside. Instead of being the answer to her problems, having a robot twin turns out to be the start of them.

Audrey Orr and the Robot Rage is an excellent read - full of fast-paced mishaps and adventure, and lots of laughs. It's aimed at mid-grade, 9 to 12 year old readers, though it's a fun read to share with a younger child. Whichever, they'll be gripped by the quirky twists of the plot as Audrey tried to outwit her evil twin, and prove to her parents that SHE is the real Audrey. 

 

The Whispering Stones by Saviour Pirotta

illustrated by Davide Ortu

After his first adventure, as told in The Stolen Spear, Wolf, has discovered what he wants to do when he's grown up - to be a healer and a shaman. That's still a long way off though, and although his village's current shaman, Moon, is sympathetic and encouraging towards Wolf, the shaman's son is the total opposite. He believes he should be the one to follow his father, and does everything he can to thwart Wolf. Moon takes Wolf along to a secret shaman ceremony, but during it the old shaman is poisoned and Wolf is blamed. Again, he's forced to clear his name, this time travelling with Moon in search of a cure - a search which takes them far away from their island to the Whispering Stones, but danger follows them close behind.


This series is shaping up to be a great way to interest children (and perhaps even their parents in this time of home-schooling) in history, while still having all the ingredients of a gripping adventure, with illustrations throughout to really bring the characters alive. It isn't really necessary to have read The Stolen Spear, the first of Wolf's adventures, but if you have, you'll know he's a boy from the Neolithic age, who lives on Orkney, the islands just off Scotland's northern coast (it's briefly re-capped in the introduction for those who haven't). Wolf's friend Crow, who lives on another Orcadian island, is back to share his adventure, and prove that girls can be as strong and resourceful as boys. Children will learn a lot about the Neolithic period without realising they're having a history lesson, but the story also tackles problems which can apply to children, or adults, anywhere, anytime - choices we have to make, things we have to accept, and the importance of friendships.

Publisher  - Maverick Books
Genre - Children's historical fiction, 7+, KS2, Orkney Islands, 

The Stolen Spear by Saviour Pirotta

illustrated by Davide Ortu

 Wolf is a little bit of a misfit. He's no good at fishing. He's easily upset by the sight of blood, so will never make a hunter. He gets distracted or daydreams, and doesn't protect his family's sheep. One thing he's good at is climbing cliffs to collect eggs from the nesting auks - but even there he's trapped by the tide and has to be rescued by a stranger, a girl from a neighbouring island. The girl, named Crow, is welcomed by his family, but, after she has returned to her home, a sacred spear belonging to a dead shaman goes missing, and Crow is the only suspect. Wolf is blamed for bringing her to the village, and he vows to recover the spear, even though it means making a perilous journey to the other islands.

The Stolen Spear is a thrilling adventure story for children aged 7 and over. Set on the Orkney Islands at the end of the Neolithic period, in the world famous (now ruined) village of Skara Brae, it brings both the remoteness of the islands, and the way of life of its Stone Age inhabitants vividly to life. I always feel that historical fiction makes the past more accessible; lets us understand that people long ago were no different to us (an especially important point for younger readers). Wolf may be a Stone Age boy, but his problems of fitting in, of being bullied, of trying to prove his worth to his father, are all themes that young modern readers will relate to. Wolf's story is told in the first person from his point of view, letting the reader share Wolf's frustrations and fears, while at the same time he seamlessly explains aspects of his life which are undoubtedly strange to us today.

The story moves along quickly, with tense moments as Wolf  faces danger at sea and from the people he encounters on the other islands, but he also forges new friendships along the way, and ultimately finds his special role in life.


 While primarily an adventure story, The Stolen Spear ties in nicely with KS2 history on the late Neolithic period. There are discussion points at the back to encourage readers to think more about certain aspects of the story - concepts such as change or courage, or why people have different opinions and points of view - and of course the Neolithic period itself.

Publisher  - Maverick Books
Genre - Children's historical fiction, 7+, KS2, Orkney Islands, 

The Cautionary Tale of the Childe of Hale by Rachel Lyon

Illustrated by Vanina Starkoff
Review by The Mole

The Childe of Hale is a tall man... very tall and can't get anything to fit him - clothes, bed, house, so when the king offers help he gladly accepts it.

This beautiful and colourful picture book tells the a tale around the moral that we should learn to be happy with what we have - and the rhyme tells it in very easy access English that children will love.

Another excellent early reader or shared picture book that will delight youngsters and give a small amount of teaching too.

Publisher - Maverick Arts Publishing
Genre - Children's Picture Book

Buy The Cautionary Tale of the Childe of Hale from Amazon

Tabitha Posey was Ever so Nosey by Julie Fulton

Illustrated by Jona Jung

Review by The Mole

Tabitha was a nosey child, always asking questions and giving no-one any peace. A trip to the zoo however may change that a little bit but who knows?

Told in captivating rhyme the tale bounces along in fast action keeping the reader engaged with humour throughout. The illustrations are very colourful, full of detail and beautifully cartoon in style.

This one is bound to be a hit with the early readers, both girls and boys. Let's not discount the read and share value though as this will delight the reader each time it's read as much as the first.

This is bound to be a hit!

Publisher - Maverick Books 
Genre - Children's Early Reader, 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)

Grandma Bendy by Izy Penguin

BAD Grandma
Review by The Mole

Everyone deserves a Grandma who is a little different and Grandma Bendy is certainly different! Her bendiness gives her the ability to do stuff - like enter people's houses when they aren't around, but after she is burgled herself she turns over a new leaf and finds that her abilities have more than one use.

The zany, madcap illustrations (and watch those mice please, they too have something to say) are wonderful and the story causes the reader to stop and think that maybe I should 'do as I would be done by'.

Another colourful and entertaining book for youngsters from Maverick Books, for the young reader or to be read and shared at bedtime.

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

The Jelly That Wouldn't Wobble by Angela Mitchell

Don't SHOUT at it!
Review by The Mole

It is Princess Lolly’s 89th birthday party and a glorious jelly is on the menu. However there is a problem: the jelly refuses to wobble!

Everything is tried to make the jelly wobble but everything fails until one little girl pipes up with a suggestion.

With bright and exciting colours, the illustrations by Sarah Horne are fun as the story unfolds.. and what a fun idea, surely ALL jellies wobble.

A great one for reading to a young one and perhaps seeing if they can be made to wobble while you read?

A great book to share.

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

buy The Jelly That Wouldn't Wobble from Amazon

Sparkle's Song by Samantha Hale

No music and laughter?
Review by The Mole

Sparkle's parents 'go out in the car one day and don't come back' so Sparkle goes to live with her aunt but her aunt won't allow music and laughter in the house.

Sparkle takes her radio outdoors to listen to music but her aunt then takes that away from her. Then she hears music and follows the sound deeper and deeper into the forest.

The pictures and colours compliment the story very well but it's not a sweet tale of a happy child. The story is more about Sparkle helping her aunt to come to terms with the death of her sister and so bringing about the return of music and laughter to a house that has forgotten how and why. So the story does end on a happy note.

Publisher - Maverick Books 
Genre - Children's Early Reader 

Buy Sparkle's Song from Amazon

The Goblin and the Girl by Neil Irani

The Power Of The Mirror
Review by The Mole

The Girl has a mirror which whenever she looks in it all she sees is a goblin. Frightened that other people will see the goblin too she hides her face behind a large hat and avoids people until one day when The Boy talks to her in a friendly way and she can't hide from him.

One thing that surprised me in this book is that "The Girl" and "The Boy" don't have names. It's something that I hadn't noticed until I re-read it and the more I think about it the more relevant this idea actually is.

While the pictures (by Park Yun) are powerful they also manage to catch the mood very well of The Girl as the story progresses.

My only concern is if a child on their own could catch the true understanding of the important subject that this book covers, so I feel that at some point it needs to be shared and talked about. Self-esteem. Perhaps one of the earliest character developments that can shape a person for many years. The book is written such that if it is shared with a child and discussed it can be used to show that 'the quiet child in the class' should be talked to and treated kindly even if not actually befriended by everyone or it can be used to show a shy child that they don't look like a goblin and are perfectly normal and that they can talk and play with other children.

A beautifully drawn and well scripted book for sharing and discussing.

Publisher - Maverick Books
Genre - Children's Early Reader

Buy The Goblin and the Girl from Amazon

Get Ahead Fred by Daisy Dawes

Get Ahead, Get A Hat
Review by The Mole

Fred has an obsession - hats! We are told, in rhyme, about the some of the many hats he has and why he decides to get the biggest hat that he can find for a special occasion. Unfortunately this proves to be an unwise move and we find out why all the cats sleep in hats.

Using models in the style of Postman Pat and many other children's favourites, rather than cartoons, the author has illustrated this tale as well as crafted the verse.

A very easily read book for the early reader and one where they will learn the names of many different types of hats. But putting the vocabulary to one side, it is a fun book with bright and attractive pictures that kids will really enjoy and that's what books must always be about.

Publisher - Maverick Books
Genre - Children's Early Reader

Buy Get Ahead Fred from Amazon

The Four Little Pigs by Kimara Nye

A breath of life into a classic story
Review by The Mole

With illustrations by Marcin Bruchnalski.

Tom has a granny who is a witch and when Tom says he doesn't want to hear "The Three Little Pigs" AGAIN then granny adds a twist.

We have all read stories to our little ones for the umpteenth time and felt like deviating from the plot. Perhaps Jack falls from the beanstalk and can't climb up, or Red Riding Hood goes off to the cinema  and leaves granny waiting? Well that is what Kimara Nye has done here she has made the story fun for adults again as well as the children. The wolf gets a few new nasty shocks as the pigs become wise to all his moves.

Beautiful pictures paired with simple dialogue that makes it a really fun bedtime reader - with a twist. Come On - we need more of them!


Maryom's comment - A delightful, alternative telling of The Three Little Pigs, one I would have loved to have shared with my toddlers.

 Publisher  - Maverick Books
Genre - Children's Picture Book

Buy The Four Little Pigs from Amazon

Mrs MacCready was ever so greedy by Julie Fulton

Not another snack?
Review by The Mole

As the title tells us, Mrs MacCready is a little too greedy for her own good. As we learn about just how greedy she is, she continues to get larger and larger and can no longer get clothes to fit until things reach a rather too literal bursting point...

This book highlights the perils of overeating - if a little over dramatically, but with a humour that will entertain kids and hold their attention.

The story is told in easy to read rhyme that kids will love to recite. For a 'sit beside' read to or a first reader this book is a treat. Each of the thirteen double page spreads is a delightful, brightly coloured picture illustrated by Jona Jung, with lots to talk about.

Publisher - Maverick Books
Genre - Childrens 5+

Buy Mrs MacCready Was Ever So Greedy from Amazon

Please Bear's Birthday

Parties can be fun
Review by The Mole

It's Please Bear's Birthday and so he invites his friends round for a party and they all decide to come. Some of his friends are shy bears, some moaning bears, some are kind bears, some are helpful bears and so the list goes on.

The story tells, in rhyme, how all the bears behave, making it clear what good behaviour is and how it is so much more fun to behave well and win friends. Set with matching, lovely colourful pictures this book is a treat to read and is sure to be loved by children.

To be read together or as an early reader children will be sure to enjoy the book and the messages it carries.

Publisher - Maverick Books
Genre - Children's Picture book

Buy Please Bear's Birthday (Nice Bear Naughty Bear) at 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