Tag: children

The Owl Service, by Alan Garner: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, opinion, Reading, Review1 Comment

I have no memory of acquiring this book, which is considered a children’s classic. I wonder if the mystery of its origin in my home was a factor in keeping me reading it since I found it hard work.Generally, I need to empathise with at least one character in a book to give it any …

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My Socks Have Gone Bonkers, by Dale Neal, Illustrated by Mark Millicent #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, opinion, Reading, Review6 Comments

This charming and funny book of rhyming verse will appeal to children of all ages as well as to the childlike part of most adults. The illustrations are clever and fun, too. It’s a book your children will delight in whether reading it themselves or being read to by their favourite aunt or uncle. The …

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Fancy Some Fantastic New Books, Free?

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, charity, Creative Writer, Fiction, Fundraising, Prizes, Reading, Review

The imaginative and generous independent publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing, is launching 9 new titles during the period 14th October to 4th November. There are books for all tastes here. But the point of this post is the competition accompanying the launches. You can win copies of all these books quite simply. You merely have to …

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Death By Column Inches, by Penny Kot: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, opinion, Reading, Review3 Comments

Having read previous works by Penny Kot, under her other pen names, I expected to find a complex plot, with many twists and turns, populated by a cast of varied and credible characters. I was not in any way disappointed. In fact, this novel is probably her most convoluted story so far. Able to convincingly …

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Tatty Cat and the Wonderful Whiff, by Mella May, Illustrated by George Utton: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, opinion, Reading, Review8 Comments

74 pages, Children’s Books A riotously illustrated book for children telling a hilarious tale of mischief in rhyme that works surprisingly well.Children will love this story of the tatty cat in pursuit of a whiff of such tempting delights he’s willing to risk all sorts to get to the source and dine on it. The …

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Wolf Road, by Alice Roberts: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Literature, Reading, Review8 Comments

This wonderful story was written for children, but I read and enjoyed it as a man of 75 years because it is so well written. An absorbing, intelligent, imaginative adventure informed by the science the author has lived with and her experience of life in appropriate lands. I’ve followed Alice Roberts’ career with interest ever …

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#MABLE: Author Interview with Penny Grubb.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, opinion, Review8 Comments

Photo by Weronika Dziok Each and every one of you is invited to join in the fun of the Massive Autumn Book Launch Event (#MABLE) organised by my publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing. It began on 17th September and runs to 31st October. And you can sign up to join in the fun here. Join Us …

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Horse of the Same Colour, by Melodie Trudeaux: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Reading, Review2 Comments

This children’s book is a follow-up to Horse of a Different Colour, and follows the adventures of Megan, Amy, and their fiends and enemies as they encounter more strange magic, ‘swaps’, and discover another foul scheme by the loathsome O’Neill. The story begins with an unexpected encounter between Megan and Jack, the horse with which …

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Horse of a Different Colour, by Melodie Trudeaux: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Reading, Review4 Comments

112 pagesRiding & Horsemanship/Gen Sprots Hobbies & Games/Teen & Young Adult This intriguing and humorous adventure story for children, especially those who love horses, involves a little magic in the form of role play that suddenly becomes real! It becomes potentially rather dangerous for young Megan, able to swap places with Jack, the old and …

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The Fifth Ascendant, by Joshua Grant: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Reading, Review

777 pages Children’s Steampunk/Fantasy and Magic for Children As this is a children’s book, I read it to find out how the author dealt with such a readership, having read other works of his written for adults. This is definitely written for a younger readership. There are elements some adults will find difficult to follow; …

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