The Morgans and the Jewel of Bar-Ran by K T Dady

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Morgans and the Jewel of Bar-Ran by K T Dady for son2 to review. To find out more about the author, you may see her website here.

Here is the book blurb.

Your world isn’t the only one that exists. There is another, a magical place called Bar-Ran, and it’s about to be destroyed unless the Morgan children can find the royal dragon and replace its heart. They are five siblings who are magically transported to a strange land during the night. All they want to do is go home, but a wizard sends them on a journey to rescue the powerful Jewel, and it is a journey that changes their lives forever. This book is suitable for Harry Potter fans and those who enjoy discovering new places like Neverland, Wonderland, and Narnia. This is the first book in the series.

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

I liked this book, it was very interesting, with twist and turns all around and ending on a cliffhanger.

Short and to the point. As I also read the book, I’ll give you a bit more. The five orphaned Morgan children aged 7 to 13 were on holiday visiting their grandmother Nana Hats who lives in a castle, near the town of Peasmore. Unfortunately they can’t live there, as they are in the custody of their horrible mean uncles who make them do all the chores on their pig farm.

But there are some very odd things going on like floating upto the ceiling and glowing red rain. When the children investigate further in the castles’s South Tower in the middle of the night, they end up being transported to the magical land of Bar-Ran in their pyjamas. They want to go home but discover they have first have to complete a mission to save Bar-Ran by recovering the Jewel and returning it to the dragon.

Their mission takes them on journey through many lands, meeting all sorts of magical characters, some good and some bad. We get to see the different personalities of each of the siblings. And son2 is correct about it ending on a cliffhanger, all ready for a new adventure in the second book – The Morgans and the Legend of Blood-Beard.

The Morgans and the Jewel of Bar-Ran is available on Amazon, currently priced at £6.99 in paperback and is also available in kindle format. A great children’s chapter book which son2 really enjoyed. Highly recommended.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are mine and my son’s own.

The Ghost of Crow Cavern by John Wedlake and Norman Mounter

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Ghost of Crow Cavern by John Wedlake and Norman Mounter for son2 to review.

Here is the book blurb.

A wave of delight and anticipation sweeps through a small community of red squirrels as they behold a vast fleet of boats carrying their distant cousins towards them. They will no doubt bring incredible wealth, wisdom and joy to the humble squirrels of Nutshaven. However, the dream soon becomes a nightmare. Their distant cousins soon turn out to be enormous and brutish bullies of an ever-expanding Grey Empire. Shadowtail – the brilliant but intensely evil Grey leader – announces that their lives are about to radically change: Your colony is now ours, and we shall endeavour to use you and your resources to enrichen the imperial spoils of conquest and world domination. With their entire way of life now under threat, will the wisdom of old Normsk, the wits of young Cheswick and the might of Brutenuts the Brave be enough to counter such a dark and dominant force?

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

I liked the Start, However, as it went on it got a bit boring, However, the End was alright.
I liked the concept of it Starring Squirrels. 🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿

I also read this book and was quite surprised how dark the storyline is for a children’s book. Amazon indicates it to be aimed at children age 6-10, but no way would I read this to a 6 year old. I would suggest this is much more suited to children age 10-13. Even the blurb hints at how ruthless the grey squirrels are. And the cute cover red squirrel looks quite scared indeed. However son2 seemed oblivious to the dark undertones.

Red squirrels used to be the only squirrels here in the UK up until the late 1800s. Grey squirrels were originally native to North America. I myself have never seen a wild red squirrel, although probably see grey squirrels in my garden most days. Take this theme and make it darker, then you have the measure of this tale.

The Ghost of Crow Cavern is available on Amazon, currently priced at £3.78 in paperback and is also available in kindle and hardback formats. A rather dark storyline for children. Son2 rates this chapter book 3star. He is usually an avid reader but this didn’t really hit the spot for him.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are mine and my son’s own.

Anna and Evan meet Charles Darwin by Tanya Hutter and Lina Daniel

We have received a free e-copy of the book Anna and Evan meet Charles Darwin by Tanya Hutter and Lina Daniel for son2 to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Join Anna and Evan on a magical adventure to the Galapagos Islands where they meet Charles Darwin, discover unusual animals and learn some interesting scientific facts.

This engaging and educational book is ideal for young children to encourage curiosity and interest in the natural world and science.

I liked that the book 📚 featured science,🔬 although the story was a bit dodgy, I liked the book 📚 overall.

The comment above is what son2 has written for his review. I quizzed him on what he meant about the story being a bit dodgy, as he had been very pleased to see his favourite penguins on the first page. Apparently it is because he didn’t think the magic was spectacular enough and that Charles Darwin wasn’t at all surprised when 2 children just arrive. You can tell he is older than the target age for the book, looking beyond what he actually sees on the page.

Son2 has already learnt who Charles Darwin is at school but the book is written in a style so that the story flows easily for younger children who haven’t heard of Darwin yet, with a biography about him at back.

The story starts at the zoo where Anna and Evan are curious about the differences between some species. They then whisper the magical words that send them off on their adventure to the Galapagos Islands where they meet Charles Darwin. He does eventually answer their original question but not before sharing lots of other nature facts. I even found out things I didn’t know!

This short picture book has been beautifully illustrated by Karin Eklund and includes helpful labels against the creatures. And there is also a dictionary at the end explaining words used in the book like camouflage.

Anna and Evan meet Charles Darwin is available on Amazon, currently priced at £9.99 in paperback and is also available in kindle format. Suitable for a wide age range. A fascinating book to read out loud to your child or for them to read themselves, which gives a great introduction for children to nature and science.

Writing of this book was supported by the L’Oréal UK and Ireland For Women In Science Fellowship. More details about the book are available here https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/outreach/anna-evan-meet-charles-darwin

About the authors

As a young girl, Dr. Tanya Hutter couldn’t imagine that she would end up being a leading scientist in nanotechnology and chemical sensing, and a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Currently, she lives in Cambridge with her husband and their two curious children that inspired the book.

Lina Daniel has been always interested in science and medicine, eventually becoming a chemist and a pharmacist, and currently working in the pharmaceutical industry. With her husband, she is raising three enthusiastic boys. They all share a passion for scientific experiences, engineering novelties, fun historical facts, travels and adventures.

Tanya and Lina have been close friends for over two decades. The fact that they are both raising young children enhanced their desire to encourage kids to learn about science, and finally, drew them to write their first illustration book for small children. Hopefully, this will be the first one in a series of books about notable scientists and engineers.

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I’m participating in the blog tour. Do take time to browse round some of the other posts.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are mine and my son’s own.

The Secret Life of Moles by Liz Burgess

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Secret Life of Moles (and their friends) by Liz Burgess for son2 to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Liz Burgess has always held a keen interest in nature, especially small furry mammals!

Long fascinated by their secret activities at home in her own back garden, and the fields surrounding it, she decided to explore this special underground world, and find out more about moles and their other little friends. Liz Burgess lives in South Yorkshire and The Secret Life of Moles is her first book for children.

I liked this book because at first I thought it would be a non-fiction book, but it was actually a story about moles that had facts in. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The above sentence is what son2 has written for his review. I’ve also read the book, so let me give you a bit more insight into the book. It is a short 40 page chapter book with some very nice illustrations drawn by the author.

The expanding mole family are running out of space in their field, so young Ragwort decides to tunnel under a wall into unknown territory. He emerges in a much smaller tidier “field” with beautiful flowers, waterfall and pond which he decides will be the ideal place to move to. But things don’t go according to plan due to a rather cross Hbean, as moles refer to us humans.  He asks for advice from wise Hogknows, the hedgehog, who in turn asks the Wingthings (birds) and Climbing Fox (squirrel). All the animals get involved and vote on a plan.

A lovely tale from the viewpoint of the creatures involved. And the naming of everyone is just great.

The Secret Life of Moles is available on Amazon, currently priced at £5.99 in paperback and is also available in kindle format. Suitable for a wide age range. A delightful book to read out loud to your child or for them to read themselves.

About the author

Liz Burgess lives in South Yorkshire has enjoyed a varied career, including working for a UK Environmental Charity, the latter 10 years as a Director. She had always had a keen interest in nature especially small mammals, activities in her own back garden and the surrounding fields inspired her to write the Secret Life of Moles. Any reference to a moles natural behaviour in The Secret Life of Moles is correct according to Liz’s small amount of research. All the drawings were been done by Liz in pencil and ink.
At the age of 68, Liz enjoys hiking, birdwatching anything to do with wildlife. She has done quite a bit of foreign travel, including rain forests, jungles and was fortunate to see a ‘tiger’ in the wild. Liz retired at 60, previous to this she worked for an environmental charity for 28 years. Mainly involved with operational developments but she does have a background in Human Resources and Employment Law.

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I’m participating in the blog tour. Do take time to browse round some of the other posts.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are mine and my son’s own.

Benjamin Birdie by Michael Dotsikas plus giveaway

I have received a free e-copy of two books by Michael Dotsikas for son2 to review. The first is Benjamin Birdie’s First Flight and the second is Benjamin Birdie and the Tree Dwellers. You may find out more about the author on his website.

Here is the book blurb.

Benjamin Birdie wants to fly like all the other birds, like he was meant to! But his mama tells him he isn’t quite ready yet. Benjamin doesn’t listen, and tries to give flying a go – but falls all the way down from the top of the tree to the forest floor. Now Benjamin Birdie must ask for help from all of the other tree-dwellers to get back to the top of the tree. Charming rhymes and colorful illustrations bring this story about friendship to life and teach the importance of coming together to help someone in need. Children will learn about different exotic animals, what makes each of them special and how each of their unique qualities help get Benjamin back home to his nest!

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

My favourite part of Benjamin Birdie is when at the end all the animals managed to somehow get up. I also liked how Benjamin Birdie says at the end he’s not ready to fly yet.
🐔🐧🐦🐤🐣🐥🦆🦅🦉🐓🦃🕊

This is a delightful tale, where Benjamin Birdie doesn’t listen to his mum. He tries to fly too soon and ends up on the ground. But all the other animals help to gradually get him back up branch by branch, although some imagine they can do it alone. And as my son pointed out, when Benjamin’s mum returns, he admits to her that he isn’t ready to fly yet, so the story is also conveying the message of honesty as well as the kindness of all the other animals in helping him.

There were some animals we hadn’t heard of, so it was great that at the end of the book we found some factual pages, telling us all about the creatures. Plus a glossary too. And gorgeous illustrations by Morgan Spicer.

And you may see the book trailer here.

Benjamin Birdie’s First Flight is available on Amazon, currently priced at £13.86 in hardback. A gorgeous rhyming picture book. Thumbs up for this book from son2.

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And here is the book blurb for Benjamin Birdie and the Tree Dwellers.

After his unsuccessful first flight, Benjamin Birdie is still anxious to fly like all the other birds. With his wings now grown stronger, and support from his mom, Benjamin is ready to give flying another try. Nervously leaping from his nest, he stumbles at first, but recovers just in time after hearing the encouraging voices of all his tree-dwelling friends, cheering him on! Benjamin’s newfound flying skills inspire his friends to follow their own dreams and try things once thought they couldn’t do. Join Benjamin Birdie and his tree-dwelling friends as they learn to believe in themselves, all while seeing just how important it is to be there for a friend when they’re not feeling sure of themselves. Sometimes a friend is all you need to find confidence and courage to soar to new, spectacular heights!

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

My favourite part was when the Elephant tried to fly. I also liked that since he could fly he met other Tree Dwellers in different trees.🌳

🐰🦊🐻🐼🐨🐯🦁🐵🙈🙉🙊🐒🦅🦉🦇🐝🦋🐞🕷🐍🦎🐆🐅🦌🐘🦏🦍🦃🕊🐀🐿

This is the follow-up book when several weeks later, Benjamin Birdie’s mum says he is now ready to fly. All his tree friends encourage him and he meets new friends in the other trees. Meanwhile seeing Benjamin achieve his goal inspires the other animals to try something new, conveying the message to think big. Yet another delightful tale, again with a glossary and some factual pages at the end, describing a different selection of animals.

Benjamin Birdie and the Tree Dwellers is available on Amazon, currently priced at £13.86 in hardback. Another fabulous rhyming picture book.

Plus I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a hardback copy of both books to 3 lucky winners. Open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of 2 e-books I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

A Visit to Monkey Forest by Shauna Kelly

I have received a free e-copy of the book A Visit to Monkey Forest by Shauna Kelly for son2 to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Today, Chloe and Shauna venture to Bali, Indonesia where they take a visit to Monkey Forest. Filled with colourful pictures and excitement, Chloe and Shauna learn about the playful monkeys that reside within the forest as they immerse themselves in the monkey’s lifestyle witnessing them play and jump from tree to tree. One little monkey even treats Chloe and Shauna as he teaches the girls where the saying “Cheeky Monkey” really came from. What adventures lay inside Monkey Forest? Let’s find out!

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

My favourite part of A Visit to Monkey Forest 🐒 🌳 is when Frederick jumps onto Chloe’s shoulder. I also like that the monkeys have a swimming pool.

Shauna Kelly told me that she writes children’s books based on her own travels through the world. So the lead character is Shauna along with her niece Chloe and this book is about a visit to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia. It cleverly starts by showing them reading the sanctuary rules. Frederick is one of the monkeys who sits on Chloe’s shoulder to eat a banana.

It is a delightful 22 page colourful picture book written by Shauna Kelly and illustrated by Endan Ramdan, suitable either as an early reader or for you to read aloud to your child.

A Visit to Monkey Forest is available on Amazon, currently priced at £5 in paperback. A gorgeous picture book. Thumbs up for this book from son2.

And Shauna’s second book A Visit to the Blarney Stone is due to be published shortly.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

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Berkley, A Nose Tail by David Hillman

Although son2 is very advanced with his reading, he also still loves his picture books. So he was pleased when we were offered the chance to review ‘Berkley, A Nose Tail’ by David Hillman for free. You can find out more about the author on his website.

Here is the book blurb.

A little bit about Berkley…
Berkley has a huge nose and is always sticking it where it doesn’t belong, always getting into trouble.
Can Berkley ever find a way to put his super sniffer to good use?
This is a fun and funny story of how being a little bit different can be an asset, not a disadvantage.

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

I liked Berkley (Not Barkley) because at the end Jeremy tells Berkley – Not Barkley – that they can help more often but Berkley, Not Barkley, is too busy smelling stinky socks!

Let me first explain why son2 keeps referring to the dog as being Berkley (Not Barkley). This was due to me saying that Berkley was an excellent name for a dog, due to the fact that dogs bark. However son2 refused to accept my suggested pronounciation and said that would be spelt Barkley.He pronounces Berkley in the way that berk would rhyme with perk and not park.

This book has been both written and beautifully illustrated by David Hillman. The lovely colourful pictures are just great for small children listening to the story being read and with 34 pages, it is also ideal as an early reader too.

Berkley has the biggest nose ever, so he is always chasing after smells and getting into trouble. But then we hear how he puts his nose to good use. And of course he gets a special smelly reward.

Berkley, A Nose Tail is newly published today and is available on Amazon currently at £12.95 in paperback. This is a delightful picture book.

I’d love to hear about your child’s favourite books.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Gangster School – The Brotherhood of Brimstone by Kate Wiseman – book review and giveaway

Regular followers of my blog may remember that son1 recently reviewed Gangster School and loved it. I have now received a free copy of the second book Gangster School – The Brotherhood of Brimstone by Kate Wiseman for him to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Trouble is brewing at Blaggard’s School for Tomorrow’s Tyrants. Sir Byron’s Brain, a priceless legendary diamond, has gone missing. If it leaves the school grounds, Blaggard’s will be destroyed forever and the head teacher obliterated! Could the evil Brotherhood of Brimstone – an ancient secret society – have anything to do with it? Best friends Milly and Charlie embark on an adventure to find out. They discover a web of evil plots involving Gruffles, Charlie’s stinky dog, and Wolfie, the robot dog turned invisible superhero. On top of this, Blaggard’s is expecting a school inspection from the mysterious Dr X – Chief Inspector of Criminal Schools. He could turn up at any time, and no one knows what he looks like. Time is running out for Milly and Charlie. Will Dr X appear? And can our heroes defeat the evil Brotherhood, rescue their canine companions and save the day? The rollicking second instalment in Kate Wiseman’s Gangster School series.

This is what son1 had to say about the book.

I thought Gangster School: Brotherhood of Brimstone was good because it was exciting and adventurous. I rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A bit of background for those of you who haven’t seen our previous review of book 1. This series is set in Blaggards, a boarding school for children of criminals, where the uniform is a mask and stripy top. The teachers are master criminals, lessons are in subjects like fabrication and thievery and the houses are named after famous criminals.

Am I allowed to admit that I too was really looking forward to reading this children’s book. I’m hooked on this series just like I was with Harry Potter. It is set only 2 months after book 1, so allowing plenty of scope for future titles.

Book 2 starts with our heroes Millie and Charlie breaking into the headmistress’s safe to check that Sir Byron’s brain has really vanished. It must be still somewhere within Blaggards, as there is a curse that the school will immediately collapse and the head teacher die, if the brain leaves Blaggards. Can they come up with a plan to find the brain, a priceless diamond.

Meanwhile the school is getting geared up for Founders Day and awaiting a surprise visit from Doctor X, the mysterious Chief Inspector of Criminal Schools. Also there is a new teacher of Criminal Disguise and Deception.

Who has the brain? Where is it hidden? What will ensue?

Gangster School – The Brotherhood of Brimstone, newly published today, is available on Amazon, currently priced at £6.99 in paperback. Another fantastic children’s book, which certainly was up to expectation. Son1 may have said 4*, but definitely 5* in my opinion.

Plus I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a paperback copy of this book to 1 lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of a book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

Timmy on the Toilet by Peta Lemon

I have received a free e-copy of the book Timmy on the Toilet by Peta Lemon for son2 to review. He was really looking forward to it having enjoyed Peta’s previous book Hilda The Fed-Up Cow.

Here is the book blurb.

Timmy is walking to school one day and saves a fairy in distress. He is granted a wish but accidentally wishes that he could fly whilst sitting on the toilet at school.

Join Timmy on his adventures flying on the toilet and find out what happens when the fairy grants him another wish for looking so daft!

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

This book is very funny, especially when Timmy’s teacher ends up on a flying toilet. This book is 8/10. I think it is aimed at children aged 3-6.

Once again author Peta Lemon has teamed up with illustrator Maria Dasic Todoric, to bring us a fabulous children’s picture book. Son2 loved that the theme of the book involved toilets and chose his ideal place for his photo. Timmy is thinking of lots of great ideas for his wish, but on seeing a bird fly past the window whilst he is on the loo, accidentally wishes that he could fly. Oops too late to take back his words. See what happens as Timmy flies out of school on the toilet for an adventure.

Timmy on the Toilet is available on Amazon, currently priced at £4.99 in paperback and also available in Kindle format. A gorgeous rhyming picture book. Thumbs up for this book from son2.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

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Gangster School by Kate Wiseman – book review and giveaway

I have received a free copy of the book Gangster School by Kate Wiseman for son1 to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Milly and her new friend Charlie have just started at Blaggard’s.
But what’s it like to be in a school that teaches lying, kidnapping and stealing instead of Maths and English? Their parents and teachers are master criminals and want them to follow in their footsteps…but are Milly and Charlie just too…dependable? In this funny and exciting adventure, smart Milly and super-hacker Charlie face some of the worst villains around, including the cold-hearted Pecunia Badpenny and her sidekick: Wolf the evil electronic dog.
Can Milly and Charlie beat Badpenny and her demonic plans?
And are they criminal enough to keep their place in a school they’ve come to love?

This is what son1 had to say about the book

Want to be a master criminal (hopefully not though) then Blaggards is the place to go. Or Crumbleys though best not go there it is nasty. This book shows how criminals learnt to be so criminal. Read the book it is very interesting BUT DONT BECOME A CRIMINAL I SAID NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOO! (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T  BE A CRIMINAL) 👿👿👿

Son1 usually takes a very long time to read a book, but he read this in a matter of days, so I knew it had to be good. I then read it too and I can certainly say it is one of the best children’s books I have come across. The story is set in Blaggards, a boarding school for children of criminals, where the uniform is a mask and stripy top. The teachers are master criminals, lessons are in subjects like fabrication and thievery and the houses are named after famous criminals. If you are thinking Hogwarts and Harry Potter, then yes I agree. I’m sure J K Rowling must have been a huge inspiration behind this book. Millie and Charlie have just joined the school in year 7 but are they too well-behaved to avoid being expelled from the school? Read to find out.

Gangster School is available on Amazon, currently priced at £6.65 in paperback. A fantastic children’s book. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then you’ll enjoy this too. Thumbs up for this book from son1 who is now eagerly waiting to read book 2 in the series.

Plus I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a paperback copy of this book to 1 lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

Disclosure.  This post is a review of a book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.