The only children’s book by Robert Browning, The Pied Piper of Hamelin is illustrated by Kate Greenaway. Compared to the tale’s original recording, Browning’s narrative poem was written fairly recently: the legend first appeared in a church window around 1300 AD and this version of the story was written in 1842. The Pied Piper of … Read more
‘The next moment the big motor cruiser was round the bend, bearing down on them, towering above them…’ The fifth in the Swallows and Amazons series, Coot Club is by Arthur Ransome. This book includes sailing terms but provides definitions. Coot Club also includes two maps: one for the Northern rivers of the Norfolk Broads … Read more
‘One of th’ gardens is locked up. No one has been in it for ten years.’ Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden is a children’s classic. The cholera seizes Mary’s mother, Ayah and servants. Now all alone, the spoiled, unhealthy child is sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle. After discovering … Read more
‘THUD! The scales shifted instantly as the Naughty List hit the desk and sent the much lighter Nice List rocketing up towards the ceiling.’ The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List is the third book in the Christmasaurus series by Tom Fletcher. Like The Christmasaurus and The Winter Witch, this book is a fantasy adventure. (Click … Read more
I have written a book review for ‘Swallows and Amazons’ before, but I have learned a lot more since then and started doing themes. Plus, my favourite character has changed! Click here to see the original. The first of a twelve-book series, Swallows and Amazons is an illustrated, classic adventure by Arthur Ransome. In the … Read more
Illustrated by Shane Dervies, The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch is an adventure fantasy by Tom Fletcher and the second book in the Christmasaurus series. The Christmas holidays have now begun and the Trundles, and Brenda and Pamela Payne are invited to a magical place of ice and snow. However, when the group returns home, … Read more
Winter Holiday, the fourth book in the Swallows and Amazons series, is by Arthur Ransome. While it differs from the summer and sailing scene that is common in the previous books, this tale takes the reader on an epic Arctic expedition. The Callum children—Dick and Dorothea—meet the Amazons—Nancy and Peggy—and Swallows—John, Susan, Titty and Roger—during … Read more
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is a fantasy adventure by the global bestseller, A.F.Steadman. This chapter book belongs to a series with one other book, Skandar and the Phantom Rider. However, it is a new series with Skandar and the Phantom Rider only coming out this year. Skandar, a 13-year-old boy, has always wanted to … Read more
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic adventure by Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919). While this chapter book is not part of a series, it was made into a film. Dorothy and her dog Toto get trapped in their house by a cyclone. The cyclone carries the building to the distant land of Oz. Upon … Read more
The third Swallows and Amazons book, written by Arthur Ransome, takes the reader out to sea on a treasure hunt! The Amazons—Nancy and Peggy—and Swallows—John, Susan, Titty and Roger— are preparing the Wild Cat to leave on a sea-bound voyage with Captain Flint, when they meet Peter Duck. The old sailor accompanies them, telling a … Read more