Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! Written by: Susan Martineau Illustrated by: Vicki Barker Published by: b small Published on: 24th July 2025 Price: £12.99 First line: Bugs are everywhere. Genre: Non-fiction, Animals, Science Age: 8+ ISBN: 9781916851252 Thanks to the UKLA for the review copy. What's it all about? Not a topic to excite many people, I... Continue Reading →
What is your favourite plant?
The Lucky House Detective Agency Written by: Scarlett Li #TheLuckyHouseDetectiveAgency Illustrated by: Sian James @sianjart Published by: Knights Of @_KnightsOf Published on: June 2025 Price: £7.99 First line: "Clues hide in plain sight," I say. Genre: Detective fiction Age: 8+ Thanks to the UKLA for the review copy. What's it all about? Nei ho ma?... Continue Reading →
What would you say to a visiting alien?
Hi from Outer Space Written and illustrated by Fiona Katauskas @fionakatauskas Published by: Allen and Unwin @allenandunwin Published on: 21st November 2024 ISBN: 978 1761069260. Price: £7.99 First line: I sometimes wonder what my life would've been like if I hadn't left a banana peel in the middle of the kitchen floor - right where... Continue Reading →
Would you ever steal?
The Pinchers and the Dog Chase Written by Anders Sparring Illustrated by Per Gustavsson Translated by Julia Marshall Published by Gecko Press @geckopress Published: June 2024 Price: £8.99 First line: Remember me? Genre: First chapter book, crime Thanks to the UKLA for the review copy! What's it all about? This is the second stretch for... Continue Reading →
What would you do if you had money stolen?
Emil and the Detectives Written by: Erich Kastner Illustrated by: Walter Trier Translated by: Eileen Hall Published by: Vintage Books Published on: 2012 (first published in Britain 1931) Price: £6.99 First line: "Now then, Emil," Mrs Tischbein said, "just carry in that hot jug of water for me, will you." Genre: Detective mystery Thanks to... Continue Reading →
How many dog puns are too much in one story?!
Michael The Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog Written by: Terrie Chilvers @cowfishdreams Illustrated by: Tim Budgen @timbudgen Published by: Firefly Press @FireflyPress Published: 2nd May 2024 Price: £6.99 First line: My name is Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog. Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Animals Thanks to Brenda at 4-11 magazine for the review copy. What's it all... Continue Reading →
Do old classic stories have a market in the modern world?
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Written by: Ian Fleming @TheIanFleming Illustrated by: Thomas Gilbert Published by: Ian Fleming Publications Published: June 13th 2024 Price: £7.99 First line: Most motor-cars are conglomerations (this is a long word for bundles) of steel and wire and rubber and plastic, and electricity and oil and petrol and water, and the... Continue Reading →
Where could magic take you?
The Magician Next Door Written by: Rachel Chivers Khoo @Rach_Khoo Illustrated by: Alice McKirley Published by: Walker Books @WalkerBooksUK Published: March 2024 Price: £6.99 First line: Winnifred Potts sat at her kitchen table and eyed the precious jar in front of her. Genre: Magic, Mystery, Ireland Age: 7+ Thanks to Toppsta for the review copy.... Continue Reading →
Where would you go if you could breathe underwater?
The Thames and Tide Club Written by: Katya Balen @katyabalen Illustrated by: Rachel Dean @RachaelADean Published by: Bloomsbury Children's Books @KidsBloomsbury Published: May 2023 Price: £6.99 First line: It was midnight and everything was exactly as you'd expect it to be in London on a chilly April night. Genre: Mystery, Adventure, London Age: 7+ Thanks... Continue Reading →
Why do many super heroes feel the need to hide behind masks?
MARV AND THE KILLER PLANTS Written by: Alex Falase-Koya @AlexFKoya Illustrations by: Paula Bowles @Paula_Bowles Published by: Oxford University Press @OxUniPress Published: July 2023 Price: £6.99 First line: Marvin ducked and weaved along the overgrown track, dodging the giant palm leaves. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Adventure, Super Hero Age: 6-8 Thanks to Just Imagine and... Continue Reading →
