Boo!: A Book of Spooky Surprises (My Little World)

Boo!: A Book of Spooky Surprises

Written by Jonathan Litton and illustrated by Fhiona Galloway
Published by Little Tiger Press

Boo! is the latest release that's part of the MY LITTLE WORLD series. I'm a big fan of these books, and reviewed EGG back in April, which you can read here. EGG is actually one of my daughter's favourite books and it saved us when we were stuck on a plane for 9 hours, when it should have only been 4!

In this title we join Pumpkin and his friends for a spooky game of peekaboo and try to find out who is shouting BOO!

This spooky board book features bright artwork and cute characters. Their eyes are little finger holes which are great for small spooky hands - Aoife loves turning the pages and using the holes to wiggle her fingers through them.

With lots of repetition, you may find your young ones shouting 'boo!' and trying to give you a fright. Boo! is full of spooky but fun surprises that you'll enjoy reading with your little ghouls. Boo! is available in all good bookshops and online here.

 Happy Halloween!!

PABLO & JANE and the Hot Air Contraption

PABLO & JANE 
and the Hot Air Contraption

By José Domingo
Published by Flying Eye Books

Halloween is nearly upon us so what better way to get in the spirit of things and start reading the odd spooky tale or two. Pablo & Jane is a beast of a book, it's a large format book with a padded cover - it really is something quite special to hold. It comes with 4 pages of stickers, so older children can get involved in the interactive story. 

Pablo & Jane find themselves trapped in the Monster Dimension by the evil Dr. Felinibus. The only hope for returning home is using their broken Hot Air Time Machine, with their dangerous journey taking them through places such as Lopsided London, Terrifying Transylvania and Horrid Hawaii. Will they find all the missing parts of their machine and avoid the terrors that await them in the Monster Dimension? Intrigued? Check out the great trailer for the book below...

At first I thought this was a comic/graphic novel until I started to explore the book further. It's a hard title to pigeon hole, my best attempt would be to say that it's a comic book style story that has a 'Where's Wally' look and find element to it. José's wacky and playful illustration style wouldn't go a miss on a TV channel like Cartoon Network, so children that are fans of those kinds of shows will definitely find something here.

Incredibly immersive, with lots to do and a great spooky story to boot, this is possibly the wackiest children's book I've ever glanced at!  If you're looking for a different kind of present for the older child this Halloween this is definitely it. Pablo & Jane and the Hot Air Contraption is available to buy now from all good bookshops and from Flying Eye Books.

A Cat Called Panda

A Cat Called Panda

Written by Melanie Arora and illustrated by Charlie Brandon-King
Published by Button Books

A Cat Called Panda, written by Melanie Arora, features a naughty cat explaining his unusual name to a young girl named Amanda. Written as a whimsical nonsense-style poem and aimed at ages 1+, this delightful little book would make a great gift for any age, young and old. 

Panda is a cat who is very fond of bamboo and tries to explain to Amanda that though he is called Panda, he is very much a cat. A cat who has bright green eyes and can see in the dark and can make dogs bark! He is a cat and it’s as simple as that! 

It features a monochrome theme throughout with splashes of colour. Children will be able to spot all the different animals that are black and white, such as a panda, badger, magpies and cows among many more.

The illustrations are simple, but being black and white the images are striking. I especially like the hard back cover under the slip cover, a striking animal pattern of white on black. A Cat Called Panda is available in all good bookshops or online here.

Beautiful Birds Colouring Book

Beautiful Birds Colouring Book

By Emmanuelle Walker
Published by Flying Eye Books

Colouring books are a growing trend at the moment and no wonder why, they’re a great way to de-stress and relax, a nice way to unplug at the end of a busy day. Flying Eye Books have just published their own colouring book, Beautiful Birds, illustrated by Emmanuelle Walker.

Beautiful Birds Colouring Book stands out with it’s neon spine and cute end papers. It features over 80 different bird scenes to colour in and you’ll be able to spot up to 26 different species of birds, from Warblers to Blue-tits, Pheasants to Puffins and Kakapos to Owls - A great gift for any bird enthusiasts.

Colouring books are great as you don’t have to be artistic to create unique pictures. Aimed at any age, I’ll definitely be buying these as Christmas gifts for friends and family. 

With Beautiful Birds Colouring Book, you’ll be able to lose yourself in a riot of colouring in as you bring these exotic birds to life. Available to buy from all good bookshops and online at the Flying Eye Books website.

Imelda & the Goblin King

Imelda & the Goblin King

By Briony May Smith
Published by Flying Eye Books

I've been looking forward to getting my hands on this title since I heard Briony May Smith was to have her first book published through Flying Eye Books. The wait was definitely worth it and Briony's signature style works well in this beautifully presented picture book debut (I love the gold foil lettering and forest symbols on the cover!).

The story here is about a human girl called Imelda who lives next to a wood. And this is no ordinary wood as its enchanted and full of fairy folk. Imelda would play with the fairies everyday and learn all of their secrets and all is perfect until a big nasty bully turns up - THE GOBLIN KING! And what a nasty brute he is.  

After storming the enchanted forest, the Goblin King announces that he's the new boss and takes the fairy queen as a prisoner - even after her being so welcoming! So Imelda is called upon to save the day, and with some help from her fairy friends she comes up with a cunning plan to stop the horrible Goblin King for good! And with the Goblin King being a greedy brute, its not long until he gets his just desserts!

Briony's illustrations echo back to vintage illustrations you would expect to see in vintage fairy tales, using traditional techniques to bring her illustrations to life. Each spread is filled with energetic pencil and watercolour illustrations - with lots of gorgeously rendered characters to be spotted all over. 

I couldn't help but think of David Bowie as the Goblin King in the classic 80s movie the Labyrinth. Of course Imelda & the Goblin King has no relation to the movie at all, but I always find a bit of nostalgia can be found in all forms even if it was just 'Goblin King' that triggered it! And I would let your nostalgic get the better of you and buy this book as it's a modern classic! Perfect for children and adults alike, a modern fairy tale for all to enjoy. 

Imelda & the Goblin King is available to buy in all good bookshops and online at the Flying Eye Books website.

TOUGH GUYS (Have Feelings Too)

TOUGH GUYS (Have Feelings Too)

By Keith Negley
Published by Flying Eye Books

This stunning debut from talented illustrator Keith Negley looks at emotions and how they might affect tough guys. All the usual tough guys are here, with Keith including everyone from Superheroes to Cowboys and Astronauts to Racing Car Drivers. Keith's bold, striking style really makes each spread stand out.

We open on a sobbing Wrestler, who's upset he's lost a match - and why not? Even someone as big and strong as a wrestler might shed a tear if he's lost an important wrestling match. Keith also depicts an astronaut out in space and very lonely, as well as a couple of ninja friends who have fallen out over something upsetting. You'll also find tough hardy sailors shown at their weakest and Knights getting distraught over broken swords! 

We end with a young child reading in bed with his father. Parents have feelings too, even if they do try to hide them so they don't upset anyone else - which is the point of Tough Guys, a tough exterior doesn't always mean that you're that tough inside. A great graphical book that will help introduce children to emotions and help parents talk about it. Who knew the Hulk really had a good old cry now and again?

Tough Guys is available to buy now from all good bookshops and from the Flying Eye Books website.

Jill & Dragon

Jill & Dragon

By Lesley Barnes
Published by Tate

Sometimes at the end of a story, not every character gets a happily ever after and that’s the case in Jill & Dragon, Lesley Barnes’ debut book.  Lesley Barnes is an illustrator and animator, based in Glasgow, who has worked in fashion, music, children’s literature, film and product design and has truly created a stunning illustrated book and one that actually achieves a true happy ending after all.

“The king and his knights captured the terrible dragon and they all lived happily ever after” said the last page in Jill’s story book but Jill notices that the Dragon doesn’t look very happy. Asking the Dragon why he is sad, Dragon informs Jill that the King hates him because all he can do is burn and scorch everything in the Kingdom. So Jill suggests that Dragon come live with her and that she will teach him to do all of her favourite things. Jill tries to teach Dragon how to flower arrange but Dragon is just too big and knocks everything over. Jill then teaches Dragon about fashion but that doesn’t work out so well and when Jill tries to teach Dragon the trumpet, he creates fireworks. While trying to teach Dragon how to host a tea party, Dragon looks sadder than ever and knows he doesn’t fit in anywhere but something catches Jill’s eye at the table and she has an idea.

The next morning, armed with a fork, Jill and Dragon fly back in to the huge story book where Jill demands to be taken to the King. Jill wants to show everyone what Dragon can do and holds up a piece of bread where Dragon carefully begins to burn and char the bread to create a flattering portrait of the King. The knights pass the toasted portraits back to the King where he nibbled a corner or two and proclaims it truly fit for a King. Dragon is invited to live in the castle and make the King toast. Dragon moved in and made toast portraits for everyone and lived happily ever after. Jill was very happy with that ending!

Jill & Dragon is a lovely book with a heart warming tale, reminding us that everyone has a talent, however well hidden. But what really stands out within this book is the impressive and beautiful illustrations.  There’s a medieval fairy tale feel what with the patterns used, the screen printed effects and the choice of colour palette. Even the texture of the paper works well with the story. There is also an extendable page which shows the Dragon’s mighty fire while creating the toasted portraits. 

Jill & Dragon is a lovely new take on a fairy tale that any adult or child will love. This magical book is available in all good bookshops or online here.