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bigbeardedbookseller's reviews
533 reviews
Nữ Hoàng Bọ Cánh Cứng by M.G. Leonard
4.0
Continuing the adventures of Darkus, Victoria and Bertolt, ‘Beetle Queen’ is another wonderfully crafted book. Written by M.G. Leonard, illustrated by Elisabet Portabella and published by Chichen House Publishing, and as with ‘Beetle Boy’ the special edition has a decorated fore edge.
Lucretia Cutter has got away at the end of ‘Beetle Boy’ to continue here evil, dastardly plans and Darkus’ dad is concerned for the children’s safety and forbids them to investigate Lucretia further and wants them to stay away from their beetle friends. Circumstances unfold which makes this impossible and Uncle Max helps once the children and their beetle friends once more.
Humphry and Pickering were imprisoned and have become even fouler and more desperate, still adding to the danger that the children face, but they’re also fast becoming two of my favourite characters for their comic relief.
The story goes deeper into the motives of Lucretia and her plans for the world and how she uses beetles to achieve this. Novak, Lucretia’s daughter has a larger and intriguing role to play in this book, and Darkus’ dad gets to have a much bigger part in the story also.
Wonderfully written, well-paced throughout another great book by M.G. Leonard and I am so looking forward to the story’s conclusion with ‘The Battle of the Beetles’.
Lucretia Cutter has got away at the end of ‘Beetle Boy’ to continue here evil, dastardly plans and Darkus’ dad is concerned for the children’s safety and forbids them to investigate Lucretia further and wants them to stay away from their beetle friends. Circumstances unfold which makes this impossible and Uncle Max helps once the children and their beetle friends once more.
Humphry and Pickering were imprisoned and have become even fouler and more desperate, still adding to the danger that the children face, but they’re also fast becoming two of my favourite characters for their comic relief.
The story goes deeper into the motives of Lucretia and her plans for the world and how she uses beetles to achieve this. Novak, Lucretia’s daughter has a larger and intriguing role to play in this book, and Darkus’ dad gets to have a much bigger part in the story also.
Wonderfully written, well-paced throughout another great book by M.G. Leonard and I am so looking forward to the story’s conclusion with ‘The Battle of the Beetles’.
Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood
4.0
It’s a bit cliched and I don’t often say it, so here goes. This is an instant classic and will be read for decades as a favourite of adults and children who will go on to introduce it to their children.
From the moment I started reading this I was in love, so much so it was finished in one sitting; exciting, frightening, magical and intriguing, though this book has been compared to many books I think that's a bit unkind to do as it stands proudly as Kieran’s creation and I'm sure in the future books will be compared to this.
In a land of good and evil, humanoid rabbits are the dominant species, the story obscures whether or not this is our future, an alternative future or a distant planet. Goddesses and magic are woven throughout the story of Podkin’s early adventures.
This is another series I will have to read as soon as the new books are released, Kieran has created a wonderful land and characters that live vividly in your imagination.
From the moment I started reading this I was in love, so much so it was finished in one sitting; exciting, frightening, magical and intriguing, though this book has been compared to many books I think that's a bit unkind to do as it stands proudly as Kieran’s creation and I'm sure in the future books will be compared to this.
In a land of good and evil, humanoid rabbits are the dominant species, the story obscures whether or not this is our future, an alternative future or a distant planet. Goddesses and magic are woven throughout the story of Podkin’s early adventures.
This is another series I will have to read as soon as the new books are released, Kieran has created a wonderful land and characters that live vividly in your imagination.
100 Ideas That Changed Photography by Mary Warner Marien
4.0
A comprehensive overview of one hundred ideas that ‘changed’ photography.
Though not exhaustive, this is a good look at various ideas that have been developed in the lifetime of the science and art of photography.
Each entry is well thought out and formatted to make the information easy to get through and is a good initial starting point for anyone that wants to explore this further.
Not an essential to a comprehensive photography book collection, but not a waste either as it is fun and informative.
Though not exhaustive, this is a good look at various ideas that have been developed in the lifetime of the science and art of photography.
Each entry is well thought out and formatted to make the information easy to get through and is a good initial starting point for anyone that wants to explore this further.
Not an essential to a comprehensive photography book collection, but not a waste either as it is fun and informative.
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
5.0
A girl with a red cape, a boy soldier, a boy with an axe and, of course, wolves. This magnificent re-imagining of a classic tale written by Katherine Rundell and gloriously illustrated by Gelrev Ongbico is set in the snows of revolutionary Russia.
This is the story of Feo (Feodora) who is a wolf wilder, as is her mother. Wolf wilders take wolves who were raised as pets in Tsarist Russia but are no longer wanted for one reason or another and help them to be wild once more.
A story about a young girls adventures against the cruelty and fears of people, especially people in power who want to control others through fear they instill.
Along the way Feo meets several companions and friends who help her as much as she helps them and they grow together throughout the story.
There is both humour and loss which Feo and her friends have to contend with, though the peril is set at a level to help the story line it is never so much that it overwhelms the reader.
I found the book well written and set at a pace that kept me reading until the very last page, where I was disappointed that the story had ended as I wanted to know more.
The Wolf Wilder is Waterstones Children's Book of the Month this September (2016) and I would recommend this to anyone between 8 and 80 as it is a refreshing read and has something for everyone.
This is the story of Feo (Feodora) who is a wolf wilder, as is her mother. Wolf wilders take wolves who were raised as pets in Tsarist Russia but are no longer wanted for one reason or another and help them to be wild once more.
A story about a young girls adventures against the cruelty and fears of people, especially people in power who want to control others through fear they instill.
Along the way Feo meets several companions and friends who help her as much as she helps them and they grow together throughout the story.
There is both humour and loss which Feo and her friends have to contend with, though the peril is set at a level to help the story line it is never so much that it overwhelms the reader.
I found the book well written and set at a pace that kept me reading until the very last page, where I was disappointed that the story had ended as I wanted to know more.
The Wolf Wilder is Waterstones Children's Book of the Month this September (2016) and I would recommend this to anyone between 8 and 80 as it is a refreshing read and has something for everyone.
The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
4.0
October's Children's Book of the Month is the debut novel by Lucy Strange begins which begins in a setting similar to 'The Railway Children' by E. Nesbit. It is set in the early 20th century and in a country setting reminiscent of 'The Railway Children', with a change in family home, with a similar family make up, and an unspoken tragedy at the centre of the story.
The similiarites do end quickly though, as Henry has to deal with difficulties that are reminiscent of those in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys and are slightly harsher than those Nesbit's era were prepared to deal with in a children's book, though Nesbit did write horror stories for adults which were much darker than her children's stories.
Lucy Strange's hero, Henry has to face a lot of problems and feels that she has to do these alone, but as the story develops, so does the friendships she makes develop. She finds support and friendship in some strange places.
The two main shadows over the story are the loss of her elder brother and the aftermath of WWI, both of these are themes throughout the book and weave all the way through the book and each other.
This is a well written book that flows from the moment you open the page and is lovingly decorated throughout with pen sketches of various locations and objects from the story.
The similiarites do end quickly though, as Henry has to deal with difficulties that are reminiscent of those in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys and are slightly harsher than those Nesbit's era were prepared to deal with in a children's book, though Nesbit did write horror stories for adults which were much darker than her children's stories.
Lucy Strange's hero, Henry has to face a lot of problems and feels that she has to do these alone, but as the story develops, so does the friendships she makes develop. She finds support and friendship in some strange places.
The two main shadows over the story are the loss of her elder brother and the aftermath of WWI, both of these are themes throughout the book and weave all the way through the book and each other.
This is a well written book that flows from the moment you open the page and is lovingly decorated throughout with pen sketches of various locations and objects from the story.
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
4.0
The story of Subhi, a Rohingya boy born in an Australian immigration detention centre, Subhi knows no other life apart from the stories that his mother has told him.
Frallion’s writing is tight and travels between the mystical land inhabited by Subhi’s imagination and the brutality of the life in an immigration centre.
The friendships Subhi makes with Jimmie, a girl living locally, but I suspect with Aboriginal ancestry, lighten the brutality of his daily life but also serves to highlight the hardships faced by both of the children in their daily lives.
This book is going to be the core of my International Refugee Day display and week at work, as I feel that it is sympathetic without dismissing the troubles and hardships that are in the refugee system, especially for children.
Frallion’s writing is tight and travels between the mystical land inhabited by Subhi’s imagination and the brutality of the life in an immigration centre.
The friendships Subhi makes with Jimmie, a girl living locally, but I suspect with Aboriginal ancestry, lighten the brutality of his daily life but also serves to highlight the hardships faced by both of the children in their daily lives.
This book is going to be the core of my International Refugee Day display and week at work, as I feel that it is sympathetic without dismissing the troubles and hardships that are in the refugee system, especially for children.
The Great Wood: The Ancient Forest of Caledon by Jim Crumley
4.0
The Great Wood is a wonderful exploration of what might have been the Great Wood of Caledonia.
Jim Crumley writes with passion but also with honesty in this book, returning again to the idea of wolves in Scotland, looking at the entire ecology of the area and wanting to return to a ‘natural’ balance.
I was enchanted by this book as we know people who are part of the reforestation in Scotland, a small part but still part of it, returning land to what could have been the natural forestation of the Glens, using native species and ecologically-driven land management techniques.
Jim wants this to happen, but is not romantically blinkered by the legends of an all encompassing forest and is realistic about its possible return.
This book stands with books like Nan Shepherd in its outlook on the Scottish landscape and is worth reading again to pick up Jim’s passion for the land.
Jim Crumley writes with passion but also with honesty in this book, returning again to the idea of wolves in Scotland, looking at the entire ecology of the area and wanting to return to a ‘natural’ balance.
I was enchanted by this book as we know people who are part of the reforestation in Scotland, a small part but still part of it, returning land to what could have been the natural forestation of the Glens, using native species and ecologically-driven land management techniques.
Jim wants this to happen, but is not romantically blinkered by the legends of an all encompassing forest and is realistic about its possible return.
This book stands with books like Nan Shepherd in its outlook on the Scottish landscape and is worth reading again to pick up Jim’s passion for the land.
The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
4.0
This is a story about William Trundle, Santa Claus and the Christmasaurus.
It follows them through a series of adventures and peril, including run ins with The Hunter, and Brenda Payne who is the meanest girl at school.
William’s mum had died a long time ago, so it is just William and his dad. William is really into Dinosaurs so there are many wonderful surprises for him in the book, and William’s dad is really into Christmas so there are many wonderful surprises for him also.
Tom writes with great humour and kindness throughout the book, keeping the pace sharp and on point, the level of peril is not so high as to put off younger readers, but this is a great book for all.
There are wonderful illustrations throughout the book, that really enhance the story, capturing the whimsical nature of Tom Fletcher’s writing in graphic form.
It follows them through a series of adventures and peril, including run ins with The Hunter, and Brenda Payne who is the meanest girl at school.
William’s mum had died a long time ago, so it is just William and his dad. William is really into Dinosaurs so there are many wonderful surprises for him in the book, and William’s dad is really into Christmas so there are many wonderful surprises for him also.
Tom writes with great humour and kindness throughout the book, keeping the pace sharp and on point, the level of peril is not so high as to put off younger readers, but this is a great book for all.
There are wonderful illustrations throughout the book, that really enhance the story, capturing the whimsical nature of Tom Fletcher’s writing in graphic form.
The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
4.0
Based on a real island in the Philippines, Kiren tells the story of Amhi, a young girl who's mother is Touched (has leprosy). Different from her previous story ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ in that it doesn’t have a fantasy element, it shares the beautiful storytelling style that Kiran uses.
The island has traditionally been the home of the Touched and their families and though there are difficulties the families are together, but the Philippine government changes policy on this as wants to separate those with leprosy from those without.
This story follows what happens when this policy is implemented by people who don’t seem to care about the individuals but more about themselves. It also follows Amhi as she becomes caught up in this policy change and the trials she has to suffer, in a way there are similarities with ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ here, a young girl separated from her one parent, having to deal with difficulties as she overcomes this separation.
Another beautifully written book by Kiran, and again I have to say well done to Chicken House Publishing for producing another quality product.
The island has traditionally been the home of the Touched and their families and though there are difficulties the families are together, but the Philippine government changes policy on this as wants to separate those with leprosy from those without.
This story follows what happens when this policy is implemented by people who don’t seem to care about the individuals but more about themselves. It also follows Amhi as she becomes caught up in this policy change and the trials she has to suffer, in a way there are similarities with ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ here, a young girl separated from her one parent, having to deal with difficulties as she overcomes this separation.
Another beautifully written book by Kiran, and again I have to say well done to Chicken House Publishing for producing another quality product.
The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo
5.0
It is on Gwyn’s ninth birthday when his Grandmother gives him an assortment of strange objects and tells him he could be a magician. It was on Gwyn’s fifth birthday when his sister, Bethan, went missing. For those four years his father has blamed Gwyn for Bethan’s disappearance, but so has Gwyn.
Jenny Nimmo’s classic was re-released on it’s 30th anniversary with a lovely new cover by Daniela Terrazzini, before this edition I hadn’t known of this book, which is a great shame as I could have loved it for over 30 years rather than one.
Jenny’s writing is tight and well paced, her characters are so believable that you emotionally invest in their world from the beginning of the story.
Gwyn is sceptical of his Grandmother’s claims that he could be the descendent of the famous magician; Math, Lord of Gwynedd, Gwydion and Gilfraethwy; well you would be wouldn’t you?
But as the story unfolds, we see what he could become and the dangers that could be involved in this.
Literally magical, Jenny developed a wonderful world with wonderful characters and gave me a book that I love, making it one of the best sellers in our shop.
Jenny Nimmo’s classic was re-released on it’s 30th anniversary with a lovely new cover by Daniela Terrazzini, before this edition I hadn’t known of this book, which is a great shame as I could have loved it for over 30 years rather than one.
Jenny’s writing is tight and well paced, her characters are so believable that you emotionally invest in their world from the beginning of the story.
Gwyn is sceptical of his Grandmother’s claims that he could be the descendent of the famous magician; Math, Lord of Gwynedd, Gwydion and Gilfraethwy; well you would be wouldn’t you?
But as the story unfolds, we see what he could become and the dangers that could be involved in this.
Literally magical, Jenny developed a wonderful world with wonderful characters and gave me a book that I love, making it one of the best sellers in our shop.