Category Archives: Book reviews by Lexi

Reviews by Lexi Rees of a wide range of newly released children’s books.

It had to be done

I recently did a list of my fav travel adventure books, including my review of “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats. If you read that blog, you’ll recall I accidentally started to read “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” first. Well with such ridiculously long titles, it’s easy to get confused.

Anyway, back over to Bavaria (and other places). As I said, there is absolutely no need to read the books in order as they are completely standalone. And as it turns out, there is no need to even read them in chapter order as I hopped back and forth happily!

This is a bit like reviewing a second Bill Bryson book. You know exactly what you’re getting: short snappy scenes, funny encounters, and a faintly self-depreciating sense of humour. It worked for “Rio” and it works for “Bavaria” (if you think I’m typing those titles in full again, think again.)

Oh and I think I have a new motto for life: what do I want to be able to say if asked if I would rather a) sit on a bar stool, or b) dance (badly) with the mafia? Show me the dance floor every time.

Enjoy the adventure. I did.

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

Top ten travel adventure books

If I could only read one genre for the rest of my life, it would be travel-adventure. I just devour these. It doesn’t matter where or how, I’ll read it. My favourite recent reads have been “Coffee first, then the world” by Jenny Graham – a record breaking solo lap of the planet by bike (and I don’t even cycle), “Ignore the Fear: one woman’s paddle boarding adventure” by Fiona Quinn – a LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) paddle, “Retirement Rebel” by Siobhan Daniels – moving to van life, “From East to West by saddle is best” by Claire Aldritt – a journey across the Scottish Highlands by Horseback, and “Coasting” by Elise Downing. In fact the only one I did not enjoy was the best-selling “Salt Path” by Gaynor Winn – I cannot approve of anyone who thinks it is acceptable to steal from small campsites and small shops, or who thinks living in a council estate would kill her. That makes my blood boil.

Anyway, back to the travel books. In my book group, someone recently asked about funny travel-adventure, and I could only think of “Around Ireland with a Fridge” by Tony Hawkes, so when I was invited to join the book tour for “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” and “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats, I was keen.

I started with “Rio” (seriously I am not typing that long title again!) and the entire first chapter was admonishing me for not reading book 1 first. Ahaha I thought, setting it aside and picking up “Bavarian nightclub” (ditto). This did not lecture me on reading the books in order so I plunged in. Turns out this is Book 3 in the series. I think. I’m still confused. Perhaps the author doesn’t like typing the titles in full which is why he calls then just Book 1 and Book 2 and Book 3.

So I’ve been asked to review “Rio” first. Which might be Book 2. Thankfully, it turns out there is absolutely no need to read them in order, they are perfectly standalone. And funny. I think travel humour can tread a fine line between being rude/ stereotyping, and this stays on the right side. There’s a super balance of people stories and location insights, perfect for lazy travelling, and after reading so many challenge based travel books recently, I’m definitely in the mood for something a bit lazy!

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

A final thought from me

Oh, and I just remembered laughing at “Twitchhiker” by Paul Smith – a challenge to travel to the other side of the world for free using only the power of Twitter. That makes ten.

Mermaids, monsters, and overcoming fears

I’d originally invited the author, Genna Rowbotham, onto my blog to chat about the inspiration behind her new book, Neptune’s Secret Code, but her circumstances changed. In the meantime, I thought I’d share a quick review since I’m currently on holiday sailing and a nautical themed book seems appropriate!

From the start of the adventure, I loved The Magician’s Nephew (CS Lewis, Narnia prequel) reference with the rock pool being the portal. I often talk about the use of portals during school visits and discuss the change from the very complex rings/ pools in The Magician’s Nephew to the simpler (and way more famous) wardrobe.

Anyway, once through into Neptune’s world, there is a LOT going on: mermaids, monsters, secret codes, and the book fairly races through the events so if your young reader is action-focused this will absolutely tick the box.

As an author, I find myself wondering how I would use book during school visits, and for me, I’d probably pick one of the many themes and explore that. There is obviously a strong underling theme of overcoming fears, in this case of the sea following a scary incident which is revealed as the book progresses. This is such a useful discussion topic for any child, whether it is the sea, the dark, spiders, or in my case being locked in a cupboard (thanks to the daughter of one of my mum’s friends who shall remain nameless!).

Blurb

An Undersea Adventure filled with Magic, Friendship, and Bravery!

When Hannah is sucked into a vicious whirlpool in her effort to rescue kitten Leo, she finds herself entering Neptune’s Undersea Kingdom where she reawakens terrifying sea monsters from the depths of the sea. 

The trouble is… Hannah is unable to return home until she’s overcome her fear of the water, defeated the sea monsters, and solved the code that she broke upon entering Neptune’s Kingdom.

With the help of her new friend, Marcie the Mermaid, will Hannah succeed?

COMPETITION TIME: Giveaway to Win One signed copy of Neptune’s Secret Code  and One signed copy of Lottie the Ladybird’s Adventure  (Open to UK Only)

Enter here, good luck! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494592/

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

About the author

Genna Rowbotham started her career as a secretary and has since founded GR Typing Services, an online secretarial business. Inspired by her children, in 2017, she wrote her first story and is now the author of ten books as well as a short story published in the magazine, Brilliant Brainz. Genna has a passion for writing stories that entertain, educate and inspire young ones so they can escape the seriousness of life and enter a world of magic.

She lives with her husband and lively, imaginative daughters in Derbyshire in a house full of books, magazines and all sorts of artwork from her children (empty cereal boxes are often taken from the recycle bin to reinvent something wonderful like a spy camera or a telescope). When Genna’s not writing, she loves reading, star gazing, movie nights, and exploring the great outdoors with her family. You can find 

If you’ve ever wished there was a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy book for kids, there is now.

I have a special bookcase for my ‘permanent collection’ – the books I go back to over and over again – and it’s impossible to narrow then down to my absolute favourite (a question I’m asked at every single school visit I do), but for a fun comfort read, I’m going to go with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I’m sure you know it: “So long, and thanks for all the fish” and the answer is 42 etc; but just incase, in a nutshell, Arthur Dent, in his dressing gown, gets whisked onto a spaceship when Earth is demolished for a hyperspace bypass. Luckily, he has his towel with him.

I vividly recall stumbling across the radio series on my way home from school one day in the 1980s. My dad and I sat in the car outside the house laughing our heads off so it has happy family memories, and it still makes me laugh. I listened to the rest of the series on the radio, then got a copy from the library. My own well-read copy is from 1992.

Lexi's copy of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

By the way, I also love the 2005 movie version – no book vs. movie arguments from me. It probably won’t surprise anyone, but Red Dwarf is my comfort comedy TV series. I can quote huge chunks from memory. Given this, why I haven’t written a sci-fi comedy is a complete mystery.

Luckily, I don’t have to write one, because Claire Fayers has done it for me. I’m a huge fan of hers and over the past few years have recommended Storm Hound to many young readers. So I was very excited to hear about Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine.

And I was even more honoured to be asked to provide a quote for the cover, and receive a shiny proof copy. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a proof copy and a final published book is, this is it. Actually I love the proof cover, but the colour on the final cover really makes it zing.

Photo of a proof copy of Tapper Watson book beside the finished edition.

Anyway, here is what I wrote for the publisher to pick an extract from to use on the cover.

Pack your towel, we’re off on a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy style adventure! As always, Fayers has created a totally unique world, and populated it with a fabulous collection of weird and wacky characters from lobster mobsters to talking plants. It’s fast and funny, with a message on our responsibility for the environment, plus I reckon it’s a great way to start conversations with any young readers trying to understand the devastating impact of dementia.

Lexi Rees review of Tapper Watson

So what did they use? Here it is on the cover!

What do you get when you cross Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy with The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman? Tapper Watson. I’m going to put this down for my 2023 book of the year. Enjoy!

What aren’t there more retellings of A Christmas Carol?

In Iceland, giving books on Christmas Eve is a custom known as “Jólabókaflóð” or the “Christmas Book Flood.” Our bookish family tradition is re-reading/ watching Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol every year. I even have a dinky copy: is there anything cuter than a mini book?

So why A Christmas Carol? Apart from the obvious seasonal connection, and my obsession with the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas (more on that to follow) a few years ago, my son was lucky enough to play Tiny Tim at the Charles Dickens Museum in London. They were doing “living theatre” performances, so as visitors walked around the house they watched different scenes. Magical!

Given the popularity of a “twisted” fairy tale, I’m surprised there aren’t more creative re-tellings of this classic – it has so much scope, but I’m only aware of two. Please let me know of others to add to the list: there must be more!

  • Bah Humbug by Michael Rosen. “In a school theatrical production of “A Christmas Carol”, the boy who plays Scrooge is extra nervous because his very busy father is in the audience. However, it’s likely his father won’t stay for the duration, due to business. As always. Will the classic story’s message of Christmas cheer and family love reach his father’s distracted heart?”
  • The Miracle on Ebeneezer Street by Catherine Doyle. “When George stumbles across Marley’s Curiosity Shop at the Christmas fair he finds a mysterious snow globe. The scene it contains is just the first in a series of impossibilities . . . George and his Scrooge of a dad are soon swept on a hilarious adventure to Christmases past, present and future. With help from an enthusiastic elf, a rather grumpy purple reindeer and a very mischievous Nan, can George find a way to bring the joy of Christmas home once again?”

So when I saw the book tour for A Christmas Carol with Grandfather Time, I was excited to see what the author had done with it, and it’s great to have something else to add to my very short list above, especially since it is a picture book format.

The messages about sharing and caring in Scenes 1 and 2 are spot on. Personally, I have a slight issue with the characterisation used in Scene 3: Christmas future. As parents, of course we want our kids to be connecting “in real life”, but I believe the image of a computer nerd/ gamer alone and in “terrible gloom” is an outdated cliché. When my son is gaming, he is talking non-stop to friends, a bit like we used to get home from school and immediately phone our friends (much to my parents annoyance if I didn’t wait for the cheaper calls after 6pm). Anyway, given the gaming industry currently makes more than three times as much money as the music industry and almost four times as much as the movie industry, and is still growing, it’s actually likely that young readers of this book, their friends, and/ or family could be involved in the industry, so why put a downer on it? Anyway, conscious I’m probably in the minority on this point.

One other thing, the book is dotted with the work “Boing”. I think it’s the grandfather clock chiming, but I would have described that as a “tock” or “dong” or “bong” perhaps. Boing sounds bouncy to me, which doesn’t make sense. Plus there is a dash in the middle of the word, so it is written “Bo-ing” and EVERY time I saw it, I read it as “Boring”. Ooops! Is that just me?

The blurb

“A modern lyrical re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic for children of all ages. Young Ebenezer hates sharing and is not very caring. Can a magical clock and a ghost puppy help him mend his ways?”

About the author

Living on ‘England’s Green & Pleasant Land’, among the gentle rolling hills of the Herefordshire Countryside, Rose’s house is wall to wall books. She’s a Read-a-holic, whose hobby is to write stories for the young and young at heart.

Working as a school librarian, and sharing her love of books with children, was the best job she ever had. However, life moves on and another chapter was only a page turn away. Working in a very different library now, she is a key worker for the NHS helping to run the Medical Equipment Library in Wye Valley NHS Trust.

After winning FIRST PRIZE in a short story competition with ‘The Magic of Grandfather Christmas’ she is inspired to transform the tale into a collection of stories for all ages. ‘Young Ebenezer’ is inspired by the Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ and brought into modern times with a strong theme of sharing and caring. Rose has a little sidekick called Miss Ruby Heart, a ruby King Charles spaniel from the Grandfather Time Series. The puppy is the Ghost of Christmas Past and features on the ‘Young Ebenezer’ covers.