Children’s books
This is a big book that will delight the discerning young animal lover.
All of the creatures, from prickly hedgehogs to dainty flamingos, are beautifully drawn, but it is their offbeat, extraordinary colours which give the vibrant edge that will enthral age 4+.
Fairies are generally decent sorts who do nice things for us humans, but Flora is vain and bossy.
When it comes to Christmas she makes sure to be on top of the tree by pushing down the real Christmas star and taking her place.
But, as in all good fairytales, she must get her comeuppance. A well illustrated, laugh-aloud story for the newly independent reader.
What a Pandora’s Box! The premise of the book is that when the potent drug Concentr8 is withdrawn from the NHS, those troublesome teenagers coming off the medication act in concert leading to the recent riots in London.
The drug has been an all too easy method of dealing with youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and has been welcomed by teachers and parents alike.
Doctors are quite willing to prescribe, and some parents even push for their children to have the drug, as by joining the scheme they get extra benefits.
The action takes place over six days during which five teenagers, inspired by the riots, take a hostage and hole up in a disused warehouse. Their leader, Blaze, is a complex individual alternately feared and respected by the others.
The novel uses multilayered narrative viewpoints, including those of the hostage, the negotiator and the mayor, to give a rounded view of the use and abuse of the calming drug and its effects.
Authenticity is enhanced by quotations at the chapter beginnings – these from experts and parents, some of whom are quite disturbed by the government campaign to control an often misunderstood sector of society. Age 14+
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