#ReviewMonday with KM Lockwood: Gathering Voices by Kris Humphrey

Summary

When a raven drops a white feather at the doorstep on the day of your birth, it is a symbol of your destiny. You are a Whisperer - a guardian of the wild. 

The war against the shape-shifting Narlaw is raging. Mika and her Arctic fox companion, Star, must travel from their distant mountain home to join Dawn and the other Whisperers at the palace. The journey is fraught with danger and the outlook for the kingdom of Meridina is bleak, but Mika has discovered a gift that might just change their fortunes. Could she hold the key to defeating the Narlaw?

Gathering Voices written by Kris Humphrey

Published by Stripes in 2016 ( read via NetGalley)

Illustrated by Chellie Carroll

224 pages in paperback with illustrations

****

This is the third book in the Guardians of the Wild series by Kris Humphrey. (A Whisper of Wolves and Warning Cry are both reviewed on this site). It will help to read them in order - certain references will make more sense - but it’s fairly easy to work things out by various clues. This time Mika the central character has an Arctic fox, Star, as her companion.

As the overall story is coming towards a conclusion (in book four), events are becoming more dramatic. There’s a strong sense of peril throughout - and good deal of challenge for Mika to deal with. Friends will make sacrifices to help the cause - and one is truly poignant. 

A pleasing sense of environment, as seen on the bold and attractive cover, infuses the story. The bringing together of people from a variety of backgrounds to defeat an evil that threatens them all is a heartening feature of these books. Why wouldn’t you like a kind of multicultural war on misery and greed?

The magical aspects include a range of tactics and it’s good to see characters you like grow and develop their skills. There are set-backs and at least one whoa-I-didn’t-see-that-coming moment (for me, anyway.) 

In short: fast-paced fantasy adventure with a taste of nature - ideal for a quick read. The publishers recommend nine and up but some fluent younger readers might well enjoy them.

---

K. M. Lockwood lives by the sea in Sussex - see the pics on Instagram. She fills jars with sea-glass, writes on a very old desk and reads way past her bedtime. Her tiny bed-and-breakfast is stuffed full of books - and even the breakfasts are named after writers. You're always welcome to chat stories with @lockwoodwriter on Twitter.

#ZoellaBookClub Review: Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell

When Jay said he'd downloaded a Ouija-board app onto his phone. I wasn't surprised. It sounded like the kind of daft thing he'd do. It was Thursday night and we were sitting in our favourite greasy spoon cafe, eating baskets of curly fries. 

First published in January 2015

Republished in October 2016

Published by Red Eye, an imprint of Stripes.

Summary

We're waiting for you to come and play. Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone. But they left something behind...Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lilias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. And then there's her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn't be there. The girl that died.

*****

What a creeptastic book! 

I don't get scared that easily these days, but just the mention of the ouija board filled me with fear. I've heard too many true life accounts of using them to ever want to mess with one myself. I found myself screaming at the characters, Sophie and Jay to get rid of it as I read the first chapter! No good will come of it! And by God,I was right! And then add in the mix of Chucky style dolls into the plot and I was running for safety. 

Dolls are pretty creepy looking anyway, but this book takes their creep factor to a whole new level. The fact that they were buried in the walls, would have made me reconsider my house buying choices. 

The whole scene in the cafe really really creeped me out. And stupidly I stayed up way too late reading it. A quick lesson learned after imagining the waterlogged girl from The Ring in my dreams, made me move this book to a day time read. 

The story is set in an old Victorian school that was shut down many years ago. There's a lot of speculation and stories about why it closed down, involving horrific accidents and unsolved deaths. Sophie is unsettled even before she arrives, but she knows she has to find out what really happened to her cousin who died when she was young. Little does she realise that she has brought her back from the dead. 

This book twists and turns through a gripping plot, leaving you as confused as Sophie as to who she can trust. All the kids in the house are pretty screwed up, so it's not surprising Sophie becomes desperate to leave. 

The ending is excellent and surprising. Certain events happen that I wasn't expecting. 

I'm so pleased that there is going to be a prequel, because the hints about the house's back story were really intriguing. 

If you love your horror Chucky style, this book is definitely for you. 

Dirty Bertie Halloween Monster by David Roberts & Alan MacDonald

This Halloween, Bertie fans beware! - the boy with nose-pickingly disgusting habits is back with three monster tales in his 28th book in the bestselling Dirty Bertie series! 

Join Dirty Bertie illustrator David Roberts as he turns Know-It-All Nick into a MONSTER, and pick up some ideas for your very own Halloween costume. 

Things you will need: 

* Green facepaint. 

* Red facepaint. 

* Old school uniform (too small and okay to rip a little...) 

* Two tinfoil bolts. 

* A BOLT OF LIGHTNING … actually no, health and safety, forget that last one. 

The first step in making either yourself (or an unwitting victim who things he’s being turned into a lion) into a monster is to paint your face green. Then, take a red face paint crayon and draw a scar line across your forehead. This is where your brain has been swapped! Add a few more scars to your face with straight lines and four stitches. 

If you are Know-It-All Nick, your school uniform is likely to be clean and tidy. BORING. For more fun, put on an old uniform and ask a parent to snip the edges until they look ragged. This is to ensure your monster is wild and dangerous! 

Even babies will be scared by your Monster look. Especially if you try to hug them. Or say boo. Or growl a bit. Raaaar. 

Once you’ve perfected your Monster growl, it’s time to take this on the road. You can scare tea parties, people at the door, even the cat. Dirty Bertie recommends all three. 

If you want to add extra details to your Monster costume, why not make some bolts out of tinfoil by making a sausage roll and squishing the end flat? 

To finish your look, ask a friend to follow you around and every so often shout … 

“IT’S ALIIIIIIIVE!!” 

…to really make sure everyone knows that you’re a brilliant formerly dead Monster with a talent for coming back to life! 

For more monstrously mischievous misadventures, join Dirty Bertie in his latest book, Dirty Bertie: Monster! with words by Alan MacDonald and pictures by David Roberts. 

DIRTY BERTIE: MONSTER! 

By Alan MacDonald 

Illustrated by David Roberts 

October 2016, £4.99

Biographies

David Roberts worked as a fashion illustrator in Hong Kong before becoming one of the UK’s foremost children’s illustrators. He has worked with writers including Philip Ardagh, Georgia Byng and former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson. David won a Gold Award in the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize for Mouse Noses On Toast in 2006, and was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for The Dunderheads in 2010 and Tinder in 2015. 

Alan MacDonald dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, but when he won a pen in a writing competition his fate was sealed. Alan has written over eighty children’s books, which have been translated into many languages and won several awards. Alan also writes for TV.

To find out more about David Roberts:

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To find out more about Alan MacDonald:

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Most Anticipated Books For October / Book of the Month

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that I didn't do a post for August. August is such a busy month for me that I don't get enough time to blog properly, so apologies for missing it out. And I have some super books to gush over about for October, which I hope you will add to your ever growing TBR list. So let's get on with it. 

1) Haunt Me by Liz Kessler

I honestly think this is the best book she ever written. If you love earlier YA, going back to Alyson Noel's Evermore series, then you will love this book too. 

Published by Hachette Books

Summary

Joe wakes up from a deep sleep to see his family leave in a removals van. Where they've gone, he has no idea. Erin moves house and instantly feels at home in her new room. Even if it appears she isn't the only one living in it. Bit by bit, Erin and Joe discover that they have somehow found a way across the ultimate divide - life and death. Bound by their backgrounds, a love of poetry and their growing feelings for each other, they are determined to find a way to be together.

Joe's brother, Olly, never cared much for poetry. He was always too busy being king of the school - but that all changed when Joe died. And when an encounter in the school corridor brings him face to face with Erin, he realises how different things really are - including the kind of girl he falls for.

Two brothers. Two choices. Will Erin's decision destroy her completely, or can she save herself before she is lost forever?

2) Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

By the time you read this, I'm hoping to have got my hands on a copy of this book! I literally cannot wait to read this. It will probably become more obvious as you read down the post, but I LOVED the first book, Six of Crows so much that I can't wait to read the sequel. 

Published by Hachette Books

Summary

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

3) Barefoot On The Wind by Zoe Marriott

I don't care that this book came out last month and putting it in here. The reason being, is that Zoe is an exceptional writer and this is yet another beautifully written novel to accompany Shadows On The Moon.  It's a dark and magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast and it is awesome. 

Published by Walker Books 

Summary 

There is a monster in the forest... 

Everyone in Hana's remote village on the mountain knows that straying too far into the woods is a death sentence. When Hana's father goes missing, she is the only one who dares try to save him. Taking up her hunting gear, she goes in search of the beast, determined to kill it - or be killed herself. 

But the forest contains more secrets, more magic and more darkness than Hana could ever have imagined. And the beast is not at all what she expects...

4) I'll Be Home For Christmas by various authors. 

This book is filled with some of #UKYA's finest authors. Each author has written a short story based on the theme of home with at least £1 from every copy going towards the charity, Crisis. It's an important book and one that everyone should read. 

Published by Stripes

Summary

The UK's top Young Adult authors join together in this collection of new stories and poems on the theme of home. Contributors include: Tom Becker, Holly Bourne, Sita Brahmachari, Kevin Brooks, Melvin Burgess, Katy Cannon , Cat Clarke, Juno Dawson, Julie Mayhew, Non Pratt, Marcus Sedgwick, Lisa Williamson and Benjamin Zephaniah. GBP1 from the sale of every book will be donated to Crisis, the national homelessness charity. To find out more about Crisis, see www.crisis.org.uk

5) The Deviants by CJ Skuse

I love everything that CJ writes, so I honestly can't wait to read this one. Every story she writes keeps me entertained and rushing towards the final paragraph. 

Published by Mira Ink 

Summary 

Growing up in the sleepy English seaside town of Brynston, the fearless five - Ella, Max, Corey, Fallon and Zane - were always inseparable. Living up to their nickname, they were the adventurous, rowdy kids who lived for ghost stories and exploring the nearby islands off the coast. But when Max’s beloved older sister Jessica is killed, the friendship seems to die with her.

Now years later, only Max and Ella are in touch; still best friends and a couple since they were thirteen. Their lives are so intertwined Max’s dad even sponsors Ella’s training for the Commonwealth Games. But Ella is hiding things. Like why she hates going to Max’s house for Sunday dinner, and flinches whenever his family are near. Or the real reason she’s afraid to take their relationship to the next level.

When underdog Corey is bullied, the fearless five are brought back together again, teaming up to wreak havoc and revenge on those who have wronged them. But when the secrets they are keeping can no longer be kept quiet, will their fearlessness be enough to save them from themselves? 

****

So my book of the month is... Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Without a shadow of a doubt, Six of Crows was the best book that I read last month. It was one of those books you can't put down and that you even dream about. Not only did I love this book, I lived through it! I don't think any book will be able to top it this year. It is the most outstanding read so far. Now you can see why I'm desperate to read the sequel! 

Summary 

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

My Five Last Reads with Katrina Charman

As part of the Poppy's Place blog tour, I have author, Katrina Charman on the blog telling us all about her last five reads. 

Winter by Marissa Meyer

This is the last book in the Lunar Chronicles series. I loved the originality of this series which took classic fairy tales and gave them a unique sci-fi spin, with Cinderella being a part-human, part-cyborg lost lunar princess, Red Riding Hood being a girl called Scarlet who develops an unusual relationship with her captor - a genetically modified wolf-man, and Rapunzel - a girl called Cress who is imprisoned in a space pod and is a genius hacker. This final book did not disappoint. Focussing on Winter, who is loosely based on the Snow Queen, the book brings together the characters from the first three books to a breathtaking finale. Unlike many other series I've read, each book can stand alone as a brilliant story.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

I've been working on a number of projects at the same time, and had been feeling slightly tapped out, creatively, so this book came along at exactly the right time. It was a really inspirational, and refreshing read about how Gilbert views creativity and approaches the sometimes (often!) absent muse. I found myself nodding along and relating to so many aspects of creativity that Gilbert talked about, and it certainly motivated me to work harder to reach my goals.

Emily Sparkes and the Disco Disaster by Ruth Fitzgerald

I have to admit I've got a bit of a strange sense of humour and it takes a lot to make me laugh, but this book (and the first two in the series) had me crying with laughter and snorting coffee all over my daughter's copy of this book! Ruth Fitzgerald absolutely nails the main character, Emily's voice, and while my daughters found themselves relating to Emily, I found myself relating to Emily's well-meaning but often misguided parents. I find humour one of the hardest things to write in my own children's fiction, but Ruth's writing makes it seem effortless.

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

I read this one with my daughters at Christmas and hadn't read too much about it beforehand, so I was expecting a fluffy, feel-good yuletide story. This is a feel-good story, but it is so much more - with themes of loss, and hardship, and fighting to be good even when everything is against you - I absolutely sobbed at the end, much to the horror of my kids! Matt Haig also adds his wicked sense of humour to the book as well though, to lighten some of the darker moments - where else could you find a christmas story with exploding heads?!

The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell 

This book is absolute magic. Everything from the language, to the imagery, to the characterisation of not just Feo the main character, but the wolves as well, was absolutely flawless and breathtaking. I was transported to another world so entirely that I felt myself shivering along with Feo as she struggled through the freezing, but beautiful backdrop of Russia to save her mother. Not only was this a wonderful story, written to perfection, but it left me wanting to be a better writer.

***

Published by Stripes in March 2016

Summary

Isla Palmer is CRAZY about cats — SUPER-IN-LOVE crazy — but her vet-nurse mum has never let her have one. Then Isla meets Poppy, a gorgeous cat in need of a loving home, and comes up with the perfect way to convince Mum.

It’s not long before Poppy has transformed life at the Palmers’ - everyone is happier, especially Gran, and even Isla’s older sister Tilda admits she likes having Poppy around. But Poppy isn’t the only one in need of a home and soon their 

house is full of cats. With Mum at her wits’ end, Isla needs to come up with a plan and fast!

To find out more about Katrina Charman:

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The Storm Leopards by Holly Webb

Isabelle watched the group of children move off down the road, jingling their collecting tins. The pavement was slippery with frost and icy puddles, and one of the girls nearly skidded over. A couple of the others grabbed her to hold her up and they all giggled. 

Summary From Stripes 

The countdown to Christmas has begun and Isabelle is enjoying a family day out at the zoo. As her sister watches the penguins, Isabelle is the only one to catch a glimpse of a snow leopard, with its beautiful spotted silver-grey coat and long fluffy tail. 

Fascinated by these rare and endangered creatures, Isabelle tries to find out what she can do to help protect them. Little does she know, she's about to be whisked into her very own magical snow leopard adventure where a mother and her cubs are in danger.

****

Reviewed by Liss Norton 

Isabelle has moved to a new area and has not yet made friends at school. She becomes interested in snow leopards after a trip to the zoo with her family, then finds herself magically transported to a place where snow leopards live in the wild. With the help of a new friend there, she must save a family of snow leopards. She must also get herself home again when her task is done. 

This is a great book for animal-loving girls. The story is simply told and easy to follow, and it makes clear the conflict that exists between indigenous people trying to make a living in areas where big cats threaten their livestock. The book has lots of cute snow leopard detail, though how Isabelle finds herself transported isn't really explained. There's a satisfying subplot, with Isabelle longing to fit in with her classmates at her new school. 

The book is illustrated with black and white line drawings every four pages or so. As it's set at Christmastime, it would make a good Christmas present for girls aged around six to eight.

Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire

I didn’t want things to turn out this way. I really didn’t.

There have been deaths, and worse. Even if there’s no blood on my hands, not directly, I have to face the consequences of my actions, of what I did do.

Published by Red Eye, an imprint of Stripes Publishing in March 2015

Pages - 325

Summary

I must record the facts that have led me to where I am now. So that, when someone reads this, they understand. Sam Hunter's neighbours are pillars of the community, the most influential people in town. But they're liars too. The Greenhills are hiding something and Sam's determined to find out what it is. As his investigation unfolds, he realizes the lies reach further than he ever imagined - is there anyone he can trust? Uncovering the horror is one thing ...escaping is another.

******

I’d been warned! Many of the blogging community had told me what to expect. I brushed them off. I wasn't afraid to venture into a Red Eye book. There was no way it could be that horrific…

Well that will teach me not to listen. I was fooled. Led into a false state of security. As the book began Sam talked about his new neighbours. OK, so there was obviously something not quite right about them. And yes it is a bit weird that everyone has a snotty nose, but surely they weren’t scary. I kept on thinking of the Stepford Wives - the film with Nicole Kidman, not the original, as I am not that old! I was convinced it was all a conspiracy theory, nothing illegal or untoward was going on. How wrong was I? I'm not going to tell you what happened, as that would just spoil it for you. All I can say is, perhaps don’t eat before diving into the latter part of the book. Be prepared for a gory, gruesome journey.

If this book teaches you anything, it should be not to be nosy, as you really don’t need to know what your neighbours are up to when they shut the world out of their homes. Remember, what they say - Curiosity Killed the Cat!

The plot is believable, to the point, where you can't help but worry that somewhere in the world, this might be happening. There is a general feeling of hopelessness that churns away at you as you move deeper into the story. My heart goes out to Sam.

The book reminded me of the good old days, when Stephen King was King and Richard Laymon and James Herbert  were the Crown Princes of Horror. I am very impressed with my first book from the new Red Eye imprint by Stripes and I look forward to reading more… in the daylight, with some kind of protective talisman, surrounded by people!

Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines by Katy Cannon

Sewing is more than just a hobby. Learning to sew means you can create outfits, accessories and looks knowing that no one else will ever have something exactly the same. You will always be unique and true to yourself. Whichever, pattern you follow, make it your own.

Published by Stripes Publishing in February 2015

Summary

Grace: This was supposed to be Grace’s starring year, until she opened the door to a family secret that changed everything. Now she’s stuck making costumes in Sewing Club and watching someone else play the lead role - unless she can find a way to win it back.
Connor: Far from home and exiled to a new school, all Connor wants is to keep a low profile and get through the year. But agreeing to help his step-dad out with the school play means he’s soon caught up in Grace’s schemes.
Grace had a plan for this year - and it didn’t involve learning to sew. But being out of the spotlight isn’t the disaster she imagined, even if Connor is convinced she’s still a diva extraordinaire. Can Grace prove she’s really changed and save the play from the sidelines, even though her family is coming apart at the seams?

******

I am a sucker for a school romance. And this one is simply gorgeous. I hadn’t read the previous book in the series, Love, Lies and Lemon Pies, but I can assure I will definitely be reading it soon. Although I didn’t feel like I needed to read it, as this book can be read easily as stand alone. I just want to go back now and find out more about Lottie and Mac, who are minor characters in this book, but their flourishing romance features heavily in the first book.

In this book we get to know Lottie’s friend, Grace better.  I have a feeling she wasn’t as lovely in the first book, as she is in this one. Grace had hoped to get the lead in the school play this year, but unfortunately she arrived to late for her audition and ended up being in charge of costumes for the show instead. When the new boy, Conner, writes her off as just a drama queen, Grace goes out of her way to prove him wrong, by throwing herself completely into the sewing club in order to help make the costumes for the show.

Grace is confident and sassy. She knows exactly what she wants and she won’t stop until she gets it. OK she is a bit of a diva, but I think every girl should have a diva-ness quality inside them. Connor can’t cope with drama, so it isn’t surprising that it takes a while for him to warm to Grace. It was interesting to watch the sparks of annoyance slowly alter to a chemical attraction as they realised how much they liked each other.

Being rather hooked on sewing, since recently purchasing a sewing machine, I  found I really enjoyed this book. I  loved all the sewing patterns that were included. I have had to bookmark each one so that I can hopefully soon have a go at making some of these things myself. It actually made me excited to sew!

On the whole, I thought  this was a charming school romance with some funny and warm characters. It looks closely at friendships and family dynamics, as well as a little romance. Definitely one that will appeal to the early teens.

Guardians of the Wild: A Whisper of Wolves by Kris Humphrey

 

Alice wished that the demons were just ancient history, but she knew better than that. The missing hunters and the changes in the forest were small things, coincidences perhaps, but Alice felt a growing fear that something sinister was behind it all - and she knew Storm and the other wolves shared her suspicions.

224 pages

Paperback due 2nd March 2015 from Stripes Publishing

Summary from Publisher’s website

When a raven drops a white feather at the doorstep on the day of your birth, it is a symbol of your destiny. You are a Whisperer - a guardian of the wild.

Many years have passed since the people of Meridina last knew war, but a shadow has settled over the kingdom. When Alice and her companion, Storm, sense a demonic presence in the forests, they send for help. But they’re running out of time. With the entire balance of the natural world at stake, will Alice and Storm have to face the demons alone?

******

Reviewed by K. M. Lockwood

This is the first in a four-part series featuring different children with animal companions who have to save their world from the evil Narlaw. It’s an appealing concept - and another in the growing trend of featuring the natural world in books for children - hoorah! As anyone who

knows children is aware, animals and nature have a deep resonance with younger readers. Anything that focuses the great outdoors as an alternative to a purely ‘virtual’ existence has a head start for many children - and a place in my heart.

It’s quite short - and fairly easy to read. It does move from Alice’s point of view to Dawn’s on occasion - though not without signal. Any reasonably competent reader would enjoy the adventure as it zips along. There are some frightening scenes - but the resilience of the main characters really helps you feel it will work out - somehow. That means I can recommend it for younger fluent readers - unless they are sensitive about demons and the like. One of the best aspects is the gender balance. This story passes the Bechdel Test - and then some. There are lots of male and female characters in important roles - which is an improvement on many traditional fantasies I have read or watched. I have hopes that the next story ‘Warning Cry’ will be even more inclusive. Surely Nara from the remote savannah with her leopard companion, Flame, won’t disappoint?

This first story has an attractive cover which gives a flavour of the book: full of green forest trees and featuring our heroines, Alice and Storm: I wish I knew who did it to give them due credit.

All in all, an enjoyable fantasy read for the younger fluent reader with a soft spot for magic and animals. I will be interested to see the series progress in summer 2015.

Pooch Parlour: V.I.P. (Very Important Pup!) by Katy Cannon

"Lulu, we're here!" Abi bounced on her toes as she looked up at the powder-blue door with the words "Pooch Parlour" curling above it in silver letters. "We're really here!"

At her side, Lulu the bichon frise beat her fluffy white tail excitedly against the pavement.

Published by Stripes in March 2014

Pages - 112

Summary from Stripes 

V.I.P. (Very Important Pup!) is the first book in Pooch Parlour, a glitzy new series for girls who love dogs and adore giving them the luxuries every girl’s best friend deserves, written by Katy Cannon. Pooch Parlour is not just any grooming parlour - it’s doggy heaven! It’s the perfect place for pet pampering and the dedicated team of groomers give each dog the star treatment they deserve.

Abi is over the moon to be spending the summer helping out at Pooch Parlour, especially as she'll be taking Lulu, her fluffy pet Bichon Frisé. She can’t believe her luck when glamorous actress, Daisy Lane, and her adorable Pomeranian Jade appear at the parlour on her first day. Can she impress them with the Pooch Parlour pampering treatments? Daisy and Jade want to sparkle!

Full of adorable animals, celebrity customers and dressing up, the glamorous world of Pooch Parlour is sure to delight young girls who love Rainbow Magic, Secret Kingdom and other sweet and sparkly reads.

*****

Reviewed by Liss Norton

This book will be a real hit with dog-loving girls aged between six and eight. If they've got stars in their eyes and a passion for fashion, then even better! 

Abi, the main character, is an ordinary girl with an ordinary girl's hopes and fears and a passion for dogs. Helping out at Pooch Parlour is a dream come true for her, especially when she gets to meet two film stars, one canine and one human, ride in a stretched limo and visit the TV studios. There are a few tense moments, when nervy Jade runs off and causes mayhem during the filming of a game show, but Abi manages to sort everything out in time for the dog star's big moment in front of the cameras. 

There are plenty of black-and-white line drawings throughout the book and the shiny pink cover, showing a cute Pomeranian in a beret, will appeal to young readers. The story is full of dazzling doggy costumes and beauty treatments and there is a lot of emphasis on the relationships between dogs and their owners. An exciting start to what promises to be a popular new series!