Author Archives: Book Worm

I looked out of the window, and saw her. At first she just looked like a big dark shadow, but then the shadow moved, I looked again. She was an elephant, quite definitely an elephant. I did not know at the time, of course, but this elephant in our garden was going to change myContinue reading “The Elephant in the garden, by Michael Morpurgo (129)”

Meet the big, happy Bell family who live in the vicarage at St Mark’s. Father is a reverend, Mother is as kind as can be. Then there are all children – practical Paul, dancing Jane, mischievous Ginnie, and finally the baby of the family, Angus, whose ambition is to own a private zoo (he hasContinue reading “The Bell Family, by Noel Streatfield (128)”

A pilot forced to land in the Sahara meets a little prince. The wise and enchanting stories the prince tells of his own planet with its three volcanoes and a haughty flower are unforgettable. A strange and wonderful parable for all ages, with superb illustrations by the author.  

A Horrid Henry story book, utterly wicked and totally brilliant. Four original stories to make you ache with laughter.  

Dennis lives in a boring house in a boring street in a boring town, But he’s about to find out when you open your mind, life becomes anything but boring! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and once you meet Dennis he’ll live with you forever…….  

Izzy loves the Greek Myths! She tells her friends all about the massive wooden horse of Troy and Icarus, who flew so close to the sun his wings melted! And then there’s King Midas and all his gold and Narcissus, who fell in love with his own face! Four retellings of the most dramatic mythsContinue reading “Icarus was Ridiculous, by Pamela Butchart (124)”

George has always wanted to know what it’s like to be a dog……… One night, a magical mix up means he swaps places with Midnight, a huge and loveable hound! Becoming a dog is an amazing adventure , until George uncovers a plan that could threaten Midnight’s home.  

The first story about Arabel and her pet raven Mortimer. In Arabel’s Raven Mr Jones, while driving his taxi notices something bedraggled in the road. Being a kind maN Mr Jones stops and discovers an injured raven. Not knowing the consequences the good man takes the raven home and his four year old daughter ArabelContinue reading “Arabel’s Raven by Joan Aiken (121)”

Ottoline Brown and her best friend, Mr Munroe, are starting school…. But they’re not scared – even if it is haunted! Ottoline is off to the Alice B Smith school for the Differently Gifted, but she is rather worried that she doesn’t have a special gift. Mr Munroe is more worried about the ghost whoContinue reading “Ottoline goes to School, by Chris Riddell (120)”

Starts superbly with a clanking iron giant toppling from a cliff and lying smashed on the rocks below. Then his various parts get up and search for each other.  

When Ava puts on a sparkling trapeze outfit with a dazzling butterfly tiara, she is transported back in time to the travelling circus. Ava loves the clever circus stunts and the beautiful costumes, but she’s worried about a baby elephant that is meant to perform tricks. Can Ava reunite the baby with its Mother beforeContinue reading “The Butterfly Tiara, by Gwyneth Rees (118)”

Johnnie was only the runt of the litter, a little peppermint pig. He’d cost Mother a shilling, but somehow his great naughtiness and cleverness kept Poll and Theo cheerful, even though it was one of the most difficult years of their lives.  

I know it’s a crazy plan, and you don’t need to come with me. But I’m going to find the unicorns. And when I find them, I’m going to set them free.   In the wild Scottish Highlands, best friends Lewis and Rhona discover that the legends are true: unicorns are real creatures, darkly magicalContinue reading “Guardians of the wild Unicorns by Lindsay Littleson (116)”

The race to the top of the world! It comes around once in a lifetime – and the prize? Your hearts desire. Shen and Sika can’t resist the chance to win, but competition is fierce. The path to Victory is littered with Snow trolls, Sea Monsters , and a gang of particularly hungry Yetis. ButContinue reading “Pugs of the Frozen North, by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (115)”

Malcolm doesn’t like animals which is a problem because his family love them. Their house is full of pets. What the house is NOT full of is stuff Malcolm likes. Such as the laptop he wanted for his birthday. The only bright spot on the horizon is the Year Six school trip …….Oh no. AContinue reading “Ani Malcolm, Life as an animal is wild, by David Baddiel (114)”

Oh Hi, You’re here. Purrfect Timing! I wrote this story about my cat. This is Toto and she’s AWESOME. But she’s no ordinary furry friend, my friends. She is almost totally blind , she has ninja skills and at night she has amazing adventures with her cheeky brother, Silver.  

The story follows the fortunes of a group of Edwardian children whose father is wrongly jailed for treason. Exiled with their mother to a life of genteel poverty on the Yorkshire Moors, they are soon drawn to the railway at the bottom of the garden, and all kinds of adventures follow.  

Every dog abandoned at Happy Paws Rescue Centre dreams of being rehomed with a loving family, but for Ralph, Fred, Mitch and Bessie the dream seems impossible. They’ve been at the centre for so long they’re considered the No-Hopers – the dogs that nobody wants! Ralph is determined to make one last attempt to findContinue reading “Going Home, by Cliff McNish (110)”

This is a story of a child who had everything but still wanted more. Just one more “fing”…..  

Come and climb the Faraway Tree….Stuck up Connie refuses to believe in the Faraway Tree until Jo, Beth and Frannie take her to the land of secrets and the Land of Treats!  

Joe, Beth and Frannie move right next door to an enchanted wood, and discover the Faraway Tree with it’s many different lands. They make new friendships, slide down the slippery-slip and goto a fancy dress feast in the land of Birthdays.  

This dog is not like other dogs. She is more like a friend than a dog, a friendly shadow that does not to leave us. You never lose your shadow.  

Many remarkable things did happen to Roald Dahl when he was a boy, no doubt providing some of the marvellous ideas for his later books. And, like his stories, Dahl’s childhood tales are unmissable.