Books: children & YA

Based on the characters created by Raymond Briggs, The Snowman and the Snowdog written by Hilary Audus and Joanna Harrison and read by Benedict Cumberbatch, is the perfect Christmas book for pre-schoolers.

Workman Publsihing's A Little Bit Of Oomph is another triumph for Barney Salzberg. Annd Coates loves his creativity and Harriet adores all the flaps, pop-ups and peepholes. Perfect gift for pre-school children.

A powerful novel for young adults (YA) that should be read by parents and professionals who work with teens, Watermelon by Kate Hanney tackles the themes of drugs, gangs, truancy and teenage pregnancy, love and loss with immense sensitivity, writes Anne Coates.

There are four new editions in the DK Eyewitness series: Astronomy, Earth, Electricity and Invention. Alex Bell was delighted to help son Toby review Invention.

The latest work of fiction from YA author Jack Croxall in an intriguing diary written  by X after some calamatous event has befallen the UK (maybe the world). Anne Coates was gripped from the first till last sentence.

New from DK, The Animal Book – A visual encyclopedia of life on Earth the perfect reference book for children and adults too as Anne Coates discovered.

A new Young Adult novel from Sharon Shant, author of the Sky Song Trilogy, is great for her fans. Anne Coates was impressed by the treatment of sensitive subjects as well as the great story-telling.

The Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson, takes the Edward Lear classic on The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat, illustrated by Charlotte Voake. Harriet and Anne Coates loved it.

The Germans are the enemy, their planes fly over dropping bombs on English cities but when one crash lands near to Peter Dixon's home he is brought face to face with death and friendship.

YA author Jack Croxall reviews The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson, perfect for those who like to listen to a book being read to them.

Reaper's Rhythm by Clare Davidson is a great Young Adult fantasy novel which tackles difficult subjects like divorce, grief, death and bullying with confidence and assurance. It's a real page-turner, that grips the reader from beginning to end, as Anne Coates discovered.

The first day at a new school can be daunting and it certainly is for the heroine of Skeleton Tower by Summer Hopkiss, here reviewed by Tethers author, Jack Croxall.

LEGO® Minifigures Character Encyclopedia delighted Lego fan Toby Bell – the perfect present, writes Alex Bell who suggests it as a Father's Day gift as well.

Jack Croxall, author of Tethers, reviews the second book in a Young Adult trilogy by Sharon Shant: The Young Moon.

Parenting Without Tears has reviewed some great books for secondary school pupils and here is our list of top ten books. You can click on the title to read our review and print off the list as an aide memoire when the kids go to the library or bookshop.

A great book from Jack Croxall, Tethers grips readers from start to finish. Well-written and perfectly pitched at the Young Adult readership, Tethers makes an ideal holiday read and is highly recommended by Anne Coates.

Sky Song by Sharon Shant is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking, gripping fantasy/sci-fi  novel rooted in reality. anne Coates couldn't put it down.

Have you ever wondered where in the world you are most likely to be caught in a tropical storm, where you might find animals that glow, or where the best dive sites (and the best shipwrecks) are? What’s Where in the World is a stunning visual encyclopedia which answers all these inquisitive questions showing you exactly where everything is on our planet. Alex Bell reviews along with her son, Toby.