What happens when a foolish dragon falls into a cauldron and makes it too misshapen for it to function normally? What happens when the bottle of frogspell that you thought you were carrying turns out to be blueberries mixed with porridge? What happens when a young girl sets out to become a squire?Cauldron Spells was delightful, full of bubbles of laughter and fun. Accompanied by the dragon Adolphus and the rat Ferocious, Max and Olivia are set to turn the Arthurian world upside down. Fortunately, Caradoc the bard (who turns out to be someone quite special at the end) and Merlin are looking out for them.Cauldron Spells was full of magic - in the story and its telling. It filled me up with warmth and smiles, and a longing to read the other two in the series. Or more, if there are more.Title Cauldron SpellsAuthor C.J. BusbyGenre Arthurian FantasyRating (out of … [Read more...]

I picked up The Indian in the Cupboard full of apprehension. For a long time, I have intended to read this book. Yet, I have realised of late that I have read so much modern writing that older writing seems dry and slow. 1980 is rather a long time ago, and I was not sure how much I would enjoy the book. I was scared I would be offended by the term 'Indian'. I wondered if the part of my mind that studied English literature and critical theory would find the book racist or offensive.It did not. The Indian in the Cupboard was so charming that the part of my mind that could have judged it as racist dozed off just for a little while. I was not offended by the broken English the "Indian" spoke, or by the simple mind Little Bull seemed to have. I enjoyed the book tremendously.When Patrick gives Omri the plastic figure of an "Indian" for his birthday, Omri is unimpressed. Yet, the collection … [Read more...]

The cover illustration of Sea of Tears was just lovely. The wake of a boat curving into a big 'S', a little girl looking out at the sea ... It was a cover I could keep looking at.The book could have been better, though. I enjoyed much of it, but there were parts that left me cold. In many places, Jasmine's emotions were sudden and unexpected, leaving the reader far behind. I realise over and over again that the difference between fact and fiction is that fiction needs to be believable.Jasmine is a twelve-year-old whose parents decide to move from London to Barbados because they are increasingly alarmed at the things happening in London. Jasmine's cultural identity is beautifully portrayed as a mixture between her racial roots and upbringing, and London life around her. Jasmine's father speaks out of the pages of the book, emerging as a traditional father, who would not think of … [Read more...]

I picked up Berlin Olympics assuming it was about a real person. Sure, I expected historical fiction, but my knowledge of Olympic swimmers is not good enough to have known that Eleanor Rhys Davies is not a real person.In the beginning, I was disappointed. I don't know why; I don't know what I expected. Yet, as I read on, the story grew on me. What I enjoyed most of all is how natural the whole story feels, echoing classics like The Diary of a Young Girl. Eleanor, like Anne Frank, spoke to me through the pages of the book, making me believe in her and understand her.Written as a series of diary entries, Berlin Olympics is the story of a young swimmer growing up in the 1930s. With Mosley and Hitler rising to power, Eleanor almost feels guilty that she does not experience the fear and hardships her Jewish friend Sarah does. The 1936 Olympics make all her questions rise to the fore. … [Read more...]

No, I have not yet Pippi Longstocking. Maybe I should apologise. In my defence, I have wanted to read it for very long.When I read Pippi in the South Seas, I realised why it's so famous and why so many people love it so much. Pippi is a classic in a world of her own. She is not like Anne of Green Gables. She is not like Sara, the little princess; nor is she like Little Lord Fauntleroy. She is in a class of her own.During the very first chapter of Pippi in the South Seas, I was chuckling aloud. Yes, there were parts that I did not enjoy. Yes, I found some parts a little outdated. Yet, the story is so charming, and Pippi makes for such a vivacious protagonist, that all in all, I'm ready for more stories featuring Pippi Longstocking! From red hair that sticks out in two plaits to a fierce independence that marks Pippi's character, the book was a … [Read more...]

Dick King-Smith is an author I love. Whenever I pick up a book by him, I do so with complete faith in the story. As usual, I was not disappointed.Billy the Bird is the story of a little child who becomes weightless when the moon is full, but can remember nothing of his nightly flights when the next day dawns. Billy's sister is the one who witnesses his nocturnal flights, and keeps his secret - because no one will believe her if she tells them her brother can fly.The story of a girl, a boy, a cat, a cat-burglar, a guinea-pig, and many more, Billy the Bird is a charming illustrated tale for children.Title Billy the BirdAuthor Dick King-SmithGenre Children's Fiction/Fantasy/Animal StoriesRating (out of 5) 4Age-group 7+ … [Read more...]

A book that promised to be exciting, I think the best thing I can say about Sovay is that the story made me curious enough to keep reading until I finished the book. As I turned page after page, though, I found myself skipping large sections of the book because I wanted to know how it would all end, and nothing else.Set in England in the late 18th century, Sovay had all the makings of a wonderful historical novel for children. I loved the atmosphere and choice of character, but the promise of the book remained unfulfilled. Sovay's character, which began with the power of a Georgette Heyeran heroine, was a little disappointing. Rather than emerging as a brave character, capable of saving the lives of ones she loved, Sovay emerged as a rather reckless character, whose plans somehow held together.Yet, there was something that made me want to read on. The atmosphere and setting were … [Read more...]

It's unfair to compare any book with any other book, I know that. Yet, I could not resist comparing The Truth about Leo with Moon-Pie. The subject was similar - a dead mother and a drunk father. But Moon-Pie moved me in a way that The Truth about Leo did not.Leo spends each day covering up for his father Dr Rake. Dr Rake is a surgeon to the world, but nothing more than an alcoholic to Leo. Building a world of his own, Leo finds himself living there more and more so as not to face the realities of school and a drunk father. The careful, precarious world that Leo has built begins to fall apart when a bottle of vodka rolls out of Leo's bag. Dr Rake chooses a new place to hide his bottles each day - that day he chose Leo's school-bag.The Truth about Leo is an important book. In addition, it is moving and, in places, hurtful.Yet, I wanted more. I wanted to cry out. I wanted the book to … [Read more...]

Too much telling and too little showing. Never mind. I'll read some more. This is strange and unbelievable. Never mind. I'll read some more.That is exactly how I ventured into Spellbound. And before I knew it, I had finished reading it.Athene and Zach are opposites in every possible way. They just happen to be brother and sister. Athene hates Zach. She hates him, resents him, and takes joy in bringing him grief. Zach, on the other hand, is a happy-go-lucky kid and never seems to mind that his sister Eeny is always nasty to him. Everything changes when Athene meets Humdudgeon and Huffkin, two members of the Humble Gloam. In a world where Athene, a day creature, is called a 'Glare', the young girl finds the perfect way to get rid of Zach. But she does not account for the guilt that kicks in and compels her to take risks she would never have dreamed of facing for herself, let alone for … [Read more...]