‘Defender of the Realm’ by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler

Alfie is just a normal boy who spends most of his time trying to escape from 'prison' (aka the illustrious Harrow School.)  Normal, that is, except for the fact that the clumsy fourteen-year-old is next in line for the throne and his every move is watched by his personal bodyguard, Brian. At the same time …

‘Artemis Fowl and The Opal Deception’ Graphic Novel Version adapted by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

Artemis Fowl is a boy genius, but it's going to take every ounce of his intelligence to outwit his arch-nemesis, Opal Kenobi. The evil pixie has just escaped from  prison and is in the final stages of preparations to begin a war between humans and the fairies. Artemis has lost his memory and doesn't remember his …

‘Weasels’ by Elys Dolan

Weasels - cute, furry creatures, live down holes, don't do much all day. Right? Wrong! What they actually do is plot world domination in their underground lair.  And today's the day they take over the world! This hilarious book is full of detailed illustrations which show the reader the weasels' maps, plans and crazy machinery. …

‘The D’Evil Diaries – Hell’s Belles’ by Tatum Flynn

Tommy's in Hell. Literally. Ever since she was sucked down into the afterlife, all the locals have refused to accept her. She may have saved Hell from carnivorous carousel horses and hoardes of hell-beasts, with the help of her best friend, Jinx (the actual spawn of Satan) but the other demons just won't accept a …

‘How to Capture an Invisible Cat’ by Paul Tobin

Nate Bannister is an 11-year-old genius with a problem.  A big problem.  A big, invisible problem... Every Friday the 13th, Nate does three not-so-smart things.  On this occasion, he super-sizes his pet cat, Proton.  And turns him invisible!  Proton's on the loose, running rampage through the neighbourhood. It's a race against time for Nate, his …

‘Simon Thorn and the Wolf’s Den’ by Aimee Carter

Simon Thorn is different.  He knows it and the bullies at school know it too.  Simon can talk to animals but he can't let anyone know, particularly not his uncle,  Darryl, who has forbidden him to go anywhere near any animals. When one day a hoard of terrifying, hungry rats swarm his apartment and kidnap his often-absent mother, Simon …

‘The Three Ninja Pigs’ by David Bedford and Becka Moor

Once upon a time there were three .............ninja pigs!  And they're hot on the trail of the Big Bad Wolf, but have they met their match? In this twisted fairy tale, the Three Ninja Pigs chase Wolf through fairyland, stopping off to visit some well-known characters on the way.  The Three Bears, Cinderella and Rapunzel …

‘The Pig Diaries’ by Emer Stamp

We were lucky enough to be invited to review these three fab books by Scholastic Children's Books as part of a blog tour, ahead of the release of the newest in the series, 'Seriously Extraordinary diary of a Pig.' There are currently three books in the series, which focus on the antics of the loveable but …

‘Jim Reaper Son of Grim’ by Rachel Delahaye, illustrated by Jamie Littler

Jim Wimple's family seem fairly ordinary: annoying (and devious) little sister, health-freak Mum and an accountant Dad.  That is, until Jim becomes desperate to own one of the awesome new Bazoom! scooters. Everyone in town just HAS to have one of the brand new mega cool Bazoom! scooters.  When Jim discovers that Fiona (the cool big sister …