Herve Tullet is the French author/illustrator of Press Here and Mix It Up, who has been described as the "king of preschool art". His new book really is giant (18" x 11"), although it isn't really a book. Instead, it's a beautifully presented system of press out cardboard shapes which can be slotted together, around a large concertina like frame to create a free standing sculpture. Tullet makes some additional suggestions to the young artist to add pieces of card, wrapping paper or painted toilet rolls and make it truly unique.
This is a hands-on art book that makes creative play really dynamic and exciting, encouraging kids to understand the medium of sculpture and then play with it. Great for young makers between ages 4 and 8.
Published by Phaidon September 22, 2015
Electricity can be dangerous stuff, particularly if you live in an alternative universe where the use of electricity allows monsters called Mangleborn to rise from their underground prisons. The original League of Seven were great legendary heroes who trapped the monsters, but when Archie Dent's parents become mind controlled by newly escaped Mangleborn, he has to be a hero to protect himself, his new friends and save his parents.
The League of Seven is set in a great steampunk world, with wonderful clockwork robots and airships. But what really makes this adventure stand out are the set pieces, like the mob attack on the girls school (which ends spectacularly badly for the mob). There's a real sense of victory every time Archie and his friends overcome another obstacle. But are they the new League of Seven? How can they be if there's only three of them?
Special extra points go to this book for a cameo from Nikola Tesla. Who is always entertaining.
For ages 10-12
Published by Starscape August 19, 2014
Arty comes from a family of space nuts his Dad is an astronomer, his full name is Arcturus, even his younger sister used to love Space Camp, before she became obsessed with Cheer squad. His own personal obsession is finding life on Mars. He has a signaling system that uses a powerful torch and mirrors and he sends signals to Mars every night from the roof above his room. So far Arty hasn't received any messages from Mars. Although he and his friends think maybe their new neighbor is a zombie.
Everything is thrown into chaos when Arty's family has to suddenly move to Las Vegas and Arty meets that scary neighbor face to face.
There are many things to love about this surprisingly realistic book. The characters are great, funny, truthful and sometimes ugly, but always very real. The book is peppered with scientific facts, but because the characters are so rich and their voices so distinct it never feels like encyclopedia definitions have been shoehorned into the text. The plot is tender and funny and also sad.
But my favorite thing about Life on Mars is that there are no traditional happy endings, although we close the book with a sense of hope.
For age 8-12
Published by Bloomsbury August 5, 2014
It's the near future, past the "Tipping Point" when global warming can no longer be reversed. Seventeen year old Nat's parents have elected to die to ease the carbon footprint of mankind. They've bought a contract which allows a corporation to manage their death during one Final Week of luxury in Hawaii. Nat takes the mood altering pharmaceuticals on offer and mocks the meaningless language used by their resident therapist. But her hacker brother Sam has been doing some research and he has a different plan.
Gorgeous, literary sci-fi, in which our decaying world is fully realized and not too far from reality. It is a very bleak vision, but one with a hopeful ending. Definitely a book for independent thinkers.
For ages 12+
Published by Akashic Books June 10, 2014
Review first published in Meet YA@DIESEL newsletter, July 2014
There are some pretty scary looking monsters in this book. But appearances can be deceptive. No matter how frightening these creatures might be, there is something that scares them. Something round, light, shiny and terrifying. Bubbles.
Everyone gets scared sometimes, but if you really investigate what scares you, it might not be so bad after all.
For ages 3-6
Published by Clarion Books May 6, 2014
Rye, Folly and Quinn are kids who live in a small town with a medieval feel. Girls are not allowed to read, the Earl and his soldiers are always interfering in people's business and oh yes, there are a myriad of sinister magical creatures around. Wirries are easy to trap, but Bog Noblins are terrifying violent creatures and one has been seen on Mud Puddle Lane.
Can the kids and their families keep the village safe from the monsters? Particularly when there are so many monsters to choose from, not just the Bog Noblins, but also the Earl and the Luck Uglies; a band of mercenaries lauded for their skills at Bog Noblin fighting, but feared for their indiscriminate cruelty.
There are many things I love about this book. I love that whole families are in this together and that the families are so different. I love the world building, which is far deeper and more complex than I've seen in a middle grade novel for a while. I love that no-one is all good and no-one is all bad. I love the language, especially how every name is chosen with care and joy, from the cat (Shady) to the Earl's twisted daughter (Malydia)
There is always something happening in this brilliant, fast-paced adventure. There are clues to solve, connections to make and a new path to forge. One of the most satisfying books I've read in 2014.
Age 8 -12
Published by Harper Collins April 29, 2014
Maggie likes dressing up and today she will be a kitty. Or maybe a superhero. Or a princess. Or a hula porpoise.
This is not a new book, but I just discovered it and liked it too much not to share. Princess books are always popular with girls under five years old so it's great to find a princess book about self expression (especially as it has no prince in it).
Princess Super Kitty is funny, Maggie has a great energy and a whip smart imagination. It's also clever, which is unsurprising as it was written by Antoinette Portis who wrote the seminal picture book This is Not a Box.
Every time Maggie adds a layer to her dressing up, she adds a layer to her personality, Kitty likes to play, but Super Kitty likes to run fast and be helpful. Princess Super Kitty would like you to obey her and she needs to be the center of attention. One little girl can be all this and more, just like in real life.
For princesses, kitties or superheroes aged 2-5
Published October 18, 2011 by Harper Collins
The Sugar Man Swamp is about to be developed into an Alligator Wrestling theme park, there are wild hogs on the way through town and 11 year old Chap Braeburn is about to lose his home and his heritage. In short, the swamp is under attack and it's up to the Sugar Man Scouts (who are all raccoons) to alert the Sugar Man, so he can put it right.
Several story lines are woven together in this funny and exciting book, it doesn't seem possible that it will all work out OK in the end, even if the mythical Sugar Man ever does wake up. A great book to read aloud to elementary aged children, with enough content and good words to keep middle school kids interested too.
Published July 23, 2013 by Atheneum Books (in paperback April 2014)
