While we’re spending time safe in lockdown, we’ve definitely found ourselves reading more! Here’s a handful of books we’ve finished recently, that we think would be perfect for primary-aged readers.
Mickey and the Animal Spies
By writer Anne Miller and illustrator Becka Moor (OUP Children’s Books)
Mickey loves cracking codes, so when she sees a coded message taped up inside the bus, she has just got to break it!
However, she never imagined that the message could lead her to a group of animal spies with problems on their hands…not least that their newest recruit is a child. But then, they don’t know Mickey and nothing will stop her from completing her mission!
With dognappers and diamond thieves on the loose, who can you trust?
The puzzles throughout the book feel very interactive, giving the reader the chance to solve them alongside Mickey, who is wonderfully dogmatic. Don’t miss the codes and mirror quiz at the back of the book!
Ghoul Scouts: Welcome to Camp Croak!
By Taylor Dolan (Guppy Books)
Lexie’s off to the ‘Happy Hollow Summer Camp’ but when Grams drops her off, she feels that something’s not quite right. Could it be the “danger” signs and the unusual three-headed Troop Leader sisters? Or could it be that her troop members are ghosts, ghouls, zombies and a werewolf?
Strange though it might all be, when an unknown sleeping sickness comes over the Troop Leader sisters, only the Ghoul Scouts stand in the way of Euphemia Vile’s ghastly…pretty plans.
The first in a new series, it’s a quirky and light-hearted romp, featuring a diverse cast of characters that will appeal to children of all ages and abilities. The gorgeous illustrations in black and gold really add to this humorous spooky holiday.
PESTS
By Emer Stamp (Hodder Children’s Books)
Stix and Grandma live in Man’s kitchen, which is safe as long as Stix remembers to ‘Keep It Tidy’. But when, unbeknownst to Grandma, he ventures out after dark, he meets Maximus (and Plague One and Two) who has no intention of keeping things tidy.
With Nuke-A-Pest called in, nothing will ever be the same again.
So starts Stix’s adventures, where he meets PESTS and the evil Professor Armageddon who has plans beyond Stix wildest dreams…
Stix is a mischievous mouse, and younger readers will find both him and his adventures good fun. The charming illustrations really bring the characters to life and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like glow-in-the-dark book covers!
Anisha, Accidental Detective
By writer Serena Patel and illustrator Emma McCann (Usborne Publishing)
There’s going to be a wedding, and it’s going to be BIG! But when Anisha finds a ransom note saying that Aunt Bindi’s husband-to-be has been kidnapped and demanding that the wedding be cancelled in exchange for his return, she must do something.
The house is full of guests, there’s a lobster on the loose(!), and a mehndi to attend – but the clock is ticking, so Anisha has no choice but to turn detective with the help of her friend Milo.
With a large family plus a nosy neighbour on the suspect list, and Aunt Bindi likely to go into meltdown any second, can Anisha and Milo find Uncle Tony and save the day….and the wedding?
This is a brilliant debut by a new author, who perfectly balances the mystery of the story with relatable family relationships. The characters are by turns humourous, thoughtful, eccentric and more, and the story manages to celebrate that without the main plot suffering as a result.
We’re looking forward to seeing more of Anisha and Milo when the second book comes out in September!
Agents of the Wild: Operation Honeyhunt
By writer Jennifer Bell and illustrator Alice Lickens (Walker Books)
Alice Gamble loves animals and nature, but since moving into Uncle Douglas’ flat her dreams of having a pet have vanished. So instead she visits the local park, collecting acorns for the squirrels and feeding the geese with her own special recipe of ‘good seeds’. It’s after one of her visits there that she gets home and finds “Attie” waiting for her.
It turns out that SPEARS (The Society for the Protection of Endangered and Awesomely Rare Species) has been watching her, and offers her the chance to join them. Jumping at the opportunity, Alice and Attie arrive safely in the rainforest, but little do they know that there’s someone there who will stop at nothing to thwart their plans…
Can Alice use the new training she’s received to complete her first mission of rescue and relocation, and become a full field agent?
The book delivers its message about conservation (particularly about the rainforest in this book – the sequel coming September is called ‘Operation Icebreak’ and is set in Antarctica) with depth and charm. The illustrations are all done in black, white and green, and perfectly fit the theme and tone of the book.
With casefiles about endangered animals at the back of the book, and tips about what we can each do to spread the message of conservation, this is a must for any young nature lover!
Looking for more things to read? Why not check out our previous reviews on Summer Sizzlers or our Picture Book Roundup?
