Primary Times winter 2018

Text © D J Williams 2018
Christmas
Bookstore
There’s glimpses of what Santa gets up to in this selection,
not to mention how to use a strange gift and a warning to
beware of odd invitations. Lots of fun!
Star
Read
Santa’s Wonderful Workshop
Elys Dolan (Oxford, £6.99)
When Santa learns next year will
be the busiest yet he knows he
has to make early preparations.
Luckily February sees the arrival
of some old friends from the South Pole to help,
although the elves say they are making more trouble
than toys. So Barry is put in charge of the penguins
and Santa takes time off to join the reindeer’s
S Indicates a book is part of a series
Debbie
dance troop. This leaves the elves to try some new creations which
leave Santa less than enthusiastic. Problems continue throughout the year
such as the break down of the Present-O-Matic, then the heating leaving
everyone with ‘flu and many helpers are arrested in October. Despite all this,
everything is ready for the big night — or is it? You will have to read this
hilarious, madcap picture book to find out. The written story is lots of fun,
with loads of interesting characters including mischievous penguins, tutu
wearing reindeers and a less than responsible Santa. To add to that each
double page shows a scene full of different activities providing lots to discuss
and making you want to keep returning to it to find out more.
Lavinia and the Magic Ring
Bianca Pitzorno (Catnip, £5.99)
Poor Lavinia, cold and hungry, trying to make a living on
the streets selling matches but being abused or ignored.
Awoken at midnight from a foody dream by a beautiful
lady who asked for a light, Lavinia lit a match for her even
without being paid. The woman turned out to be a fairy
who wanted to repay Lavinia’s kindness with a magic ring.
Her excitement dwindled when told the ring didn’t grant
wishes, just turned things into poo! What good was that? The fairy told her
it would be very useful if she used her intelligence, and, with thought, that’s
just what she did, completely changing her life. However she took things too
far. See how she used her powers and how it led to a possible disaster in this
thought provoking story full of funny moments with some serious undertones.
Medium length novel with fair size print and some pictures.
Winnie and Wilbur: The Santa Surprise
Laura Owen/ Korky Paul (Oxford Hb, £8.99) S
While writing her letter to Santa, Winnie starts to wonder
who gives him presents. Unable to think of anyone she
decides it is up to her and Wilbur. Enlisting the help of
local school children and the school secretary for ideas,
they soon have lots of presents for Santa, but how to
get them to him? Using all her ingenuity and a touch of
magic, Winnie, Wilbur and a homesick polar bear (don’t
ask!) set off in a flying train for the Pole. What could possibly
go wrong? Well, knowing Winnie and the chaos that usually surrounds her,
quite a lot! See what occurs in this latest hilarious, reckless adventure with
my favourite well meaning, nutty witch. Large print and colourful, lively
pictures on every page make this perfect for beginner readers, but great for
all abilities.
Skycircus - Peter Bunzl (Usborne, £6.99)
Sad that her father thinks a business party is more important
than her birthday, Lily can’t resist an intriguing invitation to a
Skycircus show. Her enjoyment of the acts, especially to see
other hybrids perform, is short lived when it becomes obvious
this is a trap and she, Robert and Malkin are kidnapped by
an old foe. Seeing how badly all the performers are treated
by the horrible owners, the friends wonder what they plan
for Lily and are horrified when it is clear her life is in danger.
They need to escape, but it is a race against time and they will need all the
help they can get, but will they be able to get the performers, both hybrid and
human, onside? This latest Cogheart Adventure is another exciting read, full of
gripping twists and turns. You don’t have to have read the others to enjoy this
one. It might make you think about how you look at others, especially those
who are different in some way. Full length novel.
S
Primary Times Nottinghamshire
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