Meet the illustrator Clotilde Perrin

Last weekend I visited one of our independent bookstores here in Sydney - The Constant Reader. How lucky are we to have a shop like this - with one whole store just for kids! One of the staff showed me a few of her new discoveries and among them were several books by Clotilde Perrin - we both gushed over the fabulous books available from Gecko Press and talked about how wonderful that they translate books from around the world into English for our readers. (Scroll down on this link to see her Gecko Press titles). The bookseller especially loves the delightfully named book The Kerfuffle. I have added it to my Pinterest of books that feature walls. 

Here is a quote from Clotilde Perrin's web page: I was born in the Vosges in France. My father made paper by hand, my mother drew. And in this mountain, you can meet wild beasts as well as imaginary beings. The dark fir trees of the Vosges forests have inspired me more than once. I also have fantastic memories of reading Arnold Lobel's "Porculus," John S. Goodall's "Jacko," Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and Michael Ende's "The Neverending Story." I was also terrified by the monsters of Etienne Delessert and the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch. Thus began my journey into images and the desire to share them.

Clotilde Perrin is an illustrator and author living in Strasbourg, France. She has published over 30 books including the international lift-the-flap bestseller Inside the Villains. Here is her Instagram page.

In this interview with Books for Keeps Clotilde talks about her book The Remarkables. 

Two of the books that I saw that 'blew my mind' were these although I am not sure they can really be added to a school library - better as gifts for an individual child:

Bookseller blurb: An extraordinary pop-up book that reveals the secrets of the most famous fairy-tale villains-the giant, the wolf and the witch-with interactive flaps, a twist on well-known tales, and personality cards for each villain. Lift the flaps to see the diabolical thoughts inside the villains' heads, what hides beneath their disguises, or the victims of their last meals (now comfortably settled inside their stomachs!). Read all about each villain on their personality card, which shows strengths and weaknesses, pastimes, physical characteristics, their best meal and-of course-their favorite books. And if the wolf bites your fingers while you're reading, you can always pull his tail... 

Read the Kirkus Star review. This book is huge/tall - you might get a shock when you see it. 

Bookseller blurb: Are you lost? Come in! You’re in luck there’s no one here just now Shhh… Be as quiet as you can, and very, very careful! In The House of Madame M, we explore a strange house: hallway, living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Each room is full of surprises to make even the bravest shiver. Are we in the house of an ogre? A witch? Something else altogether? This visit to Madame M’s brings the thrill of finding what lurks in the wardrobe, behind the door, tucked under the furniture. Full of humour and detail, it will mesmerise readers of all ages. This book has 25 flaps, pull tabs and other secrets hide jokes and spine-shivering surprises.

The most, and best, (pop-up) haunted house in decades. Kirkus Star review

I haven't talked about this book here but I have seen this one from 2014:

A very fine working of story, information, art and culture. Kirkus Star review

Here is a partial book list of titles by Clotilde Perrin (Note some may only be available in French). You can see all the titles here:

Heart of a Witch (November 2026)

Blades of grass (August 2025)

The confusion (April 2025)

Such cute ogrillons (November 2023)

The Remarkables or the most amazing children I have met (October 2023)

Ha! In a monstrous game of hide-and-seek (October 2021)

Inside the suitcase (October 2020)

Madame M’s House (October 2019)

Hurry, hurry, hurry! (October 2019)

Gotcha! – A Funny Fairy Tale Hide-and-Seek

The Ash House by Angharad Walker

He had been expecting a healing refuge for children like him. Something between a school and a summer camp. But this wasn’t it. The Ash House was like the end of a world that had been left to decay, forgotten by everyone who had ever cared about it.

Sol (Solitude) has been in hospital. He has a mystery illness that leaves him wracked with pain and it is so severe he falls to the ground unconscious. As this book opens Sol has been taken out of the hospital to the strange Ash House. There he meets a group of children - boys and girls - with names that strangely link with their ethos of kindness. There are no adults, but the children talk about The Headmaster. He has been absent for three years but each day, until now, he communicates via a telephone, with instructions for the children. Their days are filled with routines of preparing food, cleaning, washing, and feeding three monstrous creatures called Shucks that live under ash house. 

The sky is empty of birds but the children have never seen real birds so they name the drones that constantly monitor them - birds. Sol has lived in the outside world - he knows so much more about life than these strange kids. It seems impossible that Sol will make any friends here and even more impossible that this place can cure his illness. But Dom (short for Freedom) is determined to have Sol as a friend and then the doctor arrives with the promise of a cure for Sol - but can he be trusted?

Bookseller blurb: A new boy arrives at the Ash House. He can't remember his name or why he's been sent there. Given the name Sol, and troubled by a mystery pain that no medicine can cure, he joins the gang of children living in the shadows of the secretive house. Soon, however, there's more for him to face: the darkness that descends with the arrival of the Doctor...

I never seek out horror stories, but I belong to an online Middle Grade book group and, because it is nearly Halloween, The Ash House was our assigned reading for October. The Ash House is from the UK publisher Chicken House. They relate this book to Lord of the Flies; and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. These are both books that make me shudder and if I had read that before picking up this book I might not have ventured further. Strangely though, I really loved the open ending so reading this book was well worth the harrowing journey. 

Here are some text quotes to give you a flavour of this book:

He had been expecting a healing refuge for children like him. Something between a school and a summer camp. But this wasn’t it. The Ash House was like the end of a world that had been left to decay, forgotten by everyone who had ever cared about it.

‘So . . . there aren’t any adults here? No teachers or parents or anyone? Just us?’ ‘Par-ents,’ Libby sounded out the word. Heads tilted to one side. ‘You don’t have parents?’ ‘What are parents?’ Dom asked. Sol looked scared, suddenly, which Dom thought was strange. His green eyes were wide and worried, and his voice became high-pitched as he tried to explain: ‘Parents – your mums and dads? The people who made you and raise you and look after you!’

Nobody saw the Doctor arrive. His car was black and shining and didn’t have number plates. The children gathered around it and looked at their stretched, alien faces reflected in its glossy metal. Stray flakes of ash were already settling on its roof.

‘You will not question my decisions!’ the Doctor thundered over the outcry. Silence fell again and he continued at a normal volume: ‘How dare you come into the Ash House at night? How dare any of you go upstairs into the Headmaster’s study, and tamper with his documents? No punishment is enough. But I must try to make you all understand the severity of what you’ve done. You’ll face the Shucks, all of you, one by one.

The idea of names matched with this ethos of kindness is an intriguing one. Concord (Con); Happiness and Temperance; Liberty (Libby); Justice and Merit; and the mysterious missing girl Clemency.

Disturbing scenes (spoiler alert):

• the burial of the dead pig and then Sol is placed in the hole with the pig and he cannot climb out.
• when Sol wakes up and he cannot move his legs - what has this 'doctor' done to him?
• the night the doctor discovers someone has been in the headmaster's study.

An unexpected—and pleasing—combination of propitious and disquieting. Kirkus Star review

The Ash House is a vivid and rich read, full of well rounded and complex characters. Each child has their own voice and it is easy to fall into the world that Walker has built. Wound around the striking imagery and fantasy elements of the story are a number of themes including the power of friendship, physical and mental illness and disability and the importance of critical thinking. The Book Bag

It's an incredibly vivid story, the sort with lots and lots of description that is so well integrated into the story that you don't really register why your mind is making such clear pictures. It's a suspenseful mystery, as the reader, along with Sol, tries to figure out what's happening. ... It's also the story of a group of children taking their survival into their own hands, and desperately trying to keep their community together, and I cared about them lots by the end of the story! Charlotte's Library

You can read an extract from The Ash House here. Angharad talks about her book here. What do you think about the two covers - one from the UK and one from USA? I would recommend this book to mature readers aged 11+ who seek out horror stories. 

All through this book I kept thinking of this book I read many years ago:

The Lost Children

Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire by LM Wilkinson illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Bookseller blurb: Titch and Huckleberry are on an epic quest. They have followed their hearts ... right into the path of a terrifying swamp monster, and a village full of brainwashed squirrels! Maybe their hearts aren't to be trusted? Maybe Titch is just an ordinary little mouse and not Bravepaw after all ...? But Bravepaw or not, Titch is not about to give up. Can she defeat the greedy turtle controlling the squirrels, and discover what his glowing green gem has to do with the legend of Bravepaw and her quest to save Alluria?

This is the swamp monster called a Bogbungler

It is wonderful scene when this slimy loathsome creature is defeated 

by Titch, Huckleberry and their new brave friend, a squirrel named Briar.

Image source: Instagram Lavanya Naidu

This book opens with the prophecy that you might remember from book one:

When the sky fills with shadows

And all is turned to grey

Bravepaw will come.

When hope turns to ashes

And all have lost their way

Bravepaw will come.

The Heart will light the dark

Night will turn to day

When Bravepaw comes.

Titch and Huckleberry have set out on their journey. They find themselves lost in a swampy area. Luckily a new friend named Briar arrives to help them but she then shows them something terrible. This area is a terrific place to find mulberries but somehow all the local squirrels have been enslaved by an evil turtle named Muskeg. Muskeg has a gem around his neck and this seems to be where is power comes from. Titch realised this is connect with the dreadful curseworms you might remember from the first book. At this point I need to stop and say you do need to read Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria in order to make sense of this second installment. So once again Titch and her friends have to defeat several enemies and then find a way to continue their journey and fulfil the prophecy. 

Last night I re-entered the world of Bravepaw and the heroes Titch, Huckleberry and little Dollop. This is the second book in the series but so far I cannot find out how many more are planned. We discover in this second instalment that Titch and her team have to find all the 'Gems of Harmony'.  In this book they have found and restored the Clawstone. We also know they now have to go to the library city of Lexhelm where they will find clues about the other missing gems. So the way is open now for book three!

I was so disappointed Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria did not make the 2025 CBCA Younger Readers Notable list but now it is even more important that you don't lose sight of this series. They should be added to your school library - a great quest, terrific writing, memorable characters, inviting covers, Australian, and perfect for junior readers aged 7+. 

Titch, Huckleberry and Briar are some of my favourite characters in contemporary children’s literature, and a series like this shows that children’s books can be timeless, they can be the kind of book that doesn’t attach themselves to a specific time or era. These can be very powerful, because rather than connecting with readers through a time, place, or items they can recognise, they use themes and what makes us who we are to connect us with the story and the characters.  The Book Muse

Better Reading list three reasons to read Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire:

1. Who says you need to be a giant warrior to be a hero? Titch proves that even the smallest creatures can have the biggest hearts! She might be unsure at first, maybe she’s not Bravepaw after all, but one thing’s for sure: Titch won’t back down. She’s a great example that even when you feel small or ordinary, you’ve still got the power to be a hero. Plus, there are some magical gems along the way that might help too. Extra sparkles for that heroic flair!

2. The best part of any fantasy adventure? Magical prophecies that might come true! Titch needs to discover the truth about her quest, the legendary Bravepaw and the mysterious glowing green gem the turtle is wearing. What’s its connection to the fate of Alluria? How do the Gems of Harmony fit in? 

3. There’s so much mystery and wonder, you’ll want to unravel every single secret hidden in the pages.

Sure, there are monsters and gems, but the real magic in Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire is the unbreakable friendship between Titch and Huckleberry. They stick together, face dangers head-on and remind us that being brave isn’t just about fighting—it’s about supporting your friends, no matter what. This story shows that the strongest heroes are those who can rely on their loyal friends!

When I read the first Bravepaw book I immediately thought of the Redwall series (and other heroic animal stories) and it seems this was one of the inspirations for Lili Wilkinson. That's great but I do hope she only plans to write three or perhaps four books for her series. There are 22 books in the Redwall series - I think I read about four or five before I lost my stamina.

Here is a quote from the teachers notes for the first book:

‘Bravepaw sprung into existence over breakfast with my fabulous publisher Susannah Chambers. Our kids are besties, and we were discussing their reading and play. My kid Banjo loves reading funny, silly books like the Treehouse series and Real Pigeons, but when he plays, it’s deadly serious, high-stakes adventure. I found myself longing to introduce him to the classic children’s fantasy that I loved as a child – Brian Jacques’ Redwall, Tamora Pierce’s Alanna and Isobelle Carmody’s Obernewtyn. But at the time he was still a bit too young for those. The Bravepaw series is an introduction to high fantasy for junior fiction readers. It’s got all the tropes, all the adventure, but packaged in an easy to read, early chapter book format, complete with Lavanya Naidu’s stunning illustrations.'

The Monsters of Rookhaven by Padraig Kenny illustrated by Edward Bettison

Two human children, who have suffered greatly after the deaths of both of their parents, arrive at the doorstep of Rookhaven House which is a huge mansion some distance from the nearest town called Rookhaven. Until now the house and its monstrous inhabitants have been protected by and separated from the nearby village by the Glamour but somehow it has opened. This is how the children get in after their car runs out of petrol but of course if things can come in it also means things can go out. One of the creatures in this house is named Piggie. He lives in a locked basement, and he is fed raw meat through a low flap in the door. One of the human children, a boy named Tom, is curious and somehow the door to Piggie's room is opened. Piggie escapes and viciously attacks a cow belonging to a local farmer because Piggie craves fresh meat. The scene is utterly dreadful but what this also means is that the Covenant between the village of Rookhaven and the monsters has been broken.

Meanwhile a truly evil figure arrives in Rookhaven. He latches onto the family of the local butcher. The butcher, Mr Fletcher, and his son Freddie are two of the people from the village who do visit the monster's house using a special key to open the Glamour. The key is held in trust by the local doctor, Dr Ellenby. Each week, Freddie and his father deliver huge boxes of raw meat for the inhabitants. 

Freddie knows this 'man' is dangerous but his father, who is wracked with grief over the death of his older son on a World War II battlefield, is completely entranced by this smooth-talking fellow who names himself Arnold Pheeps. After Freddie confronts Pheeps he learns the truth. Pheeps is also a monster but he is far more dangerous. He feeds on souls, and he plans to do this at Rookhaven House. He has come because - think about actions and consequences - when Piggie escaped his scent was spread and now this man aptly named The Malice is ready to attack. He is able to incite the village people into a frenzy of anger and they all march up to attack the monsters. This is a battle scene that is sure to linger with you long after reading this book. Oh, and I do need to mention the enormous carnivorous plants that guard the path leading up to the house. In an opening scene we meet Mirabelle, and she is feeding the plants huge bones with flesh still attached. Mirabelle herself is only partly a monster. She does not need to eat and she cannot transform herself into other forms, but she has amazing powers which we discover over the course of the story including her control over these horrid flowers. 

"Mirabelle was in the garden feeding bones to the flowers ... The flowers swayed above her, sniffing the night air. She could hear the creaking of their tree-trunk-thick stalks and the soft wet sibilance of their petals smacking together as they fed. Though they were nursery plants, each one of them was already over six feet tall, their heads moving blindly in the starry night."

You could use this text extract in a book talk with your (not squeamish) students pointing out the key words - feeding bones, sniffing, sibilance, blindly.

Bookseller blurb: Sometimes the monsters take us. Sometimes we become the monsters. Mirabelle has always known she is a monster. When the glamour protecting her unusual family from the human world is torn and an orphaned brother and sister stumble upon Rookhaven, Mirabelle soon discovers that friendship can be found in the outside world. But as something far more sinister comes to threaten them all, it quickly becomes clear that the true monsters aren't necessarily the ones you can see.

Take a look at the Kirkus review. You can read more plot details by clicking these review quotes:

Three things made this book special: the characters, the post-war setting, and the illustrations. Its cast is a real kaleidoscope of personalities. From the monsters to the humanism, each is significant to the story in a way where there’s an equality at play. The shifting perspectives help this. Just Imagine

As with the best monster stories too, the world he creates and its bizarre inhabitants are so well described that Rookhaven feels like a place we might already know or come across.  It’s a work of astounding imagination, written with a confidence and flair that is definitely out of the ordinary and genuinely thrilling too.  Congratulations to illustrator Edward Bettison whose black and white drawings properly reflect and even add to the drama of the story. Books for Keeps

If the first half of the book was intriguing, the second half was absolutely gripping ... Libraries 4 Schools

If you assign genre labels to fiction then this book is most resoundingly a horror story. There were parts where I just had to stop reading and take a break. Horror is not a genre that I seek out. I picked this book because I enjoyed a previous book by Padraig Kenny:

Tin

Tin did have some horror moments and then I read Stitch - and I now realise both of these books should have prepared me for the violence and bloodthirsty scenes in The Monsters of Rookhaven.

Stitch

Some time ago someone asked for character descriptions - here are a few from The Monsters of Rookhaven.

"Mr Teasdale, the local postmaster, stepped out of one car. He was a short, nervous-looking man dressed in tweed with a high pink colour to his face and round spectacles."

"Reverend Dankworth, a long tall wisp of a man, climbed out of the passenger seat with the slow long-legged grace of a spider emerging from a crack in a skirting board."

"Odd was the same height as her, and like her he looked no more than twelve years old, but he was of course far, far older. He was wearing a bulky seal-skin coat that stretch right down to his ankles, heavy mittens, a cap and goggles."

"Uncle Bertram was very tall and fat. He wore yellow-pinstriped trousers, a red cravat, a mustard-coloured shirt, a purple smoking jacket and a green waistcoat. His large bearded face twitched with excitement."

I now discover there is a sequel to The Monsters of Rookhaven. I am not sure I have the courage right now to re-enter this world but I have added this title to my massive 'to read' list. I think the two book covers are fabulous as are the internal illustrations by Edward Bettison. You can see inside the book here. Readers with courage aged 11+ are sure to enjoy The Monsters of Rookhaven - it might hook in a reluctant but capable (boy) reader who enjoys gruesome scenes and stories filled with edge of your seat tension. 

Companion books:

Curse of the Night Wolf

A Very Unusual Pursuit

Fire Girl

The Graveyard Book

Small Spaces - this is a YA title

Stitch by Padraig Kenny

Stitch and his friend Henry are creations of an old Professor. Stitch is indeed stitched together from various human body parts presumably retrieved from graves. You are right to think of Frankenstein. Please don't be concerned though, because Stitch is such an endearing and kind character, and his naive view of the world is sure to charm you. I think children reading this book are sure to emphasise with the way Stitch has difficulty making sense of the world and of big topics like life and death and betrayal and the human desire for immortality.

Early in the story we are told Stitch has been ordered not to disturb the old Professor. Each day Stitch has his routine. He counts the days he has been 'alive' so we learn the story opens on day five hundred and eighty-five (you will immediately work out that this is not much longer than a year). I did wonder just how long Stitch has tiptoed past the professor's door and then just a few days later two visitors arrive at his castle home. The man is the old Professor's nephew - Professor Hardacre and his 'assistant' Alice. Very quickly Professor Hardacre realises something is wrong. He opens the forbidden door and discovers the old Professor has died. Death is a mysterious concept that Stitch just cannot grasp. Down in the basement of the castle, Henry, another of the late Professors creations is held in a cage. Stitch knows Henry has done something 'wrong' and so the cage is for his protection. Every day, as part of his routine, Stitch feeds his pet named Brown Mouse and he thinks about his other friend, White Rabbit, who is no longer there. Then he visits Henry for a chat. His routine is thrown into disarray with the arrival of these two strangers. There is something slightly disturbing about Professor Hardacre. Alice on the other hand is so kind and speaks gently to Stitch trying to explain the ways humans behave especially in relation to creatures and people perceived as different. She has first-hand experience of this because she has a hump on her back (you might think of another famous story about human reactions to difference The Hunchback of Notre-Dame).

Professor Hardacre has obsessive reasons for want to experiment with Henry. He sets up his equipment and waits for a night of thunder and lightning, but Stitch can feel this is all wrong and he is sure his best friend Henry is in danger. 

Here are some text quotes to give you a flavour of this story. You are sure to enjoy Henry's quirky invented words:

"As if to prove his point to himself, Stitch holds his hands up. One is very definitely smaller than the other. This is his left hand. It has long slim fingers. The other is large, almost bloated in comparison. Its fingers are stubby and fat. Both hands are grey in colour because all of Stitch's skin is grey ... "

"But if you are a monster, Alice, then that should mean you are horrible and cruel, and I haven't known you for very long, but I know for a fact that you are not horrible and cruel. Far from it. To me you seem to be a very nice individual, wise and generous in your insights and behaviour."

"Dead,' says Henry. 'I believe I have heard the word, although I confess I do not fully understand it. This is quite surprising because I have picked up a lot of knowledge in my own studies and assessments of the world."

"Hodgepodge Henry Oaf. A mixture of bits and pieces of different people, which goes some way to explaining some of my more inexplicabubble bouts of mischief."

In her review for Magpies Magazine (Vol 39, issue 2, May 2024) Dr Robin Morrow said:

"This book succeeds as a gripping adventure story, while provoking thought and discussion about topics such as the humanness of these beings, friendship, difference, and responsibility."

Reading Zone: The overriding message is that it does not matter what you may look like. What is important is being a good person, doing the right thing, and standing up for your friends. As Stitch says, "Everybody is different, and this is what makes the world such a curious and interesting place". Padraig Kenny has managed to wrap up a vitally important message in a thrilling adventure story. I believe that this is an important book which will be read and enjoyed - on many different levels - by children and adults alike. Highly recommended.

Moving and powerful, yet delicate, this story celebrates the uniqueness of every individual. It would be a great one for classroom discussion. Books for Keeps

Thanks to Walker Books Australia - I won my copy of Stitch. You can see Padraig Kenny talking about and reading an extract of his book here. This link also includes an interview with Padraig. And here is a teaching guide. 

Your local or school library might have a version of Frankenstein abridged for children such as this one from Usborne books.

I previously talked about this book by Padraig Kenny. When you read Tin I am sure you will see some ways the story has links with Stitch.

Tin

I would follow Stitch with Cogheart which also explores the idea of immortality.

The Counter Clockwise Heart by Brian Farrey

Opening sentence:

"It was the coldest winter morning ever on record in the empire of Rheinvelt when the people of Somber End awoke to find the Onyx Maiden in their tiny village."

And the scene continues:

"As tall as a two-story house, a maiden made entirely of rough, dappled onyx loomed over the roundel. Adorned in armor, she appeared to be in the midst of a battle. Her right arm was thrown backward read to strike with a cat-o'-nine-tails cover in spikes. Her wild hair, blowing in an unseen gale, reached out in all directions, like a demonic compass rose. Most terrifying of all was her face - frozen in a permanent angry scream."

The people of Somber End are simple folk. Their lives have always been a struggle but now life is getting even harder. Naturally the people blame the bad times on the statue which they name the Maiden. The rulers of Rheinvelt - Imperatrix Dagmar and her wife, Empress Sabine, send emissaries far and wide seeking an answer to this mystery. All they learn is that:

"One day, the Maiden would waken and bring a terrible reckoning. Not just to Somber End, but for all throughout the empire."

Then one day a young boy stands at the foot of the statue. In his imagination she is not frightening she is powerful. He begins to talk to the statue telling her his hopes and dreams. He does this for over a decade - every day and over time the fortunes of Somber End change. Fast forward and now the boy, Guntram, has grown into a man and the village people call him their guardian. He is summoned to the castle. 

Many years before this, actually on the night the Maiden appear, a baby also appeared encased in the walls of the castle. The Empress and Imperatrix decide to raise him as the prince of their empire but there are two problems. The Imperatrix dies which causes everyone, especially Prince Alphonsus enormous grief and secondly, the Empress discovers Alphonsus has a clock in his chest and it has begun to run backwards.

Meanwhile on the edge of the village there are the Hinterlands which legend says are filled with monsters. There are also Hexen Woods which are home to a terrible sorceress known as Nachtfrau. 

Alphonsus has one good friend in the castle - the huntress Birgit Freund. Alphonsus orders her to seek the clockmaker responsible for making his clock heart. He is sure there will be terrible events or perhaps even his own death when the clock finally stops. 

Now enter the next important character - Esme. She is a Hierophant - a magical race who are now exiled in the cold north. Esme has been able to pass through the enchantment that holds the Hierophants. Her mission is to destroy Nachtfrau - but she also a Hierophant but more importantly she is Esme's mother.

So, things are all set for the classic clash of monster and hero except monsters come in many forms one of whom is that young boy, Guntram. His desire for power is now out of control and nothing will stop him. Alphonsus has clearly connected with the Maiden, she has now come back to life and Guntram is determined to kill the Prince - his jealousy knows no bounds.

It is interesting the way magic works in this story. Performing magic has consequences - this is called the Balance. There is also a magical box that provides prophecies BUT it tells one truth and one lie each time and so the questioner is left to decide which path to follow or how to interpret the advice.

The well-developed setting lends an otherworldly historical atmosphere. ... Laced with ethical questions and examples, this is a thought-provoking coming-of-age story. Kirkus

Here is a review in the New York Times.

Bookseller blurb: Time is running out in the empire of Rheinvelt. The sudden appearance of a strange and frightening statue foretells darkness. The Hierophants—magic users of the highest order—have fled the land. And the shadowy beasts of the nearby Hinterlands are gathering near the borders, preparing for an attack. Young Prince Alphonsus is sent by his mother, the Empress Sabine, to reassure the people while she works to quell the threat of war. But Alphonsus has other problems on his mind, including a great secret: He has a clock in his chest where his heart should be—and it’s begun to run backwards, counting down to his unknown fate. Searching for answers about the clock, Alphonsus meets Esme, a Hierophant girl who has returned to the empire in search of a sorceress known as the Nachtfrau. When riddles from their shared past threaten the future of the empire, Alphonsus and Esme must learn to trust each other and work together to save it—or see the destruction of everything they both love.

I picked this book at a local bookshop which was sadly closing down. The cover didn't really appeal to me but the endorsements on the back cover lured me in. I am very glad I found this book. Yes, it does contain the usual tropes of fantasy/quest stories with the race to thwart evil and hideous monsters and misunderstandings about who to trust and who might betray our hero and of course magical powers. And we have seen this idea of using a clock to create the story momentum - a literal race against time. But there is also a delicious tension in this story. I truly wanted the 'bad man' to be killed and I kept hoping this would happen much earlier in the story. I just wanted someone to eliminate that dreadful man - Guntram Steinherz later known as the Margrave. He is one of the most loathsome characters I have ever encountered in a middle grade (ages 10+) book. The scenes where he tricks The Empress and also lies to betray Alphonsus made me gasp and there were several times when I had to put this book down and re-enter the real world for a while for respite. I also nearly skipped to the end to check he was finally dead and that Alphonsus and Esme were safe.

I do recommend The Counter Clockwise heart. It is an engrossing story with a clever imagined world and characters that you will really care about. 

Minus the steampunk layer this book reminded me of this:

Cogheart

And these:

The Ogress and the Orphans

The Girl who drank the Moon

The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm by Karen Foxlee illustrated by Freda Chiu

Could there be any truth to the myth of the beast who lives in the ancient well? And if so, why would it return? 

What is a Wyrm? 

I did a little research and found these definitions:

• In European mythology, a wyrm  is often depicted as a snake of considerable size and somehow related to dragons.
• A huge limbless and wingless dragon or dragon-like creature.

Mary-Kate also does some research and discovers a picture of an Annelid. It looks very similar to the painting of the legendary worm that she has seen in the village library.  "Annelids are segmented worms. If their tail ends are cut off they can sometimes grow them back again." "An earthworm is a type of annelid. They can have five or more hearts. ... They leave behind trails of slime." "Earthworms don't have eyes, but they can sense light. They also feel vibrations."

Mary-Kate is a sensible girl. She has her strawberry scented notebook and glitter pens. She fills her bag with things that give her courage and help her to overcome her many anxieties. It is time to get the facts about this wyrm and then to formulate a theory about the mysterious happenings in this small village.  

Publisher blurb: Dressed in sparkly red shoes and carrying her strawberry-scented notebook, Mary-Kate is accompanying her archaeologist mother to the tranquil English countryside to investigate some interesting bones found in an old well. But once they arrive, they realise that the village of Woolington is not as peaceful as it seems. Mysterious noises, earth tremors and a terrifying legend have the locals frightened.

I especially appreciated the way Karen Foxlee gives her readers a strong sense of place - in this case a small English-style village. There is a map included at the beginning of the book. I do enjoy books with maps  It is also easy to like Mary-Kate because she is so honest about her fears and personal rituals.

"Mary-Kate Martin chose from her lucky items collection carefully. First, she chose the lucky silver packet that contained the last seven pieces of gum that her father left behind before he disappeared on Mount Snishapangma when she was five."

Then she adds - her novelty Big Ben torch; her lucky stress ball; and her international coin collection of 33 coins in a small glass jar. She puts on her red sparkly shoes. Her backpack is also red and sparkly so she has exactly the right amount of sparkle. Mary-Kate is somewhat of a catastrophist. 

"She'd worry that by not wearing matching clothes something would happen. Something terrible. Like a train crash. Or an avalanche. Or an avalanche onto a train travelling through a mountain tunnel."

Mary-Kate does not like brown pencils; beginnings and ending; facing backwards on trains; small talk in social situations; slime; or sudden changes. But she has uncovered a mystery and she has a new friend Arabella and she likes the eccentric village residents so now it's time to put aside some of her fears and try sort out the truth.

Each chapter begins with a extract from PK Mayberry's Guide to Monsters of the Northern Hemisphere:

"Truth is at the heart of every monster hunters' search."

"A monster hunters' greatest tool is knowledge."

"Monsters quite often do very surprising things."

This story had me guessing right to the end. I kept forming my own theories about the wyrm, most of which were proved to be completely incorrect. 

Huge thanks to Allen and Unwin for sending this review copy. The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym will be enjoyed by readers aged 9+. It would also be a good book to read aloud in a family. 

Foxlee has the ability to create a world which is easy to imagine, captivating the reader from beginning to end. Whether it be set in the real world, or one which has an element of fantasy, the reader is always taken on a ride. All her stories so far have a young female central character and The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm is no exception.  GLAM Adelaide

This is the first book in a series entitled - Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters. Book two is titled The Trouble with the Two-headed Hydra. There are just enough mysteries left over from book one that all readers will hope are solved in the second instalment - is Mary-Kate's father actually dead; what is her mother's real job and is this connected with monsters: and with just six pieces of gum left will Mary-Kate need to use another one for her next adventure. I do enjoy stories where objects, like the ones in her backpack, each have an important, but unpredictable, role in the story solution. Take a look at my discussion of My Father's Dragon for a great example of this. I do like the cover by Freda Chiu. This book has an old-fashioned feel a little like the Stella Montgomery series (book two) (book three) by Judith Rossell. 

I have talked about nearly all of Karen Foxlee's previous books:

Dragon Skin

Lenny's Book of Everything

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

A most Magical Girl

Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby illustrated by Anoosha Syed

"Once there was a monster who loved a boy."

As the story opens the boy has not met the monster, who lives under his bed and the monster has not been brave enough to venture out and meet the boy but when mother reads a bedtime story that states monsters are not real it is time for action.

When mother leaves the room the monster comes out from under the bed. The boy screams and the monster gets such a fright he swallows the boy. At this point the off stage narrator steps in (we call this breaking the fourth wall).

"This story is not quite what you were expecting, is it? When a story begins with the word Once, it seems like you know what you're getting into. .. If it makes you feel any better, I am also quite surprised by what just happened. In fact I have no idea what's going to happen next."

Eventually the boy does make it out of the monster's tummy (he is coughed out) but when the boy emerges he is now tiny so we have a new problem. How will the monster restore his new friend back to the right size? Everyone knows food makes things grow but our monster friend lives under the bed. He never ever ventures downstairs. But this is a crisis. When the pair of friends arrive at the kitchen they are in for another surprise. Is this a monster? No it is the the little sister. She is bossy, she is feisty and she is a skilled blackmailer. The little sister might also have and answer to this problem. 

In archly amusing fashion, the author breaks the fourth wall—this is marked by teal-colored page backgrounds—reassuring readers during potentially scary parts of the book, filling in background details, or collegiality including them in aspects of the storytelling. Kirkus Star review

Barnaby’s entertaining narration breaks the fourth wall—indicated by teal pages—encouraging readers to take an active part in the story, while Syed’s bubbly monochromatic illustrations with teal embellishments add whimsy to this amusing story about an unlikely friendship. Publisher's Weekly

There are three books so far in this series - here are the other two titles:

Hannah Barnaby has worked as a children’s book editor, a bookseller, and a teacher of writing for children and young adults. Hannah lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. Anoosha Syed is a Pakistani-Canadian illustrator based in Toronto. She has a passion for creating cute characters with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

The best book to read alongside Monster and Boy is Pog which is one of my all time most favourite books to read aloud.

Monster and Boy would be a fabulous class or home read aloud book. I love the discovery of a new book series. even better if the series is for newly independent readers. Even better still if the book contains an off stage narrator. My favourite book that uses this device is O'Diddy by Jocelyn Stevenson.

Monster and Boy has 130 pages with heaps of illustrations, white space and even blank pages which help the reader to keep turning the pages. The designer has used one colour splashed onto the black and white pages. It is a pale aqua blue. If you have read books like Mango and Bambang; Dixie O'Day; or Stick and Fetch then you will be familiar with this style.

Image source: Anoosha Syed

The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy illustrated by Natalie Smillie

 

Publisher blurb: "Grace's family are wardens of the Griffin map using its teleport technology to fight crime across Moreland. Although Grace is still too young, she longs to go on missions herself. After all if her brother, Bren, can do it, why can't she? So when Grace finds herself alone with the map as a distress call comes in,  she jumps at the chance to prove she's up to the task. But the map transports Grace to a remote village where nothing is quite as it seems. Has she taken on more than she can handle?"

This is a short (104 pages) illustrated book with a story that packs a punch. I loved the idea of the map as a transport device but even more I loved the underlying tension of corruption and manipulation. Don't worry this is a book for a reader aged 8+ containing a familiar story of good and evil. The Mayor wants power and he thinks using Grace will serve his cause but what he has not bargained on is that Grace is a brave girl and she is also a terrific problem solver. 

While things are wrapped up nicely at the end of this first book readers will be excited to dip into the second instalment by Vashti Hardy The Puffin Portal which is due out later this year. You can read a few pages from The Griffin Gate on the publisher web site.

This has the feel of a big adventure despite being told in fewer than one hundred pages. A great plot, characters who develop throughout the story and a realistic fantasy world are all created by Vashti Hardy. The importance of family and the use of power for good is incorporated into an irresistible adventure with care. Grace is a brilliant character, I warmed to her and think readers will do so.  A Library Lady

All Primary school libraries should add as many books from Barrington Stoke as their budget will allow. These are just prefect for readers who are ready for a chapter book with a substantial story but who are not ready to tackle books with 300+ pages. 

10 things you need to know (from Barrington Stoke)

1. The best authors in the business ensure well-written texts that encourage discussion.

2. Our unique dyslexia-friendly font makes reading easier.

3. We use heavier paper with a gentle tint that is easier on the eye.

4. Our accessible layouts, spacing and design are more appealing to our readers.

5. Expert editing ensures a smoother read that still challenges young readers.

6. ‘Hi lo’ stories mean that though they are written with a lower reading age, the content matches the

age of the reader without being patronising.

7. Shorter stories are less daunting for the reluctant reader – good for confidence and motivation.

8. Short chapters provide plenty of rest breaks while cliffhangers keep the reader hooked.

9. Attractive illustrations are used to aid comprehension and break up the text.

10. Appealing cover design and high-quality finishes ensure the books have the ‘cool’ factor.

There are books for readers aged 6+ right up to 8+.  Here are some I have read and recommend:

Little Gems

The Bakery of Happiness; The First third Wish; Rose's Dress of Dreams; Bella's Den; Butterflies for Grandpa Joe; The Smile; and The Bad Trousers.

I have looked for a list of the Little Gem and other Barrington Stoke titles such as the series called 4U2Read but I haven't found one that was easy to access.  I have started a Pinterest of their titles which look appealing to me and using the Barrington Stoke catalogue I created this list of Little Gems:

Norman the Norman and the Very Small Duchess

The Big Fib

The Bakery of Happiness

The First Third Wish

Grey Island Red Boat

Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers

The Story of the Dancing Frog

Anna Liza and the Happy Practice

The Fish in the Bathtub

Mariella, Queen of the Skies

Mary's Hair

Blamehounds

Cheesemares

Ted Rules the World

Blue John

Joe and the Dragonosaurus

Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door

The Snake who Came to Stay

A Twist of Tales

Albert Johnson and the Buns of Steel

Superdad’s Day Off

The Unlucky Eleven

Out for the Count

Pram Busters!

Molly Rogers to the Rescue

Monster Busters

The Monster from the Blue Planet

The Moonshine Dragon

Sea Urchins & Sand Pigs

Madam Squeaker

Henry Pond the Poet

Good Dog Lion

I Killed Father Christmas

Nappy the Pirate Baby

Grandpa Was an Astronaut

Mint Choc Chip at the Market Café

Special Delivery

The Castle in the Field

Minikid

Snug

We Are Not Frogs!

All About Ella

Billy Button Telegram Boy

The Great Telephone Mix-Up

The Ghost in Annie’s Room

Skulduggery

8 3.5 Clever Cakes

Dread Cat

Splash Day!

Captain Whiskers

Nellie Choc-Ice, Penguin Explorer

Big Trouble for Nellie Choc-Ice

Nellie Choc-Ice and the Plastic Island

Rose’s Dress of Dreams

Sophie Takes to the Sky