RECENT REVIEWS & ENDORSEMENTS



  • Relax Kids: The Magic Box
    Marneta Viegas
    Marneta Viegas makes an important contribution to the happiness and wellbeing of our next generation. Positivity is contagious and Relax Kids is infecting us all! ~ Dr David R Hamilton, Scientist, speaker and best-selling author of Why Kindness is Good for You and How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body.



  • Rise of the Shadow Stealers
    Daniel Ingram-Brown
    This rollicking adventure follows two Apprentice Adventurers, Fletcher and Scoop, as they try to discover why people and objects are mysteriously disappearing from Blotting's Academy on Fullstop Island, the place where story characters are trained. This complex story is reminiscent in tone of the Harry Potter series and Jeanette Winterson's Tanglewreck. Packed with literary references and cleverness, it focuses on the age-old conflict between light and dark, good and evil, and on the power of story. An engaging read for 9- to 14-year-olds. ~ Lucy Pearce, Juno



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    Mistflower: the Mouse We Can All Learn From

    Don't let the animal characters fool you. This charming tale is full of lessons we as adults should take to heart. A cat and mouse become unlikely friends, thanks to the courage of a wee mouse. She overcomes her instincts to come to the aid of a tiny kitten. I have to admit, I'm a cat lover, and Ms. Kellingley knows just how to endear this kitty to my heart.

    There are many other animal friends along the way. Storm, the sheep dog is one of my favorites. He is brave and loyal and kindhearted, just as every dog truly is. All of these animals speak of a Great God of All Things, who they thank daily for their many blessings and call upon when they have need. Help may arrive in any unexpected form, and the animals are wise enough to recognize it.

    This tale reminds us to do something kind for others when we have the opportunity. It's a shame that so many of us pass by animals or other people in need and do nothing. We don't think we can make much difference, but this tiny mouse proves that no matter how small you are, you can make a world of difference to someone else.

    I'm a sucker for animals, so this one is a keeper! Highly recommended to any animal lover and fans of the Warriors or Survivors series ~ Lana Axe, Goodreads



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    This is one of the most charming and enchanting books I've had the pleasure of reading. And I admit it, I cried at the end. I'm sure my grandchildren will as well. It's a wonderful read. I loved the animals and their relationships. I've always thought animals talked to one another. Now I'm certain.

    No one is too old to enjoy this book. There are life lessons in it that are beautifully presented, no matter what one's age is. Congratulations to the author for providing such a wonderful treat! ~ Dianne Harman, Goodreads



  • Changeling Quest, The
    Maria Moloney
    I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
    I really liked it! It was full of adventure and kept me guessing at the mysteries! It was a pleasant escape into an enchanting world and I look forward to reading a sequel. ~ Genevieve Franklin, Goodreads review



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    My son who is 13 is reading this book at the moment. I bought it for him because it looked fresh and enticing, with a reasonable length story line for his age. He is enjoying the book so much he keeps telling me what is happening. I have had a quick glance through and the book and it looks lovely, with some wonderful illustrations. I am looking forward to him finishing the book so I can read it. ~ Lynn, Amazon Verified Purchase



  • Changeling Quest, The
    Maria Moloney
    Four children step through a magical gateway into faerie. This is no accident, but a deliberate plan. One of them is a changeling child, and the call to return home is powerful. However, this is not to be a simple homecoming, danger and adventure await.

    Maria Moloney has written an exciting tale that draws on faerie lore whilst weaving in an abundance of original elements. This is just the sort of book I would have wanted to read as an older child, and as an adult reader I found it highly engaging. It’s comparable to Lloyd Alexander’s work, in the way it mixes myth and original ideas, and there’s a similar sort of atmosphere, pace and style. Definitely the sort of book a young Pagan reader would enjoy, I can certainly recommend it. At a guess it would suit more wordy young readers who are over the age of 8, but there are some scary bits, so children who are easily frightened should stay away. ~ Nimue Brown, The Druid Network



  • Rise of the Shadow Stealers
    Daniel Ingram-Brown
    I love the world created for this story. Populating the island are many interesting areas such as the Creativity Craters, Puddles of Plot, the Hills of History, the Tall Tale Tree Forest, and the Fable Fish swimming in the bay. I would have liked to learn more about Blotting’s Academy and the training of storybook characters. Aside from the first day and a First Word Welcome where the students learn about the teacher/mentors, the stories they are to find and sometimes be a part of, and which department they’ve been assigned, that is it. From there the story is about Fletcher and Scoop’s adventure.

    The adventure Fletcher and Scoop are on will help them regain their memories but it will also help the Storyteller have a successful wedding banquet. To attend the banquet, the kids need to wear a robe woven with the silver thread of the Storyteller, but the thread become gold. The entire journey is to find the Golden Feather that will turn the silver thread into a gold thread. The journey itself was confusing at times, though the mini-adventures were wonderful.

    The writing reminded me of that in a great picture book—the words flow, smooth and easy to read. They are nearly lyrical. The writing is some of the best I have read since becoming a book reviewer five years ago. It was as much fun to read Rise of the Shadow Stealers as it was to read I Hate Picture Books. When the writing is that good, it almost matters none what the story is about, just let me keep enjoying the flow of the words. ~ Suzanne Morris, Kid Lit Reviews



  • Rise of the Shadow Stealers
    Daniel Ingram-Brown
    Fletcher and Scoop are some of the most endearing characters that I have met. They fully embrace the clichés common in the Department of Adventures, as well as having their own intricate back-stories to give them a new feel.

    The entire Fullstop Island is full of delightful clichés, with all the characters fitting into their own departments, and the objects of the world being literary-themed. The Noveltwist, and the Plot-Jacking Spiders were some of my favorite writing-themed elements to this beautifully built world.

    This thrilling quest is a wonderful read for all fantasy junkies and is a great start to the Firebird Chronicles series! ~ Zyllah, Miss Literati: http://www.missliterati.com/book-reviews/rise-of-the-shadow-stealers-by-daniel-ingram-brown#.UcfYPfnin-d



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    I received this book from Goodreads. I cannot wait to have a grandchild to read this story to at bedtime! It is touching and teaches about friendship and compassion. I even shed a tear! ~ Melanie, Goodreads



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    I really enjoyed this book. Such a great moral to the story. I loved the characters (except Caramel...which no one is intended to like her). I must add that it was well written and the chapter of Home Coming was so emotional...a perfect ending to a perfect story. Awesome book! ~ Cathy Moore, Goodreads



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    This is a lovely, delicate and delightful story about a little mouse called Mistflower and a very lost and afraid kitten called Silk. Mistflower finds herself becoming very lonely as the final days of summer come to an end. Her friends have all gone and the Vicarage she calls home is cold and deserted.

    Silk is a little kitten that is so busy playing along the lanes chasing butterflies and leaves but discovers herself far from home and with no idea of how to get home as the day draws to an end.

    This is about how the two most unlikely creatures become good and trusting friends and face all kinds of adversity in the long abandoned Vicarage gardens. The friends find their way to the barn at Farmer John’s where they begin to make a new life for themselves along with new friends.

    Caramel the Cow, who turns out to be not so friendly after all, Lilac her calf, Blackthorn the blackbird rescued from a terrible accident by Silk, Ghost the Owl who in his wisdom lets it be known the animals are all under his care and protection, along with many more characters from the woods and the farm yard all become part of a courageous mouse called Mistflower’s life.

    Adventures galore are had by one and all until evil comes into Mistflower and Silks lives placing not only their lives but those of their friends in terrible jeopardy.

    Mistflower is a story about friendship, good and evil, finding friends in the most unlike places, giving, life and living and even when things seem to be at their darkest, hope along with a helping hand to guide.

    As a first novel from Kellingley it is a triumph and one that should not be restricted to the YA/Young reader category. Amongst the pages there are gentle reminders to all that kindness, friendship and going the little bit extra when required comes with rewards and gifts of its own. ~ Jan Mawdesley, Bluewolf Reviews



  • Changeling Quest, The
    Maria Moloney
    If you are into Otherworld stories this is one that will enthral and intrigue right to the last page.

    Tara, Niamh, Lucy and Jared are friends. It is Niamh’s birthday and like all birthdays it is set to be a special event: but this one is to be more special than usual as Tara and Niamh are not all they seem to be. Tara realises that there is something different about her as her strength in the water is superior to most other kids her age and her toes and fingers develop webbing the longer she remains in the water. Niamh has characteristics that are not that of human children and it is long thought by the members of their family she was changed as a young child for that of a child of the Otherworld.

    Jared and Lucy have been invited for a sleep-over, Jared much to Tara disgust as he is out of favour with her at the moment: The four friends have decided it is time to try and sort out the mystery of why Tara and Niamh are different, their mother is sad all the time and Uncle Fergus seems to know more about the other side of things than perhaps he should.

    As the night creeps closer to midnight the four friends sneak down to the bottom of the yard where there is a burial mound that has always seemed to have magical properties and is, or appears to be, guarded by a large Hare with evil glinting eyes.

    Is this the entrance to the Otherworld or is it just another burial mound? The friends decided to find out so, at Midnight they step onto the mound and find, with a flash of blue light, they are plunged into adventure like never before and more than their wildest imaginings could have ever though up.

    Fast paced in places and downright devious in others there is a cast of many which are often far more than they appear to be and make it difficult for the friends to decide who to trust in this new and strange world of magic, evil and mystique.

    Look out for more adventures in the Otherworld with the friends in book two in the Children of the Fae series. ~ Jan Mawdesely, Bluewolf Reviews



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    This gorgeous story delighted me with its subtle touches of wisdom and spirituality. The plight of the kitten, Silk, quickly drew me in, and I found myself aching for Mistflower the Mouse as well. The author made me feel the wonder of life as a small creature--the fun, the wonder, and...the danger of it. Mistflower is a loveable character who has much to offer children and adults alike. More than once while reading, I stopped and reread a paragraph, just to let the truth of this little mouse's insight soak in. Her story is a timeless one. Though there were intense moments for Mistflower and Silk, the overall message was a tender and comforting one. It's a lovely book ~ Cricket Baker, Goodreads



  • Changeling Quest, The
    Maria Moloney
    This magical story pulled me in from the beginning. It was that perfect mix of danger and playfulness that characterizes a successful children's story, so just wonderful. Fast moving plot, never dull. The characters were all likable or otherworldly or frightening--Zalen especially intrigued me. Just overall a fun book that left me sad to go back to ordinary life without gateways and sylphs and sinister fairyland plots. A sequel??? ~ Cricket Baker, author of The Ghosting of Gods, Goodreads/Amazon review



  • Parenting Steps - Understanding Your Child
    Mavis Klein
    We bought this book when our first son was 3. He is now 17. We still refer to it when we need to. We also have a 12 year old son who is sometimes harder to understand than our older lad. This book puts everything into perspective in any easy to use manual that teaches parents the best techniques for handling pretty much every possible situation. All of the topics are in alphabetical order. The other night my husband and I found out, after reading the section "Twelve to Sixteen" that our 12 year old was acting in a perfectly normal way for his age ... and to think we thought he had just flipped for no reason!
    It's a long time since I was a kid. I don't remember what it felt like to be 12 and things were going wrong for me. Mavis Klein explains everything in such a clear and practical way. This is a practical handbook of real tools explaining clearly what to do in at least 200 instances ranging from 'abandonment' and 'adoption' to 'dyslexia', 'drug abuse', 'phobias', 'punishment' and 'worrying about your children'. It gives us confidence in our parenting skills because if there is a problem that we don't know or have forgotten how to deal with it, we just look it up and bingo! The answer is right there, without any emotion, just plain common sense. Part One takes you through the 7 stages of childhood: birth to 6 months, 6 months to 1 year, one to three, three to six, six to twelve, twelve to sixteen (puberty), and sixteen and up (adolescence). Part Two is an A-Z of topics concerning things that might come up in any or all of the 7 developmental stages. The best thing of all is tha we are, as parents, not meant to be perfect ... but just to be 'good enough'. This helps me to be a good enough parent. Just last week I had to re-read the sections on defiance and rebellion. Things have been a lot happier since I dipped in to get 'the fix'. This book should be issued to all parents as soon as the first child is born! It's like having your own brilliant child psychotherapist/clever grandmother just sitting right there on your book shelf. ~ L.M. Hayes, Amazon



  • Changeling Quest, The
    Maria Moloney
    I loved this book, it was like embarking on a wonderful and exciting adventure. The story grabbed me right from the very start with vivid magical imagery and believable characters to keep you guessing until the very end. I just had to keep turning the pages. The characters of the four children are interesting and appealing, taking the reader on one exciting adventure after another. The magical characters they meet along the way, with their unique qualities and gifts, keep the reader guessing as we're never completely sure whether their intentions are kind or evil.

    I loved the book, it reminded me of the Enid Blyton books of old, and took me back to the exciting adventures I read about in my childhood of the famous five and the magic faraway tree! I definitely recommend it to anybody who is looking for an exciting book for a child (or even their parents!).

    I am looking forward to the next book in the 'Children of the Fae' series. ~ Carolyn Doughty, Amazon review



  • Changeling Quest, The
    Maria Moloney
    ...The Changeling Quest is an adventurous story that will engage its audience, causing rapidly turning pages and open books until the last page has been read. There would seem to be much violence in this story but the author has wisely chosen her words making those scenes less violent than they probably should be. No one is going to suffer nightmares from reading this imaginative fantasy of two divided families getting a chance to reunite their members and understand their history.

    Read more: http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2013/04/23/review-children-of-the-fae-book-1-the-changeling-quest-by-maria-moloney/ ~ Kid Lit Reviews, http://kid-lit-reviews.com/



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    I was mesmerised by this book, I couldn’t put it down and was sad went I reached the end, it would be nice to think there would be a sequel. I was so impressed that I left my copy with a friend of mine and I have ordered a second copy. Well done to the author and congratulations to the illustrator. ~ , Kid - Lit Reviews



  • Mistflower - The Loneliest Mouse
    Krystina Kellingley
    From the synopsis this looked like a really good story to read with the eight year old I was child sitting for. I'd intended for us to read a couple of chapters each time but once we started neither of us wanted to stop reading. We both finally fell asleep just after Storm, the sheepdog found Mistflower and Silk in the barn.

    I took the book home with me and found myself compulsively reading it every spare minute I had. I also found that re-reading what I'd read the next time I child sat didn't dim my enjoyment one whit. It really is a fantastic story. It is very well written and the characters are warm and endearing (all except for Caramel the cow, who is bossy and really horrible). We were totally lost in the story and found ourselves, as you do with truly wonderful books, desperate to reach the end and know the outcome while at the same time dreading coming to the end. When we finally did reach the final page we were both sad and immediately agreed to read it again. We are now reading a little less compulsively but still with great enjoyment.

    I've now got my own copy as it is a book I will never grow out of. As my little friend put it; it is the best thing since Charlotte's Web. ~ A. Wallen, Amazon.com
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