That Asian Kid by Savita Kalhan. Reviewed by Emma Perry

This fast-paced, heart-in-my-throat type novel is set to be one of my top reads from 2019. And I've read a lot this year. Lots.

Meet Jeevan, the protagonist of Savita Kalhan's That Asian Kid. He's getting ready for his exams at school. He works hard, has a good group of friends and a lovely family, but, English classes really aren't going well. Not well at all. Try as he might he just can't seem to be able to get his grades up in Mrs Greaves' class.

Then things take a very unusual turn. During his normal short cut through the woods Jeevan hears two familiar voices amongst the trees. Mrs Greaves and Mr Green, the later being his favourite teacher. Jeevan overhears them talking about a complaint that's been made against Mrs Greaves - an anonymous letter claiming that she is racist.

That's when Jeevan switches his phone to record.

That's when the teachers take their relationship further, despite Mr Green being married... and while the camera continues to record.

Oh!

As the novel unfolds Jeevan has got to search deep, really deep, to decide what the right thing to do is. But it not quite that simple. Whilst Mr Green shows empathy and compassion towards all his pupils, including Jeevan, things with Mrs Greaves go from bad to worse. It's clear that her treatment of him is wrong, prejudiced and grossly unfair.

From this point on I need to be careful, I don't wish to include any more plot points for fear of spoilers! This is a plot that moves at a gripping pace, you are going to love it.

That Asian Kid has lots to recommend it - it deals with social media in a non-preachy manner. What can you do when the adults around you are NOT doing the right thing. 'Tricky situation' only begins to sum up the spot Jeevan finds himself in.

"until now, I've not given much thought to racism, because I thought discrimination was something that happened to other people. Not to me."

I'm now off to pick up Savita Kalhan's other novels - The Girl in the Broken Mirror & The Long Weekend. I'm hooked.

Twitter: @savitakalhan

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Emma Perry is a children's author, Primary School teacher & founder of MyBookCorner.
www.emmaperryauthor.com
Twitter: @_EmmaPerry 
Instagram: @EmmaPerry



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Keep Going by Austin Kleon - reviewed by Emma Perry

'Keep going' a phrase uttered a more than a few times during the ups and downs of a writer's journey. Key phrases from my WONDERFUL writing buddies include 'you've got this' and 'hold your nerve' - because we all need that sort of support from time to time.

Keep Going from Austin Kleon is like a hug from your best-est writing buddies wrapped up in book form.

Austin Kleon's little gem is packed full of nuggets of wisdom which inspire creativity. It delves into the reasons you create in the first place. What drives you? What keeps you going? Going back to the source of the reason to create is brilliant - it helps you to really get back in touch with that driving passion.

Most of us create because that is what fires us, it sparks joy. But. Sometimes that spark is a little dim, the fire needs a bit more stoking to get it going again. And that's exactly what Kleon's book achieves.

Kleon draws on wisdom from several varied sources, presenting snippets of great quote alongside his own thoughts and feelings.

"Disconnect from the world to connect with yourself."

 Kleon brilliantly addresses social media in this book - it's impact on mental health and the benefits of handling it wisely. He also encourages readers to re-connect with the reasons for being creative in the first place. He reminds his readers to enjoy the journey, enjoy the process - "When you ignore quantitative measurements for a bit, you can get back to qualitative measurements."

"No artist can work simply for results: he must also like the work of getting them." - Robert Farrar Capon

Wishing you all have wonderfully creative week xx


Emma Perry is a children's author, Primary School teacher & founder of MyBookCorner.
www.emmaperryauthor.com
Twitter: @_EmmaPerry 
Instagram: @EmmaPerry













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The Maker of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory. Reviewed by Emma Perry

The Maker of Monsters is the latest middle grade novel from Lorraine Gregory, author of Mold and the Poison Plot (winner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award 2018). It's a glorious, multi-layered adventure with a BIG heart.

Illustrations by Meg Hunt

Meet Brat. Life is tough for Brat, very tough. How would you like to be feeding vicious monsters through the bars of their cells? One wrong move and you'll end up being their dinner. But the endearing character of Brat takes all this on the chin.

Brat lives on an isolated island in a castle owned by Lord Macawber. He should be grateful... his master rescued him all those years ago after-all. However, in recent years his Master has become more and more obsessed with making monsters - grotesque, frightening monsters in order to carry out his grand plan. The only light for Brat is the company of his unique friends - Sherman and Tingle.

Lord Macawber's grand plan swiftly becomes too grand for even him to handle, the monsters escape lead by the most deadly and fearsome one of all. Now it's up to Brat to face his fears - to cross the water and warn the other communities that their lives are in danger. Immediate danger.

Brat's journey is non-stop. The pacing of this novel is incredible - Lorraine Gregory how do you do it?!??! This is a real heart in your mouth type of adventure, each chapter is chock-a-block full of action as the plot moves at a wonderfully satisfying pace - great for reading out loud in classrooms.

In Brat, as with Mold, Lorraine has created a supremely like-able character - one with flaws, and a huge heart that the reader is cheering on from that very first chapter.

Go Brat! You can do it!

The Maker of Monsters is hugely enjoyable. Highly recommended.




Emma Perry is a children's author, Primary School teacher & founder of MyBookCorner.
www.emmaperryauthor.com
Twitter: @_EmmaPerry

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Iguana Boy from James Bishop & Rikin Parekh, reviewed by Emma Perry

Iguana Boy... saves the world with a triple cheese pizza! Oh yes, he absolutely does!

This is the brilliantly funny series from James Bishop and Rikin Parekh, perfectly suited to readers aged 7+.

Poor Dylan has been waiting absolutely ages for his superpower to emerge. It's been made ten times worse by having an older brother and sister who both have great powers. They tease Dylan mercilessly for lacking a power.

But then Dylan's superpower does emerge. And it's not what he expected. Not even close. In fact, it's pretty useless. And he is VERY embarrassed.

After some hilarious scenes in a pet shop, featuring one of my favourite black and white illustrations from Rikin Parekh [below], things start to get serious. 

There's a super-villain on the loose. 

Celina Shufflebottom's dastardly plot to round up all the superheros has worked. They are powerless to stop her, and unable to escape her clutches. Including Dylan's own brother and sister.

But. 

What Celine, and the other superheros haven't counted on... is Iguana Boy and his pizzas!

This is fast paced story telling, with a wonderful abundance of comedy. With plenty of cunning twists, James Bishop's storytelling is great stuff. Rikin Parekh's black and white illustrations feature throughout - they are brilliantly funny bringing out the characters and the situations they find themselves in. I particularly enjoyed the comic strip style scenes which pop up from time to time.

And the best news? There's a second book in this series out now... Iguana Boy vs. The 30 Second Thief. Plus, book 3 will be appearing soon. 

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Spotlight On Non-Fiction Children's Books, chosen by Emma Perry

Over the last 12 months in particular, there's a been an amazing and very welcome increase in the number of highly illustrated non fiction tomes for children. I'm loving each and every one of them. Here are some of my favourites...

Moth: An evolution story from Isabel Thomas (Author) & Daniel Egneus (Illustrator)

Between them, Thomas and Egneus tell us how the Peppered Moth, with its ‘salt and pepper’ wings, was perfectly suited to its environment, carefully camouflaged in its natural habitat. But then the environment changed, and the moth was forced to react. Moth really is quite something. Firstly, there’s Isabel Thomas’s narrative. There’s a charming lilt to it, repetition of phrases such as ‘masters of disguise’, ‘speckled and freckled’ alongside short sentences such as, ‘Be silent. Be still’ give it wonderful poetic energy.

Rebel Voices: The Rise of Votes for Women from Louise Kay Stewart (Author), Eve Lloyd Knight (Illustrator)

Taking the reader through 100 years of history, Rebel Voices carefully travels worldwide as it highlights the powerful, strong voices of women. It celebrates a wonderfully diverse range of women, all determined to be heard. It isn't too text heavy, very easy to follow accompanied, and contains the incredibly atmospheric illustrations of Eve Lloyd Knight. A stunning book.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

Vashti Harrison’s Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History presents a celebration of over 40 women who have proved themselves to be leaders in their own way. Harrison dedicates a double page spread to each of her chosen women, featuring a intriguing biography and an illustration in her signature style. Perfect to dip in and out of. 

A First Book of the Sea from Nicola Davies (Author) and Emily Sutton (illustrator)

This is the much anticipated third book in the series to be created by this duo. A immersive collection of poems brings the reader into this fascinating world. Swim alongside dolphins, peek into rockpools and dive for pearls. Davies's poetry is lots of fun, and very accessible. A wonderful book of poetry, great for using in the classroom too.

I'd love to hear about any nonfiction books you've been enjoying recently...





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The Dreamer by Il Sung Na, reviewed by Emma Perry

There's an abundance of heart-thumpingly beautiful picture books out there at the moment. Whittling my decision down to just one for October was a little tricky, so, I've cheated a little. I've snuck in a shout out to more wonderfully crafted picture books at the bottom of this page.

However, the picture book I really wanted to focus on is The Dreamer from Il Sung Na.

"Once, there was a pig who admired birds."

Pig, (a glorious shade of mint green by the way) is a pig who dreams big. Very big. This is a pig who dreams of flying. So pig tries VERY hard to fly. He studies hard. When that fails he asks friends to help. Still no luck.

II Sung Na carefully captures Pig's perseverance and determination to make his dreams a reality. There is humour in his failed attempts, but also admiration for his trial and error approach

Eventually, pig sits and listens to those who know best - the birds - and guess what? It works!

But.

This pig is a dreamer remember, and as pig gazes up to the sky this dreamer can't help but wonder if it would be possible to reach the moon... why not? He decides to find out.

Pig's adventures inspire plenty of others, depicted in a humorous spread showing Pig's friends utilising their own flying inventions. And what has Pig learnt by the end of the book - well, he sits and gazes at those birds, and he still admires them. I wonder if he admires them a little more now?

The Dreamer contains the most gorgeous illustrations, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this one popping up on a few award lists in the coming months - Il Sung Na certainly deserves it.

Now,

As promised, here's a shout-out to more beautifully crafted picture books that have made me stop in my tracks this month...

You're Snug With Me from Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry - with a beautiful environmental message.

Red and the City from Marie Voigt

Little Bear's Big House from Benjamin Chaud

Sing to the Moon from Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl and Sandra van Doorn

Time for Bed, Miyuki from Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soug Ratanavanh

Happy picture book reading and gazing!

Emma Perry is a picture book author represented by Bell Lomax Moreton. 
She is the founder of the children's book review site MyBookCorner and organiser of International Book Giving Day. 

Twitter: @_EmmaPerry

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The Truth About Lies by Tracy Darnton - reviewed by Emma Perry

Cover Design: Sophie Bransby @sophie_bransby

Ever had one of those excruciating social encounters - so bad that you end up replaying the event over and over in your mind?! Yet, you can't quite remember the finer details, and eventually - thankfully - it all begins to fade over time. But. Imagine if you could always remember every single detail, every single moment and action and word of everything. Imagine a memory so powerful that it never allows you forget a single minute - that's a lot of baggage, a lot of emotion and a lot of memories. Welcome to the world of Jess, the protagonist of Tracy Darnton's YA thriller - The Truth About Lies. Jess's extraordinary memory attracted the attention of scientists back when she was just 11 years old. Lots of attention. Lots of tests. Lots of experiments. Too many?

Fast forward to present time, The Truth About Lies is set in an isolated boarding school on Dartmoor. The setting is immediately atmospheric and chilling - perfect fodder for a thriller. Within the opening chapter we learn that Jess's room mate has just died, found beneath the window of their room. There are midnight vigils, creepy postcards with chilling messages and Jess has a strong suspicion she is being watched. But who is doing the watching? Who is sending the messages? 

Told in first person, present tense we get a real feel for the character of Jess - and she is a tricky one. She's very much caught up in the chaos of her own world, so preoccupied with surviving it she often isn't the warmest to those around her. She is surrounded by quite an eclectic bunch - from the hapless counselor, Jess's 'friends' Keira and Maya, the sudden arrival of replacement teacher Mr Desai and then of course Dan who's just joined the school. And then there's those figures from her past...

As Jess's world begins to unravel, as she begins to question those around her and the strange past she has experienced, the reader is very much there with her, frantically trying to piece together the pieces of the puzzle. 

Darnton's novel brilliantly explores the power of memory - so many of us often bemoan a lack of memory, but, is that really such a bad thing?

"I wish I could forget, like them.They really don't realize how lucky they are."

The Truth About Lies is an intelligent, exhilaratingly fast paced, edge of the seat thriller that'll keep you guessing. Thoroughly enjoyable. 


Emma Perry is a picture book author represented by Bell Lomax Moreton. 
She is the founder of the childrens book review site MyBookCorner and organiser of International Book Giving Day. 

Twitter: @_EmmaPerry

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Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, reviewed by Emma Perry

I have no shame in admitting that it was with reluctance that I initially picked up Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.

I really wasn’t sure.

Nevertheless. Something pulled me to it, convinced me to open the cover, delve in – and I didn’t look back.

The overriding tone of Gilbert’s narrative is enthusiastic inspiration, as she delves into the creative process and how she believes it works. Reading Big Magic is like coming away from a REALLY inspirational workshop. You know the sort – the ones that leave you buzzing with ideas and energy. The sort that resets the creative batteries and reminds you exactly why you started writing in the first place – that intoxicating mix of energy and total absorption. There’s nothing quite like it, yet Gilbert manages to package it up into 273 pages.

What Big Magic does is open your mind, imagination and heart up to creative energies – everywhere. I hope this doesn’t sound too vague… but she opens up the pathways to allow your subconscious to be open to inspiration. As writers we do know it is all around us, but sometimes, often times – a little reminder, a nudge is really needed.

Mixing personal anecdotes with experience and knowledge, Gilbert's writing is both relatable and realistic as she acknowledges failure ('it sucks'), the need for courage, and the need for persistence no matter what form your creative journey takes. Big Magic isn't solely aimed at writers.

'never delude yourself into believing that you require someone else's blessing in order to make your own creative work.'

There’s something quite comforting about Gilbert’s voice, she manages that balance between conversational and intriguing, without falling into tedium.

If you're lacking enthusiasm, need a bit of a kick, or  an injection of inspiration then Big Magic might be just the ticket.

'Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege.'

Emma Perry is a picture book writer represented by Bell Lomax Moreton. 
She is the founder of the childrens book review site MyBookCorner and organiser of International Book Giving Day. 

Twitter: @_EmmaPerry

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Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul, reviewed by Emma Perry

The shelves of many a book store are choc-o-block with tomes about writing. Bursting at the seams, jostling for position – the array is mind boggling.

I confess to owning a sizeable selection. Some are finished, some are not. Plenty have been flicked through – all with great, grand intentions. But the one that reached out to me, that held my attention and grabbed hold of my imagination, was Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books.

My copy of Writing Picture Books is always within reach. It’s filled with brightly coloured sticky notes and is often referred to – both as a source of inspiration and for more practical tips.

The style and tone is both informative and personal as Ann begins with her own tale of countless rejection letters from editors whom she assumed simply must be wrong. Haven’t we all assumed that?! But, as most writers finally discover…

‘Completing a draft of your story is not the end of the writing process. It is only the beginning.’

And so Writing Picture Books takes the would-be picture book writer by the hand and guides them through this process. It encourages careful, timely revision helping writers to build a more objective approach to the polishing of their craft.

Writing Picture Books is divided in to helpful, logical sections which guide you through the process of honing your own picture book writing skills. The first, and one of the most important, is looking at picture books from a different perspective – from that of a writer. Look at the how, and why, behind what seems to work so effortlessly. Consider the child’s perspective. Always. Respect your young audience. Know children – what they like, how they see the world.

From here Ann guides us through point of view, followed by an entire chapter dedicated to the all important voice. Crucial.

A large comprehensive section is dedicated to structure – how to develop your character, how to handle varied action, then build to the crucial ending.

For me a stand-out features of Writing Picture Books was the wide range of activities and prompts, the constant reminder to read, READ, read picture books, and finally the guidance on what to do next. I wouldn't be without my copy.

Emma Perry is a picture book writer represented by Bell Lomax Moreton. She is the founder of MyBookCorner and organiser of International Book Giving Day. 
Twitter: @_EmmaPerry



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