I’m a writer from England and have always been fascinated by history and mythology, nature and wildlife. These interests were instilled in me from earlier than I can remember. As a child we would visit historic sites like castles or standing stones, or nature watch while walking the beautiful British countryside. I’ve continued to share my enthusiasm for history by helping lead a Young Archaeology Club and still take long walks in the countryside with family or friends. As a fantasy writer I’ve been able to bring those themes together in a whole different and magical way, to make them fun and exciting for readers to learn and enjoy.
I first read this book when I was about 13 years old and it started me on my journey through the various wonderful fantasy worlds that so many fantastic fantasy writers have created. JRR Tolkien’s descriptions of Middle Earth and the multitude of characters that inhabited it were so vividly brought to life with his wonderful writing. What really came through for me was the underlying story of how, with the help of good and trustworthy friends, you can achieve the seemingly impossible.
That premise stayed with me and grew into the nugget of an idea that underlies my own storytelling. The Lord of the Rings is really worth reading by anyone who loves fantasy books. Don’t be put off by it looking daunting as it’s really three separate books and not one big long book as it might appear.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.
I read each Harry Potter book, as it was published, to my (then) two young children and this was the first book in the series. It captured our imaginations then and still does today. Although they are now adults, my children still love the books and have read them for themselves and even have audio versions.
Harry, despite having no love at home, finds love in the shape of his two best friends. Their friendship enables him to overcome real adversity and eventually win the day. The great thing is that although the books are fantasy they bring two very different worlds together and make both very real. The books are a great source of escapism when real life is a bit tough.
Galloping gargoyles ... 2022 is the silver anniversary of J.K. Rowling's magical classic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!
The boy wizard Harry Potter has been casting a spell over young readers and their families ever since 1997. Now the first book in this unmissable series celebrates 25 years in print! The paperback edition of the tale that introduced us to Harry, Ron and Hermione has been updated and dressed in silver to mark the occasion. It's time to take the magical journey of a lifetime ...
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping…
I just love dragons and this book is the first in a whole series about different dragons. I’m also a big fan of the Vikings and these books bring those two favourite things together.
The book’s hero is a young Viking boy called Hiccup and this book tells the story of how he goes about catching and training a dragon. It is such a fun, and funny, book and the illustrations are brilliant because even you or I could probably have a go at drawing them too. You will find yourself laughing out loud.
The writer Cressida Cowell has created some brilliant characters that I’m sure you will enjoy reading about as much as I did. If you enjoyed the film, you’ll love the book.
Read the HILARIOUS books that inspired the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON films!
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is a smallish Viking with a longish name. Hiccup's father is chief of the Hairy Hooligan tribe which means Hiccup is the Hope and the Heir to the Hairy Hooligan throne - but most of the time Hiccup feels like a very ordinary boy, finding it hard to be a Hero.
In the first How to Train Your Dragon book Hiccup must lead ten novices in their initiation into the Hairy Hooligan Tribe. They have to train their dragons or be BANISHED…
It’s about a group of ‘Hidden People’ who are trying to find their way back home. Hidden People are tiny folk who most humans can’t see but who can be seen by some children – children aware of the world of nature around them. Hidden People are guardians of the Wild World, the world of nature and animals and birds and the like.
This delightful and informative book has a strong message about protecting the world around us. I was enchanted by the story of the, sometimes scary, adventures that these tiny people experienced on their journey back home and I’m sure you will be too.
The breathtaking sequel to the stunning By Ash, Oak and Thorn from acclaimed nature writer and Costa Award-shortlisted novelist Melissa Harrison. CHOSEN AS ONE OF COUNTRYFILE'S BEST NATURE BOOKS OF 2021PRAISE FOR BY ASH, OAK AND THORN:
'Timely and magical, it will open the young reader's eyes to the wonders of the natural world.' NATASHA FARRANT
'Each page brims with the wonder of our natural world, so much to learn but all a sheer delight.' PIERS TORDAY
As autumn arrives, Moss, Sorrel, Burnet and Dormer decide to return home to Ash Row to unravel a riddle that might explain why…
This book is a firm favourite of mine, as are the others in the series.
The way that Rick Riordan brings Greek mythology into the modern era and into the human world is inspiring. Once again the thread of strong friendships runs throughout the story, as Percy deals with discovering his heritage and the powers that come with it. It helps, of course, that these friends are, in some cases, like him with godlike powers or come from the world of mythology. But this book, like all those I’ve chosen, shows that good friends will always be there to help you to achieve your aims – you just have to be a bit brave.
The Lightning Thief: the First book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.
The first bestselling book in Rick Riordan's phenomenally successful Percy Jackson series.
Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive.
In Earth's parallel Mystic world, trouble is brewing in Elvedom. Evil Duke Eldorth has stolen four sacred relics from elven King Elfred. In the Human world, Lizzie Longton lives with her grandmother. Lizzie’s always known that she's unlike other kids, but, apart from her strangely shaped ears, she doesn't understand why.
On her 11th birthday, Lizzie’s surprised to learn she’s won a holiday to a mystery hotel. Upon arrival, she and her grandmother find the holiday isn’t what it claims. Instead, they have arrived in a place they believed only existed in fairy stories. Lizzie finally discovers the truth about her heritage and why she's so different. Together with her newly made friends, her adventures challenge her to fight her demons in both her worlds.
Not So Little Things by Kyle Ann Robertson unravels the meticulously crafted life of Tina, an artist engrossed in the intricate world of historically accurate miniatures. As she dutifully honors her deceased father's desire for her to follow in his artistic and historical footsteps, Tina's controlled existence is shaken by the emergence of long-buried secrets when she takes a commission to build a replica of Jake Martin’s family mansion.
Robertson navigates the delicate balance between Tina's devotion to her father's wishes and the disruptions caused by revelations from the past. The novel beautifully explores the complexity of familial expectations and…
Tina Edwards loved her childhood and creating fairy houses, a passion shared with her father, a world-renowned architect. But at nine years old, she found him dead at his desk and is haunted by this memory. Tina's mother abruptly moved away leaving Tina with feelings of abandonment and suspicion. Raised by her loving, wheelchair-bound Aunt Liddy, her father's sister, 33 year old Tina has become a miniature room artist and cherishes the control she has over her life in Northeast Georgia as she works hard to please her beloved dead father's wishes of following in his footsteps in art and…
