Children's Books > M Children's Books > Julia Donaldson

Advantages: Rhyming text that toddlers love to shout along to
Disadvantages: None

...a funny story about a monkey who's lost his mum and butterfly decides to help him, but he just keeps on getting it wrong. Each time he brings a different animal to the monkey and the monkey shouts 'no no no!' which my daughter thinks is hilarious and she loves to shout it out along with me, she has even learnt the names of some of the animals through reading this book. The text is rhyming and bouncy and will keep a toddler's attention right to the ... Read review

Advantages: interesting plot; sympathetic characters
Disadvantages: fantastical scenes could detract from boy's growth

Solomon has a lot to be concerned about: his mother has left the family; his father is an alcoholic; and his (unrecognised) dyslexia means that he is bullied by his teacher and finds school difficult. When everything becomes too stressful, he escapes to the graveyard, and when plans to demolish his hiding place begin, he is forced to confront his problems. The first section of the novel focuses on Solomon's family, gradually revealing his difficulties ...
...this section, I found the subsequent fantastical section in the graveyard spoilt my enjoyment of the novel. Although the writing was descriptive I found it difficult to sustain my engagement and lost concentration. (It is worth noting that I am not the target audience for this novel and that I generally dislike fantastical tales.) Although it is tempting to interpret this section as a metaphorical account of Solomon's struggle to take positive control ... Read review

Advantages: Deals with issues real teenagers could experience and offers support
Disadvantages: mainly for older teenage readers

An interesting and absorbing book that deals carefully and delicately with numerous sensitive issues which teenagers could possibly face in todays society. I recommend it both to teenagers and parents who wish to buy it as a gift for a loved one. I would certainly read it again and my sister who is slightly younger than me has also borrowed it to read and also enjoyed it thoroughly. The storyline is interesting and thought provoking and I felt genuine ... Read review

Advantages: Fast paced, absorbing and gripping!
Disadvantages: It had to end!!!

Truely one of the best books I have ever read, this author deserves a medal! A real page turner with a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. I really found myself engrossed in the book and following the adventure as if I was a real part of it. Utterly unputdownable and a recommended read to adults and teenagers alike. This is not usually a style or genre of book I would usually go to but I was definitely pleasantly surprised, this is one book ... Read review

Advantages: Good Story Line, excellent detail on characters
Disadvantages: sometimes it does not make sense

...young and inspired artist. As the story starts when Ginny (the main character) comes home to find a social worker in her house talking too her dad ... Ginny wonders about this whilst finding out that her friend Andy is in town he has come down to work in a restaurant after finishing catering college. Later secrets that her dad has been hiding from her all of her life start to unravel... more family. family who need to know things. Is her mother ... Read review