Willoughby Reads Children's Books!

As half term has arrived, we thought we'd read outside our normal parameters and dive into some children's reads for a change. We all loved reading as youngsters and couldn't wait to spend a few hours with some of the books we have on our office bookshelves, to see if we could appreciate them just as much as adults. Spoiler: we were not disappointed!

The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge

The 'Beast' series by Chris Judge is a personal favourite of mine. Every book is always funny and well written. It's very enjoyable for both the reader and the child being read to! It's also gorgeously illustrated, colourful and eye-catching.

We all know that some picture books can be quite repetitive and boring for the adult reading aloud (and some are just far too long) but I always appreciate Chris Judge's books.

They are also so entertaining, with the The Lonely Beast specifically having a “We're Going on a Bear Hunt”-esque journey and plenty of fun references for adults to laugh at , as well as a good moral message.

If you are looking to diversify your bedtime stories I would highly recommend the 'Beast series'.

- Aishah

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D. Lapinski

I’ve been quite excited to read this, as it’s something I’ve picked off the shelves many times and had thought it sounded like so much fun! As a lover of fantasy adventures, I’ve enjoyed reading and getting to know Flick, the main character, as she discovers a travel agency with a difference, one that uses suitcases to travel to entirely different worlds. As she becomes more involved and realises places are disappearing, she finds the only way to help is to break the rules!

I’m really glad I finally decided to pick this book up, as I’ve had real pleasure reading it. It was most definitely a tonic after the more serious book I read previously- even if I was on the edge of my seat at certain points! It's perfect for anyone who also loves time travel, the multiverse and new worlds.

I’m looking forward to opening up the next book in the series to see where Flick travels to next!

- Alisha

The Collector by K R Alexander

I thought this would be a good choice for the time of year. The nights are drawing in and we're approaching Halloween fast, so it's certainly suitable! Josie's mum has lost her job, so Josie, her mum and sister are forced to move away from the city to live with her grandmother for a while. As soon as they arrive the tensions begin to rise.

This book covers Josie's homesickness and bewilderment in her new school well, as well as her concerns for her grandmother who is beginning to suffer from dementia, but what the book does best of all, is ramp up the scares! There's alienation, the deep dark woods, whispers in the night and worst of all, DOLLS! I am not ashamed to admit that I had to put this down for a bit when I was reading it late at night.

This is for fans of Neil Gaiman's work for younger readers, and for anyone who likes the quick scares of a Goosebumps-type read.

- Marianne

Lily and the Rockets by Rebecca Stevens

Reading and football are the two main loves of my youth. Having recently returned to playing football as an adult, I wanted to read a book aimed at younger children where the main character plays football themselves. It always felt like there wasn't much representation of girls playing sport in the books I read in the 90s, so it was so refreshing to find something that ticked all these boxes for me. Lily and the Rockets is set in 1918, towards the end of World War One. Lily works at a munitions factory and plays in a football team with her co-workers. But when the war ends and Lily's job and football team are threatened, she must find a way of continuing to follow her passion for football, even if it means joining the men's team.

Empowering and moving, the book sheds valuable light on a super interesting period of women's social history. Friendship, the realities of war, and romance are just some of the themes explored, so if you know of a child whose interest is piqued by these, do pick up a copy.

-Olivia

The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees

When 11 year old Benjamiah, who doesn’t believe in magic, receives a strange doll in the post that can transform into a bird, he is thrust into the mysterious world of Wreathenwold. While he is trying desperately to find his way home from the dark labyrinth of forever changing streets, he meets Elizabella who is searching for her missing twin brother. Together they embark on a dangerous and magical journey full of creepy villains, mythical creatures, and poppet dolls.

This book was packed full of adventure, twists and turns, unusual characters and beautiful illustrations...plus my copy has sprayed edges which I couldn't resist. I found a few parts a bit spooky at times, especially at the beginning when Benjamiah wakes up to find the poppet doll in a different place to where he left it! For this reason, I think this book is probably best aimed at slightly older children. I’ve already got my eye on the sequel once it’s published next year.

- Chloe

Going to the Volcano by Andy Stanton

Join Dwayne-o and Jane-o our intrepid heroes as the go on a plane(o) and up a crane(o) to get to the volcano.

This is a perfect read aloud story that had me chuckling from the start. Memorable rhymes for young story lovers, and seemingly simple colourful illustrations with loads of clever funny details to find each time you re-read this book, and you will re-read it!

-Marianne