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The Blurb On The Back:

Horrible Histories - The Worst In The World is packed full of the foulest gold, silver and bronze medal-winning entries in horrible categories such as:

Diseases, Battles, Emperors, Punishments, Schools and More

Discover what made the cut for the worst job in history (spoiler alert - it involves a king, a toilet and some botty wipes), or the worst ever pirate (must be the one who tied his own noose around his neck).

History - it’s the absolute worst!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Terry Deary is an actor and author who is well known for his best selling HORRIBLE HISTORIES SERIES for children aged 7+. This entertaining book (with fun illustrations by Martin Brown) sets out a top 3 of some of the nastiest, horrifying and disgusting parts of history. It’s breezy and fun albeit quite western specific (I wish there had been more from Africa and the far east) but hopefully will stimulate readers’ interest in the subject.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES - THE WORST IN THE WORLD was released in the United Kingdom on 13th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Simply - Artificial Intelligence

Sometimes less really is more. This smart but powerful little guide unlocks the inner workings of artificial intelligence, from the first computer programs to the internet of things.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Part of Dorling Kindersley Limited’s SIMPLY SERIES, this is a useful book for anyone interested in understanding the basics of artificial intelligence (“AI”). I found the sections looking at AI’s history to be the most interesting as once it gets into the science I found the explanations pitched at a level a little too high for me to follow while the chapters looking at problems with AI (including societal issues) were disappointingly brief.

SIMPLY - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

God Save Texas takes us on a journey through the most controversial state in America.

Texas is a Republican state in the heart of Trumpland; but it is also a state in which minorities form a majority (including the largest number of Muslim adherents in the United States). The cities are Democrat and among the most diverse in the nation. Oil is still king but Texas now leads California in technology exports and has an economy only somewhat smaller than Australia’s.

Lawrence Wright has written an enchanting book about what is often seen as an unenchanting place. Having spent most of his life there, while remaining deeply aware of its oddities, Wright is as charmed by Texan foibles and landscapes as he is appalled by its politics and brutality. With its economic model of low taxes and minimal regulation producing both extraordinary growth and striking income disparities, Texas, Wright shows, looks a lot like the America that Donald Trump wants to create. This profound portrait of the state, completed just as Texas battled to rebuild after the devastating storms of summer 2017, not only reflects the United States back as it is, but as it was and as it might be.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Lawrence Wright is a writer, journalist and fellow at the Center for Law and Security at New York University. A mix of travelogue, anecdotes of his life in Texas and overview of Texas’s history, politics and economy, I enjoyed Wright’s conversational writing style but didn’t feel like I understood the contradictions within the state, partly because he skewers towards the view of the privileged rather than those with a lower income.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Born through life-threatening trials that bind chemical elements to the human body, Ig was forged in the boiling volcanoes under Mira’s frozen lands. One of the most powerful known elementals, he serves as an enforcer for Magnate Sorrelo Adriann, cursed with flesh-binding magic that will kill him at the first sign of disobedience.

When Sorrelo is overthrown, Ig quickly learns he can do far worse than what has been asked of him so far. If he can’t escape the flesh binding in time, Ig will have to kill friend and foe alike to stop his master reclaiming the throne, or sacrifice himself trying.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Clay Harmon’s fantasy novel (the first in THE RIFT WALKERS SERIES) has solid world building and the idea of Ig being literally compelled to obey a master, no matter how cruel or irrational is fully explored. However the writing is workmanlike at best and I never really connected with Ig’s angst at what he’s made to do, especially as he’s so emotionally immature and naive at times. It’s an okay read but I wouldn’t rush to check out the sequel.

Thanks to Rebellion Publishing for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Every question answered about our most mythologised body part.

Separate fact from fiction with the first complete medical guide to breasts. Health expert Dr Philippa Kaye offers straight-talking advice, explaining every what, why, and how of your mammaries, helping you improve your self-care routine both today and tomorrow.

- Master your own anatomy and discover an under appreciated erogenous zone
- Learn why the right bra matters and how to perform regular health checks with confidence
- Spot when things go wrong and know what you can do about it.

To understand your body is to own it.
It might even save your life

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Philippa Kaye is a GP specialising in children’s and women’s health, author and journalist. This informative book (part of THE BODY LITERACY LIBRARY) sets out everything you need to know about breasts, including bra fitting, checking your breasts and what to look for, how to breastfeed and how breasts change as you get older. Despite some repetition, it’s clearly written and easy to follow and anyone with breasts should consider checking it out.

BREASTS: AN OWNER’S GUIDE was released in the United Kingdom on 23rd March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Join Sparkle the unicorn and all your favourite characters from the Land of Nod in this TEN MINUTES TO BED LITTLE LIBRARY!

Meet all your favourite bedtimes friends in this Little Library. Perfect for younger readers, each chunky book will keep little hands occupied at home or on the move. And once you’ve enjoyed the stories, the four books come together to create a TEN MINUTES TO BED jigsaw!

Packed with colourful illustrations and fun rhyming interactions to the characters, this Little Library might just be too much fun for bedtime!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton’s Little Library of 4 board books for very young readers is a cute affair with each book being the perfect size for little hands. I wasn’t impressed with the jigsaw puzzle element (which I think will confuse very young readers) and I preferred the illustrations to the rhymes (which try too hard for me) but young readers will enjoy them and parents will be grateful for the message of going to sleep.

TEN MINUTES TO BED LITTLE LIBRARY was released in the United Kingdom on 27th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

It’s Queen Titania’s birthday party, but Sara the Party Games Fairy’s magical party hat is missing. Without it, party games everywhere will go wrong! Rachel, Khadijah and Gracie have discovered that Jack Frost’s sister, Jilly Chilly, has stolen the missing hat. Can they reunite it with Sara before it’s too late?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 2nd book in the 36th mini series - THE BIRTHDAY PARTY FAIRIES - in Daisy Meadows’s (a pseudonym for Narinder Dhabi, Sue Bentley, Linda Chapman and Sue Mongredien) RAINBOW MAGIC illustrated series for readers aged 5+ has disability representation (Sara has a prosthetic leg and Gracie was born with one hand) and fun visuals (e.g. travelling through party poppers) while the girls show a lot of initiative in trying to thwart Jilly’s plans.

RAINBOW MAGIC - SARA THE PARTY GAMES FAIRY was released in the United Kingdom on 11th May 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The world is a wonderful place.

Alive! Full of joy and beauty.

Artists try to see it all.

This young artist wants to share what she sees with the world. But what happens if she colours OUTSIDE the lines?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Ed Vere’s self-illustrated picture book conveys all the joy and creativity of making art and how it doesn’t really matter if you stick within the lines or not. I enjoyed the colours and the way he conveys the excitement of sharing ideas and the artist’s horror and embarrassment at not doing it “properly”. This is one of those books that would really encourage young readers to express themselves through art, which is a great message to take away.

THE ARTIST was released in the United Kingdom on 6th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Rudy is no lone wolf - he knows the power of the pack and he wants you to join him on his next adventure!

HOW-HOW-HAARROOOOWW!

When Rudy and Edie go to Femi’s house for a sleepover, they discover that their friend has been keeping a secret: Femi sleepwalks! And when Rudy accidentally leaves the bedroom window open he learns that not only does Femi walk in his sleep, he also skateboards in his sleep. At great speed.

Can Rudy guide Femi back to safety before everything starts to feel like a very bad dream?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The third in Paul Westmoreland’s RUDY SERIES for readers aged 5+ is an okay read that sees Rudy go for his first sleepover only to be perturbed by how strange it all is. I enjoyed the dynamism of George Ermos’s illustrations (especially the depiction of Femi’s family) but I wasn’t particularly sympathetic to Rudy’s behaviour, which was quite rude while his questioning of his friendship with Femi was a touch overblown.

RUDY AND THE SECRET SLEEPSKATER was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Samantha Kang has always butted heads with her mom, Priscilla, and her impossibly high expectations. After a huge fight, Sam is desperate to get away from Priscilla, but instead finds herself thrown back.

Way back.

To her shock, Sam lands in the ‘90s … alongside a 17-year-old Priscilla. Now Sam has to deal with outdated tech, regressive attitudes, and a time-crossed romance with the right guy in the wrong era.

With the clock ticking, Sam must figure out how to fix things with Priscilla or risk being trapped in an analog world forever …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Maurene Goo’s YA time travelling fantasy is a clever and fun look at changing social attitudes and the experience of being an immigrant -v- being 1st generation -v- being 2nd generation Korean-American in the US. The romance is secondary to the character work between Sam and Priscilla as Sam understands her mum better and Goo’s light, chatty and self-knowing narrative style that worked for me and will see me checking out Goo’s back catalogue.

THROWBACK was released in the United Kingdom on 11th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Captain Looroll is SUPER STRONG, ENDLESSLY LONG and very, very bored.
(You would be too, if you spent all day wiping bums!)

But adventure is just around the U-bend for Captain Looroll and her friends. There’s a dreadful stink coming from the toilet upstairs …

Is it just another Number Two or is it the world’s NUMBER ONE SUPER-VILLAIN with a foul-smelling plan to take over the world?!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Matt Carr’s self-illustrated picture book offers poo puns galore in a silly tale that emphasises the power of team work. I wasn’t a huge fan of the rhymes peppering the narration (it didn’t really brought much to the story and became laboured at times) and the gross out elements were a bit too much for me. However young readers tend to find anything poo related hilarious and I’ve no doubt that they will enjoy Captain Looroll’s adventures.

CAPTAIN LOOROLL was released in the United Kingdom on 13th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

My ammu’s hijab is NOT her hair.

It’s NOT a towel and it definitely ISN’T a hat - so why does she wear it?

Full of curiosity and LOTS of questions, Noor sets out to find her answer …

This heart-warming yet funny tale is a celebration of Muslim women, curious children and family love.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Farina Islam and Nabila Adani’s picture book is a bright, cheerful and slightly cheeky look at what the hijab is and why some Muslim women wear it. Noor’s imaginative thoughts on why her relatives may wear hijab made me smile and I really liked the fact that when she finally gets an answer, her mum stresses how it is Noor’s choice to wear hijab but that it does go to her mum’s identity as a Muslim and she is unapologetic about that.

NOT NOW, NOOR! was released in the United Kingdom on 16th March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Discover more about you with the Mr Men and Little Miss

A new series to encourage children to understand more about their own emotions and how to manage them with the help of the Mr Men and Little Miss.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Roger Hargreaves and Elizabeth Kilbey’s picture book (part of the DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOU SERIES) is a thoughtful guide for young readers about how to be confident in who you are. I enjoyed the way Mr Funny is so supportive of Mr Quiet and also how the book celebrates all of the strange things Mr Funny does but how it makes him unique. These are really useful books for young readers and well worth a look.

MR MEN LITTLE MISS - BE YOURSELF was released in the United Kingdom on 30th March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Discover more about you with the Mr Men and Little Miss

A new series to encourage children to understand more about their own emotions and how to manage them with the help of the Mr Men and Little Miss.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Roger Hargreaves and Elizabeth Kilbey’s picture book (part of the DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOU SERIES) is a clever guide for young readers about sharing that also shows how sharing is not just about giving but also accepting and how there are some situations where people don’t have to share. I liked how the book combines silliness with a serious message and explains its theme in an easy to understand way.

MR MEN LITTLE MISS - SHARING was released in the United Kingdom on 30th March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Miriam Randle works for LifeTime, a private law enforcement agency that uses short-term time travel to prevent crimes from happening.

Though a seasoned time traveller, she is continually haunted by the death of her twin brother, whose murder remains unsolved years later.

When a routine assignment ends in a tragedy by Miriam’s hand, she finds herself mixed up in a conspiracy involving the highest levels of LifeTime. Forced to flee into the past with her partner Vax, Miriam races to unravel the truth before it’s too late.

But the past is filled with horrors Miriam would rather forget … including her brother’s killer.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Joshua David Bellin’s time travelling SF novel is a complicated, clever affair that is ultimately about trauma and its continued affects and the paradoxical effects of time travel (specifically the creation of alternate time lines and their ability to knot). At times I did find it difficult to follow and all of the characters here can be unpleasant and selifish, but I always believed in Miriam as a messy woman driven by her own history.

MYRIAD was released in the United Kingdom on 23rd May 2023. Thanks to Angry Robot for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The new king is visiting the MR MEN and LITTLE MISS on his ROYAL TOUR and everyone is very excited.

In HAPPYLAND, Mr Happy and Little Miss Sunshine have planted a special flower display, while in LOUDLAND, Mr Noisy and his band have been practising day and night!

But will everything go to plan and what will be in store for the NEW KING in Nonsenseland?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Based on his father Roger Hargreaves’s LITTLE MISS and MR MEN SERIES, Adam Hargreaves’s self-illustrated picture book is a fun tie in with the coronation of King Charles III (even if the king in the book is never named) with the Mr Men and Little Miss doing their usual silly antics. It’s particularly fun to see the various Mr Men and Little Miss lands and I think the king would enjoy seeing himself having fun with them all.

MR MEN LITTLE MISS - THE NEW KING was released in the United Kingdom on 13th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Join the reading revolution! Comics + Books United into BOOMICS

Babysitting the naughtiest kid sister in the world is hilarious fun - until BEA GOES MISSING!

Join Dennis, Gnasher and friends on a wild search for the littlest Menace! Will they find her before the grown-ups get home?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 6th in Craig Graham and Mike Stirling’s “Boomic” Beano spin-off series for readers aged 8+ is a madcap chase caper filled with more poo jokes than you can put in a nappy. Nigel Parkinson’s illustrations continue to impress (with a picture linked to a poo joke making me genuinely laugh out loud) and I enjoyed meeting more of Dennis’s friends in a story that works for both young readers, reluctant readers and (much) older readers too.

BEANO DENNIS & GNASHER - LITTLE MENACE’S GREAT ESCAPE was released in the United Kingdom on 13th April 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Agents of history. Partners in mystery. Sisters in solving crime!

Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle have formed a detective agency … and it’s time for their toughest challenge yet!

Georgian London is plagued by a series of mysterious thefts and sinister poisonings. Lizzie and Belle must use all their daring detective skills to find out who is behind the crimes and bring them to justice. The clock is ticking …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The second in J. T. Williams’s historical mystery series for readers aged 8+ sees Dido narrate another solid central mystery with a wide array of suspects set against the background of the Abolitionist struggle. Simone Douglas’s illustrations atmosphere and I liked the incorporation of actual people from history (including Jane Harry) but the use of Dido and Lizzie themselves still makes me uneasy, especially as the sense of period drops at times.

THE LIZZIE AND BELLE MYSTERIES - PORTRAITS AND POISON was released in the United Kingdom on 30th March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

You might want to read this book because you are being bullied. Or maybe you know a person who is being bullied and you want to help them. Or perhaps you’re worried that you’re bullying someone and you want to understand how to stop …

This book contains practical, straightforward information and advice to help you to understand more about dealing with bullying.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Louise Spilsbury is an experienced author of non-fiction books for children across a range of subjects. Having been bullied as a child, I wish that I’d had this sensitive guide for readers aged 9+ (part of a series) to dealing with bullying of all types but which also addresses readers who may not realise they are bullying others. Scott Garrett’s illustrations work well with the text and there are useful resources at the end of the book

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The streets of Georgian London can be dangerous. Not everyone is what they seem …

Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle live very different lives.

Lizzie works at her family’s buzzing Westminster tea shop, while Belle leads a quieter life at the majestic Kenwood House. Their worlds collide when disaster strikes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Lizzie’s father’s life is put under threat.

Why is someone after Ignatius Sancho?

And who is the shadowy figure on the theatre balcony?

Friendship, a fight for freedom and a race against time to solve the mystery before danger strikes again!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

J. T. Williams’s historical mystery novel for readers aged 8+ (the first in a series) has a solid central mystery combining suspense and a wide array of suspects whose motives are seen through a Shakespearean lense while Simone Douglas’s illustrations bring atmosphere. However, there is little sense of period here and I’m uncomfortable with the use of two real life historical people because it risks doing a disservice to their actual story.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

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January 2026

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Page Summary

Horrible Histories – The Worst In The World by Terry Deary
Simply Artificial Intelligence
God Save Texas: A Journey Into The Future Of America by Lawrence Wright
Flames Of Mira by Clay Harmon
Breasts: An Owner’s Guide by Philippa Kaye
Ten Minutes To Bed Little Library by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Rainbow Magic – Sara The Party Games Fairy by Daisy Meadows
The Artist by Ed Vere
Rudy And The Secret Sleepskater by Paul Westmoreland
Throwback by Maurene Goo
Captain Looroll by Matt Carr
Not Now, Noor! by Farhana Islam and Nabila Adani
Mr Men Little Miss Be Yourself by Roger Hargreaves
Mr Men Little Miss Sharing by Roger Hargreaves
Myriad by Joshua David Bellin
Mr Men Little Miss The New King by Roger Hargreaves
Beano Dennis & Gnasher – Little Menace’s Great Escape by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling
The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries – Portraits And Poison by J. T. Williams
The Kids’ Guide - Anti-Bullying by Louise Spilsbury
The Lizzie And Belle Mysteries – Drama And Danger by J. T. Williams

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I Read, Therefore I Blog

A Book Review Blog Belonging to Caroline Hooton

Recent Entries

Horrible Histories – The Worst In The World by Terry Deary

Simply Artificial Intelligence

God Save Texas: A Journey Into The Future Of America by Lawrence Wright

Flames Of Mira by Clay Harmon

Breasts: An Owner’s Guide by Philippa Kaye

Ten Minutes To Bed Little Library by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton

Rainbow Magic – Sara The Party Games Fairy by Daisy Meadows

The Artist by Ed Vere

Rudy And The Secret Sleepskater by Paul Westmoreland

Throwback by Maurene Goo

Captain Looroll by Matt Carr

Not Now, Noor! by Farhana Islam and Nabila Adani

Mr Men Little Miss Be Yourself by Roger Hargreaves

Mr Men Little Miss Sharing by Roger Hargreaves

Myriad by Joshua David Bellin

Mr Men Little Miss The New King by Roger Hargreaves

Beano Dennis & Gnasher – Little Menace’s Great Escape by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries – Portraits And Poison by J. T. Williams

The Kids’ Guide - Anti-Bullying by Louise Spilsbury

The Lizzie And Belle Mysteries – Drama And Danger by J. T. Williams