Today marks the first day of my Bookish Advent Calendar! From today until Christmas I'll be posting a children's book a day to inspire and enchant you. My first #bookadvent selection is Anita Ganeri's Star Stories: Constellation Tales From Around the World. For thousands of years people have looked up to the night sky and told stories about the stars. These epic tales tell of vengeful gods and goddesses, of monsters and heroes. Others try to make sense of the natural world, or unravel the mysterious forces of the universe. Beautifully illustrated by Andy Wilx, this stunning book brings together a selection of these legends from all over the world - from Ancient Greece to North America, Egypt, China, India and the South Pacific. A magical book to be treasured for generations to come. Shop Star Stories via Waterstones here. Interviewed by the editor of the London Review of Books, Dr Wormwood said: "It's reassuring to know that I am never going to run out of something to read."' October 2018 marked 30 years since Matilda was first published! And to celebrate the special birthday Puffin republished the original, magical story with three brand new covers depicting Matilda as the Chief Executive of the British Library, a World Taveller and an Astrophysicist. These never before seen illustrations by the one and only Quentin Blake have captured the remarkable child with a magical mind blossom into an inspirational woman. A special reunion with a beloved fictional character that nobody will be forgetting anytime soon. Set your sails east and embark on an extraordinary journey in this stunningly original new history of the world, written by bestselling author and historian Peter Frankopan and illustrated by the incredible Neil Packer. From ancient world laws laid down by King Hammurabi and the mighty Persian empire, to terrifying huns, the rise of Europe, two world wars and politics today, The Silk Roads moves through time and history sewing together the threads from different people, empires and continents into a phenomenal history of the globe. A magnificent book about how the east married the west with a remarkable voyage at its heart - the journey along the Silk Roads. Once there was a Fox who lived in a deep, dense forest. For as long as Fox could remember, his only friend has been Star, who lit the forest paths each night. But then one night Star was not there, and Fox had to face the forest all alone. From award-winning designer, Carolie Bickford-Smith, comes a beautifully original fable about love, loss and learning to accept change. A gorgeous book to share this Christmas. Shop the hardback edition The Fox and the Star (featured in the photo above) via Waterstones here, and the equally beautiful paperback edition here. Showcasing more than 100 animals in close-up detail, An Anthology of Intriguing Animals, is a beautifully fascinating animal encyclopedia with an enchanting twist. Arranged from biggest to smallest, the wildlife of the world is revealed with stunning photography, gorgeous illustrations and storybook descriptions. From lions and butterflies to sharks and spiders children will discover amazing animal facts, such as why the slow-motion sloth is so sluggish and how the plodding pangolin protects itself from predators, as well as some of the stories and myths surrounding their favourite beasts. With foil on the cover, gilded edges, and a ribbon for keeping your place, An Anthology of Intriguing Animals makes a perfect gift for any child who wants to explore the wilds and wonders of the Animal Kingdom. Shop the book here. Go on an intergalactic journey far beyond the Earth’s boundaries, across the Solar System, through the Milky Way and on towards the most distant galaxies in this beautiful guide, Planetarium. Within its galleries you will visit places where no human has ever set foot, and view exhibits too large to hold in any museum. As you turn the pages you’ll explore the stars through Chris Wormell's stunning illustrations. Whilst learning about the wonders of this universe from Professor of Astrophysics, Dr Raman Prinja. Packed with amazing pictures and fascinating facts, prepare to step inside the pages of this spellbinding book and discover everything you ever wanted to know about space, planets and all things galactic. Part of the beautiful Welcome to the Museum series the doors to the world’s most important and fascinating discoveries are always open.. Shop the book here. I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree, named after the first line of Judith Nicholls' poem 'Windsong', is a lavishly illustrated collection of 366 nature poems - one for every day of the year (including leap years!) - to share with a child or discover alone. Including much-loved classics, contemporary favourites, traditional rhymes and poetry in translation from familiar favourites and new discovered poets, including William Blake, Emily Bronte, Carol Ann Duffy and Eleanor Farjeon. Published in collaboration with the National Trust, this anthology is a brilliant introduction to a wide range of nature poetry exploring the wonderful world of animals, plants, trees, weather and so much more. With stunning full-colour illustrations by internationally acclaimed Frann Preston-Gannon, this is a inspiring, touching and thought-provoking book perfect for children (and grown-ups!) to share at the beginning or the end of the day, or just to dip into. Shop the Waterstones Children's Gift of the Year 2018 here. Matt Haig and illustrator Chris Mould’s Christmas series is one of my favourite holiday reads and the Truth Pixie is back in this hilarious and heartwarming Christmas tale. The Truth Pixie lives in The Far North and can’t sing or do magic tricks. She wants friends more than anything, but that isn’t easy for a truth-telling pixie. Wherever she is, whatever the day, She only has one kind of thing to say. Just as cats go miaow and cows go moo, The Truth Pixie can only say things that are true. A very funny and lovable tale of how one special pixie learned to love herself. The Truth Pixie is an enchanting, rhyming story that will delight younger readers, with brilliant inky illustrations. Shop The Truth Pixie from Waterstones here, along with A Boy Called Father Christmas, The Girl Who Saved Christmas and Father Christmas and Me as well! A dazzling, feminist fairytale from bestselling author Jessie Burton, and illustrated by Angela Barrett, comes an inspirational story about family, sisterhood, imagination and bravery. This magical modern retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses will become a modern classic to be handed down from mother to daughter for generations. Shop the book here. What if we celebrated boys for their kindness as well their strength? For their generosity as well as their success? For their loyal friendship as well as their charm? The Good Guys by Rob Kemp and illustrated by Paul Blow, is a gloriously illustrated celebration of 50 heroes who have changed the world with kindness and compassion. Readers will find stories of extraordinary men including Muhammad Ali, Professor Green, Patrick Stewart and Lionel Messi, as well as unsung heroes such as James Harrison, who has spent fifty years donating his rare blood to save millions of babies. There's even a section celebrating ten boys who didn't let their young age stop them from helping others, such as Matthew Kaplan, who responded to his brother's bullies by setting up an anti-bullying programme for schools. A life-changing book that shows kids it's cool to be kind. Shop the book here! From bestselling autho Oliver Jeffers comes this exquisite and thought-provoking picture book, Here We Are. An optimistic snapshot of contemporary life with all of Jeffers’ wit and charm, Here We Are, takes all new earthlings on a delightful journey, introducing the many marvellous things that make up our home planet. From mountain ranges, flat plains, deserts, volcanoes and lakes – the sea, the sky, the human body, animals and night and day, this book does little more than set the scene, allowing for questions, answers and conversation to flourish. A heartfelt hug of a book that will without a doubt become a classic. Shop the book here. Through the Water Curtain is a delightful, diverse selection of fairy tales from around the world. From Funke’s native Germany, to snowy Siberia, from Japan to Vietnam, this collection of lesser known tales brilliantly challenge the traditional ‘happily-ever-after’. Not to mention this book is presented as a beautiful hardback with gorgeous foiling and illustrations, making it a perfect gift this Christmas. Shop Through the Water Curtain from Waterstones here. Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, sixteen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer - a handsome, dashing brother and sister - Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktailparties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams. But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions... and is there something darker lurking at the heart of the Cardew family? A gorgeously dreamy coming-of-age romance set against a stunning 1920s Gatsby-esque backdrop, this is perfect for fans of I Capture the Castle and Eva Ibbotson. Shop A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood from Waterstones here. Anne Spudvilas reimagines the classic tale of passion, betrayal, and heartbreak from the iconic ballet Swan Lake. Told from the dramatic riverscape of Australia's Murray-Darling basin tragic love story of a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer will make a beautiful gift for both young and old this Christmas. Shop Swan Lake by Anne Spudvilas from Waterstones here. Through the dark and wolfish woods, through the white and silent snow, lived a small girl called Hortense. Though kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing... Hortense hated her shadow. A beautifully illustrated fable of identity and self-acceptance, this contemporary fairy tale has the feel of a timeless classic. A treasure not to be missed. You can shop the paperback edition of Hortense and the Shadow here, and Natalia and Lauren O'Hara's newest picture book, The Bandit Queen here. Explore the fascinating family histories of Ada Lovelace, Charlotte Bronte, John F Kennedy and many more with 30 family trees from around the world in this beautiful book, Famous Family Trees by Kari Mauge and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. This accessible, visually-stunning compendium of family trees features some of history’s most loved — and loathed — famous faces and is great fun for the whole family to explore. Genealogy and history combine to make a fascinating, fact-filled treasury of family trees belonging to famous people throughout the ages. Shop Famous Family Trees via Waterstones here. Philip Pullman revisits his great fictional universe with this captivating first story of a new trilogy, The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage. Malcolm Polstead's Oxford life has been one of routine, ordinary even. He is happiest playing with his daemon, Asta, in their canoe, La Belle Sauvage. But now as the rain builds, the world around Malcolm and Asta is, it seems, set to become increasingly far from ordinary. Finding himself linked to a baby by the name of Lyra Belacqua, Malcolm is forced to undertake the challenge of his life and to make a dangerous journey that will change him and Lyra for ever... A rich, dreamlike prequel that will take you on an otherworldly journey. What a gift it is to be allowed back into this universe. The paperback edition of La Belle Sauvage (pictured above) can be shopped from Waterstones here, and the beautiful Waterstones Exclusive Harback Edition here. Into the Jungle is a modern classic in the making, as Katherine Rundell creates charming and compelling origin stories for all Kipling's best-known characters, from Baloo and Shere Khan to Kaa and Bagheera. As Mowgli travels through the Indian jungle, this brilliantly visual tale, which weaves each short story together into a wider whole, will make readers both laugh and cry. A gorgeously produced gift hardback with foiled cover, a ribbon marker and colour illustrations throughout by creative genius Kristjana S Williams, this is truly a book for all the family to treasure and share. You can shop Into the Jungle from Waterstones here, along with other beautiful retellings and inspired stories of The Jungle Books like HarperCollins gorgeous illustrated hardback with interactive elements including a map of the lost Indian city where Mowgli is taken by the monkeys; a trifold detailing the Laws of the Jungle; a spinning dial of the elephant dance; and a map of Kotick's route to find a new home (shop here!), and V&A's Collectors Edition illustrated by Liz Catchpole here. Fur-raising tales of real-life Rebel Cats! Discover secrets, stories and facts about history's most fascinating felines! A engaging collection of over 30 real-life cat tales who are the heroes of their own stories await within these colourful and vibrant pages. With fur-raising facts and adventures from around the world and across the centuries, including WWII heroes, courageous adventurers, a Guinness World Record holder and even an astrocat that travelled in space, this is a perfect gift for any cat lover! You can shop Rebel Cats: Brave Tales of Feisty Felines from Waterstones here. A teenage spy. A Nazi boarding school. The performance of a lifetime. Sarah has played many roles - but now she faces her most challenging of all. Because there's only one way for a Jewish orphan spy to survive at a school for the Nazi elite. And that's to become a monster like them. They think she is just a little girl. But she is the weapon they never saw coming... with a mission to destroy them all. Described as 'deeply distributing and chillingly good', you can shop Matt Killen's incredible page-turning debut here. From the award-winning creator of The Queen's Hat and The Queen's Handbag comes a third hilarious Christmas tale taking the reader on a whirlwind royal tour of the world! The Queen has raced around London and dashed all over the UK. Now she is setting off around the world in search of the perfect Christmas present - and she's not alone. Father Christmas is here to help! From the North Pole to the Sydney Opera House, via the State of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids and more - will the Queen find a gift that is truly special? And who is it for?! Shop this wonderful romp of a read via Waterstones here. From the bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave comes a gorgeous wintry folk tale for young and old alike - an exciting adventure to the frozen north, perfect for Christmas. Mila and her sisters live with their brother Oskar in a small forest cabin in the snow. One night, a fur-clad stranger arrives seeking shelter for himself and his men. But by the next morning, they've gone - taking Oskar with them. Fearful for his safety, Mila and her sisters set out to bring Oskar back - even it means going north, crossing frozen wild-lands to find a way past an eternal winter. Shop the book here. Follow Clara on a magical Christmas adventure in this musical retelling of The Nutcracker ballet – push the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Tchaikovsky’s original score. The story follows Clara in her dreams as she battles and defeats a mouse king, then travels with her nutcracker-turned-prince to the Land of Sweets where she watches its enchanting inhabitants perform beautiful dances. As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes, you will press the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from the ballet’s music, including 'The Waltz of the Flowers', 'The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', 'The Russian Dance', and the awesome 'Finale'. An enchanting way to bring classical music to life for children. Shop The Nutcracker and other of Jessica Courtney-Tickle's other Story Orchestra titles including Sleeping Beauty and out in 2019 Swan Lake via Waterstones through the links. Today’s Bookish Advent Calendar comes Alex T Smith’s irresistible story of the brave little mouse who sets out on an adventure on Christmas Eve. Winston the mouse is on a Very Important Mission. On Christmas Eve, he finds a letter that has gotten lost on its way to Father Christmas – so, with no time to lose, he sets out to deliver it himself in time for Christmas Day! He has a lot of Very Exciting Adventures on his Very Important Mission and makes some wonderful friends along the way. Featuring beautiful colour artwork from the author and Christmassy activities to make-and-do throughout, this irresistibly gorgeous book is sure to become a festive family tradition that will be enjoyed year after year. Shop here. Merry Christmas bluebirds! I hope your stockings are full of loads of books. Today’s last Bookish Advent Calendar is the one and only, timeless Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss! My favourite Christmas read! With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big surprise! With hilarious rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this classic seasonal story of joy, love and acceptance, has become a favourite for good reason and teaches readers the true meaning of Christmas. Shop the paperback edition here, the special pocket-sized edition here, and now also in a very special foiled slipcase edition with extra material here. Merry Christmas bluebird and a Happy New Year! © 2018 Bluebird Reviews

I was immediately sold into this book by its very enticing cover. Just looking at it made me think underwater mystery adventure. But what Adam Baron delivered was not that at all, it was so much more. Instead, Boy Underwater is a humorous yet heartbreaking tale of family, friends and secrets, and it was definitely not what I was expecting at all. Meet Cym, a convincing central character with a narrative voice as distinctive as his name. A young, carefree yet slightly naive boy who has never been swimming. So when Cym decides to boast to the school bully that he’s a fantastic swimmer, little does Cym know that this will reveal a family secret that will turn his life and family completely upside down. From here Baron bravely dives deep into issues surrounding mental health, bereavement, and bullying but comes from it with a fast-paced, entertaining and unintrusive angle. Grief lurks at the heart of this novel and I was emotionally gripped but a little taken aback by the unexpected ending. But through the voice and attitude of Cym, Baron masterfully creates an ending that is both honest, heartwarming and unpredictably realistic, stressing that even the youngest of children can deal and cope with the biggest of issues. It’s so important to engage with children about these topics and this book does a brilliant job of opening doors to that. Not to mention the interior charcoal illustrations by Benji Davies are a really great touch at keeping the story engaging and light for children. Despite Cym being nine, I personally would recommend this book for the older age of the middle grade readers due to its difficult topics. Whilst there were things that I didn’t love about the book, all round it was a well written story, full of wisdom and humour. An ambitious narrative for Baron’s debut for younger readers but I’m intrigued to see what else Adam Baron has up his sleeve. Get your copy from Bookshop UK here. WHAT TO READ NEXT

November's limelight has definitely shone brightest on David Walliams this month with not just one, but TWO publications! Shooting immediately to the top of the charts (even beating Michelle Obama to the top spot), The Ice Monster, has been praised as Walliams' biggest and most epic adventure yet, and he has not disappointed. A story of a ten-year-old orphan and a 10,000-year-old mammoth expedition of a lifetime, Walliams has written a wintry winner. And even young readers have had a dose of Walliams' magic this November with his heartwarmingly hilarious picture book, Geronimo. Join gravity-defying go-getter Geronimo as he reaches for the skies in this delightful tale about following your dreams. The wintry wonders haven't stopped with just Walliams this November as actor and comedian Ben Miller has made his children's books debut with a charming and magical festival tale about a boy who discovers the true origin story of Father Christmas. For fans of Matt Haig's A Boy Called Christmas, The Night I Met Father Christmas is an enchanting tale absolutely brimming with the magic and mischief of Christmas. For all you Moomin fans out there comes the exquisitely illustrated re-telling of Tove Jansson's classic story The Fir Tree in the beautiful, collectible and classic picture book, lavishly embossed and foiled, Christmas Comes to Moominvalley. In other news on the middle grade front, I've eagerly been anticipating Stella Starflake Pearl's next expedition in the sequel to Alex Bell's The Polar Bear Explorer's Club and I wasn't disappointed. In Explorer's on Witch Mountain Stella and her friends face chomping pumpkin patches, vampire trolls, poisonous rabbits, outraged vultures and deranged broomsticks in their quest to rescue Stella's father, Felix, in this gorgeously imaginative middle grade fantasy adventure tale. Perfect for fans of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights. So many beautiful gift books came out this month just in time for Christmas, including Lauren Child's beautiful reimagining of the 1964 classic tale Mary Poppins. Bringing beautiful attention through Child's distinctive brand of playful, visual storytelling, this deluxe, full-colour, gift edition book has come out just in time for Disney's Mary Poppins Returns to hit the cinemas. Rebel Cats! Brave Tales of Feisty Felines by Kimberlie Hamilton has been my absolute highlight of the month! A engaging collection of over 30 real-life cat tales who are the heroes of their own stories. With fur-raising facts and adventures from around the world and across the centuries, including WWII heroes, courageous adventurers, a Guinness World Record holder and even an astrocat that travelled in space, this is a perfect gift for any cat lover! Another very exciting release this month is edited by one of my all time favourite children's author, Cornelia Funke. Through the Water Curtain is a delightful and diverse selection of fairy tales from around the world. From Funke's native Germany, to snowy Siberia, from Japan to Vietnam, this collection of lesser known tales brilliantly challenge the traditional 'happily-ever-after'. Not to mention this book is presented as a beautiful hardback with gorgeous foiling and illustrations, making it a perfect gift this Christmas. Happy reading Bluebirds! © 2018 Bluebird Reviews

Came across this beautiful picture book in Hatchards, Piccadilly, last weekend! Claris, The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess follows an adorable mouse who dreams of moving to Paris to follow her fashion dreams only to meet challenges along the way. But with Claris’ wit, warmth and of course, style, can she make her fashion dreams come true? A infectious rhyming tale about courage, compassion and charm, Claris is one chic mouse indeed. Written by international fashion illustrator Megan Hess, this is a breathtakingly enchanting picture book. From delicate etchings to gold dusting details to the whimsical watercolour illustrations of the Parisian skyline, fairytale fashion and golden hot air balloons, this book is an absolute treasure. Perfect for any fashion obsessed readers (of all ages!) out there. Get your signed copy from Hatchards, Piccadilly now while stock lasts! Or buy your copy via Amazon here. © 2018 Bluebird Reviews

Congratulations to Catherine Doyle and her blazingly beautiful book The Storm Keeper's Island for winning the Young Readers (Middle Grade) Books Are My Bag Readers Awards 2018! A deserved winner! The Storm Keeper's Island has been one of my favourite books of the year and I can’t recommend this book enough. You can read my review on The Storm Keeper's Island here. A big congratulations to all the other winners, including Philip Pullman who bagged Young Readers (YA) for his magnificent bestseller La Bella Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One. Launched in 2016 and sponsored by National Book Tokens, The Books Are My Bag Readers Awards are the only book awards curated by bookshops and voted for by booklovers. To find out more about the award and past winners you can visit their website here. © 2018 Bluebird Reviews

Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli Cover illustrated by Melissa Castrillon The title and cover originally sold this book for me - I mean who doesn’t want to read about a magical retelling of the Slavic folk tale Baba Yaga and a house with chicken legs?! But from the first page I was utterly captivated. The House with Chicken Legs is literally brimming with magic and wonder, life and death, beauty and heart. The story follows twelve-year-old Marinka who longs to change her destiny and break free from her grandmother’s footsteps to become the next Guardian of guiding the dead through the Gate. She dreams of having a normal life and making friends, but how can she have this life when her house controls where they go and how long they stay. Determined to fight against her destiny, Marinka is a headstrong and heartfelt heroine, with an extraordinary past. Although a little selfish and oblivious to the consequences of her dreams, you can’t help but feel for and grow with Marinka throughout her story of self-discovery. The story touches on a lot of important themes including the concept of destiny and the importance in shaping our own futures and dreams. But it also touches on the concept of death, grief and letting go which is rarely explored in middle grade literature. Whilst a difficult subject, Anderson handles the cycle of life and death masterfully and solidifies the importance of this through cherishing life and celebrating the lives of those passed on. Anderson’s writing is beautiful, lyrical and full of depth. Her words effortlessly dance off the page making for a quick and easy read to get lost in. And not to mention her choice of curious and wonderful Russian proverbs - they had me transported to new worlds from the very comfort of my home. As for the interior illustrations by Elisa Paganelli, they brought even more life and meaning to the story, capturing the magic of Anderson’s world perfectly. I can’t wait to read whatever Sophie Anderson writes next - because if this purely magical debut is anything to go by then we’re in for an absolute treat with her next book! Get your copy from Bookshop UK here. IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY...

The Blue Peter Book Awards 2019 have just released their shortlist and what a fantastic one it is! The award celebrates children’s books published in the last year in two categories - the best story and the best book with facts. 2019s shortlist for best story sees my personal favourite The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson, a magical adaptation of a Prussian fairytale about a girl whose grandmother Baba Yaga guides spirits between this world and the next. You can check out my review on The House with Chicken Legs here! Catherine Fisher’s gothic Victorian Christmas tale, The Clockwork Crow, and Rauf’s The Boy at the Back of the Class, which highlights the refugee crisis from a child’s perspective have also been shortlisted. The best books with facts include The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients that Make Up Your Home, The Colours of History: How Colours Shaped the World, a beautiful exploration of the stories behind different colours and roles they have played throughout history, and the very popular Professor Astro Cat’s third installation, Human Body Odyssey. The winning titles, voted for by over 300 children from 12 schools across the UK will be revealed live on Blue Peter on World Book Day on Thursday 7th March 2019. A big congrats to all the authors who have made the shortlist! To shop the shortlist from Amazon just click the links below. The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher The Element in the Room by Mike Barfield The Colours of History by Clive Gifford Human Body Odyseey (Professor Astro Cat) by Dominic Walliman Last year's winners saw The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell bagging the the best story for 2017, and Susan Martineau 's Real-Life Mysteries: Can You Explain the Unexplained? winning the best book with facts 2017. © 2018 Bluebird Reviews

Mammoth announcements from David Walliams as David has announced not one but TWO new children's books! Walliams’ most thrilling and epic novel yet sees him take to the wintry wilds of the artic in The Ice Monster. Set in London 1899, here one lost woolly 10,000-year-old mammoth and an intrepid Victorian orphan are about to venture on the expedition of a lifetime. Out 6th November, pre-order your copy via Waterstones here! And Walliams’ new delightfully topsy-turvy picture book, Geronimo! Join gravity-defying go-getter Geronimo as he reached for the skies in the cheering, heartwarming story about following your dreams, brought to life by the colourful illustrations of artist Tony Ross. Out 15th November, pre-order your copy via Waterstones here! Walliams fans, you are in for a wonderful Walliams winter indeed! I can’t wait to get my gloves on these! © 2018 Bluebird Reviews

Written by the international icon, education activist and the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize herself, Malala Yousafzai tells her inspiring story for younger audience. Growing up in Pakistan, Malala wishes for a magic pencil so that she could make everyone happy. She wishes to erase the garbage from her city, and to sleep in an extra hour. But as Malala grows she sees that there are more important things to wish for, and even if she never finds a magic pencil, Malala realises that she could still work hard everyday to make her dreams come true. Beautifully illustrated by Kerascoët, Malala has written an empowering picture book that will inspire young readers to find magic in their surroundings and to hold on to hope even in the most difficult of times. A truly graceful and important picture book. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY...

In today's Rebel Girl Generation, having strong, female protagonists in children's literature is so important. Young girls need to read about brave, independent, kind and unique heroines, they need to see themselves in this light and inspire to be like them. Gone are the damsels in distress, now the rebel girls are taking centre stage. I've put together a list of my top 20 inspiring and fiery females that can be found within the pages of both classic and contemporary children's literature. This list is comprised only of characters I have read so if you have any strong female characters recommendations then please share them with me - from the everyday heroines to the teenage sleuths I want to hear about them all! 1. Pippi from Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren When I was growing up I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking! She's the strongest girl in the world, not to mention she's kind, loyal and not afraid to be her unique, independent self, plus she has a pet monkey which makes her even more cooler! Whilst a little nutty, but incredibly fun Pippi is the heroine of her own life. Illustration by Mini Grey. 2. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling Hermione Granger is the ultimate heroine. She's brave, extremely intelligent, fierce and passionate. She saves Ron and Harry countless times throughout the series, but her most heroic, selfless act is saving her parents. Illustration by Jim Kay. 3. Jo March from Little Women by Louise May Alcott Little Women is my all time favourite book, and Jo March will always remain a character I inspire to be like. She intelligent, fierce, and so much deeper than her other sisters. Her aspiration to become a writer despite the time of the novel is empowering and above all, Jo sees herself as every bit an equal to her wealthier male best friend Laurie. Illustration by Norman Rockwell. 4. Starr Carter from The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful, gripping and piercingly relevant YA novel about inequality, police violence, 21st century prejudice and one girl’s struggle for justice. Starr is honestly such an inspiration to girls looking to find their voice. She is resilient, authentic, and everything we need in adolescents today. Although she is not completely fearless, she embraces the adversity in her way and stands against it. Her ability to juggle the stresses and traumas in her life but still come out blazing is inspiring. 5. Madeline from Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans She's the smallest, and she's the bravest. She’s the one most inclined to create trouble and mischief – but also fun. She knows what’s right, often in defiance of the grownups. She’s different from everyone else – but clearly in a good way. She’s all of these things and a girl. 6. Matilda from Matilda by Roald Dahl Matilda is so passionate about reading and learning that she literally educates herself from such a young age. Despite living with a family who care very little of her, Matilda is kind, caring and incredibly calm. Plus she can do magic so she's a winner all round! Also, have you seen Matilda at 30! To mark the 30th anniversary since Roald Dahl’s heroine first appeared, her illustrator, Quentin Blake, has imagined her life now showing Matilda variously as an astrophysicist, a world traveller and as chief executive of the British Library. You can order these special edition hardbacks via Waterstones here. 7. Sara Crewe from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett Despite having just about everything stripped from her, including her father and her home, Sara's kindness and generosity makes her unrelenting in her beliefs and passions. She stands up for all girls and never stops caring for others even when she is faced with lose and judgment. Sara's maintains such a true spirit and such a lively imagination throughout and will make any young girl feel like a princess. 8. Isabella Riosse from The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave Isabella, or Isa, is such a strong and fierce character. Fascinated with the ancient myths of Joya, Isa dreams of adventure, escape and of venturing outside her village walls to navigate the Forbidden Territories beyond. She's incredibly brave, intelligent and kind and her skills as being a mapmaker beautifully shapes and enriches her character. Her determination to go where was forbidden to tread and save her friend is inspiring and have made me a bold traveller ever since. 9. Hilda from Hilda by Luke Pearson Hilda, our blue hair heroine, has fast become one of my new favourite characters of all time. Her adventurous spirit, independent personality and free-thinking nature is an utter joy. Whilst she's grounded she's always awaiting the next big adventure. Hilda is extremely kind and brave and always there to help any creature, big and small (think rock giants and elves!) Her love for the outdoors is encouraging for young readers today. Plus she now even has her own Netflix series! 10. Lyra Belacqua from His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman Did you know, Lyra Belacqua, frequently tops polls as an all-time favourite character, appearing in the Top 10 Favourite Heroes on World Book Day 2016. Yep, she's a fantastic heroine, who literally achieves the impossible, helps an armoured bear, befriends witches, and rescues children from a fate worse than death! She's feisty, clever, passionate and loyal but also an inveterate liar, stubborn and at time selfish. She's realistically flawed which is what makes her such a stand out heroine throughout this series. We get to see Lyra grow and develop and in turn grow and develop with her. 11. Fern from Joy by Corrinne Averiss This beautiful picture book only came out this year and it has quickly become one of my all time favourites, and not just because my name is Fern too. Fern is literally a character full of joy, and her determination to share this joy with her grandmother is so enduring. Her sweetness, concern and encouragement to make sure everyone is happy makes Fern a wonderful character to aspire too. Illustration by Isabelle Follath. 12. Violet Baudelaire from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Violet Baudelaire is a natural born leader. Despite being fourteen years old at the beginning of the series, Violet is the eldest of the Baudelaire orphans and in so takes on the maternal figure with such strength and admiration. Violet is intelligent, mature, polite, and resourceful making her a brilliant inventor. Never afraid to tie her hair up and get a bit dirty, Violet's passion and skills as an inventor has not only saved her and her siblings from the grips of Count Olaf on multiple occasions but it's so inspiring to encounter a young girl interested in a field that is deemed as a strictly male domain. 13. Liesel from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 14. Nancy Drew from Nancy Drew Diaries by Carolyn Keene Nancy Drew has literally become one of the most iconic female characters in all of literature. Nancy was just a pretty, simple sidekick to a leading male counterpart, no, she was the bold, physically strong, and fiercely intelligent leading detective. She uses her superior intellect—not her looks—to solve a slew of mysteries, all of which she solves. Nancy Drew bends conventions and is definitely considered a 'girl power' icon. 15. Izzy from Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones There's not much to say other than, Izzy is a girl inventor! An intelligent, creative and kind inventor at that. And whilst inventions don't always go to plan and when feel like giving up, Izzy shows that this is okay. It's okay to fail, but sticking with it and trying again will always lead to success. She empowers girls to participate in inventions and technology that perhaps to some aren't deemed suitable for girls, as well as encouraging perseverance and not giving up. Illustrations by Sara Ogilvie. 16. Cat Royal from A Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding Cat Royal - the red headed, curious, clever and cocky orphan, who lives in the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. Her life is literally one constant adventure from fighting in the French Revolution, to turning pirate, she's basically a total badass with a very fiery tongue. Her spirit, courage and determination is inspiring, and her loyalty to her friends, both royalty and street urchins alike is admiring. It was these characteristics that made Cat and this series so special to me as a child - I looked up to Cat and wanted nothing more than to join her on all her wild and wonderful adventures. You can find out more about Cat and read my reviews of Julia Golding's brilliant series via my blog post here. 17. Tracy Beaker from The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson There's honestly no one like Tracy Beaker. She's cheeky, funny, and adventurous but definitely not without her flaws. Her bad-tempered, defensive attitude and behaviour problems sometimes lead her into trouble, especially with her number one enemy, Justine Littlewood. Despite all the made-up stories, Tracy's wild imagination and creative nature is infectious. Deep down, she's just a young girl who really just wants to be loved and be taken care of. And now Beaker's back! And she's a mum! Still the same fun, feisty and fierce Tracy as before Jacqueline Wilson has answered all our throwback prayers in My Mum Tracy Beaker, out now! And yes, the ending is everything Tracy needed! 18. Lucy Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis Lucy Pevensie literally becomes Queen Lucy the Valiant. She's the first one to set foot in the winter wonderland that is Narnia, and quickly becomes a favourite of Aslan. Her instinctive good judgment, her ability to stick up for what she knows is right and true, and she's also super-perceptive of herself and others around her. Her curiosity, kindness and bravery is what makes her the heroic warrior she becomes. 19. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Katniss Everdeen is an ordinary girl who finds courage under extraordinary circumstances and becomes a hero. She's strong, determined, and fiercely loyal, and not to mention a highly skilled archer and hunter. Despite the constant odds against her, Katniss is a survivor. And her moral compass and compassion is what grounds her anger towards the Capital. 20. Princess Sue from The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp Princess Sue is the ultimate feisty princess. Rather than the traditional princesses out there, Princess Sue is all about adventure, mischief and making unusual friends, who doesn't need any Prince Charming rescuing her. While she might be the worst princess, she's definitely the most empowering one. Illustration by Sara Ogilive.

"There are some places you would not want to go. Even if I told you that we have oceans filled with sea turtles and dolphins, or forests lush with parrots that call through air thick with warmth... Nobody comes here because they want to. The island of no return." 🦋 Kiran Millwood Hargrave has done it again. I absolutely loved The Girl of Ink and Stars (read my review here) and The Island at the End of Everything is just as spectacular. A beautiful new adventure about courage, friendship and finding your way home, Kiran tells the story of young Ami, who lives with her mother on an island where the sea is as blue as the sky. But the island is home to a colony of lepers, some who are ‘Touched’ with the disease and other who are ‘Untouched’. When a malevolent government official arrives on the island to separate the two, Ami finds herself taken from her mother and banished from the island to an orphanage across the seas. To get back home Ami must endure a journey of love and loss, but will she make it back in time to the island of no return? Inspired by true events that took place in the Philippians, Kiran tackles a lot of sensitive issues, such as illness, death, discrimination and segregation, but does so gently and with great respect, whilst opening the floor to discussions and questions within children’s literature. Kiran’s penmanship is lyrically enchanting. Kiran has a way with words that makes the story unfold gracefully off the page. Her character crafting is outstanding. Ami, for example, is a complex, brave and kind character but not without her flaws. At times Ami is selfish and angry and says hurtful things in a moment of regret, but this is what I love about her. It brings to light her innocence and her ignorance, making her a much more relatable character for today's readers. Like us all, Ami is a character who must grow, develop and learn to become her best self and this is thoroughly refreshing to read. Rich in imagery and magic, Kiran beautifully weaves together striking visuals of catching stars and whispering winds but the colony of butterflies that was so spectacular and special. This book left me in tears, both sad and happy tears. And although I felt the ending was slightly rushed by jumping ahead thirty years and lacked the same lyrical depth and flow as before, Kiran did a wonderful job of bringing the story to a happy, satisfying close. Kiran has without a doubt become one of my favourite children authors, each book as beautiful as the next. Get your copy from Bookshop UK here. WHAT TO READ NEXT MORE FROM KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE

Today, Saturday 13th October, its been 60 years since the first ever Paddington book was published. In those 60 years millions of copies of the books have been sold globally, Paddington's adventures have been translated into 40 plus languages, and, Bond's famous bear remains a much loved character worldwide. "Bears like Paddington are very rare. And a good thing too, if you ask me, or it would cost us a small fortune in marmalade." To celebrate the anniversary a number of Bond's classic books including, Paddington: The original story of the bear from Darkest Peru, and Paddington at St. Pauls, HarperCollins have reprinted the books supporting a beautiful golden emblem to mark the 60 years. Happy Paddington Day Bluebirds! © 2018 Bluebird Reviews