Category: The Review Crew Early Readers

Rainbow Grey by Laura Ellen Anderson, reviewed by Niamh

Rainbow Grey is the brand-new rainbowtastic adventure from the creator of the amazing Amelia Fang book series, the brilliant Laura Ellen Anderson!

Laura has created a whole new world called The Weatherlands, based on all of the different types of weather. The main character is 10-year-old Ray Grey who is a Weatherling with no powers, but that’s all set to change the night of the eclipse festival… the book title and Ray’s multi-coloured hair on the front cover may be a big clue!

Ray must try to save Earth from a massive storm, alongside her two friends Droplett and Snowden. And no Laura Ellen Anderson book is complete without a loveable, cute companion – this time in the form of exploding cloud cat Nim (short for Nimothy, not Nimbus!).

Rainbow Grey is an amazing adventure, with lots of twists through the story. Just like Amelia Fang, her new book series has the winning formula of the power of friendship, an adorable sidekick (Nim is the new challenger to Squashy in cuteness), and a feisty main character that never gives up. 

I love the funny bits when Nim’s body parts get all muddled up when he explodes, often at the worst times! I really like that Droplett has the rain power to puddle-port anywhere and the exploding rumblebuns from the Rising Bun Bakery made me laugh! I also enjoyed that the book had lots of little hidden references to Amelia Fang – try to spot them all!  

I think that Amelia and Ray would be great friends, and what I like so much about Laura’s books is that you feel like the characters are your friends too. 

I recommend this book to everybody! I can’t wait for the next Rainbow Grey instalment and I think there’s going to be a lot of rainbow wigs and waistcoats being bought for next World Book Day. Laura Ellen Anderson is one of the best authors and illustrators in the world (and in Nocturnia and the Weatherlands!) and everyone should have all of her books on their bookshelves. 

Rating: 5/5

Perfect for fans of: Amelia Fang by Laura Ellen Anderson; Evil Emperor Penguin by Laura Ellen Anderson; Frostheart by Jamie Littler; and The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy 

Reviewer: Niamh Wilson, aged 8

Hello! My name is Niamh and I’m aged 8. I’m an avid reader and some of my favourite authors and illustrators are Laura Ellen Anderson, Steven Butler, Steven Lenton, Sophy Henn and Sophie Anderson. I want to be an author and illustrator when I’m older and I love to write and draw in my spare time. I like to recommend books to my friends at school and believe you can never have too many books, even though I’m running out of space on my bookshelves! 

About the book

A magical new series from best-selling author and illustrator, Laura Ellen Anderson! Ten-year-old Ray Grey lives in the magical Weatherlands, high in the sky. Ray is surrounded by Weatherlings with astounding weather power at their fingertips . . . but she doesn’t have ANY magic! Then, after a trip to Earth, Ray’s life changes forever. She is transformed from Ray Grey into RAINBOW GREY! With the help of her best friends (and exploding cloud cat, Nim) now all Ray has to do is master her powers AND save the world from a mysterious, powerful enemy .

Genie and Teeny Make A Wish by Steven Lenton, reviewed by Caitlin

Amazing, excellent and super-dooper funny. I love that you get to sort of be a character in the book. And the bit where you shake the book around to try and get things to happen. 

My favourite character is Grant the genie. I love how he always gets things wrong and he is super funny.

Genie by Caitlin, aged 6

About the book

Meet Grant the genie, and his best friend – the puppy Teeny… The first in a series of magical adventures from the renowned illustrator, Steven Lenton, winner of Waterstones Picture Book of the Month and the Times Children’s Book of the Week. When Grant the Genie is cast out of Genie World, he lands on Earth with a big, fat bump! Without a lamp to call home, he has to settle for an old cracked teapot instead.

Grant is very lonely until he meets the puppy, Teeny. Then Genie and Teeny are kidnapped by the evil purple-loving Lavinia Lavender, and find themselves on-course for a rollercoaster of an adventure – when all they really want is a place to call home…

My name is Caitlin and I love dinosaurs, especially my cuddly dino “Daisy” who is a stegosaurus. I am enjoying the “Sherlock Bones” books. I like detective books like Dotty and the Violet mysteries. My favourite sport is football.

The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom by Beach, reviewed by Ted

About the book

The first in a fabulously funny and hugely commercial series about a dragon who has lost his flame – but may just find fire elsewhere . . .

Perfect for fans of The DInosaur That Pooped series. Sir Wayne’s dragon has lost his flame. Are his teeth TOO clean? Is his tongue TOO pink? Perhaps his diet is to blame.

Not to worry – Sir Wayne has a meal plan of EPIC proportions, including a big lump of lava, one burning bush, some sparklers and fireworks – the ones that go ‘WHOOOOSH’. Oh, and one VERY mouldy old piece of cheese – almost as green as the snot from a sneeze . . . What could possibly go wrong?!

A hilarious and dynamic character-driven picture book, with a truly explosive ending! From the hugely exciting new picture book talent, Beach. 

Due to be published 2nd September and we’re just as excited as Ted!

The Train Mouse by Uwe Timm and Axel Scheffler, reviewed by Katy

I really like it because I like stories with adventure, and I really like the mice in the pictures because they are cute and cool.

Katy aged 8

So, there’s this family of mice and one of the brothers he tells his family that he is going to go and get food, but he actually ends up going on a train and he ends up in France/ Paris. He finds another mouse and he helps him get back to his real home with adventures on the way. I really like it because I like stories with adventure, and I really like the mice in the pictures because they are cute and cool. Children who like having lots of adventures will enjoy this. The pictures are very good. The mice always have two round ears and teeth sticking out at the front. I like the Paris mouse because he has a funny mouse moustache. I now want to read the book illustrated by Axel Scheffler that was advertised at the back- Zippel: The little keyhole ghost. I did not know Axel Scheffler had illustrated books that weren’t picture books for younger children.

My name is Katy and I like horses, unicorns and cats. My hobbies are reading and playing and singing. At school I like all the subjects. 

About the book

When Nibbles, an inquisitive young mouse, scampers onto a waiting train at the local station, little does he know he is about to be swept along on a cross-country adventure. Nibbles travels across his homeland of Germany, picks up a new friend in Switzerland, samples the delights of French cuisine in Paris and finally ends up as the star performer in a circus in England! But then Nibbles begins to feel homesick. How will one little mouse find his way home again?Translated by Rachel Ward.

Kate on the Case by Hannah Peck, reviewed by Harriet

Hi i’m Harriet, I am reading Kate on the case. The author and illustrator is Hannah Peck. 
I like the front cover of Kate on the case because it’s has train tracks on it. It has train tracks because it’s set on a train. 
I like the pictures because they have  lots of detail and are very interesting with lots to see. There are also loads of them through the book. 
Kate is investigating the mystery of some missing things. Who stole the missing things and why is madam Maud so grumpy?
I like this book because I haven’t read a mystery book before so it was very exciting. I like how Roo and the tiger can talk. (did i mention that Roo is a mouse!)
Something I don’t like about it is that there are too many long words that needs explaining and i cant read it very well on my own! 

Hi, my name is Harriet and I am 6 and a half years old. I have a little sister who is nearly 4 and she loves me reading stories to her. I love to ride my bike, when I am not reading!

About the book

Young reporter-in-training Kate and her mouse-accomplice Rupert are on board a train, to visit Kate’s mum in the Arctic. But as soon as the train departs, mysterious things start happening. A packet of ginger nuts goes missing .. . A collection of gymnastics trophies are stolen .. . And some ancient scrolls disappear .. . Fellow passenger Madame Maude seems the most likely culprit, until a surprising – and delicious – twist turns the whole investigation on its head.

First in a witty two-colour chapter-book series about a bold young detective and a colourful cast of suspects, in a setting worthy of Agatha Christie.

Genie and Teeny Make a Wish by Steven Lenton, reviewed by Evie

Title : Genie and Teeny Make a Wish 5/5

If I could wish for the best book in the world it would be this one! The amazing main characters are Grant the Genie and Teeny the dog. The story is about a dog and a genie trying to find a home, well Grant is but Teeny is a missing dog and Lavinia Lavender pretends she’s his owner!

Grant falls out of Genie world all the way to the human world. And when Lavinia Lavender captures them they get taken back home with her and have to find a way to escape! I loved this book because its really exciting and all really interesting. The illustrations in it are mind-blowing – you all will go koo-koo. My favourite part was on (page 51) it told you stuff you had to do to the book like turning the book or shaking it or turning it upside down, its hilarious.

You can also list three wishes and learn how to draw Grant. I give this book 5/5 – you must get it!

Hey I am Evie! I love playing with my friends, dancing, singing and having adventures through the stories that I read. My favourite stories so far are the Magic Ballerina books where some magic ballet shoes take dancers on magical adventures 🩰 . I also love crazy Roald Dahl books – they are so funny 😆 people get stretched, blown up and even disappear and I love snowy stories like Snow Day and also the enchanting Snow Dragon.  Reading is so amazing as every time you turn a page you go into another world and I love that 🥰. 

About the book

Meet Grant the genie, and his best friend – the puppy Teeny… The first in a series of magical adventures from the renowned illustrator, Steven Lenton, winner of Waterstones Picture Book of the Month and the Times Children’s Book of the Week. When Grant the Genie is cast out of Genie World, he lands on Earth with a big, fat bump! Without a lamp to call home, he has to settle for an old cracked teapot instead.

Grant is very lonely until he meets the puppy, Teeny. Then Genie and Teeny are kidnapped by the evil purple-loving Lavinia Lavender, and find themselves on-course for a rollercoaster of an adventure – when all they really want is a place to call home…

Amelia Fang and The Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson, reviewed by Mia and mum Kate

Mia says:
Amelia is a vampire with a cute pet pumpkin, Squashy. Her friends include a Yeti and a Grim Reaper.Amelia, Florence and Grimaldi have been brought up with terrifying tales of Angel Kittens, glitter, and Unicorns!In this first book, Amelia’s parents host their boring annual Barbaric Ball. The King finally makes an appearance, but brings along the spoilt Prince Tangine.Will he be a friend or foe?
There are seven books in the series plus a WBD book. I enjoyed them so much that I’ve read them all six times! I love the illustrations, adventures and characters. It’s funny and quite gross!
I’ve just got my copy of Laura Ellen Anderson’s new book, Rainbow Grey, which I’ve already started and cannot wait to review!


Mum Kate says:I love the twist on the stories they are told, instilling in them a fear of kittens, glitter and unicorns. We discussed how silly this seemed and how easy it can be to believe things we are told, but which aren’t necessarily true. Amongst all the fun and gross stuff, there’s a lovely theme of friendship and acceptance.

Hello! My name is Mia, I am 8 and live in Harrogate. I like writing stories and drawing pictures. I am a Brownie and also help with Rainbows. I enjoy performing, and have dance, piano and mandarin lessons. Obviously I absolutely love reading!
Mum Kate reviews books with Mia as the_inkdrinkers_library on Instagram.

About the book

A GORGEOUSLY GOTHIC, WICKEDLY FUNNY NEW SERIES FROM WITCH WARS ILLUSTRATOR LAURA ELLEN ANDERSON

Welcome to the world of Nocturnia, where darkness reigns supreme, glitter is terrifying, and unicorns are the stuff of nightmares! Amelia Fang would much rather hang out with her pet pumpkin Squashy and her friends Florence the yeti (DON’T CALL HER BEAST!) and Grimaldi the reaper than dance at her parents’ annual Barbaric Ball. And when the King’s spoiled son Tangine captures Squashy, Amelia and her friends must escape the party to plan a daring rescue! In their race against time, they begin to realise things in Nocturnia may not be quite what they seem … Join Amelia on her very first adventure. She won’t bite!

This gloriously ghostly new series from the creator of EVIL EMPEROR PENGUIN is perfect for 7-9 year olds and fans of THE WORST WITCH and WITCH WARS. Amelia Fang is a modern Wednesday Addams – but much more loveable!

Genie and Teeny by Steven Lenton, reviewed by Niamh

Hello! My name is Niamh and I’m aged 8. I’m an avid reader and some of my favourite authors and illustrators are Laura Ellen Anderson, Steven Butler, Steven Lenton, Sophy Henn and Sophie Anderson. I want to be an author and illustrator when I’m older and I love to write and draw in my spare time. I like to recommend books to my friends at school and believe you can never have too many books, even though I’m running out of space on my bookshelves! 

About the book

Meet Grant the genie, and his best friend – the puppy Teeny… The first in a series of magical adventures from the renowned illustrator, Steven Lenton, winner of Waterstones Picture Book of the Month and the Times Children’s Book of the Week. When Grant the Genie is cast out of Genie World, he lands on Earth with a big, fat bump! Without a lamp to call home, he has to settle for an old cracked teapot instead.

Grant is very lonely until he meets the puppy, Teeny. Then Genie and Teeny are kidnapped by the evil purple-loving Lavinia Lavender, and find themselves on-course for a rollercoaster of an adventure – when all they really want is a place to call home…

Pizazz Vs The New Kid by Sophy Henn, reviewed by Niamh

Hello! My name is Niamh and I’m aged 8. I’m an avid reader and some of my favourite authors and illustrators are Laura Ellen Anderson, Steven Butler, Steven Lenton, Sophy Henn and Sophie Anderson. I want to be an author and illustrator when I’m older and I love to write and draw in my spare time. I like to recommend books to my friends at school and believe you can never have too many books, even though I’m running out of space on my bookshelves! 

About the book

The super (like, actually, with powers and stuff) series from the amazingly talented Sophy Henn, award-winning author and illustrator of Bad Nana! The perfect read for children aged 7, 8, 9 and upwards, and for fans of Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.

“A SPECTACULAR superhero story that fizzes with fun on every page!” – Liz Pichon, bestselling author of the TOM GATES series.

BEING A SUPERHERO IS THE BEST THING EVER, RIGHT? WRONG! HELLO! My name is PIZAZZ and I’m a superhero … You probably think that’s really AWESOME, and while it can be, it’s also REEEEEEEAAALLLLY annoying.

I guess it was sort of going OK (I say, “sort of” – I still have to wear a silly cape and save the world all the time) until this NEW KID showed up, and started WOWING everyone with their super powers. Yep, SUPER POWERS – just what this town needs, another super . . . Who just happens to have the coolest name ever: Jett. And now, because of Serena and her gang of Populars, I have to compete against Jett in an almighty and ultimate SUPER-OFF.

But it’s fine. I mean, even if I lose, there’s space for two SUPERS in this school, isn’t there?!

Hilariously narrated by reluctant superhero Pizazz, and brimming with Sophy’s distinctive illustrations and comic-book strips.