I’m sooper excited to welcome author Lora Senf to the Stoomio blog! In the enchanting world of middle-grade horror, Lora Senf emerges as a captivating storyteller who weaves her tales from the most unexpected sources. Drawing inspiration from the vivid dreams of children, the picturesque landscapes of Montana’s road trips, and the eerie atmosphere of an abandoned abattoir, Senf’s writing resonates with a unique blend of curiosity and darkness. From her earliest days as a reader, Senf was drawn to the macabre, fostering her literary passions with the likes of classic fairy tales, the mesmerizin ..read more

At long last I’m so glad to once again dive into the brain of Alan McClure with my review of ‘Callum and the Other’. A fantastic (and criminally underrated) sequel to Callum and the Mountain. Just like in Callum and the Mountain you will be taken on an exhilarating journey filled with nature, supernatural wonders, and intense adventure. In three words: Nature, Supernatural, Intense. (Also, there’s a fantastic bit which mentions character Craigs’ Dad who takes credit for a profile sound on new social media app ‘pingme’. The sound plays a 3 second customisable sound every-time you post somethin ..read more

I was so thrilled that THEE Justyn Edwards is here. You may have already guessed… he writes books. And blooming good ones too. His 2022 debut The Great Fox Illusion was Blackwell’s Children’s Book of the Month, listed by Waterstones as one of their Best Children’s Books of the Month, a Toppsta Best Book of the Month, and listed for the Adrien Prize, the Phoenix Book Award, the Children’s Literature Festivals Book Awards, the Kernow Youth Book Award, and the Dudley Children’s Book Award. Not bad Justyn, not bad at all. First off, tell us a little about yourself… My name is Justyn Edwards, and ..read more

Introducing the one and only Gianna Pollero! I am SUPER excited to have thee Gianna Pollero here on Stoomio. She is equal parts bonkers and lovely (more bonkers, but shhh don’t tell her I said that) and has a great mind for writing hilarious books with incredibly lovable characters. So here we go… First off, tell us a little about yourself… My name is Gianna Pollero, I’m in my VERY early 40’s and I live in Kent. My roots are both English and Italian (hence the name!) and most of my family live in a very beautiful region of northern Italy, called Liguria.  I have two children (Oscar and So ..read more

Review by Martha Tweddell Book Review for ‘The Land of Roar’ The Land of Roar was an amazing fantasy book, I could barely put it down!  It was about a brother and sister who had made up a fantasy land full of dragons, wizards and mermaids called Roar. Over time, the twins had forgotten about it, but one summer before secondary school they cleared out their Grandpa’s attic. Arthur finds the map of Roar but Rose doesn’t believe him. Eventually, their Grandpa gets pulled into Roar and the twins have to save him from Crowky.  My favourite character is Wininja (Win) who is an imaginary c ..read more

I’m thrilled to embark on this exciting journey through the pages of Robin Scott-Elliot‘s captivating tale, “Finding Treasure Island” and published by the wonderful Cranachan. (and if I may – the quality of the publishing is top notch. The paper is *chefs kiss* I’m a paper nerd and will not apologise) Set in the picturesque town of Braemar, this enchanting story delves into the adventures of Samuel Osbourne, the stepson of the famed Robert Louis Stevenson, affectionately known as “Luly.” FInding Treasure Island Blurb: “You’ve sketched a map.” “It’s our island—no one else but us, boys only. An ..read more

Great Minds by Joan Haig, Joan Lennon & André Ducci. Covering ideas from the last 2500 years, explore the time periods that shaped each thinker’s ideas, unpack the theories in accessible, easy to digest text and discover the impact they had for the years to come. Presented in graphic novel style, this is a book to inspire a new generation of thinkers and philosophers. Buy Your Copy Are you ready to embark on an intellectual adventure with your young readers? ‘Great Minds: 2500 Years of Thinkers and Philosophy’ is the captivating journey you’ve been searching for. This book is a delight ..read more

Let us bow our heads… for the Sticky Pines series approaches its end. but fear not! Dashe Roberts is here once again to tell us all about it, as well as some hidden treats you may not be aware of. Lets get into it… – You’ve travelled from California to London in your own life journey. How has this shift in environment influenced the creation of the world within your Sticky Pines series, from ‘The Bigwoof Conspiracy’ to ‘The Wrath of the Blob’? As an expat living in the UK, writing the Sticky Pines series while living abroad has been a lovely way to stay in touch with my westerly American roo ..read more

Finding cheap childrens books isn’t hard if you know where to look. A Guide for Parents and Teachers Instilling a habit of reading for pleasure shouldn’t break the bank and it’s easier than you might think to find cheap childrens books. After all, keeping young minds engaged requires a diverse and continually updated selection of stories. But fear not readers! With a little savvy and a few insider tips, it is entirely possible to find a treasure trove of free and cheap childrens books. I put this guide together to help you navigate the world of budget-friendly children’s books. Whether you’r ..read more