Coolest of them all

Audiobook:

MacPhail, Catherine: Granny Nothing
BBC Audiobooks, 2004

On one very dark and stormy night there’s such a loud banging on the door at the McAllister’s house that it almost wakes the dead. Nanny Sue frightens Stephanie, Ewen and Baby Thomas by saying the Bogeyman has come to get them. Actually it is something worse. It is Granny Nothing, a relative that the children knew nothing about. There she is: looking like a rhinoceros in a frock and she has come to make up for the lost time. From that point on Granny Nothing starts to use her own methods and nothing is ever going to be the same again.

Comic book:

Rimmer, Ian: The Bootiful Game
Titan, 2005

Wallace takes over the running of the local football club Brimsdale AFC. He has to use all his inventive skills to help his team to win. Wallace sends his wittier half Gromit to fix the stadium while he demonstrates his latest inventions to trainers. Will the Soccamatic, the Dribbletrack De Luxe and Multi-mitt Keepertron turn the team of no-hopers to winners? A downright sabotage is about to take the team into ruin and relegation but Wallace and Gromit will do everything in their power to prevent it.

Non-fiction book:

Brezina, Thomas: Museum of Adventures -  Who Can Crack the Leonardo da Vinci Code?
Prestel, 2005

A mystery couple steals secret documents from the Museum of Adventures. You have to solve seven riddles to crack the Leonardo Code with the help of Pablo the dog before it’s too late. From the Magic Gallery you can travel back in time and meet all the famous artists in person, Leonardo himself, too. Leonardo has the solutions to the puzzles. On your journey you’ll need the book of riddles and a foil mirror, which you’ll find in the back of the cover of the book. This is really astonishing yet educational book which reveals interesting facts of Leonardo da Vinci’s life, art and inventions.

Novel:

Smith, E. F.: When Mum Threw Out the Telly
Orchard Books, 2003

Jeff thinks television is more interesting than life. One could even say he’s a telly-addict. His Mum complains about tv, but it makes no difference to Jeff. One evening Mum unplugs the television and hides it in her cupboard. The following day Jeff asks Mum if he could watch the telly, because he really wants to see the programme every one is talking about: Cybernauts. Mum says she has lent the tv to an elderly lady for a few months. Jeff is shattered but he is determined to find a way to see Cybernauts.

Picture book:

Axworthy, Anni: The Dragon Who Couldn’t Do Dragony Things
Zero to Ten, 2005

Little Dragon wants to be like the dragons in old storybooks. He wants to battle with knights, fly from country to country and breath fire. Little Dragon is so small he doesn’t even frighten anyone. He decides to learn how to do all these dragony things but unfortunately he doesn’t succeed. Little Dragon is very sad and he starts to cry on his way home. The next morning an unexpected visitor knocks on his door…

Poetry book:

Hubble Bubble - A Potent Brew of Magical Poems
Hodder, 2003

This enchanting anthology has a poem for every occasion. All the poems are about ghosts, witches, legends and curses and they will make you laugh out loud, scare you witless or totally bewitch you. Some of the poems in this collection are old and recognised classics and some are really new and inspiring. Melanie Williamson’s hilarious illustrations complement the text. Prepare to be charmed!

Storybook:

Gliori, Debi: Debi Gliori’s Bedtime Stories
Dorling Kindersley, 2004

There are nine bedtime stories in this book just waiting for to be told. The stories are all quite familiar tales, but this time there is an amusing twist to every story. Some of these stories are written in verse. Debi Gliori has colourfully illustrated the book herself. Bookster wonders how easy it is to fall asleep after listening to these funny stories!