Apple Juice Radio

A round-up of the best new books out this month.

The Quick Review 

Don’t Want to Go!  From the author of Dogger and the Alfie books comes a new instant classic. With her nostalgic illustrations and heart-warming text Shirley Hughes once again captures the small worries of childhood, and then gently soothes both parent and child alike. Age 2+.

Caterpillar Dreams  A poetic ballad about the aspirations of two caterpillars. But life doesn’t always go the way we want. Some of us end up as butterflies, some as moths. Wonderful. Age 3+.

The Church Mice Adrift  Droll 1970’s picture book now being republished about mice who live in a vestry and their long-suffering cat Samson. A veiled look at English village life that will probably amuse parents as much as children. Ages 4-7.

Candle Man: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance  One night burglars break into Theo’s mansion, and he discovers he has the power to melt bad guys with his bare hands! A cracking adventure in the best comic book tradition, with dashing heroes and dastardly villains – a terrific read for children aged 9+.

Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide  Teenage fiction in which 15 year old Jake has to fight witches to keep the demons in hell. His mum is decapitated early on, which will probably appeal to lots of teenagers.

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The Princess and the Frog and new mythology series Greek Beasts and Heroes.

The Quick Review:

In The Princess and the Frog we meet Tiana, Disney’s newest princess / merchandising opportunity. A fabulous character – hard working, ambitious, black and beautiful, but she’s let down by an over-long script, clichéd supporting cast and a lazy Eurotrash prince. Some children will find the Shadowman very scary. Age 3+.

Greek Beasts and Heroes: As the world waits to see if the new demigod hero Percy Jackson can match Harry Potter in the orphaned-magical-boy-with-brainy-girl-friend-and-hapless-best-mate-who-go-on-predictable-adventures stakes, we applaud a new series of books for children age 5-8 that introduce Greek mythology to children. If your kids are interested in Percy Jackson, start them with these books first.

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Michael Foreman’s reissued picturebook classic The General and new animated African TV show Tinga Tinga Tales.

The quick review:

Tinga Tinga Tales is a new TV series on Cbeebies, combining genuine Tanzanian art with traditional African folk tales. Beautiful and inspired.

First published at the height of the Cold War, The General is a 50^th anniversary edition of a Michael Foreman classic. General Jodhpur falls off his horse and discovers a beautiful meadow. Flower power triumphs and he decides to give peace a chance. Lush illustrations with 1960’s idealism. Age 4+.

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We review Flood and Fang by Marcus Sedgwick, and put up with another Tinker Bell DVD.
Advisory(!) – contains immature banter about mature themes.

The quick review:

Flood and Fang: The first in the series of Marcus Sedgwick’s Raven Mysteries. Edgar the raven must protect the inhabitants of Castle Otherhand from danger (and their own foolishness), and a mystery that is both dark and frivolous ensues. Goth froth! With illustrations on almost every page, it’s great for readers transitioning into longer chapter books. Age 8+.

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure: Lazy and dull sequel to Disney’s clever reimagining of Tinker Bell. Straight to DVD, straight to eBay…

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We re-live the traumas of Christmas TV, and enjoy new picture book Little Ogre’s Surprise Supper.

The quick review:

Christmas TV: Which movie screened over the holidays terrified our children the most? We talk about Bridge to Terabithia, and consider the merits of rival Willy Wonkas.

Little Ogre’s Surprise Supper: Little Ogre wants to make a special supper for his Mum’s birthday. Kings are too rich and princesses too sweet, so what can he cook? A boy called Jack! A vibrant picture book with a surprise ending that will delight children aged 3-6.

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Merry Christmas from everyone at Apple Juice Radio!

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We frown on Where the Wild Things Are and smile at Tell Me a Dragon.

The Quick Review

Where the Wild Things Are? Who cares! If our kids were as whiney as these wild things, they’d be on the naughty stair with no prospect of a hot supper EVER. Self-indulgent and pointless.

Instead we recommend Tell Me a Dragon (age 2+), a magical picture book that celebrates all different kinds of dragons – sea, sky, fire, ice, snaggle-toothed or pocket-sized – it will make even the grown-ups wish they could have one for real.

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We visit the Planet Science website, try a Horrible Science experiment, and review some of the best new science books for children.

The Quick Review

The Science Museum’s Everything You Need to Know about Science (age 5+) has lots of facts, big colourful pictures, and easy experiments to try at home… it’s a perfect introduction to everything from rocks to rocket science.

For age 8+ we recommend Really Really Big Questions to get kids thinking about life, the universe and everything. Is time travel possible? Are there such things as flying saucers? Is it wrong to design a baby? Get the kids reading now, and maybe they’ll come up with answers by the time they turn 40.

planet-science.com is another fun way to introduce young children to science, with stacks of online games and plenty of imaginative ideas for parents and teachers.

And the massive worldwide success that is the Horrible Science series of books and experiment kits did manage to give us a big bang of our own. Listen to the show to hear for yourself.

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We review Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox and choose our own winner from the Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlist. 

The Quick Review

Wes Anderson brings his familiar mix of artsiness and angst to his original take on Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox. Terrific, but not really recommended for young children. Go, enjoy, and if you must take the kids, be prepared to sign up for family therapy.

The Roald Dahl Funny Prize (books for age 6 and under) was won this year by Mr Pusskins Best in Show by Sam Lloyd. The further adventures of the irascible Mr Pusskins feels rather like Martin Scorsese winning Best Director for The Departed. It’s about time… but really?

Instead Apple Juice Radio gives its own (trophy-free) Funny Prize to one of the other shortlisted books: The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bently & Mei Matsuoka. A truly hilarious explanation for why dogs sniff each other’s bums when they meet, this imaginative story has more than enough bottom humour to have the whole family snickering. Listen to the show to hear our verdict on the entire RDFP shortlist.

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The Hallowe’en Books Special.

The Quick Review

Francesca Simon’s delightful anti-hero is back in a new collection of stories, Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead. Children everywhere love Henry for his roguish behaviour: think Victor Newman from Y&R or Eastenders’ Grant Mitchell and you’ll immediately get the appeal. Ages 5-9.

The Italian artist Eva Montenari’s Witches and Fairies is a whimsical story of gentle rivalry between two kinds of magical beings, with stunning illustrations apparently reminiscent of Bruegel. Listen to the episode to hear Andy being more pretentious than humanly possible. Ages 2-5.

One of the best ever Hallowe’en stories, The Witch’s Hand by Peter Sutton will be a sure hit with imaginative children and mischievous fathers. Ages 3-7.

This episode of Apple Juice Radio also features an interview with one of the Beastly Boys, a trio of writers who have created a series of books called An Awfully Beastly Business. Ulf is an orphaned werewolf who lives and works at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts. With help from Tiana the fairy, a friendly giant, a mysterious ghost and a loyal vet, Ulf must stop an evil mastermind who wants to torture and kill beasts. Ages 8-12.

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