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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We discuss Return to the Hundred Acre Wood and Wishing for Tomorrow, and enjoy wonderful new animated movie Up.

The Quick Review

David Benedictus does a good pastiche of AA Milne in The Return to the Hundred Acre Wood. Christopher Robin is back from school, and a summer of gentle adventures begins. Fans of the originals should enjoy this new take on the characters, complete with charming illustrations. Age 6+.

Hilary McKay’s Wishing for Tomorrow picks up where Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess ends. All little girls (and their mothers) left wanting more at the end of the classic tale will be delighted by this subtly modern sequel. Age 8+.

Up. Pixar’s latest masterpiece. Uplifting, uproarious, uppermost film of the year… Go see, and add your own superlatives. Age 3 to 93.

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We review the picture book version of Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom and Bedtime Stories on DVD.

The Quick Review

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom has been abridged and released as a picture book. With moving illustrations by Paddy Bouma, the history of apartheid and story of Mandela’s life is made accessible to children. But with events like the Sharpeville Massacre also depicted, this is not a book for children under 10.

Bedtime Stories – Adam Sandler stars as a hotel handyman who tells his niece and nephew stories that start coming true. A bewilderingly long set up and not nearly enough screentime for the actual bedtime stories, combined with some adult themes and typical Sandler antics places this film firmly in 7+ camp. Unless you want to endure a crescendo of questions about what on earth is going on!

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