Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair 2022 – #ChildrensBooks, #Fantasy Jemima Pett, #YA #Travel Darlene Foster, #Bathtime Sue Wickstead

Welcome to the Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair with a selection of books from personally recommended authors on my bookshelf I believe will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and for you.

The first author is Jemima Pett with a book from her children’s series and wonderful for children who have small furry pets such as guinea pigs.  The Dylan, Deirdre & Dougall collection (The Princelings of the East) – The Messenger Misadventures:

About the book

In north-west Mull, three guinea pig friends live in a remote castle. Tale no.1: Dylan’s life is in danger when he discovers something brewing in the hillside. Tale 2: Deirdre uses her initiative to find Dylan when he is washed into the sea. Tale 3: Dougall gets into trouble when he makes friends with a reindeer. Tale 4: Dylan is tempted by some mysterious lights. Fantasy adventures for age 8+

A review for the book

Chris Graham5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful easy to read short stories. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 May 2021

Having read the Princelings of the East Series, it was a delight to read about the earlier adventures of Dylan, Dougall and Deirdre on their Scottish Island.
I wish there were more such tales to be had.  

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK –  And: Amazon US

A small selection of other books by Jemima Pett

Find out more about Jemima Pett and buy the books:  Amazon US– And:Amazon UK Blog:Jemima Pett – Goodreads:Jemima Pett – Twitter:@jemima_pett

The next book is the latest travel adventure from Darlene Foster – Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 9) – a great gift for younger members of the family.

About the book

Amanda explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet, while being drawn into the mystery surrounding the destructive fire of Notre Dame cathedral.

Amanda is in love! With Paris – the city of love. She’s in awe of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. While there, she gets to work as a volunteer and stay in a famous book store, along with her bestie, Leah, and Leah’s eccentric Aunt Jenny. A dream come true for a book lover like Amanda.

Except, while she’s at the Paris Opera House there is a bomb threat. Then the lights go out during their visit to the Louvre. Worst of all, a devastating fire blazes in Notre Dame. Why does a mysterious man, who claims to be a busker, writer and artist, show up every time something bad happens?

Join Amanda as she explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet, all the time looking for clues as to who would want to destroy such a beautiful, historic cathedral.

Join Amanda as she explores the exciting streets and sites around Paris, all the while looking for clues as to who would want to destroy such a beautiful, historic place.

Be sure to read all the books in this exciting Amanda Travels series!
1. Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask
2. Amanda in Spain: The Girl in the Painting
3. Amanda in England: The Missing Novel
4. Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone
5. Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music
6. Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind
7. Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action
8. Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady
8. Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral  

One of the reviews for Amanda in France

tpolen5.0 out of 5 stars Armchair Travel!

I’ve armchair traveled with Amanda a few times now, and I was thrilled to experience France with her this time around.

Even though these books are geared toward the younger crowd, I learn something about the different countries every time. Here are just a few examples from France: the purpose of gargoyles, there’s a lake beneath the Palais Garnier (just like Phantom of the Opera!), and the Louvre was originally a royal palace. Evidently I never paid much attention in history class.

Amanda has a talent for attracting trouble, and she’s not in Paris for long before strange occurrences begin. Why do they keep running into the same man everywhere they go? Who went through Aunt Jenny’s belongings in their room at Shakespeare and Company? Can their new friend Pierre be trusted? Amanda and her friend Leah (who’s beginning to show signs of teen moodiness) find themselves in the middle of a mystery all while touring the wonderful sites (and food!) Paris has to offer.

This is a fast-paced story easily finished in under two hours. I highly recommend this series as a way to introduce kids to different countries and cultures. Solving mysteries with Amanda is just a bonus. 

Head over to buy the book on pre-order for September 13th: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also in the series by Darlene Foster

Find out more about Darlene Foster and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website/Blog: Darlene Foster WordPress – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @supermegawoman

And another wonderful children’s book from Sue Wickstead, David’s Bathtime Adventure available in Ebook and in print and a  perfect gift for the younger family members.

About the book

David loves his bath time!

As Mum fills the bath with water, David gets himself ready for a swimming adventure.

With toys and his fishing gear, he certainly enjoys splashing around in the water.

(And making a mess for Mum!)

Where will his imagination take him?

Learning through Play

(Water)

Children love splashing and pouring, spraying and making waves.

It enhances their creativity and imagination and provides opportunities for some wonderful investigation and scientific learning.

Finding out what sinks, what floats, testing and idea.

Developing awareness of the physical world.

One of the  reviews for the book

Rob M.5.0 out of 5 stars we loved this

We love David and his vivid imagination; how much fun he had whilst enjoying his bath. Diving down through the bubbles to begin an adventure with his amazing frog shower cap that I am very jealous of, the illustration style of Sue Wicksteads book is a style that reminds me of my childhood added to fun stories that remind me of my own children and their bath time adventures that like David’s mum always end up with a sopping wet floor and more towels needed than children we have. How many toys can you find after the bath has finished when as a mum you finally get in and discover a dumper truck or dinosaur (my sons personal favourites) that has somehow managed to find its way in to my own bath. 

Head over to buy the ebook: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

A small selection of other books by Sue Wickstead

Discover more about Sue Wickstead and buy the books: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – More reviews: Goodreads – Website/Blog: Sue Wickstead – Facebook: Stories Sue – Facebook: Teacher Page – Twitter: @JayJayBus – LinkedIn: Sue Wickstead

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books… Sally