Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam The Diamond Chase

Title: Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam The Diamond Chase
Author: Tracey Corderoy
Illustrator: Steve Lenton
Publisher:  Nosy Crow
Published: 2016
Format: Hardback/Paperback
Source: My own copy

This is the third book in the “Shifty McGifty And Slippery Sam” series by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton, following the adventures of our two protagonists after they have given up their life of crime and gone into the cake-making business. In this instalment, they must take up the roles of not only bakers, but also detectives.

The bakers have been asked to provide the treats for Lady Kate's birthday party, which her energetic nephew Barnaby is also attending. They are successful in preparing the treats for the party guests despite Barnaby getting in the way at times and everything seems to be going well…until Lady Kate appears and reveals that someone has stolen her diamond tiara! Shifty and Sam instantly volunteer to help, but the thief will prove to be a hard one to catch. Like the other two books beforehand, this story is told in rhyme which will appeal and entertain a wide audience, especially one consisting of young children. It also has the same level of excitement as the other stories, which definitely got me reading further and wanting to find out whether the tiara is retrieved in the end. Additionally, the illustrations provided by Lenton continue to be expressive and delightful, capturing the mood of the characters perfectly.

This is another fantastic instalment in the series with brand new characters that children will love as well as familiar ones such as the lovable Scottie dog. This will definitely appeal to fans of the first two books as well as new readers, especially ones that love a good detective story and adventure.

My Brother is a Superhero

Title: My Brother is a Superhero
Author: David Solomons
Illustrator: Laura Ellen Anderson
Publisher:  Nosy Crow
Published: 2015
Format: Paperback
Source: My own copy


Luke is a massive comic fan and, as a result, is an expert on superheroes and the powers they use to defeat evil villains. So it's not surprising that when Zorbon the Decider needs to create a superhero to save the universe he arrives in Luke's garden. Unfortunately Luke needs a wee and so his brother Zack, who has never read a comic in his life, receives the super powers instead. Zack is going to need all the help he can get to defeat Nemesis.

Luke has to take on the role of the superhero's sidekick and try to overcome his envy to help Zack save the world. He is helped in the process by his best friend Serge,who is a massive fan of Star Lad, as Zack is known, and Lara, a reporter on the school newspaper, who is desperate to unmask Star Lad. Trying to keep Zack's identity from these two whilst requiring their help adds to Luke's problems.

This book made me burst out laughing on a train full of people, it is that funny. I could not stop reading it and had to stay up late to find out if Zack (and Luke) managed to save not one, but two universes. The story flows really well and I found myself reading “just one more chapter” until I reached the end. It manages to strike the right balance between humour and thrills so that the reader is gripped to the end. I really enjoyed it and cannot wait until the sequel, My Teacher is an Alien Overlord, comes out next summer.