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Mel Taylor-Bessent Books

This is an adrenaline-filled rollercoaster ride of a story!

The story begins with a bang and the race is on to find sixteen ‘lightstreams’ hidden across the globe. When the lightstreams have been discovered,  the finders transported to Imagination Island. There, we encounter larger-than-life characters with traits, strengths and weaknesses, who work with, and sometimes against, each other to save the island for generations to come.

The storyline is fast and furious with a hectic romp through puzzles and adventures. The family characters are well construed and Mel Taylor-Bessant paints a clear picture of shy Luca and each of his siblings. The appeal will sit well with years 3 and 4 while the language and some of the content are informal and strong in places, and the pace rarely lets up, perhaps leaning towards older readers too.

The Christmariffic Carrolls hit NEW YORK! Funny festive middle grade from the founder of Authorfy, perfect for 8+ fans of Matt Haig, Ben Miller, Sibeal Pounder’s Tinsel, and the Nativity! films

The Christmas-crazy Carrolls are back – and this time, they’re in NEW YORK!

Holly and her family are about to lead the famous Christmas parade in New York City! But there’s a hitch. They have been invited to join the EXCLUSIVE Christmas Club, whose members are among the MOST CHRISTMASSY FAMILIES IN THE WORLD. They simply have to follow the mysterious White Reindeer to find the Christmas Club’s secret headquarters in Manhattan. But when the White Reindeer shows up in the MIDDLE of the Christmas parade, the Carrolls are faced with a dilemma . . . Should they stay, or should they go?

With loveable New York characters, a mystery surrounding Holly’s mum Snow’s real name, and a new little furry friend, this book is a CHRISTMAS CRACKER!

Mel Taylor-Bessent offers her own masterclass in writing for children in the form of her debut chapter book, The Christmas Carrolls. Sprinkled with seasonal goodwill and a good dose of ho-ho-ho, this is a perfectly heart-warming and humorous read for the festive season.

Holly Carroll and her family are crazy about Christmas, but with a little help from a special new friend, Holly discovers that the festive season is not always as cheer-filled for everyone as she once thought. When the world begins to lose its sparkle, Holly finds a way to channel her inner Christmas spirit to embrace her community and make a real difference to those in need.

We thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good read with its loveable cast of characters, festive puns aplenty and themes of kindness, inclusion and sparing a thought for others in the community.

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