BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Author: Eoin Colfer
Illustrator: Katy Halford
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Publication Date: June 2018
Most Suitable For: Years 1-3
This new story from Eoin Colfer and Katy Halford is part of Barrington Stoke’s ‘super-readable’ Little Gems series, which are short, illustrated chapter books specifically designed for readers just taking off with independent reading. This one is bags of fun and tells the tale of young Mariella, whose imaginative story champions girls engaging and leading in STEM.
Mariella has a passion for inventing and a head brimming full of creative ideas. Some of her inventions solve everyday problems at home while others are bold and wildly imaginative. The only remaining problem is that there are not enough hours in the day and Mariella wishes that she did not have to go to sleep. With a little advice from her science teacher Mrs Planck, Mariella makes it her next project to apply her best STEM skills and invent a way of not having to go to sleep. However, little does Mariella expect to discover that sleep might just be the key to keeping her brilliant brain on top form.
This is an easy read with an enjoyable story line. Katy Halford’s illustrations are vivid and colourful, perfectly bringing the likeable main character to life. I loved the way that the illustrations are filled with little details that add an extra dimension to the characterisation, such as the periodic table design on Mariella’s bedspread or the cupcake-enlarging machine in the back corner of Mariella’s lab. I also really enjoyed the additional spread inside the front cover featuring real-life women who famously came up with brilliant ideas.
This is a super first chapter book that would be great for readers aged 5-8.
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Order Mariella, Queen of the Skies or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for kindly sending me a review copy of this book.
