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The Hairy Hand
The Hairy Hand
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A gothic adventure for 8 -12 year olds, full of jokes, magical familiars and a gruesome cast of characters. When Septimus inherits a magical, treasure-finding Hairy Hand from his uncle, life suddenly becomes a lot more exciting - and dangerous!
Septimus feels out-of-place in his village where everyone else his age is called Darg or Smerg or Blaarg. Good, honest names that sound like you are have just swallowed something pointy or are sneezing into custard. Even his parents make him feel like a complete stranger. Especially his parents. Then he inherits something strange and frightening from his uncle. A Hairy Hand. It has the magical ability to find buried treasure which suits his parents (thieves by trade) down to the ground. However, instead of making his life better, it suddenly gets a lot more dangerous.
So, it is up to Sept to find out what else the Hand knows and put things right.

I enjoyed this humorous and moderately gruesome read which, I think, will appeal to its target audience.
There’s an amazing cast of ghastly characters, including Sept’s parents, Plog the Sneaker and Gertrude!
A fun and adventurous fantasy story of good versus bad, determination and resisting temptation.
The Characters and story line are varied and kept me guessing, laughing my way through the book at the antics and mishaps throughout, with a few cleverly woven in messages for those reading it.
If you are looking to introduce your children to Fantasy Adventure or yourselves or just as gift for someone then this truly would make someone very happy!
I highly recommend this fun book!!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Monster Books and Robin Bennett for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
  
    Monsu 2

    Monsu 2

    Games and Stickers

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    App

    The fantasy exploration for the mysterious treasures is opening The sequel of Monsu, App Store Best...

The Illustrated Child
The Illustrated Child
Polly Crosby | 2020 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Romilly and her father Tobias move in to a run-down house in the countryside when she is 9 years old. Her father is an eccentric artist, and she doesn’t know anything about her mother. Later, Monty the cat joins Romilly and her friend Stacey on adventures in the local countryside, in what seems to be an idyllic childhood.

Tobias creates a series of beautifully illustrated books starring both Romilly and Monty, and their lives are changed. They find fame, as readers believe that the books are a kind of treasure hunt - which, incidentally, reminded me of the Kit Williams book, Masquerade, published in the late 1970’s. Strangers start to camp out in their garden, digging holes all over their land to find the treasure - meaning that Romilly is unable to leave the house.

Life changes again when Tobias’ behaviour becomes more and more erratic, Romilly’s mother comes back in to her life, and she meets her grandmother. Things seem to be continuously changing, and nothing is consistent - there’s no stability in Romilly’s life.

This book was not at all what I expected. It started out as something of an idyllic childhood, but as time went on, Romilly’s life is irrevocably changed. I felt so much sadness for her, and there were times when I was almost in tears (you might need a hanky!). This deals with some pretty serious themes: dementia, mental illness, death and child abuse. All the way through I was rooting for Romilly and hoping that she would get the help that she needed and deserved. This is such a beautifully written book, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my e-ARC.
  
    Dungeon Rushers

    Dungeon Rushers

    Games

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    App

    *About IAPs: All of the IAPs in Dungeon Rushers are character skins -- cosmetic and optional. ...

    Dr. Panda Swimming Pool

    Dr. Panda Swimming Pool

    Education and Games

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    App

    **Awarded with an Editor's Choice Award by Children's Technology Review!** Go for a swim and play...

Jamaica
Jamaica
2007 | Nautical, Pirates, Racing, Transportation
Easy to Learn (4 more)
Simultaneous Movement Selection based on cards in hand
It's a racing game where you fight when you land on the same space
The Art.
The theme is rich and evocative.
Luck based in the cards available to you (0 more)
Amazing Gateway Game, Easy to Learn, Beautiful, Fun Theme, light strategy.
Although this game can have frustrating moments, it's a really fun light game for kids. the light choices of going around the outside for more treasure, or the inside for more speed, and the idea of rolling the dice first and then choosing how to use them based entirely on the cards you have in hand, provides a touch of strategy, but not enough for A.P.

For heavier gamers who like complexity, this is way too light. But the art is gorgeous and fun.