I was obsessed with the animated Beauty and the Beast film as a kid. I loved Mrs Potts and Chip. I sang along with all of the songs. I fantasised about living in the library.
I couldn’t get into the live-action adaptation. That’s the version this manga-style graphic novel is based on. There were some scenes I wasn’t familiar with because of this but that didn’t impact how I felt about the story.
I enjoyed being privy to Belle’s thoughts throughout the story. However, while I was really keen to read this manga adaptation (and its companion, The Beast’s Tale), I didn’t fall in love with it like I’d planned.
It wasn’t always immediately clear which text was supposed to be read first. Some of the book was clearly intended to be read manga style, from right to left, but other panels made more sense when I read them from left to right.
While some panels were defined and clear, others were blurry. I read an advanced copy, though, so this may not be representative of the final version.
Sometimes the main characters’ faces were quite detailed and other times they weren’t. Mrs Potts definitely resembled the live-action version more than her animated self (which I loved), but she came across a bit creepy at times.
I will still be reading The Beast’s Tale, but my expectations aren’t as high anymore.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and TOKYOPOP for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
In Disney’s live-action film Beauty and the Beast, Belle, a bright, beautiful, and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realise the kind heart and soul of the true Prince inside. Soft, warm, bright colours show Belle’s optimistic view of the world in this full-colour manga-style graphic novel, which explores Belle’s innermost thoughts as she learns that true beauty comes from within.
On her first day, Hannah’s boss shot himself in the foot. It’s now been three months since Hannah joined The Stranger Times as assistant editor and she’s just returned from two week’s leave (divorce holidays aren’t especially fun), only to have a close encounter with the office toilet. It escaped the building via an upper window. Never a dull moment.
‘Rumour has it the sun’s come out and people are losing their minds.’
Her boss, Vincent Bancroft, editor at large, remains “‘challenging’, in the way a cat sanctuary might use the word to describe a moggy that attempted to rip your face off while you slept.”
Banecroft, Stella, the paper’s purple haired intern, and Manny, their printer, are all currently living at the office. And let’s not forget the spirit that cohabits with Manny. Rounding out the team are Grace, the office manager, Ox, the ufologist, and Reggie, the paper’s paranormal consultant.
So, having been introduced to all of the “woo-woo nonsense” that’s hidden in plain sight in Manchester in the first book, what delights does this sequel contain? Vampires.
‘They don’t exist.’
Sure, tell that to the people who never signed up to be blood donors.
In the course of their investigation, we meet Cogs
‘Would it kill you to lie?’ ‘Actually, dear lady, it would.’
and the dog that regularly puts him in his place. The dog quickly became my favourite character.
Because this is The Stranger Times, there’s more to the investigation than meets the eye. Which eye, I hear you ask? Touché. If you didn’t ask, I’d suggest you read the first book for the inside scoop.
I love this dysfunctional team and their investigations. The case of the non-sparkly vampires does have a resolution but that doesn’t mean the vampires are all going the way of their reflection in a mirror. I’m almost certain more blood will be spilled when we catch up with the strangeness in the next book. If not, though, there’s plenty of territory left to cover in this series, from questions about individual team members to the conspiracy theories I’m formulating about the Founders.
With more farts than your average book, a smelly gun and inexplicable Spam, you’ll be grateful this read isn’t presented in Smell-O-Pages. I was delighted to learn how to swear by number and I definitely need to hear more about the woman who was chased by the spectral dinosaur.
I’m already looking forward to the third book.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be at the Spoonful of Sugar with Stanley.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, Penguin Random House UK, for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Vampires do not exist. Everyone knows this. So it’s particularly annoying when they start popping up around Manchester…
Nobody is pleased about it. Not the Founders, the secret organisation for whom vampires were invented as an allegory, nor the Folk, the magical people hidden in plain sight who only want a quiet life. And definitely not the people of Manchester, because there is nothing more irksome than being murdered by an allegory run amok. Somebody needs to sort this out fast before all Hell really breaks loose – step forward the staff of The Stranger Times.
It’s not like they don’t have enough to be dealing with. Assistant Editor Hannah has come back from getting messily divorced to discover that someone is trying to kidnap a member of their staff and while editor Vincent Banecroft would be delighted to see the back of any of his team, he doesn’t like people touching his stuff – it’s the principle of the thing.
Throw in a precarious plumbing situation, gambling debts, an entirely new way of swearing, and a certain detective inspector with what could be kindly referred to as ‘a lot of baggage’ and it all adds up to another hectic week in the life of the newspaper committed to reporting the truth that nobody else will touch.
Are you really OK? I don’t think there’d be too many people who could answer that question with a resounding yes after living through what the 2020’s have given us so far. Now, more than ever, we need to do whatever we can to look after our mental health.
An international team of researchers published a report in October 2021 showing that globally there were estimated to be an extra 76 million cases of anxiety in 2020 than would have been expected if the pandemic hadn’t happened, and 53 million more cases of major depressive disorder.
In this book, Stacey talks about depression, eating disorders, postnatal depression, postnatal psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, gambling addiction and psychosis. She also speaks to people who have experienced domestic abuse, as well as those in the LGBTQ+ community who have been discriminated against or abused because of who they are. Finally, Stacey explores how racism and poverty impact on mental health.
While there are statistics (and some confronting ones at that) and information about potential advances in the future for treating specific mental illnesses, where this book shines is the human element. Stacey interviewed young people living with diagnosed mental illnesses and gave them the opportunity to tell their stories. While she never claims to be an expert herself, Stacey spoke with professionals who treat mental illnesses, some of whom have lived experience.
The insights you are able to get when people feel safe enough to speak candidly about their lives are always going to resonate more than facts and statistics that remove individual people from the narrative. Although I know people with many of the diagnoses covered in this book and have lived experience of others, I learned a lot. I was invested in the stories of the people who shared their story and expect to continue to wonder how they’re doing, particularly Kyle, whose experience with depression was just heart wrenching.
None of us get through life unscathed. Sean, a psychiatrist Stacey spoke to, is helping to destigmatise mental illness. No one is immune to mental health issues, Sean says.
‘But if enough wrong things happen that exceed someone’s ability to cope, no matter how privileged they are, they will get ill’
While that knowledge is somewhat terrifying, it’s also comforting because it removes blame from the person with the illness.
But is there hope? Absolutely.
‘For everyone, no matter how awful the situation you are in, no matter how bad the mental illness or the mental disorder is, it can improve.’
Because Stacey’s approach is so down to earth and she’s so relatable, her documentaries and both of her books have a warmth to them, almost as though you’re seeing friends catching up and talking about some of their most difficult experiences. I’ll definitely be rereading this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, BBC Books and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
We are not OK…
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many remarkable people over the last decade of making documentaries – sometimes in incredibly hostile environments, where they’ve been really up against it – and I’ve seen the devastating effect that poverty, trauma, violence, abuse, stigma, stress, prejudice and discrimination can have on people’s mental health. It has always been the common thread.
Every week, 1 in 10 young people in the UK experiences symptoms of a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, and 1 in 5 have considered taking their own life at some point. In this book, Stacey Dooley opens up the conversation about mental health in young people, to challenge the stigma and stereotypes around it.
Working in collaboration with mental health experts and charities, Stacey talks to young people across the UK directly affected by mental health issues, and helps tell their stories responsibly, in order to shine a light on life on the mental health frontline and give a voice to young people throughout the UK who are living with mental health conditions across the spectrum.
As well as hearing about their experiences directly, Stacey speaks to medical experts, counsellors, campaigners and health practitioners who can give detailed insights into the conditions profiled and explore the environmental factors that play a part – including poverty, addiction, identity, pressures of social media and the impact of Covid-19.
When it fell from the sky, everyone approached it differently. Some tried to figure out where it came from. Others investigated, attempting to taste, roll or hatch it.
Everyone agreed it was the most amazing thing they had ever seen.
Spider decides to capitalise on the Wonder. That is, until things don’t quite go to plan.
Spider, initially only focused on how he could personally benefit from the Wonder, eventually learns a valuable lesson about selfishness. Maybe Wonders are more wonderful if they’re shared.
The illustrations in this picture book are absolutely gorgeous. The animals are so realistic that I almost expected them to crawl, hop and fly off the page. I was tempted to blow on the dandelions.
While the pictures are incredibly lifelike, that doesn’t mean they’re without whimsy. There’s something so adorable and smile worthy about seeing critters you’d find in your garden casually wearing top hats and carrying briefcases.
I probably wouldn’t have appreciated this as much as a kid but adult me loved the minimal use of colour in the illustrations. Initially, the only splash of colour comes from the thing that fell from the sky. Gradually, more colour is introduced.
Beware the five-legged creature!
Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read this picture book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
A picture book about community, art, the importance of giving back – and the wonder that fell from the sky.
It fell from the sky on a Thursday.
None of the insects know where it came from, or what it is. Some say it’s an egg. Others, a gumdrop. But whatever it is, it fell near Spider’s house, so he’s convinced it belongs to him.
Spider builds a wondrous display so that insects from far and wide can come look at the marvel. Spider has their best interests at heart. So what if he has to charge a small fee? So what if the lines are long? So what if no one can even see the wonder anymore?
But what will Spider do after everyone stops showing up?
You know when you’re so excited about a book that you accidentally preorder it twice? I did the advanced copy equivalent of that with this book; I requested ARC’s from two publishers because I just knew I was going to love it. Then I got approvals from both publishers, so I got to enjoy both the electronic and physical copies of this book.
So, does that mean I loved it twice as much? You bet I did!
Frank the fox and Bert the bear are best friends who love playing hide-and-seek. Frank always finds Bert though because, well, Bert isn’t the best at hiding.
Bert’s hiding skills reminded me of those of another bear, Fergus from Mike Boldt’s Find Fergus.
Frank loves to win but he also loves his best friend. Frank’s competitive nature goes up against his desire to make his friend happy in the most adorable way.
Bert, to his credit, isn’t quite as oblivious as he first appears. The way the story resolves gave me the biggest smile (and there were many) of the book.
The illustrations are so much fun. My eyes were continually drawn to Bert’s hot pink scarf, an important part of the story that really pops in the physical copy of the book. Both animals are quite expressive, adding to the humour.
Bonus points for the accidental learning. One of the games of hide-and-seek requires readers to count to one hundred. I’d definitely be encouraging kids I was reading with to count along with me.
This story seems so simple at first but there’s such a great message about the value of friendship.
I can’t get enough of this book! I really hope Frank and Bert secure starring roles in future books.
If you finish this book and you’re looking for another picture book that weighs the value of friendship against winning, I’d recommend Katy Hudson’s The Golden Acorn.
Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin and Nosy Crow for the opportunity to fall in love with this picture book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
A hilarious new picture book from author of The Suitcase, Chris Naylor-Ballesteros – with neon ink throughout!
Frank and Bert are the best of friends and they LOVE to play hide and seek. But Bert the bear isn’t quite as good at hiding as he thinks he is … and Frank ALWAYS wins! Every. Single. Time. But when it’s Bert’s turn to hide, and Frank has to decide between winning again OR making his friend happy, Frank learns that friendship is always the true winner.
This interactive and entertaining story about friendship is guaranteed to get children giggling!
Bea starts her second diary at the beginning of November, on the first day of half-term. It’s only fifty days until Winter Solstice, which is the “longest and witchiest night of the year”. Before that, though, the students at the School of Extraordinary Arts will be participating in the Grand Tournament, which is “only the biggest, SPORTIEST day in the witchy calendar!”
Bea has learned a lot since we first met her. Our witch-in-training is getting better at flying and her levitation skills are improving.
Her incantations may also, well, she needs to find words that rhyme with ‘piggle’ before we discover how she’s faring with those.
There’s still an us and them mentality in Little Spellshire, with Witches and Ordinaries staying well away from one another. This makes it awkward for Bea because, coming from a family of Ordinaries but training to be a witch, Bea has a foot in each world. She’s also friends with Ash, the Ordinary next door, but can’t tell him she’s a witch, no matter how much she wants to.
‘Those of us who know, know and those of them who don’t, can’t.’
Something’s going on with Ash as well and Bea means to ask him what it is, really she does, but she’s just so busy. She needs to prepare for both the Grand Tournament and the Winter Solstice, and take care of Stan and Egg. And there’s homework to do too.
I enjoyed this book just as much I did the first in the series. With a focus on friendships and breaking down the barriers between people, this was a fun read that also included some sage advice.
“Friendships are a bit like eggs you know, Bea. They can be fragile. Best to look after them carefully.”
Katie Saunders’ illustrations bring Bea’s diary to life. I particularly loved the froggy pictures and the ones that showcase the fashionistas that are Bea’s School of Extraordinary Arts’ friends.
I’m looking forward to next term. There’s going to be a residential trip for Year Seven students and a new teacher to meet. I don’t know about you but a geography teacher who is a “world expert on caves, lairs and unexplained snares” sounds like someone I need to befriend, if only so I’m invited along for their adventures.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little Tiger Group, an imprint of Stripes Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Monday 1st November
There’s only fifty days until the Winter Solstice, the longest and witchiest night of the year. But before that there’s the Grand Tournament – the biggest and sportiest day in the witchy calendar! And I can’t wait!
Bea Black is all settled into her new life in Little Spellshire, a town with a magical secret. She’s made tonnes of friends at witch school, learned how to levitate frogs (just about) and been working hard on polishing up her broom skills. So when the Winter Solstice Grand Tournament rolls round, she’s ready to rise to the next challenge and fly high.
But then Ms Sparks decides that this year’s tournament will be a bit … er … different. That is, it won’t be an Extraordinary Grand Tournament at all, but rather a very ordinary sports day with Spellshire Academy! With magic firmly forbidden and rivalry reaching new heights, who will emerge victorious? And more importantly, will Bea’s friendship with her best non-witchy friend Ash survive the competition?
If you’ve ever been a dog’s human, you’ll relate to the many roles this girl’s best friend fulfils. Her best friend is, amongst other things, her alarm clock, taste tester and fan club.
My best friend growing up was many of these things but she was also my confidante, protector and a superhero. While my Halloween costumes changed throughout the years, I was always accompanied by Superdog. I guess it’s no surprise then that my favourite illustration in this book (also the cover image) involves a sidekick, complete with flowing cape.
Carolyn Conahan’s illustrations are adorable and made me nostalgic.
Keep an eye out for the girl’s younger sibling, who helps demonstrate the dog’s powers as a vacuum cleaner.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little Bigfoot, an imprint of Sasquatch Books, for the opportunity to read this picture book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
I Don’t Have a Dog is all about … having a dog! In this picture book, a young girl insists she doesn’t have a dog, but instead an alarm clock, a vacuum cleaner, a home security system, and even a homework excuse.
I loved The Stranger Times and was gearing up for the sequel, This Charming Man, when I suddenly remembered I never read these short stories. They’re the perfect reminder of what I loved about the first book and I’m even more keen to read the sequel now.
A Dog’s Life
It’s not uncommon for a dog to eat something it probably shouldn’t have. What poor Rubble ate definitely wasn’t on the menu and it’s up to Marcia to extract it, one way or another.
‘Dogs cannot do that. I paid attention in veterinary school – I really did. Believe me, if that was a thing, I’m sure I’d remember.’
Love and Death in the Time of Planned Engineering Works
Karen just wants to cross the bridge. Well, that’s not all she wants to do, but it’s one of the things.
‘This is my bridge and you can’t cross it without my say so.’
The Blitz Spirits
Written at the beginning of the pandemic, this short story shows that even ghosts find the news depressing. Tommy and the other ghosts at the station have different skillsets, all of which are useful in the right circumstances.
This was his life now, bobbing and weaving, doing all he could to avoid the living.
The Rain
Rain (obviously), chips and footnotes.
But there are some things that we do not talk about. Some things you let be because the other options are worse.
I enjoyed all of the stories but my favourite was, without a doubt, A Dog’s Life.
One of the best clothing descriptions in recent memory:
She was wearing an odd mix of black and pink. It was as if she’d been covered in glue, shoved in a cannon and fired through the wardrobes of a goth and a Disney princess.
A collection of wonderfully weird short stories from the world of The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell. This free e-book of this collection is only available to people who sign up for Caimh’s monthly newsletter.
A few days after saying goodbye to Rupert, Gwen and her pack are on their way to Tunny, where Rupert’s parents said they saw Gwen’s Mum. On their way, they stop in Harrington, where they meet the Wilsons.
Then they board a train, which has a bunch of soldiers and carriages full of animals in cages. Gwen and her pack need to do whatever they can to avoid the soldiers but they also can’t imagine leaving animals behind in captivity.
The train journey reminded me of Indiana Jones’ encounter with the snakes on his own train journey in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Neither Indy nor his father would have been thrilled about the contents of some of the cages. Also, arachnophobes, beware!
Gwen’s hair gets brushed for possibly the first time since before the series began and in the process meets some humans who aren’t trying to capture her and her pack. Thank goodness there are still some nice people in this world.
I’ve been pretty adamant (with myself, at least) that I wasn’t going to read this book. Every book in this series includes at least one of the pack getting injured and I know that’s life, but I don’t want to read about dogs in pain and potential mortal danger.
I relented with this book because I needed to know if an animal whose survival previously had a question mark hanging over it would come back or not. I’m thrilled to report that they are in fact alive but I’m also sad that the expectation of dogs being hurt in every book played out here as well.
Sunrise got slightly hurt saving Tiny, then later in the book they were both hit by tranquilliser darts. Tiny went from unconscious to awake in record time and neither seemed overly worse for wear but Anh, please let the pack members make it through at least one book uninjured.
Of course, there’s a cliffhanger at the end of the book, as there always is.
There’s a bonus story featuring Wolf Girl and Skydragon at the end of the book. This also ends in a cliffhanger. I still don’t know how I feel about these two series being set in the same world.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
When Gwen and her dogs jump on a train bound for the mountains, they are surprised to find the carriages are full of weird and wonderful animals!
With the help of new and old friends, Gwen is determined to give the wild creatures their freedom, even if it means risking her own…
Badger, who has previously been in a very bad mood, is bored today. It’s the kind of bored that feels like it will never end.
“I’m more bored than I’ve ever been before – ever.”
He tries doing what he usually enjoys the most but it doesn’t help. One by one, Badger’s friends drop by. They’re bored too. After trying out all of their usual favourite activities, the friends are at a loss. Nothing is working.
Then Mouse arrives, sparking their imagination. It turns out today isn’t so boring after all.
I loved that the friends worked together, finding a fun activity where everyone could be involved. It definitely didn’t hurt that their adventure was pirate related.
I enjoyed the illustrations but the layout could have been improved by making the text larger.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read this picture book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Fun is just a fresh perspective away in this entertaining book about boredom.
What a boring day! Badger doesn’t feel like doing anything. Unfortunately, Fox, Squirrel, Blackbird, and Rabbit feel the same way. One after the other, they appear at Badger’s door. Even together they don’t know what to do. But when Mouse comes over wearing an eye patch, she gets the ball rolling – or rather a pirate ship in motion – and the treasure hunt begins! Badger and his friends are finally on an adventure.
Grumpy Badger is back in Moritz Petz’s humorous story – that could take place in any children’s room – reminding us that boredom often gives rise to the best ideas. Amélie Jackowski’s illustrations keep the laughs coming with her unique and humorous details.
Schizanthus Nerd 