Jennifer Bell's Blog

The third book in The Uncommoners series, The Frozen Telescope will be published in the UK in July 2018 and I can now, finally reveal the cover! Ta dah!It looks amazing, and that is in the most part, due to Karl Mountford's incredible artwork. I love his fiery palette and the way he has captured the lively atmosphere of Nubrook. He has also managed to include one very special object in all three covers of the Uncommoners books. Can you see what it is?Recently, Karl posted a series of images on his twitter account that show a little behind-the-scenes look at how he created the covers for the uncommoners book. Check them out!To find out more about Karl's artwork, you can check out his website here.

On first reading, I completely fell in love with this picture book published by Frances Lincoln. Katie Cotton's rich, poetic text tells the story of a long journey home across a changing landscape:Fly with me to far away,where sun still warms the ground.For winter's in the dying lightand in that windswept sound.It's one of those stories that gives you a warm feeling inside and instantly calms you down - good for a sleepy bedtime read for the under 5s. Sarah Jacoby's illustrations suit it perfectly - delicate and detailed, full of atmosphere and light. Bravo Frances Lincoln for the packaging too - hardback with foil titles and a fabric spine. I'll be recommending this as a gift for sure.

On first reading, I completely fell in love with this new picture book published by Frances Lincoln. Katie Cotton's rich, poetic text tells the story of a long journey home across a changing landscape:Fly with me to far away,where sun still warms the ground.For winter's in the dying lightand in that windswept sound.It's one of those stories that gives you a warm feeling inside and instantly calms you down - good for a sleepy bedtime read for the under 5s. Sarah Jacoby's illustrations suit it perfectly - delicate and detailed, full of atmosphere and light. Bravo Frances Lincoln for the packaging too - hardback with foil titles and a fabric spine. I'll be recommending this as a gift for sure.

I'm so happy that Bloomsbury have published this gorgeous new edition of Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin! It's a book I first read years ago, but always find myself recommending so it's great to see the publisher give it the attention it deserves with a fresh new package. Elsewhere tells the story of Liz, a girl who is killed in a hit and run accident before her sixteenth birthday - before she's been to prom, had a proper job, fallen in love etc... She arrives in Elsewhere, an island where things are similar to real life, except that you age backwards and dogs and humans can communicate. Strange, but built with amazing details, it is an often thought-provoking place, beautifully described, As Liz navigates her new existence, she is able to experience some of the things she missed out on in life. Skillfully written, poignant and original with a powerful narrative voice.

I'm so happy that Bloomsbury have just published this gorgeous new edition of Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin! It's a book I first read years ago, but always find myself recommending so it's great to see the publisher give it the attention it deserves with a fresh new package.Elsewhere tells the story of Liz, a girl who is killed in a hit and run accident before her sixteenth birthday - before she's been to prom, had a proper job, fallen in love etc... She arrives in Elsewhere, an island where things are similar to real life, except that you age backwards and dogs and humans can communicate. Strange, but built with amazing details, it is an often thought-provoking place, beautifully described, As Liz navigates her new existence, she is able to experience some of the things she missed out on in life. Skillfully written, poignant and original with a powerful narrative voice.

I am a HUGE Rick Riordan fan. I love everything about the way he writes - his humour, his pace, the way he draws characters, how he re-imagines the Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse gods in the modern world - EVERYTHING.Ahem, so I was very excited to read this, the first book in the Trials of Apollo series, in which Apollo - god of music, healing, the sun and poetry, among other things - has been changed into a flabby, acne-suffering human teenager as a punishment from Zeus. The story is told in first person, with Apollo's fantastically funny and annoyed narrative voice throughout. He is teemed up with Meg, a cuticle-picking diamond in the rough, type demi-god who embarrasses him at every turn. Together they must find out why demi-gods have been disappearing from camp half-blood and what it has to do with the oracle at Delphi.You don't have to have read the Heroes of Olympus series or the Percy Jackson series to enjoy this, but it would certainly make it more interesting to know the previous stories of some of the characters you meet. 100% fun and completely brilliant. I never wanted it to end.

I am a HUGE Rick Riordan fan. I love everything about the way he writes - his humour, his pace, the way he draws characters, how he re-imagines the Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse gods in the modern world - EVERYTHING.Ahem, so I was very excited to read this, the first book in the Trials of Apollo series, in which Apollo - god of music, healing, the sun and poetry, among other things - has been changed into a flabby, acne-suffering human teenager as a punishment from Zeus. The story is told in first person, with Apollo's fantastically funny and annoyed narrative voice throughout.  He is teemed up with Meg, a cuticle-picking diamond in the rough, type demi-god who embarrasses him at every turn. Together they must find out why demi-gods have been disappearing from camp half-blood and what it has to do with the oracle at Delphi.You don't have to have read the Heroes of Olympus series or the Percy Jackson series to enjoy this, but it would certainly make it more interesting to know the previous stories of some of the characters you meet. 100% fun and completely brilliant. I never wanted it to end.

One of the best children's non-fiction books I've read for years, this fantastic story collection by art historian Michael Bird explores the lives of some of the world's most famous artists, and the developments that influenced them. Each entry gives a short snapshot in an artist's life, often written in first person so you can hear the artist's voice. The variety is brilliant, not just sticking to artists included in the school curriculum, but looking at key people from 40,000 bc until the present day. The stories are by turns exciting, intriguing, emotional and mysterious, and accompanying them are full-page images of the artists' work, along with beautiful watercolour illustrations by Kate Evans, and detailed annotated maps bursting with facts. Meticulously well-researched and utterly delightful.Published by Lawrence King.

One of the best children's non-fiction books I've read for years, this fantastic story collection by art historian Michael Bird explores the lives of some of the world's most famous artists, and the developments that influenced them. Each entry gives a short snapshot in an artist's life, often written in first person so you can hear the artist's voice. The variety is brilliant, not just sticking to artists included in the school curriculum, but looking at key people from 40,000 bc until the present day. The stories are by turns exciting, intriguing, emotional and mysterious, and accompanying them are full-page images of the artists' work, along with beautiful watercolour illustrations by Kate Evans, and detailed annotated maps bursting with facts. Meticulously well-researched and utterly delightful.Published by Lawrence King

This new edition of Steinbeck's classic is published by Barrington Stoke, who specialise in printing books that encourage reluctant readers and help those with dyslexia and visual stress. The geniuses at Barrington Stoke employ all kinds of techniques to make the text easier to read including using a specially designed typeface, extra spacing and a bigger point size. They even print their books on heavier, pale-yellow paper to stop words being visible through the page and lessen contrast, helping to reduce visual stress. Of Mice & Men was a story I first read in secondary school and the heartbreaking friendship between George and Lenny has never left me. It's fantastic to see this super-readable new edition published - and with such a beautiful cover as well!