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We’re almost at the end of 2018 and what a year. Personally, I feel as though my ambitions have been tested on all fronts, it’s as though something has been holding me back to make sure that this is really I want to do before releasing me.

Well, I’m hoping 2019 will set me free. Please, 2019… set me free.

That aside, one interesting thing about this year that I hadn’t planned on, is that I’ve become a children’s book reviewer, both for the CBCA and the podcast that I am co-hosting (launching soon!) and it’s so fun. I absolutely love reading, discussing and recommending books, so it’s a great role for me.

So, what better way to wrap up my blogging year with a post about my favourite children’s book releases of 2018?

It’s been tough not only to decide which books I enjoyed the most but also remember what I’ve actually read. I read children’s books for myself but also, I have two boys, so that’s a LOT of reading, although they also read to themselves. So, at the risk of forgetting something and in no particular order, here are…

MY FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S BOOKS RELEASED IN 2018

PICTURE BOOK: All the Ways to be Smart (Davina Bell & Alison Colpoys) – I just had to add this picture book because it’s brilliant – educational, fun rhyming and gorgeous illustrations.

JUNIOR FICTION: Bad Guys 8 (Aaron Blabey) – oh how we love this series, hilariously funny, clever, perfect Aaron Blabey.  A great next book and we can't wait for book 9.

MIDDLE-GRADE: Louisiana’s Way Home (Kate DiCamillo) – what more can I say? I love her work. So poignant, so rich. This one made me cry.

OLDER MIDDLE GRADE: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Jessica Townsend) – Brilliant, magical, full of intrigue and adventure, a fabulous sequel to Nevermoor.

Ok, I cheated and put two middle-grade books in there. But it’s my blog, my rules.

But also… bonus content!

I asked my boys THEIR favourite books of the year, because – of course – they have different taste and different interests to me (unbelievable!) and so, drumroll, please…

MR 8:
My fantasy-loving first-born has been enamoured with Harry Potter this year and we are now reading The Hobbit for the second time (I do love The Hobbit but… you didn’t hear the tiniest of yawns escape me just then did you?). However, he reads a LOT and so there has been plenty of time for current books. And these are his choices:

Tom Gates, any Tom Gates, apparently (Liz Pichon). I think he has them all. He laughs a lot while reading them and sometimes points them gags to me, but I haven’t read them.

Amulet 8: Supernova (Kazu Kibuishi) - got it on Christmas Eve, read it on Christmas Eve and again, loves the whole graphic novel series. I haven’t read them as graphic novels aren’t my thing.

The House with a Clock in its Walls (John Bellairs) – this one I read to him and it’s interesting that it made his favourite list, he liked it more than I did.

Mr 6:
Although also a Harry Potter fan, my second-born is more a fan of humour. He has a stack of joke books and has read and re-read the 13-Storey Treehouse series multiple times this year. In fact, we had a great time last July attending the launch for the 104-Storey Treehouse. And so without further ado, here is his selection:

The 104-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton)– still hilarious on the 104th storey.

Real Pigeons 1&2 (Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood) – he LOVES these books, they’re clever and funny and creative.

Ninja Kid 2 (Anh Do) – Anh Do is always funny and Mr 6 loves ninjas so funny + ninja = winner.

And there you have it. I’ll be working on my TBR pile over the summer break, including Karen Foxlee’s Lenny’s Book of Everything and I’ll be reviewing some of these books on my upcoming podcast with Julie Grasso, Middle Grade Mavens, so stay updated if you want more detail.

Until next time, have a wonderful bookish New Year!