Jules Bloom is the central character in this new series that will appeal to fans of Judy Moody.

Quirky, fun and wholesome, the first story sees Jules tying herself in knots about an audition for a TV commercial – the trouble is that the audition involves gargling orange mouthwash and Jules has terrible associations with the flavour of orange.

Like a lot of US fiction, the young characters sound older than they are, but Jules is not overly sassy for the six-to-nine-year-olds this book is aimed at. Sweet illustrations, sound themes relevant to the age group and a heart-warming sibling relationship complete the picture.

Emily Gale