Our latest reviews
Shostakovich Symphonies 1-3, Wigglesworth
Who doesn’t love a good Shostakovich Symphony? There are not many orchestral musicians who don’t adore the exciting and virtuosic fifteen symphonies that he wrote. Mark Wigglesworth is one of those rare conductors who not only enjoys the respect of…
Espana Antigua, Jordi Savall
If you don’t know who Jordi Savall is, then there are many fabulous recordings you are missing out on. A viol virtuoso from Catalan, his whole family are involved in the family business, that of making amazing music. Specialists in…
Beethoven: Symphonies, Immerseel
Sometimes Beethoven can be ridiculously overstated, but this beautiful box set from Jos Van Immerseel & Anima Eterna has a fabulous lilting sense of musicality to it. Each of the symphonies, while being flowing in the slower movements has excitement…
Shostakovich: Symphonies, Haitink
If you don’t know the 15 Shostakovich Symphonies, then I have to say, you’re missing out! This particular recording is 11 CDs long and also includes the Six Poems of Marina Tsvetaeva. It’s also fantastically good. There are solos continually…
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Smart, sensitive Georges is having a rough time of it – he’s bullied at school, hardly sees his mum and, when his dad is made redundant, the family have to leave their beloved home and move into an apartment. But…
Star by Catherine Bateson
[[catherine-bateson-rev]]Star and her mum try to get on with their lives after her dad dies, but it’s not easy with unpredictable artist Charlie and his bratty kids hanging around. Star desperately wants a best friend, and for most of the…
Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle
[[tohby-riddle-rev]]Every now and then a picture book comes along that stops you in your tracks. Artistically you understand it but emotionally it perplexes and challenges you. Who is it for and is the author being disingenuous?
Unforgotten got me thinking…
This Moose Belongs To Me by Oliver Jeffers
[[oliver-jeffers-rev]]Oliver Jeffers’ recent visit to Australia won him a whole new fan base with his quirky illustrative style and delightful Irish accent, so it’s exciting to finally have his new book, This Moose Belongs to Me, in store.
The…
Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer
[[ian-falconer-rev]]Olivia the Pig is a breath of fresh air! Her new book looks deceptively like the standard fairy princess fluff, sure to delight a certain demographic of 3-5 year-olds and drive their parents crazy. But no, this is one brilliantly…
Herman And Rosie by Gus Gordon
Herman and Rosie live next door to each other in the big city. They both have similar interests but continue to pass each other by unwittingly. We know they are made for each other and we know they should be…
Browse our reviews by category
