Ross Montgomery

Not a bad little fairy tale - a quest story in two parts. Yanni hates how his life has changed since the arrival of his unexpected baby sister Ari. He has had to move to a new town away from everything he liked and now he is stuck in a tiny boring country town with no friends and a screaming baby and stressed parents. On the second night in the village, (which is Halloween) he and his cousin Amy are babysitting his sister when a stranger appears in the house and tries to find out the baby's name. When Yanni's special necklace from his grandmother helps protect him from the evil man's charms, the stranger whisks Ari away and leave a faerie changeling in her place. Yanni, Amy and The changeling they name Larry must travel to the Faerie world to complete three quests to win back Ari - or do they? The evil Lord Renwin is nothing but a trickster and just when Yanni thinks he has won, the tables are turned and he is plunged into a final quest where he risks everything to save not only Ari, but Amy, Larry and himself also.
For fans of magic and quests. For younger readers at the start although there is a death of a character in the book so this makes it a Year 7 level book too. The message behind the book also is for Grade6-Year7 level.… (more)

Ten school teachers leave for home, but they are late, and the last bus leaves them stranded. One teacher suggests a shortcut to home. Oops, that doesn’t look very good. There are monsters everywhere waiting for a feast. But unaware, the teachers set forth on the journey. One by one, they get caught by the monsters.
At last, only Miss. Hunter is left. What happens to Miss. Hunter? Did she meet with the same fate as the others?

This book is perfect for a read-aloud session with little ones. They will ask for a repeat every often. The gorgeous illustrations want you to adore each of the monsters, though they have evil intentions. The climax of the book is brilliant. However, we would have loved to see the other nine teachers again at the end.
A must-have in every toddler and toddler at heart's reading list.
Read our full review at Nothing But Picture Books… (more)

A review I wrote in May 2020:

Imagine an adventure where our childhood imaginary friends come to life and help us navigate
dangers and perils to save the things we we love.

Pretty cool, huh? 12-year-old Col has been evacuated to the countryside to stay with his Aunt
Claire but he’s missing his older sister, Rose, terribly. When Col discovers his childhood imaginary
friends, his Guardians, are here to help him, they reveal that Col must make a mid-winter perilous
journey to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister. It’s a particularly harsh winter as there is a
spirit world battle raging between the Midwinter King and the Green Man (the bringer of spring
and summer growth). The Midwinter King currently has the upper hand and has brought about the
harshest winter known for decades but with the help of a shape-shifting tiger, a waistcoat-wearing
badger and a fearless four foot knight, maybe Col stands a chance…

Ross weaves in some really interesting Second World War historical background including,
without giving too much away, the blackout, evacuees, the Blitz, jewish refugees and the
Kindertransport.

A story of hope, trust and believing; of love and family and friendship and the courage of one
small boy who finds bravery even when he doesn’t feel like going on. It’s a wonderful thought that
we carry our childhood friends with us through life; perhaps the magic doesn’t need to end as
soon as the toys are boxed up and put away in the attic or passed on to new owners and we
should all try to keep a little bit of that magic within us as we grow older.
An uplifting adventure, recommended for 8-12s (and older readers too).… (more)