Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground by Steve Smallman – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: in here.
Children’s book title: Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground.
Children’s author: Steve Smallman.
Children’s illustrator: Esther Hernando.
Genre: First chapter book.
Published by: Sweet Cherry Publishing.
ISBN: 9781802635553.
Recommended for children aged: 5-7 year-olds.
First published: Paperback August 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Newly independent readers in KS1 and KS2.
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Our review:
Exploding candy floss, spider dogs, mummies and magic. Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground has all of the ingredients for an exciting adventure!
The main character Maggie is a loveable witch, with a pet chameleon named Bat. She is easy for children to relate too and what child wouldn’t want to have a bit of magic in their lives? Maggie’s best friend Arthur is easily scared but during Halloween, there’s a lot to be afraid of.
Walking past the misty park and graveyard in the dark would be scary for most children, but with a dressing up competition it’s hard to know which are monsters and which are people. An adventure takes readers on a journey with a few amusing, messy spells, a bit of mischief and a vampire mystery to solve. Along the way relationships and friendships are explored as well as learning about dealing with fears and finding courage.
Throughout the book, there are black and white illustrations with fun expressions and magical scenes which break up the reading for younger children progressing to read longer chapter books. The storyline is easy to follow and has lots of funny little touches like vampire ducks, exciting foods like spider cupcakes and ghost meringues.
Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground is a good read for 5-9-year-old children. And if they love it, it’s just one of a growing collection of Maggie Sparks magical adventures.
Many thanks to Sweet Cherry Publishing for the review copy.
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If you like Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground by Steve Smallman you might also like: Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books by Barry Timms, illustrated by Laura Borio, Pizza Pete and the Missing Magic by Carrie Sellon, Sherlock Bones and the Mischief in Manhattan by Tim Collins, Grimwood: Party Animals by Nadia Shireen and Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure by Meg McLaren.
Browse our list of Halloween books for children.
