Publication Date: 27 May 2021

The Blurb

Ten-year-old Ray Grey lives in the magical Weatherlands, high in the sky. Ray is surrounded by Weatherlings with astounding weather power at their fingertips… but she doesn’t have ANY magic!

Then, after a trip to Earth, Ray’s life changes forever. She is transformed from Ray Grey into RAINBOW GREY! With the help of her best friends (and exploding cloud cat, Nim) now all Ray has to do is master her powers AND save the world from a mysterious, powerful enemy…

The Review

Wonderful world building, cracking characters and a pacey plot combine to create a fabulously fun read for newly independent readers.

Ray is the only Weatherling without powers, leaving her feeling like an outsider in her own community. With messages about being yourself, the importance of friends and family, and that there is always hope, Rainbow Grey not only entertains (the proper laugh out loud variety) but also helps the reader to build empathy.

Laura’s illustrations add wit and warmth to this delightful book which ends on a huge cliffhanger that can only mean one thing – more adventures to come – hurrah!

The Guest Post

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

A classic and a favourite amongst many, no doubt. But this beautifully illustrated picture book will always have a special place in my heart. Even though there are no words in the book, the narrative is told through the pictures in a way no words could portray. There’s so much atmosphere and emotion; poignant moments that perhaps only a Brigg’s illustration could achieve. The pace and flow of the illustrations takes you on the journey with the boy and the snowman, represented with lots of smaller images as they run together hand in hand, before turning the page to be met with a huge double page spread as they take off into the air – the pace and flow of the story is slowed right down making you feel as if you’re flying with them. It’s just extraordinary!

Frostheart by Jamie Littler

This is such a fantastic and cinematic trilogy. The characters have so much depth, each with brilliant arcs as they develop throughout the two books so far. I love Tobu, the rather intimidating yeti, but we all know there’s a big fluffy heart in there somewhere! I know he’d do anything for Ash. I also want to adopt Master Pod! Quiet, but clever and feisty, and ridiculously CUTE… Master Pod deserves his own spin-off series! The friendship between the characters Ash and Lunah is beautiful, and I think we’d all love a friend like Lunah! I can’t wait to see MORE of their adventures on the Frostheart in book 3, and the new snowy locations in store! Jamie has created something incredibly special here.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

I adore the book and film version of The Chronicles of Narnia. The thought of finding a magical land through a wardrobe is every kid’s dream (although not the meeting an evil snow witch part!) I was completely spellbound by this book and the snowy settings. It makes you want to snuggle up in a big blanket and hug a friendly lion like Aslan!

Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone

The wintery landscapes in Sky Song are described with such beauty and passion throughout this book. Flint and Eska are such wonderful characters, full of love and bravery. The characters care so much for each other and Abi’s writing is almost lyrical in its style. The settings are beautiful, and you can almost taste the food Abi describes, and feel the icy cold on your skin as your read.

Rainbow Grey is the first book in a magical new series from Amelia Fang creator Laura Ellen Anderson.
27 May, paperback, £6.99, Farshore, 7+ readers

Huge thanks to Laura for her guest post – I’ve loved reading about weather related books – and to Farshore for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. Do make sure you check out all of the other stops.