Book Review: The Ministry of Time
July 20, 2024
Thought-provoking, unusual, clever and huge fun, I can say with certainty that this will be in my top 5 books of the year, if not number 1!
Alex can usually be found in the Picture Book department at Telling Tales. She enjoys children’s fiction, photography and art books, and literary fiction. She cannot go past a beautiful illustration, and loves books that are idiosyncratic, dark and funny. Favourite authors include Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, Janet and Allen Ahlberg, Margaret Mahy, Margaret Atwood, Annie Proulx and Emily St. John Mandel.
Thought-provoking, unusual, clever and huge fun, I can say with certainty that this will be in my top 5 books of the year, if not number 1!
This was a lovely read – the text is simple yet charming, perfect for children starting their reading journey.
The book explores not only the practicalities of their survival, but also their relationship and the ways it changes under the circumstances.
This novel features great world-building and whimsical language – you can feel the wind on your face as the trio travels through their world.
Examining ideas around women’s agency, this was a charming, almost-period-piece novel, written with skill and read with pleasure.
Each chapter serves as a piece of a montage which gradually expands into a sweeping tale of human failings, delusion and impermanence.
Billed as a memoir but reads easily as a collection of essays on lived experiences, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This story was utterly captivating! I was steadily drawn into the Girl’s story of human grit, set in the unforgiving American wilderness.
The story follows a wealthy suburban mother. Her erudite, unhinged self-realisation was so relatable, and her singular voice is unforgettable.
This was an engrossing, moving, excellent kiwi coming-of-age-adventure. Funny, intriguing, moving- I loved it!
All about bravery, playing to your strengths, and with a fantastic cast of relatable characters (especially the deadpan dragon!).
Peggy is just your average dog… until she enters the world of Tangletree, where she runs the town’s detective agency!
This collection of fables features amazing, etching-style artwork, lessons for life and medieval mice!
This sweet, heartwarming story is all about looking beyond appearances and celebrating difference and uniqueness!
Sam & Iris discover an abandoned town with a ghostly presence – but can they solve it’s mystery before history repeats? Totally engrossing!
Follow First Cat as he bands together with a queen and a robot to defeat the Rat King. Totally fun and original.
A classic, rollicking adventure with great characters and a fantastic setting!
Lampie, the lighthouse-keeper’s daughter, is sent in disgrace to work at the Black House, where a monster is said to live in the tower.
This mythical, fantastically illustrated graphic is perfect for readers aged 8+. Also a great read-aloud!