February Chapter book of the month: Opal Moonbaby by Maudie Smith

[RachelMumsnet]

When Opal Moonbaby first steps out of her spaceship on to earth, Martha and Robbie's lives change forever. In the second book of the series About Zooming Time, Opal Moonbaby Martha is delighted at the prospect of Opal starting school but things don't work out quite how she had hoped.

Opal Moonbaby is a charming alien and a brilliant and original character who will charm and amuse pre-teens from around seven up. There's an essence of Pippi Longstocking with a hint of ET thrown in, wonderful illustrations and a whole new vocab to grapple with.

We're delighted to announce Maudie Smith's Opal Moonbaby as Feb chapter book of the month and invite you to apply for one of fifty free copies and come back to this thread to let us know what you think.

[aristocat]

Sounds perfect for my DD ::crosses fingers::

[buzzybuzzybeeshoes]

Would love one for DD1!

[RachelMumsnet]

Forms are open until 10am tomorrow morning by the way, so still time to apply.

[blackcatjay]

DD1 is ten, I think she would love this!

[RachelMumsnet]

The forms are now closed and we're going to send over the names and addresses of the 50 winners to Orion publishers later today. If you let us know what you think about the book anytime in Feb and join in the discussion on this thread, you'll be entered into a draw to win one of ten signed copies of About Zooming Around plus an Opal poster. We'll announce the winners at the end of the month on this thread.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

What age is this book aimed at..Wondering if it is a bit young for 11 year old dd. Not sure if it would appeal to 9 year old ds.

[jennywren123]

Received our book this morning. Thanks Mumsnet

[cornflakegirl]

Got our copy yesterday - thank you!

DS (7) had already finished reading it, as I'd assumed we wouldn't get a copy, so I showed him the Amazon page and suggested to him that we borrow it from the library. He said yes straight away, which was a real plus, as normally books that I recommend are completely spurned! He's read it two or three times now, and is really looking forward to reading the sequel. This is his review (apologies for any spoilers - I haven't read it, so not sure which are key plot points):

The book is about a girl/alien (person from another planet) called Opal who came from Carnelia, a made up planet, to Earth to get her CIA award. She has to not let her picture get taken, live as a human for a month and (shh don?t tell) make Martha be her friend ? which will be tricky.

Opal likes to play a lot, is really friendly towards Martha and Robbie but Martha doesn?t accept Opal?s kind hospitality and gets annoyed a lot. Martha doesn?t like friends, not after her friends excluded her from the Secret Circle. She tries to stay as far away from Opal as she can sometimes.

I liked the bit where Garnet was rescued and when Martha said something and he went ?yip yap yap?. I also liked it when Opal said ?well I?d better spill the greens? when Martha asked her something. And also liked Garnet going ?chi-chi-chi-chigger and then the man going ra-ra-ra-rat.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

Our copy arrived on Friday, and by Sunday night DD had read it cover to cover I can't remember the last time she was so completely "buried in a book" and it was a joy to watch her reading it - every bit of the story was reflected in her face, she laughed and gasped and exclaimed and was utterly oblivious to us sitting watching her.
She said it was "so funny and dead nice, you read it now mam, you'll love it" so I think I might do just that and no3 son (he's 8) and no4 son (he's 6) have both said they want to read it too. I might just read it aloud to them.

[RachelMumsnet]

Thanks for your feedback. Great to hear the books have been enjoyed.

[survivingwinter]

Sorry late to this thread to say thanks so much for this book MN
DD and I have loved reading it as it is both beautifully written and an excellent story. There are enough pictures to keep younger children captivated and enhance the story. Thanks for the introduction to the author, Maudie Smith and we will be seeking out her other books!

[lorka]

My son (10) has started reading this book. He initially thought it was girly (because of the front cover and because she makes friends in a secret circle). However, he seems to be enjoying it now. Think I will read it to my 7 year old daughter once he has finished with it.
Thanks so much for sending it to us.
:)

[wigglywoowoo]

Thanks for the free copy! I read this fabulous story at bedtime to my DD who is 6. DD found it very funny that Opal kept mixing up her words and has asked me to read it again already!

[LaraMumsnet]

Congratulations to jennywren123, cornflakegirl, PomBearWithAnOFRS, survivingwinter, lorka and wigglywoowoo you have all won a signed copy of About Zooming Around and an Opal poster. I will be contacting you via PM later today.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

OOOO So exciting - thank you!

[survivingwinter]

Oh wow thank you

[wigglywoowoo]

Thank you, what a lovely surprise.

[lorka]

Brilliant thank you.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

DD pounced on this when it arrived and devoured it in a day - she loved it just as much as the first one, and was thrilled that it was signed
Thank you again :)

[cornflakegirl]

Thank you very much for the copy of About Zooming Around - DS has read it three times so far, and says it's even better than the first one.