
Book Reviews for Curious Kids Age 7-12 | Kurio Magazine #1 ICE
Welcome to Kurio magazine’s book reviews for curious kids aged 7-12, where we dive into this month’s icy theme: Ice! In our February 2025 roundup, we’ve selected the coolest books to match the frosty adventures in Kurio magazine Issue #1.

Maisie Vs Antarctica
By Jack Jackman. Published by Nosy Crow.
We love this hilarious and gripping father and daughter adventure. Maisie lives alone with her dad and cannot fathom how he has written so many exciting books when he is so BORING. But when she joins him on a research trip and they crash land in Antarcticashe discovers something fantastical about her dad that blows her mind! Perfect for fans of humorous and fast paced adventure books.

Global
Murder By Narwhal!
Written and illustrated by Alex T Smith. Published by Hachette Children's Group.
Thank goodness that this delightful, witty, page turner is the first book in a series
because we can't wait for more! This 'Grimacres Whodunnit' is a murder mystery which takes place, like all good murder mysteries, in a rambling old house in the middle of nowhere whilst outside rages a howling snowstorm! When Edna Gristle's grandfather meets an unfortunate end, Edna and her pet tortoise, Charles Darwin, go on the hunt for his murderer. Lots of twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing! Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens.
Ice Children
Written by M.G Leonard. Illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee. Published by Macmillan.
It is the first of December and children are being mysteriously turned to ice in a local city park, including Bianca’s brother, Finn. It is up to Bianca to discover the truth behind the mysterious events. Could it have something to do with the book that Finn had borrowed
from the library that day or the suspicious young man in the top hat that had been strolling in the park and reported the incident to the local police? All is not as it seems in this moving, atmospheric tale of the power of story, the loss of winter and the lengths that Bianca will go to save her brother and the planet. Inspired by fairy tales, this is set
to become both a classic and a climate change parable. Beautiful black and white illustrations throughout by Penny Neville Lee.
24 Hours in Antarctica
Written by Andy Prentice. Illustrated by Laurence Kling. Published by Usborne.
We absolutely LOVE the informative and accessible ‘24 hours’ series by Usborne, which
transports readers into different science environments and shows what life is like there
within one day. 24 hours in the Antarctica follows a mechanic working for a research base in the South Pole and is a brilliant blend of the graphic novel style with non-fiction.
24 Hours in Antarctica
Written & illustrated by William Grill. Published by Flying Eye Books.
We HAD to include the stunning 'Shackleton’s Journey' by William Grill in our review list. 2024 was the tenth anniversary of publication, but it was also 100 years since Shackleton’s legendary trip. The story of the expedition is told in detail, but in easy to read sections - each part of the trip has a double page spread to itself, such as The Dogs; Patience Camp; Sailing to Elephant Island. We love the layout as each spread is so
informative, without being overwhelming, and the striking illustrations bring all aspects of the expedition to life, whilst being pieces of art in themselves. If you’re fascinated by real life explorers, then go find this book at your local bookshop!
What’s on Your Reading List?
We love discovering new books that spark curiosity, adventure, and creativity - just like the ones we've shared here! Have you read any of these, or do you have a favourite book you'd recommend?
Our book reviews are brought to you by The Paper Cat Children's Bookshop, a haven for brilliant stories and curious readers. If any of these books have caught your eye, we encourage you to support your local bookshop - there’s nothing better than discovering a great read in person!
If you're looking for more brilliant book recommendations, keep an eye out for the next issue of KURIO, where we’ll be diving into even more must-reads for curious minds. Happy reading!