So what's special about 14th February 2017? That it's St. Valentine's Day? Well yes, but that's not what I want to talk about. It also just so happens to be........ What better way to show your love to someone than by giving them a great book to read?Tomorrow, people all over the world will be … Continue reading International Book Giving Day 2017
I'd like to share a delightfully odd duo set in a world where the odd is the ordinary: 'Alistair Grim's Odditorium,' by Gregory Funaro, illustrated by Chris Mould The unlikely hero of this piece is Grubb, a twelve-year-old orphan scraping a living as a chimney sweep in Victorian England. After an unfortunate accident … Continue reading ‘Alistair Grim’s Odditorium,’ by Gregory Funaro.
This glorious book has just been published with a new cover after the release of Sharon's second book, 'Snail Mail.' Lucy Lady Bird is feeling sad as her spotty friends keep telling her she doesn't belong with them as she has no spots. She flies off to be alone but keeps bumping into some of … Continue reading ‘Lucy Lady Bird,’ by Sharon King-Chai.
The next two books are from a new interactive book series aimed at toddlers and pre-schoolers. Both books have lots of fun interactive elements to physically engage young readers. There are plenty of glittery, bumpy trails for fingers to follow, encouraging the development of the fine motor skills needed for pre-writing. My three year old … Continue reading ‘Follow the Trail series,’ from DK.
In celebration of Harry Potter Book Night last week, I built a rather magical golden snitch courtesy of this book: I am huge fan of all things Harry Potter so was very excited to be sent a copy of this title and another in the Incredibuilds series, 'Aragog' but as I'm scared of spiders, I … Continue reading ‘Harry Potter Quidditch Deluxe Book and Model Set,’ from Incredibuilds, written by Jody Revenson.
For this blog post, I have chosen two fantastic books which celebrate the importance of being yourself and pursuing your dreams. 'Duck Gets a Job,' by Sonny Ross Duck wants a job. All his friends quack on and on about how amazing their jobs in the city are. Duck thinks their jobs sound a bit … Continue reading It’s Good to be You!
Case: The Disappearing Diamond Detective: Sherlock Holmes Location: Baker Street Academy Status: Top Secret! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the fabulous Sherlock Holmes! After arriving late, new boy, John Watson, was dreading his first day at Baker Street Academy. His fears soon disappeared as his buddy for the day, Martha, introduced … Continue reading ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond,’ by Sam Hearn.
Have you ever dreamed of flying through the clouds on the back of a ferocious flame-throwing beast? Then this handbook is the thing for you... This fabulously interactive book written as a 'non-fiction' guide to raising, caring for and training your pet dragon. It boasts an impressive range of pop-ups, flaps and fold-outs hidden with the … Continue reading ‘The Dragon Keeper’s Handbook,’ by Katie Haworth, illustrated by Monica Armino.
I know they say you shouldn't judge books by their covers, but this one was calling out to me from across the bookshop. It truly is a thing of great beauty! Written by the masterful Neil Gaiman and illustrated by the Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell, you would be right to expect great things from this … Continue reading ‘Odd and the Frost Giants,’ by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell.
'You are cordially invited to attend the grand opening of Sinclair's Department Store.' This is the first in a brilliant series of mystery books set around the magnificent Sinclair's Department Store. To enter Sinclair's is to enter a world of perfumed air, bonbons, elegant clothes and murder! Just before the grand opening of London's newest … Continue reading ‘The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow,by Katherine
I was very excited when I discovered that Macmillan's Children's Books were publishing a new hardback edition of this book. I have very fond memories of listening to this on story cassette when I was little. Gobbolino was born in the darkness of a witch's cave but was miserable with his job of being a … Continue reading ‘Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat,’ by Ursula Moray Williams, illustrated by Catherine Rayner.
Whilst my mum was having a Christmas clear out, she discovered a book I used to love as a child (The Bears' Christmas by Stan and Jan Berenstain, if you're interested!) This got me thinking about other books I loved when I was little, and here's what I came up with: Some of them have … Continue reading A Trip Down Memory Lane
My last festive review for the year, but a great one. There's still time to grab yourself a copy before the big day. Princess Eliza is an inventor. There's nothing she likes better than making new gadgets and toys but her parents would rather she was out making new friends. Eliza tries hard to make … Continue reading ‘The Princess and the Christmas Rescue,’ by Caryl Hart and Sarah Warburton.
I've shared the picture books that my nearest and dearest can expect to receive this year, now here are my purchases for older readers... Santa Claude by Alex.T.Smith My favourite dog and his sock sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, are back in a festive adventure. Upon hearing a strange noise in their chimney, Claude and Sir Bobblysock … Continue reading Cracking Christmas Reads!
I thought you might like to have a sneaky peek at the picture books my Christmas elves will be delivering to my family and friends this year. There are so many brilliant new releases out there, it was hard to decide what to buy but I finally decided on these! Otto the Book Bear in … Continue reading A Picture Perfect Christmas
A Pictorial Compendium of Natural Wonders. Have you ever wondered what the deepest land animal is? Or questioned what the largest herbivorous dinosaur was? This beautiful compendium of superlatives will give you all the answers. Featuring intricately detailed illustrations which allow for plenty of studying by young explorers, this book really is a visual delight. … Continue reading ‘Highest Mountain Deepest Ocean,’illustrated by Page Tsou.
"When a child loves you...REALLY loves you, then you become REAL." This beautifully re-illustrated volume is the first title in a new series if classics for Nosy Crow Publishers. The gorgeous fully-foiled cloth binding and cover make it the perfect Christmas gift for old and new fans alike. Fed-up of being teased by Boy's mechanical … Continue reading ‘The Velveteen Rabbit,’ by Margery Williams, illustrated by Sarah Massini.
I think books which encourage interaction from their readers are the best kinds of books. You don't get much more interactive than building your own dragon! As well as providing you with the chance to build a dragon, this book is also a goldmine of information about the history physiology of dragons. Presented like a … Continue reading ‘Build the Dragon,’ from Templar Publishing.
I was absolutely thrilled to have been sent a copy of this amazing book as I love unusual non-fiction texts. 'Midnight Creatures,' certainly ticks that box! This magical book encourages children to grab and touch and switch on their imaginations as they explore the creatures hiding in the shadows of five different habitats. They can … Continue reading ‘Midnight Creatures – A Pop-up Shadow Search,’ by Helen Friel.
Library Girl and Book Boy 