As the daffodils and crocuses start to bloom, we know that Spring is definitely on its way and it’s time for us to get outdoors and muddy. I’d like to share three picture books to help inspire little ones to get back to nature this Spring. ‘Little Bear’s Spring’ by Elli Woollard & Briony May … Continue reading Let’s Get Outdoors!
The very nature of myths mean that their re-tellings are varied and ever-changing, with tens or hundreds of variations on the same story. Myth Atlas introduces its readers to some of the most fascinating cultures on the planet with beliefs about human existence which are now part of history or still held sacred to this … Continue reading ‘Myth Atlas,’ by Thiago de Moraes.
Book Boy is an absolute fiend for a big chunky non-fiction book. There is nothing he likes better than settling down with a pack of sticky tabs in one hand and a pen in the other, ready to mark the important pages. ‘Timelines of Everything’ is a little different to other books in its category … Continue reading ‘Timelines of Everything,’ from the team at DK
It’s often said that books are actually portals to other worlds and also to other places in our world. These two fascinating books highlight some of our greatest wonders. Wonders of the World’s Museums (Wren & Rook) by Molly Oldfield, illustrated by Harriet Taylor Seed and Peter Malone An absolute treasure trove of some of … Continue reading A World Of Wonders
‘Eye Spy’ by Guillaume Duprat (What On Earth Books) This is an absolutely fantastic book which gives its readers an animal-eye view of the world. If you thought that all animals saw the same, you were wrong! Snakes see in infrared, cats are super-sensitive to movement and a chameleon’s eyes allow it to look two … Continue reading Eye-Opening Animal Fact Books
If the stories in the news are to be believed, it would seem that people are more divided and more at odds with each other than ever. Authors, illustrators and publishers are trying to counteract this by producing beautiful books which show actually just how similar we all are. ‘Under the Same Sky’ by Britta … Continue reading We Are All the Same…
Today I’m helping The Federation Of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG) celebrate National Non-Fiction November (#NNFN) with two fantastic titles from Laurence King Publishing. Both very different, but both will help you travel around the globe without leaving your house! ‘Around the World With the Ingreedies: A Taste Adventure’ by Zoë Bather & Joe Sharpe, illustrated … Continue reading National Non-Fiction November – the FCBG Blog Tour
The vastness of Outer Space has been a source of fascination for humans beings for millennia. Astronomers have pondered over what wonders and mysteries the universe might hold. Although I can’t promise you all the secrets of the universe, I can offer you five out of this world non-fiction books which may help shed a … Continue reading To infinity and beyond….
Teaching the water cycle at school can be rather a dry subject (excuse the bad joke), but these two gorgeous picture books should help make the whole experience a little more enjoyable! Once Upon a Raindrop - The Story Of Water by James Carter, illustrated by Nomoco (Little Tiger Group) Where does water come from? … Continue reading Water, water everywhere…
Bones and ancient beasts have always been a source of fascination for adults and children alike. If you’re looking for armadillos as big as cars, monster sharks or peek inside a gorilla’s skeleton, then I have the book or three for you! Mega Meltdown by Jack Tite (Big Picture Press) An absolutely stunning book which introduces its … Continue reading Beasts and Bones
Introducing ‘Absolutely Everything! A History Of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things too Numerous to Mention,’ a book of true wonderment which has been long-listed for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019, in the ‘Best Book With Facts’ category along with some other stunning titles. Devised after a camping trip where Lloyd released that, … Continue reading ‘Absolutely Everything!’ by Christopher Lloyd, cover illustration by Justin Poulter.
We are blessed in this country to have many talented illustrators and authors from across Europe, working to produce gorgeous books for our children (and us) to enjoy. With the threat of Brexit looming large on the horizon, how much of this talent will be lost? Forty-five artists from across Europe come together to share … Continue reading ‘Drawing Europe Together: Forty-five Illustrators, One Europe,’ with foreword by Axel Scheffler.
What better way to kick off National Non-Fiction November than with this gorgeous little collection of biographies about some of the world’s most famous faces. Frida Kahlo by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Marianna Madriz. This volume explores why Frida Kahlo is a twentieth century art icon. It looks at how she used her bold painting … Continue reading Little Guides to Great Lives
Nowadays, it is all too easy for children to stay tucked up inside their houses looking at the big wide world on a screen rather than going outside and experiencing it for themselves. This inspirational month-by-month journey through the seasons is crammed full of activities and ideas designed to get children out into the fresh … Continue reading ‘2019 Nature Month-by-Month: A Children’s Almanac,’ by Anna Wilson with special guest post, illustrated by Elly Jahnz.
Autumn is one of my favourite times of year; the weather is mild, the leaves are a whole rainbow of colours and the evenings are starting to get dark. It’s the perfect time of year for snuggly down under a blanket and sharing a book with someone you love. I have five seasonal books which … Continue reading Autumnal Reads to Snuggle Up With
I have received a number of beautiful and informative non-fiction titles about the wonderful animal kingdom in recent weeks. A subject of constant fascination amongst children and adults alike, they’ll be spoilt for choice with this gorgeous selection. ‘Hello World Animals’ by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by L’Atelier Cartographik (360 Degrees) This stunning hardback book with … Continue reading The Animal Kingdom
A year ago, a stunningly beautiful non-fiction book was published which caused a huge sensation in the media and amongst educators, with crowd-funding campaigns being launched to get thousands of copies into schools. ‘The Lost Words’ is a magical tome full of the disappearing language of the wild. This enchanting book aims to revive words … Continue reading ‘The Lost Words,’ by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris.
I am delighted to have been asked to host a special ‘National Poetry Day’ (on the 4th of October this year) post based on looking at ways of using the amazing variety of poems in this glorious anthology within the classroom. ‘I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree’ is one of Nosy Crow’s most … Continue reading ‘I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree,’ curated by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon.
This beautiful collection of illustrated biographies from Lantana Publishing is inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and endorsed by Amnesty International, and marks Lantana’s first foray into the world of non-fiction. What does peace mean to you? This illustrated collection of biographies focuses on some of the people who have had the most inspirational ideas … Continue reading ‘Peace and Me,’ by Ali Winter & Mickaël El Fathi.
Today I’m highlighting a gorgeous mini hardback series from 360 degrees. Absolutely crammed full of facts and beautiful illustrations, these books are aimed at enhancing children’s knowledge on a range of essential topics. Transport and Travel by Sandra Lawrence, illustrated by Jem Maybank Vehicles are a source of endless fascination in our household so this … Continue reading Mini Hardbacks and Mega Minds
Library Girl and Book Boy 