I’m always happy to be a part of the Federation of Children’s Book Group annual celebration of all things non-fiction. Born out of National Non-Fiction Day, the whole month now celebrates all those readers who love nothing more than learning an obscure fact to pop into conversation to surprise people or dipping in and out … Continue reading #NNFN ‘Animal Superpowers: The Most Amazing Ways Animals Have Evolved,’ by Dr Nick Crumpton, illustrated by Viola Wang.
Get ready for a brand new series of books which cleverly use gamification to encourage readers to apply their powers of logic and problem-solving to a series of STEM-based challenges. Questers will develop their coding skills and understanding of algorithms as they follow the interactive story, collecting stickers and rewards as they go. I can … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘SuperQuesters – The Case of the Stolen Sun,’ by Lisa Moss & Dr. Thomas Bernard, illustrated by Amy Wilcox.
There have been such huge advances in how we travel over the centuries and these three wonderful books are sure to entice the mechanically-minded or car curious. My sons certainly both enjoyed seeing how train travel has evolved and what a huge variety of boats there is. “In this beautiful, gift-worthy hardback book on a … Continue reading Science Week: Boats, Trains, and Automobiles.
With a new technological breakthrough is announced nearly every week, we are trying to prepare our children for a unknown future and for jobs which don’t even exist yet. This brilliant book explores some of the revolutionary new ideas which are currently being worked on and could soon be permanent features in our lives. It … Continue reading Science Week: ‘The Science of the Future: Beyond Belief,’ by Alex Woolf and Jasmine Floyd.
With themes of conservation, carbon footprints, and the future of our planet, this book makes good use of mind-boggling facts and smoosh theory to explore the problems humans have created for the Earth’s future Meet the mega human: colossal, clueless . . . and the biggest hope for life on earth There are eight billion … Continue reading Science Week: ‘The Biggest Footprint,’ by Rob & Tom Sears.
There are few greater pleasures in life than cracking open the cover of a beautifully-produced, chunky information book. To that end, I am delighted to be sharing some of the most recent (and very giftable) titles I have been sent. A collection of 366 curious questions asked by children from around the world, based on … Continue reading Non-Fiction November
Have you ever wondered how to chat with a shark or parley with a conger eel? Make sure you read Andy Seed’s piece about how he managed to talk to some of the oceans giants and how you can too! “If you could talk to animals, what would you ask? Get familiar with 10 extraordinary … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Interview with a Shark and Other Ocean Giants,’ by Andy Seed, illustrated by Nick East.
You may have already spotted Dom’s original story: ‘Meet Matilda Rocket Builder,’ but today I have an exclusive short story to share with you all….. ‘Going to the Moon is SO last century, so how difficult can it be―even for a ten-year-old―to follow in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong and the Apollo astronauts? Meet Matilda, … Continue reading Exclusive! ‘Meet Matilda Rocket Builder: The Early Years Planets and Stars,’ – an original short story by Dom Conlon, illustrated by Heidi Cannon.
This week, I’m going to be shining the spotlight on titles with environmental themes. Today’s the turn of ‘Green Nation Revolution.’ ‘Take your place in the Green Nation, a nation without geographical borders that unites the youth of today in their fight for the planet. Following on from the success of We Are All Greta, … Continue reading Earth Day 2021 Spotlight: ‘Green Nation Revolution – Use Your Future to Change the World,’ by Valentina Giannella & Lucia Esther Maruzzelli, illustrated by Manuela Marazzi.
Today I’m sharing a wonderful information book inspired by the of the amazing women and men who have been honoured to be named as Nobel Prize Laureates in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine. I shall be spotlighting Mario J. Molina who’s pioneering work alerted the world to the dangers of CFCs. Winter and El Fathi have … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Science and Me,’ by Ali Winter, illustrated by Mickaël El Fathi.
With swathes of the country already enjoying some snow and with more promised, why not make the most of it as part of home learning and get children outside and enjoying themselves? This clever picture book lends itself brilliantly to some screen-free science (states of matter, the water cycle...) and also raises some interesting questions … Continue reading ‘The Snowman and the Sun,’ by Susan Taghdis, illustrated by Ali Mafakheri, translated from Persian by Azita Rassi.
As it’s National Non-Fiction November, I think it’s only right to share with your some of the stunning information books I’ve been sent recently. Both my sons are fascinated by books featuring gadgets, gizmos and gobsmacking vehicles so these next four have been given thorough testing! ‘In the Sky: Designs Inspired by Nature,’ by Harriet … Continue reading Fantastic Inventions!
There’s something rather magical about cracking open a brand new encyclopedia and immersing yourself in the knowledge within. Although people can now find any answer they want with a click of a button, I think there will always be a place for wonderful books like this - they contain worlds of possibilities and undiscovered wisdom … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia,’ from Britannica Books, edited by Christopher Lloyd.
The two books featured in this post will take you deep into places you’ve never dared explore before! ‘Gut Garden’ will take you into the wonderful of microbes hidden within your body, whilst ‘Unseen Worlds’ exposes the millions of microscopic creatures hiding in your bed and kitchen cupboards - not for the faint-hearted! ‘Unseen Worlds,’ … Continue reading Journeys into the Unknown
We are big fans of information books in this household and are always pleased when something a little different comes our way. The ‘Turn and Learn’ series from Little Tiger Press features slide and reveal wheels which delighted Book Boy Jr. Our World allows readers to explore five fascinating habitats: desert, rainforest, arctic, and the … Continue reading The ‘Turn and Learn’ series – written by Isabel Otter and illustrated by Hannah Tolson.
With the Stone Age a firm fixture on the primary school national curriculum, it’s always useful to have some new texts up your sleeve to use along with tried and tested favourites. Today I’m going to share with you a selection of titles I’ve been sent which would fit well with a Stone Age topic … Continue reading Stone Age, Bone Age
Children see and hear the words ‘climate change’ everywhere, but do they truly understand what they mean? This brilliant picture book from Neal Layton explains very clearly and simply some of the causes of climate change and the impact that can have on our planet. Have you ever wondered what greenhouse gases are and what … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘A Climate in Chaos,’ by Neal Layton.
The Questioneers are back for another mystery-packed adventure and I have a peek at the first chapter - just for you! This time our favourite child-architect, Iggy Peck, is taking the lead. When Ada Twist's Aunt Bernice inherits an old house full of rooms from all of Iggy's favourite architectural periods, his head's swirling with … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘The Questioneers: Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion,’ by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts.
Given the high profile of climate change and a rise in climate activism amongst the youth of the world, it’s little surprise that the theme for the 50th Earth Day is climate activism. I am about to share with you all some titles which I hope will inform pupils about some of the global issues … Continue reading Books to Encourage Climate Activism – Earth Day 2020
As a parent of a child in Year 6, I am keenly aware that Book Boy may not be returning to school in time to do all the usual 'end of Year 6' things - performances, shirt signings, the sex education session which I am sure many parents (including myself) are not overly confident in … Continue reading Books to use in RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) in Year 6.
Library Girl and Book Boy 