Highly illustrated with minimal text – some for little ones and some for older readers.
Watching The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition from my childhood. Imagine my delight when this beautiful search and find book was delivered. One in a series of gorgeous, foiled hardback books bringing to life classic stories in a new and interactive way. When people think of ‘The Nutcracker,’ they often think of the ballet, but … Continue reading ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,’ retold by Hannah Pang, illustrated by Federica Frenna.
Those cheeky gremlins are back in a flap-filled Christmas adventure. “It’s getting close to Christmas and there’s magic in the air... But beware of cheeky gremlins, who are hiding everywhere!” Christmas is coming and the gremlins are back and up to their usual mischievous tricks. Hiding in the Christmas tree, eating the turkey and blocking … Continue reading ‘Christmas Gremlins,’ by Adam & Charlotte Guillain, by Chris Chatterton
Everybody loves a Disney classic and nobody can resist singing along to a Disney soundtrack. If you know someone who sounds like this, I’ve got three books for you which might just make the perfect gift. The Castle Collection (Studio Press) This is the book for anyone who has ever fantasized about being a princess … Continue reading Disney Dreams
The dream team of children’s picture books are back with a suitably wintery Christmas book, ‘Snowball.’ Book Boy Jr. had been desperate to read this since spotting an advert for it at the train station! A lonely little snowball stands on top of a mountain and gazed down at the town below. It seems to … Continue reading ‘Snowball,’ by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.
A brand new wintry instalment in the sublimely fantastical Magic Forest series. Winter has fallen in the Magic Forest and its inhabitants are not happy - all the snow is ruining their prize-winning gardens. It is decided (following advice from Gnomedalf) that a team of five brave heroes (consisting of a unicorn, a fairy, a … Continue reading ‘Super Frozen Magic Forest,’ by Matty Long.
I’m lucky enough to have been sent lots of lovely Christmas books to review this Winter. The Snow Rabbit’s glittery cover really caught my eye. Bear is always so grumpy. Will anybody ever manage to make him smile? When snowfall covers the woods, rabbit thinks he knows just the thing to cheer him up. Surely … Continue reading ‘The Snow Rabbit,’ by Georgiana Deutsch, illustrated by Alison Edgson.
Sometimes, the simple pleasures of Christmas can get lost amongst the flashing lights and tinsel of a modern Christmas. This joyful feel-good book helps readers pause and look around them. Bear is just settling down in front of a warm fire to read his book when he hears a loud tooting from outside. Upon opening … Continue reading ‘The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel,’ by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal.
I am always on the look out for classic stories retold in a simplified style and I’ve got two gorgeous ones plus a classic song for you to enjoy in picture book form. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, retold by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Nosy Crow) This is an absolutely stunning re-telling of … Continue reading Picture a Classic…
Another brilliant title in the ‘Archie’ series which tackles concepts that little children find difficult to understand (No!, Why?, Now!, and More! being previous instalments). This time, it’s Christmas, and Archie the rhinoceros can barely contain his excitement. Archie absolutely loves Christmas and has big plans to make this one the best Christmas ever! From … Continue reading ‘It’s Christmas!’ By Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes.
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…
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….
With the impending American mid-terms looming large on the horizon, it must surly have been serendipity which saw ‘Dear Donald Trump’ pop through my letterbox. Sam is sick of sharing a bedroom with his brother. He plays on his phone all night, keeping Sam awake and he has had enough! After seeing Donald Trump on … Continue reading ‘Dear Donald Trump,’ by Sophie Siers, illustrated by Anne Villeneuve.
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.
I love picture books for readers of all ages so am delighted to be able to share with you Jo’s newest picture book and a special post about who it went from a being a few rough character sketches to a finished book. I also have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader. Papa … Continue reading ‘What’s For Lunch, Papa Penguin?’ By Jo Williamson with special post about the making of a picture book.
Having previously met Fiona several times at the Picture Book Club she runs, and listened to talks with her about other authors’ experiences of getting published, I am absolutely delighted to be hosting her very own picture book and special post on my blog today. There is nothing Danny wants more than a real live … Continue reading ‘Danny and The Dream Dog,’ by Fiona Barker, illustrated by Howard Gray.
If you’re looking for a suitably spooky Halloween read, take a peek at one of these. If you dare.... Vlad The World’s Worst Vampire: Midnight Fright by Anna Wilson, illustrated by Kathryn Durst (Stripes Books) Vlad’s back in another adventure and this time his very annoying cousin Lupus is visiting. Poor old Vlad has never … Continue reading Halloween Howlers
Would you rather serve a meal to a very polite rat or a bad-mannered cat? This is just one of the dilemmas posed in the anarchic sequel to ‘Would You Rather..’ An absolutely cracking book based on the classic game ‘Would You Rather...’ (to be played with caution!) Inside there are plenty of puzzlers to … Continue reading ‘More Would You Rather…,’ by John Burningham.
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
It’s important that all children find themselves and their beliefs reflected in the books they see around them. This blog post is showcasing two books based in the Muslim world. ‘Night of the Moon - a Muslim Holiday Story’ by Hena Khan, illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Chronicle Books) This beautiful picture book follows the story … Continue reading Tales to Embrace Muslim Culture
Library Girl and Book Boy 