As well as being the traditional day for giving chocolates and overpriced roses, Wednesday 14th February is also #BookGivingDay. A day when book lovers all over the world donate new or lightly-used books to children who need them. As a teacher, I am very aware of the squeeze being put on school budgets and the cuts … Continue reading Why I’m donating books to school libraries on #BookGivingDay
Ernest the Earwig has been thinking. And he's not happy. All sorts of creatures appear in books, but not earwigs. Why not?! Outraged, Ernest decides to right this wrong. After a restless night's sleep, Earnest heads off to the local bookshop and straight to the children's literature section. He then seizes his chance to slip … Continue reading ‘The Importance of Being Ernest the Earwig,’ by Nanette Newman, illustrated by Lindsay Branagh.
In today's political climate, we are constantly being told how different we all are from each other. That's why I was delighted to be sent this clever book which not only celebrates our differences but also points out how we are all the same. This book was inspired by Matt Lamothe's own experiences as he … Continue reading ‘This Is How We Do It – one day in the lives of seven kids from around the world,’ by Matt Lamothe.
I am delighted to find a modern and beautifully illustrated book about ballet. Given the huge numbers of young Prima Ballerinas out there, I'm surprised there haven't been more! In this book, you can explore ten of the world's best-loved ballets (including my personal favourite,'The Nutcracker.'). I have lots of warm Christmas memories of being … Continue reading ‘Where’s the Ballerina?’ By Anna Claybourne and Abigail Goh.
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.
Stockton is a very clever cat and he knows it. Playing the violin, juggling, rhythmic gymnastics, all come easily to him. But knitting? Now that's a different matter entirely! Stockton has a very fancy party to go to and he simply must knit himself a fancy scarf to wear. If he's as good at knitting … Continue reading ‘I Am a Very Clever Cat,’ by Kasia Matyjaszek.
The perfect autumnal read for leaf-lovers everywhere! The Little Adventurers are having a 'Bring in a Pet Day' but Sprat can't find his black cat, Shadow, anywhere. Determined not to be left out, Sprat uses his imagination and creates a pet that no-one is going to have - Leafy the Pet Leaf. As all his … Continue reading ‘Little Adventurers – Leafy the Pet Leaf,’ by Philip Ardagh and Elissa Elwick.
Martha is a twitcher - she just loves to go bird-spotting in her garden every day. One day she gets more than she'd bargained for when she spots a rather large and funny-looking bird. She consults one of her books and discovers that what she's spotted is a Dodo. But everyone knows Dodos are extinct. … Continue reading ‘Hello, Mr Dodo!’ by Nicholas John Frith.
There's now a third title in Britta Teckentrup's best-selling spotting series, and it doesn't fail to impress. All children are naturally inquisitive so I can't think of a better book to harness this than 'One is Not a Pair.' Each page contains several sets of pairs...but can you spot the odd one out? The rhyming … Continue reading ‘One is Not a Pair – A Spotting Book,’ by Britta Teckentrup.
Have you ever wondered what animals do at the zoo when all the people go home? Max and Mia are about to find out as they embark on a midnight adventure. Today is the day that Max and Mia's class go on a trip to the zoo. As their class clamber on and off the … Continue reading ‘Midnight at the Zoo,’ by Faye Hanson.
The third instalment of the bestselling How to Hide a Lion series has been released just in time for back-to-school. Iris's lion knows that lions aren't allowed at her school; Miss Holland had made that clear on several occasions. Lion uses his hiding know-how and ends up napping on top of the school bus. However, today's the … Continue reading ‘How to Hide a Lion at School,’ by Helen Stephens.
Old Bear is celebrating his 30th birthday this year but there are some stories which never age. Join Old Bear and his friends as they plan a special party to mark the occasion. In their latest adventure, Old Bear's friends are getting everything ready for his birthday party, with a little help from their new … Continue reading ‘Happy Birthday Old Bear,’ by Jane Hissey.
Shifty and Sam are back in their third picture book adventure. This time they have stolen jewels and penguin pandemonium to deal with! These former bad dogs turned bakers have been asked to cater Lady Kate's birthday ball at Woofington Hall. They're very excited to note that she's wearing her birthday tiara made of real … Continue reading ‘Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam – The Diamond Chase,’ by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton.
I'm very happy to be part of the blog tour for this eye-catching book. It's the first in a series of stories about Dylan - a dog who loves playing and wants everyone to join in with him too. In this adventure, Dylan is learning what it's like to be a doctor. Whilst pondering what … Continue reading ‘Dylan the Doctor,’ by Guy Parker-Rees.
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour of the daring tale 'The Knight who wouldn't Fight,' the story of a young mouse knight named Leo. This has been written by the awesome husband and wife team, Helen and Thomas Docherty who have also brought us such delights as 'The Snatchabook' and 'Abracazebra.' Leo isn't … Continue reading ‘The Knight who wouldn’t Fight,’ by Helen and Thomas Docherty.
Are you a literacy lover, a word wizard or an animal admirer? Then I have the picture book for you! Absolutely crammed full with a whole menagerie of collective nouns for some of your favourite animals, 'A Pandemonium of Parrots and other animals' is a visual delight from start to finish. No common herds of … Continue reading ‘A Pandemonium of Parrots and other animals,’ by Hui Skipp.
Fred is a fox who was born in the city. One day, he hears about a place called the wild... Fred is out foraging in bins with his cousins one night, when things don't quite go to plan. He flees to a rooftop to hide and asks the birds flying overhead where they're going. As … Continue reading ‘The Fox and the Wild,’ by Clive McFarland.
Most people cannot see ghosts. Can you? Leo has lived by himself in a house on the edge of the city for many years, reading his books and drawing pictures. When a new family move in, they are terrified by Leo's efforts to welcome them to his house. Leo decides to become a roaming ghost … Continue reading ‘Leo – A Ghost Story,’ by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Ahoy there, landlubbers! Captain Crankie and his best friend, Seadog Steve are sick and tired of the other villagers dumping their rubbish in their back gardens and streets. They decide they simply MUST take action... The only problem, is that Captain Crankie's solution ends up upsetting all the marine creatures who inhabit the sea he fishes … Continue reading ‘Captain Crankie & Seadog Steve,’ by Vivian French, illustrated by Alison Bartlett.
On the first day of the new year, the mailman brings a surprise - a penguin! At first, everyone is quite excited at the prospect of having a pet penguin to look after. But then, the next day, another arrives, and another, and another...until, by the end of the week, they have seven penguins! Day … Continue reading ‘365 Penguins,’ by Jean-Luc Fromental and Joelle Jolivet.
Library Girl and Book Boy 