As I’ve said many a time before, reading to babies right from the start is fundamental in building not only a love of books, but also in laying the foundation stones of future language development. It’s also the perfect time to snuggle up and bond or to enlist the reading skills of an older sibling. … Continue reading Brilliant Board Books
This is a throughly beautiful and original explanation of how Father Christmas came to be. It is quite unlike any Christmas book I have read before - quiet, thoughtful and magical. The young boy and his family spend their lives moving from place to place as they follow their food. It’s hard to imagine life … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 3 ‘The Three Wishes: A Christmas Story,’ by Alan Snow.
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this funny, silly, reassuring not bedtime story, bedtime story! Make sure you read Eoin’s piece about why he finally conceded to his young son’s taste for monsters with this scary (but not really) tale. Get ready for ‘The World’s Scariest Monster’ and his friends to take … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘This Book is Not a Bedtime Story!’ by Eoin McLaughlin and Robert Starling.
You know the drill when it comes to fairytales - princess gets locked in a tower/ put to sleep/ kidnapped by a witch and is rescued by a handsome prince, right? Wrong! What I have for you today are four fabulous collections of reimagined fairy tales for a more modern era. ‘Fearless Fairy Tales,’ by … Continue reading Fairy Tales Reimagined
This week, Book Boy Jr. and I have been travelling around the world with this excellent ‘Big City Atlas.’ Open the books and join Penguin on a tour of 28 captivating cities. Book Boy Jr loved the combination of interestingly illustrated maps of each city, featuring some of the main landmarks, accompanied by fact boxes … Continue reading #TuesdayReviewsDay: ‘Big City Atlas,’ by Maggie Li
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
There comes a point on Christmas Day when all the tinsel and fairy lights can be a little much and you just want to snuggle up somewhere warm with a beautiful book. Animals are perennial favourites with readers of all ages so I have a selection sure to delight everyone. ’Goodnight Ocean’ by Carmen Saldaña, … Continue reading Gifts for Animal Lovers
#BookBoy is a huge fan of exploring and planning his own mini expeditions so is always very interested in any books I receive which have an ‘adventuring’ theme. I’m going to share four with you which he has enjoyed delving into. ‘Adventures on Earth’ by Simon Tyler (Pavilion) This wonderful book is absolutely packed with … Continue reading Calling all Adventurers!
Bugs of all shapes and sizes are always a source of fascination for children so I have a new fictional adventure and two beautiful information books for you to enjoy. ‘Winnie and Wilbur: The Bug Safari,’ by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul (OUP) A new adventure for fans of magical duo Winnie and Wilbur. After … Continue reading Bug Out Over Books!
With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing being celebrated this July, I’m seizing the opportunity to share all of the fantastic Space-themed books I’ve been enjoying recently. ‘Molly’s Moon Mission’ by Duncan Beedie (Templar Books) Duncan Beedie is one of my favourite picture book creators. All of his books are right on target as … Continue reading Take-off With A Good Book!
The 20th July 2019 marks fifty years since the American Apollo 11 lunar module help humans achieve their goal of setting foot on the moon in 1969. To celebrate this huge scientific achievement, there is a huge wealth of amazing books being published to help deepen our our knowledge and inspire a real sense of … Continue reading Celebrating the Moon Landing’s 50th Anniversary – information books.
I have been carefully collecting a fantastic range of science-based books (non-fiction and fiction) to share with you during British Science Week- a ten day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. I’m going to start off with the information books as they are Book Boy’s favourites! ‘Science is Magic’ written by Steve Mould (DK … Continue reading British Science Week – Part 1: Science Fact
It can be a constant battle trying to persuade young children to remember their manners. One of these three picture books may just help make things a little easier. Good luck! ‘Wild Violet’ by Alex Latimer, illustrated by Patrick Latimer (Pavilion Books) Violet was born wild and, despite people’s assurances to the contrary, … Continue reading Mind Your Manners
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….
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
When this book pirouetted its way through my letterbox, I knew it was destined to find its forever home at my ballet-loving niece’s house. So before I deliver it this afternoon, here’s a little review so you can enjoy it too. Betty Bunny Dreams of becoming a ballerina, like her heroes Darcey Burrow and Rudolph … Continue reading ‘Ballet Bunnies,’ by Lucy Freegard.
Sadly, not a weather update, but a new blog post! Our House is currently plagued by chicken pox, so we’ve taken the opportunity to catch up on a bit of picture book reading. I’m am pleased to share with you three pawfect reads you’d be barking mad to miss! Picking Pickle by Polly Faber & … Continue reading Raining Cats and Dogs
The Summer holidays are upon us. Five weeks of relaxing in the sunshine whilst the children gambol around merrily, amusing themselves and behaving impeccably. Or, five weeks of rain, boredom, complaining and niggling. Whichever sounds closest to the holiday you’re having, one of these titles might just provide a window of calm and tranquility in your … Continue reading Summer Holiday Boredom-Busters
Written by award-winning author-illustration Rosie Wellesley, The Itchy-saurus was specifically written to normalise itchy skin (particularly eczema.) Tyrannosaurus Rex is out enjoying himself in the jungle when his skin becomes itchy and scratchy. Of course, only having short arms means that he can’t reach everywhere to have a scratch, and where he can scratch just … Continue reading ‘The Itchy-saurus,’ by Rosie Wellesley.
A beautiful cloth-covered reissue of Shakespeare’s classic tale, originally published in 1945. When the Fairy Queen, Titania, and King of the Fairies, Oberon, argue about who should be responsible for a little changeling boy, Oberon and his servant, Puck, cast a mischievous spell on Titania. This spell causes her to fall madly in love with … Continue reading ‘Titania and Oberon – A Fairy Tale,’ written by Jo Manton, illustrated by Phyllis Bray.
