The unicorn trend is still going strong with readers wanting a touch of glitter and sparkle in their bedtime stories. I am pleased, however, to see a new breed of unicorns breaking through. Unicorns who refuse to conform to their sweet and sugary image. Bring on the Grumpycorns, the hungry-corns and the downright naughty-corns (and … Continue reading Unicorns: glitter and rainbows?
Research has proven the many benefits of snuggling up with a little one and sharing a story, so what better way to celebrate father’s day than with a brand new story book featuring the man himself? Here are three picture books we’ve read recently and a little homage to my own father. ‘What’s Next?’ … Continue reading Father’s Day Reads
Morag is well-known for her best-selling, eye-popping picture books with wry humour and characters you could fall in love with. It’s for this reason I squeaked in excitement when I spotted ‘Brenda’ peeking out of the Jiffy bag. Book Boy snaffled it first and was sniggering away to himself as he read, but it wasn’t … Continue reading ‘Brenda is a Sheep,’ by Morag Hood.
Today I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for the very beautiful ‘The Tide’ which captures a child’s perspective on her grandfather’s memory loss. I also have a special piece from Clare about using picture books to promote resilience and positive mental health. This is a story about a little girl, her grandfather … Continue reading ‘The Tide,’ by Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay.
Today I’m pleased to be sharing with you the rather lovely ‘When it Rains’ by Rassi Narika, which was originally written in Indonesian. I also have a special piece from Rassi about the process behind illustrating her book. Kira is bored, bored, bored of the never-ending rain. You can’t do anything fun in the rain, … Continue reading ‘When it Rains,’ by Rassi Narika, translated by Ikhda Ayuning Maharsi Degoul & Emma Dai’an Wright.
This is a post for any of you planning to mark Refugee Week 2019 by raising awareness and promoting discussion about acceptance, kindness and refugees in your schools or homes. The books I’m going to share with you should be explored all year round, but I thought a special week may be … Continue reading National Refugee Week 2019 (17th-23rd June)
Following on from my non-fiction post, Blue Planet 1, which was packed full of some stunning new titles, it’s now the turn of some equally fabulous fiction books. ‘Alba the Hundred Year Old Fish,’ by Lara Hawthorne (Big Picture Press) A highly topical picture book about the damage plastic pollution does to the coral … Continue reading Blue Planet 2 – fabulous fiction
Lantana Publishing are known for their wonderful collection of diverse, inclusive titles, so it’s no surprise that they’re responsible for the publishing of Maryam al Serkal’s empowering story: ‘Mira’s Curly Hair.’ I am thrilled to be part of its blog tour and to be hosting a special piece by Maryam about how her daughter helped … Continue reading ‘Mira’s Curly Hair,’ by Maryam al Serkal, illustrated by Rebeca Luciani.
A clutch of lovely picture books about our amphibious friends have hopped through my letterbox recently. Prepare to learn plenty of froggy facts to fascinate your friends. ‘Fanatical About Frogs,’ by Owen Davey (Flying Eye Books) Flying Eye Books always produce stunning and stylish titles which appeal to the adult reader as much as the … Continue reading An Army Of Frogs
It’s never too early to start teaching young girls (and boys) that they have the power to do whatever they want to. Luckily, girls are no longer consigned to the role of helpless princess in the books available for them to enjoy. I’m going to share with you some of the celebratory and stereotype-busting titles … Continue reading Here Come the Girls! (International Women’s Day)
Do you love shopping? Do you love dinosaurs? Then head for The Dinosaur Department Store and its stonking blog tour! It’s Eliza Jane’s fourth birthday and she knows exactly what she wants. Not a colouring book, bike or a fluffy bunny. What she really wants is a pet dinosaur! Her beleaguered parents obligingly take her … Continue reading ‘The Dinosaur Department Store,’ by Lily Murray, illustrated by Richard Merritt.
“My Ted’s special. Stripy Ted. He’s not allowed to leave my bed.” The boy and his bear go everywhere together. They’ve crossed oceans and deserts, slain monsters and climbed mountains. But the duo’s adventurous lifestyle has taken its toll on Bear. Where once he sported luxurious golden stripes, now he’s threadbare and worn. He’s lost … Continue reading ‘Loved to Bits,’ by Teresa Healy, illustrated by Katie Cleminson.
With World Book Day fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the new books about books I’ve received recently in case you’re looking for inspiration! ‘The World Book Day Monster’ by Adam & Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Ada Grey (Egmont) I think we can all sympathise with Anna, … Continue reading Books about books!
Those of you who follow my blog or engage with me on Twitter will know that I am passionate about children’s books, all children’s books, and the power they have to transform a child’s life. There are few more powerful things parents can do for their children as babies which will significantly increase their vocabulary … Continue reading The Funny Thing about Funny Books
Sometimes a child’s emotions can build up inside them until they think thet might pop. This story may help them find away to express their emotions in a healthier way. Cub is angry. His sister keeps getting him into trouble and it’s just not fair! Feelings of anger are building up inside him and … Continue reading ‘The Big Angry Roar,’ by Jonny Lambert.
Morag Hood’s books are instantly recognisable. Her bold, bright style has earnt her two nominations for the 2019 CILIP Greenaway Medal and a shortlisting for the Scottish Book Trust’s 2019 Bookbug picture book prize. Aalfred and Aalbert are aardvarks desperately searching for a friend. They’re practically next-door neighbours but their paths never cross because Aalfred … Continue reading ‘Aalfred and Aalbert,’ by Morag Hood.
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
Following on from the success of their first picture book collaboration, ‘You’re Safe With Me,’ Soundar and Mistry have created another beautiful title in the series. The story begins at the start of winter when two polar bear cubs are born in their icy den. Their mama bear promises to keep them warm and snug … Continue reading ‘You’re Snug With Me,’ by Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry.
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.
Library Girl and Book Boy 