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
Today I’m sharing a very timely picture book about a special journey through the oceans on the back of a whale which makes clear the devastating impact of plastic pollution on the seas and the creatures who live in them. ‘Where land becomes sky and the sky becomes sea, I first saw the whale, and … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Tale of the Whale,’ by Karen Swann, illustrated by Padmacandra.
Today we’re diving down into the watery depths of the world’s oceans and seas in Caryl Hart’s newest picture book. ‘SPLOOOOSH! We're off on an exciting underwater adventure in our submarine to meet the oceans and seas of our blue planet. Join in with the rhymes and get ready to spot all the smiley-faced, friendly … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Meet the Oceans,’ by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Bethan Woollvin.
There’s always something truly magical about finding a tree that’s so enormous you have no hope of putting your arms around it - you know that it has stood on that same spot for hundreds and hundreds of years regardless of the changes which have gone on around it. I always wonder just what it’s … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘What did the Tree See?’ by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Sam Usher.
I absolutely love Will’s books; his humour just tickles me! (See ‘I Can Only Draw Worms’) I am please to be able to share with you his newest title: ‘Flea's got itchy feet! It's time to find a new dog to call home. But, try as he might, none of the dogs he meets are … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Flea Seeks Dog,’ by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Nathan Reed.
I always find this time of year so dark and dreary, especially so this year during lockdown, so it’s important to look for the positives around you and have hope that things will get brighter. ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ is certainly one of those books which encourages readers to think about what makes … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ by Caroline Crowe, illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs.
Although Sharon has illustrated a lot of brilliant books for other authors, this is the very first book she’s both written and illustrated. Make sure you read Sharon’s piece about the ideas & inspirations behind her story. ‘Suzy's family has moved house and everyone is just TOO BUSY to play with her. Eager for someone … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Bears Don’t Wear Shoes,’ by Sharon Davey.
Today I’m sharing a perception-flipping new picture book from award-winning duo Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson. ‘Milo is on a long subway ride with his older sister. To pass the time, he studies the faces around him and makes pictures of their lives. There's the whiskered man with the crossword puzzle; Milo imagines … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Milo Imagines the World,’ by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Can Bears Ski?’ - a fantastic new picture book from poet and teacher, Raymond Antrobus. Raymond was born deaf and his debut picture book draws on his on childhood, showing how isolating being hard of hearing can be. ‘Little Bear feels the world around him. He … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Can Bears Ski?’ by Raymond Antrobus, illustrated by Polly Dunbar.
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.
We all have a responsibility to look after our surroundings and care for the creatures who also make their homes in them. What I have today are three beautiful books with themes of protecting our environment and looking out for bees and other insects. ‘Omar, the Bees and Me,’ by Helen Mortimer, illustrated by Katie … Continue reading Bee-utiful Books!
To round off this year’s book advent, I have a lovely picture book from Little Door Books. Everybody loves the stars but have you ever loved them enough to steal them? Not just one or two, but all of them? When a little girl decides she wants a real star of her own, she writes … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 23 ‘The Girl Who Stole the Stars,’ by Corrina Campbell.
Today’s choice is a lovely story about a little mouse searching for a new home on Christmas Eve and all the creatures she helps along the way. ‘It’s Christmas Eve, and Mouse is trying to find the perfect place to call home. But by the time she’s helped Bunny, Fox and Bear, the sun has … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 21 ‘A House for Christmas Mouse,’ by Rebecca Harry.
When Book Boy was younger, this imaginative dinosaur series was on constant bedtime story repeat. Although he’s now a very grown-up Year 7, he couldn’t resist having a peek through this new Christmassy title when it dropped through our letterbox. When Santa’s sleigh gets stuck in a snowdrift on Christmas Eve, there’s only one team … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 19 ‘Dinosaur Christmas,’ by Penny Dale.
This is a brilliantly fun lift-the-flap book to let little ones to join in with the hunt for Santa. It’s Christmas Eve and Mouse is hunting high and low for Santa. He’s searched in the house, in the snowy garden, and behind the twinkling Christmas tree but he just can’t find him anywhere. Doesn’t Mouse … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 14 ‘Can’t See Santa!’ text by Mandy Archer, illustrated by Chris Jevons.
Today I’m sharing a great board book for babies and toddlers which follows the adventures of a rather magical snowman. Head off on a sparkling magical adventure with Snowman and his elf friends as he goes to help mend Santa’s sleigh! There’s lots to spot in the festive illustrations and a whole host of lovable … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 12 ‘My Magical Snowman,’ illustrated by Yujin Shin.
Sometimes it’s nice to read a Christmas book which reflects on the meaning of Christmas beyond flashy lights, Santa and baubles. This heart-warming story is one of those... It’s Christmas morning. Esme and Bear have opened all their present except for one last red-wrapped gift hidden beneath the tree. When they read the gift tag, … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 11 ‘The Most Wonderful Gift in the World,’ by Mark Sperring, illustrated by Lucy Fleming.
Celebrate fifteen years of ‘Dear Santa’ with this special edition of Rod Campbell’s Christmas classic with an extra sparkly gold-foiled cover. Join Santa as he wraps and packs the perfect present for each and every child. For generations, children have loved joining in with the simple text and repeated refrains, lifting the flaps to see … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 10 ‘Dear Santa,’ by Rod Campbell.
Any child of the eighties (and onwards) will be familiar of the tale of ‘Dogger,’ a beloved favourite toy who goes missing then reappears in the most unexpected of places. I am absolutely beyond delighted to be able to report that the legendary Shirley Hughes has created a magical new Dogger adventure: ‘Dogger’s Christmas.’ “It's … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 8 ‘Dogger’s Christmas,’ by Shirley Hughes
Today have a fabulously festive romp for your reading pleasure as little ones are encourage to help Santa find his pants! It’s Christmas Eve, the sleigh is packed and the reindeer are ready to go. But as Santa starts getting dressed to head out, he can’t find his pants! As his spare pairs blown off … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 7 ‘Can You Find Santa’s Pants?’ by Becky Davies and Alex Willmore.
