Wriggly Nativity

Picture books help children (and all of us) learn about the world around us - past, present and potential. And oh how children love to learn! Any new experience will inspire questions and ideas, and books support these questions - as well as the parents who are desperately trying to answer them against the repetitive...

Merry Christmas, Pip!

I do love a well thought out and designed activity book. When done well they can be an absolute joy - boredom-busting, educational, inspiring and above all, FUN! The Merry Christmas, Pip! Sticker Activity Book was the perfect surprise for Mollie to pull out of her artist's explorer satchel during the drive to Grandma and...

Colin and the Snoozebox

Oh Colin! How I do love you! I am a big fan of pets with really-meant-to-be-a-person names. I think Herman the goldfish or Barry the dog would be winners! Imagine standing on your doorstep, shaking a box of cat treats and shouting "Colin.... Coooooooliiiiiiin. Come home to me, Colin!" Genius! Colin has a very special...

Father Christmas Comes up Trumps

This is the time of year when primary school teachers start to wander around with a bit of a twitch and a blank stare. They are trapped in week four of rehearsals for The Christmas Show. Some may be lucky enough to be getting theirs over and done with this week so they can enjoy...

Are You Ready for Christmas?

Ooooooo this book is pretty! I appreciate that's not the kind of thought out, meaningful and heartfelt review I usually produce on here. But it's Christmas, and at Christmas time I like a bit of pretty! I love the glitter and the window displays and the handmade decorations and the metallic sheen on everything. I...

And the winner is……

The moment you've all been waiting for! The winner of the beautiful signed Jane Hissey print... So many entries! I was so thrilled with the response, but also a bit nervous. How would I pick a winner? How could I make it as fair as possible? Should I look into the technical widgets that draw...

What Are You Playing At?

Sometimes a book comes along that makes me jump out of my seat and do a happy dance. It makes me thankful and thoughtful and incredibly grateful that there are people out there who care enough to produce books like it. Finding books like this makes the hours that I put into this blog entirely...

Win a signed Jane Hissey print with Salariya

It's nearly Christmas! Hurrah! To celebrate I am joining the happy crew at Salariya for their Twelve Days of Christmas festivities. I have the pleasure of giving away a SIGNED print featuring Blue Rabbit and Blanket the horse from Jane Hissey's latest book Ruby, Blue and Blanket. (Please excuse the photo quality- but this print...

The Rainbow Library IS WORKING!!!!

I know... capitals and overuse of exclamation marks! But I'm going to do it again because THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!! For me, anyway. If I knew how to do underlining on this app, I'd do that too!! I am VERY excited! Because last week I went to visit the second home of The Rainbow Library....

Winter’s Child by Angela McAllister and Grahame Baker-Smith

A haunting Christmas book from Templar by Angela McAllister and Kate Greenaway medal winner Grahame Baker-Smith, Winter's Child is beautiful. From the moment you look at the cover you know you have something special. The paper has a metallic sheen and catches the light beautifully and Baker-Smith's illustrations are magical. His fusion of drawing, painting...