Simon and Gaspard

Children (and indeed adults) often name pets after their favourite characters in books. As a child my rabbits were (rather obviously) Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontails and, if she'd been a boy, I would have really liked our dog to be named Timmy. A generation on and Mollie has her own rabbits and full freedom and...

East Sussex Children’s Book Awards 2014

Oh, books! They are incredible things, aren't they?! They have a special magic and the power to bring people together, unite them and excite them. I feel very privileged to be able to share books and spread their magic. It was a joy to take my year 6 book group to the East Sussex Children's...

Pea’s Books of Pure Joy by Susie Day

I spend a lot of time looking for and championing inclusive books. Books that show real people and real characters, reflecting the true diversity of our world. If I could have given you an overview of what I have been personally looking for, it would have looked a bit like this: I can't tell you...

Teaching your child to read – book bands, reading schemes and early readers.

The world of reading schemes, book bands, early readers and early chapter books can be a bit of a minefield and seems to have its own language. It can be particularly tricky if your child hasn't started school yet and you are working it all out on your own. I thought it might be useful...

Chicken Clicking by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

I always feel in safe hands with Jeanne Willis. She has written some of my absolute favourite books - Wild Child, Bog Baby, Susan Laughs - and this one doesn't disappoint. One day, Chick wanders in to the farmhouse and starts browsing the internet. Much hilarity follows as Chick buys unexpected gifts for herself and...