Children's books, YA, fiction at its finest
I love a starting school story. It's such an important time for children - and their grown ups - and can often be fraught with worry, mostly on the part of the parents! Sharing books about a potentially worrisome situation is a wonderful way to start a discussion and soothe those worries away. Especially when... Continue Reading →
The line between fiction and non-fiction is thin and often blurry. Many non-fiction books use a narrative or other elements of fiction writing to get their information across. Mad About Mega Beasts by Giles 'Giraffes Can't Dance' Andreae and David Wojtowycz uses verse to create a kind of non linear narrative. Children will meet mega... Continue Reading →
Your Hand in My Hand by Mark Sperring and Britta Teckentrup is deliciously scrummy! I wish I could photograph every page and share the delightful illustrations with you. Or pop round to every single one of your homes to give you a look. Instead, I'll share a glimpse and you can all go out and... Continue Reading →
Sharing is a tricky concept that all children have to learn to deal with at some point. It can be a very emotional lesson to learn and often children need a little help. Mine! by Jerome Keane and Susana De Dios is a bright, bold and stylish book that gently explores sharing through humour and... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
I love the Belle and Boo books! We have borrowed The Goodnight Kiss from the library A LOT this year. They have a traditional feel mixed perfectly with a contemporary design. They look beautiful, they feel beautiful and they sound beautiful when read aloud. But most of all, they have that warm and cosy quality.... Continue Reading →
I love books! Had you noticed? I love to stroke them and sniff them. I love the words and the stories and the rhythms and the structures. I love the illustrations and the play between them and the text, and the theatre of it all. I love getting review books and exploring my amazing local... Continue Reading →
As a huge fan of Giraffe's Can't Dance (and the rock 'n' rolling rhinos) I was very excited to find Whizzy Busy People waiting for me on my doormat. And it didn't disappoint. There's a lot to love about this book. It combines two of the things little people adore - spotting things, and Exciting... Continue Reading →
Apple Pie ABC is no ordinary alphabet book. Oh no! It looks 'ordinary' in the face and laughs. This book is far too smart and stylish to ever be called ordinary. Alison Murray has taken the usual alphabet book format and mixed it with a traditional verse. And that is just where the story begins,... Continue Reading →
Rhino Reads 