Tuesday, 29 March 2016

The Not So Wise Owl

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Author: Robert James Parfett
Illustrator: Sarah-Leigh Wills
Graphics: Simon Hopkins
ChildrensStoryPublishers.com  2015

Review request from 'Authors Large & Small' and RJ Parfett.
Reviewed copy kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Back of Book:
"The other oak dwellers at first
 couldn't see what was wrong with
the funny old owl in the tree."

Find out what has happened to poor Owl in this amusing tale of life in an oak tree. Will Owl ever be wise again?

Imagine you're a woodland creature in a predicament...you've got a serious problem (let's face it, Mother Nature isn't always in a good mood.) So, what do you do? Who can you turn to for some wisdom and advice? 

Sunday, 27 March 2016

Rory's Story Cubes

The Creativity Hub Rory's Story Cubes
not suitable for children under 36 months
A slight diversion from picture books, but a wonderful resource tool for your classroom or handbag, and one I have to share :)


Saturday, 26 March 2016

Sharky Marky Books

Sharky Marky and the Big Race (Book1)

  • Written by : Lance Olsen Illustrated by : Thomas Perry 
  • Publisher: Olsen Images LLC; 1 edition (September 30, 2014)
  • Reviewed copy: PDF * version provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.




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Sunday, 21 February 2016

The Worst Day of My Life Ever!





My story about listening and following instructions (...or not!)

Written by Julia Cook. Illustrated by Kelsey De Weerd
Boystown Press 2011
Reviewed copy from my resource shelf at work.


Back of book

There's lots of info on the back cover, here's just a little of it:

RJ has had a rough day...he wakes up with gum stuck in his hair, misses recess because he's late to school, earns a zero on his math homework, kicks the ball into his own team's soccer goal and messes up Mom's kitchen with his overflowing pancake batter! With his mother's help, RJ learns that his problems happen because he doesn't listen or pay attention to directions from her, his school principal, teachers, or even his friends.

This book is the first in the BEST ME I Can Be! series to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators on how to reinforce the skills are included.

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Put simply, RJ's day is a series of unfortunate events. He awakens with gum in his hair and things pretty much snow ball from there-he's late for school, gets in trouble for wearing a hat (to hide the gum), messes up his maths sums and creates a pancake disaster in his kitchen. Following each mishap, there's an 'I told you....' comment from either a peer or an adult. After his run of bad luck, RJ decides to confide in his mother  and tell her about the worst day of his life ever. She gives him some sound advice about listening and following instructions and, thankfully, the next day is a whole lot better for RJ!

Sunday, 7 February 2016

Why Reading at Young Age Matters:Infographic

Found this great infographic on Pinterest. I can't find a direct link to it's source, but it's produced by HarperCollins!

Sunday, 17 January 2016

Living with Mum and Living with Dad: My Two Homes

This post includes affiliate links
See my disclosure here

Written & illustrated by Melanie Walsh
Walker Books 2012, this edition 2013
Reviewed copy from my resource shelf at work.

Back of book:
My mum and dad don't live together any more so sometimes I live with my mum and sometimes with my dad.
A book about separation for very young children.
"A warm and reassuring way to explain a difficult situation, with bold vivid illustrations." -parentsintouch.co.uk

See below for more about this book....

Sunday, 10 January 2016

The Colour Thief: A family's story of depression

This post includes affiliate links. See my disclosure here.

Written by Andrew Fusek Peters & Polly Peters
Illustrated by Karin Littlewood
Wayland Books a division of Hachette Children's Books 2014
Reviewed copy: from my resource shelf at work

Back of Book:
My Dad's life was full of colour. But one day, Dad was full up with sadness, all the way up to the top. He said that all the colours had gone.Someone had stolen them away. Just taken them one by one....
The Colour Thief is a tender tale of a father's struggle with depression and the distance it drives between him and his family. But this is a story of hope and love, and the journey towards getting a life back on track.

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Saturday, 2 January 2016

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids


This post includes affiliate links. See my disclosure here.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids (Bucketfilling Books)

Written by Carol McCloud  Illustrated by David Messing

Bucket Fillosophy, Bucket Fillers, Inc, 2015 (10th Anniversary Edition: revised & updated)

Reviewed copy: from my resource shelf at work

Back of book:
This heartwarming book encourages positive behaviour by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show children how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by "filling buckets."
Updated and revised, this 10th anniversary edition will help readers better understand that "bucket dipping" is a negative behaviour not a permanent label.It also explains that it's possible to fill or dip into our own buckets.

See below for more about this book...

Trumpety Trump!

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See my disclosure here
Meet Elliot, the noisy elephant with the noisy behind!

Written by Steve Smallman
Illustrated by Adria Meserve
Scholastic Children's Books 2013
Reviewed copy: from resource shelf at work

Back of Book
Elliot Elephant used to be...RUDE!
He guzzled his drink and he gobbled his food.
And when he would trumpet, as elephants do,
He'd trumpety-trump from his bottom end too!

But Elliot soon learns 
that if you care for others
they'll care about you.

Missus B says..................


Iris and Isaac

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See my disclosure here


Written and illustrated by CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner, Catherine Rayner
Little Tiger Press 2010
Reviewed edition: Library copy
Back of book

Iris and Isaac are NOT FRIENDS. Off they stomp, in a big bear huff, as far away from each other as possible. And as they stomp, they see funny, strange and wonderful things. If only they were together to share them....
A warm and touching story exploring friendship and the importance of sharing.

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