Jun
15
Science Fiction / Children’s Books / Young Fiction Ages 8-12
First Published in 2005
Publisher: Puffin
Click here to buy the Book: The Supernaturalists by Eoin Colfer
Click here to buy the [Audio Book: The Supernaturalists by Eoin Colfer]
Book Synopsis:
Future, Satellite City.
Cosmo Hill is 13 years old and lives at the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys. Cosmo Hill is an orphan, otherwise known as a ‘no-sponsor’. No-sponsors are put to work by the government as human lab-rats. Day in and day out, they test dangerous products. Night in and night out, they sleep in their cardboard utility pipes covered in scars, sores and burns from their hard day’s work.
Cosmo Hill needs to escape. But how? Cosmo prepares for the day when he can make his daring getaway from Clarissa Frayne… Read more... (506 words, 3 images, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Teenage Fiction Ages 8-12 books for teens children's book Fiction Gift
Jan
08
by Eoin Colfer
Fantasy / Fiction / Children’s Book / Light Reading
First Published in 2001
Publisher: Puffin
International Bestseller
Shortlisted for the Whitbred Children’s Book of the Year
Winner of the WHSmith ‘People’s Choice’ Children’s Book of the Year
Winner of the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Synopsis:
Artemis Fowl, a genius criminal mastermind has succeeded in establishing the existence of fairies, and is determined to catch one. After staking out over 100 fairy locations, Artemis succeeds in kidnapping LEPrecon Captain Holly Short.
But these aren’t the toadstool-dancing creatures of fairy tales, these are trained law enforcement fairies, and they are ready to fight back. Just when Artemis Fowl thinks he has them cornered, the fairies stop playing by the rules.
FYI: Artemis Fowl is a twelve-year-old. Read more... (375 words, 3 images, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)
Posted in Adult Fiction, Book Reviews, Children's Fiction, Gifts, Light Reading, Teenage Fiction Action books for teens children's book contemporary fiction Fairy Fiction Gift Light Reading Teenage
Dec
09
[A pop-up book]
by Keith Faulkner / Illustrated by Jonathan Lambert
Children’s Book / Picture Book / Pop-up Book
Ages 3-6
First Published in 1995
Publisher: Koala Books
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
The curious wide-mouthed frog wants to find out the favorite foods of all the animals he meets along his journey.
He can’t stop himself chattering away, stopping to ask every creature he meets: ‘What do you eat?’
But then he meets an animal who loves eating wide-mouthed frogs…
My Book Review:
This is an amusing story that my mother, who is a storyteller, tells to young children. In book form, the pop ups of the animals are delightful, and the repetition of “I’m a wide-mouthed frog and I eat flies…What do you eat?” helps the kids join in as they learn about what mouse, bird and alligator love to eat. And despite the carnivorous inclinations of the alligator, the story of The Wide-Mouthed Frog has a funny ending.
x Julie
Reading Like Rabbits
Children’s Book Review
Posted in Children's Fiction, Gifts Ages 3-7 animals children's book children's picture book
Dec
07
by Jill Murphy
Children’s Fiction
Ages 7-11
First Published in 1974
Publisher: Puffin Books
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Synopsis:
Mildred Hubble joins Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. But it doesn’t take her long to realize that she is possibly the worst witch the school has ever had.
Mildred is a klutz, can never get her spells right, and has a tabby cat who is terrified of broom-flying.
However, Mildred may have been able to pass under the teacher’s radar, if the mean Ethel Hallow hadn’t decided to become her worst enemy.
A few more books from the series:
Can Mildred shed her reputation as the worst witch of Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches? She tries her best, but as usual for Mildred, things go horribly wrong for her…
Read more... (386 words, 5 images, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction, Gifts Ages 7-11 children's book Gift Witches
Dec
06
and
Illustrated by Colin King
Children’s Non-Fiction Book
Ages 8-11
First Published in 1978
Publisher: Usborne
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Detective’s Handbook Synopsis:
Being a detective is challenging and extremely thrilling. You must be well trained, alert and patient to be a good detective. He must be able to create a whole story from the tiniest clue at a crime scene. He must be on the lookout for criminals and be prepared to chase down a baddie if necessary.
The Detective’s Handbook teaches you special detective skills, such as dusting for fingerprints, identifying handwriting, questioning witnesses and finding clues.
Full of advice, tips and hints, this handbook for young detectives will prepare you for when your skills are put to the test!
Read more... (369 words, 3 images, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction, Gifts Ages 8-11 children's book detective Gift spy
Dec
01
by Maurice Sendack
(5/5)
Children’s Fiction / Children’s Picture Book
Ages 3-6
First Published in 1963
Publisher:Harper and Row
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Synopsis:
Where The Wild Things Are is about a little boy called Max dressed up in his monster suit who gets sent to bed without any supper for making mischief. He defiantly created a forest in his bedroom, travels by boat and ends up where the wild things are. The wild things are monsters who gnash their teeth, but Max stands up to them and therefore becomes their king. But he misses home, and his mum, so he gives up being king of the wild things and makes the long journey back home. Read more... (224 words, 7 images, estimated 54 secs reading time)
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction Ages 3-7 attitude children's book children's picture book Gift monsters teacher's resource
Dec
01
by P.D. Eastman
Children’s Fiction / Picture book
Ages 2-4
First Published in 1973
Publisher: Random House USA Inc.
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Synopsis:
Fred and Ted were good friends.
But they were different.
They were different sizes, they played different instruments, and they even drove their cars differently.
When they go on holiday together, they come across a problem that they need to solve…
Why I like this book:
My mum used to read Big Dog.. Little Dog to me when I was a child. I loved this children’s book because the simplicity of the language made it easy for me to repeat. I also enjoyed the contrast between the two friends. This book is also filled with useful verbs, adverbs and adjectives.
x Julie
Children’s Book Reviews
-Reading Like Rabbits-
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction Ages 3-7 children's book children's picture book
Nov
30
By Pat Hutchins
Children’s Fiction, Picture Book
Ages 3-6
First Published in 1976
Publisher: Puffin Books
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Children’s Book Synopsis:
A little boy is sent on his way to buy the groceries. His mother tells him what he needs to buy and especially says, “Don’t forget the bacon.”
The boy remembers his list by saying it to himself over and over again. But on his travels he is distracted by the sights and sounds on the street.
Will he remember the bacon?
My Book Review:
I loved this book as a child, it’s very funny. The little boy chants his little shopping list as he is sent down the street to the shops by his mum. But as he goes along, what he sees replaces the food on the shopping list. Like ‘six farm eggs’ become ‘six fat legs’. It’s very funny for child as they witness the disastrous consequences. Will he remember or forget the bacon? Read more... (176 words, 2 images, estimated 42 secs reading time)
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction Ages 3-7 children's book children's picture book Humour
Nov
30
by Ronda and David Armitage
Children’s Fiction / Picture Book
Ages 2-5
First Published in 1990
Publisher: Puffin Books
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book synopsis:
Three kids can’t find any clean clothes to wear. Mum’s gone to work, so it’s up to Dad to do the washing. Dad piles all their dirty clothes into the washing machine. But something goes wrong…. What will Mum say when she returns?
Why I like this book:
When Dad did the Washing must have been written by Ronda and David Armitage after a washing incident of their own.
Valuable, albeit domestic, life lessons can be learnt in this book: Read more... (184 words, 2 images, estimated 44 secs reading time)
- If you don’t want pink clothes, don’t wash red jump suits with white skirts
- Some mistakes are blessings in disguise, it just depends on how you decide to take it.
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction Ages 2-5 attitude children's book children's picture book teacher's resource
Nov
30
by Shirley Hughes
Children’s Fiction, Picture Book
Ages 2-5
First Published in 1982
Publisher: Red Fox
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Summary:
Alfie’s Feet is a charming book primarily about… Alfie’s feet. He counts his little sister’s toes with the rhyme ‘This little pig went to market…’, he wears his old brown shoes to splash about in puddles, but discovers that his feet, shoes and socks get all wet. So his mother buys him a shiny new pair of yellow wellington boots. This will help him keep his feet dry, but why do they feel so uncomfortable?
Why I love Alfie’s Feet:
I still have fond memories of reading Alfie’s Feet. Shirley Hughes’s expressive illustrations of the cubby-cheeked children are magnetic, and there is so much to look at in her drawings. Alfie’s Feet will help children learn vocabulary to do with well…feet…but also what goes on your feet, some movement verbs and adjectives, as well as the importance of left and right.
x Julie
Children’s Book Reviews
-Reading Like Rabbits-
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction Ages 2-5 children's book children's picture book Gift teacher's resource
Nov
30
by Shel Silverstein
(5/5)
Children’s Fiction
Ages 6-10
First Published in 1964
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Cover Synopsis:
“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy. So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree and the tree gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return. Read more... (309 words, 7 images, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)
Posted in Book Reviews, Children's Fiction, My Favourite Books Ages 6-10 children's book environment Fiction Gift Love Story teacher's resource
