I might be biased this week choosing the bedtime story for the Kids Club, but meeting the lovely Nadia Shireen at the Penguin Random House HQ on the Strand certainly helped appreciate the tale of The BumbleBear. With the recent release of the new Disney’s Jungle Book, the honey seeking bear is more popular than ever. The BumbleBear is a lovely picture book for very young readers which caught my…
When I recently met #1 bestselling author in 28 countries Sylvia Day at the Penguin Random House offices with one of the best views of London, I wasn’t sure how popular she really was on this side of the Atlantic. Sylvia is also a very humble lady and made me totally at ease so much so that I felt an immediate connection with her. The only novel I ever knew before my interview is the latest in…
It is well known that arts or cultural experiences in early childhood can help children develop abilities in the arts which will be useful right through life as well as significantly strengthen parent-child bonds and engage families in their children’s learning, providing a positive focus for shared experience and communication. Going to the museum is not always easy or possible with young…
If you are looking for new books with the old fashioned look and feel, I would recommend bestselling adult novelist Jenny Colgan‘s stories Polly and the puffin and the latest Polly and the Puffin: The Stormy Day published by Hachette UK, the second children’s book featuring Polly and her puffin Neil. With gorgeous two-colour illustrations throughout, Polly is perfect for reading aloud.
Jenny…
Who hasn’t forgotten the shopping list mum at least once in a lifetime? CHIMPANZEES FOR TEA! is a hilarious new picture book from author and illustrator talent Jo Empson, featuring truly stunning expressive artwork and a hilarious rhyming tale on the theme of forgetfulness and being distracted by the surrounding world.
9 year old Diego and I love CHIMPANZEES FOR TEA! published by Puffin…
2016 has been quite a year for the European Space Agency and the absolute protagonist of the latest out-of-this-world adventure is Tim Peake, ESA’s first British astronaut who has inspired kids with his regular videos from space during his mission in the past months. He is now the star of a new picture book published by Penguin Random House Children’s UK. GOODNIGHT SPACEMAN, produced in…
As a writer, I get to review books well ahead of publication date. I could not resist revealing a new book out in April though as it is really sweet and officially one of London Mums’ favourite picture books’ characters in 2016. Caution! This book contains a crunching, munching book monster! Whatever you do, don’t let him out. Uh-oh. Too late!
Nibbles is a very naughty book monster and…
As an Italian I am certainly biased when I list ten reasons to like Inspector Montalbano, the beloved Sicilian detective who adopts unusual methods to catch criminals. In Italy everybody knows and likes Commissario Montalbano’s adventures in Sicily thanks to two TV series which are super hits at international level. Even BBC4 shows them with Italian subtitles.
Here are ten reasons to like Andrea…
Queen Elisabeth is celebrating her 90th Birthday this April and is the subject of various children’s books. We recently reviewed The Queen’s Handbag by Steve Antony and we got an appetite for book about our beloved Queen.
This week we have found another charming children’s book celebrating Her Majesty: The Queen & Mr Brown: A Night in the Natural History Museum is brand new title to the…
How it Works: The Mum is the next title in the hugely popular Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups series; the hit of 2015 which sold in excess of one million copies over Christmas. The cover illustration showing a mum relaxing on a beach with her well behaved and calm child is clearly ironic and prepares you for what’s coming. This is the tone of the whole book and makes you think of all the work…