Books | TheBoyandMe

'Dear Zoo' (Review)

January 3, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 3 Comments

A few months ago, the wonderful children's modern classic 'Dear Zoo' by Rod Campbell celebrated its 30th anniversary. I am of the age group that would have only just missed this enchanting book when it was first published, however it very firmly sits in my Listography of Top 5 Children's Books and I defy any parent of a toddler to resist it. As it has sold over five million copies in the past thirty years, I'm pretty sure not many parents do resist it!

There are a number of different variants of the classic book in the 'Dear Zoo' range, including an Animal Shapes 'buggy' book, a Little Library, a pop-up version, a Noisy Book and even an iPad app, but I want to share two new additions:

Dear Zoo Touch and Feel

This is a brilliant version of the book for the younger child who is still discovering the world through touch. With a range of different textures throughout, the materials definitely help to make it more of a sensory book to explore. (RRP £7.99)

The Dear Zoo Activity Book

This activity book (priced at £3.99) has a huge range of activities which I feel are best suited to children aged four years and over. The activities encourage fine motor skill development through dot-dot and follow the line, and for the younger reader there are sticker activities. However quite a lot of the activities involve some degree of reading or writing which children younger than four are almost certainly not capable of. For someone who has treasured the book then this won't daunt them.

I was sent these products for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

Barefoot Books (Review)

January 2, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe Leave a Comment

The Boy has recently been sent two books from Barefoot Books to review. Barefoot Books publish books celebrating art and stories from a range of different cultures, sharing the world's diversity.

The Beeman (by Laurie Krebs and Valeria Cis)

In 'The Beeman', a young boy explains about his Grandpa and his hobby of keeping bees. Using prose, it explains the different clothing needed and how Grandpa looks after his beehives in order for them to produce honey which is then sold to the people of the town. At the end of the book is a visual glossary explaining some of the different processes and terms used throughout the book.

The illustrations in this book are full colour with soft tones used in every picture. Every page is adorned with beautiful drawings and they really engage the reader, and the child. I liked that the story was written in simple rhyming prose, which made it more interesting to read and listen to. The visual glossary at the back is a good idea but more suited to older children than The Boy at three and a half years.

'Driving My Tractor' (by Jan Dobbins and David Sim)

'Driving My Tractor' is a delightful book with an accompanying CD, which tells the story of a farmer who drives around his farm collecting the animals up on the back of his trailer. As he moves from page to page, the seasons change which provides a brilliant opportunity to discuss seasonal change and look for the similarities and differences in nature.

The book also allows for mathematical development through the progressive number of animals that need to be collected. At the very end of the book is a visual glossary to help explain some of the machinery and crops that can be found on a farm.

Both books are very appropriate for under-fives; 'The Beeman' shows life in another country (albeit in a familiar style), but 'Driving My Tractor' is the one that most children in the UK can equate to as many will have visited a farm and it therefore draws on experience to help explain.

I was sent these products for the purpose of this review, my opinions are honest and unbiased.

Christmas Storybooks For Pre-Schoolers #2

December 17, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 1 Comment

I wanted to share some of the Christmas story books that we've been sent by Walker Books.

With Love, From Maisy is a fantastic pocket book which would be ideal as a stocker filler for toddlers. With simple text and 'lift-the-flaps' on each page, it's a handy book to fit into a stocker and then keep in a handbag or for in the car.

We love this book! Santasaurus is a fabulous take on the popular theme of 'child who wants to see Father Christmas' featuring three young, sibling, dinosaurs Ollie, Molly and Milo. They write letters to 'Santasaurus' telling him what they'd like on Christmas Day, but will Milo get his wish to help Santasaurus?

Beautifully illustrated, humorous and a real delight to read; The Boy declared, "That was a lovely story Mummy, can we read it again?"

"On Charley's first night, Henry tells his new puppy "This is home, Charley". He says that a lot so that Charley will know that he is home. Henry's parents are pretty clear about who will be walking and feeding Charley (Henry will, and he can't wait). They are also pretty clear about where Charley will be sleeping – in the kitchen. But when the crying starts in the middle of the night, it looks like Henry's parents' idea about where Charley is going to sleep may have to change."

Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Charley's First Night is a gorgeous book with a lovely and compassionate story woven through the pages, explaining how important it is to care for a pet and what they need. The Boy enjoyed the illustrations more than the story, but I suspect it's because he was minimal contextual understanding of having a pet.

"It's Christmas time at the toy museum and all the toys hurry to the tree, but there aren't any presents! What can they give each other?"

While not the style of book that we would normally choose (because of the illustrations), when we read Christmas at the Toy Museum this morning, The Boy really enjoyed it and it was a great story for discussion about giving and receiving presents.

No home is complete without a Where's Wally? book and this Santa Spectacular version is the perfect gift to give this Christmas to all observant sorts! There are pages galore of festive puzzles, riddles, searches, trivia and games with over 300 stickers where the reader can create a merry Where's Wally? scene at the end too. The Boy is a little young for some aspects of this book (wordsearches and riddles) but he adores trying to see Wally and complete the sticker scenes.

The Night Before Christmas is a 'must-read' for Christmas Eve and we already have a version that we tried to read last year. Admittedly The Boy was significantly younger and it's a tricky language for a (then) two year old to digest, but the images were boring as well and we didn't enjoy reading it with him. However, this version is truly magical!

With simple black and white images on each page and cut-outs throughout the book, The Boy has been completely engaged reading this book and listening to the story. The text seems to be a little easier to read and explain, and the way that the story is illustrated really provides the non-reader with picture cues to comprehend the story. As with all interactive books, there is a fantastical end page and I shall go no more in explaining it, but my mum gasped when she turned the page.

Beautiful!

We were sent these books for the purpose of this review, our opinions are honest and unbiased.

Christmas Storybooks For Pre-Schoolers #1

November 29, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 5 Comments

Earlier this year I was sent a large selection of books from Little Tiger Press to review and I have to say that they remain The Boy's favourite storybooks for bedtimes and sofa-snuggle sessions. I think the reason that he is so taken with them (and that we enjoy reading them with him) so much is down to the innocent stories, invariable featuring animals brought to life with personalities and names (they remind me slightly of the Brambly Hedge books of my own childhood), and the beautiful illustrations.

I've been sent some of their Christmas books for The Boy and us to enjoy, and I want to share them with you. Not because this is a review and I have to, but because I truly believe they are delightful books which your own littlies will love.

In "I've Seen Santa!" (by David Bedford & Tim Warnes) it is Christmas Eve and Little Bear is greatly looking forward to seeing Santa, but is so concerned that he might forget about him that he decides to stay up after Mummy Bear and Daddy Bear have gone to bed to check he comes. Throughout the course of the night (before Santa arrives) he catches both Daddy and Mummy Bear checking that everything is ok because they too are worried. Will Little Bear get to see Santa?

This book is available in both a normal paperback, and a paperback with a story CD read by Lesley Sharp and Jason Isaacs, who read the story beautifully. We've got a few story CDs and the Little Tiger Press ones are some of the best because of the way that they read the story through twice, allowing for the child to follow it page by page on the second reading.

This picture book and CD set has an RRP of £7.99 but is on offer with Amazon for £5.99 at the moment.

The Best Christmas Ever!
Millicent Mouse is looking forward to Christmas greatly, and with only one day left to prepare she busies herself making apple-nut pie and hot honey punch, and gathering ivy and berries to decorate her home. While she is out in the crunchy snow, she discovers a great many animals who need her help and kindness, which she willingly gives. That night she goes to bed without anything prepared for the next day, but the contentment of knowing she's helped her friends. Will they repay the kindness?

"The Best Christmas Ever!" (by Marni McGee & Gavin Scott) is a heart-warming tale of friendship and selflessness which helps to illustrate to children one of the important aspects of Christmas: giving without expectation of reward. RRP £5.99, Amazon has it for £4.49.

"Dear Santa" (by Kathryn White & Polona Lovsin) tells the story of Little Bear (a different one to the one above!) who, while playing in the snow, finds a letter addressed to Santa. Distressed that someone might not receive their Christmas presents if the letter doesn't get to Santa, Little Bear sets off with Rabbit to deliver the letter by hand (or paw, rather). Along the way they meet a host of helpful friends who help them in their adventure, but once lost in a snow blizzard who can rescue them?

In this hardback book there is also a letter-writing kit so that pre-schoolers can write (or draw) their own letter to Santa, which is a lovely touch and makes this book feel that much more special. RRP of £7.99, available from Amazon.

The Very Snowy Christmas
Big Mouse and Little Mouse are busy on Christmas Eve making food for the next day's festivities and decorating their home. Little Mouse is eager to find some beries and eventually, after straying a bit further from home than normal, finds some but is alarmed when 'the sky starts falling down' around him. He rushes home through the 'sky' which has settled onto the ground to ask Big Mouse what to do, but his journey home is full of new discoveries which he needs some reassurance about.

"The Very Snowy Christmas" (by Diana Hendry & Jane Chapman) introduces snow to young children in a way which many can identify with. This is also a picture book and CD set read by Lesley Sharp and Jason Isaacs, and is available from Amazon for £7.19 (RRP £7.99)

Santa's Special Letter

This one is my favourite book out of the five for the interactive qualities throughout. "Santa's Special Letter' (by Josephine Collins & Gail Yerrill) tells of Father Christmas' final preparations in getting the presents ready for all the chilldren (and creatures) of the world and loading up his sleigh. When he starts to check them off against his list, he discovers that he has missed a letter and hasn't got the present ready. His helpers, including Pip the Mouse, help him to find the red and yellow letter so that he can make that elusive present. Will he have it ready in time?

One of the best features of a book for pre-schoolers is encouraging interaction with the book and interest in reading on to discover the story. In "Santa's Special Letter" there are red and yellow envelopes scattered throughout the pages, each containing a letter to be read, and plenty of flaps to lift and a beautiful final pop-up to enjoy. Top marks for this book! RRP £8.99 with an Amazon price of £5.39. Bargain, buy it now!

Little Tiger Press has a whole heap of Christmas picture books which you can enjoy with your children, if you don't fancy one of those I've highlighted, please explore the others in the range; there's bound to be one for your family!

I was sent these books for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

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Stocking Filler Storybooks (Review)

November 27, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 1 Comment

I love children's books at the best of times, something The Boy has inherited, but the Christmas versions of popular classic books or series that are available are even more attractive to my inner magpie.

We've been sent three books for The Boy for Christmas:

Thomas & Friends: Snowy Tracks

The island of Sodor is covered in a thick blanket of snow and the engines have been told to be careful and not to go over any big hills. Gordon doesn’t listen, he’s sure that he’ll be strong enough to steam over every hill he comes to. But it isn’t long before Gordon fi nds out that snow is much more dangerous than it looks!

Everything's Rosie: The Last Snowball

When Big Bear wakes up from his deep winter sleep, he’s sad to fi nd that he’s missed out on all the fun that snow can bring. Rosie and her friends do everything they can to do recreate winter fun, but sledging and snow angels don’t work without snow. Will they find a way to cheer up Big Bear?

Mr. Men Meet Father Christmas

When Little Miss Tiny secretly wishes she could visit Father Christmas she doesn’t expect her wish to come true. But magical things really do happen at Christmas and crazy things too when you’re with the Mr. Men and the Little Miss! Complete with celebrating sheep, yellow snow, sneezing elves and a very sooty Father Christmas, this is another classic Mr. Men story.

The thing that I like best about these books (apart from them being about Christmas, and having sparkly embossed bits on them) is that they fit perfectly into handbags, so that if we're out and about over the festive period, then I've instantly got a book for him to read and enjoy. They also fit brilliantly into stockings to make perfect fillers.

And with a RRP of £2.99, they're not going to break the bank this Christmas.

I was sent these books for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

'The Adventures of Abney & Teal' (Book Review & Giveaway)

November 20, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 37 Comments

One of the most captivating CBeebies programmes at the moment is 'The Adventures of Abney & Teal' during the tea-time slot. It's been a part of the schedule for the past year or so and completely captures our imagination; it's often the last programme we watch before the television is turned off (for the screen-free hour before bed) and I think it's a lovely calming programme to end the day with.

Abney and Teal are two of the characters who live on a series of islands, in the middle of a lake in a park in a busy city. They have fun and games, plenty of hijinks with their other friends Neep (a small burrowing creature), Bop (a seal type of creature who lives in the water), the Poc-Pocs (a set of 7 comma-shaped wooden objects or seed creatures), and Toby Dog (a melodeon-playing dog who always sits upright on the same place on the lake's mainland shore).

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"When I Dream Of Christmas" (Book Review)

November 12, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 12 Comments

Christmas is such a special time of year for young families; the excitement is almost tangible, the cold Winter days are filled with laughter and squeals of delight as the magic weaves its way through each new exploration. Our house is no different to anyone else's, stories are delivered through elf-filled films and books with Santa delivering presents galore.

Every family has their favourite books and we are no exception. I've discovered a new book which is an absolute delight to share with The Boy.

In the same style of When I Dream Of ABC the book covers a different element of Christmas, and Winter in general, on each double page. These associations (like sledging, holly, carol singers, Christmas cards) are depicted in beautiful, full-colour illustrations on one page and explained in a humorous prose on the opposite page.

I really like the range of Christmas associations covered in a fun and friendly manner, it's definitely a Christmas treasure to keep for years to come. The cover of the book is embossed with 'snow glitter' and the pages inside are thick and glossy.

'When I Dream Of Christmas' is available from Top That! Publishing for the excellent price of £6.99

I was sent this item for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Fashion Doodles (Book Review)

October 22, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 4 Comments

A small departure here from the norm, this is a review of a girls' book!

Fashion Doodles is a perfect book for all those budding fashion designers, which is pretty much applies to nearly all 9-12 year old girls, my niece is no exception. The book provides plenty of part-sketched images of models and their clothing or accessories, and I say part-sketched because the main area of the figure from the neck to the knees is missing. It allows the 'designer' to decide on the outfit to be worn and can be sketched in. At the back of the book is a large selection of prints and patterns which can be cut out into the clothing shapes and stuck onto the 'models'.

The book is split into a 'Spring/Summer' collection and visits all the major fashion weeks, and the format is then repeated for the 'Autumn/Winter' collection. There are doodles to create hair styles and make-up palettes too, alongside the accessories which can be chosen.

This is a really fun book for young ladies exploring ideas about their own style and gives them plenty of opportunity to release their creativity. I really like that it's not just 'draw an outfit' but taps into their design instincts by providing them with a range of patterned and coloured paper to make those outfits out of.

The Fashion Experts Fashion Doodle Scrapbook is available to buy from Top That! Publishing for £9.99 although it is currently available for the bargain price of £8.99.

I was sent a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

Personalised 'Peppa Pig' Goes Swimming (Review)

October 17, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 64 Comments

It's probably not going to come as a surprise to anyone reading this blog, but The Boy is rather a big fan of Peppa Pig. There is something about the porcine family which completely captivates him and he adores 'reading' the massive selection of books that we have.

Recently I was invited to review one of the fabulous personalised Peppa Pig books available from Penwizard.co.uk, specifically the 'Peppa and ____ Go Swimming' book. The whole ordering process is incredibly simple to do and allows for personalisation of the child's hair, eye and skin colouring, along with hair style and the addition of glasses.

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"What's The Time, Mr. Wolf?" (Book Review)

October 2, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 2 Comments

Debi Gliori is a well known children's author whose books are a complete delight to read, and beautifully illustrated throughout. "What's The Time, Mr. Wolf?" is no exception, with hidden treasures throughout.

I like reading books (as an adult) which draw on the familiar, hint at comparisons and provide little giggles as I find they help to draw the reader in and say, "Hey, we know you get the reference and the joke too! We put it there, just for you, you know?" In this very clever book, Gliori does that for both children and adults.

Using the premis of the traditional playground game, it introduces the reader to Mr. Wolf's day, highlighting what he's doing at various times throughout it. On every page there is a clock (a mixture of digital and analogue, including a sundial are used throughout) and the text starts with 'It is …. o'clock'; this helps introduce children to the concept of passing time, how it looks written down, and how to read clocks (very similar to first reading books where sentence patterns are repeated).

More tradition appears throughout the book as the other characters in it are all from popular rhymes; The Three ears, Little Bo Peep, Three Blind Mice and Humpty Dumpty to name but a few. Every time they appear, they are doing something associated with the rhyme that they belong to. The Boy knows quite a few of them but I have tended to keep the more macabre Grimm's Tales away from him so far, however I got the reference and it made me chuckle. Saying that, there is nothing even vaguely gruesome in this book, just wholesome goodness.

Mr. Wolf's day doesn't start out very well but it ends a whole lot better in a riot of colour.

I really like this book because of the appeal to both children and adults. It's funny, non-patronishing, colourful and very cleverly drawn with visual references to tradition throughout. It's one of those books that I'd now buy for a friend's child because it's so enjoyable.

"What's The Time, Mr. Wolf?" is available from Bloomsbury Children's Books in both paperback (£6.29) and hardback (£9.89).

We were sent this book for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.