Fiction V non fiction

I love a good fiction book both for the kids and myself, and thats normally where the majority of our reading lies.

However Alex has decided that she only currently likes non fiction, so I get the joy of reading such books at bedtime. Tonight We read a book about eggs, inluding how eggs are made, owl eggs and ostritch eggs. All very interesting, but not my idea of a rip roaring bedtime read. Lets hope this phase passes soon ( sorry I know non fiction books have their place and are great in many ways).

Then we have Aidan nd his obsession with superhero comic books. I hate reading comic books at the best of times, but we have now found that many superhero comic books are nor suitable for his age, so we have to read them in detail beforehand or face amending/ avoiding words or themes in the midst of reading. I wonder why I find comic books so horrible to read aloud.....

Babies and toddlers - Whose Tail? - 9/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whose-Tail-Sam-Lloyd/dp/1854308807

This is yet another romping good book from the amazing Sam LLoyd. Surprise surprise we got our copy from the excellent bookstart scheme a little while ago. Being a smallish board look it has lasted well, although one of the kids did attack it with a pen when they were little. Toddlers and pens just don't mix!

This is one of those books that its nice to snuggle up and read to a baby, but equally fun to read to an older toddler, and await them shouting out which creature is coming next.

My girls have always lacked patience, so they tend to be hollaring out the next creature before I have barely turned the previous page. I have to admit that sometimes this does drive me bonkers, but I know its actually their way of showing how passionate and excited they are about reading the book.

The book follows a serious of slightly naughty animals, who pull each others tails. We start with the lovely little cheeky monkey featured on the front cover, and the only clue that the words give us to the next animal is a description eg stripy, prickly, very tall, snappy, sleepy. The picture gives us a clue in the form of the next animals tail. Its great fun to get the kids to guess from the words or the picture or the tail alone.

Any book that has a crocodile and a lion is just my type of read, with the chance to roar like a lion and snap like a crocidile its a perfect combination.

 

In conclusion:

  -  Who can beat those naughty little animals and their tail pulling antics 9/10



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How sad am I !

There was a time when going out or heading off on holiday would be the reasons for my excitement and anticipation.

How things change, we got a book people mailing today, which describes a sequel to my daughters favourite book "you choose"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Imagine-Pippa-Goodhart/dp/0857530119/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349725833&sr=1-1

Needless to say Just Imagine is flying in our direction as we speek, watch this space for the review, I am so excited at the moment when I present it to Caitlin, I think its possible that her head may explode!

Young children - The big animal mix up - 10/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Animal-Mix-up-Gareth-Edwards/dp/0340989890

This one is a book we have borrowed from the library, and myself and the girls are LOVING it!

The idea for this one is that daddy bear is telling little bear all about animals, and its baby bears job ( and ours) to look out for mistakes. Its then a rollercoaster ride of mixed up animals. Each picture and rhyme gives us a clue about the animal we are trying to talk about. Then the correct animal is hiding away under the flap on each page.

Bonkers,very bright and funky pictures make up both the mixed up and the real creatures. Its fun to look at the mixed up animal, and to work out which bits belong to each critter.

The book ends with daddy bear getting mixed up and saying hello instead of good night, very lovely.

This is a book that is very exciting with so much to talk about, and yet it can still make a good bedtime read. However I would also advise reading it in the daytimeas well  to really make the most of all the things you can discuss

In conclusion:

Mixed up madness  - 10/10

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Young children - A Dragon on the Doorstep - 8/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Dragon-Doorstep-Stella-Blackstone/dp/1846868262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349125654&sr=8-1

We got a copy of this book a few years ago from the great and wonderfull Bookstart program. Don't even get me started on how great Bookstart are!

Our copy has lasted quite well, especially considering that it was a favourite for several months, so its certainly been well used.

The pictures are great, so full of colour, action and excitement.

The book follows a game of hide and seek between a little boy and girl and a range of unusual and imaginary animals. You know me and my animal noises and this book gives the usual great opportunity to be an animal, who would not want to act out being a gorilla or a crocodile at any time of day. Seriously its great being a parent, how many adults get the chance to be a gorilla on a daily basis!

Its a popular concept now, but I love the sneek peeks on every other page at the next animal that we will be meeting. Its good fun to spot a bit of the next animal, and to guess what it might be. Its also fun to spot all the animals hiding out on some of the pages.

When all the animals escape you have that moment of danger, which is quickly followed by the exciting idea of another game of hide and seek.

In conclusion:

Lots of spotting and animal fun  - 8/10

Read the review, read the book, let us know what you think?