
Archive for November, 2015

Most popular books, by age range on Lovereading4kids 22 – 29 November 2015

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1
Good Night Like This Good Night Like This
Mary Murphy
As every parent knows, a good ‘night night, snuggle down’ book is invaluable, and Good Night Like This is a particularly lovely take on the theme.  It’s night-time and the baby animals are being tucked into bed, half page flaps …
Download free opening extract
2
Five Minutes' Peace Five Minutes’ Peace
Jill Murphy
There can’t be a mum in the country who doesn’t identify with Mrs Large, wrapped in her comfortable dressing gown, doing her best to get away from her children for just five minutes peace (and managing a scant three minutes …
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3
What a Wonderful World What a Wonderful World
Bob Thiele, George David Weiss
This is a book full of sunshine. Tim Hopgood has taken the lyrics from the song made famous by Louis Armstrong and turned them into a picture book. The lyrics are often pretty specific – ‘I see trees of green/ …
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Featured Books for Young Adults

1
Sophie Someone Sophie Someone
Hayley Long
Shortlisted for the 2015 Costa Children’s Book Award – September 2015 Book of the Month  Sophie Nieuwenleven’s story is shocking, so she tells it in the only way she can – in code, using random code worms to keep any …
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2
Monster Monster
C.J. Skuse
October 2015 Book of the Month  In an isolated boarding school, a group of girls settle in for the holidays.  Everyone else has gone home and there are rivalries and animosity between them – this definitely isn’t going to be …
Download free opening extract
3
A Monster Calls A Monster Calls
Patrick Ness
Winner of the 2012 Carnegie Medal
Rachel Levy chair of the 2012 CILIP Carnegie judging panel said: “A Monster Calls” is an exquisite piece of writing. It is a beautifully economical, structurally brilliant and lyrically descriptive account of a challenging …
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Featured Books for 3+ readers

1
Blue Penguin Blue Penguin
Petr Horacek
November 2015 Book of the Month   There are some breathtakingly beautiful illustrations in Petr Horacek’s new picture book, and a story to bring a lump to the throat. Blue Penguin does the same things that the other penguins do but, …
Download free opening extract
2
Robin's Winter Song Robin’s Winter Song
Suzanne Barton
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Beautifully illustrated, this buoyant and cheerful story captures Robin’s delight as the new season arrives! There’s a chill in the air and all of Robin’s friends are flying away to somewhere warmer. …
Download free opening extract
3
Is There a Dog in This Book? Is There a Dog in This Book?
Viviane Schwarz
Shortlisted for Children’s Book Award 2016, Books for Younger Children category  With an irresistible story that directly involves the reader, this book’s clever design and bright, gestural illustrations make for a LOT of fun for cat (and dog) lovers! It …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1
Tom's Sunflower Tom’s Sunflower
Hilary Robinson
Written and illustrated with warmth, humour and sensitivity, this excellent book, part of the Copper Tree Class series, tackles the subject of family break-up. Hana is confused and upset because her parents are going to live separately, and all the …
Download free opening extract
2
The Snow Beast The Snow Beast
Chris Judge
December 2015 Book of the Month – Julia Eccleshare’s Pick of the Month, October 2015  Chris Judge’s delightful Beast is back for a fresh adventure and this time he has a new friend!  The Beast loves snow but, when he climbs …
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3
Old Bear's Bedtime Stories Old Bear’s Bedtime Stories
Jane Hissey
December 2015 Book of the Month Jane Hissey’s Old Bear stories make perfect bedtime reading: warm-hearted and so reassuring. Many of her best-loved characters feature in these stories and the more threadbare her bears and toys are, the more authentic …
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Featured Books for 7+ readers

1
The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature
Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Skipworth
November 2015 Book of the Month  The most innovative approach to non-fiction since Horrible Histories, the What On Earth Wallbooks present information in a way guaranteed to inspire children’s curiosity and to stimulate real enthusiasm for learning. Each one contains …
Download free opening extract
2
Not Bad for a Bad Lad Not Bad for a Bad Lad
Michael, M. B. E. Morpurgo
This wonderful story was inspired by a conversation that Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman had about a prison at Hollesley Bay in Suffolk that Michael Foreman remembered from growing up nearby. Into this Michael Morpurgo weaves his story of how …
Download free opening extract
3
I Believe in Unicorns I Believe in Unicorns
Michael, M. B. E. Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo pulls on the heart strings in a short book into which he has packed a number of strands, richly woven together. Tomas lives for the outdoors: he hates books, reading and stories. But one day, his mother forces …
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Featured Books for 9+ readers

1
The Last of the Spirits The Last of the Spirits
Chris Priestley
December 2015 Book of the Month  What would Christmas be without a ghost story? Chris Priestley, master of the macabre, has written one that while it will send shivers down the spine can be enjoyed by all the family. His …
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2
Clare and Her Captain Clare and Her Captain
Michael Morpurgo
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Award-winning Michael Morpurgo is always at his best when writing about the countryside and the animals in it. Here, in a story inspired by his wife’s childhood, he writes about young Clare, visiting …
Download free opening extract
3
Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10) Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10)
Jeff KinneyNovember 2015 Book of the Month Old School is number ten in the multi-million-selling Wimpy Kid series and author Jeff Kinney is on very good form. The generation gap is something of a theme in this episode: Greg doesn’t understand …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1
Island Island
Nicky Singer
December 2015 Book of the Month Island is a powerful and vivid new story from Nicky Singer, the prize-winning author of Feather Boy. London teenager Cameron is cast away on an uninhabited island in the Arctic with his scientist mother …
Download free opening extract
2
Pick Your Poison Pick Your Poison
Lauren Child
December 2015 Book of the Month  You’ve got to be really smart to keep up with 13 year old secret agent Ruby Redfort, as her enemies know to their cost. There are multiple strands to her new adventure, which involves …
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3
Young Bond: Shoot to Kill Young Bond: Shoot to Kill
Steve Cole
November 2015 Book of the Month  Steve Cole steps into Ian Fleming’s, and latterly Charlie Higson’s shoes in this brand new adventure for the young James Bond, and finds them a very good fit. This is a clever piece of …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 13+ readers

1
The Lie Tree The Lie Tree
Frances Hardinge
Andrea Reeces’s Pick of the Year 2015 – Shortlisted for the 2015 Costa Children’s Book Award – Shortlisted for the 2015 Guardian Children’s Book prize – Julia Eccleshare’s Pick of the Month, May 2015  Award-winning Frances Hardinge is spellbinding is this …
Download free opening extract
2
The Devil's Angel The Devil’s Angel
Kevin Brooks
February 2015 Book of the Month – Interest Age Teen  Reading Age 8   Award-winning Kevin Brooks tells a gripping and thoughtful story about the irresistible appeal of a dangerous friendship. Jack is cruising along in year 10; not part of …
Download free opening extract
3
The 5th Wave The 5th Wave
Rick Yancey
This is a novel that packs a punch on every page with hope and despair in equal measure alongside life and death. It will leave you gasping for breath and keep you hooked to the end and long after it’ll …
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Most popular books, by age range, on Lovereading4kids 15 – 22 November 2015

Monday, November 23rd, 2015

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1
Blue Penguin Blue Penguin
Petr Horacek
November 2015 Book of the Month   There are some breathtakingly beautiful illustrations in Petr Horacek’s new picture book, and a story to bring a lump to the throat. Blue Penguin does the same things that the other penguins do but, …
Download free opening extract
2
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
This beautiful board is the perfect first introduction to Alice. Babies and toddlers will love the playful and quirky characters Alison Jay brings to life with her own unique perspective whilst encapsulating the zany other-worldness of Carroll’s novel. …
Download free opening extract
3
Good Night Like This Good Night Like This
Mary Murphy
As every parent knows, a good ‘night night, snuggle down’ book is invaluable, and Good Night Like This is a particularly lovely take on the theme.  It’s night-time and the baby animals are being tucked into bed, half page flaps …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for Young Adults

1
Monster Monster
C.J. Skuse
October 2015 Book of the Month  In an isolated boarding school, a group of girls settle in for the holidays.  Everyone else has gone home and there are rivalries and animosity between them – this definitely isn’t going to be …
Download free opening extract
2
Lady Helen The Dark Days Club Lady Helen The Dark Days Club
Alison Goodman
This first novel in a trilogy of deliciously dark, supernatural page-turners set in Regency England is packed with passion, period detail and devastating demons.
London, 1812, and sharp-minded, strong-spirited Lady Helen Wrexhall is about to be presented to Queen Charlotte. Her …
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3
Fans of the Impossible Life Fans of the Impossible Life
Kate Skelsa
September 2015 Debut of the Month
**PLEASE NOTE this title is now classified as an ADULT title due to the content**
Told through the eyes of three utterly unforgettable characters, this is a bold and poignant Young Adult debut about …
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Featured Books for 3+ readers

1
Robin's Winter Song Robin’s Winter Song
Suzanne Barton
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Beautifully illustrated, this buoyant and cheerful story captures Robin’s delight as the new season arrives! There’s a chill in the air and all of Robin’s friends are flying away to somewhere warmer. …
Download free opening extract
2
Is There a Dog in This Book? Is There a Dog in This Book?
Viviane Schwarz
Shortlisted for Children’s Book Award 2016, Books for Younger Children category  With an irresistible story that directly involves the reader, this book’s clever design and bright, gestural illustrations make for a LOT of fun for cat (and dog) lovers! It …
Download free opening extract
3
The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma's Wardrobe The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma’s Wardrobe
Christyan Fox, Diane Fox
November 2014 Book of the Month  A deliciously funny version of the familiar story of Little Red Riding Hood. Cat tries to read Little Red Riding Hood, one of his most-favourite stories, to his friend Dog. But Dog is a …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1
Too Many Toys! Too Many Toys!
Heidi Deedman
How many toys is too many? It’s a question that’s bothers Lulu. She has had her teddy Jupiter since she was a baby and loves him very much, but as she grows up, she’s given more, and more, and more …
Download free opening extract
2
Tom's Sunflower Tom’s Sunflower
Hilary Robinson
Written and illustrated with warmth, humour and sensitivity, this excellent book, part of the Copper Tree Class series, tackles the subject of family break-up. Hana is confused and upset because her parents are going to live separately, and all the …
Download free opening extract
3
Wendel and the Robots Wendel and the Robots
Chris Riddell
Crazy inventions, mad robots and a stupendous battle! Wendel and the Robots is a very funny adventure full of crazy inventions and magnificent robots from award-winning author and illustrator Chris Riddell – with a subtle environmental message. Available in mini …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1
Clare and Her Captain Clare and Her Captain
Michael Morpurgo
A Reader Review Panel Pick of the Year 2015 -November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Award-winning Michael Morpurgo is always at his best when writing about the countryside and the animals in it. Here, in a story inspired by …
Download free opening extract
2
The Adventures of Miss Petitfour The Adventures of Miss Petitfour
Anne Michaels
A Reader Review Panel Pick of the Year 2015 – November 2015 Debut of the Month There is something quite wonderful about indulging in your favourite cake, beautifully decorated with sweet delectable icing.  Well the same can be said for …
Download free opening extract
3
Not Bad for a Bad Lad Not Bad for a Bad Lad
Michael, M. B. E. Morpurgo
This wonderful story was inspired by a conversation that Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman had about a prison at Hollesley Bay in Suffolk that Michael Foreman remembered from growing up nearby. Into this Michael Morpurgo weaves his story of how …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1
The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature
Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Skipworth
November 2015 Book of the Month  The most innovative approach to non-fiction since Horrible Histories, the What On Earth Wallbooks present information in a way guaranteed to inspire children’s curiosity and to stimulate real enthusiasm for learning. Each one contains …
Download free opening extract
2
Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10) Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10)
Jeff KinneyNovember 2015 Book of the Month Old School is number ten in the multi-million-selling Wimpy Kid series and author Jeff Kinney is on very good form. The generation gap is something of a theme in this episode: Greg doesn’t understand …
Download free opening extract
3
The Fish Detective The Fish Detective
Chris O’Dowd, Nick Vincent Murphy
November 2015 Book of the Month  Here we have another episode in the life of hapless eleven-year-old Martin Moone, related by his imaginary best-friend and sidekick Sean Murphy in as fine a free-fall stream-of-consciousness narrative as you could hope for, …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1
Island Island
Nicky Singer
Island is a powerful and vivid new story from Nicky Singer, the prize-winning author of Feather Boy. London teenager Cameron is cast away on an uninhabited island in the Arctic with his scientist mother Pascale, who seems more interested in …
Download free opening extract
2
Young Bond: Shoot to Kill Young Bond: Shoot to Kill
Steve Cole
November 2015 Book of the Month  Steve Cole steps into Ian Fleming’s, and latterly Charlie Higson’s shoes in this brand new adventure for the young James Bond, and finds them a very good fit. This is a clever piece of …
Download free opening extract
3
Five Children on the Western Front Five Children on the Western Front
Kate Saunders
Shortlisted for the 2015 Guardian Children’s Book prize – One of our Books of the Year 2014 – October 2014 Book of the Month – Winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award 2014    Witty, tender and full of insights …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 13+ readers

1
The Lie Tree The Lie Tree
Frances Hardinge
Andrea Reeces’s Pick of the Year 2015 – Shortlisted for the 2015 Guardian Children’s Book prize – Julia Eccleshare’s Pick of the Month, May 2015  Award-winning Frances Hardinge is spellbinding is this hugely entertaining and dramatic Victorian thriller. When Faith’s father …
Download free opening extract
2
The Devil's Angel The Devil’s Angel
Kevin Brooks
February 2015 Book of the Month – Interest Age Teen  Reading Age 8   Award-winning Kevin Brooks tells a gripping and thoughtful story about the irresistible appeal of a dangerous friendship. Jack is cruising along in year 10; not part of …
Download free opening extract
3
A Song for Ella Grey A Song for Ella Grey
David Almond
Winner of the 2015 Guardian Children’s Book prize -Winner of the 2015 Peters Book of the Year ‘Teen Fiction’ Award Award-winning David Almond is at his lyrical best in this eloquent, tender and ultimately devastating contemporary teenage love story …
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Personalise your own children’s story book with Friends of the Earth

Friday, November 20th, 2015

Make a child the star of a heart-warming tale about a humble bumblebee

Friends of the Earth have just launched a unique children’s story book about a bumblebee. This delightful tale has been written in rhyming couplets by David Greaves and colourfully illustrated by Danielle Callaghan.

And the best bit is that you can personalise the book to make your child the main star. Use their name and ‘likeness’ to place them right at the heart of the action. The story becomes all about them and the bumblebee.

You can personalise and order online at www.homelessbee.co.uk

The aim of this Friends of the Earth book is to teach young children why bees are so important in a fun and engaging way. This personalised story will put your son, daughter, nephew, niece, grand-son or grand-daughter at the centre of the tale. It will also take them on a journey to realise why we should embrace and respect nature.

Money raised from sales of the book will help us to protect the wellbeing of people and planet, including our vital work to protect bees. This is helping to create bee-friendly spaces all over the country and protect Britain’s bees from nasty chemicals.

Hugely talented new author David Greaves and exceptional graduate Danielle Callaghan, who won a competition to illustrate the book, have both had great fun in creating what is sure to be a bed-time favourite.

David said: “I’ve always had a soft spot for bees. I love their bumbling, slightly comical movements – like clumsy little astronauts who haven’t quite mastered their rocket suits. And their peaceful droning is, for me, forever synonymous with long summer afternoons in the school holidays. I loved writing this story as I want to encourage others to help save these unsung heroes of the British countryside. They urgently need our support!”

The book, priced just £12.99 softback or £16.99 hardback (includes free delivery), is available to order online at www.homelessbee.co.uk  Orders need to be placed by 15 December to guarantee delivery for Christmas.

Our bees are in crisis. They’ve lost most of their natural habitat in the past 60 years, including 97% of wildflower meadows. They’re also under assault from pesticides, intensive farming and climate change. Bees pollinate 75% of our main food crops worldwide, including some of our favourite produce like apples, strawberries and tomatoes. Scientists estimate that it would cost over £1.8billion every single year to pollinate UK crops by hand.  @wwwfoecouk #homelessbee

Mid November / Christmas email update

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

Doing it for the Kids – Forget the gifts they’ll get bored with before the turkey sarnies run out. A well-chosen book is a lasting and imagination-sparking gift that will make the magic of Christmas even more, erm, magical! Watch their eyes light up brighter than a Bethlehem Star this year. Buy a book. Click here to see our hand-picked, age-ranged selections.

Pinch Punch! Firsts of the Month

As ever we have scoured the world of children’s publishing to bring you the very best of brand new talent during 2015. Discover a new favourite author today. This month we have just one featured debut, The Adventures of Miss Petitfour (7+) by Anne Michaels, but it could well be one of our top debuts of the year if our kids reader review panel have their say!

We said of it “Irresistible and wonderfully illustrated, imagine the playful spirit of Pippi Longstocking and the charm of Mary Poppins, with masses of cake and cats!” Why not find out more for yourself?

     

It’s Good to Share! – Julia Eccleshare Recommends

You’ll be no stranger to the handsome, hand-picked must-haves that Guardian Children’s Editor Julia Eccleshare painstakingly picks for us every month. Here are her hot tips for November …

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Peanuts and Popcorn! – Charlie Brown the Movie

With the release of the long-awaited Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts movie, we have two tantalising titles to give away AND a wonderful Snoopy plush toy. The old favourite characters are back! And wonderfully re-drawn for a modern touch.

Check out the Official Movie Novel, and the brilliantly conceived Doodle Book: or, try your luck in our gargantuan goody-bag give-away!

Award Rewards! – Book Award Shortlists

Book award shortlists are a perfect place to find sensational stories for youngsters. And at this time of year, there’s a whole host of them! The shortlist of the coveted Guardian Children’s Book Award has just been announced with the winner coming later this month. Why not check out the shortlist here, and pick your own ‘best in class’?

Also up for grabs this month is the shortlist of the 2016 Scottish Children’s Book Awards, a glittering gathering of the best writing for children from tots to teens.

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Tomorrow’s World – Books for Young Adults

Just a quick reminder about our specially compiled section for teens and YA readers. It’s such a vibrant and vivid time in your life. Adventure, friendships, self-discovery – all there in spades. But, there’s frustration too, and a strong desire to be understood. These books reflect all of these feelings in settings that will give flight to your imagination. Books like Monster by C.J Skuse: – A supernatural heart-stopping thrill-ride with a sardonic sense of humour. Grisly, nail-biting fun! Check out loads more in our YA category. A handful of these titles would be a perfect Christmas gift.

David Almond says … Run Harry Run!

From the celebrated author of Skellig comes a fantastic, uplifting and joyful tale of times gone past.

Set against the back drop of the Junior Great North Run, Harry Miller’s Run, captures family life in Newcastle so vividly, you’ll smell the air change from there all the way to South Shields! Taste the briny sea breeze and the sweet soft ice cream and let this book whisk you away.

We bet you have your trainers on by tea-time!

     

Some books never go out of style

We do love the constant stream of new books we get to read but we also love the classics, especially when a publisher relaunches some, normally with stunning new covers. So why not have a browse and introduce a child you know to a book you loved when you were their age.

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A Year of Love – Guess How Much I Love You 20th Anniversary

As a celebratory ‘Year of Love’ draws to a close, this is a perfect opportunity to spread the love one last time. 2015 is the 20th anniversary of Guess How Much I Love You: a story so timeless in its simplicity that every generation believes it was written just for them. And in many ways – it was!

Fairy Tales & Mythical Creatures from North of the border

Move over Nessie! We have two books brimming with fantastical fairy tales and beguiling beasts from the cultural heart of Scotland. Wonderful illustrations and beautiful story telling make An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Mythical Creatures (7+) and An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales books that you and your kids will love getting lost in.

Just the thing to ‘tartan’ up your bookshelves and a perfect gift. Read more.

Patchwork Works! – Elmer the Elephant

David McKee’s multi-coloured and much-loved, Elmer the Elephant is a deserved favourite among discerning 2-5 year olds! There are so many wonderful, colourful and educational stories to choose from. Elmer and the Flood is a firm favourite in our office, and the latest: Elmer’s Band is a hugely fun press-button sound book with a lovely message of self-confidence and identity. See it here.

Open the Gates of the Garden of Wonder!

Animal admiration abounds in a beautifully illustrated and incredibly educational break-through book: The Wonder Garden by Jenny Broom (7+).

Innovative and just plain awesome, this book explores five habitats and the creatures that dwell within. The clue is in the subtitle: “Wander through the World’s Wildest Habitats and discover more than 80 Amazing Animals”. Open the gates of the Wonder Garden today and be amazed! Definitely a book to share with younger children too.

What a Feline! – T.S. Eliot’s Cats Retold

T.S Eliot created some of the world’s best-loved fictional felines. Here, illustrator Arthur Robbins has breathed fresh life into these timeless poems with purrfect pictures and additional characters. He has already turned his wizardry to Macavity and that mischievous Mr Mistoffelees. Now, Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat joins the throng. We love them so much they are proud members of our Classics Category of children’s books that will never die!

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Turn Pictures into Animated film!

This fantastic book combined with the technology of the FREE Blink Book app brings colouring bang up to date and allows your budding artists to bring their pictures to life. Just colour in the pictures, snap them on the phone and use a specially created free app and the more they colour, the longer and more involved the animations will become. Simple and great fun to boot this is an exciting development in colouring/animation for children.

P.S. Fans of James Patterson, House of Robots series don’t have to wait too long now as the next one comes in December but (7+) reluctant readers who haven’t discovered the series yet should jump on the Patterson bandwagon today so as not to miss out.

P.P.S. 3 Win family tickets to see Tiger Who Came to Tea stage show at the Lyric Theatre in London worth £80! along with many many more exclusive book prizes up for grabs.

Most popular children’s books, by age range, 8 – 15 November 2015

Monday, November 16th, 2015

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1
Blue Penguin Blue Penguin
Petr Horacek
November 2015 Book of the Month   There are some breathtakingly beautiful illustrations in Petr Horacek’s new picture book, and a story to bring a lump to the throat. Blue Penguin does the same things that the other penguins do but, …
Download free opening extract
2
A Great Big Cuddle A Great Big Cuddle
Michael Rosen
Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month, September 2015  Children’s Laureates Chris Riddell and Michael Rosen combine here to create a beautiful collection of ebullient poems for the very young.  Michael Rosen’s close and affectionate observation of small children and the …
Download free opening extract
3
Good Night Like This Good Night Like This
Mary Murphy
As every parent knows, a good ‘night night, snuggle down’ book is invaluable, and Good Night Like This is a particularly lovely take on the theme.  It’s night-time and the baby animals are being tucked into bed, half page flaps …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for Young Adults

1
Monster Monster
C.J. Skuse
October 2015 Book of the Month  In an isolated boarding school, a group of girls settle in for the holidays.  Everyone else has gone home and there are rivalries and animosity between them – this definitely isn’t going to be …
Download free opening extract
2
Zeroes Zeroes
Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
October 2015 Book of the Month A group of Californian teenagers with superpowers should be having the time of their lives, right? Wrong… This action-packed page-turner about the self-proclaimed Zeroes shows that superpowers come at a cost. In fact, Ethan’s …
Download free opening extract
3
All Sorts of Possible All Sorts of Possible
Rupert Wallis
Rupert Wallis is not afraid to tackle big issues in his novels for teens, including mysteries of good and evil and, in this book, whether there’s a destiny that shapes our ends. Daniel is travelling with his father when their …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1
Robin's Winter Song Robin’s Winter Song
Suzanne Barton
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Beautifully illustrated, this buoyant and cheerful story captures Robin’s delight as the new season arrives! There’s a chill in the air and all of Robin’s friends are flying away to somewhere warmer. …
Download free opening extract
2
The Emperor of Absurdia The Emperor of Absurdia
Chris Riddell
Put on your jingle-jangle socks, and prepare for adventure! Sumptuous illustrations tempt readers into the delightfully absurd world in which dinner is served before lunch and skyfish settle on umbrella trees. The young Emperor is a charming child with a …
Download free opening extract
3
Is There a Dog in This Book? Is There a Dog in This Book?
Viviane Schwarz
Shortlisted for Children’s Book Award 2016, Books for Younger Children category  With an irresistible story that directly involves the reader, this book’s clever design and bright, gestural illustrations make for a LOT of fun for cat (and dog) lovers! It …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1
Too Many Toys! Too Many Toys!
Heidi Deedman
How many toys is too many? It’s a question that’s bothers Lulu. She has had her teddy Jupiter since she was a baby and loves him very much, but as she grows up, she’s given more, and more, and more …
Download free opening extract
2
Tom's Sunflower Tom’s Sunflower
Hilary Robinson
Written and illustrated with warmth, humour and sensitivity, this excellent book, part of the Copper Tree Class series, tackles the subject of family break-up. Hana is confused and upset because her parents are going to live separately, and all the …
Download free opening extract
3
Wendel and the Robots Wendel and the Robots
Chris Riddell
Crazy inventions, mad robots and a stupendous battle! Wendel and the Robots is a very funny adventure full of crazy inventions and magnificent robots from award-winning author and illustrator Chris Riddell – with a subtle environmental message. Available in mini …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1
Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10) Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10)
Jeff KinneyNovember 2015 Book of the Month Old School is number ten in the multi-million-selling Wimpy Kid series and author Jeff Kinney is on very good form. The generation gap is something of a theme in this episode: Greg doesn’t understand …
Download free opening extract
2
If Only We Had a Helicopter If Only We Had a Helicopter
Roger Mcgough
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7  Here’s a slice of Roger McGough’s childhood to entertain young readers, stories of some of the antics he got up to with his friend Midge: adventures with a new puppy; fun days at school; …
Download free opening extract
3
Clare and Her Captain Clare and Her Captain
Michael Morpurgo
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Award-winning Michael Morpurgo is always at his best when writing about the countryside and the animals in it. Here, in a story inspired by his wife’s childhood, he writes about young Clare, visiting …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1
The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature
Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Skipworth
November 2015 Book of the Month  The most innovative approach to non-fiction since Horrible Histories, the What On Earth Wallbooks present information in a way guaranteed to inspire children’s curiosity and to stimulate real enthusiasm for learning. Each one contains …
Download free opening extract
2
The Fish Detective The Fish Detective
Chris O’Dowd, Nick Vincent Murphy
November 2015 Book of the Month  Here we have another episode in the life of hapless eleven-year-old Martin Moone, related by his imaginary best-friend and sidekick Sean Murphy in as fine a free-fall stream-of-consciousness narrative as you could hope for, …
Download free opening extract
3
Haunters Haunters
Thomas Taylor
The dead and the living exist side by side in this thrilling time-travelling adventure. In David’s recurrent dream, Eddie seems real and it seems like he’s got something to tell David. That’s scary enough but then David gets picked up …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1
Island Island
Nicky Singer
Island is a powerful and vivid new story from Nicky Singer, the prize-winning author of Feather Boy. London teenager Cameron is cast away on an uninhabited island in the Arctic with his scientist mother Pascale, who seems more interested in …
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Young Bond: Shoot to Kill Young Bond: Shoot to Kill
Steve Cole
November 2015 Book of the Month  Steve Cole steps into Ian Fleming’s, and latterly Charlie Higson’s shoes in this brand new adventure for the young James Bond, and finds them a very good fit. This is a clever piece of …
Download free opening extract
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Winterkill Winterkill
Kate A. Boorman
This is such a gloriously different and delightful read. The storyline sucks you in whole and clamours to be read as quickly as possible, while the beautifully bewitching writing encourages you to savour every word. Emmeline and her people rely …
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Featured Books for 13+ readers

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The Devil's Angel The Devil’s Angel
Kevin Brooks
February 2015 Book of the Month – Interest Age Teen  Reading Age 8   Award-winning Kevin Brooks tells a gripping and thoughtful story about the irresistible appeal of a dangerous friendship. Jack is cruising along in year 10; not part of …
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The 5th Wave The 5th Wave
Rick Yancey
This is a novel that packs a punch on every page with hope and despair in equal measure alongside life and death. It will leave you gasping for breath and keep you hooked to the end and long after it’ll …
Download free opening extract
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The Lie Tree The Lie Tree
Frances Hardinge
Shortlisted for the 2015 Guardian Children’s Book prize – Julia Eccleshare’s Pick of the Month, May 2015  Award-winning Frances Hardinge is spellbinding is this hugely entertaining and dramatic Victorian thriller. When Faith’s father dies suddenly she knows she must try to …
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November email update

Monday, November 9th, 2015

November. A month with the word ‘ember’ in it is a great month for bonfires and fireworks! We’re hoping to help you light up your kids’ imaginations too, with our fun-filled, far-reaching, fact and fiction finds for your young family and friends.

Another month full of lights and love and featuring the word ‘ember’ is December! That’s right! Like it or not, we’re all a mere hop skip and jump’s throw from that month and of course Christmas (we love Christmas!). So, this email could be a serious little helper for your Season’s shopping. Read on for more .

Still Aflame! – November Books of the Month

The fireworks may have fizzled, but our bookshelf is still bursting with colour. Here are the sparklers:

By the Numbers 230.333 Cool Stats and Figures (9+). Prepare to be informed and amazed. You’ll look at numbers in a whole new way! or with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations and a story to bring a lump to the throat Blue Penguin (Baby) by Petr Horacek is a story to warm us all.

Old School, the new Wimpy Kid (7+) by Jeff Kinney is just out. Was everything always better ‘back in the day’? Number 10 in the brilliant series and it is as funny as ever. Along with The Fish Detective (Moone Boy 2) (9+) by Chris O’Dowd and Nick Vincent Murphy – totally nutty, very, very funny with more than a hint of fish. And not forgetting Life is Sweet – Chocolate Box Short Story Collection (11+) – A delicious dip into the wonderful world of the Chocolate Box Girls series. Enter the competition too.

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Other November Highlights …

Don’t forget to take a peek at our Author and Illustrator of the Month feature on the current Children’s Laureate incumbent Chris Riddell. We guarantee there are books with his name on it that all children, whatever their taste will love. We also have a special category dedicated to our Publisher of the Month Old Barn Books.

Tigers, Marmalade and Mr. Walliams! – November Free Prize Draws

We’ve got a thrilling throng of bright, brilliant books and goodies to give away this month (perfect for those Christmas stockings!). Exclusive book prizes from old favourites and much loved tales from Paddington Bear and the eponymously greedy Tiger Who Came to Tea. We also have family tickets (worth £60 – 80) to see an amazing stage show of David Walliam’s Gangsta Granny that is touring the country to 50 venues! Visit our Free Prize Draws category to enter.

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Geeks Rule – Coding for Cool Kidz

In our digital world. It’s vital that kids get to know computers inside out. Help yours become the coolest geeks in the class with these two fantastic books on coding and computing, designed to complement the primary school syllabus which now includes coding.

Coding for Beginners (7+) by Jonathan Melmouth & Rosie Dickens. Friendly and accessible coding from scratch. Literally. ‘Scratch’ is programming software used in schools. But you knew that, right? And Lift the Flap Computing and Coding (7+) by Rosie Dickens. Interactive, fun and fascinating foray into computing for fact-hungry children. Kids will love them we promise.

Flight of Fantasy – A Thousand Nights (YA)

Set against a vividly drawn desert backdrop, A Thousand Nights by E.K Johnson is a spell-binding, regal novel for young adults. Exploring love, self-sacrifice and the power of stories, it’s a vibrant, shimmering read that transports the reader into the wonderful world of the Arabian Nights. One of our teen/YA reviewers, Charnell Vevers (17) wrote; ‘If you are looking for a magical, mystical read with strong female characters and vivid world building, then A Thousand Nights is the book for you.’ (see other Reader Reviews).

A Picture Perfect! Wonderful World

We love our picture books but, one shining star shines out this month: What a Wonderful World (3+) by Bob Thiele and David Weiss is a stunningly beautiful book, filled with sunshine. Based on the words of the famous song, it’s captivating, uplifting and unique. See more here.

If They Read Nothing Else – Essentials for Kids

We love recommending great new books for children. But, there are some books that we think grow old gracefully and never lose their impact. That’s why we’ve compiled our easy to navigate Essential Reading Category. Listed by age-range, these truly are timeless must reads that your kids will read to their grandchildren. Have a peep.

Books for Boys but everyone’s welcome

Statistically speaking, boys can find it harder to get into reading than girls. Just one of the reasons why we have a whole section dedicated to the sorts of things that floats boys’ reading boats. From football and farm vehicles to heroes and helicopters, these are the derring-do, gung-ho titles that will nurture a love of reading to last a lifetime and this month we love or should I say the kids among us love My Parents are Driving Me Crazy. Now if that title doesn’t draw in a child to reading then we can’t think what else will… Read more.

Seasonal Selections! – Get into the Spirit of Christmas Category

Yep! It’s a’ comin’! Bells are a’ jinglin’ and nerves a’ tinglin’ as we look forward to another Christmas. If the kids are already driving you mad with excitement then why not steer them to our fabulous Get into the Spirit of Christmas selections to keep them busy

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…While YOU can have a look at our wonderfully exciting annual section dedicated to our selection of ‘cracker’ gift ideas for kids’ this Christmas. Definitely uplifting and life-enhancing!

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Read on for this month’s hand-picked selections in the age ranges you have said you are interested in. login to your account if you want to update them.

P.S. The Wicked Writing Competition is back for a 6th time and with HRH Duchess of Cornwall as the patron and Cressida Cowell (you know Hiccup of Train Your Dragon fame) as the head judge, it really is ‘the’ writing competition for kids to enter. Find out more in our special blog.

Lovereading4kids Top 3 books, by age range, 1 – 8 November 2015

Monday, November 9th, 2015

Books for Babies and Toddlers

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Blue Penguin Blue Penguin
Petr Horacek
November 2015 Book of the Month   There are some breathtakingly beautiful illustrations in Petr Horacek’s new picture book, and a story to bring a lump to the throat. Blue Penguin does the same things that the other penguins do but, …
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Good Night Like This Good Night Like This
Mary Murphy
As every parent knows, a good ‘night night, snuggle down’ book is invaluable, and Good Night Like This is a particularly lovely take on the theme.  It’s night-time and the baby animals are being tucked into bed, half page flaps …
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A Little Owl Called Hooty A Little Owl Called Hooty
Diana C Vickery
Enter the magical world of Swankypants the cat as we meet a young owl called Hooty. Hooty is hungry and must leave the safety of his branch for the very first time to catch his dinner. But he’s afraid of …
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Featured Books for Young Adults

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Zeroes Zeroes
Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
October 2015 Book of the Month A group of Californian teenagers with superpowers should be having the time of their lives, right? Wrong… This action-packed page-turner about the self-proclaimed Zeroes shows that superpowers come at a cost. In fact, Ethan’s …
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Monster Monster
C.J. Skuse
October 2015 Book of the Month  In an isolated boarding school, a group of girls settle in for the holidays.  Everyone else has gone home and there are rivalries and animosity between them – this definitely isn’t going to be …
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A Court of Thorns and Roses A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
*** Suitable for 16+ due to some explicit content.  Pure and completely engaging escapism in the form of high fantasy. Feyre; stubbon, independent and loving has taught herself how to provide for her impoverished family, however on a winters day, …
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Featured Books for 3+ readers

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Robin's Winter Song Robin’s Winter Song
Suzanne Barton
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Beautifully illustrated, this buoyant and cheerful story captures Robin’s delight as the new season arrives! There’s a chill in the air and all of Robin’s friends are flying away to somewhere warmer. …
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The Emperor of Absurdia The Emperor of Absurdia
Chris Riddell
Put on your jingle-jangle socks, and prepare for adventure! Sumptuous illustrations tempt readers into the delightfully absurd world in which dinner is served before lunch and skyfish settle on umbrella trees. The young Emperor is a charming child with a …
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Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat
T. S. Eliot
Arthur Robins’s scratchy illustrations are full of humour and he’s proving to be the perfect partner for T.S. Eliot. Skimbleshanks is the third of the Old Possum poems Robins has illustrated and it’s another rousing success. The world Eliot describes …
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Featured Books for 5+ readers

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The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Nature
Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Skipworth
November 2015 Book of the Month  The most innovative approach to non-fiction since Horrible Histories, the What On Earth Wallbooks present information in a way guaranteed to inspire children’s curiosity and to stimulate real enthusiasm for learning. Each one contains …
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Tom's Sunflower Tom’s Sunflower
Hilary Robinson
Written and illustrated with warmth, humour and sensitivity, this excellent book, part of the Copper Tree Class series, tackles the subject of family break-up. Hana is confused and upset because her parents are going to live separately, and all the …
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Too Many Toys! Too Many Toys!
Heidi Deedman
How many toys is too many? It’s a question that’s bothers Lulu. She has had her teddy Jupiter since she was a baby and loves him very much, but as she grows up, she’s given more, and more, and more …
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Featured Books for 7+ readers

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Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10) Old School (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 10)
Jeff KinneyNovember 2015 Book of the Month Old School is number ten in the multi-million-selling Wimpy Kid series and author Jeff Kinney is on very good form. The generation gap is something of a theme in this episode: Greg doesn’t understand …
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My Parents are Driving Me Crazy My Parents are Driving Me Crazy
Pete Johnson
The ups and downs of would-be comic Louis’s life make for highly amusing reading.  Ups include first date with his friend/comedy agent Maddy, and forth-coming appearance on a TV talent show; downs are school, Mr Beach in particular, and Dad, …
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If Only We Had a Helicopter If Only We Had a Helicopter
Roger Mcgough
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7  Here’s a slice of Roger McGough’s childhood to entertain young readers, stories of some of the antics he got up to with his friend Midge: adventures with a new puppy; fun days at school; …
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Featured Books for 9+ readers

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The Fish Detective The Fish Detective
Chris O’Dowd, Nick Vincent Murphy
November 2015 Book of the Month  Here we have another episode in the life of hapless eleven-year-old Martin Moone, related by his imaginary best-friend and sidekick Sean Murphy in as fine a free-fall stream-of-consciousness narrative as you could hope for, …
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Haunters Haunters
Thomas Taylor
The dead and the living exist side by side in this thrilling time-travelling adventure. In David’s recurrent dream, Eddie seems real and it seems like he’s got something to tell David. That’s scary enough but then David gets picked up …
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The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Big History The What on Earth? Wallbook Timeline of Big History
Christopher Lloyd
November 2015 Book of the Month  If you want to know what was happening on Earth any time in the last four billion years, then you couldn’t do better than opening out the Wallbook Timeline of Big History. Each one …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

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Young Bond: Shoot to Kill Young Bond: Shoot to Kill
Steve Cole
November 2015 Book of the Month  Steve Cole steps into Ian Fleming’s, and latterly Charlie Higson’s shoes in this brand new adventure for the young James Bond, and finds them a very good fit. This is a clever piece of …
Download free opening extract
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Clare and Her Captain Clare and Her Captain
Michael Morpurgo
November 2015 Julia Eccleshare’s Book of the Month Award-winning Michael Morpurgo is always at his best when writing about the countryside and the animals in it. Here, in a story inspired by his wife’s childhood, he writes about young Clare, visiting …
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Island Island
Nicky Singer
Island is a powerful and vivid new story from Nicky Singer, the prize-winning author of Feather Boy. London teenager Cameron is cast away on an uninhabited island in the Arctic with his scientist mother Pascale, who seems more interested in …
Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 13+ readers

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The 5th Wave The 5th Wave
Rick Yancey
This is a novel that packs a punch on every page with hope and despair in equal measure alongside life and death. It will leave you gasping for breath and keep you hooked to the end and long after it’ll …
Download free opening extract
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Dangerous Lies Dangerous Lies
Becca Fitzpatrick
Strong-willed Stella is the key witness in a murder trial and has been placed under police protection. After being given a new identity and forced to cut all contact with friends from her former life, including her boyfriend, Stella is …
Download free opening extract
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Paper Towns Paper Towns
John Green
A special edition slipcase edition of John Green’s Paper Towns, with pop-up paper town. Award winning author John Green’s fresh-voiced novel is an utterly gripping story that gives a roller-coaster, unputdownable read. Strongly set with all the details of life …
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Late October email update

Thursday, November 5th, 2015

Don’t Count Shopping Days. ‘Book’ Online! We know, we know. It’s ages away. The TV ad men haven’t even started thinking about clever ways to get your kids using their purchasing power, sorry their powers of persuasion, to get that must-have widget that they don’t need. Why not jump the rush and think about giving books this Christmas?

A book is a wonderful gift idea. It’s versatile, thoughtful, and lasts long after the Christmas craziness and indeed the latest Christmas crazes are over. With our Christmas recommendations, you won’t have to look long for a first-rate find for kids of all ages, abilities and tastes. Get started now …

Just a Tiny Taster of our Brilliant Christmas Highlights

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Turn Struggling Readers into Superb ones

We all know some kids struggle to engage with reading. But we believe that if the water is right, the horse will drink! This is a category specially designed to get young reluctant readers hooked on literature and enjoying a lifetime of happy reading experiences!

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All About Theatre

National Theatre: All About Theatre (9+) – Informative, inspiring and perfect for budding performers, producers, designers, directors, wig-makers, dramaturgs, costume makers, stage managers, sound technicians, lighting gurus and stage door security guards. You see? It takes lots of different people with lots of different skills to put on a play. Here, the National Theatre team explains just how it’s done: from script to opening night, there are tips and facts from the (War) horse’s mouth! A great way to get them wanting to see theatre or even make their own.

Bags full of Book Prizes up for Grabs

At the moment our Free Prize Draw category is practically bursting from the number of Book Goodies to be won … but don’t delay as the prize draws close soon.

One of the more unusual and not to be repeated is the chance to win a set of five of the enormously brilliant fold out ‘What on Earth’ books worth over £60. Get entering here.

Picture and Word Perfection! Chris Riddell

From the evocative Emperor of Absurdia and Wendel & The Robots (3+) to the wonderful Goth Girl series (8+), he effortlessly inspires and speaks to young readers of all ages. The Riddell Galaxy is positively heaving with stunning reads. And, for fledgling artists or people who just want to be better at it, why not check out Doodle a Day?? A book chock full of hints, tips and practical ways to inspire a passion for drawing. The latter published very much because of Riddell’s promise he gave on becoming the Children’s Laureate – “I want to put the joy of creativity, of drawing every day, of having a go and being surprised at what one can achieve with just a pencil and an idea at the heart of my term as Laureate.”

P.S! – We have a prize draw to win sets of Chris Riddell books, some signed by the author himself. Click here!

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Old Barn, Publisher of the Month

In spite of its name, Old Barn is a new, independent publisher of illustrated books for children, as well as gift books (if you happened to be looking for ‘gifts’ for any reason in the near future!) for adults. Mixing new and established artists, an experienced passionate team of publishing gurus have collected a wonderful collection of beautifully illustrated stories. Have a look at the titles below and share in the wonder of Old Barn’s new favourites!

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Late Autumn Kids Literature Festivals

Enjoy a wonderful variety of events including workshops, films, live drawings and jazz music at the South Ken Kids Festival at the Institut francais, London (16-22 November). This year’s festival features more than 40 public events including workshops, talks, films, live music, theatre, and book signings with no less than 25 writers and illustrators including Quentin Blake, Claude Ponti, Tony Ross, and Axel Scheffler.

Support Oranguntans and win a £50 book voucher

Lovereading4kids has teamed up with National Geographic Kids to support Orangutan Awareness Week (9 – 15 November 2015) and offer young writers the chance to win some amazing prizes including a £50 Lovereading4kids voucher.

See below for more information or visit the National Geographic Kids website – Good Luck.

And that’s it for this month. You get reading and Christmas gifting and we’ll get busy, bringing you more fantastic recommendations in November from our team of editorial experts! Happy Reading!

Below you will find a taster of our Age Ranged gift selections or visit the site to see them all.


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