If you’re after a picture book that will have under-fives hooting with laughter then the latest story from Oliver Jeffers is perfect. It Wasn’t Me is the second title in his series about the Hueys, a fabulously quirky group of characters who look a bit like multi-coloured eggs on pin legs. Their name is inspired [...]
No, no fifth extract today of Foundation, the opening book of The Crossing Lives Trilogy… Now that all the main characters have been introduced, it is getting difficult to post new excerpts without giving whole chapters away. I know that the probability of someone stealing what I have written is quite remote but I do [...]
Not many people know this but I have been taking part in a writing course on line. I love writing my blog and enjoy all the feedback and comments I receive. However…..What I really want to do is have a go at writing a book. Like this?Read more… Recommended by To Wax Or Not To [...]
Do you have a favourite book you read over and over and over again and again? One, who’s story you never tire of reading? One that you can get lost in just like it was your first time reading it? I DO! Like this?Read more… Recommended by Mummy and the Monsters
These brilliant adoption books for children are some of my favourite books that we have used or are being lined up to be used. They are written in such a way that allows the parent to communicate the feelings related to being adopted with the child effectively, in an age appropriate language. Whatever stage of [...]
I have read several of My Little Big Town’s books for children. I have previously reviewed Gorgeous George and the Giant Geriatric Generator, and adored the cheeky illustrations from Calvin Innes. Tiny Twisted Talesfollow are a series of books that Calvin has actually written, alongside his quirky drawings. Here’s my take on them: Like this?Read [...]
So, spring has finally sprung and we’re all looking forward to longer and warmer days, spending some time working in our gardens, maybe getting into shape in readiness for our annual holiday or just looking forward to lazy afternoons in deckchairs. There’s a book for each of those occasions and to help you along we’ve [...]
A decade has passed since Verlaine saw Evangeline alight from the Brooklyn Bridge; the sight of her new wings a betrayal that still haunts him. Now an elite angel hunter for the Society of Angelology, he has a single mission: to capture and eliminate her kind. But when Evangeline suddenly appears, something about her seems [...]
This is a book of four parts and includes a practical collection of design tips as well as a section of inspirational pull-out postcards, to whet your home stylist appetite. Megan also introduces a number of people she admires – designers, artists, models, collectors and photographers – through interviews that give insights into their creativity. [...]
Just as music can lift your spirits (All Over the World by ELO) or plunge you into darkness (A Letter to Elise by The Cure), so can books change your mood. And while I have a playlist for various occasions, such as the gym, housework, and dancing in the kitchen, I also have a tried-and-tested [...]
Writing this blog has made me very aware of my inadequacies in the grammar department and whilst Google often offers solutions to my apostrophe problem I can see that it is not going to cure the problem. Like this?Read more… Recommended by CountryWives
I first discovered Helen Yemm in the Daily Telegraph and I found her gardening tips were not overwhelming. I know very little about gardening and am surrounded by friends and family who know so much but I cannot keep driving them mad with futile questions. Much as I love my garden I have a complete [...]
I love the illustrations, I love the layout and styling but I can’t help but feel somewhat dissapointed by the story itself. If you are looking for a good book to settle down and read with your child before bed then I wouldn’t recommend it I’m afraid. It’s more suited as a good looking and [...]
This morning, I could hear the postman struggling to push a parcel through the letterbox. I was convinced I’d probably won some sort of competition, or my husband had bought me a surprise present. As if. But no, I should have known, it wasn’t for me. None the less, it still raised a smile when [...]
Third extract of Foundation, the opening book of The Crossing Lives Trilogy. We started with Keira and Liam meeting in Celtic Ireland before joining Kathleen and her friends for a contemporary Desperate Housewives evening. This week Keira and Liam are back… Your opinion is very welcome. If you do not want to leave a comment [...]
We really do love books in the Rollercoaster household (even Rollercoaster Dad ) although the grown up members of the household are severely lacking in time to read these days but the girls are fast making up for us. They can both often be found with their little blonde heads stuck in a book. Like [...]
We were recently sent a couple of copies of Mabel and Me – Best of Friends by Mark Sperring and Sarah Warburton from Harper Collins Children’s Books, one to review and one to giveaway to one lovely reader. Firstly, a bit about the book… The book is narrated by ‘Me’ the mouse and tells the story [...]
Second extract of Foundation… Last week’s post introduced you to the story of Keira and Liam, set in the Ireland of the Middle Ages. What will you make of this new excerpt? Your opinion is very welcome. If you do not want to leave a comment you can send me an email or reach me [...]
Some Great Men and Women is actually part of the Ladybird Key Words East Readers series (641) and contains a series of double page spreads on various men and women from history. Some of them were inventors, others adventurers and some military personnel. They certainly all have a place in history and I do recall [...]
I’m torn about Shriver’s best-known and Orange Prize winning novel, We Need to Talk About Kevin. Later made into a film starring Tilda Swinton, it’s the disturbing story of Eva, a mother who finds herself unable to love her son – with chilling consequences. But even so, I’m intrigued by Shriver – and especially by [...]
