Book subscriptions are a great way to encourage your children to read for pleasure, expanding their vocabulary and widening the range of titles that they’re exposed to as they grow up.Here’s everything you need to know about the *NEW* Box2Door Subscriptions and why make a great gift for your child.
Does your child enjoy reading? Do you struggle to find suitable titles that are pitched at the right level for their age and reading ability? As a book lover myself with two mini bookworms who absolutely love to read, I am often asked by other parents for recommendations of the best books to read with their children. Whether it’s fun picture books, early reader chapter books or even non-fiction titles, we’ve been lucky enough to have had access to a wide range of literary treats for our girls.
For children, book subscriptions can be a great way to improve a child’s willingness to read for fun, going far beyond what they are asked to do as part of the school curriculum. Whilst phonics is essential, the storylines often leave a little to be desired. Book subscriptions can introduce children to books with far more exciting themes, whisking them off to another world, heading off on an adventure or simply learning more about the world around them.
There’s also something really exciting about receiving your own parcel of goodies through the mail, ripping open the box and discovering the books and treats hidden inside.
This Summer, Books2Door launched their own children’s book subscriptions and we’ve been putting them through their paces. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Box2Door?
If you haven’t heard of Books2Door yet – then seriously, where have you been? Home of brand new books at bargain prices since 2004, You can easily bag discounts of up to 80% of a huge range of books and boxsets – everything from the Mr Men and Wimpy Kid to The Treehouse Collection and Roald Dahl.
This Summer, Books2Door have released Box2Door – their brand new monthly book subscription box specifically for children, filled with hand-selected titles to encourage a love of reading for children of all ages.
Each month, these letter box-sized subscription boxes come with a selection of three to four hand-chosen titles based on your child’s age, along with some little surprises.
Not only can they help bring your children a wide range of titles – but they make a beautiful gift that can keep on giving every single month.
What age groups are the book subscriptions suitable for?
The Box2Door subscriptions are grouped by age, making it really straightforward to find the right subscription for your child.
0-3 years
These book subscriptions are a great introduction to reading with children and lots of fun to read aloud from birth. Not only can reading to your baby and toddler be a great bonding experience, but it can also help develop their listening skills, stimulate their imagination and introduce them to new vocabulary and concepts such as colours and numbers.
From chunky board books ideal for small hands to sticker books and sensory books featuring unique textures and flaps, textures, the youngest group for Box2Door also includes activity and colouring sheets and mystery merchandise.
4-6 years
As your child gets bigger, their curiosity will know no bounds – a great time therefore to develop their imagination, introduce the concept of nonfiction and fiction titles and really help them expand their vocabulary – learning new words, heading on adventures and learning more about facts, figures and real life concepts. These boxes can encourage a dialogue between you and your child, helping them answer inquisitive questions. In addition to reading their selected titles, children can enjoy some creative colouring in, puzzles or activity sheets, along with mystery merchandise such as bookmarks and posters.
7-10 years
By the age of seven, chances are your child will be a fairly confident reader, so finding titles that can tear them away from their screens and that’ll have them keen to read is key. The oldest group for Box2Door comes with a combination of fiction and non-fiction titles; helping create well-rounded readers whilst introducing them to new authors and characters who they may not have met before.
When do the boxes arrive?
The book subscriptions arrive on the 30th of each month and are small enough to fit through the letterbox, you don’t need to wait in to receive it.
How much are the Box2Door book subscriptions?
As you may expect from the bargain bookseller, the Box2Door subscriptions are very reasonably priced, costing just £9.99 a month. With three to four books inside (and extras!) they offer a great discount on the RRP of the contents. The best part? You’re not tied into any length of contract and can cancel at any time, with a rolling renewal that will continue to deliver until you cancel.
Our Box2Door Subscription Box
So most importantly, what did we think?
We signed up for a 7-10 box for my youngest daughter Neve who is seven in September and absolutely loves to read. I was keen to have a subscription that stretched her and help her progress with her reading.
She was super excited when the box arrived through our door and was very keen to crack open the box and discover what was inside.
We received three different books in our subscription – two fiction titles and one non-fiction book along with a large poster and puzzle sheet and high-quality cardboard bookmark – something which Neve absolutely loved.
The first book was Maggie Sparks – a fun and engaging character who goes on lots of adventures, with laugh-out-loud text and short manageable chapters ideal for reading alone. Neve has read other Maggie Sparks titles before, so she was really chuffed to see this one, and the poster of the giant monster baby with puzzles and sections to colour in.
The second title was one we’d not heard of before Mr Pattacake – a fun kitty-loving chef who finds himself in disastrous scenarios – which definitely raised lots of laughs. This also had a link to Buckingham Palace and given the recent coronation – Neve found this really topical and fun.
The last title was a non-fiction book – the Usborne Science Scribble Book – and if I am honest, it’s not a title that I would have previously chosen for Neve. I tend to automatically reach for fiction titles, but I was blown away by just how much Neve enjoyed this. With pages to fill in, experiments to complete and lots of fun facts about everything from the human body to space and robots – Neve reached for this book over and over again. It’s definitely opened my eyes a bit!
Our verdict
We are really impressed with our Box2Door subscription box. The titles were a big hit with Neve and she read each one with real enthusiasm. Looking at the RRPN on each book, the books individually would have cost over £20, so when compared to the subscription cost of £9.99, they also offer excellent value for money.
If you’re looking for a fun alternative gift for your children or extended family, Box2Door makes an excellent choice – getting a big thumbs up from us all.
You can learn more about Box2Door on the Books2Door website here
*This book features some items gifted for review and contains affiliate links
This week is International Stress Awareness Week and now more than ever, I think we are all hugely aware of the impact the last year or so has had on everyone’s mental health – particularly our children’s. Over the last 18 months, our children have been through so much upheaval and uncertainty and will have been experiencing a wide range of emotions including sadness, fear and loneliness. With us still being far from normality, helping our children express their thoughts and feelings can be a massive help in keeping the conversations flowing during a difficult time.
Picture books are a great way to encourage conversations about thoughts and feelings and here are just a few of our favourites.
I’m NOT very AFRAID of the Dark by Anna Milborne (Illustrated by Daniel Rieley)
For young children, the dark can be quite a scary prospect, especially when the sun goes down and the shadows appear!
I’m NOT very AFRAID of the Dark shares the story of a little boy who sees all kinds of scary things when the dark sets in – however, things aren’t always how they appear!
This gorgeous picture book tells the story of a little boy’s fear of the dark and has hundreds of tiny holes to demonstrate how shadows are created. Great fun to read with a torch! A great way to show younger children in particular that the dark is nothing to be afraid of and help them settle down to sleep more peacefully at bedtime!
Weirdo by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, Illustrated by Magenta Fox
Not only does this book have the most beautiful hidden illustrations under the dust cover (see my reels at Instagram.com/whatthekidsread!) but is also a refreshing way to help children embrace their individuality, accept who they are and the enjoy the power of being unique.
When ‘The Surprise’ – A guinea pig – arrives at Kit’s house for her birthday; the other pets are confused – who is she and why is she wearing that funny little white suit? ‘The Surprise’ explains it’s because she really enjoys Judo; but they mishear her and start calling her Weirdo; laughing, teasing and leaving her feeling excluded and sad It seems these pets have a pretty fixed schedule – and ‘The Surprise’ isn’t part of it!
When a gust of wind blows her out of the window; ‘The Surprise’ has a chance encounter with Kit’s eccentric neighbour Emily Brookstein – a lady who also gets called weirdo but has learned to embrace her differences! She shows ‘The Surprise’ that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being unique and that life’s too short not to live the life you love. After a lovely day together, Emily returns ‘The Surprise’ home. Kit cuddles her, names her Maud and introduces her to the group; who apologise for causing her a Weirdo.
Beautifully illustrated throughout (with some text free scenes that really bring the story to life); the girls very quickly fell in love with Maud as she adapted to her new environment! A poignant and positive reminder for children to simply be themselves!
Bracky Builds a New Den
A practical book from Fletchers Solicitors this book is all about finding hope in unexpected places. It tells the story of Bracky, a happy little dinosaur who’s world is turned upside down when their Dad suffers a serious injury and has to spend a significant amount of time in hospital. Developed after a period of research, this book is based upon professional advice from therapists and first-hand accounts from families and children who have experienced serious injury.
Having spent a significant time in hospital myself unable to walk after sepsis (and with a challenging period where they struggled to find a full diagnosis), I know first hand the impact that those fears, worries and anxieties can have on children, especially if they have to suddenly stay with relatives or see their family members looking upset or concerned.
Whilst a difficult topic, this book is filled with hope – Bracky has to take down their beloved den when they move home, but step by step they rebuild it, just as they rebuild their lives. Bracky’s teacher gives them a torch – a reminder that when things get dark, brighter days are just around the corner.
What I loved most about this book is the element of encouraging conversation and getting kids talking about their feelings. Whilst things may not feel entirely normal, these conversations can help children adjust to the ‘new normal’ and still see hope and happiness when things get tough.
Stars Before Bedtime: A mindful fall asleep book by Claire Grace and Dr Jessemy Hibberd
Now more than ever, with all the changes and differences to their normal routine, encouraging children to switch off and relax before bed can be really hard!
Stars Before Bedtime is a great way to help instil calm by introducing concepts of mindfulness, muscle relaxation, gentle yoga and visualisation as a way to help reduce stress and anxiety, boost happiness and clear their minds before bed.
With a rhythmic melodic text and beautiful gentle artwork throughout the book guides children through the different constellations in the sky, and creates a variety of exercises for them to complete based on their mythical stories.
The book is long, so you can pick and choose which exercises you want to do and mix it up a little each night. A really unique read. A great option for junior / middle grade children, Stars Before Bedtime is available in hardback only at Amazon.
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright (Illustrated by Chris Chatterton)
Worrysaurus is a worrier – he loves to plan but always worries that something will go wrong. What if it rains? What if he gets lost, trips or falls? What if he hasn’t packed enough food! With all his fears and worries, he often forgets to live in the moment and simply have fun.
A beautifully illustrated story with lots of practical tips on how to face up to your anxious thoughts and live in the moment!
The Worrysaurus is available in paperback on Amazon here and in all good bookstores.
I really want to SHOUT! by Simon Philip (Illustrated by Lucy Gaggiotti)
What do you do when you really, really want to shout??
‘I really want to shout’ shares the story of a little girl who struggles to control her emotions, often feeling angry and upset and really, really wanting to shout.
With lots of humour and fun engaging illustrations; this book not only made my girls laugh out loud, but is filled with some useful practical tips on how to control your reactions when things don’t go the way you’d planned.
I Really Want to Shout is available in paperback here.
Barbara throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen
Do you ever have days where things just don’t go right?
Barbara is having one of those days. First there was a sock problem, and at lunchtime there was a strange pea. Before she knows it, she’s feeling flustered, frustrated and angry…. Barbara’s wobbler is out of control!
This is a really laugh out loud read that had the girls giggling all the way through; whilst at the same time providing some helpful hints for banishing bad moods when things don’t go your way.
Neve absolutely loved spotting the wobblers on the last page and Erin and I found the Bad Moods (Very Useful Guide) really amusing – especially pointing out which ones were most like me when I am having a mini mard of my own (it’s The Seethe for future reference)
We’ve had this one a few weeks now and a Neve keeps coming back to it. With bold, bright illustrations and a the only leading lady we’ve had called Barbara to date; this one has quickly become a firm favourite with us all!
Barbara Throws a Wobbler is available in paperback here and in all good bookstores.
Don’t think about Purple Elephants by Susanne Merritt and Gwynneth Jones
Don’t think about Purple Elephants tells the story of Sophie, a little girl who worries. She is fine during the day when she is having fun with family and friends, but when night time arrives and everything goes quiet, her mind starts racing and she struggles to sleep.
With the help of a purple elephant or two, Sophie and her family find a way to ease her worries and help her drift off for a good night’s sleep. With beautiful illustrations throughout that encourage dialogue and discussion, and short enough for a bedtime story, this one has become a firm favourite with the girls!
Don’t think about Purple Elephants is available on Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover at Amazon.
Who is Happy? Pictures by Jarvis
Everyone in Happyhop House experiences lots of feelings during their day. This book is full of action packed illustrations – Can you spot who is happy to be playing paper aeroplanes? Who is sad that the last slice of cake has gone? Who is scared of the dark?
Not only does this book help children understand and recognise visual cues of feelings and emotions, but also actively encourages conversations about why they may be feeling this way and what they can do to help. Neve (4) loves spotting all the different feelings within the varying scenes as well as telling me how she is feeling from the range of emotion choices at the end of the book. A great way to help children express how they are feeling when they may otherwise be reluctant to open up.
Jeremy Worried About the Wind by Pamela Butchart (Illustrated by Kate Hindley)
A quirky, funny and beautifully illustrated picture book that encourages important conversations about worries and anxiety from Blue Peter prize winning author, Pamela Butchart.
Jeremy is a worrier. He worries about odd socks, spotty bananas, evil squirrels, burnt toast, dinosaurs and, most of all . . . the wind! His friend Maggie isn’t worried about anything – after all, what’s the worst that could happen? But when Maggie decides to go outside and play in the wind, Jeremy must act fast to keep her out of danger, and he is soon to discover that a bit of courage leads to the most exciting adventures.
Jeremy Worried about the Wind is out now in Paperback at Amazon.
Your Mind is Like The Sky
Your mind is like the sky, sometimes it is clear and blue, but sometimes rainclouds appear and can make your thoughts go dark. Your Mind is Like the Sky is a great first introduction to mindfulness for children, this beautifully illustrated book helps children understand and manage worries and negative thoughts and introduce helpful thinking habits.
Your Mind is Like the Sky is available in Hardcover or on the Kindle at Amazon
Everybody Feels Series
Beautifully illustrated; the books in the Quarto Everbody Feels series showcase a range of different scenarios in which children may feel a particular emotion – from sadness to jealously, anger, loneliness or fear.
With relatable characters and scenarios, practical hints and tips on how to manage these emotions as well as next steps and discussion prompts to start a conversation, these are a great way to talk about mental health topics with young children! See them in more detail below:
This book is just gorgeous. With beautiful illustrations throughout, this story is an ideal read for younger children who are experiencing being separated from the ones they love – whether that’s due to Covid times in 2020, starting a new school or nursery, or who’s parents may live in separate houses.
The story reminds children that love is like a piece of string that can stretch and stretch – although you may not always be able to see who is on the other end – they are always there. Sometimes the string may get frayed or tangled. but love never breaks.
Using the visual metaphor of string to represent love, it shows how new strings can form and old strings can last the test of time, even when challenges get in the way.
GIVEAWAY
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week we have 2 practical activity books about feelings and emotions to giveaway to one lucky winner! The winner will receive 1 x The Unworry Book and 1 x No Worries – filled with practical tips, hints and strategies for coping with worries, fear and anxiety. Enter for your chance to win using the gleam app below!
We are HUGE fans of Jacqueline Wilson in this house, so when we learned that Jacqueline was writing a re-imagined version of E. Nesbit’s classic, The Railway children, we were super excited to check it out.
Re-imagined as a thrilling modern adventure, a massive 115 years after it’s original publication, The Primrose Railway Children comes in a stunningly illustrated hardback, with a beautiful nostalgic scene hidden under the dustcover. We are huge fans of illustrated hardbacks and this one is a real treat to be discovered!
Primrose Railway Children is narrated by the youngest of the children, Phoebe.
Phoebe loves making up stories – just like her wonderful, imaginative dad. When her Dad mysteriously disappears, Phoebe, her siblings, Perry and Becks, and their Mum must leave everything behind and move to a small cottage in the middle of nowhere.
Struggling to settle and missing her Dad terribly, Phoebe’s only distraction is her gorgeous pet guinea pig Daisy – until the family discover the thrilling steam trains at the nearby railway station and suddenly, every day is filled with adventure.
But Phoebe still can’t help wondering what her Mum is hiding – and when she will see her Dad again…
With threads of the original Railway Children story throughout, with heart warming, loveable characters (particularly Daisy the guinea pig), The Primrose Railway Children tackles some difficult topics such as financial issues, family secrets and an absent father in an extremely relatable way that children will be able to understand.
Erin loved reading this with me over the last week or so, and it was a great book to share and enjoy together; with a wonderful ending and a huge dose of nostalgia for me too!
The Promise Railway Children is sure to be a big hit with Jaqueline Wilson fans all over! The Primrose Railway Children is out now at Amazonand Waterstones.
Fancy winning a copy of The Primrose Railway Children?
Thanks to the team at Penguin Random House we have TWO Copies of The Primise Railway Children to giveaway to two lucky readers! To enter, use the GLEAM app below. Our standard giveaway terms and conditions apply. UK only. Closes 11.59pm on 3rd October 2021. GOOD LUCK!
With many children walking back through the school gates this week after a long and enjoyable 6 week break; there may be a bit of anxiety (from parents and children alike!)
My youngest daughter is starting reception this year and we’ve been checking out some of the beautiful picture books that can help the transition back to school (or nursery) settings. Here are some of our favourites!
Wolf Girl by Jo Lorring Fisher
When Sophy starts a new school she really struggles to fit in and feels incredibly shy. One day she is whisked away to a world where she meets a wolf and her cub, and manages to find her voice. A beautifully illustrated tale of overcoming isolation, feeling shy and making friends.
This book also sends a really positive message that its ok to be different, and no matter how alone you can feel at times, there is always someone out there just like you!
Love by Corrinne Averiss
This book is just gorgeous. With beautiful illustrations throughout, this story is an ideal read for younger children who are experiencing being separated from the ones they love – whether that’s due to Covid times in 2020, starting a new school or nursery, or who’s parents may live in separate houses.
The story reminds children that love is like a piece of string that can stretch and stretch – although you may not always be able to see who is on the other end – they are always there. Sometimes the string may get frayed or tangled. but love never breaks.
Using the visual metaphor of string to represent love, it shows how new strings can form and old strings can last the test of time, even when challenges get in the way.
Everybody Feels Series
Beautifully illustrated; the books in the Quarto Everbody Feels series showcase a range of different scenarios in which children may feel a particular emotion – from sadness to jealously, anger, loneliness or fear.
With relatable characters and scenarios, practical hints and tips on how to manage these emotions as well as next steps and discussion prompts to start a conversation, these are a great way to talk about mental health topics with young children! See them in more detail here
Mooncat and Me by Lydia Correy
With determination and a bit of imagination, there’s absolutely nothing you can’t do…
Mooncat and Me is a delightful story for any child experiencing the anxiety of moving home or starting a new school.
Pearl’s moving to a new house and is scared. She won’t know anyone and no one will know her. What if no one talks to her, what if she doesn’t make any friends? How will she cope??
With the help of her imagination and a giant white cat, Pearl gradually grows in confidence and learns that new adventures can be exciting too!!
Neve loves the beautiful illustrations and the repeated ‘mooncat was there’. A calm, supportive and reassuring read for those experiencing big changes in their life. Thanks to Macmillan for our gifted copy.
What other books have you read that helped your children going back to school?
This post is in collaboration with Cureadosity and contains a gifted product.
If you follow me regularly at Real Mum Reviews, you will know that we are huge book lovers in this house. Not only do I personally read a book every single night, but the girls absolutely love reading too. I have seen first hand with my eldest the difference that regular reading has made to her vocabulary, literacy and spelling, but even with my youngest who is four, the postive impact on her ability to pick out letter sounds and notice rhyming words within the text has been really noticeable. We read every single night before bed (usually one or two picture books) and I am always on the look out for new and engaging books to read with the girls.
I recently discovered Cureadosity, a new book subscription box for little book lovers or children aged 2-6 and I loved the sound of it. A great way to discover new reads and ensure a diverse bookshelf as well as a lovely surprise through the post each month too!
About Cureadosity
Cureadosity is a children’s book subscription box which was set up by parents Daphne and Alex, who were always looking for the best new reads to share with their young daughter.
A subscription box for children aged 2-6 years, Cureadosity can be purchased as a monthly, bimonthly (every 2 months) or quarterly box, and each box contains 3 specially selected picture books. Each box costs £20 plus a postage charge of £2.80.
The books within each Cureadosity Subscription box can be a mixture of hardback and paperback books and are always books that have been released within the last 3 months, meaning the chances of you getting a book you already own is pretty slim. Via their relationships with Publishers, Cureadosity can also sometimes get books ahead of their official release date, as well as exclusive or special editions signed by the author.
Cureadosity book subscriptions are a great alternative gift idea for book lovers or parents with young children, and unboxing the box when it arrived was a real treat.
Our Cureadosity May Box
We received the May Cureadosity Book Subscription Box last week and the girls were super excited when it arrived. You can see a full unboxing video on my instagram here.
Boxes arrive between the 15th and 20th of each month, and come in a large Cureadosity branded cardboard box.
The books are carefully packaged, and wrapped in tissue paper, with some additional packing materials to keep them safe during transit. Part of the excitement is opening up the lid and peeling off the sticker on the tissue to reveal the books below.
This month we received three fabulous children’s picture books as follows:
The Worst Best Day Ever by Sophy Henn (Simon & Schuster Kids UK)
The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen (Walker Books)
Charlie Chooses by Lou Peacock and Nicola Slater (Nosy Crow)
The girls were particularly excited about The Worst Best Day Ever, which we had heard great things about in the kids bookstagram community, and it didn’t disappoint!
Not only was the Rock from The Sky a beauiful hardback edition but the Cureadosity box also included a signed bookplate from the authors of Charlie Chooses – a lovely addition that made the box that little bit more special!
The girls love complimentary activities when reading books, and it was great to see the addition of some colouring sheets and activities to complete alongside the stories. These were printed on high quality, thick paper and there was even a large Charlie Chooses poster too.
Unlike some other book subscription boxes I’ve seen that offer snacks and treats as an extra, I felt that Cureadosity has absoluetly no gimmicks, and that the items in the box were actually all really practical and related to the texts.
Our overall thoughts on Cureadosity
I think Cureadosity is a really lovely book subscription box for kids and excellent value for money. Bought separately, the books had an RRP of £27, and even at Amazon prices just under £22.
That coupled with the activities and the signed bookplate I felt made the cost of £22.80 including postage completely viable, and helped introduce us to new books that we may otherwise not have discovered.
The girls have really enjoyed all three books we received within the Cureadosity box, and I would happily recommend the subscription box to any family who loves reading with their kids.
I can’t wait to see what next months box brings! 🙂
Thank you to Daphne and Alex for gifting me this month’s Cureadosity box. It was an absolute pleasure reviewing this!
AD – Some items marked with * were gifted for review. This post contains affiliate links.
If you follow my blog regularly you will know that books have pretty much kept us sane over the last 12-15 months, bringing some much needed escapism and distraction from the world and its current challenges! As well as reading my own books every single night without fail, I love nothing more than settling down with the girls before bed, snuggled up in their PJs ready for some dream inspiration and discover their latest adventure.
There have been some AMAZING books released in the last month – here are just a small selection of the books we loved in April that you need to check out now! 🙂
The Story Thief by Graham Carter
With a slight Grinchesque feel to it, The Story Thief tells the story of Olive – a little girl who loves books.
One day on a trip back from the library she accidentally drops a book into the ocean where it is picked up by a octopus.
The octopus follows the boat and learns that these ‘strange items’ seem to make everyone very happy – but what do you even do with them!? Build with them? Sleep on them? He just can’t figure them out.
Desperate to discover their secret, he steals all the books in the land but is sad to find he still feels no happier.
With all the books gone, Olive decides to save the day putting into action all the skills she’s learned in her stories. She tracks down the books and teaches the octopus that stories are MAGIC and for everyone to enjoy.
I won’t share the ending, but this is a stunningly illustrated book that we’ve read and enjoyed so many times in the last few weeks. The perfect gift for mini book lovers!
The Story Thief is currently available in hardback only at Amazon.
Rabunzel by Gareth P Jones
It’s the story you’ll think you’ve heard before – a rabbit called Rabunzel with incredibly long ears; trapped in a tower to keep her safe and protect her from the hungry eyed creatures waiting in the deep, dark forest..
When Flash Harry comes tracks her down, he decides he’s going to save her – but it turns out,!this Rabbit doesn’t need rescuing Thankyou very much!!
A story about living proudly with your differences and celebrating a whole heap of girl power – it’s great to see a bold and brave female lead who’s happy to shape her own way in the world! We loved this one!
Rabunzel is available in paperback at Amazon here.
Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen
Do you ever have days where things just don’t go right? Barbara is having one of those days. First there was a sock problem, and at lunchtime there was a strange pea. Before she knows it, she’s feeling flustered, frustrated and angry…. Barbara’s wobbler is out of control!
This is a really laugh out loud read that had the girls giggling all the way through; whilst at the same time providing some helpful hints for banishing bad moods when things don’t go your way.
Neve absolutely loved spotting the wobblers on the last page and Erin and I found the Bad Moods (Very Useful Guide) really amusing – especially pointing out which ones were most like me when I am having a mini mard of my own (it’s The Seethe for future reference)
We’ve had this one a few weeks now and a Neve keeps coming back to it. With bold, bright illustrations and a the only leading lady we’ve had called Barbara to date; this one has quickly become a firm favourite with us all!
Barbara Throws a Wobbler is out now in paperback at Amazon here.
Once Upon A Mermaid’s Tail by Beatrice Blue
Having read and loved Once Upon a Unicorn’s Horn – this one had a lot to live up to – but definitely didn’t disappoint.
Stunningly illustrated with beautiful ocean based colour scheme; this is a heartwarming tale of a boy learning that if you truly love something you should set it free.
Theodore loves collecting beautiful fish to add to his collection. One day he discovers a fascinating creature in a shell and has never seen anything so beautiful. Despite an impending voice advising him to leave her alone, Theodore takes the creature home. As the days pass however, the creature becomes weaker and weaker – can Theodore save her and return her to the ocean before it’s too late?
A gentle reminder to look after our oceans and wildlife, Once Upon A Mermaid’s Tail is out now in paperback here.
This is NOT a Unicorn by Barry Timms and Ged Adamson
“This creatures never what it seems, You might be feeling torn, but let me make this very clear, it’s NOT a unicorn!’
This hilarious adventure gives Wonky Donkey a run for its money with its wonderfully witty wordplay and really made the girls giggle.
With bright, vivid and colourful pages; this book tells the story of (not) a unicorn with a shape shifting horn. From a tune-Icorn to a spoon-icorn and even a tickly-under-there-icorn; this is a unicorn book with a difference!
This is NOT a unicorn is available now in paperback at Amazon here.
The Forgettery by Rachel Ip
We all have days where we feel a bit forgetful, whether it’s forgetting the kids PE kit, forgetting where we put our glasses or simply forgetting our Please and Thankyou’s.
For Amelia’s granny however; the things she forgets are much bigger, things like names, people and places.
One day, Amelia and her Granny stumble across a hidden world called The Forgettery – a land filled with everything everyone’s ever forgotten.
Whilst revisiting and rediscovering key moments from their lives, they learn the true power that memories hold.
Whilst the book doesn’t explicitly mention dementia, this is an incredibly touching and sensitive look at the challenges relating to memory loss, whilst being an exciting and fun adventure book in equal measure.
Beautiful illustrations by Laura Hughes with lots of humorous and detailed events to spot, whisked us straight into this imaginary emotional world.
The Forgettery is available in paperback at Amazon here.
The Neighbourhood Surprise by Sarah van Dongen*
When Koya and her friends Hassan and Alex learn that their favourite neighbour Mrs Figg is moving away they are super sad to see her go – she makes the best cookies in the world and has always been so kind to them.
They decide to plan a leaving party for her, with the whole of Redbird Road working together to create the ultimate feast and celebration. With a diverse range of cultures, dishes and even a focus on vegan and vegetarian diets; there is a real sense of celebrating community within this book – with gorgeous bright and vivid illustrations to bring the characters to life.
As a parent; I loved seeing a whole neighbourhood working together for a common goal – after the last 12 months; we’ve all seen how special and meaningful those relationships can be.
Author Sarah Van Dongen even includes some facts about Veganism at the end in case it’s a term the children aren’t familiar with.
The Neighbourhood Surprise is available now in paperback at Amazon.
Unlocked by Delaram Ghanimifard (Editor) and Tiny Owl Publishing Illustrators*
Well this beautiful book instantly bought a tear to my eye!
After 12 months of Covid restrictions it at times has been hard to find hope amongst the breaking news updates and scaremongering social media.
Tiny Owl Publishing recently asked their team of illustrators to reflect on their own lockdown experiences and showcase the things that bought them joy during these difficult times.
With experiences from across the globe, ‘Unlocked’ highlights lockdown stories of resilience, community, kindness, staying connected and keeping positive; during what has without a doubt been a challenging year for us all.
With stunning illustrations throughout and relatable stories of the time we spent during lockdown; this book is a great way to remember the joy we managed to find when the world stood still.
Well there’s a book title that you don’t hear everyday!! 😂
As non-fiction books go; this one is certainly tailored to its audience; with the perfect balance of educational facts and fun filled humour that really made us all laugh out loud.
From Strange Tails and Puzzling Toes and Extraordinary Eyes to Weird Ears, Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks is a beautifully illustrated book packed full of incredible creatures with very unique features. Whilst they might seem a bit ‘odd’ to us, their features are there for good reason – and some are quite surprising!
The girls have really enjoyed learning about our diverse range of wildlife and having a good old giggle in the process. Thankyou Wellbeck Publishing for our review copy! The book is available in hardback here.
May is a MEGA month for new releases, so come back soon for our May edition of What the Kids Read. In the meantime, if you enjoy books with your children, come follow our sister account on Instagram – What the Kids Read!
Hi, I’m Lucy, a thirty something mum of two from Birmingham. A memory maker, tradition keeper, stationery addict and Mr Men fanatic. HR Advisor by day and sleep deprived Mama by night!
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