Release Date: 02/02/12
BOOK BLURB:
There's a commotion in the classroom as Goat and the other animals spend the day at playgroup. The musical instruments and the dressing up box are lots of fun, but oh dear! Goat gets into a muddle or two. Luckily, it's not long before everything is all better.
REVIEW:
Children are a lot of fun and with a nephew who is like Goat in the story (independent and likes to do his own thing) I fell in love with the whole tale as it gave me a laugh as I recalled what his Mum told me about his antics. Its colourful, has a great concept and when you add into the mix that its by Julia Donaldson, it’s a story that will appeal to the young reader as well as the adult for its wonderful sense of whimsy.
Add to this bright colourful art by Nick Sharratt who brings it beautifully to life and overall it was a successful book for me. I really look forward to sharing it with my nephews, in particular the one who reminds me of Goat so much.
Release Date:
BOOK BLURB:
Touch the Gruffalo's terrible tusks, feel his knobbly knees and tickle his purple prickles in this bold, eye-catching book with touch-and-feel elements on every page. Part of the exciting new "My First Gruffalo" series, this title features all your favourite characters from the "Deep Dark Wood". The nation's favourite bedtime story made perfect for small paws.
REVIEW:
If like me you’re a fan of the Gruffalo then this title from Pan Macmillan will hit the spot as its updates it with a touch and feel option so that the young reader has things which they will love, from his sticky warty nost, to the smooth furry belly, from the rough teeth to the bubbly knobbly knees.
It’s fun, it will entertain and if you can find the animation on the BBC this year, it will be something that will be demanded more than one time. Finally add to this the wonderful artwork of Axel Scheffler with the cracking storytelling of Julia Donaldson and all in it’s a wonderful product.
Release Date: 07/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
The Gruffalo's Child returns with her very own song to introduce a truly monster musical session! As well as being the UK's most successful picture book author and the 2011-2013 Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson is a gifted songwriter for children. This volume contains nine of her best-loved songs, including The Gruffalo's Child, Nut Tree and The World Inside a Book, as well as a number of other fun-filled action songs, all of which have been wonderfully illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Each score includes piano accompaniment and guitar chords. The songs will be familiar to anyone who has heard them on TV or radio, or enjoyed one of Julia's hugely popular live performances. Now everyone can sing along!
REVIEW:
Coming from a musical background I’ve always wondered if some children’s books have a tune to accompany them, here, in this title by Julia Donaldson, she brings her other talent for music to the fore giving the reader a set of wonderful tunes with which to sing along and entertain at the same time as reading the story.
All in a lot of fun and a book that I know my nephews are going to love, especially when they get to bang their toy drums in time to me playing the guitar to give them the full experience. Great fun all in although you may have to look up some of the chord patterns. Other than that add to this a CD with the tracks upon them as performed by Julia and the reader really will have a lot of fun joining in.
Release Date: 02/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Join the Gruffalo's Child as she meets Mouse and all your favourite characters from the Deep Dark Wood in this amazing magnetic book! Contains over 60 magnets, a special mini edition of the bestselling story, plus play scenes and exciting activities, including Build a Snow Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child Quiz! With a neat clasp and sturdy handle, you can take the fun with you wherever you go!
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of the Gruffalo, I was really excited when I heard about this edition coming out from the publisher. As such it allowed me to help spread the fun and joy with my nephews who loved the chance to play with the magnets as well as listening to the story. It’s colourful, it has great phrases as well as easy to pick up with wonderful artwork by Axel Scheffler. Add to this the sheer entertainment of magnets and it’s a story that will be asked for time and again. Great stuff.
Release Date: 01/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Two crafty robbers hatch a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But the quietest, tiniest creature in the farm has a plan of her own and things are going to get noisy; very noisy.
With 10 amazing animal sounds, this book is a whole farmyard of fun!
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of Julia Donaldson, it is always great to find something a little different. Children will love this colourful title (illustrations are by Lydia Monks) as they can have the story read and then get to push buttons to hear the relevant story sounds to accompany the experience. Add to this Julia’s usual enthusiasm for storytelling, her uncanny ability to write the tale as a song and all in it’s a very satisfactory experience. Great fun.
Release Date: 06/01/11
BOOK BLURB:
'Poor old fox has lost his socks. He looks in a chest and finds a vest'. Can you help fox find his socks? Are they in the kitchen or under the stairs? Are they inside the clock or hidden in a chest? Lift the flaps and find out.
REVIEW:
Famed for their original collaboration on the Gruffalo, it’s always a delight to see new projects that these two work on. Here in this, the first title in the Tales from Acorn Woods series is a delightful colourful and unique story where each of the authors talents bring it to the fore. Axels unique artwork is bright, its outstanding and it is instantly recognisable. Likewise the same with Julia’s story telling. Add to this a some wonderfully hidden surprises within and it’s a book that will entertain for many rereads. Great stuff.
Release Date: 06/01/11
BOOK BLURB:
This book is a part of the Tales from Acorn Wood series. Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, pig and hen are playing hide-and-seek. Lift the flaps and help pig find out where hen is hiding! Other books in the Acorn Wood series include: Fox's Socks , Rabbit's Nap ; and, Postman Bear .
REVIEW:
As a fan of the two author’s I really just had to own this second book, not just because it had their unique brand of art and writing but because there was a surprise around every corner and a story to entertain as well as enthuse. Back that up with a lot of fun, some really bright colours and you have a tale that will be read time and again. A great addition to the series.
Release Date: 06/01/11
BOOK BLURB:
'Rabbit's feeling sleepy. She curls up in a chair. Tap! Tap! Who's that? Oh dear! It's Builder Bear.' Rabbit is trying to get to sleep, but everyone is being so noisy. Lift the flaps and find out who is keeping Rabbit awake! Collect all four board books in The Acorn Wood series: Postman Bear, Fox's Socks and Hide-and-Seek Pig.
REVIEW:
Like the other titles in the series, Donaldson and Schefflers talents bring the story to the reader’s imagination in a montage of bright colours and wonderful verbal rhythms which allows the young reader the chance to learn to love story time. It’s wonderfully constructed with hidden surprises within the pages as well as a well thought out arc that will please old and young alike which makes this a wonderful addition to the Tales from Acorn Wood series. Great stuff.
Release Date: 06/01/11
BOOK BLURB:
This book is a part of the Tales from Acorn Wood series. Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, bear is writing letters to his friends. Lift the flaps and join frog, squirrel and mole for bear's special surprise! Other books in the Acorn Wood series include: Fox's Socks ; Hide-and-Seek Pig ; and, Rabbit's Nap .
REVIEW:
Perhaps the weakest of the four books released so far but still entertaining. With surprises hidden within every double page, unique artwork as well as a wonderful story telling voice it will keep your young reader amused and be demanded for rereads. It is well done, the two authors keep the piece flowing but at the end of the day its just not as catchy as the previous two titles (Hide and Seek Pig and Fox’s Socks.) So get this one last for now.
Release Date: 06/08/10
BOOK BLURB:
A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape populated by a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and even, just maybe, by a big brown bear ...But where are they going? And what has it to do with the baby's scribblings on the cave wall?
REVIEW:
Two of the UK’s heavyweight Picture authors have come together to produce this wonderful offering. You’ve got rich illustrations with beautiful colour, great story telling and wrapped up in an offering that really was a pure pleasure to read. It will appeal to people both young and old and to be honest I think it may well be one of the best titles out there this year. If you have a picky parent or a relative that’s a bit funny to buy for, who’s just had a baby, this is going to be a sure fire hit. A great way to get brownie points as well as making sure that you will be a favoured friend for years to come.
BOOK BLURB:
Join the dots, spot the differences, colour in and have fun recreating the adventures of the snail who hitched a lift on the tail of an enormous whale! This brilliant activity book is packed with exciting puzzles and games featuring characters and scenes from this bestselling story. There are even over 40 reusable stickers and a sticker scene - hours of fun!
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of Julia and Axel, its always something great when you get a tale that not only entertains but also allows the reader a lot of freedom to create something on their own. That’s what you get in the activity book of the much loved classic as the reader has so many puzzles and tasks that it’ll take days of their time to fulfil. Its beautifully drawn, its got great options but most of all it’s a title that will benefit from multiple photocopies to allow the reader the chance to enjoy it time and again.
Release Date: 02/02/12
