5+: Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad? - Julie Middleton, Ill. Russell Ayto

Release Date: 30/08/12

Book Blurb: 
Dad takes Dave to the museum to look at dinosaurs. Dad is convinced that he knows all there is to know about these mighty beasts. And if nothing else he knows that they are most definitely dead. But Dave isn't quite so sure...This is a highly original must-read story that rivals Not Now, Bernard in the way it teaches parents that key lesson: listen to your kids!

Review: 
I love a book where Dad’s are the butt of the joke and this title does it brilliantly. Here within this book is a story that tells children about Dinosaurs and also brings them to life with the wonderfully amusing artwork of Russell Ayto, its bright, it stands out and with the words by Julie Middleton, really comes over very well.

Add to this a story that adults and children will love and all in it’s a great book. A wonderful way to introduce children to dinosaurs and also a book that will be read quite a few times. Magical.

   

3+: My Book of Numbers, Shapes and Colours and My Book of First Words - Kali Stileman

Release Date: 07/06/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
This title is part of the "My First Picture Book" series: perfect for every toddler to help build language, understanding and enjoyment. Colours, shapes and numbers are just the beginning, as this beautifully illustrated book explores all the key concepts that make up a toddler's world. Themes include: Counting; Shapes; Colours; Sounds; Opposites; Feelings; Manners; Home; and, Weather. This is one of two 24pp paperback editions of "Big Book of My World", featuring all the elements that help to encourage labelling, spotting and naming (the companion book is "My Book of First Words"). Peely Wally was selected to be part of the Booktrust's Books for Babies scheme. 150,000 copies will be distributed to mothers and babies throughout the UK in 2012.  

REVIEW:  
These days, finding the right thing for Children is always hard but for me as an Uncle, I really want to give them the gift of being able to read so that they can embark on many lives of adventure. What this title by Kali Stileman does is entertain as well as help them learn with bright colours and wonderful artwork. It’s a book that can be used many times and will help your child learn as they have fun which all in is the goal for any child. 

 

Release Date: 07/06/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
This title is part of the "My First Picture Book" series: perfect for every toddler to help build language, understanding and enjoyment. "My Book of First Words" is the perfect companion for children just learning to spot and name, or learning to recognise words. Bright illustrations bring to life all the key objects and favourite things from a child's world. This is one of two 24pp paperback editions of "Big Book of My World", featuring all the elements that help to build vocabulary and language confidence (the companion book is "My Book of Numbers, Shapes and Colours"). Kali's first book, Peely Wally, was selected to be part of the Booktrust's Books for Babies scheme. 150,000 copies will be distributed to mothers and babies throughout the UK in 2012.  

REVIEW:  
As with Kali’s other title, this book is another one that will help them learn through bright colours, fun images and of course a parent with imagination to help them make the most of this title. Add to this a book that allows them to associate the words with the images and your child will have a step up. I’m definitely passing these on to my nephews to help them get started and I can guarantee the many hours going through them will be more then worth it when I sit down and let them read me one of thier favourite tales.

3+: Penguin's Hidden Talent - Andrew Latimer

Release Date: 26/04/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
Penguin would love to take part in the Big Annual Talent Show. But he just can't seem to find his special talent. He tries magic tricks and juggling household appliances - even burping the alphabet...But nothing seems quite right. Can his friends help him discover what he's really good at? This is an even-funnier follow-up to the brilliant Boy Who Cried Ninja. Alex Latimer has created another beautiful, atmospheric world that you long to visit and return to.  

REVIEW:  
In a world where it seems that everyone has a talent and you don’t it’s always hard to help reassure your young reader that they have a gift that just hasn’t flowered yet. This is where this book by Alex Latimer comes in, as it features a Penguin who can’t do anything like his friends can and feels that he’s a let-down. Its quirky, it has bright images and the overall message within is a positive one that I absolutely loved. Add to this some charming characters, a wonderful story arc and all in the positive message will filter through to your young reader.

3+: Duck's Easter Egg Hunt - Heidi D'Hamers and Dawn Richards

Release Date: 01/03/12

BOOK BLURB:

With gorgeously colourful illustrations and a gloriously glittery cover, this book is perfect for sharing over a delicious chocolate egg! Duck is so excited about the Easter egg hunt she's organised that she loses her own precious egg. Oh no, Duck!!! Duck is devastated, but all her friends (including three little bunnies: Hoppy, Poppy and Floppy) join together to help her. Children will delight in spotting the hidden eggs and helping the animals to help poor Duck.


REVIEW:

In a wonderful addition to the time of year, this title by Dawn Richards and Heidi D’Hamers, is one that will enchant as well as have your young reader hanging onto your every word as the pages are turned to help Duck find her Egg. It’s great fun, the pictures are wonderfully bright and the story has a well-rounded view so that there’s something for everyone within. Whether its finding the eggs, or wondering if Duck will solve the problem, the reader will make their way through the story as they learn the true wonder of this time of year.

Its quirky, it has some great images and when you add a style of storytelling that will have the young reader hanging on your every word, its definitely a book to encourage this wonderful skill. Great stuff.

5+: Pirate House Swap - Abbie Longstaff, Malk Chalmers

Release Date: 07/04/11

BOOK BLURB:

Every year the Clark family spent the summer at home in the city. This year they want to do something different with their summer holidays, but what? The Clarks absolutely can't agree on anything until Dad spots an advert in the paper with the perfect answer - a house swap! Find out what happens when the Clarks swap their house for a pirate ship, and what the crew of unruly pirates get up to in the Clarks' house...


REVIEW:

Picture books for the young reader need to do a number of things, firstly for me, they have to entertain, secondly they have to have bright colours and perhaps best of all they need a special hook that makes them unique against the multitudes out there. Here in this title by Abbie Longstaff the reader gets a story that brings a modern family scenario such as a holiday home with the fantastical, in this case pirates as the two swap the usual for the unusual.

It has some great twists, it has some colourful characters and above all else its some of the author’s wicked sense of humour that comes through that will endear this title to adults and children alike. There’s something for everyone and when you add a cat with an earring to the proceedings its one that will stick with the reader for a long time. Yaarrrggghhhh.