3+: Noisy Farm - Rod Campbell

Release Date: 05/01/12

BOOK BLURB:

Come for a tour of Noisy Farm with Sam the farm dog! Visit the animals, lift the flaps and join in with the noises. Rod Campbell is at his best in the board book edition of this popular title.


REVIEW:

Rod is one of those author’s whose work not only grabs the imagination of the young reader but also the adult as they take their child on an adventure. He has a wonderful sense of humour, has a lot of fun within and when you add bright colours and hidden surprises within the title it’s something that will be enjoyed time and again. When I read this title to one of my nephew’s he loved joining in and making the sounds within which really enhanced the experience for both of us. Great fun.

3+: Oh Dear - Rod Campbell

Release Date: 05/01/12

BOOK BLURB:

Buster's staying with Grandma on the farm. But where will he find the eggs for breakfast? Not in the stable - oh dear! Young children will love lifting the flaps as they turn the pages and follow Buster around the farm.


REVIEW:

Flaps and wonderful storytelling abound within this title by Rod Campbell that will enthuse the young reader at bed time. Its wonderfully colourful, it gives the young reader what they want and when you add voices alongside actions to your telling, its something that will be requested time and again.

Add to this Rod’s ability to charm as well as amuse the younger reader and it’s a great way to help them get used to the world in which they live alongside having a story to enjoy time and again. Just make sure you buy some clear magic tape to keep the book in great condition after your multiple rereads.

3+: Buster's Birthday and Buster's Zoo - Rod Campbell

Release Date: 06/01/11

BOOK BLURB:

Buster, the much-loved character, is celebrating his birthday with a party and lots of presents. This fun title features simple, appealing illustrations, large sturdy flaps and the ultimate surprise ending -- a take-out-and-read miniature book. Children will love sharing Buster's birthday excitement by lifting the flaps to reveal all his wonderful birthday presents!


REVIEW:

Another fun fold out book from Rod Campbell and one that will keep the reader not only entertained by highly amused for hours. (Or at least that’s what happened with me when I read this with my nephew.) Its got a great overall story, a character that children can connect with and an event that makes it special for everyone to enjoy. Add to this the fold out surprise hidden within and it’s a book that can be read time and again with the same happy surprises for all to enjoy.




Release Date: 06/01/11

BOOK BLURB:

Join Buster for a busy day as he visits lots of creatures at the zoo in this busy book. Very young children will love stroking the different animals and lifting the flap to discover Buster's favourite animal of all!


REVIEW:

More wonderful fun from Rod Campbell with some great additions for the reader to feel as assimilated fur is included to give the child a sensory addition to a wonderful story. Its beautifully drawn, it’s colourful and it’s a great addition to any young readers collection. Great fun all round.

3+: I'm not Scary - Rod Campbell

Release Date: 03/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

These creatures aren't scary ...or are they? A scritchy-scratchy grasshopper, a shiny beetle and even a slimy snail aren't scary - touch them to find out. But the pop-up creature on the last page might just make even brave toddlers jump!


REVIEW:

Having loved Rod’s previous titles, I have to admit a love of his quirky nature backed up with a sense of anything can happen. Here in this, his latest offering, is a story with a touch and feel element that children will love as it’s definitely different. Chock full of fun (not just for the child buy the adult as well) but above all else it’s the interactive element that keeps it fascinating as the child learns by touch as well as feeling the different textures. A great offering with fun for all and a real gem to add to any young child’s bookshelf. You’ll be pleased that you did as it will be requested time and time again. Great stuff.

BABY AND TODDLER and 3+: Peepo Lion - Ella Butler, Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell

BOOK BLURB:

This simple yet effective board book features wonderful, bright illustrations and a cast of delightful animals. With die-cut holes throughout, children can say 'Peepo!' to all the animals and watch as one animal is magically transformed into another. Finally they can say 'Peepo!' to themselves in the mirror on the last page.


REVIEW:

Trying to find books for babies is a really hard thing to do. After all you have to find something that is not only colourful but also easy to repeat that will amuse someone with a very short memory. So it was a real joy to discover Ella’s Pepo books (in this case the Lion) which was quick to go through, had some great colours and finally told in such a way that the baby is virtually guaranteed to laugh. With one new nephew (and another on the way) its going to be a lot easier to find books to keep them happy and ones that their parents will soon be clamouring for.




BOOK BLURB:

A letter to the zoo asking for a pet results in a succession being dispatched - all of them containing highly unsuitable pets! All, of course, except the last one . . .

The sturdy flaps, lively illustrations and engaging text in this charming book are sure to entertain and delight.


REVIEW:

A children’s favourite from a few years ago and one that has interaction pull downs that will entertain both children and parents. Add to the mix some great story telling, some colourful characters and an overall story that more than amused a 35-year-old adult and it’s a book that I expect to be “borrowed” on a permanent basis by either my twin or my sister. It’s just a case of who get’s to it first.