Peapod’s Picks/Kids Love to Read

Some of you will know that on a Friday (or more frequently recently, a Saturday – just like to keep you on your toes) I usually post ‘Peapod’s Picks’ – a weekly round up of some of the books that Peapod* has read for his bedtime story each week plus a review of at least one of them.

*His social media alter ego, not his real name!

However on Monday I came across the Kids Love to Read (KLTR) link up on both Book Bairn and Acorn Books blogs so I’m doubling up this week to join in with that too!

With that in mind, I thought I’d kick off our KLTR posts (we hope to join in every month!) with a Q&A of sorts as an intro to us and our reading, rather than our usual round up and review – back to usual next week!

Introduce yourself and your chid(ren)

I’m Rachael. I’ve been a children’s bookseller for just over 2 years and before that I spent 8 years teaching early years and key stage 1. ‘Peapod’ is a six month old boy – he’s really easy going and desperate to be on the move! Peapod’s Dad also reads lots with us.

Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Yes! I could read before I started school and have always been a big reader.

Why? Or why not? (and if not, what changed?)

I think there were so many factors – talk, pretend play, books and stories at home…weekly trips to the library with the loveliest librarians…a school which nurtured my bookish side and encouraged my love of both reading and especially writing stories…

I’m short, being surrounded by reading, readers, books and imagination made me a reader.

What were your favourite books as a child?

This list could go on forever, but I’ll just choose a couple of picture books since that’s what Peapod Picks is about:

On the Way Home by Jill Murphy

Haunted House by Jan Pienkowski

The Timbuctoo books by Roger Hargreaves

Hedgehog and Mouse books by Gilly Meredith

And I’m counting this since my mum and I ADORE it and, although I had the chapter book version, is now available as a picture book too –

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson

What are your favourite picture/children’s books to read aloud now?

I’m not sure we have any favourites yet – Peapod is still too young to want anything on repeat! But I love anything by Barnett and Klassen, especially Triangle.

Daddy and I both find anything that needs voices doing hilarious – cavemen and pirates are apparently our favourites despite being awful at them!

You can’t beat a decent bit of rhyme and rhythm in a read aloud – I love Pants/More Pants by Giles Andreae and Nick Sharratt or 100 Dogs by Michael Whaite for this.

Or anything that makes us laugh – the Oi! books by Kes Gray and Jim Field, Simon Philip’s books You Must Bring a Hat and I Really Want The Cake or John Bond’s Mini Rabbit Not Lost spring to mind.

When do you read – for yourself or with your kids?

I read whenever I can find the time! Usually I manage to squeeze a few pages in around jobs during naptime, and audiobooks during pram naps or housework naps have been a recent revelation! I manage to read a few pages most evenings too.

Peapod has a bedtime story every night and it’s my favourite time of day. The three of us snuggle up on the dark and his Dad or I alternate nightly who chooses and reads the story.

We often read a board book in the morning too before we get up for the day. The That’s Not My… books are his favourites!

On a Friday we go to storytime at our local Waterstones (it’s been a nice change attending one rather than running one!) which we always enjoy and this term we’re starting a sensory story class too – I’ll post about that soon!

He has cloth books in his toy basket and change bag and we often look at a book during the day if we’re at home too.

And finally, if you could only read one bedtime story every night for the next year, what would it be?

Ooi, such a tough one. Either Triangle by Barnett and Klassen because I don’t think I’d ever get tired of reading that or Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton because it’s such a perfectly sleepy story.

I’d love to read your answers to these questions too – blog it and link back to me or let me know in the comments!

Which picture books or bedtime stories did you read this week?

Flights of Fancy

I requested and received an advance copy of this free from the publishers, in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own.

In this lively anthology, the UK’s best-loved writers and illustrators share their top tips and ideas to inspire budding artists and writers.

Published to celebrate 20 years of having a Children’s Laureate to champion any and all aspects of children’s reading, writing, illustrating, book-loving this is an absolutely wonderful collection of insights, ideas and inspiration.

There’s a chapter from each of the ten Laureates with a short discussion about where they get their ideas, the way they work, things they did as Laureate, what’s important to them etc. followed by their own tips, suggestions and prompts for getting creative in one way or another and a piece of text or art from each.

Because it’s written by such stars in their field, it’s pitched perfectly: accessible and understandable but not simplified or dumbed down. And because they’re from such varied backgrounds with such different interests, strengths and audiences, it contains everything from short stories to sketchbooks, doodles to descriptions and poems to plays. There’s word play and shape games, design ideas and creative writing starters.

My favourite chapter was Lauren Child’s because I’ve been a huge fan of hers for years and I love her style.

It’s also beautifully presented (I’m not sure if there’s a paperback version on the cards, but the hardback is such a lovely quality book and would make a great gift too) and £1 from each book goes to Booktrust (a brilliant charity helping get all children access to books – their bookstart packs alone are worth it! But I digress…).

There is so much creativity jam-packed into this it’s impossible to read and not feel like cracking out the pencil case whatever your age!

WWW Wednesday 20/2/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Monsters by Sharon Dogar.

I’m still chipping away at Monsters. I have mixed feelings on this one but I definitely want to see it through to the end.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.

I’m nearing the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on audiobooks too…which is disastrous as Prisoner of Azkaban isn’t available for another 2 weeks…! As you can tell. I’m still really enjoying these!

What have you just finished reading?

Flights of Fancy – Children’s Laureates

I thought this was a lovely book – perfect for aspiring writers, illustrators, creatives everywhere. I’ll post a full review this week.

Little Bird Flies by Karen McCombie

Amy at Golden Books Girl recommended this and I’m so pleased she did as I might not have picked it up otherwise and I loved it. With a remote, rural, historical setting it felt do well rooted and it was such a joy to read – I really liked the writing style. I’ll be reviewing it soon.

What are you planning on reading next?

I’ll definitely be listening to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as soon as its available. In the meantime I might give something else a go but I’m not sure what yet…

I’m just about to start The Closest Thing to Flying by Gill Lewis too which I have high hopes for.

Have you read any of the books here?

What are you reading at the moment?

Top Ten Tuesday…

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

I’ve seen this on a few blogs now and thought it would be fun to join in. This week it’s ten books…

… I love that have fewer than 2000 Goodreads ratings.

The Wolf, The Duck and The Mouse by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

“I may have been swallowed, but I have no intention of being eaten.”

Hilarious and highly original.

There is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith

“There is a turn of turtles.”

A narrative of collective nouns (and stunning illustrations!).

Hansel and Gretel by Bethan Woollvin

“Because Willow was not ALWAYS a good witch.”

A witty take on the classic take with fantastically expressive and stylish illustrations. Read more here

Pea-Pod Lullaby by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King

“I am the small green pea, you are the tender pod.”

A beautiful, lyrical message of kindness in trying times.

The Murderer’s Ape by Jacob Wegelius

Sally Jones is not only a loyal friend, she’s also an extraordinary individual. She’s also an ape…

A dark, dry and utterly unique book. There’s nothing else like it.

The Skylark’s War by Hilary McKay

When the Great War breaks out, their lives are forever changed.

A classic in the making. A tale of growing up, family and war that is much more than the sum of its parts. Read more here.

The Legend of Podkin One-Ear (Five Realms book 1) by Kieran Larwood. Illustrated by David Wyatt.

The terrifying Gorm are on the rampage, and no-one and nowhere is safe.

An original and immersive adventure cleverly told with wonderfully atmospheric and detailed illustrations. Read more here.

Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth. Illustrated by Rob Biddulph

There are two words that are banned in Tibet…Dalai Lama.

Transports you across the Himalayas on a perilous but picturesque journey. Read more here.

Sea (Huntress Trilogy #1) by Sarah Driver

In the sky, fire spirits dance and ripple, but a deathly cold is creeping across Triannuka.

A brilliant start to a fantasy series with incredible world building and a wonderful use of language. Read more here.

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

Hope can set you free.

Heart-breaking, but uplifting. Difficult but important. Everyone should read this.

Peapod’s Picks: late and lazy!

Peapod’s Picks is a weekly round up of some of the books that Peapod* has read (usually for his bedtime story) each week plus a review of at least one of them.*His social media alter ego, not his real name!

This week has been a long one. Peapod and I have both been full of cold. So, I’m a day late and it’s a round up rather than a single review this week. Please take pity on my poor knackered self and let me off!

What did we read this week?

Ten Terrible Dinosaurs by Paul Stickland

After reading Dinosaur Roar last week, we bought this one too. We enjoyed it, but as a Dino book we’d stick with the original Dinosaur Roar book, and as a counting book, we’d go for Ten Little Dinosaurs from Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty.)

I Totally Don’t Want to Play by Ann Bonwill and Simon Rickerty

We bought this after reading about Hugo and Bella’s fancy dress antics in I Don’t Want to be a Pea, which we thought was fab. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite match it – it was still an enjoyable enough read, but it lacked some of the humour of Pea.

Pants! by Giles Andreae and Nick Sharratt

Who doesn’t love a pants-themed picture book?! See more here!)

Delicious! by Helen Cooper

I am such a huge fan of the Pumpkin Soup trilogy. It always upsets me that every child at some point will do Pumpkin Soup at Halloween/Autumn in nursery or school but they never seem to read the others. If you only know the first book, please give Delicious and A Pipkin of Pepper a read too!

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

I’d heard great things about this, and it’s been shortlisted for the illustrated category of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize so I had high hopes. I wasn’t disappointed – it’s wonderful; simply told with beautiful illustrations that are a brilliant mixture of the fantastic and the realistic, this is an empowering, positive and joyful read.

A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

We ended last week reading Owl Babies because of Bill’s cries of “I want my mummy!” which feel very apt at the moment! So we followed it up with A Bit Lost in which baby owl falls off his branch and has to find his mum again with the help of a keen but not overly perceptive squirrel.

I’m a big Chris Haughton fan (Shhh! We Have a Plan is my favourite and Goodnight Everyone is our afternoon nap read) and this has all the things you’d expect – fab, slightly quirky illustrations with his unique style and palette (which Peapod loved), a repetitive pattern and humour especially in the ending. Also owls serving biscuits.

Have you read any of these?

Which picture books or bedtime stories did you read this week?

WWW Wednesday 13/2/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Monsters by Sharon Dogar.

Little Bird Flies by Karen McCombie.

Flights of Fancy – Children’s Laureates

So, after venturing into the world of audiobooks last week, this week I’ve decided to try reading more than one physical book at a time too.

I started reading Monsters and I’m enjoying it but I could tell it was going to take me FOREVER to get through. Meanwhile, I had loads of MG books that I’m itching to read looking at me, so I decided to try reading Monsters in the evening before bed and an MG book in whatever time I get to read during the day.

I chose Little Bird Flies. I’m really enjoying it and it’s working really well reading both at once. I think because they’re so different, I don’t need to worry about not following either of them or losing/confusing the characters or plots.

It worked so well that I’ve also thrown Flights of Fancy into the mix. Because its almost like an annual in appearance, I can have it on the table in front of me while I’m feeding and it will stay open, so I can just flick the pages one handed when needed/free to do so. Likewise, because it’s a few pages from each laureate and short bursts of text, it’s really easy to stop and start reading it (which is hugely important with a wriggle-bum like Peapod on me!)

What have you just finished reading?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling. Read by Stephen Fry.

I mentioned last week that I was giving the audiobook of this a try in an attempt to finally re-read the series.

It’s been a HUGE hit – I’ve lived it and been able to listen at so many times when reading a physical copy would have been impossible.

As for the story, I enjoyed it every bit as much as I remembered and I’m eagerly awaiting Chamber of Secrets from the library tomorrow now!

What are you planning on reading next?

I should get the audio of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to download from the library tomorrow.

Dont think I’ll be finishing Monsters any time soon, but Little Bird Flies won’t take me too much longer I don’t think… After that it’ll be another from my huge MG TBR pile, but I’m not sure which yet…

Have you read any of the books here?

Do you read more than one book at a time? And are you a fan of audiobooks?

What are you reading at the moment?

Peapod’s Picks: Dinosaur Roar

Peapod’s Picks is a weekly round up of some of the books that Peapod* has read (usually for his bedtime story) each week plus a review of at least one of them.

*His social media alter ego, not his real name!

This week:

Dinosaur Roar by Paul and Henrietta Stickland.

Dinosaurs of all kinds are out on parade in this fun, rhyming book focusing on opposites.

I first met this book a good 10 years ago with my first reception class. Thomas was a quiet, shy, happy little thing who loved dinosaurs and loved this book. The day he came in and proudly told me he could read it then proceeded to recite it stood in front of the class is still one of my fondest memories of teaching.

And I still love this book. Deceptively simple, it is hugely enjoyable. On each page are beautifully textured and coloured dinosaurs illustrating two opposite characteristics with plenty of visual clues to aid understanding and even more humour.

Peapod loved it too – captured completely by the illustrations. So today we bought the board and sound version (durable and noisy – bonus points!) for him to look at during the day and increasingly independently, and Ten Terrible Dinosaurs, featuring the same wonderful illustrations, which we’re looking forward to reading one evening this week.

What else did we read this week?

• Dave’s Cave by Frann Preston Gannon (so much fun – read more here!)
• There’s No Dragon in this Story by Lou Carter and Deborah Allwright (I really thought I’d reviewed that but I haven’t – it’s brilliant!)
• Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman (The Bear… books are just wonderful!)
• There’s a Bear on my Chair by Ross Collins (A fantastic book for reading aloud with plenty of expression!)
• The Bear Who Stared by Duncan Beedie (touching but quirky enough to get away with it!)
• Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson (I totally have a Bill at the moment!)

Have you read any of these?

Do you have a dinosaur picture book you love?

Which picture books or bedtime stories did you read this week?

WWW Wednesday 6/2/19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by ‘Taking on a World of Words’ every Wednesday’:

What are you currently reading?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling. Read by Stephen Fry.

I’ve been saying for over a year now that I’m going to re-read the Harry Potter books and I still haven’t – there’s just too many new books clamouring to be read in a TBR pile that just keeps growing!

I’ve also kept saying I was going to give audiobooks a try since having Peapod and finding I have a lot less time to pick up a book.

So, this morning I decided to combine the two and try the audio version of Harry Potter And the Philosophers Stone. The fact that it was read by Stephen Fry gave me high hopes and so far I’m really enjoying it – it’s a totally new (to me) way of reading but it was brilliant – feeding a wriggly worm? Still reading! Pushing a sleeping sausage round in the pram? Still reading! Preparing our breakfast with a hungry horace in his highchair? Still reading!

I’m only a couple of chapters in but so far this is getting a massive thumbs up from me!

What have you just finished reading?

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison. Cover design by Melissa Castrillon.

I really enjoyed this it had aspects of lots of different story types I enjoy all rolled into one – magic and fantasy, history and adventure. I had a proof copy of this to read for review, but I’m going to be buying one of the beautiful finished copies – the artwork is fantastic (and as for those purple sprayed edges!) Full review will follow this week or next.

What are you planning on reading next?

As ever, I’m not sure! Either Little Bird Flies by Karen McCombie, The Midnight Hour by Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder or Monsters by Sharon Dogar.

As for audiobooks, it’ll either be Chamber of Secrets and I’ll binge HP before reading anything else, or Mary Poppins as that is another book I want to read this year and it’s read by Olivia Colman who I’m a huge fan of.

Have you read any of the books here?

Which book should I choose next?

What are you reading at the moment?

Peapod’s Picks: You’re Not a Proper Pirate, Sidney Green

Peapod’s Picks is a weekly round up of some of the books that Peapod* has read (usually for his bedtime story) each week plus a review of at least one of them.

*His social media alter ego, not his real name!

This week:

I requested and received an advance copy of this free from the publishers, in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own.

You’re Not a Proper Pirate, Sidney Green by Ruth Quayle, illustrated by Deborah Allwright.

Sidney Green loves going on rip-roaring adventures with his dog, Jemima. Together, they race cars, sail all the way to Africa and build an enormous castle, complete with a moat full of crocodiles. But Captain Shipshape and his pirate band are NOT happy. They think it’s time for Sidney Green to become a Proper Pirate – right now, not “in a minute”. What will Sidney Green do?

Daddy spotted this one when we were out the other day, and luckily for him I’d been sent a copy to review!

I have to admit I’m a bit funny about pirate books, so it’s not one I’d have picked out but I did enjoy it more than I expected to.

An ode to imagination and imaginative play, this is guaranteed to bring a smile to any parent (or teacher or relative or..) who’s heard that phrase “in a minute”. Sidney is so wrapped up in his exciting adventures that everything else (including Captain Shipshape’s demands that he get pirate-ing) must wait!

The illustrations work perfectly with the text and are full of the joy and excitement a make believe adventure can bring.

There’s a great pace to it too, which as well as highlighting the impatience of Captain Shipshape, also serves really well to evoke those whirlwind “and then this happened…and you did…and I said…and then a…” stories children create.

Likewise, the way everyone sent to get Sidney ends up joining in with his adventure instead both adds humour and wonderfully captures those games that snowball, with more and more children joining and adding their ideas and voices to them!

I thought this was a cleverly written, visually appealing story that is an absolute champion of imagination and the importance of play, as well as a reminder to us grown ups to make time for play, make believe and adventure too!

I had only one small dislike, and its a personal, nit-picky and easily remedied one: the phrase ‘a rip-roaring time’. But I just substituted various other phrases and then we were all happy! It definitely wouldn’t put me off reading it again…which is a good job as it was a definite hit with both Peapod and Daddy, and we were absolutely cracking up, crying laughing trying to do pirate voices (farmer pirates anyone?!) – lots of fun!

Other pirate books we like:

What else did we read this week?

• Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy (a classic!)
• Night Monkey, Day Monkey by Julia Donaldson and Lucy Richards
• Mr Bump by Roger Hargreaves (Who doesn’t love the Mr Men?!)
• Lemur Dreamer by Courtney Dicmass (I’m all about the illustrations in this one, the story itself is a bit odd, but you know…lemurs!)
• Little Red by Bethan Woolvin (I love this series of books – read more here!)

Have you read any of these?

Do you have a pirate picture book you love?

Which picture books or bedtime stories did you read this week?