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🐚🧜🏼‍♀️𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓭 🐠🪸 What was the last book you preordered? I was so excited when this book arrived ahead of tomorrow’s publication day. A follow up to 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙪𝙧, this is a glorious and evocative story with sublime illustrations. Written in lyrical language, we meet Alina, who lives and works in a lighthouse with her grandmother. Every evening Granny weaves tales of an underwater world filled with merfolk but her memory is fading which breaks Alina’s heart. One day, Alina glimpses a mermaid diving into the sea, and bravely she follows and discovers an enchanted kingdom beneath the waters. The reader is taken into the depths of the seas, swimming past long-lost shipwrecks and pulsating ribbons of fish, whilst turtles and dolphins guide our characters along into the wondrous merfolk world. Given a precious gift of a coral shell, Alina brings these stories homeward to her Granny but knows that to keep these tales alive she must let them free. The ending is exquisite. Picture book perfection! 👌🏻 Hollie Hughes uses rich, descriptive language to evoke the underwater world that Alina discovers and the tender relationship between a granddaughter and her Granny. Sarah Massini’s illustrations hold so much meticulous detail. There’s movement, light and shade, perspective and character. If you take a peek at her Instagram account, she shares so much of her painstaking process, I’m in awe! 😍 🧜🏼‍♀️ This is a must read book of 2024. Let me know in the comments if this is a book you’d like to read too. ✍🏼 Written by @holliejhughes 🎨 Illustrated by @sarah_massini 📖 Published by @bloomsburychildrens 28th March #TheGirlandtheMermaid #intergenerationalstory #intergenerationalbooks #lighthouses_lover #lighthousesofinstagram #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #fivestarbookreview #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks #childrensbookreviewer #tellastory #andrearecommendsbooks #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

📎🎓𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐏 📐🏫 {Ad:Pr} Do you remember your first day at Secondary School? Aged 11, high school seemed a daunting place to be. This fantastic guide to making the transition and adjusting to the next stage of education is a reassuring read. Here’s a quick summary of the contents: ➙𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 ① begins with the end of Year 6, dispelling the rumours and myths about secondary school, capturing that feeling of the final term and getting ready with the correct uniform and equipment for Year 7. ➙𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 ② covers the first day, the curriculum, navigating yourself, school rules, assessments and joining clubs. ➙𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 ③ deals with all the other parts of growing up; finding out who you are, testing friendships and relationships, exploring social media, and having the information you need about bullying and peer pressure. There’s lots to cover when you begin to really think about the transition children make and it’s all here. Written in a chatty, conversational tone, Christian Foley strikes the right balance of the authority to speak from his personal experience yet also delivering his content with humour and encouragement. Mixing poetry with words of wisdom is such an appealing approach and this book is an easy, page turning read. I was so interested to read this book as my son begins secondary school this September. He’s recently found out his school and we are already preparing for a big change in his life. I will certainly be giving him this book to digest! 🚨Save this post if you too have a child making the big step up to secondary/high school or maybe you’re a teacher and would like to share this book with your class. @christianfoleypoetry @scholastic_uk #movingup #TeachKidsTuesdays #nonfictionforkids #booksforsecondaryschool #selfhelpbook #booksforwellbeing #wellbeingbooks #andrearecommendsbooks #fivestarbookreview#wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌸 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦 🌸 What chapter books have you been reading? This week’s #8brilliantbooks theme is Middle Grade Books which are generally aimed at children aged 8-12 but don’t let that definition put you off as I believe these books have a much wider audience! Here is a mix of books I’ve read in 2024, some I’ve reviewed and some that are on my TBR pile. Pictured in this order: 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 (read to my son/previously reviewed) 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 (previously reviewed/buddy read) 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐡’𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫 (previously reviewed/buddy read) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 (buddy read) 𝐓𝐲𝐠𝐞𝐫 (solo read) *𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 (tbr) 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 (tbr) *𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐛 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 (tbr) *sent for review Massive thank you to 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 @mrsbrownsbookbox who keeps this amazing hashtag going even when she’s on her Easter hols! I’ve said it before but it is a hashtag full of books to discover, recommendations, mini reviews and a real sense of community. It takes so much time to run a hashtag successfully and Esther always comments on everyone’s posts and shares them generously - it is truly appreciated. Looking forward everyone’s MG shares, what’s on your TBR pile and finding out what you’ve been reading 📚🙌🏼📚 #8brilliantbooks2024_middlegrade #8brilliantbooks2024 #MarchMustReads #MarchRoundUp #middlegradefiction #middlegradereads #middlegrademarch #marchmadness#readthebooksyoulike #marchbookstagram #monthlywrapup #MarchReads #andrearecommendsbooks #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🪶🐦‍⬛ 𝐅 𝐄 𝐀 𝐓 𝐇 𝐄 𝐑 🐦‍⬛🪶For this week’s Sunday Bedtime story I’m sharing a middle grade book that I’ve just finished reading to my son. This is the last in The Twitchers series and this final installment brings the bird club friends’ sleuthing adventures to a fitting end. This time round the focus lands on Ava, previously the lead characters have been male so it’s good to see the perspective changed. Whilst on a trip to a local Natural History Museum, Alfred Russel Wallace’s priceless collection of rare bird feathers is stolen and it’s Ava who is the first to witness and discover the crime! She can’t wait to tell the rest of the Twitchers they have a new case to solve. But what does a mysterious girl at a bus stop and a single raven’s feather have to do with the museum heist? M G Leonard continues to craft stories where dialogue flows and friendships develop in a very realistic way. Although the plot twists are fewer in this story, she leaves you wanting to read on to find out how the story unfolds. We love the contemporary characters and their enthusiasm for a hobby that might be considered old fashioned. M G Leonard’s subject knowledge shines through all four books. When a series ends there’s a sadness at leaving characters and settings behind, but knowing how it all ends, makes re-reading the books very satisfying. ✅ Let this be your sign to continue reading to children no matter their age and you might just fall in love with reading middle grade books like I have! 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆: M G Leonard @mglnrd 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: Paddy Donnelly @paddy 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: @walkerbooksuk Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 #Feather #TheTwitchersClub #TheTwitchers #mgleonard #seriestocollect #seriestoread #bedtimestory #everychildareader #middlegradefiction #middlegradebook #middlegradereads #chapterbooksforkids #andrearecommendsbooks #middlegrademarch #childrensbookreview #bedtimestories #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🦔🍁𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐀 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐏 𝐃𝐔𝐎 🌓☀️{Ad:Pr} No bookshelves are complete without a Britta Teckentrup book. A prolific and much loved illustrator and author, here are two new stories created by this wonderful picture book creator. 𝐈 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐨 The third in a series sees Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog return in a new tale of taking on challenges and discovering your strengths. Featuring Britta’s trademark handmade artwork with digital collage, children will enjoy spotting all the details in each of the double page spread nature scenes. With an easy to read font, younger readers will be able to follow the text and find out how a nurturing parental relationship allows a child to know how it’s okay to give things a go, but it’s also fine to not be quite ready yet. A beautifully soothing bedtime book. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 A follow up to 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙙 written in lyrical language, a child learns that both courage and fear live inside all of us. Through the analogy of a child being chased through a dense forest, unable to find their way, Britta portrays fear as the unknown that threatens to derail us. As the child embraces the fear and moves forward with the bear as a companion the illustrated scenes change in colour and sunlight floods the pages to show the clarity that is now felt. A thought provoking SEL book to add to an empathy bookcase, this is a growing series, worth collecting. 🗣️ Let me know in the comments if you’d like to read these or maybe you have a favourite Britta Teckentrup book. @presteljuniorinternational @britta_teckentrup #BrittaTeckentrup #BigHedgehogandLittleHedgehog #ICanDoThatToo #WhenIFeelBrave #readingforpleasure #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #picturebookreviewer #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookperfection #bedtimebook #bedtimestory #bedtimestories #educa8wirral #wirralmums #wirralbusiness

🐰🐻𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞! 🐟🦫 {Ad:Pr} A final outing for two favourite friends. If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know I always recommend Rabbit and Bear for children beginning to enjoy longer stories with plenty of illustrations. Here’s what to expect in book six, the last of the series. Be prepared for laugh out loud humour, enduring friendship, and an entire island made of chocolate, or is it? Gloomy Rabbit longs for winter to be over and has a vision of how Spring will be, sat on his favourite rock, looking over the lake as food magically appears, because if you imagine it, it will become true! Forever faithful Bear provides the wisdom and reality to Rabbit’s hot chocolate inspired dreams! This is a delightful, hilarious, poo filled (yes indeed) last adventure which rounds off the series in the most satisfactory way. Julian Gough continues to write flowing dialogue between characters we’ve come to love whilst Jim Field has chosen a limited colour palette that he uses to such great effect to showcase the quirky characters and forest and lake settings. It’s hard to find books that take young readers on the next steps of their reading journey from picture books but with Rabbit and Bear you’re in safe hands. Let me know in the comments if you have a bookworm who’d love to read this story or if you’ve enjoyed Rabbit and Bear’s previous outings which are in order: 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐀 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 (previously reviewed) @julian.gough @_jimfield @hachettechildrens #chapterbooktuesday #itsactuallythursday #rabbitandbear #ThisLakeisFake #jimfield #juliangough #earlychapterbooks #seriestocollect #bookseries #publishedin2024 #newlypublished #booksof2024 #childrensbookreview #kidsbookstagram #wirralbusiness #wirralmums ##educa8wirral

⚡️☀️𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 🔥🕊️ {Ad:Pr} Do you have a favourite god or goddess? I was always fascinated by Egyptology and the guardians of the afterlife. When this book arrived it went straight to the hands of my son who is a huge fan of mythology. 𝑨𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔 is a comprehensive guide to 80 gods and goddesses from around the world. Written and researched by Dinah Williams, it’s organised into fifteen themes from Leaders to Weather, from Love to War and from Prosperity to Wisdom, and inside its pages you’ll discover both familiar and lesser known deities. How did the stories of gods and goddesses begin? Without Science to guide them, people told stories to explain some of the biggest mysteries of our world. Covering diverse cultures, this encyclopaedia allows readers to learn those stories. The illustrations included are particularly striking and change throughout this book. This is because 17 artists were involved in artwork which I love as you get a real sense of each of the immortals and their different realms. On each page there are ‘In Modern Times’ and ‘Fun Facts’ and not an overwhelming amount of text to digest. Here’s a snippet! 🌽𝐘𝐮𝐦 𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐱 from Mayan Civilisation, ruler of the forest and wildlife. Depicted holding maize, Mayans offered fruit and vegetables to him for protection. ☀️𝐔𝐭𝐮 this Sumerian god of Sun and divine justice drove a chariot across the skies. He was an all seeing deity known for his generosity and kindness. 🌅 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐮 this Japanese sun goddess is celebrated every December at the winter solstice. Swipe to see my ideas for #BeyondTheBook Published by @abramschronicle on 11th April. @dinahwillamsauthor #AmazingImmortals #TeachKidsTuesdays #childrensnonfiction #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #GodsandGoddesses #andrearecommendsbooks #mythsandlegends #mythology#newlypublished #nonfictionfavourites #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌸 🌿 𝗦 𝗣 𝗥 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 🌱 𝗧 𝗜 𝗠 𝗘 🐣🌸 ‘When one flower blooms spring awakens everywhere.’ {John O’Donohue} Are you a fan of the season of Spring? What says Springtime to you? Blossom on trees? The first daffodils? Grass needing a cut? Warmer weather? Hot cross buns? Birds nesting? As winter ebbs away, Spring truly is season of regrowth and renewal. Here’s a mix of books and as I’ve not had time to visit the library, I hope these nature led books will fit the bill. I will be sure to check out Esther’s @mrsbrownsbookbox hashtag #8brilliantbooks and what else is shared for season of Spring books. #8brilliantbooks2024_spring signsofspring #springbooks #hellospring #springvibes #vernalequinox #clocksgoforward #clocksspringforwards #booksaboutspring #fourseasons #seasonalbooks #seasonalreads #chasingseasons #celebratetheseasons #andrearecommendsbooks ##wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🐭📚𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑴𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆📚🐭 {Ad:Pr} ❌𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 ❌ Sharing a dreamy #SundayBedtimeStory from the creators of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠, about finding your voice and telling your story. Quill the mouse lives in his beloved library where he writes his own stories and wishes that one day he will be an author that children listen to. Encouraged by his friend, Leggsy, the spider, Quill attempts to make his voice and his story be heard. Together the duo climb to the top book shelf and Quill’s story, in the form of paper darts, zig zags its way to the library door. A cleaner finds the pages and Quill loses all hope as she places them into the bin. But is this the end of Quill’s dreams of becoming an author? We have loved previous collaborations between Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O’Connor, so we were so pleased to read a new book created by this duo. It has the same wonderful timeless qualities, lyrical storytelling and the beautiful pen and ink illustrations combine to create the perfect bedtime story. There’s a nod to the previous books in the artwork too! There are also some great ideas at the end of the book for inspiring writers and thought provoking questions. ✰ 𝗪 𝗜 𝗡 ✰ Would you like to win this book? I have an extra copy of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑴𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆. Here’s what to do ⬇️ ♡ 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 and 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 this post ⮕ Follow me, Andrea @educa8wirral and be kind enough to stick around ☺️ 🏷 Tag 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 than 3 friends in the comments below. One friend at a time = one entry. ➤ Sharing this post isn’t a requirement but is always appreciated. 𝗧𝗔𝗚 me @educa8wirral so I can acknowledge! ♡ ✰ Giveaway is 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 until Tuesday 19th March at 9pm for UK entrants only. Winner will need to be happy to DM their UK postal address and respond promptly. ♡ Good luck! ♡ Publishes 4th April @uclan_publishing ✍🏼 Written by @frances_tosdevin 🎨 Illustrated by @sophiaoconnorillustration #TheLibraryMouse #francestodevin #sophiaoconnor #uclanpublishing

🍭🐾𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗬𝗔 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲 🔦🔍 {Ad:Pr} Sharing a gorgeous picture book that focuses on the power of children’s imaginations and is the first in a series. Meet Priya, who can be found at Green Lane Stores ostensibly helping out her Mum in their corner shop but in reality solving impossible mysteries. When she finds a set of paw prints, Priya gathers up her detective kit which includes, in a Kojak style reference, a good set of lollipops! 🍭 Priya is off super sleuthing, and with the help of Mrs Patterson, who she finds in the tinned goods aisle, and a pair of turbo charged binoculars, she is certain to crack the case of empty sweet wrappers, half eaten muffins and a trail of paw prints that lead her all over the place before everything is eaten! Swipe the photos to see my ideas for #BeyondTheBook This is a charming picture book story with so much detail in the colourful illustrations that really add to the storytelling. I’m sure Priya will be off on another adventure soon! @hachettechildrens @alipyeillo #BabitaSharma #PriyaMistry #PriyaMistrtandthePawPrintsPuzzle #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookreview #andrearecommendsbooks #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral #bedtimestory #tellastory #bedtimestories

🎓🌍★ 𝐋𝐏𝐁𝐃 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 ★🎤🧳{Ad:Pr} We were so excited when these Little People, Big Dreams board games arrived. We are huge fans of the series, so having entertainment that complements the books is very welcome! ★ First up 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐀𝐦 𝐈? A guessing game which features 24 of people from the LPBD series ranging from Malala Yousafzai to Ernest Shackleton and Ada Lovelace. We enjoyed choosing a character each and trying to guess before each other. We liked the range of prompts and symbols used for asking questions such as ‘Did you fight for education?’ ‘Were you involved in sport?’ ‘Did you invent or discover something?’ This focuses on each person’s accomplishments rather than their appearance. We quickly recognised the icons on our boards so we could answer yes or no to the questions and mark off the people we could rule out by covering them up with tokens! A bonus is the booklet which tells you more about each person’s life. Aimed at players aged 6 plus but I’m sure you could play this with younger children. ★ Next 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 A memory game with 40 cards and a booklet of their real-life stories. Featuring a diverse range of women from Corazon Aquino, Gloria Steinem and Olive Morris, each card gives the woman’s name and career. Simply lay the cards face down and take turns to try to pick out matching pairs. Will you be the winner? This game is aimed at players aged 4 plus as there’s less reading involved. The booklet explains more about each person’s life story. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱: ★ that both games are educational and could be launching points for learning more about a person’s life. ★ that the games complement the books so well but can be played independently. ★ that the games are so well made with sturdy card and beautifully designed contents and not a scrap of plastic in sight! These would make perfect gifts for fans of the LPBD series or as a starting point to reading the books! Huge thanks to @quartokids for sending these our way to review! ★ #littlepeoplebigdreams #boardgames

🐳🪼𝗔 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 🌈🪁 A funny poem for every day of the year! Yes please! Nosy Crow have done it again with this superb anthology filled with verses that make you chortle, giggle and laugh out loud. Following on from 𝙄 𝘼𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚 and 𝙏𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧, 𝙏𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧, 𝘽𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, this treasury of poems, collated by Louise Peacock, is one to be savoured. We were lucky to win our copy in a competition from Nosy Crow before Christmas and since then we’ve been enjoying dipping into the book, and sharing poems that are tongue twisters, limericks, narrative poems and more besides. The real joy has been my daughter reading the poems out loud, taking the book to bed and enjoying poetry so much. The vibrant illustrations by Matt Hunt, really do complete this book, complementing the poems so well. There’s a poem for every day of the year. Poems are then curated into months which follow the seasons; there’s sun soaked poems to read in the summer and firework filled poems in November. Within the book there are poems in groups because they share something in common. I really appreciated this when reading to my daughter and finding the links. There’s such a variety of poets included from Brian Bilston and Benjamin Zephaniah to Maya Angelou and Valerie Bloom. There’s a poem for everyone in here and it’s a brilliant introduction to poetry, even if you think, poetry isn’t for you. A book to gift and a book to treasure, 𝘼 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 will be enjoyed here for a long time to come! Drop me a comment with a date you like and I’ll send you a photo of the poem for that day ⬇️ @nosycrow @mathunt #LouPeacock #AWhaleofaTime #nosycrow #MattHunt #poetryforchildren #poetrybookreview #apoemaday #funnybooksforkids #bookstomakeyoulaugh #ifkidshadcoffeetables #andrearecommendsbooks #shareapoem #poetryforkids #andreasbookstogift #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🦾🦿ℍ𝕌𝕄𝔸ℕ 𝟚.𝟘 👓🦻Close your eyes and ‘imagine a world where all around us are people with bionic limbs, machine-assisted hearts and cameras for eyes.’ And open up, for this new age of the human body where adaptation and transformation frees us from limitations, already exists! This equally exciting and fascinating book welcomes you to the world where medical science and engineering meet. It begins with an explanation of bionics, and then how the term prosthesis can be thought of as bionic limbs or implantable devices. Readers learn about pacemakers, cochlear implants, eye replacement, alongside eyeglasses (spectacle wearers like me will appreciate this inclusion). The history of prosthetic hands and legs is also covered. Learning about powered exoskeletons is inspiring, for most bionics are designed to replicate a single body part or function, but this advance in technology gives hope to those with paralysis such as a spinal injury which affects more than one body part. There’s also discussion of neural implants which could lead the way for the brain to control any device attached to the body directly. There’s a double page spread about the Paralympics and The Cybathlon events (where bionic and assistive technology can be used to enhance performance). The book ends by considering the future of bionics and what that will mean for human life. 🔦 There are seven pioneers in the field of human bionics spotlighted whose stories are both powerful and remarkable. 𝗔𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 Written by an author with a lived experience of limb difference, Patrick Kane @ptjkane this book has been meticulously researched. The graphics by Samuel Rodriguez @samrodriguezart are innovative and striking, blending photo realism with abstract art to great effect. This is truly a celebration of what can be achieved through marrying technology and biology and a glimpse of what is to come! We won our copy in a competition run by publisher @bigpicturepress -thank you!

🧬👩🏽‍🔬 🧪 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 🧠🔭🪐 Joining in with #8brilliantbooks hashtag hosted by @mrsbrownsbookbox on the theme of Science. This is a far reaching subject so I’ve mixed in books I’ve previously reviewed with some I’ve not. I have to say if Science books had been like this when I was a school I wouldn’t have given up this subject so easily! Hopefully you’ll spot a favourite book here or maybe one you’d like to read, drop me a comment below. 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 2.0 (review tomorrow) *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 (previously reviewed) 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 *𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (previously reviewed) *𝗪𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (previously reviewed) *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 (previously reviewed) 𝗔𝗱𝗮 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 (previously reviewed) 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲 *sent for review #8brilliantbooks2024_science #littleexplorersscience #BritishScienceWeek #ScienceWeek #ScienceCareers #encyclopediaofstem #stemcareers #stembooks #stemactivities #stemforkids #stemforchildren #primaryscience #andrearecommendsbooks #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌍 🐺 𝑹𝑬𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑫 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑨𝑻 𝑩𝑬𝑫𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬 🐘🌸{Ad:Pr} On a day when we celebrate Mothers, I’m sharing a bedtime book that is full of stories of how to nurture Mother Nature and heal our shared world. You’re invited to read twenty tales from across the globe from the highlands of Scotland, to the capital city of Norway, to the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, where wildlife is being brought back. Known as ‘rewilding’ these are true stories of how mistakes of the past are being put right to allow Mother Nature to recover, restore and heal. Each tale unfolds over beautifully illustrated double page spreads. There’s a common thread, when people suggest that nature should be allowed back, there’s a resistance of thought that has to be overcome. Stop using chemicals to contain weeds; won’t the unwanted wild flowers take over? Allow the river to have more space; won’t it flood the city? Bring back beavers; won’t they cause damage and block the path of leaping salmon? Yet each of these stories is inspiring, as Mother Nature, when allowed to thrive and flourish once more, restores the natural order. We like that you can dip in and out of this book or read a few stories at bedtime with your mini reader. You could also go beyond the book in so many ways, to find out more about a particular project or take action in your own garden or community. In a world of climate anxiety, this is a truly powerful and inspiring book filled with hope for our planet Earth 🌍 Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 Tag me @educa8wirral and I’ll share to my stories. ✍🏼Written by @emilyhawkinsbooks 🎨 Illustrated by: @ellamorella 📖 Published by @quartokids #Rewildtheworldatbedtime #emilyhawkinsbooks #quartokids #andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral #rewilding #storiesofrewilding #rewildingnature #rewildingprojects #rewildingstories

👩🏼‍🎓 ⛹🏿‍♀️𝗪 𝗢 𝗠 𝗘 𝗡’ 𝗦 🧕🏾👷🏽‍♀️𝗗 𝗔 𝗬 👩🏽‍🔬👩🏾‍🚀 ‘We realise the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.’ Malala Yousafzai This International Women’s Day I’m sharing a #fridayflatlay to celebrate ALL women and the power of their voices. With the theme of #InspireInclusion let’s hear from and listen to all women’s voices breaking down the barriers of intersectionality and marginalisation that so many have faced. And I am certainly thinking of those women existing in places of warfare and unrest. As women we are often the fiercest critics of other women, so let’s not tear each other down, instead today, tomorrow and forever raise your voice and speak highly of other women. #iwd2024 #kidlitflatlay #womensday #Herstory #inspirationalwomen #fantasticfemales #phenomenalwomen #wonderwomen #InternationalWomensDay #mighty-girls #biographiesforchildren #trailblazingwomen #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🚀🪐𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀! 🐌🥔𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒔 Happy publication day to this hilarious book! We were lucky that our preorder arrived early so we’ve already enjoyed this early chapter book by Alex T. Smith! Meet Astrid who is a small human person and her space cadets Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink. Astrid lives a double life for when bedtime comes round she climbs into her wardrobe (an Intergalactic Transporter Pod no less!) and launches into Space. Tasked by her Chief with clearing up Space pollution from the edges of the Milky Way, Astrid and her crew, working for the reward of gold stars for their star charts, are just about to set forth and clear up all the mess when an urgent call for help comes from Flora Mulch from Planet Hortensis! Snailiens have invaded and are gobbling up everything on her leafy planet and her Astro Spuds are in danger! It’s Astrid and her chums to the rescue but stopping giant alien escargot turns out to be a lot harder than it seems! Cue much hilarity, frolics and fun in this typically pun-filled romp of a story! Alex T. Smith has the ability to create characters that are quirky, hilarious and loveable and you’re quickly immersed in Astrid’s world. With seven chapters and around 120 pages, this is a really achievable read for independent readers or a great bedtime book to enjoy over a few nights putting on voices for the cast of characters like we did. We will definitely be reading book 2 which is due out in July! @mralextsmith @macmillankidsuk #AstridandtheSpaceCadets #AttackoftheSnailiens #alextsmith #happypublicationday #newlypublished #booksof2024 #bestbooksof2024 #earlychapterbook #funnybooksforkids #bookstomakeyoulaugh #andrearecommendsbooks #childrensbooks2024 #childrensbookreviewer #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🐇🌟 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 🌟 🐇 {Ad:Pr} When a book arrives and you just have to share it as soon as you can! Following on from 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙖𝙠𝙚 we are back with Meara and her Grandad on a new adventure. ‘Have I ever told you about the magical Golden Hare?’ asks Grandad. Bespectacled Meara is immediately intrigued and so together they set off to find this mythical like creature. Joined by Meara’s pet otter and with Grandad’s old nature journal in their hands, their adventure begins. But will their search be fruitful? Or will they in fact discover something else? There’s so much to love about this book; the storytelling, the wisdom passed through families and the pure joy of spending time with grandparents. Paddy Donnelly has written the perfect reminder to be present in the wonder of the nature that is around us. As he says in his back matter, the Golden Hare represents those smaller moments of listening to a chorus of birds, peeking under rocks in a pool or watching the sun set on a day that can be taken for granted or missed. My daughter was absolutely enchanted with this book and trying to spot the Golden Hare on each page before I did! It’s taken me ages to see the hidden hare on the front cover, such clever use of negative space! I think this book has something extra special inside its pages, and I hope you get to experience and read it too soon! Huge thanks to @paddy and @theobrienpress for sending this our way to review! #TheGoldenHare #theobrienpress #thevanishinglake #paddydonnelly #childrensbookreview #fivestarbookreview #andrearecommendsbooks #booksaboutgrandparents #grandparentsbooks #intergenerationalbooks #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎤🎵 𝗞 𝗬 𝗟 𝗜 𝗘 🇦🇺💋 {Ad:Pr} Leading Lady, Princess of Pop and Fashion Icon, a woman so famous that just by her first name we know who we are talking about. LPBD devotes a whole book to the life story of Miss Kylie Minogue. I have to openly admit I was a huge Kylie fan back in the day, buying the single (a vinyl no less) of her ‘Especially for You,’ duet with her Neighbours co-star and on screen husband, Jason Donovan and dragging my Dad (of all people!) to see her film The Delinquents. I’m sure he was mortified! 🤣 What’s amazing is that Kylie’s showbusiness career has transcended several decades and she’s never lost her likability factor. She’s survived breast cancer and become a huge ally of the LGBTQIA community, with her pop anthems. ‘Padam Padam’ has reintroduced her to the TikTok generation and she has huge arena tour planned for this year. This homage to Australia’s highest selling female recording artist, will be lots of children’s first taste of Kylie’s story and music. As we head towards International Women’s Day on Friday, learning about this pop princess, might just inspire them to believe in their own showbusiness dreams 🎤🎵 ✍🏼 Written by: @mariaisabelsanchezvegara 🎨 Illustrated by: @rebecca.gibbon 📖 Published by: @quartokids | 7th March #TeachKidsTuesdays @raising_bookworms @booksb4bedtime #Kylie #KylieMinogue #womensday #iwd2024 #inspirationalwomen #fantasticfemales #phenomenalwomen #InternationalWomensDay #biographiesforchildren #littlepeoplebigdreams #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🧕🏾 𝗪 𝗢 𝗡 𝗗 𝗘 𝗥 𝗙 𝗨 𝗟 🦸🏾‍♀️ 𝗪 𝗢 𝗠 𝗘 𝗡 👩🏽‍🚀 Sharing our picks for Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox hashtag #8brilliantbooks which this week celebrates International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month and Mothering Sunday- phew! I have covered this theme before so I’ve mixed in some old favourites along with a few newer books and tried to go with IWD theme of #InspireInclusion Let me know if there’s a book you’d like to know more about and as always I look forward to what else is shared. *Kylie and Nina - sent for review #8brilliantbooks2024_wonderfulwomen #womensday #iwd2024 #inspirationalwomen #fantasticfemales #phenomenalwomen #InternationalWomensDay #mightygirls #WomensHistoryMonth #raiseourdaughters #biographiesforchildren #littlepeoplebigdreams #trailblazingwomen #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🙏🏻 𝗧 𝗵 𝗮 𝗻 𝗸 𝗬 𝗼 𝘂 ☀️ 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚? A beautiful homage to being grateful for all the big and the small things in our lives by picture book creator Jarvis is our choice for #SundayBedtimeStory We follow one child as they say thank you for all the things they are grateful for. Author and illustrator Jarvis combines humour and understanding what it’s like to be a child within his work. Swipe through the images I’ve chosen and you’ll see. It’s no surprise just how beautifully portrayed this picture book is. The visuals are created through mixed media, and the collaged tree giving shade, is a particular favourite. Gratitude is a wonderful tool for it helps us to live in the present moment and allows our minds to focus there rather than future worries. At times of uncertainty sharing this book with our children will help them develop the skills of appreciation for all the small and big things they too are grateful for. Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory hashtag tonight? 📚💤 Tag me @educa8wirral and I’ll share to my stories. My thank you goes to Georgina @toppsta as we won this book for an honest review. Publishes 7th March @jarvispicturebooks @bigpicturebooks @walkerbooksuk @toppsta #Thankyou #Jarvis #fivestarbookreview #practisinggratitude #beingthankful #sayingthankyou #bedtimebooks #bedtimestory #fivestarbookreview #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #shareastory#andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🍏 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 🍓𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦 🥧 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 🍰 {Ad:Pr} Happy Saturday people. It is lashing down here with rain and we froze watching the U11’s football this morning. Hopefully these two gorgeous books will warm us up with their comforting themes of family, food and community. 🍩🍫𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! A wonderful follow up to Carry Me! by author/illustrator Georgie Birkett, Snack, Please! is a very relatable story of adorable mouse Gertie and her Dad set in their world of Cherry Street. As a baby Gertie eats anything that her Dad has lovingly created, in fact even the stuff she’s not supposed to eat like discarded crackers, grass, mud, daisies, until one day she discovers snacks! Now when mealtimes come around, poor Gertie’s Dad can’t get his daughter to eat anything at all. A trip to the local community garden where Grandma is helping, could be the remedy for the snack obsession! A truly charming tale filled with humour and love with the sweetest of illustrations. Readers can share in the wonder of where food comes from and how cooking and creating meals together is such a bonding experience. We can see this series growing and growing! @georgiebirkett | @walkerbooksuk ☀️🥧𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗲 – illustrator Sarah Edmonds, takes on the writing as well in this delightful multigenerational story. Olive visits her Aunty Jen and together they’re going to make a sunshine pie. We follow them as they gather up all the ingredients they will need. There are wonderful illustrations of the duo gathering blackberries and raspberries and picking apples, all grown by the sun’s rays and collecting freshly laid eggs from the farm. At home they make up the recipe ready for their outdoor picnic, but when the rain comes, will Olive get to taste their sunshine pie? It’s a story about where our food comes from and how creating meals to be shared connects us to others. The book also contains the recipe for making your own sunshine pie, ready to eat with others. @sarahedmondsart | @welbeckkids 🗣️ So my question, what comforting food do you eat on a rainy day? And have you read either of these books? #GeorgiaBirkett #SarahEdmonds @lolly_lozza_pr

🖼️🖌️𝗙 𝗜 𝗩 𝗘 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙 𝗥 𝗜 𝗗 𝗔 𝗬 🎨 👩🏽‍🎨 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕? Joining in with @bookishwaytoplay #fabfiveonfriday hashtag and spotlighting five books by illustrator Sarah Massini. I have a real affection for picture books and do collect illustrators whose artwork I really admire. Sarah’s dreamy and distinctive work has a spellbinding effect! Our collection of books by Sarah continues to grow. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of these or would like to. *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵 (2021) A sweet little witchling longs in her heart for just one thing. Will her wish be granted? This was our first experience of Sarah’s illustrative style! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗿 (2019) Marianne digs for old bones at the beach, when she goes to sleep she wishes for a dinosaur to keep her company. Join her in a magical journey. *𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 (2019) It’s the night before Christmas and this story tells the mouse’s version of festive events! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 (2021) A wonderful adaptation of the classic story Le Petit Prince. Every page a masterpiece! *𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 (2023) A young child and his grandfather watch the kingfishers by the river. A beautiful story about the circle of life which brings so much comfort when we lose someone special. There’s not long to wait for Sarah’s next collaboration with Hollie Hughes because 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗱 publishes at the end of this month. *previously reviewed. All books bought for our bookshelves. 🗣️ Come and chat to me in the comments about books you collect or Sarah’s work. @sarah_massini #thewitchlingswish #TheGirlandtheDinosaur #mousesnightbeforechristmas #GrandpaandtheKingfisher #TheLittlePrince #artistspotlight #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #fivebooks #fivefabbooks #andrearecommendsbooks#bookishcommunity #readingteacher #readingforpleasure #booksforchildren #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

📚❤️ 𝗜 (𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗘 ❌) 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 📚❤️ {Ad:Pr} In perfect time for the arrival of World Book Day, comes a book that celebrates falling in love with reading! When school is out for summer, what’s the worst homework you could be given? For one bespectacled girl, it’s reading a whole book! To compound the misery, she’s taken to the library by her Mum to choose a heavy tome to read. They finally settle on a book that her Mum read as a child. Despite her initial complaints, she settles down with her book and her whole world turns to colour. We follow our girl as reading casts its spell upon her and she becomes a story adventurer, ready for her next journey into a book. There is so much detail to enjoy in this author/illustrator book. From spotting hidden copies of Mariajo Ilustrajo’s previous books, to the glimpses of our protagonist’s neon socks in the dull, sepia toned classroom, and endpapers where screen time is replaced with losing yourself in a book. Just like the narrative twist in the Wizard of Oz film, the before reading world is dull and insipid, but the after reading world is illustrated in full, multicolour artwork to reflect the joy and magic of reading! A perfect story to express how we can escape to the world of books! ✍🏼 🎨Written and illustrated by @ilustrajo 📖 Published by @quartokids 29th February #quartokids #MariajoIllustrajo #ILoveBooks #readingforpleasure #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #picturebookreviewer #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookperfection #bedtimebook #bedtimestory #bedtimestories #educa8wirral #wirralmums #wirralbusiness

☪️ 𝑹𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒊𝒅 𝒂𝒍-𝑭𝒊𝒕𝒓 ☪️ {Ad:Pr} For #TeachKidsTuesdays I am sharing a brilliant book that illuminates and illustrates the month of Ramadan (which begins this year on 10th March) from a child’s perspective. Meet Raya who is observing the month of Ramadan and the festival of Eid al-Fitr with her family, and invites the reader to come along and learn about their celebrations. We witness the rituals of this holy month, counting down the 30 days on a calendar, making Ramadan Mubarak cards, abstaining from food, becoming closer to Allah through actions and words, preparing foods for iftar, helping others by donating and giving time, and praying. Each tradition is accompanied by wonderful and colourful illustrations that show the reader all the ways in which the month is observed. As Ramadan ends and the preparations for Eid begin, the reader can experience the joy of families getting together to celebrate and wish each other a happy Eid. Raya is a wonderful guide and you certainly feel that this book is not only educational but also a celebration of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The back pages are a particularly valuable as they give further information, and include quizzes, recipes, things to make and facts. This would be the perfect book to share in an EYFS or KS1 setting or for any RE coordinatators, this is one to add to the wishlist. ✍🏼Written by @sarakhan_author 🎨 Illustrated by: @nadiyahsuyatna 📖 Published by @quartokids @wordsandpictures_books #faithsandcelebrations #WorldReligions #childrensreligiousbooks #worldreligion #booksaboutRamadan #ramadanandeidalfitr #ramadanandeidalfitr2024 #CelebrationsandFestivals #booksbyMuslimauthors #Ramadan2024 #inclusivebookshelf #nonfictionforkids #nonfiction2024 #teachingresources #teachingresourcesuk #andrearecommendsbooks #kidsbookstagram #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

📚♥️ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 ♥️📚 ‘Children’s fiction can reteach you how to read with an open heart.’ Katherine Rundell. I have really ummed and ahed about what to include for Esther’s challenge this week! I have decided to focus on children’s books I think adults should read. Picking just eight books is probably impossible so consider this a work in progress that can definitely be added to! 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗶𝘆𝘆𝗮𝗵’𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗿 (previously reviewed) 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 (previously reviewed) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 (previously reviewed) 𝗜𝗳 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲... (previously reviewed) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (previously reviewed) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 (previously reviewed) 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 *all books purchased for our bookshelves. Just ask me to tag you in any previous reviews that you’re interested in. Can’t wait to see what everyone chooses! Let me know if you spot any favourites here or if you’re joining in with this week’s theme. @mrsbrownsbookbox Follow Esther here and every Monday there’s a new theme to join in with and here’s the hashtags ⬇️ #8brilliantbooks #8brilliantbooks2024 #8brilliantbooks2024_favourites #foreverbooks #staywithyoubooks #booksyoushouldread #booksthatstaywithyou #mustreadbooks #booksthatyoushouldread #belovedbooks #mustreads #booksofalltime #bestbooksofalltime #booksyouneedtoread#musthavebooks #fivestarbooks #booksthatyoucantputdown #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bookrecommendations #kidsbookstagram #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

⭐️✨ 𝓔𝔁𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓻𝔂! ✨⭐️ What does the word extraordinary mean to you? My chosen #SundayBedtimeStory explores this theme to great effect. Written by Penny Harrison in delightful, rhyming verse, this bedtime picture book ponders what extraordinary moments really do mean. When we delve a little deeper, we realise that the moments that we truly should cherish are extraordinary. But are those memories created when extraordinary wishes come true that happen once in a lifetime? For hidden inside the word itself is ‘ordinary’ and it’s in those quieter, more natural moments we witness the true meaning of extraordinary. So don’t look too far and too wide, you’ll find extraordinary closer to hand, and just remember to savour those times forever. The illustrations that accompany the text give the perfect glimpses of the author’s message. Watching a small bug fly into the sky for the first time, Spring flowers open up petal by petal to blossom, flying a kite on a breezy day, curling up for warmth and comfort together in a tent. The magic isn’t in how grand the moment is, what’s more important is who you are with and how it makes you feel inside. And what a truly vital life lesson this bedtime story delivers ⭐️✨ ✨’𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚...𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒐.’ There are fantastic free teachers resources available to accompany this book available via the publisher’s website. Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 Tag me @educa8wirral and I’ll share to my stories. ✍🏼Written by @pen.harrison 🎨 Illustrated by: Katie Wilson 📖 Published by @newfrontierpublishinguk #Extraordinary #PennyHarrison #newfrontierpublishing #bedtimebooks #bedtimestory #fivestarbookreview #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #shareastory#andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

💛🌻𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐈 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋🌻💛 {Ad:Pr} Sharing a wonderful new book packed full of activities to support children as they navigate their emotions as they grow up. It’s recently been Children’s Mental Health Week but books that can reassure and help our young ones, are welcome all year round. Becky Goddard-Hill, a children’s therapist has created a wellbeing activity book that we’ve really been enjoying and learning from. Through a cast of friendly characters, the author guides the audience through talking about feelings first of all, and then explores four key emotions; happiness, kindness, calmness and bravery. Each section has easy to follow activities that you can join in with and give children the tools they need to become emotionally healthy. This would be such a valuable book for the classroom, assemblies, circle time, SEL lessons and for home education in helping grown ups support their children’s emotional development and wellbeing journeys. 🙌🏼 As part of the book tour, Becky has put together a top tip for each day. Swipe to read more ➡️ ✍🏼 Written by @beckygoddardhill 🎨 Illustrated by @assia_hart 📖 Published by @collins4parents @emotionallyhealthy_kids #HowIFeel #childrensmentalhealth #childrenswellbeingbooks #wellbeingbooks #myvoicematters #childrensvoice #listeningtochildren #booksformentalhealth #booksforwellbeing #readforempathy #wellbeingbooks #SELbooks #SELbooksforkids #mentalhealtheducation #readingteacher #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

🏛️🎭 𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒🗺️🏺Joining in with #8brilliantbooks hosted by @mrsbrownsbookbox on the theme of Ancient Civilisations. Something very compelling about the history of people who existed so far back in time. I’ve added a couple of books from the library, and I wish I’d found more that were worthy of including here, as I know that the genre of Non Fiction books continue to flourish in this area of learning. We’d definitely like to broaden the range of books we’ve read on this theme. Anyway, here’s the books we picked. I know I’ll be adding to our reading wishlist throughout the week. 𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀* 𝗘𝗴𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗶𝗶 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗴𝘆𝗽𝘁 𝗔 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲* 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 ♡ 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 ♡ *sent for review previously ♡ Library loans #8brilliantbooks2024_ancientcivilsations #ancientmyths #ancientcivilisations #ancienthistory #historybooksforkids #childrenshistorybooks #readingteacher #andrearecommendsbooks #bookishcommunity #raisingreaders #bookrecommendations #childrensbooks #kidsbookstagram #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🤩 🙌🏼 𝗜 𝗔𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 💗🤩 {Ad:Pr} A positive and uplifting picture book filled with all the sorts of ways that children can be brave. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓭𝓲𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮, 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓱𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓫𝓮 𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓵𝓵 𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮! When we think of being brave, images of hugely courageous acts might be brought to mind, yet Caryl Hart reassures her audience that it’s the smallest of actions every day that define bravery. From saying no and staying true to ourselves, to saying sorry, to asking to join in and to trying new foods are all examples given. Young readers will see themselves reflected in the pages and realise the true meaning of being brave. Written in pleasing rhyming verse, this picture book, would make a great addition to a SEL book box or an EYFS classroom bookshelf, with its gentle repeating words and the relatability of each situation the children find themselves in from being at school, the swimming pool, the playground, the shops, the park, the doctors and the meal table. The sweet illustrations by Zoe Waring are incredibly inclusive. My daughter observed that all sorts of children were portrayed being brave, and there aren’t many books where the inclusion is so comprehensive and sensitively portrayed. Thank you for having us as part of the book tour! Next up is @katys_book_shelf ✍🏼Written by @carylhart 🎨 Illustrated by @zoemop 📖 Published by @scholastic_uk | 1st February UK #IAmBrave #BeingTruetoYourself #booksaboutbravery #booktour #booksformentalhealth #booksforwellbeing #childrensmentalhealth #readforempathy #wellbeingbooks #SELbooks #SELbooksforkids #bedtimestory #bedtimebooks #bedtimebook #mentalhealtheducation #readingteacher #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #11plustutor #educa8wirral ⁣

🍊🌸 𝓢𝓪𝓯𝓲𝔂𝔂𝓪𝓱’𝓼 𝓦𝓪𝓻 🕌🍊’𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮.’ Slow burning, character driven and written with such empathy, Hiba Noor Khan’s debut middle gravel novel lingers powerfully in the mind long after you finish the final chapters of the book. Please swipe to see my review of the story as I had lots to say about Safiyyah’s War. This is a compelling read and one I would urge you, in times of a broken world, to read and be given renewed hope that light and love will find the way. Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox recommended this book & I buddy read with Izzy @feeling.rather.bookish & Amy @goldenbooksgirl Please read Jo @thelittleliterarysociety review too, as she was chosen to showcase this book as part of @empathylabuk 2024 #readforempathy collection and it’s also her choice for February’s MG Club if you’ve not yet had a chance to read it. @hibanoorkhan1 @iz.ptica @andersenpress #SafiyyahsWar #HibaNoorKhan #ChapterBookTuesday #MGBooks #middlegradefiction #middlegradebooks #middlegradereads #historicalfiction #andrearecommendsbooks #empathybookcase #Empathybooks #empathylibrary #fivestarbookreview #youngadultfiction #andrearecommendsbooks #staywithyoubooks #booksthatstaywithyou #mustreadbooks #booksthatyoushouldread #mustreads #booksyouneedtoread#booksthatyoucantputdown #readingteacher #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

♥️💕 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 💕♥️ “If I know what love is, it is because of you.’’ Lucy @lovefourreading said it’s a heartbreaking privilege to share books about love with children who are safe when there are children who are loved but are not held safely in loving arms, not so very far away. I couldn’t agree more 💔 I’ve chosen a range of books for Esther’s @mrsbrownsbookbox #8brilliantbooks theme that celebrate all sorts of love. For when all is said and done, we are measured by the love we leave behind. ‘Hate can­not dri­ve out hate; only love can do that.’ ♥️ 𝐀𝐁𝐂 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ♡ ♥️ 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮 * ♥️ 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 ♡ ♥️ 𝐙𝐞𝐤𝐢 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 ♡ ♥️ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ♥️ 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ♥️ 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞! ♡ ♥️ 𝐕𝐥𝐚𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 *sent for review previously ♡ Library loans #SpreadLove #valentinesdaybook #valentinebooks #valentinesdaystory #valentinesbooks #chooselove #allsortsoflove #lovestories #valentinesforkids #readingteacher #andrearecommendsbooks #bookishcommunity #raisingreaders #bookrecommendations #childrensbooks #kidsbookstagram #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

⭐️ 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 ⭐️ Sharing a dreamy and reassuring picture book this Sunday which makes the perfect bedtime read for the end of #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek Written in lyrical language in which every component of nature is personified and addresses the reader directly, this book provides comfort to children who wonder about their moods and emotions. A reassuring read that tells them they are never alone in a feeling and that all emotions are temporary. A new day will come, the tide will ebb and flow, the Moon is always there, a seed will eventually bloom, the rain doesn’t last forever. It’s definitely best to read this book so you can experience the magic of Anna Wilson’s poetical words. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝...𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨. Harry Woodgate’s artistic talents are on full display. He showcases each element of nature in a spectacular way. Though the cast of characters is diverse and inclusive as you might come to expect, it’s the depth and contrast of the colours used to portray nature to which the reader’s eye is always drawn. The helpful backnotes (for children and grown ups) give a further explanation to readers about how all elements of nature can provide reassurance and calm us. Available in paperback, we borrowed this book from the library. @andersenpress | @harrywoodgateart | @acwilsonwriter Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 Tag me @educa8wirral and I’ll share to my stories. #ShineLikeTheStars #bedtimebooks #bedtimestory #libraryloot #librarybook #lovelylibraryloot #fivestarbookreview #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #shareastory#andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🏔️☀️ 𝗧 𝗘 𝗡 𝗭 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 ❄️🏔️ {Ad:Pr} Over 70 years ago Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain, known to him from childhood as Chomolungma. He was 39 years old when his companion snapped an iconic photograph of his now friend, ice pick raised and flags fluttering. Tenzing had realised his ultimate dream and both men were the first to the top of the ‘Goddess Mother of the World.’ So many people have set out to ‘conquer’ Everest as the western world calls the mountain without fully understanding or appreciating its history, culture or very simply that nature is in charge, not them. Whilst many have heard of Tenzing’s companion on that historic day, Edmund Hillary, this modest man’s own story has been lesser known. This Little People, Big Dreams book places Tenzing’s life story at the front and centre. The beautiful illustrations pay homage to Tenzing’s humble background. I hope you get a chance to read about his incredible achievement and what inspired him to climb. If you like me, are fascinated by stories of this mountain then two other books I have reviewed would make great book companions for further reading. They are Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by Alexandra Stewart and Joe Todd Stanton and Everest: Earth’s Incredible Places published by Flying Eye books. 🗣️ Would you like to read this book? 🏔️ And does this mountain fascinate you? @quartokids | @mariaisabelsanchezvegara | @bandanaillus #Chomolungma #Sagarmatha #Everest #MountEverest #nonfictionbooks #lifestory #tenzingnorgay #biographiesforchildren #iconiclives #nonfictionforkids #littlepeoplebigdreams #quartokids #childrensnonfiction #whatareyoureading #fivestarbookreview #childrensbookreview #readingteacher #TeachKidsTuesdays #andrearecommendsbooks #readingforpleasure #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🗣️🙌🏼 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗣𝗢𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗬 🙌🏼 ★ {Ad:Pr} Two collections of poetry written by two contemporary voices full of power and profoundness. With #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek theme of #myvoicematters poetry reading and writing can allow children to express feelings that they might otherwise have held onto. ★ 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱 {Ad:Pr} A wonderful collection of poetry by Children’s Laureate and wordsmith, Joseph Coelho that encourages children to discover poetry in spite of fear and find their brave inside. Poetry in fact can give you courage through the words it brings you, the words you write, the words you whisper, the words you shout. There’s poems about saying no, worries, friendship, perseverance, apologising, crying, reading aloud, finding your voice and finding your brave. And through each set of poems, Joseph introduces different techniques and styles of poetry writing to his audience, children. This book is part of a series and is well worth checking out via the library at least. @josephcoelhoauthor |@dgraybarnett | @quartokids ★ 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 From the creator of the hit novel, The Final Year, comes a profound and poignant collection of verses. Matt Goodfellow’s poetry has a distinctive voice that reflects his experiences of working with children. I found these poems to be both uplifting and moving in equal measure. Hey, Mum, Callum, Long Gone Kid, Blackbirds all linger long after you’ve read or heard them for the first time. Aimed at readers aged 10+, Goodfellow’s observational and relatable words will strike the right notes with its intended audience. We won our copy via @clpe.org.uk #clpefridaygiveaway @mattgoodfellowpoet | @bloomsburychildrens ★ Will you be reading any poetry this week? And would you like to read these poetry collections? #courageoutloud #myvoicematters #LetsChaseStarsTogether #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #josephcoelho #poetrybookreview #MattGoodfellow #poetryforchildren #poetrycommunity #poetryforkids #writingpoems #instagrampoetry #poetrygram #writingpoetry #poetrytips #teachingpoetry #ideasforwriting

☾ཐིཋྀ 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 ☆★ {Ad:Pr} From the creator of Amelia Fang and Rainbow Grey comes the start of a new and magical series! Meet Marnie the moth, she’s just transformed from a caterpillar, the first of her siblings to do so. Enjoying her new diet of nectar and petal puffs, she’s boarded the Snail Rail through Miniopolis to begin her first term at Minibeast Academy. She’s most excited about being a pupil at her idol Lunora Wingheart’s alma mater. Lunora was a monologist who disappeared whilst studying moths and their use of moon magic. Marnie soon makes two friends, Floyd Flombiddium (a cross between a bee and a ladybird who considers himself an A!) and Star ★ Vonstrosity, a princess of the ant colonies! The minibeast pupils meet their headteacher and teachers and embark on all sorts lessons from Predator Studies, Flying Practice, Critter Calculus, Bug History, Little Languages, Night Pollination and Botany. Disappointingly, Marnie wants to learn most about the Moon and the Book of Moon Spells, but everyone laughs or ignores her. Why is studying the Moon forbidden? Marnie and her friends set out on a big adventure to discover the answers… The black and white illustrations are full of details to spot. Each character’s personality is portrayed brilliantly and the reader really gets to know the characters. This book was an absolute delight to read with my daughter! She followed the story so well, I think thanks to the wonderful writing which built Marnie’s world, her personality and friendships. Grown ups and younger readers alike will totally appreciate the word play and humour laced into the storytelling. We are excited for this series to grow! ✍🏼Written and 🎨 Illustrated by @laura_ellen_anderson 📖 Published by @farshorebooks | 1st February UK #MarnieMidnight #LauraEllenAnderson #MarnieMidnightandtheMoonMystery

🐳🪇 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 ☔️ 🌈 Sharing more of two books I previously featured in my Fab Five on a Friday post that we’ve been recently enjoying. 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 🐳🪇 Soren the young whale is fed up of the droning music of the male humpbacks. Determined to create a jauntier, shorter and more melodious tune, Soren composes his own song! Should it include maracas? Well that part is very contentious! And this is where the fun begins. Told in deadpan, dry humour, addressing its audience very knowingly, Dave Eggers has written a witty story of ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try again and again as first drafts are usually terrible!’ My two enjoyed this longer picture book very much and we think the illustrations by Mark Hoffman are a perfect match. @abramschronicle | @iam_daveeggers | @studiohoffmann | Publishes 14th February 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄 ☔️🌈 Reena and Rekha are two red panda sisters but they don’t like the same things. One frizzy, damp day Rekha spots a rainbow and hopes her sister (who dislikes the rain) will want to see it and paint it. But rainbows appear only for the briefest moments and their hunt is fruitless. Will they find a rainbow together? With text that wraps around the images in arches that echo the rainbow’s curves, this heartwarming tale is illustrated in cinematic style imagery that reflects the Himalayan habitat of red pandas. @scribblekidsbooks | @alomsworld | @sarthak_kath | Publishes 8th February #newlypublished #SorensSeventhSong #HowToFindARainbow #twofortuesday #picturebookreview #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebookreviewer #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks #childrensbookreviewer #tellastory #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🗣️ 🗯️ 𝐌𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬👂🏻🤗 For the theme of Children’s Mental Health Week, I’ve put together a book basket of SEL books that can be valuable tools in opening up conversations with children. There’s brilliant advice from @_place2be for families and schools surrounding this week, in listening to children’s voices. It goes without saying that the resources and books can be used all year round. Books featured: *𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱 *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲! *𝗜 𝗔𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲 (review 15th February) *𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 (review this week) 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽! (previously reviewed) 𝗠𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 (previously reviewed) *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 (previously reviewed) *sent for review 🗣️ Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of these or are taking part in activities for Children’s Mental Health Week and beyond. Several accounts I love have also shared books that you can look out for Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox & Bryony @missdorransyearone & Katy @katys_book_shelf 📚🤗❤️ #myvoicematters #childrensvoice #listeningtochildren #booksformentalhealth #booksforwellbeing #childrensmentalhealth #readforempathy #wellbeingbooks #bookbasket #SELbooks #SELbooksforkids #mentalhealtheducation #readingteacher #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #11plustutor #educa8wirral ⁣

🦕🦖 𝕄𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔻𝕚𝕟𝕠𝕤𝕒𝕦𝕣𝕤 🦖🦕 {Ad:Pr} Do you have a favourite dinosaur? Well here comes the fourth book in a series, this time an adventure to meet lots of different ancient fossils brought back to their full glory so you can decide which one you like the best! Today is our turn on the blog tour for 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙨, a jolly romp through prehistoric times on a Dino Safari to learn all about these fascinating creatures. Written in conversational rhyming verse by Caryl Hart, readers will enjoy the entertaining facts and keep turning the pages to meet another form of primitive life. The end pages include a timeline so you can trace the history of all the prehistoric life that you’ve met on the safari. Every page is vibrantly illustrated in Bethan Woollvin’s signature style with plenty of pops of neon brightness. Each dinosaur is brought back to life in the visuals which are a delight to young readers’ eyes! We are off to find the rest of the series! 🦖 Next up is @katys_book_shelf and all other accounts taking part are tagged in the last photo so do check out their reviews! Thanks for having me on the tour! ✍🏼Written by @carylhart 🎨 Illustrated by @bethanwoollvin 📖 Published by @bloomsburychildrens | 18th January UK #MeettheDinosaurs #carylhart #bethanwoollvin #Dinosaurbooks #Dinobooks #booksaboutdinosaurs #dinosaursarecool #dinosaursrule #prehistoricplanet #prehistoricanimals #bookseries #booktour #rhymingbooks #andrearecommendsbooks #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🧠👩🏽‍⚕️𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 👏🏻🧠 {Ad:Pr} Sharing a wonderful new book for younger readers that’s the first in the 𝘿𝙧.𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙖’𝙨 𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 series. Written in a conversational tone, and aimed at readers aged 4 plus, Dr Roopa Farooki, strikes the right balance of informing and entertaining. The anatomical names are used for the parts of the brain, as the author realises that children absorb such vocabulary even at a young age. Children are given phonetic support with this specific vocabulary such as Cerebrum (sur-ee-brum) and then the book explains how those parts work in a system. This gives children a much greater understanding of the workings of their quite frankly, incredible brain. It’s well thought idea to begin the series with the brain, which is the control room of our whole body. Viola Wang’s distinctive illustrations are on fine display with gorgeous contrasts of colour, a wide cast of characters and a playful nature throughout. Our favourite spread is all the faces showing the different emotions that our brain can make us feel through sending us certain messages! I am excited for this series to continue and think this book is a fantastic addition for younger readers learning about their marvellous body! Look out for 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙣 to be published this summer. ✍🏼Written by @roopafarooki 🎨 Illustrated by @violawangstudio 📖 Published by @walkerbooksuk | 1st February UK Sharing this a day late for #TeachKidsTuesdays hosted by @raising_bookworms & @booksb4bedtime #thehumanbody #TheBrilliantBrain #DrRoopasBodyBook #RoopaFarooki #ViolaWang #narrativenonfiction #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #childrensnonfiction #fivestarbookreview #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks #childrensbookreviewer#childrensbookreview #readingteacher #stembooks #stemforkids #stemforchildren #andrearecommendsbooks #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎧🗣️ 𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦👂🏻🎧 Do you listen to books being read aloud? This week’s #8brilliantbooks theme set by Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox is AudioBooks. So here’s some of our favourites we’ve enjoyed listening to over the years and some stories that make great read alouds. Did you know you can listen to stories and books through a variety of audio devices these days? We have a @yotoplay but there’s also VoxBlock, Audible and you can listen to books for free via your local library’s BorrowBox app. @nosycrow books are brilliant too as their stories come with a free read aloud that you and download via a QR code to your Smartphone. I’ve also included a CD as I’m old school and I used to play a series of Julia Donaldson stories to my son in the car when we were out and about. Happy memories! 🎧 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼 (Available on Yoto) 🔈 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 (CD! I’m old school and now on Yoto) 👂🏻𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲 (Available on Yoto) 🎧𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 (Available on BorrowBox via your local library) 🔈 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 (Available on Voxblock @wearevoxblock ) 👂🏻 𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘁 (Available on Yoto) 🎧 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝘁 (Scan the QR code to listen to the audio via your smartphone) 🔈 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 (Available on Audible) 🗣️🎧 Let me know in the comments if you listen to audiobooks and any favourites. Happy Listening! #8brilliantbooks2024_audiobooks #audiobooksrule #audiobooksofinstagram #audiobooksforkids #NationalStorytellingWeek #audiobooks #listentobooks #storytelling #storytellingweek #storiestotell #tellastory #timeforstories #storybooks #andrearecommendsbooks #readaloud #everychildareader #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌈 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 💝{Ad:Pr} For #SundayBedtimeStory I have chosen this beautifully illustrated and heartwarming tale of adoption which is a real masterpiece. It’s the story of a young girl who doesn’t match her family in photographs. Her eyes kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea. Her mom’s eyes are filled with a passion for art and a love for her longed for daughter that is overwhelming. Her Dad’s eyes are filled with light as he fishes with his daughter and untangles their knotted lines, bonds that can’t be broken. They are her loving family, yet her thoughts turn to the person whose eyes match hers and the stories that have been told so repeatedly that they blur into her own memories, of a handmade book, a cotton white blanket and a one-eyed rabbit with a huge yellow bow. And she realises that ‘𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙤.’ And that poignant line alone tells you everything you need to know. From the show-stopping cover, and its pitch perfect illustrations by Dung Ho, this is a book draws the reader in and inside is so sensitively and beautifully created to share the story of one girl’s experience of transracial adoption. Though the subject matter might seem heavy, this book has been written deftly by the pen of Joanna Ho alongside Liz Kleinrock, whose lived experience of being adopted from South Korea to America, shines through the pages. This is a journey of understanding both the loss and the love of moving, from a biological family to an adoptive family, across thousands of miles and cultures. As Liz states, in her author notes, she had never seen herself represented in a book until this one and she hopes that this story will become one of the threads that adoptive families and children read as they come to understand their own identity. I’m certain that her hopes for this book will be realised and that so many children will also see themselves reflected in its pages. ✍🏼Written by @joannahowrites with @teachandtransform 🎨 Illustrated by @dunghanhho 📖 Published by @harper360uk | 1st February UK

🏡 🐚 𝗔 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘 🌊🏡 {Ad:Pr} Do you love to bring treasures home from the beach? My daughter does. Her beachcombing pockets are always filled with colourful stones and pebbles. From the creators of 𝙈𝙮 𝙋𝙚𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 comes a touching story of a young boy who finds a lonely stone and treats it with such kindness. Upon finding a lonely stone at the beach, just as children do, a boy stops and notices its copper stripes and that it seems different and sets about finding it a perfect home. Written in delightful rhyming verse, by Corrinne Averiss, we follow our protagonist as he searches rock pools, ancient walls, and garden rockeries for somewhere for his stone to fit right in. Disheartened when he’s unable to find the right spot for the stone, the boy takes the stone home with him… With charming illustrations by Rosalind Bearsdshaw and gentle storytelling, this is a special bedtime book that evokes children’s curiosity, imagination and their sense of friendship and empathy. A truly heartwarming follow up and companion piece to My Pet Star. 𝘼 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚 arrives in bookshops next week. One to look forward to! ✍🏼 Written by @corrinneaveriss 🎨 Illustrated by @rosalindbeardshaw 📖Publishes 1st February @hachettechildrens #AHomeForStone #corrinneaveriss #rosalindbeardshaw #booksabouttheseaside #beachcombing #beachbooks #heartwarmingbooks #picturebookreview #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebookreviewer #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks #childrensbookreviewer #tellastory #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

👁️🐳 𝗙 𝗜 𝗩 𝗘 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙 𝗥 𝗜 𝗗 𝗔 𝗬 ✨🌈 Happy nearly the weekend everyone! I’ve not shared a #fabfiveonfriday with @bookishwaytoplay for ages, so here we go! Five fantastic picture books! Tell me in the comments, the book(s) you’d like to see more of or your weekend plans. 👁️ 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 A beautifully illustrated tale of adoption told from the point of view of a young transracial adoptee. @joannahowrites | @dunghanhho | @harper360uk | Publishes 1st February 🐳 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 Soren is tired of the incessant and rather boring droning male whales perform and sets about coming up with his own whale song (no maracas please!). Punctuated with dry humour (great for grown ups!) this is a longer style tale of perseverance that’s sure to entertain and amuse! @abramschronicle | @iam_daveeggers | @studiohoffmann | Publishes 14th February 🏡 𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 From the creators of My Pet Star, comes a touching story of kindness. A boy finds a lonely stone and sets about finding him a perfect home. @hachettechildrens | @corrinneaveriss | @rosalindbeardshaw | Publishes 1st February ✨𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲 A vibrantly illustrated picture book, written in rhyming verse to inspire readers to celebrate themselves. @hachettechildrens | @bencort1 | Publishes 1st February 🌈 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗔 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄 Two sisters, Reena and Rekha are opposites. One loves rainy days and the other doesn’t. When Rekha spots a rainbow, she tries to show her sister so she can paint it. But the rainbow disappears! Will they find it again? @scribblekidsbooks @alomsworld | @sarthak_kath | Publishes 8th February Swipe to see inside each book in the order they are photographed. And don’t forget to let me know which you’d like to see more of or your weekend plans 🗣️ ⬇️ *All books sent for review #fivebooks #fivefabbooks #newlypublished #SorensSeventhSong #TheMagicofMe #HowToFindARainbow #AHomeForStone #EyesThatWeaveTheWorldsWonders #picturebookreview #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebookreviewer #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks

📚 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐎: 📚 The chapter book 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭 for 2024. Quotd: 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩? 📚𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 *𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 (I’ve pre ordered this!) @mglnrd @walkerbooksuk *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 @samsedgman *𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 (Ad/Pr) @farshorebooks @laura_ellen_anderson 📚𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 *𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀 @mralextsmith *𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 @thebrush @barringtonstoke *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 @puffinbooksuk @vivienneto 📚𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 *𝗦𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 (will pre order for my son!) @afsteadmanauthor 📚𝗠𝗮𝘆 *𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝗱 @steven_lenton @puffinbooksuk *𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮 @elisapaganelli_illustration @macmillankidsuk 📚𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 *𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘁 (cannot wait!) @arcanjoe 📚𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 *𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 @farshorebooks *𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀 (I’ll pre order for my son!) NB: These are UK publication dates and are subject to change. This is only a small selection of chapter books being published this year. Some books haven’t had cover reveals yet so I’ll include them in a post, later in the year. For example 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀: 𝗔 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀 publishing in August. There will be plenty of other books I’ve missed to enjoy as well! Which book(s) caught your eye? 👀 #middlegradebooks #mustreads2024 #mostanticipatedread #middlegradefiction #chapterbookseries #chapterbooksforkids #middlegradereads #shareastory #everychildareader#readingforpleasure #bookishreel #bookreel #childrensbookreel #bookstolookforwardto #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks #childrensbookreviewer #tellastory #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🩶 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐦 🩶 Are you looking for a book to respark your reading mojo? Well, 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 reignited mine and began my reading year with a fizz and a pop! There are no spoilers here so do read on…✨ 𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚. 𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚.’ 💫 Casander lives outside an old curiosity shop with no memory of his own. He experiences strange fizzing surges within his limbs that he can’t explain. When strangers in cloaks try and chase him, a girl named Warrior changes everything and helps Casander to escape to the Wayward School for the Most Prestigious Others. Arriving at the school, Casander wonders if he will ever fit and feel ordinary. He is soon taking part in the Order Trials conducted by the Oracle to find out what abilities he possesses and to which of the orders, he belongs. But there is another secret, that he is the Foretold, destined to defeat The Master of All who has been stealing abilities to disrupt the balance of nature in both the Normie and Others worlds. I really enjoyed getting to know Casander and his friends, Warrior, Paws and Fenix. They all feel like they don’t quite belong and their firm friendship sees them through lots of adventures. There are knowing nods to magical books that have come before when Hallow’tween arrives, there’s a Wayone dressed as a schoolboy with a strange squiggle on his forehead! What I didn’t foretell was 𝗧𝗛𝗘 twist. You might think you’ve figured things out with this story but I truly think it delivers a masterpiece of a surprise which will leave you flabbergasted! Intrigued? Let me know if you’ve read this book, got it on your TBR pile or think you’d like to read it in the comments below ⬇️ Loved my buddy read with Gina @raising_bookworms who suggested we read this together on Fiona’s @an.eaton.readit recommendation! Looking forward to reading more from P.A.Staff @pastaffbooks who has drawn from her own experiences of invisible disability to create the character of Casander.

𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓 🔤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 🔢 We love Alphabet and Number books so this week’s theme from Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox is a fun one to join in with. I did visit the library as I couldn’t remember if I’ve passed on some books as my two are now both in Juniors at Primary school. Thankfully, we have kept some very favourite books and there are two library books here as well (ABC of Love & An Alphabet of Stories). So here are #8brilliantbooks2024_abc123 which can be help your reader with learning the alphabet and counting but also inspire a love of words and numbers through play and fun! 🔠 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 @abramschronicle 🔠 𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 🔠 𝐀𝐁𝐂 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 @littletigerbooks @summermaconart 🔠 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭 @sharonkingchai 🔢 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 @twohootsbooks 🔢 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐱 @kateeread28 🔢 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐧𝐞 @nosycrow @mathunt 🔢 𝐀𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬’𝐬 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 Let me know in the comments if you spot any favourite ABC or 123 books here. #8brilliantbooks #eyfsinspo #eyfsreading #eyfsreadingarea #eyfsbooks #learningtocount #preschoolathome #countingpractice #eyfslearning #booksaboutnumbers #eyfsmaths #eyfsenglish #precursive #abcbook #alphabet #alphabetbooks #alphablock #learningathome #learningthroughplay #prek #preschoolathome #wirralmums #wirralbusiness #educa8wirral

🐉💤𝑰𝒏 𝑴𝒚 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 😴🌸 For #SundayBedtimeStory I think I’ve found the most gorgeous book to read before bed. Take a look and see if you agree! Where do you go when you fall asleep? For one child, their dreams take them on a magical journey full of fantasy and adventure. With marshmallow clouds and puddles of jelly we follow a wonderful experience because in dreams you can go anywhere. You can chase wolves, you can fly on the back of dragon, dance in the jungle and ride a sledge to your igloo. There is no fear of darkness, it has no power, you just blink your eyes and the night shadows are gone. The reader is transported into the child’s imaginative reverie by the words and the illustrations. Each double page spread is full of depth and colour making those dreams come alive. Get lost in the magic of this bedtime book! ⭐️’𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.’ 😴 Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 Tag me @educa8wirral and I’ll share to my stories. @newfrontierpublishinguk @stefgemmill @tanja_stephani #stefgemmill #tanjastephani #InMyDreams #fivestarbookreview #bedtimestory #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #shareastory#andrearecommendsbooks #andreasbookstogift #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🐲🪁𝑭𝑳𝒀𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑯 🐲🪁 {Ad:Pr} Have you ever flown a kite? I live by the coastline and on breezy days, you can see kites of all shapes and sizes being flown and enjoyed. 🐲 I’m sharing a beautiful book by Chinese author Cao Wenxuan in the lead up to Lunar New Year celebrations. We meet a small child who is lacking in confidence. Wawa the bird is their only friend. When the winds blow in beside the river, everyone loves to fly kites but when the child’s kite gets tangled up with others, they are told off. The forlorn child takes their kite to the river and it is there that Wawa the bird provides comfort. A walk through nature experiencing the diversity of the world opens the child’s eyes to the fact that difference should be celebrated. They grow in confidence and self belief. Together with their grandparents, the child creates a home-made kite to fly in the town’s kite festival. It’s a beautiful and cyclical ending to the tale 🪁 At home we’ve been enjoying reading this story and talking about what happens and the meaning. The simplicity of the text means every word is important. Enhanced with illustrations which are based on paper cutting artwork, it is a tale of redemption and overcoming a lack of confidence. ✍🏼 Author: Cao Wenxuan 🎨 Illustrator: Yu Rong 📖 Publishes 1st February #FlyingHigh @uclan_publishing #translatedtexts #CaoWenxuan #YuRong #lunarnewyear #lunarnewyearbooks #chinesenewyear #asiankidlit #YearoftheDragon#lunarnewyear2024 #andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestory #readaloud #everychildareader #readingforpleasure #childrensbookreview #tellastory #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bedtimebook #bookrecommendations #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🧧🐉 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 🐲🧧 {Ad:Pr} 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙕𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙘 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪? Read on to find out mine! We’ve had such a lovely time reading this lift the flap book. Following a modern family experiencing Lunar New Year, we have learnt so much from each page! This narrative nonfiction book which follows big sister Yue and her baby brother Rue through the celebration of the first moon of the year, has been a repeat read every day and we’ve loved finding the two door guards, Shentu and Yulei who are hiding! There are 144 flaps to open through the 12 double page spreads and some we’ve missed so we’ve gone back through enjoying the book again! The style and presentation of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙚 is in perfect keeping with Lunar New Year. With a gold foiled cover and the bold and vibrant use of colour, the visuals really do impress! The celebrations surrounding the festival of Lunar New Year are joyfully showcased on each page. Chinese illustrator Vikki Zhang @0717vikki has done a brilliant job marrying modern and traditional to create an inclusive book to treasure! 🐉 I’m showing my age, but 2024 is the year of the Dragon and it’s also my Zodiac sign! If you know yours, let me know in the comments! Ps: the Lunar New Year books photographed behind this one I’ve previously reviewed. I’ll share them in my stories. #TheLuckyRedEnvelope @quartokids #lunarnewyear #lunarnewyearbooks #chinesenewyear #asiankidlit #YearoftheDragon #narrativenonfiction #lunarnewyear2024 #andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestory #readaloud #everychildareader #readingforpleasure #childrensbookreview #tellastory #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bookrecommendations #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

📚𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐎: 📚 The picture book 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭 for 2024. Quotd: 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩? 📚𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 📌 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗲 @paddy @theobrienpress 📌 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 @sallyhan_illustration 📌 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 @josephcoelhoauthor @fiona_lumbers 📌 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂 @jarvispicturebooks @walkerbooksuk 📌 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀 @chris.naylor.ballesteros @nosycrow 📌 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗱 @sarah_massini @holliejhughes 📌 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 @tompercivalbooks @apaintedmouse 📚𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 📌 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 @alicemelvin @thamesandhudsonchildrens 📚𝗠𝗮𝘆 📌 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵 @kimhillyard 📚𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 📌 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 @fionawoodcock @oliviahopewrites 📚𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 📌𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 @walkerbooksuk 📚𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 📌𝗔𝘃𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 @lu.fraser @paddy @hachettechildrens NB: These are UK publication dates and are subject to change. This is only a small selection of picture books being published this year. Some books haven’t had cover reveals yet so I’ll include them in a post, later in the year. There will be plenty of other books I’ve missed to enjoy as well! Which book(s) caught your eye? 👀 #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookperfection #shareastory #readaloud #everychildareader#readingforpleasure #bookishreel #bookreel #childrensbookreel #bookstolookforwardto #childrensbooks2024 #bestbooksof2024 #mustreadbooks #childrensbookreviewer #tellastory #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

❄️🧭 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 🧊🚢 {Ad:Pr} We woke up to snow here! And after a day enjoying the weather I thought I’d share this brilliant guide to the frozen North Pole. Author Katharina Weiss-Tuider accompanied the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition. Setting off from Tromsø, Norway in September 2019, she was aboard the RV Polastern, an ice-breaker research vessel, which was tasked with freezing in the sea ice and drifting towards the North Pole. What was the aim you might ask - to discover how the Arctic is changing and how those changes affect our whole world. With a team made up of 337 scientists and experts alongside 105 crew members, representing 37 nationalities this 389 day expedition was truly phenomenal and, excuse the pun, an ice breaking undertaking. The data that was brought back will help us advocate for better climate protection. This book is based on the events that happened over the course of that year, filled with the records of diaries that were kept, actual photographs from the mission, the geology of ice drifting and the history of Arctic expeditions. Not only does this guide, inform and explain, it is also a call to action to young people to be aware of how their behaviours can rescue our changing climate. Switching off devices - easy! Keeping leftovers of food to reuse - definitely! Eat a plant based meal once a week - worth a try! I love non-fiction that goes beyond the boundaries of a reference book. The mix of photographs from the expedition alongside detailed and clear diagrams and illustrations is a plus. The way this book is divided into sections to read, is helpful. The thought-provoking and fascinating facts really do help children understand the Arctic better and in doing so, will help them be the voices and take actions to protect this fragile landscape for their own and future generations. Sharing for the hashtag #️⃣ #TeachKidsTuesdays hosted by @raising_bookworms & @booksb4bedtime @greystonekidsbooks @katharina_weiss_tuider @caffwardbooks #missionarctic #translatedtexts #Polarstern

😂 𝗖 𝗛 𝗨 𝗖 𝗞 𝗟 𝗘, 𝗚 𝗜 𝗚 𝗚 𝗟 𝗘, 𝗟 𝗔 𝗨 𝗚 𝗛 😂 Nothing quite like hearing children laugh is there? The creasing up of their body, the wrinkling of their face and the uncontrollable and contagious guffaws they emit! You are soon laughing too! What better way to banish those supposed January blues than with some excellent comedy and fun filled books for Esther’s @mrsbrownsbookbox #8brilliantbooks hashtag #️⃣ I present to you visual comedy, wait for the punch line humour, deadpan delivery, wordplay and double meaning. As grown-ups we need laughs too. So I love it when books work on more than one layer of humour so we can have a good giggle too! 🗣️ Let me know in the comments if you spot some favourites here as I’ve included a few recent classics! #8brilliantbooks2024_laughoutloud #funnybooksforkids #bookstomakeyoulaugh #lolbooks #andrearecommendsbooks #funnybooks #humorousbooks #readingteacher #booksforchildren #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

♥️❤️ 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 ❤️♥️ If you’ve been lucky enough to have experienced a grandparent’s love, you’ll know that the connection is both powerful and life affirming. This picture book is a homage to the sacred and special bond that a grandparent and child can feel and reminds us of our own family memories. Following on from Tanya Rosie’s brilliant debut, 𝙈𝙪𝙢, 𝙈𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚 which I previously reviewed, 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙥𝙖 𝙞𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 continues the theme of family love in the most understated way. Told from the child’s perspective, we witness their responses to their grandpa coming to visit from far away. Despite the barrier of language, the connection and tenderness are conveyed with such feeling. We smell the Persian spices in Grandpa’s suitcase. We taste the fig jam. We crack the walnuts and we hear the laughter. No words are wasted. This isn’t saccharine sweet. It feels absolutely genuine. A book written from a place of understanding and of reverence to that familial and irreplaceable love which is incredibly moving. I doubt that you can read this book and not think of your own family and how time passes and that heartfelt wish for moments to last forever. For me this book again marries the illustrations and words so well. There are so many moments. A lingering look, a smiling gesture, a comforting hug, a gentle holding of hands, the anticipation of Grandpa arriving and the bittersweet longing of not wanting to let him go. Not forgetting Chuck Groenink’s use of light in the artwork, which is just breathtakingly beautiful. I hope you too get a chance to read this book. Thank you so much to Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox who knows how much I loved the first book and sent this one my way. You are a very special person indeed 🥰 Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 @c.groenink @tanyarosefil @walkerbooksuk @bigpicturebooks @walkerbooksgift #GrandpaisHere #booksaboutgrandparents #grandparentsbooks #intergenerationalbooks #bedtimestory #picturebooksofinstagram

☺️ ♥️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 🥰 ♥️ {Ad:Pr} A beautiful book to inspire children to focus on who they want to be rather than what in life. It’s definitely an age old question we ask children ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ This wonderful book written by parenting coach, Nima Patel reframes our thinking beyond career choices and titles. Those labels are restrictive and shouldn’t identify us. When we think of people we admire and respect, it should be for the qualities they demonstrate. My wish for my children and for yours is to be remembered for their positive characteristics, being kind, forgiving, honest and determined rather than a job they might have held. In fact, I quite like that many people I meet now, don’t know I was a primary teacher, they see me for me, not the job label. We love that this book shares the attributes people have to succeed but also that failure and mistakes are welcome in becoming who we are. The focus is vey much on learning from others and being open minded in that journey of self discovery. This is the perfect book for opening up conversations at home, assemblies in school or a PSHE lesson with EYFS or KS1 children, in helping them understand who they’d like to be when they grow up. I think you’ll agree that it’s about time that we celebrate WHO are children are and remind them, that inside is the best version of themselves 🙌🏼 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲: @by.nima 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: @callyjanestudio 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: @littletigerbooks #BeYou #TheBestYou #LittleTigerBooks #SELbooksforkids #SELbooks #kindnessmatters #spreadKindness #empathybookcase #Empathybooks #fivestarbookreview #bedtimestory #shareastory#andrearecommendsbooks #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🔭🪐 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝🌛🌞{Ad:Pr} Do you love learning about Space? Here’s a book that’s different and exciting for curious, young scientists. A nonfiction graphic novel, the first in a series exploring Astronomy. Join three characterful friends, Squeak, Orni and Castor as they climb up into Squeak’s observatory housed in a treetop location for the weekend. Orni is the reluctant, grumpy friend, but even he is soon pulled into the magic of finding out more, Castor asks lots of questions and Squeak is their guide to astronomy - the science of the sky, the stars and the universe. Orni soon realises the enormity of being on Planet Earth, in a Solar System, in a group of galaxies in a probably infinite universe! And when you put it like that, the study of astronomy does seem astonishing and surprising! Covering topics such as our Solar System, asteroids, comets, meteorites, our Moon, maps of the night sky, zodiac signs, invisible light, super light, the Big Bang and including how to have your own adventures, 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙 is a comprehensive and impressive guide to Astronomy. With primarily black and white illustrations alongside characters’ speech bubbles and plenty of facts, the reader keeps turning the pages onwards. This is a book children will learn and be inspired by. With a preface by Hélène Courtois, an astrophysicist and cosmographer, written and illustrated by Gaëlle Alméras, 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙 was first published in French and is translated by David Warriner. Next in the series is a 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙 🙌🏼 With thanks to the publisher for sending this our way to review. @greystonekidsbooks @gaelleameras #SuperSpaceWeekend #greystonekids #TeachKidsTuesdays #translatedtexts #stemforchildren #astrophysicsforchildren #astronomyforchildren #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #stembooks #Spacebooks #spacebooksforchildren #solarsystem #booksaboutspace #spacestories #kidsbooksaboutspace #nonfictionforkids #nonfictionbooks #childrensnonfiction #andrearecommendsbooks#bookishcommunity #readingteacher #readingforpleasure #booksforchildren

🌊 🐳 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞 🐳🌊Before Christmas we were very lucky to win this book from Clare @childrensfiction in a giveaway. It made me seek out the rest of the much loved series from the library to enjoy re-reading alongside this new addition. You’re in for a treat with 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚 because it has all the favourite parts of the series made into a brand new tale. Like every story it begins the same way. ‘Noi lived with his Dad and six cats by the sea.’ We love looking for all of the feline friends! This time around Noi’s grandma has come to stay. When another storm breaks and the howling wind keeps Noi awake, Grandma tells her own story of meeting a whale. The reader realises that Noi’s whale and Grandma’s whale are most probably descendants, just as they are family with deep connections to the islands and its ocean wildlife. This is a masterclass in picture book creation through the meticulous detail Benji Davies adds to the illustrations. Having the whole series to hand made us spot the connections between all four stories. A full circle, origins story where the reader gains a deeper understanding the relationship between grandparent and grandson. A story both tender and heartwarming. If you’ve enjoyed the other books then I’m certain you’ll adore this exquisite addition to the popular and well loved series. @benjidavies @simonkidsuk #TheGreatStormWhale #BenjiDavies #TheStormWhale #intergenerationalbooks #intergenerationalstory #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookreview #libraryloot #lovelylibraryloot #librarybook #andrearecommendsbooks #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral #bedtimestory #tellastory #bedtimestories

🪶🐦‍⬛𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 🐦‍⬛🪶 Sharing two books from my chosen eight brilliant books to show in more detail. Both books focus on migrating birds; storks and swallows that visit both the UK and Africa during the year. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 @isabella.tree @scatterbee @ivykidsbooks 🪺Eight year old Beanie adores birds and when she discovers that storks have been hunted to extinction in Britain, she is determined to change things. Beautifully illustrated with the feathers of the birds portrayed with such detail and movement, this story is based on the successful White Stork project that reintroduced the birds in 2016 to Knepp, West Sussex. A tale of community, team work and hope with a protagonist be inspired by. 𝗘𝗻𝘇𝗼, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 @_katiecottle @owletpress 📱Jack and Enzo are neighbours and friends with lots of common interests which soon include birdwatching, thanks to Enzo’s Dad. Together they observe the swallows that have flown from Africa to breed. When the swallows fly south, it’s also Enzo’s time to return to South Africa. Will the boys remain friends? The striking artwork is themed in gorgeous russet hues. With the inclusion of modern technology, great representation and sensitive detail this story feels authentic and relatable. It’s wonderful to see positive male role models who encourage Jack and Enzo to acknowledge their feelings. The connection between the long migration the swallows endure and the physical distance that separates the boys in the end is a significant one. This is a tale of an enduring friendship. Swipe through the photos to see some ideas for #BeyondTheBook #ivykids #sustainablebooks #whenthestorkscamehome #Enzotheswallowsandme ⁣#featheredfriends #birdspotting #gardenbirdwatch2024 #birdbook #twofortuesday #bookmatch #bookmatchmaking #rspbbiggardenbirdwatch #bigschoolsbirdwatch #birdwatch #BigGardenBirdWatch #twitching #birdspotter #booksaboutbirds #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🐦‍⬛🦉𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗗𝗦, 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗗𝗦, 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗗𝗦 🪶🪺Back with my first post and my first #8brilliantbooks of 2024. I love the theme @mrsbrownsbookbox Esther’s picked because it is always a great reminder of the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch and the associated schools projects to count birds that visit our local environment. As I shared eight books last year and I’ve created some flat lays on this topic, I was thinking that I wouldn’t have any different books to share, well turns out I do! Two of these books I’ve previously reviewed and I’m going to share two more this week. It will be lovely to see what other feathered friends books are shared to mark a month of looking out for the bird life that’s so important for nature and completing garden and school surveys to see how birds are faring. The statistics from the RSPB are alarming as we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 60 years. So get counting your feathered friends and if you can, attract birds to your garden or outdoor space with fresh water and bird feed. 🪶𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 @acwilsonwriter @sarah_massini 🪶𝗘𝗻𝘇𝗼, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 @owletpress 🪶𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 @ivykidsbooks 🪶𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱 @macmillankidsuk 🦉𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗢𝘄𝗹 @andersenpress 🪽𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘆 @misspowellposts @hachettechildrens 🪶𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 @barringtonstoke 🪶𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗷𝗮𝗿 @thebrush All books bought for our bookshelves apart from The Christmas Owl which was kindly gifted by @armadillomagazine #8brilliantbooks2024_birds ⁣#featheredfriends #birdspotting #gardenbirdwatch2024 #birdbook #rspbbiggardenbirdwatch #bigschoolsbirdwatch #rspb_nature_love #birdwatch #BigGardenBirdWatch #twitching #birdspotter #booksaboutbirds #readtogether #raisingreaders #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #childrensbooks #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎄🎅🏻 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 🦌🎁 {Ad:Gifted} Four festive chapter books to get children totally into the spirit of Christmas by writer Matt Haig. 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒅: Which book would you start with? 𝗔 𝗕𝗼𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 (2015) which has been made into a feature film. Described as a modern classic, telling the origin story of Santa Claus. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 (2016) Amelia Wishart is trapped in Mr Creeper’s workhouse and Christmas is in jeopardy. 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 (2017) When the very jealous Easter Bunny launches an attack to ruin Christmas, it’s up to Amelia, her family and the elves to fight off the forces of evil.
𝗔 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗶𝗸𝗮 (2021) Miika feels like he doesn’t belong, living with elves and trolls and pixies. When he makes mouse friend, Miika thinks he can relax yet his quest is just beginning . . . I think we are going to start with A Boy Called Christmas as we count down to Christmas Day! Each chapter book is also filled with plenty of black and white illustrations by Chris Mould to help readers imagine the stories further. If you’re looking for a series to help you feel the magic of Christmas, look no further 🎅🏻❤️ @mattzhaig @canongatebooks @chrismouldink #matthaig #aboycalledChristmas #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #Decemberreads #middlegradebooks #middlegradereads #middlegradeseries #MGBooks #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🪁🍋𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞 🍋🪁{Ad:Pr} For #ChapterBookTuesday I’m sharing a lovely debut middle grade novel from the pen of Yasmeen bint Ahmad. Leena has moved home to live in the city of Riyadh, which means navigating a new school and making new friends. For Leena, though, these challenges are made harder by having selective mutism. When she’s excited or anxious her words don’t come out. Meeting Rima, who is blind, marks the beginning of a true friendship for they have an immediate rapport where Leena is able to use her voice. But what about JoJo who also lives in their apartment block? Will they become friends? There’s lots to enjoy in this adventure story. From growing friendships, a cat with emerald eyes, a mysterious antique key, sabotaged lemonade, to a spectacular finale of a kite festival. The plot is easy to follow and readers will turn the pages to find out what happens next to Leena and her friends. This charming and gentle to read chapter book, is also a great step up for bookworms ready to move onto longer books. They’ll appreciate the friendship between the girls, the problem solving, team work and the wise words of the grown ups along the way in the storyline. It also features a beautiful front cover and black white illustrations throughout by Xavier Bonet. Also included is back matter about selective mutism and notes on how to make delicious lemonade 🍋 and a home made kite 🪁 NB: I don’t have a lived experience of the disabilities portrayed in this book so would be interested to read reviews from those that do. @storiesbyyasmeen @bloomsburychildrens @xbonetp @play_read_repeat #KitesandLemonade #Selectivemutism #debutnovel #middlegradereads #middlegradefiction #middlegradebooks #chapterbookseries #chapterbooks #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #raisingreaders #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

📚 🎉𝗡 𝗢 𝗡 - 𝗙 𝗜 𝗖 𝗧 𝗜 𝗢 𝗡 * 𝗕 𝗢 𝗢 𝗞 𝗦 🎉📚 This was even harder than last week to decide on just #8brilliantbooks published this year to be on our favourites list. We feel very lucky to have read so many fantastic NF books this past year. Swipe through to see inside each one. Only one book hasn’t featured a full review yet, and that’s on its way. *𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲? (Library book) *𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀! 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀! 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀! *𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 *𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 *𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝘁 *𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗲! *sent for review Thanks as always to Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox who week after week hosts this hashtag wonderfully 🙌🏼 It’s been a pleasure joining in during 2023. #bestreadsof2023 #2023reads 📚#nonfictionfavourites #publishedin2023 #newlypublished #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #nonfiction2023 #andrearecommendsbooks #bookgiftideas #andreasbookstogift #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas #thegiftofreading #bookishgifts #readingforpleasure #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums

🎄❄️𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 🎵 ⭐️ {Ad:Pr} A festive addition to the 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘼 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣…series told in delightful rhyme and full of toddler behaviour we can all relate to! When a dragon hears us cheer, ‘’Ooh - Christmas time is nearly here!’’ does she complain loudly and say, ‘’No - Christmas NOW!’’ and stomp away? Why, no! Dragons don’t do that! With inclusive illustrations by Rosalind Beardshaw and a lovely repeating refrain to join in with, this new published book, is a wonderful Christmas time read. There are plenty of festive events to connect to such as decorating a tree, singing carols and gift giving. Parents will also value the very subtle way of positively reinforcing kind behaviour, whilst children will appreciate the dragon’s antics and actions, creating a Christmas book that children and grown ups will both enjoy! Take a peek through the photos of the book to see the juxtaposition of the words with the images! Thank you to author @carylhart for sending this our way via publisher @nosycrow Other books in the series to look out for: 📌 When a Dragon Comes to Stay 📌 When a Dragon Goes to School 📌 When a Dragon Meets a Baby @rosalindbeardshaw #WhenADragon #carylhart #rosalindbeardshaw #WhenADragonLovesChristmas #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookperfection #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #Decemberreads #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral #bedtimestory #tellastory #bedtimestories

📚🎄𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 🎄📚 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚? Before this year, I’ve struggled to read lots. I have a very busy brain and I find it hard to switch off but I tripled my reading of chapter books this past year. Izzy @feeling.rather.bookish was a brilliant person to buddy read with amongst others. I also set myself little reading goals, of reading rather than scrolling on my phone and importantly, carrying my book with me everywhere! Several books came on our road trip across Europe and some of Crookhaven was read at CarFest! Here are the books I read in 2023: All of these books, bar three, were bought. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 (previously reviewed) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (previously reviewed) 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 (previously reviewed) 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘇𝗲 (previously reviewed) 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 (previously reviewed) 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 (library book not pictured) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (previously reviewed) 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 (won in a giveaway) 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 (previously reviewed) 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗷𝗮𝗿 @toppsta review book (previously reviewed) 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 @toppsta review book (previously reviewed) Here are the books I read with my son 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 (previously reviewed) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀 🥳 Here’s to more reading in 2024! 📚 Ask me to tag you in a review, or if I haven’t reviewed the book I’m happy to message you with my recommendations. #2023reads #fictionalfavourites #middlegradefiction #ChapterBookTuesday #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks #andrearecommendsbooks #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas

📚𝗙 𝗜 𝗖 𝗧 𝗜 𝗢 𝗡 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ 𝗕 𝗢 𝗢 𝗞 𝗦 📚 Drum roll please for our favourite picture books and middle grade fiction published in 2023! This has been the hardest decision of the 2023 #8brilliantbooks themes set by Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox so far! I feel really privileged this past year to have been invited to review so many picture books but also have the time to read MG books which have really helped in a positive way for my mental health. We chose picture books based on outstanding illustration combined with powerful narratives and MG choices were on pure enjoyment levels of the writing quality. I will no doubt be having huge regrets over books we’ve left out! I’m already twitching at the thought of some! I’m certain I’ll see the ones we didn’t have room to include in others people’s lists! 😉 Here are our picture book choices: *𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 *𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗰 *𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 52 *𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 *𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 *𝗔 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 Here are our MG choices: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘇𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 Hope you spot some favourites or books to add to your wishlist! We’ve read all of these books, and we bought all the MG books in the list. Picture books sent for review are marked with a * #bestreadsof2023 #2023reads #fictionalfavourites #publishedin2023 #newlypublished #picturebookperfection #picturebookperfection #middlegradefiction #andrearecommendsbooks #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas #thegiftofreading #bookishgifts #readingforpleasure #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

❄️🦌 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡 🎄🎅🏻 A Christmas book set in a bookshop. That sounds pretty special to me! Sharing this festive picture book for #SundayBedtimeStory which my daughter and I have been enjoying. William is 37 books tall, six years old and lives in a bookshop with his Mum, Dad and dog, Rufford. The cosy bookshop, piled high with shelves full of books, is struggling, as folks hurry by and is in danger of closing before Christmas. William loves the bookshop and is determined to save it. So he creates a display in the shop window that passersby won’t miss, fashioned with a leafy reindeer, some twig antlers and a cardboard sleigh full of books. Will this be enough or will some extra special magic bring Bracken the reindeer alive and save the shop? With festive illustrations by Rachael Dean and a wonderful storyline by Helen Mortimer, this is such a lovely story to read during the build up to Christmas! 🦌🎄🎅🏻 Do join in with the hashtag and tag me so I can see, and I’ll share your bedtime books on my stories 📚💤 @rachaeladean @harpercollinsch #TheWinterWish #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookperfection #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #winterbooks #winterstories #Decemberreads #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral #bedtimestory #tellastory #bedtimestories

★ ★ ★ 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ★ ★ ★ ‘𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡, 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚.’ Before 2023 ends, I wanted to share my very favourite reads of this year. Because I enjoyed them so much, I’ve not reviewed this duo yet as it’s hard to describe how brilliant they are. Save this post and put Crookhaven on your wishlist, if you’ve yet to come under its spell. From talented writer, J.J. Arcanjo, @arcanjoe comes a debut middle grade series, that you don’t want to miss out on. Gifted pickpocket Gabriel Avery is used to hanging out at his local train station, fooling unsuspecting passengers and stealing their wallets. Until one day, a stranger tricks Gabriel, who is then invited to a school of thieves and fraudsters, a place where he will fit right in, for more than just his exceptional abilities. There’s so much to love about 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 and the follow up 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘇𝗲. Firstly both books are page turners, with well structured plots. Secondly the character development is faultless. The relationships between Ade, Ede, Penelope, Gabriel and Amira feel warm and real. The dialogue flows effortlessly and makes you laugh out loud at times. The reader feels immersed in the imaginary world of Crookhaven, School of Thieves such is the detail of the writing. From joining as a first year Crookling, there are lessons in Deception, Forgery, Crookery, Tech-nique, Tricks of the Trade and Criminality with teachers who also weave into the plot with their own backstories. You learn the difference between Legacies and Merits and the depths students will go to in order to win the Crooked Cup Competition. Everything wrong that is learnt, is to teach the students to put the world right. I literally cannot wait for the next instalment! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I read the first book on holiday and buddy read the second almost immediately with @raising_bookworms @feeling.rather.bookish and @goldenbooksgirl ★ #TheCrookhavenCrew @hachettechildrens #Crookhaven #adventurestory #fivestarbookreview #ChapterBookTuesday

🩵🩵 🕊️𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇 🕊️🩵🩵 With events of the world feeling overwhelming, and with our own ordinary lives carrying on, it’s hard to find the words or actions to help children understand the importance of using their voice and their compassion to make the world we all share a more harmonious and environmentally friendly place to be. Books as always have some answers. I hope you see here one that resonates or that you’d consider sharing with children. I’ve labelled which books I’ve reviewed but always ask if you’d like more details. Some books focus on conflict and displacement and others are a response to COP28 which meets each year to discuss global climate change. As our children grow into future citizens of this world, let us hope they know this key fact, that ‘Understanding of each other is the beginning of peace.’ Lailah Akita 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 (previously reviewed) 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 (previously reviewed) •𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 (previously reviewed) 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗨𝗽 𝗧𝗼 𝗨𝘀 (previously reviewed) 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 (previously reviewed) *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲 •𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 (previously reviewed) *𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 *library book •Sent for review The #8brilliantbooks hashtag has its home with Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox where she generously brings together each week’s theme. I’m sure we will be adding to our reading lists from what is shared. #CompassionintoAction #Compassion #booksaboutpeace #peaceonearth #environmentalbooks #ecokidsbooks #booksforempathy #readforempathy #bornfree #bornequal #humanrights #displacement #andrearecommendsbooks #everychildareader #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

❄️🧊𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 🧊❄️ '𝘼 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙…' When her younger brother is found frozen on a pedestal of ice, Bianca Albedo, suspects that the dazzling silver library book that he previously found, has everything to do with his mysterious plight. Can she discover the truth and rescue Finn from being eternally frozen? Let’s start with how gorgeous this book is! 🤩 Originally released as an audiobook, this hardback signed edition has a beautiful foiled cover which absolutely makes you want to pick it up (just like the children do in the story!) and also features a snowflake sprayed edge! We are huge fans of M G Leonard’s writing style having read all the Adventures on Trains and Twitch series. This definitely has more of a fantasy feel as it pays homage to The Snow Queen and the personification of winter, Jack Frost. Like all of Leonard’s book her ease of the English language, and clear passion for writing children’s literature shines through. It’s a quick to read book and suitable for readers who don’t mind some mild peril. I loved the main character Bianca’s courage and literally heartwarming love for her family. There’s a good mix of humour and seriousness. Readers familiar with Narnia will enjoy the nods with a portal to another world, Winterton and the magic that exists there. The whole story is a rallying cry to citizens of the future to protect our planet from global warming which threatens to melt our frozen planet. I read this book as part of Jo @thelittleliterarysociety MG Book club where she also hosted Teams meet up with the author & illustrator. It’s a wonderful time of year to read this winter themed chapter book, but it could definitely be read after December 25th, so would also make a perfect gift to leave under the tree! Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 @mglnrd @macmillankidsuk @pennynlbooks #TheIceChildren #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent

🐭 👑 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴'𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘀🎄🍭Do you have any Christmas book rituals? Well for the past few years, reading an Alex T Smith book has become one of ours. Last year it was 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒖s, and before that 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 stole our hearts! 😍 Written in 24 and a half chapters to be read a day at a time or devoured in bigger chunks, December 1st has arrived and we literally cannot wait to get started with Alex’s new festive offering! In fact when I mentioned this new book to my son, he looked wistful as he also wants to re-read Winston! We need a longer December 🤣 There are full colour illustrations throughout, a beautiful foiled cover and this hardback book is one to treasure and re-read! We know there’s going to be plenty of Alex’s wit and sense of humour wrapped up in wholesome festive fuzzy feels. Swipe through for a sneak peek inside! 🐭👑🎄🍭 🐭👑🎄🍭 🐭👑🎄🍭 🐭👑🎄🍭 @mralextsmith @macmillankidsuk #Thenutcracker #alextsmith #theNutcrackerandthemousekingsChristmasshenanigans #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #bookstagram #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

🎅🏻🎄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒 🎄👍🏻 {Ad:PR} Sharing a festive middle grade book written in twenty-five chapters to be enjoyed like an advent calendar, with the last chapter to be read on Christmas Day! Here’s the synopsis: It's 25 days until Christmas, and 10 year-old Harper gets a surprise when Mum announces she's bringing her new boyfriend Nick home for the holidays. Nick seems nice enough. But why do strange Christmassy things happen whenever he's around? Like snow falling only in the family's garden? Or a reindeer suddenly appearing on the roof?! Harper's convinced that Nick must be Father Christmas! And if her mum and older brother won't believe her, she'll just have to find a way to prove it herself… I’ve just had a sneak read of chapter one as we are going to enjoy this book through December. From the pen of author L D Lapinski, it’s aimed at readers aged 9 plus and the style is very easy to read, with plenty of dialogue to keep the story flowing and full of humour. Looking forward to reading the rest! 🎅🏻🎄Will you be reading any 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 books this festive season? 🎅🏻🎄 @ldlapinski @hachettechildrens #StepfatherChristmas #HachetteChildrens #LDLapinski #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #Decemberreads #middlegradebookshelf #middlegradebooks #middlegradefiction #mgreads #middlegradereads #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎅🏻🎄'𝐓𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🎄🎅🏻 I was in the marvellous independent bookshop @scarthinbooks whilst visiting my Dad, and came across a festive treat that I couldn’t resist! This advent calendar book is a spectacular delight full of lots of surprises. It opens out concertina style, to reveal a wintry frieze! With the poetry of Ogden Nash, Thomas Hardy, Christina Rossetti, and John Agard amongst others, on display to countdown to Christmas, children will enjoy lifting one flap each day and reading a poem. Doors open to reveal Christmas in full swing, foxes, deers and owls lying hidden in winter scenes, and behind windows, Christmas wrapping and decorating of trees has commenced! Beautifully illustrated by Richard Jones, it’s a book to treasure and share again year after year! 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 The town leapt a little, tonight, As the Christmas lights came on. Everyday streets became more important And even the darkest pathways glistened. Stars and snowflakes Angels and reindeer Flashed and flickered a holy-white whisper, Making our town, Our ordinary, brick and tarmac town, Sparkle like a frosted castle In a far-off, frozen land. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆: various poets 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: @apaintedmouse 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: @nosycrow #Tistheseason #nosycrow #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎅🏻🎄𝗔 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎄🎅🏻{Ad:Pr} How much do you really know about the traditions of Christmas? In this newly published non-fiction book, popular CBBC presenter and YouTuber, Maddie Moate uncovers the secrets of Christmas that will keep the whole family entertained over the holiday season. Divided into four parts covering traditions and cultures, animals and nature, food, fun and decorations, Maddie answers all your Christmas questions plus more. You’ll have to read the book to find out 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙙? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠? 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙩? 🤣 and 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚? At the end of each section there’s a fun quiz on what you’ve discovered. There’s also a curious compendium of some of the scientific words covered in the book, such as enzymes, crystallisation, combustion and hydrophobic so there’s a brilliant level of learning in this really fun and festive book! We love the range of questions that Maddie has answered. They definitely appeal to children’s interest and humour and the text is well set out with illustrations to entertain and amuse from Maddie’s helpers, Puddles, an Adélie penguin and Nigel, an abominable snowman! Here’s a few things we’ve learned: 🦌Reindeer can live in temperatures of minus 40 degrees! 🕸️ In Ukraine it’s common for people to decorate their trees with spiderwebs. 🥧 Mincemeat no longer contains meat but in medieval times it did! Fruit sugars helped preserve the meat. 💡 It was in America that fairy lights were first hung on a Christmas tree. Arranged in parallel, it means if a bulb breaks the other lights continue to shine. Sharing Maddie’s book for the #TeachKidsTuesdays hashtag as it’s packed full of facts, seasonal science and festive fun! A perfect addition to a Book Advent 🎄🎅🏻 @maddiemoate @puffinbooksuk @raising_bookworms @booksb4bedtimd #AveryCuriousChristmas #maddiemoate #nonfictionnovember #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #childrensnonfiction #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent

🌊🐠 𝗡𝗢𝗡~𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 ⛵️🦈 This week’s #8brilliantbooks hosted by the amazing Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox marks #nonfictionnovember which I’ve really enjoyed. Children’s reference and factual books of today are immersive, engaging and wide ranging. Our young readers are lucky to have such choice and breadth to satisfy their curiosity and expand their understanding of our world. With so many books to choose from I was a bit lost for just eight to share. The theme of November’s non-fiction books has been ‘𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓' and so I’m joining in with what Esther has picked (with a few overlaps) and I have chosen reads that have Water inspired themes. Hope you see a book you or your reader would like to enjoy. *As always some books have been sent for a review, others purchased by ourselves. Just ask me if you’d like to know more about any book, to see a review or be tagged in one 🏷️ #thewonderfulworldofwater #wonderfulwater #WorldToiletDay #SanitationForAll #CleanWater #Cop28 #GlobalSanitation #environmentalbooks #ecokids #ecokidsbooks #childrensnonfiction #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #andrearecommendsbooks #nonfictionfavourites #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌈 😊𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝑺𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 😊🌈 {Ad: Pr} They often say, ‘If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours,’ and our #SundayBedtimeStory is all about the meaning of our smiles and how each smile is a gift that we can share with others.   With cleverly designed cut outs of a smile, that appears in the sunshine, breakfast cups of teas, kites, hearts, shells, whales, icebergs, flowers, gramophones and stars, this beautiful book is an ode to the joys of different kinds of smiles. From the author of ‘In My Heart’, Jo Witek, shares all the ways a smile can help you along your day. There’s a soft and sleepy smile at breakfast, a comforting smile on the way to school, there’s a smile of friendship with Margot, there’s a nervous smile when we are feeling shy, there’s the polite smiles we give to less familiar people, there’s smiles to initiate new friendships and there’s also smiles that help defrost an icy situation when we’ve fallen out with someone. We love those tender smiles with grandparents, and those smiles we give to others when they are tired, and they’ve lost theirs. Your smile is never far away, it is a constant companion, just waiting to be found again. The best smile of all, is the one we give to ourselves, one of gratitude for our day and thinking about all the things and people we love.    This book would definitely make your little reader think about how they feel when they smile and who we give and receive smiles from. A dreamy bedtime book, that I’ve enjoyed sharing with my daughter, with beautifully presented graphics, to bring joy and comfort to little ones! 🌈😊🌈🩷 🌈😊🌈🩷 🌈😊🌈🩷 🌈😊🌈🩷 Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 #WhenISmile #JoWitek #SELbooksforkids #SELbooks #kindnessmatters #spreadKindness #SpreadaSmile#GiveSomeoneYourSmile #Gratitudebooks #empathybookcase #Empathybooks #fivestarbookreview #bedtimestory #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam #shareastory#andrearecommendsbooks #andreasbookstogift #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎵 🌸 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗔 🎹 🩷 {Ad:Pr} As #nonfictionnovember still has a week to go, I’m sharing a book I’ve been wanting to read since it first published. Born in the same year as my own father, Nina Simone, sang before she could walk and had music inside her soul. This amazing tribute to her life shows how her artistry and activism were intertwined, leaving a rich legacy for others to continue to gain strength and inspiration from. What a story, Nina’s is. Born and named, Eunice, into a family of eight children, Nina’s childhood began modestly but her musical talents were recognised and encouraged by her parents. She went from playing jazz with her father at the piano, to performing at church for her mother to almost abandoning her dreams of music, before singing in the bars of New Jersey to growing audiences. Under the pseudonym of Nina, her fame grew, and so did her voice against the inequality and racism that pervaded her world. Just as her Mother’s words built to a crescendo, just as the music of Bach, tumbled to thunder, Nina’s songs spoke of her anger, her protest, and her demands for justice for Black people. The lyrical words of writer Traci N Todd describe Nina’s childhood and her adult experiences so eloquently. Constantly facing the injustices of a ‘whites-only world’, Nina’s powerful voice helped others, find theirs. Her music is still played and celebrated today and brings solace and joy to people who hear and resonate with her words. We really appreciated the artwork of Christian Robinson, in bringing Nina’s world alive. In summary, a brilliant biography to introduce readers to Nina, that would sit well in any classroom or home bookshelf 🎵🎹 @scribblekidsbooks @tracintodd @theartoffun #Nina #NinaSimone #MusicBiography #TraciNTodd #ScribbleKidsBooks #iconicwomen #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #nonfictionforkids #nonfictionbooks #childrensnonfiction #biographiesforchildren #lifestory #musiclegacy #inspirationalwomen #mightygirls #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🩰🦢𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 🧚🏻🎄{Ad:Pr} Spellbinding, mesmerising and enchanting, this beautifully presented compendium of ballet stories, is one you’ll want to read, re-read and treasure 🩷 With introductory notes to set the scene, the magical world of ballet, with its storytelling, music, movement and dance, is presented to the reader. Comprising of four stories each based on a beloved ballet: 𝑺𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒆, 𝑺𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅 and 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓, which have been performed to audiences for over a hundred years, are reimagined in the lyrical words of Caryl Hart and the dreamy images of Briony May Smith. My daughter is seven, and she absolutely loved being read one story each night and we immersed ourselves in the drama of the storytelling and the captivating and diverse artwork. The history of each ballet is a welcome inclusion in the back pages and I’m eager to book a trip to the ballet with my little twinkle toes! 🩰🩷 Look no further if you have a child who’d love to receive this at Christmas for this hard backed edition features foiled lettering and a beautifully designed cover. It would make the perfect book gift! 🩰🦢🩷 @carylhart @brionymaysmith @macmillankidsuk #ATreasuryofBalletStories #BalletStories #Thestoryofballet #themagicofballet #balletbooks #carylhart #BrionyMaySmith #Anthology #Treasury #macmillankids #andreasbookstogift #bedtimestories #bedtimestory #bedtimebooks #fivestarbookreview #andrearecommendsbooks #childrensbookreview #shareastory #readaloud #readingforpleasure #everychildareader #booksforchildren #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

❄️ 𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 ❄️ {Ad:Pr} Put the fire on and get cosy with this treasury of 50 folk tales and legends set in winter! From the pen of experienced writer, Angela McAllister, comes a hardback book to be savoured this season. Divided into six sections, 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨, 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨, 𝙄𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮𝙨, 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 and 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨, journey through countries and traditions of the world as the stories of their winters unfold. You’ll find some tales familiar; like the Russian story of hardworking Babushka who is not ready to leave her home when the three kings visit her, and so forever searches for the baby leaving gifts for children on the night of his birth. Then there’s the beautiful Iroquois story of the Hidden Waters. Nekumonta’s wife is seriously ill so he searches for healing herbs to make her well. In a dream, the creatures of the forest ask the spirits to send him a message. In turn Nekumonta releases the frozen ice and takes home the waters to heal his wife and others. Each of the wintry tales is beautifully illustrated by Olga Baumert, with vignettes and full page artwork. So if you’re looking for Christmas present ideas, this is a truly wonderful book to enjoy this season and a fantastic series to collect. *All other books in this series pictured were purchased by us. @angelamcallisterbooks @olgabaumert @quartokids #aworldfullofwinterstories #angelamcallister #olgabaumert #quartokids #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #currentlyreading #Novemberreads #winterbooks #christmastradition #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🧭 🗺️ 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓 🏴‍☠️⚔️{Ad:Pr} Open up a washed-up green glass bottle and uncork a mystery to solve! ‘𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒂, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆?’ Would you like to be a cartographer, cryptologist, enigmatologist or epigrapher? Well you can be all of those things as you discover real-life stories and become a treasure hunter! 💎Leisa Stewart-Sharpe has done it again creating a truly immersive and innovative book. The journalistic research that builds the narrative non-fiction is astonishing. The reader is transported on a worldwide adventure searching for clues left by a brazen thief as they attempt to steal paintings, artefacts and gold. In the mix are the stories of famous heists including; Edward Munch’s 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 which was found, and Van Gogh’s 𝑷𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔, the whereabouts is still unsolved! It’s like being transported into the realms of Anneka Rice’s the old TV programme, Treasure Hunt but 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 be the one visiting Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Egypt, China, India, Indonesia, America, Mexico, Canada, Columbia and Madagascar! Phew! Along the way you’ll solve clues written in pigpen cipher and Morse code, puzzle over riddles, and read GPS and coordinates on maps plus more. 👑 The illustrations by Gordy Wright also enhance the reader’s experience, making them feel like they’ve adventured across lands and seas to search for lost and rare artefacts. A book to spark curiosity and questions as children search for the answers to the ultimate treasure hunt. Put this one on your Christmas wishlist. You won’t be disappointed! 😉 Sharing for #TeachKidsTuesdays hosted by @booksb4bedtime & @raising_bookworms @leisastewartsharpe @gordyjwright @hachettechildrens #TreasureHunt #treasurehunters #losttreasure #treasurehunting #childrensnonfiction #nonfictionnovember #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #fivestarbookreview #andrearecommendsbooks #andreasbookstogift #publishedin2023 #newlypublished #nonfictionfavourites #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

☆★ 𝐇 𝐈 𝐋 𝐃 𝐀' 𝐒 𝐖 𝐎 𝐑 𝐋 𝐃 ☆★{Ad:Pr} Calling all 𝙃𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙖 fans! There’s not one but four new books to celebrate the third and final season of the award-winning animated Netflix returning on the 7th December (which happily is also my birthday 🥳🤣)! No spoilers here just plenty to feast your eyes on! 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐚'𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 The ultimate introduction to the city of Trolberg, written as travel guide with maps, things to do, must see locations, and plenty of asides from Hilda herself. This would be perfect to read alongside the chapter book 𝑯𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏. The chapter books are aimed at readers aged 7+. ☆ 𝑯𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏 Hilda and her friends head to Scout Camp, hoping for a normal expedition! ☆ 𝑯𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒌 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 Hilda confronts her past when a familiar figure arrives at Trolberg harbour. ☆ 𝑯𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚 𝑽𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆 Our beloved blue-haired heroine visits her Great Aunt Astrid in Tofoten. Hilda is surprised to discover that it's a fairy village! I had to go hunting for these books to photograph because as soon as they arrived they’ve been squirrelled away and read by my two! My daughter and I have been enjoying Hilda and the Laughing Merman. There are 18 chapters and you can easily read 2-3 per night and follow along as the new series hits the screens. So if you’re looking for Christmas present ideas, then this is a brilliant series to gift for children to enjoy with illustrations based on the originals by Luke Pearson. What are you waiting for! @flyingeyebooks @nobrowpress @thatlukepearson #graphicnovels #lukepearson #graphicnovel #Hildasworld #hildatheseries #Trolberg #trolls #hildanetflix #comicbook #andrearecommendsbooks #seriestocollect #bookstogift #andreasbookstogift #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #everychildareader #readingforpleasure #childrensbookreview #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

✏️ 𝗟𝗜𝗟𝗔 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥, 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 🖊️{Ad:Pr} My children and I are such fans of this whole series and I’m delighted that our bedtime read has been the story of Lila Greer, the Questioneers’ (Ada, Rosie et al) brilliant teacher. In this origins tale, by Andrea Beaty, we get to know Lila’s childhood and how her experiences shape her into an extraordinary and empathetic teacher. So much of Lila’s backstory resonates. She is highly anxious person. She’s afraid of new things. She finds it hard to fit in. Her world is literally turned upside down by moving house. I can see me, I can see you, I can see so many children I’ve met in teaching over the years. And what makes a difference is her unfathomably kind teacher, Ms.Kern, who sees Lila, and sees who she really is and how to help her overcome the worries that threaten to dominate her life. That’s what the best teachers do. And this book is a homage to the profession. David Roberts distinctive illustrations work in harmony with the words. Lila’s anxiety driven ‘What Ifs?’ are realised in physical form on the pages by a curl of ‘question mark shaped’ hair that in the night is filled with all her fears. Lila’s caring Dad has five children but is shown parenting by himself. Illustrators do so much to enhance and illuminate stories and make them both mirrors and windows to lived experiences. This might sound like a powerful bedtime read, and it is, but the greatest of picture books are able to marry the profound with the light hearted and create absolute magic. Definitely add this book to your must read pile! Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 Don’t forget to tag me so I can see your Post or Story! @andreabeatyauthor @dr.illustration @abramskids @abramschronicle #bedtimestories #mustreadbooks #LilaGreerTeacheroftheYear #abramschronicle #abramskids #andreabeaty #questioneers #TheQuestioneers #questioneersseries #fivestarbookreview #childrensbookreview #teachingresources #inspiredbyabook #textstoinspire #readforempathy #andrearecommendsbooks #andreasbookstogift #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

💦🌊𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿💧🏊🏽{Ad:Pr} For #TeachKidsTuesdays this week I’m sharing a fascinating, pardon the pun, deep dive into the world of water. Life giving, sea glittering, rock pooling, toilet flushing, puddle splashing, water - without it, there would be no life on Earth. Covering 3/4 of our planet but how much do you really know about this precious natural resource? With an index page full of water containers, large, action packed backdrops and smaller vignettes of detailed illustrations, this coffee table sized book take readers on a kaleidoscopic journey. It tells the story of water from our seas and oceans through to safe sanitation, rainforests and water in deserts. What a journey that is. Pleasingly, the book does not shy away from talking about humankind’s negative impact on the water cycle. Here’s a few interesting snippets we’ve found out. Did you know…? 🌎There are 326 million trillion gallons/a sextillion litres of water on Earth 🚽 We lose, as humans, around 2.5 litres of water a day so it’s important to keep topped up! 🌧️ Water droplets usually take around 8 days to fall back to Earth as rain, hail or snow. 🐫 It’s a camel’s kidneys that allow it to survive so long without water, needing barely any moisture. This non-fiction treasure trove of a book would be a perfect accompaniment to a history or geography project about water and is definitely a book we will return to and ‘soak’ in the details! ✍🏼 Written by Sarah Garré & Marijke Huysmans 🎨 Illustrated by Wendy Parsons 📖 Published by @presteljuniorinternational @raising_bookworms @booksb4bedtime #thewonderfulworldofwater #WorldToiletDay #SanitationForAll #CleanWater #GlobalSanitation #environmentalbooks #ecokids #ecokidsbooks #translatedtexts #childrensnonfiction #nonfictionnovember #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #publishedin2023 #fivestarbookreview #andrearecommendsbooks #newlypublished #nonfictionfavourites #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🎅🏻🎄𝗕 𝗢 𝗢 𝗞 📚 𝗔 𝗗 𝗩 𝗘 𝗡 𝗧 🎄🎅🏻 Another wonderful #8brilliantbooks theme to join in with! I’m a December is for Christmas person but if you are preparing for a Book Advent (reading a Christmas book every day of the next month), here’s some you might like to include. 🎄📚 We’ve built up our collection of Christmas books over ten years. We first read Winston (where you can read a chapter per day) when we borrowed it from the library. Charity shops and selling sites like Vinted have plenty of festive books if you’re looking to add to your festive reads. I’ve only ever done one book advent. I wrapped two books and then used a Christmas bag! It saved on wrapping paper and time! I’ve included a mix of books to involve older children in the magic of December books! ✨ 👀 Spot a book you like here? Then please ask more in the comments. *some books purchased by us, others sent for review. This hashtag is hosted by Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #picturebookperfection #picturebooksaremyjam#andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

❤️♥️ 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲? ❤️♥️ {Ad:Pr} If you’re looking for a soothing bedtime story that sings from the pages, then this is the picture book to read to send your little one into the land of dreams. Adapted from Bob Marley’s famous lyrics by his eldest child, Cedella, this sweetest of stories shares a sibling’s unconditional love for their sister from the moment they know each other. It is celebration of the unbreakable bonds of familial love that weave our lives together. Joyful and vibrant images by Alea Marley of the two siblings playing, cycling, laughing and crying will resonate with readers who might recognise their own brother or sister or a relationship built on love in the illustrations. A truly beautiful homage to that feeling of pure love. Swipe to hear my little reader 🥰❤️ Will you be joining me in sharing a #SundayBedtimeStory tonight? 📚💤 @chroniclebooks @abramschronicle #IsThisLove #BobMarley #BobMarleyMusic#BobMarleysong #fivestarbookreview #bedtimestory #picturebookperfection #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #shareastory #readaloud #everychildareader #readingforpleasure #childrensbookreview #tellastory #andrearecommendsbooks #readingteacher #bookishcommunity #bedtimestories #bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌺 🕊️𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧 🕊️🌺 This Remembrance Day I am sharing a flatlay I made two years ago in honour of those who have given up their life for others through the struggle of war and peacekeeping operations. Never has this day felt more poignant with current world conflict. The words Oliver Jeffers shared in his newsletter this week really do resonate. He saw them graffitied on a wall in Northern Ireland. 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚. #remembranceday2023 #lestweforget #poppyday #remembranceday #ceasefirenow #peacenotwar #findpeace #choosepeace #remembrancesunday #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral #privatetutoring

💡🪐 𝗙 𝗜 𝗩 𝗘 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙 𝗥 𝗜 𝗗 𝗔 𝗬 ❄️💧Joining in with @bookishwaytoplay #fabfiveonfriday hashtag and spotlighting five Non-Fiction books as its #nonfictionnovember Swipe to see inside. Let me know in the comments which one you’d like to know more about. *𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 80 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Journeying through history, this book uncovers the fascinating secrets and stories of 80 incredible inventions. Brilliant for STEM learning and presented in an engaging comic style illustration and design. *𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 Join friends Squeak, Orni and Castor as they explore the night skies and discover how our universe was created. Graphic novel style illustrations appeal to the reader as the world of astronomy opens up to be enjoyed. *𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 Charting the real life dangerous mission of the 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣, a research vessel set adrift deliberately in the sea ice of the Central Arctic. With photographs from the year’s expedition, and incredible facts and discoveries that were made about how the Arctic ecosystem is changing, this book engages children in protecting our planet. *𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 The perfect book to accompany a project or study about water. This covers the journey of the water cycle, tsunamis, flooding, water purification and how water is our most valuable natural resource. Illustrated in a lively and engaging fashion. 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 Discover the story behind 12 words from the English language. Written by an experienced etymologist with illustrations that show the old and new meanings of the chosen words. *sent for review 🗣️ Which book would you like to see more of from this round up and I will write a full review for next week ⬇️ #nonfictionfavourites #nonfictionforkids #nonfictionforkids #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionfriday #missionarctic #SuperSpaceWeekend #Aroundtheworldin80inventions #thewonderfulworldofwater #fivebooks #fivefabbooks #andrearecommendsbooks #bookishcommunity #readingteacher #readingforpleasure #booksforchildren #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #11plustutor #educa8wirral ⁣

🔭🧬 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆? 💡📸 {Ad:Pr} To mark #NationalSTEMDDay which was held yesterday, I’m sharing two new fantastic books aimed at curious readers answering the who, where, why and how of STEM discoveries in history. Each book has the same format taking readers through 13 major inventions and scientific discoveries. Stretching as far back as The Stone Age and as far forwards as the Covid 19 vaccine, these books share a wide range of ground breaking ideas in the worlds of Technology and Science. They also help readers realise that each discovery has had an effect on the way we carry out our lives today. Bright illustrations interspersed with just the right amount of text on the double page spreads make these books very readable. The inclusion of take it further activities and a glossary is also welcome. 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄? 🤔 💉 Dr Jenner was the first to use a vaccine, giving people cowpox to to protect them from smallpox. 👩🏻‍🔬 Swedish physicist, Lise Meitner’s work on nuclear fission went largely unrecognised as a female in a male dominated role. 🔪Obsidian blades are sharper than steel yet break easily. Some are still used in surgery today. 📱A transistor invented by John Bardeen in 1947 has transformed the way we live, meaning machines we use have become smaller and lighter. Many thanks to publisher @bsmallpublishing for sending us these books to review 🥰 @mrpratto @historiannextdoor #bsmallpublishing #nonfictionnovember #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #childrensnonfiction #whatareyoureading #childrensbookreview #readingteacher #stembooks #stemforkids #stemforchildren #andrearecommendsbooks #nonfictionfavourites #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🐭 👑 ❌𝗚 𝗜 𝗩 𝗘 𝗔 𝗪 𝗔 𝗬 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 ❌🎄🍭 If you’ve been following for a while you’ll know that every November I traditionally host a giveaway of an Alex T Smith Christmas book as a thank you for your support. This time around I’m offering you the chance to win 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚'𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗦 Alex’s brand new festive story! Written in 24 and a half chapters to be enjoyed as December read or devoured in bigger chunks, we are waiting in anticipation until next month to begin as Alex’s books are now part of our Christmas rituals 🥰 ⭐️ 𝗪 𝗜 𝗡 ⭐️ this book by following all the steps below: ❤️ 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 this post 🎄Follow me Andrea @educa8wirral and be kind enough to stick around 😊 🏷 Tag 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 than 3 friends in the comments below. One friend at a time, one comment = one entry. Any tags over the limit won’t count and will be deleted. ✈️ Sharing this post isn’t a requirement but is always appreciated 🥰 This giveaway is 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 for a brief period until Thursday 16th November 2023 at 9am for UK entrants only. Winner will need to be happy to DM their postal address and respond promptly so I can post the book to you before December 1st. 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀: Open to UK residents aged 18+ Closes is 16th November, 09:00 UK time Winner chosen via random picker app. Only 3 tags per entrant. Winners contacted by DM & shared in stories. 🐭👑 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙡𝙪𝙘𝙠!🎄🍭 #christmasgiveaway #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooks #bookstagram #picturebooks #kidsbookstagram #andreasbookadvent #andreasbookstogift #andrearecommendsbooks #bookadvent #christmasbookadvent #booksforchristmas #countdowntochristmas #christmastradition #christmasadvent #bookcountdown #christmasstories #bookishcommunity #bookrecommendations #picturebooksofinstagram #christmasbookgiveaway #kidsbookstagram #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

🌍 🩷 𝗕 𝗘 𝗚 𝗜 𝗡 * 𝗔 𝗚 𝗔 𝗜 𝗡 💜🌍 '𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙩.' Visual storyteller and deep thinker, Oliver Jeffers brings together years of observations into the culmination of visceral, profound and hugely powerful book. This is a discourse on the state of the world and a must read for future citizens and forward thinkers inheriting a divided and unravelling space. I am not sure I have the words to describe its intensity for it is most definitely a book to experience, ponder and re-read. A book for grown ups just as much as children, that can be explored on many levels.   The limited colour palette unifies the artwork which is both striking and bold. Each double page spread provides an image that causes the reader to think as Oliver Jeffers delivers his words. Those words are given the space to be absorbed, emphasised through capitalisation or being allowed to sit on pages even without illustrations. There is so much to learn in this phenomenal book. For me it follows on perfectly from the trilogy of books I have photographed behind this one, which have come about since Jeffers experienced fatherhood. As he states in his detailed author’s notes, we are all unwritten stories to begin yet we are exposed to prejudices, many of which take away both our humanity and hopefulness. Jeffers has used his visual voice to help others find theirs, so that we can change those stories that create disharmony, the stories of them and us and come together, to begin again in a plot where we all belong. This is my share for #TeachKidsTuesdays because there is so much that could be taken further with children and grown ups of all ages with this book.   @oliverjeffers @harpercollinsch #BeginAgain #oliverjeffers #MaryOliver #Stateoftheworld #discourse #Visualstorytelling #visualvoice #Visualartist #visualstoryteller #picturebookperfection #picturebooksofinstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #fivestarbookreview #bookstogift #Picturebooksforgrownups #andrearecommendsbooks #shareastory #readingteacher #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🌺 🕊️ 𝐑 𝐄 𝐌 𝐄 𝐌 𝐁 𝐑 𝐀 𝐍 𝐂 𝐄 🕊️🌺 When the world feels so heavy, then forthcoming Remembrance Day takes on a greater significance. I have no words to describe the sadness I feel so instead I’ll share with you this poignant poem by Yehuda Amichai. ‘Not the peace of a cease-fire, not even the vision of the wolf and the lamb, but rather as in the heart when the excitement is over and you can talk only about a great weariness. I know that I know how to kill, that makes me an adult. And my son plays with a toy gun that knows how to open and close its eyes and say Mama. A peace without the big noise of beating swords into ploughshares, without words, without the thud of the heavy rubber stamp: let it be light, floating, like lazy white foam. A little rest for the wounds— who speaks of healing? (And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation to the next, as in a relay race: the baton never falls.) Let it come like wildflowers, suddenly, because the field must have it: wildpeace.’ Thanks as always to host of #8brilliantbooks Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox who curates and organises each week’s theme and generously shares everyone’s posts. #wildpeace #ceasefirenow #wewillrememberthem #captainrosalie #warbook #warstories #remembranceday2023 #lestweforget #remembranceday #remembrancesunday #storiesaboutwar #booksaboutwar #childrensliterature #readingteacher #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

⚽️♥️ 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝑨𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 ♥️⚽️ {Ad:Pr} I absolutely love this collection of books but I’ve never written a full review of any of the 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 series, until now. Jürgen, and only Jürgen, has put this right much like he has done with my beloved home team football club, Liverpool! 🙌🏼⁣ ⁣ As soon as this arrived yesterday my son (also a huge supporter of the Reds) was so keen to read this to me and it doesn’t disappoint! If you need an introduction Jürgen Klopp is the German born manager of Liverpool Football Club. Instantly recognisable in the illustrations of his childhood with his trademark cap and glasses, we learn that he was naturally a leader and organiser yet he wasn’t the best player. Despite this setback to his football aims, he began to study sports science and then became a coach for a lower division German team. Charting his managerial career ascending to the boss of Liverpool FC and leading them to their first Premier League victory in 30 years, and to European Champions, this is the book you’ll need to invest in if you have an avid Liverpool fan in your midst or are collecting the series. Don’t miss out on this latest biography in the ever growing 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 books. ⁣ ⁣ Publishes next week: 9th November @quartokids @mariaisabelsanchezvegara with illustrations by Beatriz Castro ⁣ ⁣ #littlepeoplebigdreams #JurgenKlopp #LiverpoolFootballManager #FootballBiography #YoullNeverWalkAlone #childrensnonfiction #nonfictionnovember #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #publishedin2023 #fivestarbookreview #Novemberreads #biographyforchildren#andrearecommendsbooks #lifestory #biographiesforchildren #newlypublished #nonfictionfavourites #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas ⁣ #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣

☆★ 𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 ★☆ {Ad:Pr} Following on from the eight books I shared yesterday, this book attracted lots of interest so here’s our full review of a passport to eighteen of the world’s most fascinating places. ⁣ ⁣ This book is aimed at readers aged 8 plus, but I’ve read some of this to my 7 year old daughter who loved finding out about Atlantis and the secrets of The Milky Way. She picked out places on the introductory world map to read about. Author of 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 and 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒏 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒕, Volker Mehnert takes curious children on a journey of discovery to each of the legendary locations. Visiting global destinations such as Uluru in Australia, Machu Picchu, in South America, Thingvellir in Iceland and Fujiyama in Japan, and weaving facts and the myths that surround each place, makes for an amazing travel experience! Swipe to see the photos. ⁣ ⁣ There is so much information to engage with and be inspired by, my only quibble would be that the text size is sometimes quite small and I think that’s because there’s so many stories and legends to tell about each magical place. This larger style format of non fiction book lends itself brilliantly to the huge double page spreads illustrated with precision and detail by Claudia Lieb. A truly cross-curricular book that spans storytelling, culture, travel, History and Geography. One to delve into and come out inspired! ⁣ ⁣ @claudlieb @presteljuniorinternational @raising_bookworms @booksb4bedtime #AnAtlasofLegendaryPlaces #translatedtexts #childrensnonfiction #nonfictionnovember #volkermehnert #TeachKidsTuesdays #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionforkids #publishedin2023 #fivestarbookreview #andrearecommendsbooks #mythsandlegends #mythology #timelesstales #newlypublished #nonfictionfavourites #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas ⁣ #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

✨𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 💫 This week’s theme for #8brilliantbooks hosted by the incredible Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox is such a good one, that we’ve had a very difficult time deciding which books would make the list! ⁣ ⁣ Hope you like the ones we picked. This theme is my son’s favourite! He loves anything to do with mythology and legendary storytelling. ⁣ ⁣ 🗺️ *𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 ⁣ 🇬🇧*𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 ☆⁣ 🐉*𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 ☆⁣ ⛈️*𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 ☆⁣ 🏺𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬 ⁣ 🦄 𝐒𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟⁣ ⚱️*𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐜 ☆⁣ 💫 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 ⁣ ⁣ *sent by the publisher for review⁣ ☆ previously reviewed ⁣ ⁣ 🗣️ 𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆? ⁣ ⁣ Some of these books have been previously reviewed. Just ask me to tag you in a review and swipe for a photo of the inside of each book. ⁣ ⁣ #LegendsofNorseMythology #mythsandmagic #mythologicalstories #publishedin2023 #Storyland #AmyJeffs #andrearecommendsbooks #mythsandlegends #mythology #loststories #timelesstales #norsemythology #newlypublished #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionfavourites #nonfictionforkids #childrensnonfiction #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #christmasbookideas ⁣ #readingforpleasure ⁣ #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

📚❤️ 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 ❤️📚We had a brilliant day yesterday at Storyhouse, Chester as part of their WayWord Festival. First up was Rob Biddulph of #drawwithrob fame, giving a fantastic insight into becoming a children’s author and illustrator. Rob had the theatre audience lapping up his words and was highly entertaining. My two loved the draw-a-long (if you’re a Peanut Jones fan, you’ll be in the know!) and all the interactive parts of his event. Woof! 🐾 Afterwards Rob signed books for over four hours! ⁣ ⁣ In the afternoon we were in the Storytelling Room which felt really special and had an hour with Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho. He is indisputably a master of words and had all the children and grown ups joining in to make up poems. He kindly signed our books afterwards as well. ⁣ ⁣ Thank you to both Rob Biddulph and Joseph Coelho for visiting Chester and engaging with children to inspire them to read and become future writers! ⁣ ⁣ We spent the day with our booksta and now real life friend Cassie @moabbookclub and her children. That definitely helped pass the time in the signing queue. We didn’t quite make it to meet Rob sadly as we were due at Joseph’s event but he did kindly sign the books we left for him, which rounded off our special day out. ⁣ ⁣ @rbiddulph @josephcoelhoauthor #booksigning #bookevent #fabfiveonFriday #bookfestival#waywordfestival #giganticqueue #josephcoelho #robbiddulph #newlypublished #picturebooksofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #kidsbookstagram #andrearecommendsbooks #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral⁣

❄️🦣 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 🐧❄️ {Ad:Pr} Bringing you a Wednesday duo of two heartwarming wintry reads to enjoy!⁣ ⁣ 𝐖𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡! 🦣(Published 12th October @hachettechildrens ) A delightful romp of a story that follows a diverse cast of characters as they search for a very elusive woolly mammoth. There’s so much to spot in the illustrations and we loved reading the bitesize facts about all the other large Ice Age creatures they meet along the way. Plenty of words are highlighted and can be joined in with too. A throughly enjoyable read aloud picture book! ❄️⁣ ⁣ 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 📮🐧(Publishes 2nd November @uclan_publishing ) Oh Percy! You can’t help but root for little Percy, who lives in the chilly South Pole and dreams of running a successful post office. He is so hardworking and determined. Will anyone use his brilliant postal service to keep in touch with their friends? An utterly charming tale, by talented artist and author Genevieve Aspinall, that will have your little readers, like mine, turning the pages to find out if Percy achieves his Post Office ambitions! ❄️⁣ ⁣ #PercythePostPenguin #WeWentToFindAWoollyMammoth #snowinspired #snowbooks #winterbooks #wintryvibes #winterreading #winterreads #booksforwinter #winterbooksvibes #winterbookstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksofinstagram ⁣ #bookmatchmaking #bookmatchmonday #bookmatch #andrearecommendsbooks #currentlyreading #readingforpleasure #readingteacher #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🖤 🙌🏾 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 🙌🏼 🖤 The theme of this month’s Black History Month is paying homage to all black women whose voices have not been heard, whose history has been hidden, whose ideas have been suppressed and ignored and whose achievements have not been recognised. ⁣ ⁣ I’ve chosen a mix of fiction and non fiction books here, and I referred to Esther’s superbly collated Book List for Black History Month (via her Primary Book Box newsletter). This helped me request inter- library loans books to widen our reading at home. Thank you so much Esther for all the hard work you do to promote diverse and inclusive reading. ⁣ ⁣ Do check out what else is shared for @mrsbrownsbookbox Esther’s hashtag #8brilliantbooks this week as I’m sure there will be so many more books to add to our reading lists. ⁣ ⁣ #blackhistorymonthbooks #SalutingourSisters #WeMatter #BHM2023⁣ #blackhistorymonthbooksforkids #littleleaders #littleleadersboldwomen #blackhistorymonth #blackexcellence #womenempoweringwomen #andrearecommendsbooks #hiddenhistory #blackhistoryforchildren #booksaboutblackhistory ⁣ #readtogether⁣ #blackhistorymonth2023 #childrensbooks #kidsbookstagram #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #educa8wirral

✰ 𝑻 𝑯 𝑬 ✰ 𝑳 𝑨 𝑺 𝑻 ✰ 𝑺 𝑻 𝑨 𝑹 𝑫 𝑶 𝑮 ✰ {Ad:Pr} ❌Giveaway now closed ❌Welcome to bedtime book filled with dreamy ideas and illustrated in a tapestry of colours that I’m sharing for #SundayBedtimeStory 📚💤 ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Debut author and illustrator E K Mosley, has created a picture book with all the qualities of a classic. We meet Stardog who is the last of her kind, shining bright in the night sky. Burdened with loneliness, she falls down to Earth and tries to find her way in search of other stardogs. Along the way she meets kindred spirits who help her on her quest for belonging and friendship. The reader finds out each creature’s story and how their journey together has great meaning. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Sumptuous drawings and whimsical storytelling reminded me of the philosophy of Le Petit Prince. The book is in fact dedicated to the author’s childhood dog and a promise she made. E K Mosley is a brilliantly talented so I look forward to seeing what comes next! A longer picture book, with a beautiful hardback cover, perfect for readers ready to move on to this format and most certainly a book to treasure in a child’s collection. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ✰ 𝗪 𝗜 𝗡 ✰ I have an extra copy of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒐𝒈. Would you like to win this book? ⁣⁣ Here’s what to do ⬇️⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ♡ 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 and 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 this post ⁣⁣ ⮕ Follow me, Andrea @educa8wirral and be kind enough to stick around ◡̈⁣⁣ 🏷 Tag 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 than 3 friends in the comments below. One friend at a time = one entry. Any tags over the limit won’t count and will be deleted. ⁣⁣ ➤ Sharing this post isn’t a requirement but is always appreciated. Make sure you 𝗧𝗔𝗚 me @educa8wirral so I can acknowledge! ♡⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ This giveaway is 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 for a brief period until Thursday 26th October 2023 at 9am for UK entrants only 𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸! Winner will need to be happy to DM their UK postal address and respond promptly. ⁣⁣ ♡ Good luck! ♡ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ @flyingeyebooks @ekmosley.illustration ⁣⁣ #TheLastStardog #EKMosley #bedtimebooks #bedtimestory #picturebooksofinstagram #bestbooksof2023 #fivestarbookreview #childrensbookreview

✍🏼 𝗣 𝗢 𝗘 𝗧 𝗥 𝗬 💡𝗣 𝗥 𝗢 𝗠 𝗣𝗧 𝗦 🩶 {Ad:Pr} For #TeachKidsTuesdays I’m sharing a brilliant new guide by Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho to starting to write all sorts of Poems. ⁣ ⁣ Have you struggled to teach and to write poetry? I know that I have. Well this book is your companion to overcoming the obstacles you might face. Accompanied by bitesize video tutorials by Joseph in collaboration with Children’s Reading Charity @BookTrust this is 𝗧𝗛𝗘 book for helping you to develop your confidence and get going with writing exciting, fun, serious, silly, in fact as you’ll see from the photos, all sorts of different poems! Joseph Coelho is an engaging, informative teacher and each poetry style he introduces has clear steps to follow plus a Power-Up where you can extend your writers’ ideas. Hopefully you’ll also feel able to perform the finished poems for an audience! 🎤 ⁣ ⁣ Swipe to see my tutor pupil’s poem that we wrote after reading the Poetry Prompt 11 and watching the connected video to inspire a Halloween based poem. It’s called 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 𝑹𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔 🐈‍⬛🩶⁣ ⁣ 🗣️ Let me know in the comments if this compendium would help you and your reader, develop confidence in writing poetry. ⁣ ⁣ @josephcoelhoauthor @quartokids #josephcoelho #playingwithwords #funwithwords #teachingformastery #writingtips #teachertips #teachingideas #writingathome #learningathome #teachingresources #teachingresourcesuk ⁣ #writingpoetry #poetrytips #teachingpoetry ⁣ #ideasforwriting #andrearecommendsbooks #fivestarbookreview #FiveStarBook ⁣ #bookishcommunity #childrensbookreview#bookrecommendations #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral

🐻🫏 𝗔 𝗡 𝗜 𝗠 𝗔 𝗟 𝗦 🐳🦥 Sharing a short caption but hoping you see in these #8brilliantbooks hosted by Esther @mrsbrownsbookbox a book that catches your eye! I’ve gone for Non-Fiction for this theme, but I’m sure there will be lots of variations shared. ⁣ ⁣ 👉🏻 Swipe to see inside & let me know in the comments your favourite animal or animal book. ⁣ ⁣ #BooksaboutAnimals #Animalbooks #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionfavourites #nonfictionforkids #childrensnonfiction #whatareyoureading #bookgiftideas #bookwishlist #thegiftofreading #bookishgifts #andrearecommendsbooks ⁣ #readingteacher #readingforpleasure ⁣ #booksforchildren ⁣ #privatetutoring #wirralbusiness #wirralmums #educa8wirral ⁣⁣

📚📚 𝗪𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 📚📚 So pleased to have made it to The Wirral Book Festival yesterday hosted by @bearhuntbookshop on National Bookshop Day!⁣ ⁣ We went to hear Thomas Taylor chat about the inspiration for his Eerie-On-Sea Mysteries. Love hearing where authors get their imaginative ideas from. There was a chance to ask questions and a book signing as well. We are excited to read book 3 in this fantastic series, Shadowghast which is set at Halloween. ⁣ ⁣ Thanks to the brilliant indie bookshop Bear Hunt Books in Bebington, for hosting the festival and such a great book event 🙌🏼⁣ ⁣ @thomskagram #Wirralbookfest #WirralBookFestival #BookshopDay #BooksAreMyBag #ChooseBookshops #Indiebookshop #BearHuntBooks #mermedusa #malamander #shadowghast#gargantis #festergrimm #thomastaylor #eerieonsea #eerieonseamystery #middlegradefiction #middlegradebook #middlegradereads #chapterbooksforkids #educa8wirral #fivestarbookreview #childrensbookreviews #readingteacher⁣ #andrearecommendsbooks #bookishcommunity