It’s National Tell A Fairy Tale Day 2022 and I am delighted to be sharing six re-imaged fairy tale books as well as hosting an EPIC giveaway bundle.
Six Reimagined Fairytale Books for National Tell A Fairy Tale Day 2022 ~ GIVEAWAY!
Fabulous February Reads
For a short month, February has seen a whole heap of fabulous children’s books published. This month’s roundup includes some of our favourites new illustrated books across fiction and non-fiction.
One Camel Called Doug by Lu Fraser & Sarah Warburton ~ Author Interview
I am delighted to be sharing an interview with the one-and-only Lu Fraser about her latest picture book, One Camel Called Doug, illustrated by Sarah Warburton. My girls and I have HIGH expectations whenever we read a new book by Lu Fraser. We are huge fans of Gertie from The Littlest Yak, illustrated by Kate Hindley, as well as cupcake-loving Nut from The Viking Who Liked Icing, illustrated by Mark McKinley. But now, we have another favourite picture book character to add to this list: Doug, a camel with one hump who is about to have a whole heap of fun!
Joyful January Reads
Children’s publishing has started 2022 with a bang! There have been some incredible books published this year already and my January round-up features some of our favourites, as well as a few books from 2021 that we read over the festive break. It includes my first top pick of 2022!
I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher ~ #PublicationDay #Debut #PictureBook ~ @RachDavisAuthor @BeatrixHatcher @HachetteKids
Debut picture book, I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher is an uplifting twisted fairy tale that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages children to be proud to be themselves.
Our Favourite 2021 Books Featuring Black Children ~ #RepresentationMatter ~ @FaberChildrens @PuffinBooks @MacmillanKidsUK @FarshoreBooks @lantanapub @AndersenPress @QuartoKids
I have reviewed lots of wonderful, inclusive books and I want to finish off the year by recommending 12 more outstanding picture books featuring characters of colour and/or about racism
How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest? by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe & Aaron Cushley ~ #BlogTour #AuthorInterview ~ @Leisa_Stewart @CushnDoodle @wrenandrookbook
Does Chocolate Taste on Everest? Speaking directly to the reader, Leisa and Aaron take us on a captivating expedition of the world’s most extreme places through sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. I’m thrilled to be sharing an interview with the author as well as a first look at this spectacular non-fiction book.
2021 Christmas Picture Books ~ #Reviews ~ @NosyCrow @MacmillanKidsUK @FaberChildrens @QuartoKids @crowehoho @Jesspauwels @TraceyCorderoy @StevenLenton
New Christmas picture books for 2021: Squirrel's Snowman by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler; Santa’s New Sleigh by Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwels; Santa's Stolen Sleigh by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton; The Toys’ Christmas by Claire Clément and Genevieve Godbout
Magical Books Perfect for Christmas Gifts ~ #Reviews ~ @QuartoKids @MacmillanKidsUK @NickSharratt1 @jessicasroux
Christmas is a magical time of year and so it seems only fitting to have a feature post on some truly magical illustrated fiction and traditional fairy tales.
Celebrating Difference, Overcoming Adversity and Perseverance ~ #Reviews ~ @TomPercivalsays @KidsBloomsbury @cerrieburnell @QuartoKids @Stricolo @MrSteveAntony @OtterBarryBooks
Three wonderful, illustrated books celebrate difference, overcoming adversity and perseverance.
How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T Smith ~ #AdventBook #Review ~ @Alex_T_Smith @MacmillanKidsUK
Alex T Smith has created ingenious, creative advent calendars in the form of exquisite, illustrated books that will become a part of the family Christmas traditions for years to come.
November Non-Fiction Round-up ~ @QuartoKids @PavilionBooks @KidsWelbeck @BusterBooks @templarbooks @FlyingEyeBooks @LKPChildrens @LittleTigerUK
It’s National Non-Fiction November! There is so much diversity in non-fiction in format, subject and style, creating books to suit all childrens’ interests and reading levels. Here are ten 2021 non-fiction books we love. From the glowing ocean to inventions by animals and facts about every day of the year!
The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @burstofbeaden @WalkerBooksUK
This five-part epic picture book contains Jon Klassen’s iconic illustrations and deadpan humour.
Scissorella: The Paper Princess by Clare Helen Welsh and Laura Barrett ~ #GuestPost #Review ~ @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @AndersenPress
Scissorella is one of the most spectacular re-imagined fairy tales we’ve ever read, blending the magical world of Cinderella with a real-life female inspiration: German film director Lotte Reiniger. It is one of my top picks for 2021.
Frog Goes on Holiday by Carly Gledhill ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @carlygledhill @MacmillanKidsUK
Frog isn’t like other frogs, he wants to see the world and sets off on a holiday adventure. Perfect for 1-2 year olds
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John & Pete Oswald ~ #Halloween #PictureBook ~ @IamJoryJohn @peteoswaldart @Harper36
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by the genius picture book duo Jory John and Pete Oswald. Their wicked sense of humour makes every book a joy, but a Halloween-themed book based on The Bad Seed was too good to miss!
The Queen on our Corner by Lucy Christopher and Nia Tudor ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @LucyCAuthor @NiaTudor @lantanapub
This stunning picture book is about the power of community spirit. Told in first person, through the eyes of a little girl of colour, this is the story of a woman who lives on a street corner with her dog. My daughter was hooked from the very first spread where we first meet the little girl walking along with her mum. She is the only one who can see the woman who lives on an abandoned plot for who she really is… A warrior queen!
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon ~ #Review ~ @alokvmenon @WorkshopBooks @ashlukadraws
I am a huge fan of Alok. Their podcasts, talks and Instagram are full of joy, inspiration and powerful messages on mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. In Beyond the Gender Binary, Alok gives an honest and heartfelt insight into life as a gender-nonconforming transfeminine person of colour. They eloquently explain what the gender binary is and what it means to be gender fluid.
Little Glow by Katie Sahota & Harry Woodgate ~ #Guest Post ~ @harryewoodgate @KatieKateWrites @OwletPress
In a fascinating illustrator Guest Post, Harry reveals how they created the opening spread. ‘Little Glow’ is a story all about a diverse, multicultural community, and the different festivals of light it celebrates throughout the year. It’s also about the importance of introverts, told through the eyes of a shy candle flame who watches all the celebrations and eventually discovers its own important purpose. It’s very lyrical, very cosy, and I’m very excited to share with you a little bit of the process of how the book came together.
The Bear and Her Book by Frances Tosdevin & Sophia O’Connor ~ #BlogTour #IllustratorSketches ~ @FrancesTosdevin @SOCillustration @publishinguclan
This gorgeous rhyming picture book features a book-loving bear who sets off to see the world. I have some of Sophia’s absolutely incredible early sketches to share with you.
Picture Book Perfect 