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!
My Top Picks of 2021! ~ #ChildrensBooks ~ @AndersenPress @FarshoreBooks @QuartoKids @PuffinBooks @simonkids_UK @harryewoodgate @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @RachelCIp @Laura_A_Hughes @DapsDraws @LarryHayesAuthr @Doonkris @auralewis๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
For my final feature of 2021, I want to look back at my top picks of the year. There have been so many incredible childrenโs books published in 2021.
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
2021 Christmas Picture Books ~ #Reviews ~ @NosyCrow @MacmillanKidsUK @FaberChildrens @QuartoKids @crowehoho @Jesspauwels @TraceyCorderoy @StevenLenton๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
New Christmas picture books for 2021: Squirrel's Snowman by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler; Santaโs New Sleigh by Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwels; Santa's Stolen Sleigh by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton; The Toysโ Christmas by Claire Clรฉment and Genevieve Godbout
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
Itโs National Non-Fiction November! There is so much diversity in non-fiction in format, subject and style, creating books to suit all childrensโ 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 Klassenโs 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 weโve 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 isnโt 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 isโฆ 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.
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 Sophiaโs absolutely incredible early sketches to share with you.
Violet’s Tempest by Ian Eagleton and Clara Anganuzzi ~ #BookTour #PictureBook ~ @MrEagletonIan @CAnganuzzi @lantanapub
When Violet is chosen to play Ariel from The Tempest in the school play, she is overcome with worry. But it isnโt about remembering her words thatโs troubling her, itโs having to say them out loud. This beautifully illustrated picture book shines the spotlight on shyness and finding your voice.
What a Wonderful Phrase by Nicola Edwards & Manu Montoya ~ #BookReview ~ @NicolaBookFace @LittleTigerUK
This beautiful hardback collection of amazing idioms from around the world would make a perfect gift. For each idiom the book gives us the phrase in the native language, the literal and figurative meanings and the origins of the phrase. But what makes this book stand out is that it also describes the phraseโs cultural, scientific and historical context.
What a Wonderful World by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Lydia Hill ~ #BlogTour #AuthorInterview ~ @Leisa_Stewart @lydiakahill @templarbooks
From oceans to mountains, deserts to grasslands, What a Wonderful World gives you the worldโs best illustrated tour of our planet through the eyes of 35 Earth Shakers. Interviewed by author, Leisa, these inspirational scientists, eco-warriors and activists share their remarkable stories.
The Woolly Bear Caterpillar by Julia Donaldson and Yuval Zommer ~ #PictureBook ~ @yuvalzommer @MacmillanKidsUK
I am excited to be sharing a new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Yuval Zommer that really captivated my daughterโs attention. The Woolly Bear Caterpillar is a cross between The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Ugly Duckling with a fabulous non-fiction bonus!
Top 10 Books Perfect for School Starters ~ #BackToSchool #FirstDay ~ @MacmillanKidsUK @LittleTigerUK @SweetCherryPub @KidsBloomsbury @BloomsburyEd @LKPChildrens
This September my daughter is starting school. Itโs a big step and Iโve been on the hunt for the best books to help prepare her for the transition to school. Here are my top ten fiction and non-fiction books with emotional wellbeing and educational themes that will help children starting school. Plus a bonus bingo game!
How to Track a Sabre-Toothed Tiger by Caryl Hart & Ed Eaves ~ #BlogTour #Review ~ @carylhart1 @ed_eaves @simonkids_UK
on the blog tour for How to Track a Sabre-Toothed Tiger by Caryl Hart & Ed Eaves. This is the latest adventure in the unstoppable picture book duoโs Albie series.