It's my stop of the blog tour for Every Bunny is a Yoga Bunny by Emily Ann Davison and Deborah Allwright and I’m delighted to be sharing a guest post by Emily on the benefits of yoga for children.
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.
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!
My Top Picks of 2021! ~ #ChildrensBooks ~ @AndersenPress @FarshoreBooks @QuartoKids @PuffinBooks @simonkids_UK @harryewoodgate @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @RachelCIp @Laura_A_Hughes @DapsDraws @LarryHayesAuthr @Doonkris @auralewis
For my final feature of 2021, I want to look back at my top picks of the year. There have been so many incredible children’s 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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 phrase’s 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 world’s 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 daughter’s 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. It’s a big step and I’ve 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!
Activity Books ~ Perfect for the Summer ~ @LittleTigerUK @QuartoKids
It’s the summer holidays but for many of us, this year is about finding the fun in local places and staycations. Here are some brilliant activity books that are perfect to keep little ones entertained and also explore the best of Britain.
Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds ~ #BlogTour #GuestPost ~ @emmaillustrate @SimonKIDS @simonkids_UK
I’m thrilled to be sharing a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds. With the perfect blend of story and facts this unique picture book will inspire you to start your own bat adventure!
Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra & Michaela Dias-Hayes ~ #AuthorInterview ~ @MonSingh @OwletPress
Interview with author of Sunflower Sisters. Thisis a story that follows two best friends, Amrita and Kiki, on their journey through self-love, sisterhood and the power of loving one another.