The Children's Bookshop » Cat

Hugless Douglas by David Melling

Cat — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:45:02 +0000

I have to confess to being totally in love with some picture books because of their illustrations as well as the stories and David Melling is one of several I adore. Hugless Douglas is fantastic and as usual David’s illustrations make the story that extra bit special. Douglas is a bear who wakes up one spring morning in need of a hug. As he goes in search of one, none seem quite right – too small, too short and too uncomfortable. Suddenly Douglas meets a bear who he feels he knows very, very well. A bear who can give him the hug he so desperately seeks – his mum of course! Packed with beautifully crafted and humourous drawings it doesn’t get any better than this as a book to quietly chuckle your way through as well as buy as a gift for any new mum, mum-to-be or of course your own fantastic mum! Children will love the story with its concept comparisons and fun story.

The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osbourne

Cat — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:00:15 +0000

Thank goodness for this series of books! I first discovered them about 2 years ago when looking for longer stories for my nephew whose picture books weren’t enough of a story for him anymore. The series revolves around siblings Jack and Annie. They discover a tree house full of books and as they open each one, are transported to a time and place involving the book’s subject matter. The first in the series “Valley of the Dinosaurs” finds them whisked away to adventures with, you guessed it – dinosaurs. The author introduces a new topic or country in each book – from France in the Middle Ages to the prairies of America to the Moon, knights and castles, pirates, dolphins and the deep sea, to name but a few.
The style of the books are not only perfect as read aloud stories but also ideal for children learning to read and for those who have mastered reading skills and need to practice. They are thin paperbacks with black and white pictures, simple text and content. My nephew at 3 was able to understand the basics of the stories when read aloud to him at bedtime and as he collects the series he will be able to practice his reading skills before passing them on to his little sister! Whilst each book can be read as a stand alone story there is a plot line and quest revealed as you go through the series. The author has also written what she calls “Research Guides” which are factual books for children providing information about the times, places, and cultures Jack and Annie visit on their Magic Tree House adventures. As a result of the subject matter these books appeal not only to children interested in fiction but also to those who prefer non-fiction.

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

Cat — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:28 +0000

This is an endearing story about loss, love and recovery. Aubrey is eleven and heartbroken at the deaths of her dad and sister in a car accident. Left alone because her mum, also bereft leaves home one day and doesn’t return, Aubrey believes she can cope by herself. Thankfully her gran soon turns up to tell her otherwise! Aubrey finds herself moving in with gran, making new friends with the neighbour’s daughter and finding support from staff at her new school. Aubrey starts writing letters to her sister and dad and slowly through the firm yet calm and patient love from her gran, Aubrey starts to heal.

I adore this story and sigh contentedly whenever I think of it. It is gentle and loving in it’s telling and the characters are really easy to relate to. Everyone needs a gran like Aubrey’s, someone who knows what to say, when to say it and when ultimately to put their foot down! Parts made me cry because the way the author describes Aubrey’s ache for her sister reminded me of mine, thankfully alive but far, far away in another country and terribly missed. But mostly this story made me smile, particularly at Gran’s handling of each situation as it arose! It’s earned a place in my heart as a beautiful book to treasure forever. Girls from the age of 9 upwards will enjoy this story but it’s also lovely enough that it needs read by adults everywhere.

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

Cat — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:12:04 +0000

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison is the amusing account of 14 year old Talullah who spends the summer holidays in Yorkshire at a performing arts school called Dother Hall. As the cousin of the loony Georgia Nicolson, Talullah has of course inherited her silliness, but hilarious view on life.

Withering Tights retails normally retails at £10.99 but you can get it for our Book of the Week discount at £9.99.