The Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson, takes the Edward Lear classic on The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat, illustrated by Charlotte Voake. Harriet and Anne Coates loved it.
The Germans are the enemy, their planes fly over dropping bombs on English cities but when one crash lands near to Peter Dixon's home he is brought face to face with death and friendship.
Reaper's Rhythm by Clare Davidson is a great Young Adult fantasy novel which tackles difficult subjects like divorce, grief, death and bullying with confidence and assurance. It's a real page-turner, that grips the reader from beginning to end, as Anne Coates discovered.
The first day at a new school can be daunting and it certainly is for the heroine of Skeleton Tower by Summer Hopkiss, here reviewed by Tethers author, Jack Croxall.
LEGO® Minifigures Character Encyclopedia delighted Lego fan Toby Bell – the perfect present, writes Alex Bell who suggests it as a Father's Day gift as well.
Parenting Without Tears has reviewed some great books for secondary school pupils and here is our list of top ten books. You can click on the title to read our review and print off the list as an aide memoire when the kids go to the library or bookshop.
A great book from Jack Croxall, Tethers grips readers from start to finish. Well-written and perfectly pitched at the Young Adult readership, Tethers makes an ideal holiday read and is highly recommended by Anne Coates.
Sky Song by Sharon Shant is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking, gripping fantasy/sci-fi novel rooted in reality. anne Coates couldn't put it down.
Have you ever wondered where in the world you are most likely to be caught in a tropical storm, where you might find animals that glow, or where the best dive sites (and the best shipwrecks) are? What’s Where in the World is a stunning visual encyclopedia which answers all these inquisitive questions showing you exactly where everything is on our planet. Alex Bell reviews along with her son, Toby.
This cook book is good in every way or as Toby (eight) said "if people don't really know how to cook then this is their book." Over half term Toby and Pippa (nearly five) have enjoyed reading and looking at the mouth-watering photographs then testing and eating their way through Cook It Step by Step with delicious results, write Alex Bell.
World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. In the UK school children are given World Book Day £1 Book Token (€1.50 Book Token in Ireland) – see the books you can buy for £1!
Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson, launches a series of short plays to engage children and boost their reading confidence. Parents can access a free ebook and further advice and tips form experts.
A wonderful book covering One Little Baby doing things that every baby does, including waking up, getting changed and ready to go out, mealtimes, playtime, bath time, cuddles, story time and finally bed time, reviewed by Michaela Braisher.
Anne Coates' book for students – and parents – Applying to University The Essential Guide has been updated for those applying for university entrance in 2013. Parenting Without Tears has 12 copies to be won.
With illustrations by James Gulliver Hancock, this Lonely Planet book stamped Not-For-Parents on the cover, is an "all terrain training manual" for those who'd like to know How To Be A World Explorer by Joel Levy.
