Five Books about Baking

Is anyone else doing a lot more baking at the moment? I'm about to run out of flour for the first time (I've been really lucky so far, so I definitely can't complain) but we have been baking at least once a week. Chocolate cookies have been our go-to faves, but we've also made birthday cakes for family members we haven't seen since the beginning of the year and scones for virtual afternoon teas. Here are five picture books which will encourage you to have fun in the kitchen (if you track down some mythical flour, that is!)

Bunny Makes Breakfast is a lovely life-the-flap book where two bunnies's set out to gather ingredients for a mystery recipe. We read this story a lot because it's a big favourite in our house. My son loves looking for berries and eggs in Bunny's garden. 

In Kipper's Birthday, a mix-up with party invitations leaves Kipper with a lot of birthday baking to eat all by himself! 

Bake A Rainbow Cake is a superb, interactive board book with bright, bold artwork. It's a visual delight and lots of fun to play with. 

Another birthday cake disaster occurs in Dylan the Baker. Dylan is trying not to eat Jolly Otter's birthday cake before his party, but it's hard to ignore the delicious smell wafting from his kitchen...

Little Bear's Picnic is part of the same series as Bunny Makes Breakfast. Children will love lifting the flaps to find a rainbow of foods for a delicious picnic treat.

Picture This: Sea

Another immediate classic from Britta Teckentrup. There is really nothing more lovely than snuggling up on the sofa with one of her peep-through stories. 

Sea takes you beneath the waves, to explore the colourful wildlife that fills our water. It looks at the dangers they face from one another, as well as their natural defences. It is a great book for introducing young children to a variety of marine animals and would provide great inspiration for artwork or craft. 

It is written in calm, soothing rhyme, making it a perfect bedtime story. Despite every picture being under the sea, there is a huge range of variety on each page. The backgrounds are an unexpected explosion of colour, from light purple to bright yellow.

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

Sea is written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

Wonderland

Wonderland was a wild trip down a rabbit hole that I didn't want to end. Here are three reasons I loved it:

1. Alice was snarky, fierce and she leapt from the page. I loved everything about her, from her realistic teenage insecurities and struggle to work out who she is, to her quick comebacks and brilliant internal monologue. She is a very fun character to follow and was the perfect guide for somewhere as insane as Wonderland because she sees all its flaws and horrors as well as its wonder. 

2. Wonderland is a brilliant, contemporary twist on a classic. I loved the character names, all the little references, and the Alice in Wonderland craziness of the whole thing. Caterpillr, the croquet, and the constantly running Bunny. It was very clever and so much fun to read.

3. Wonderland was as addictive to read as Clean and I really struggled to put it down. There are so many crazy twists in the plot and I was never quite sure what was going to happen next (or how true to the classic story the ending would stay). Dawson's writing is superb and this story shines. 

Picture This: Meet the Grumblies

Grumble-Stick, Grumble-Rope and Grumble-Mud live in a beautiful village where everything is provided for them. Unfortunately, this gives them very little to do and lots of time to argue! When a Gobblestomp upsets their peaceful home, can they learn to work together to fix their village and make a new friend? 

This funny story celebrates getting along and keeping busy. It will ring true to many parents who've had to break up more arguments than usual over the lockdown! 

Full of words like "Ogg!" "Agg!" and "Igg!" Meet the Grumblies is also lots of fun to read aloud. My children giggled at the bread bushes and fizzy juice pond (if only snacks were that easily accessible at the moment!) and they loved the Grumblies' silly antics. 

Saldaña's illustrations are quirky and fun. The Grumblies' facial expressions are bold and easy to decode and there are plenty of bright, contrasting colours on every page. The Gobblestomp was a particular highlight in our house (just look at it in the picture below!). 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy to review. 

Meet the Grumblies is written by John Kelly and illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Picture This: A Friend for Bear

When Little Bear wakes up from hibernation there's so much she wants to do. From rolling down hill to tickling tadpoles, she's planning to pack as many activities into one day as possible. But if she doesn't slow down and take her time, she might forget her most important task of all - making friends. 

A Friend for Bear is a lovely story for children on the go! Little Bear is in such a rush to experience as much as possible, she doesn't stop to enjoy anything or to consider the feelings of those around her. 

Tortoise was a calm, steady friend who reminded Little Bear that the end of the day doesn't mean the end of fun - they have weeks of Spring to fill playing together. 

Steve Smallman's stories are always sweet and funny and A Friend for Bear is no different. It's lots of fun to read aloud - Little Bear's enthusiasm is contagious. 

Pedler's artwork is colourful and classic, with warm pictures of characters who look soft enough to cuddle. Little Bear's world is full of the joys of spring, with brightly coloured flowers and greenery in every illustration. 

Thank you Little Stripes for sending me a copy of A Friend for Bear to review. 

A Friend for Bear is written by Steve Smallman and illustrated by Caroline Pedler

Date Me, Bryson Keller

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new--the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he's never really dated before.

Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes.

Kai Sheridan didn't expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there's more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he's awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this "relationship" will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight ... right? {goodreads summary}

I knew the moment I read the synopsis that I would love this story and it did not disappoint. Date Me, Bryson Keller is so cute.

I loved the concept - it was so fun and offered a different twist on some great YA tropes. Kai and Bryson made such a great couple and I smiled so much while I was reading- their relationship is adorable and heartwarming. 

Kai was a fantastic protagonist - I felt for him so much with the blushing and social awkwardness and there were a few passages I highlighted because they felt so much like my own internal monologue! van Whye really gets inside Kai's head, giving him a realistic teenage voice that readers will love. The side characters, like Kai's sister Yazz and his best friends, were also really strong. 

Beyond the cute romantic plot, Date Me, Bryson Keller also explores the complexities of coming out, especially when it happens before you're ready. This is a book I would like to see in secondary school libraries everywhere, accessible to all the teens who need to read it, who will find it comforting and understanding. The author's note at the end of this story was hugely impactful and highlighted exactly why stories like Date Me, Bryson Keller are so important. I can't wait to read whatever van Whye writes next. 

I was provided with an eARC of Date Me, Bryson Keller for review

Picture This: Look for Ladybug in Ocean City

When Ladybug starts a game of hide and seek, detectives Daisy and Basil have to search through an underwater kingdom to find him. They'll need little readers to help them keep an eye out as they travel through ice festivals and thermal vent spas, until Ladybug finally comes home. 

This bright, lovely story was lots of fun to read. The artwork is incredibly intricate with so much to explore on every page. We will be able to read this plenty of times before we run out of new things to spot. My three year old and five year old really enjoyed searching for the funny animals on each page, and they learnt how to identify a few new ones too. This book would make a great gift, or a perfect way to entertain children stuck indoors. 

I was provided with a copy of this ebook for review via Netgalley

Look for Ladybug in Ocean City is written and illustrated by Katherina Manolessou

Five Books of Kindness

It's mental health awareness week and this year's theme is kindness, so I wanted to share five picture books which celebrate being kind to others. 

I'm Sorry is the story of two close friends who have a falling out. Sometimes being kind means learning to say you're sorry, and recognising when you have heard a friends' feelings.

Marmaduke hates being different, but when his differences help him to save Princess Meg, he learns just how special he is. Meg shows Marmaduke kindness when everyone else has turned him away. 

Something is eating Kipper's toy box! When Kipper discovers a pair of nibbling, nest-building mice are behind the mystery hole, he decides to share his cosy basket with the mice - and their babies!

In Twelve Days of Kindness, new friend Holly and Nabila create twelve rules of kindness to help their football team work together ahead of an important game.

The ABC of Kindness is an adorable board book where 'S' is for sharing and 'U' is for understanding. A perfect story to introduce kindness to the smallest of readers.

We'll be sharing lots of stories this week and remembering that kindness comes in lots of forms. Do you have any favourite picture books about kindness? Please share them in the comments if so - we're always on the lookout for new additions to our collection.

Picture This: You Can't Call an Elephant in an Emergency

You can't call an elephant in an emergency. Don't ask a Panda to fly a fire-fighting plane. And you definitely don't want to put a porcupine in a rubber boat on a flood-rescue team. Especially not when there are crocodiles in the water...

This bright, funny picture book imagines animals in a range of silly, inappropriate jobs. It will have young readers giggling on every page and there's plenty to talk about too - why would a porcupine be a bad idea on a rubber boat? What should that chicken be doing as the robber's run from the bank? And what are those sneaky penguins up to when they should be fixing the fishmonger's car?

This story was an instant hit with my three and five-year-olds and it was a lot of fun to read aloud. Perfect for prompting imaginative play and some interesting conversations about animals. 

Thank you Bloomsbury for sending me a digital copy of this picture book to review. 

You Can't Call an Elephant in an Emergency is written by Patricia Cleveland-Peck and illustrated by David Tazzyman

Little Owl Rescue

Fliss is at the fairground with her friend Gabriel when she is whisked magically off to Texas to help a baby barn owl called Cookie who needs reuniting with his mum. Neglectful mothers, hungry racoons and dangerous machines threaten both the baby owl and Fliss, but Fliss is determined to save the day and get Cookie back to his nest.

Little Owl Rescue is a sweet chapter book for emerging readers. Cookie the barn owl is adorable and the artwork spaced throughout was a real treat. This story is perfect for readers who are ready to move beyond full colour pictures, but still enjoy some illustrations interspaced throughout the text.

Fliss is a lovely protagonist who cares deeply about wildlife and has a wealth of knowledge in how to look after them. My daughter and I learnt a lot of interesting facts about animal care while reading. Fliss is also never afraid to face her fears, especially not if she knows an animal is in danger. 

The magical elements were really fun and my daughter loved working out where Fliss had gone and how she would get home. 

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us a copy of Little Owl rescue to review. 

Picture This: What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are up to their sneaky tricks again! Luckily Ladybird is on hand once more to save the day. 

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside follows the successful formula of the previous stories, with clever Ladybird foiling Hugh and Len with some animal-noise confusion. This story is lots of fun to read aloud thanks to Donaldson's clever use of onomatopoeia and joyful rhyme scheme, and little ones will be keen to get involved too. 

Hugh and Len's failed escapades prompted lots of giggles, as ever, but despite its similarities to the rest of the series, this story still feels fresh and new. 

Monks' artwork is bright and cheerful. I could look for ages at the friendly, detailed landscapes which are full of fun things to spot. Little readers will love the glitter on every page, and its always fun to search for the tiny ladybird too. This story also featured a few of our favourites from previous Donaldson/Monks stories, which were fun to spot. 

Thank you Macmillan for sending us a copy for review. 

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside is written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Lydia Monks

Indie Spotlight: Fairy-Tailed Wish

I'm trying out a new feature, which I'm hoping to do once a month: indie spotlight! Today's post is about Fairy-Tailed Wish, by Megan Pighetti. You can read a little bit from Megan about this fairy-filled, birthday picture book below. 

This is more than a book…it is a childhood experience to be treasured for a lifetime. Do you have a birthday coming up? Then you have to check out Fairy Tailed Wish, by Megan Pighetti. Building anticipation and excitement on the birthday eve night. Then the minute your child opens their eyes they will know they are loved and celebrated!  

What happens when someone makes a wish to be Fairy-Tailed on their Birthday Eve?

It’s up to Suzie and her fairies-in-training to see that the wish is granted. But when fairy dust meets toilet paper, things don’t always go as planned. Dashing up and zooming down, tying knots and winding around, a nighttime mission can quickly go wrong and wake a sleeping child. Will Suzie and her fairies escape in time before they are discovered?

Available on Amazon or for more information check out the book: www.FairyTailedWish.com 

Picture This: The Perfect Shelter

The Perfect Shelter explores family illness in a way that's easy for young children to understand. The little girl in the story just wants to build a shelter and have fun with her sister, and illness appears to threaten her favourite family activity. But it's always the perfect time to build a shelter and to be together. This is emotional, heartfelt picture book is very special. 

Not naming the characters helps young children to identify with the narrator and what she is going through, as it is easy for them to put themselves in her place. I also liked the way changes in the protagonist's life are echoed by the weather - it's easy to fix their shelter after a breeze and a bit of rain, but the storm makes it much harder. 

My house seems to have a shelter in every room at the moment, so when this arrived we were quick to snuggle down in one to enjoy this touching story together. While it wasn't written with the current health crisis in mind, I think The Perfect Shelter will still be very comforting for children frightened by the impact of COVID-19. Its themes of shelter and family security will help them feel safe and loved.

Thank you Little Tiger Books for sending us a copy of this story to review.

The Perfect Shelter is written by Clare Helen Welsh and illustrated by Asa Gilland

Roxy & Jones: The Great Fairytale Cover-Up

Once Upon a Modern Time, in the city of Rexopolis, in the Kingdom of Illustria, lived twelve-year-old Roxy Humperdinck, half-sister to Hansel and Gretel (yes, THE Hansel and Gretel, not that she knows it). Enter Cinderella ("Call me Jones") Jones, who most definitely does NOT want to marry ghastly Prince Charming and is far too busy hunting for lost relics of the Cursed Kingdom. But now she needs Roxy’s help. And Roxy’s about to discover the truth about her world and her family: that witches are real, magic is real and fairy tales are not only real ... but recent history.

Roxy & Jones is full of fast-paced, fairytale madness. From lost shoes to talking mirrors and even enchanted vegetable transport - this story has everything your heart could desire.

I think this story will be a huge hit with young readers everywhere. Who wouldn't want to discover that their favourite fairytales were reality and had been covered up by the Minister for Soup, an enchantment placed over the world and fairy godmothers forced to live in secret? Throw in lots of rhyming hilarity and readers will be giggling from beginning to end. 

Roxy & Jones was full of brilliant characters who I hope we return to in future stories. Jones loves adventure and wants to get revenge on her horrible family (which would be easier if she didn't keep losing one of her shoes). Roxy is pulled reluctantly into Jones's crazy schemes, and learns she's braver and more resourceful than she thinks. Frankie, Jones's fairy godmother, was another fantastic addition, and I loved Roxy's siblings too. 

Woolfe's writing is brilliant and I think readers will love her crazy, fairytale world. 

Picture This: The Bedtime Book

Mouse has lost her favourite bedtime book and can't sleep without it. Her friends all help her to track it down, but sometimes even knowing where something is, isn't enough to bring it back. 

The Bedtime Book is a lovely story about friendship and sharing, with kind, helpful characters and a sweet message. It is a soothing bedtime story but would also work well in a classroom, especially when someone is sad because something has been lost. 

The simple artwork in bright colours will catch the eye of even the youngest readers and the pictures tell the story as vividly as the words. 

Thank you Little Tiger Books for sending me a copy to review.

The Bedtime Book is written by S Marendaz and illustrated by Carly Gledhill

Dangerous Remedy

Camille, a revolutionary's daughter, leads a band of outcasts – a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. As the Battalion des Mortes they cheat death, saving those about to meet a bloody end at the blade of Madame La Guillotine. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. The girl's no aristocrat, but her dark and disturbing powers means both the Royalists and the Revolutionaries want her. But who and what is she?

In these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she's forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future. {goodreads summary}

Oh wow, this is a fast paced, action packed YA that you won't want to miss. Here are three reasons I couldn't put Dangerous Remedy down. 

1. The setting. Revolutionary Paris is definitely underused in novels. I adored Enchantée last year and it was fascinating to see the same location only slightly later in time. I loved all the little details: the street names, the food, the clothes. There was a constant sense of threat and danger which kept me on edge throughout, and plenty of gore too! Plus the tensions and blurred lines between the royalists and the revolutionaries was really interesting to see explored. 

2. The Battalion des Mortes gave me Six of Crows vibes. If you like stories about found-families and bands of misfits coming together to right wrongs and commit daring rescues, this novel is for you! The relationships between the characters are complex and intriguing and it was refreshing to read a series opener that focuses on characters staying together rather than getting together. 

3. Twists! I don't want to put too much detail in here, I just want to say wow! This was a story where I never knew quite what was going to happen next. And that amazing feeling when you're 96% through a book and suddenly realise there's going to have to be a sequel? It had that too. 

I really enjoyed this novel and can't wait to return to these wonderful, complex, messy characters in the next book. 

I received an eARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Clap When You Land

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other. {goodreads summary}

Clap When You Land is an emotional story with a lot of heart, and lyrical writing which flies off the page. This was such a delight to read. It's a perfect, bittersweet summer story that will have you longing for the beach and desperate to book a flight to the Dominican Republic. Acevedo brings her locations vividly to life, so that I felt like I was in a Dominican Republic summer rather than an English Spring. 

Characterisation is extremely strong. Camino and Yahaira have distinctive voices and I loved the way their stories intertwined. I was never disappointed when the viewpoint switched as they were both so brilliant and great to read about. Clap When You Land is a story about family, in all its complexities and different guises. Camino and Yahaira's Papi is a complicated character, who fills the book even though the plot hinges on his absence. He loves both of his daughters dearly, and they him. It is through losing him that they find each other. 

I've always found there's something incredibly accessible about verse novels, which helps them appeal to a huge range of readers. Even the most reluctant of teens will be sucked into this story and Acevedo's beautiful writing. The verse heightens the emotional impact of the novel, and this is a truly moving and wonderful story. I would recommend Clap When You Land to teenage readers without hesitation.