Animal Shinanigans!

Animals are the theme for the Blog this week. As the winter nights draw in and the weather gets worse I have been thinking about my chickens and rabbit, making sure

that they are warm enough and of course well fed! I know that in their won way they would quickly let me know if anything was not quite right! For we all know that animals have their own unique way of communicating with us even if itnot always an immediate success! This state of affairs is accurately depicted with great humour and clarity in Lauren Child's 'Who Wants to be a Poodle'. For years I have been thinking that poodles loved their pampered lifestyle bu

t this opinion was dramatically and comically altered after I read this wonderful story. With Lauren Child's traditional and trademark collage illustration this is a fun filled and hilarious story with vintage style and a modern

story. Trixie Twinkle Toes doesn't want to be the pampered poodle she is, she just wants to be a dog. Can she get her message across and help others understand the importance of just being yourself?

This leads me nicely to Thomas Docherty's 'Big Scary Monster' featuring a rather big and scary monster who loves nothing more than frightening all the little animals with a game of Boo. When the tables are turned and he is on the recieveing end of his own games he quickly realises how unpleasent it can be to pick on those smaller than yourslef. This lovely story gently encourges the reader to realise that being yourslef is as important as not bullying those who just smaller than you are. A bold and exciting story with wonderful illustration this is a very energetic book with an important message.

Picture books are not just about finding yourself and learning to get along with others they are also about learning some interesting facts in an exciting and unusual way. They are about the importance of words and pictures working in harmony with one another. 'Say Hello to the Dinosaurs' from Ian Whybrow is a tactile intorduction to these giant animals that have an enduring fascination to all young children. Through the pages of the book with its gentle rhymes children can learn some rather tounge-twisiting dinosaur names, feel their scaly skin and then take the fun test to see how much they have learnt. Great fun for asults and children alike!

These books will all, in their own way, no doubt find their way onto the booksheleves of many chidlren's bedrooms, make sure they don't just stay there but that they are enjoyed for themselves as much as for the messages they contain and have a week of happy reading!

It is with news galore that I write my blog post today and trying to decide where to start is not easy!

First I must tell you about the launch of Perform-a-Poem, the first e-safe

website for children's poetry performances. The launch took place at the National Theatre in London on 3rd November. This was the brainchild of Michael Rosen whilst Children's Laureate and he has now been able to see his ideas become a reality. At the launch Michael said “I’m hoping that Perform-A-Poem will give an opportunity for children and teachers to experiment and play with poetry in an exciting way. All poems have a voice; sometimes this voice is best heard silently, but most poems enjoy being spoken and performed, because this is how we get to feel a poem.”

Secondly there was the launch of P for Poland photographed by Prodeepta Das and written by Agnieszka Mrowczynska. This wonderful book is a great addition to a series that Prodeepta is building up and introduces children in a very accessible way to countries of the world that they may be less than familiar with. Thanks to the Polish Institute in London for an interesting insight into Polish Culture and a lovely, intimate evening.

Next is the announcement of the winners of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

Morag Charlwood attended this event on behalf of Armadillo and her report, along with many others, will feature in the December edition of the magazine. In the meantime however congratulations go to Sam Lloyd whose Mr Pusskins Best in Show won the under six prize and Philip Ardagh whose Grubtown Tales:

Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky won him the prize in the 7-14 category. These and all the books on the shortlist were wonderful and I hope the prize continues to go from strength to strength.

This week I will be in the audience as Geraldine McCaughrean and Philip Reeve talk about their new novels; finding time to prepare the December edition of Armadillo Magazine and getting together all the wonderful Christmas books that I have been sent ready to provide all my Blog readers with some ideas for some fantastic Christmas gift ideas! So as they say, Watch This Space...!

Spooky Books for Halloween

It is Halloween and all things spooky will be happening, children will be trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins and having great parties. To help with the entertainment adults could read their young children Liz Martinez and Mark Beech’s story of The Everyday Witch published by Bloomsbury.

With Mark Beech’s illustration in the style of Quentin Blake adding colour and atmosphere to this story of a little boy who strongly suspects that his mother is a witch and accompanying the humorous rhyming text of Liz Martinez there is plenty to enjoy listening to and detail galore to pore over.

When Jimmy peeps though his curtains one night and sees his mother flying on a broomstick with the pet cat Tiddles he is determined to prove that she does not lead a life of potion brewing and spell casting! When he thinks that he has finally proved himself right he finds stripy stockings on the washing line – help!

If further entertainment in the form of story telling is required Winnie the Witch finds herself in possession of an Amazing Pumpkin. Children will delight in the story of Winnie and Wilbur enjoying their vegetables, particularly pumpkin – they may even learn to like them too! The fun comes when Winnie, laden with her greens, finds it difficult to get home from the market so decides it is time to grow some instead! All does not quite go according to plan and Winnie’s magical spells once again create a riot of colour and fun. With captivating and detailed illustration as well as hilarious text Winnie’s Amazing Pumpkin, published by oxford University Press, should keep its young audience entertained for hours and may even provide some inspiration to budding gardeners.

Another picture book, this time with magic flaps to lift comes from the talented Nick Sharratt. What’s in the Witches Kitchen? Encourages children to actively engage with the story and make it their own as they decide whether the witch is storing ‘tasty cheese or bats with fleas’ in her fridge. Will it be ‘pooh lizards fart or yum cherry tart’ in the oven and so the horrible by hilarious rhymes continue. With one on every double page spread and a simple repetitive story this book will delight the little ones, have them reciting some truly awful ideas, searching the kitchen for all things horrible and generally having a great time!

Finally to entertain toddlers during the day –shouldn’t they be in bed by the time of the party? – there is Scary Doodles written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Anja Boretzki – before the children get their hands on it! This is a wonderful take on the traditional colouring book. A spiral bound hardback this invited children to accessorize the many illustrations and add their own splash of colour as well as their own goulish creations! Add spiders to webs, draw creatures in a cave and decide what the witch has in her cauldron. Not for the faint-hearted and perhaps best to play with during daylight hours this is a wonderful celebration of ghouls, ghosts and witches. Just grab a pencil and let your imagination run wild!

Enter a Pastworld if you dare!

Ian Beck’s fist venture into teenage literature has resulted in a darkly gothic tale of a future London that is a Victorian dystopia.

More widely known for his picture books and illustration as well as his recent Tom Trueheart stories for junior readers Ian is a much loved and favourite author. As he opens up his skill to a new audience he reveals another side to his character and a new set of skills as an author. There are not many who can travel from gentle picture books to dystopian gothic horror!

Pastworld is the creative genius of a corporation in love with the ideals of a Victorian society. They have created a world populated by people who know very little of the real time in which they live, they are in an alternative reality, they are a theme park but they do not all live by the rules.

The gawkers or visitors from outside undergo a thorough process before being admitted to Pastworld, but those inside are under no such obligations, watched over by the police and special intelligence services they are still very much free to behave as they would and the authentic Victorian fogs merely aide and abet their crimes.

There is one inparticular – the fantom who haunts both those inside and out of the Pastworld he has a sinister murderous criminal with dark secret and he is after just one person.

Eve is an innocent but curious young girl, it is through her journal and the narration of Inspector Catchpole that we are drawn into this dark world.

Dark, gruesome and yet compelling this is a wonderful story from a highly creative mind and it has some wonderfully authentic touches. Watch the special trailer by following this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRtAOFkUyuc and then seek out Pastworld for yourself.

The Great Hamster Massacre

If you are a hamster lover then look away now for this is not a story for the faint hearted or squeamish!

There has been a Great Hamster Massacre and an investigation into this most awful of crimes was carried out under the watchful eyes of Simon & Schuster publishers, Katie Davies (author) and

Hannah Shaw (illustrator).

(Picture shows (L-R): Kate Hancock, Waterstone’s; Hannah Shaw, illustrator; Katie Davies, author; Alan Davies; Sophie Overment, Waterstone’s)

In Katie's debut novel the writer, columnist and comedienne tells the story of Anna, her brother Tom and their assorted family, pets and neighbours who are all implicated in the massacre. Anna is relentless in her investigations and the ensuing mystery, whodunit investigation is a brilliant read for hamster lovers everywhere. Wonderfully illustrated with the quirky drawings of Hannah Shaw this is a brilliant new book from a new talent.

The evening celebrations marking the launch of this book were a great success and many of those who gathered for the investigations on the Strand were no doubt nursing sore heads the following morning!

Whilst Katie's book was launched in great style and with great enthusiasm we can hope that children will love the story as much as all we adults and can only wait with bated breath for the next installment of Anna's ill-fated and hilarious pet relationships!

Interactive Picture Book Pleasure

Apologies for my absence from the blog, this has been the result of a sudden and unexpected family bereavement. However I have still been reading and here, for your enjoyment, are my latest musings....

Interactive picture books are becoming more popular for children and I for one am envious, I would have loved to have some of this selection when I was a child, but then I think we made our own entertainment and learnt to have fun reading with the classic ladybird books, many of which I still have. My nephews and god-children are often the lucky recipients of some of the wonderful books that come into my possession, those that my husband claims we have no room for, but these might just have to stay!

When I Dream of Ten Little Fairies and Ten Little Racing Cars: A Speedy Counting Book, illustrated by Sania Rescek and Charles E Reasoner respectively are two of the latest interactive story books from Tide Mill Press. The front cover of each book presents the reader with a cut-out image of the ten characters to be found in the book. Ten Little Fairies are presented with glittery tutu’s whilst the ten racing cars are each numbered. Turn the pages of each title, follow the simple and charming, rhyming story and discover what will happen to each of them as the story progresses. There is a special surprise for the reader at the end of each book and the charming stories will help readers develop a love of reading as well as important sequencing and counting skills.

Let’s Take a Trip on Animal Airways is the third wonderful title, this interactive story takes readers on a flight of fantasy and adventure around the world on an aeroplane full of animals. Children can take part in the story by pulling the novelty plastic ribbon through the pages to ensure the plane pops up and its new passengers are visible. With colourful imagery and fun characters this book encourages children to take an active role in their reader, learn to count, recognise animals and learn where they have come from. It is a great story, a fun book and a great learning experience.

Reading and counting are crucial skills for young children to develop, these books offer a fabulous opportunity for parents to help their children learn to count, learn to enjoy stories and rhyme and celebrate the joy of innovative book publishing. With beautiful, bright and delightful illustration these books will mesmerise and charm young boys and girls alike.

Time for School!

Getting ready to go back to school after a long summer holiday is hard for children, teachers, parents and even librarians!  After all we have all just been enjoying a few long luxurious weeks of not having to do very much, jetting off on holidays if we are lucky and generally having a very nice time.  Many children will be very keen to tell their friends and teachers all about their summer holiday experiences but there is one who really doesn’t want to go back to the first day of term.  This child’s name is Michael and in a hilarious collection of letters to his teacher ‘Dear Miss’ written by Any Husband and published by Meadowside, Michael tries to use his imagination to save him from school.  Will it work or will he be lured in by Misses responses – I will leave the reader will have to discover.  In the meantime here is a taster of Michael’s summer excuses!

Open up the envelope styled book to see a letter from Michael’s headmaster informing him who his new teacher is and how hard he is going to have to work, move on then to Michael’s own letters and telegrams explaining how he has been on a secret mission taking him to the Himalayas, into the Amazon jungle and even onto the ocean.  Unfortunately pirates, alligators and other problems befall Michael making him potentially late for the start of term, can his teacher’s letter of welcome lure him back sooner?

For pre-school children not yet having to experience the first day of term there is pleasure in ‘Dig the Dog’.  Dig’s problems come in the form of Doug the Dog who steals his lovely juicy bone!  Maddy McClellan’s hilarious illustrations and Alison Maloney’s intelligent story writing combine to provide pre-school children with a delightful medley of madness and mayhem in the garden.  The story is a simple one, but very funny and it is the wonderful illustration, as riotous as the story, really bringing the book to life.  The scruffy Doug, smart Dig, scared cats, flying mud and general madcap mayhem jump off the page into the imagination and provide a wonderfully entertaining story to share and enjoy whilst older children head back to school. 

Beware - The Thornthwaite Inheritance

Under threat as I was from exploding tennis balls I still had the opportunity to enjoy a great evening in the Bloomsbury Boardroom in the company of Gareth P Jones, his family, friends and an assortment of other guests all of whom had gathered to celebrate Gareth's latest title The Thornthwaite Inheritance.  Packed full of plots, innovative ways in which to potentially kill your sibling (don't try them at home!) and some very dark humour the book is a great addition to Gareth's growing output.  When he is not writing he is producing television programmes and children be thankful that his imagination has now taken him on another journey to yet another story!

A great evening full of laughs, not only at the name badges and unfortunate accidents due to befall each of us this was a great opportuinity to celebrate true talent and toast Gareth's success, long may it continue!

Clarice Bean is 10!

On Tuesday evening we celebrated the 10^th birthday of the utterly fabulous Clarice Bean.  Author Lauren Child joined friends, family, booksellers, librarians and others in a small and hidden gem in the heart of London - The House of Barnabas once a women’s refuge now conference and meeting venue.  We were lucky enough that the rain held off allowing us to enjoy a relaxed evening in the garden.  Everyone there was given a personalised Clarice Bean badge and the excitement buzzing in the air was palpable.

A number of well-loved children’s books and their characters are celebrating birthday’s and other anniversaries this year and in order to help this one stand out a limited edition linen-bound copy of Clarice Bean is being published.  Lauren will find herself busy personally signing each copy and she was thrilled to be able to talk to some of her young fans during the evening.

Lauren explained how she was thrilled to have made it to 10 years old with Clarice, a character very close to her heart, because she tried for a long time to find anyone to accept the story, constantly being told the picture books in the first person would not work.  Luckily she has proved the publishers wrong and gone from strength to strength.

It was a very special birthday and party and a real pleasure to be able to celebrate with Lauren, Orchard Books, her publishers, and the assembled guests.

Animals are not Rubbish

The Animals are not Rubbish’ competition on Monday 13^th kicking off a busy week last week.

Run by the Orion publishing group in conjunction with the Born Free Foundation and Waterstone’s children under the age of 12 were challenged to design and make a model of an endangered animal entirely from recycled material.  With over 250 entries from groups and individuals around the country the entries were outstanding and Lauren St John, whose idea the competition was explained how impressed she had been with the standard and variety of entries.

The judging she explained had been great fun but a big challenge!  She had been blown away by the response and enthusiasm shown.

During the evening Bill Travers of the Born Free Foundation explained their work and Lauren took the opportunity to explain her passion for their work, her own background and the influence it has had on her work and mention her ‘Last Leopard Fund’  that will raise money for some very special rescue work around the world.

The winners of the competition were the Phil and Jim Art Club at SS Philip and SS James Primary School in Oxford for their Dodo made of individual bees – an extinct animal made up of endangered animals.

Visit http://www.animalsarenotrubbish.co.uk/images/winners.jpg for pictures of all the entries and more information.