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Monday 21 July 2014

Reading Rocks Blog Tour - Why? by Tracey Corderoy

 Summary from Amazon UK

Archie is a rhino with a LOT of questions. He wants to know everything: "Why glue is so sticky? Why do dropped things go SMASH?" If only finding out was a little less messy...Everybody's much-loved rhino returns in this brand-new sequel to No! from the wonderful Tracey Corderoy (Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam and The Little White Owl) and award-winning Tim Warnes (I Don't Want to Go to Bed). Brimming with gorgeous illustrations, this warm, funny book is guaranteed to become a firm favourite. A must for all families with curious toddlers who just love to ask "WHY?"



My Review

Why? is a delightful picture book full of fun, adventure and a little bit of frustration...on the parents part anyway. Every child goes through the why stage and while it can be rather cute and funny at times, it can also have some parents pulling their hair out.

We adored Tracey's last picture book, No! and we were just as pleased with this. My daughter said to me recently "You know, children are allowed to ask lots of questions because that's how they learn about the world around them." I was baffled, who on earth had she been talking to? But it also make me realise that she was exactly right. While an endless stream of questions and whys can be tedious, a child's inquisitive nature is a really great thing.

This storyline sees the super cute Archie asking why? to just about everything. Not only that, he's making the biggest mess along the way. His parents decide to take him to the museum, because lets face it, that seems to be a good place for asking questions...until he starts asking some embarrassing ones...

The ending will most definitely put smiles on faces everywhere!

Tim Warnes' illustrations are so good. They are super vibrant and very busy. We think little Archie is the cutest rhino in rhino history!

Why? is a wonderful picture book that is not only perfect for inquisitive toddlers but also worn down parents. It really is a must!

A BIG 5 stars!










Why? 
 by 
Tracey Corderoy 
Image 
Why do worms wriggle? 
Why is rain wet?  
Why cant I eat ice-cream forever! 

When we are young the world is jam-packed with so very much to find out. Possibilities are endless, expeditions imperative, and consequences rarely considered. Finding out is fun and something to be done. Now! Lets go! Quick! 
In Cider with Rosie, three-year-old Laurie Lee finds himself dumped in an overgrown garden bursting with whats, whys and wherefores. Its a place he can neither understand, nor leave alone. A world which is both terrifying and compelling, and one which is his to master: 

‘…The June grass, amongst which I stood, was taller than I was, and I wept. I had never been so close to grass before. It towered above me ... thick as a forest and alive with grasshoppers that chirped and chattered and leapt through the air like monkeys From stone to stone in the trackless yard I sent forth my acorn shell of senses, moving through unfathomable oceans like a South Sea savage island  hopping across the Pacific. 
 Cider with Rosie Laurie Lee 
Laurie Lees words resonated with me, and Archie in Why? also possesses this urge to understand and become master of his world. He too, like some savage South Sea island, moves across his landscape (from kitchen to garden to museum to parents bedroom!) with purpose, enthusiasm, and endless, endless questions!  
But of course, these questions are to be encouraged. His parents know that, and we parents know it too. We want our children to have lively minds, sparkly eyes and muddy fingers – even if their never-ending stream of, WHYS?” keep coming and coming and coming!    
Image

So although Archie is up and asking questions even before the sun rises, would his parents have him any other way? Of course not!  
 Hooray then, for the finders-out of this world! For little Archies up and down this land. For their parents, too this book is for YOU.  
And why not?!  

Tracey was born in South Wales and now lives in Gloucestershire with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of animals. She is a trained teacher and used to run specialist literacy programmes in schools before becoming a full-time writer. Tracey has always had a passion for wonderful literature and began writing for children in 2006.



The Colour Thief by Gabriel Alborozo


My Thoughts

The Colour Thief is a visual masterpiece that we could of happily stared at all day long. It also has some really great positive messages that truly make it a must read!

Zot, lives in a dreary far away land that doesn't have any colour. He stares longingly at the super vibrant earth, deciding he must go and get some of that cheeriness for himself. When he arrives, he is overwhelmed with all the wonderful colours. He opens his suitcase, says the magic words and steals the colours from the world. Zot gets greedy but when leaving for home again he has a last moment flash of conscience.

A little boy shows an act of kindness that fills Zot's heart with joy. One little selfless moment transforms not only Zot's life but also the lives of others in a really beautiful way.

While we loved the storyline itself, the artwork really is something else. Starting off colourless, to build into a riot of vibrancy awesomeness really shows how much life colour can truly bring. Seeing it all be taken away only proves the point.

The colour thief is a glorious riot of life and colour! It shows kindness is a thing to be treasured and proves the point that 'a little colour can go a long way.'

4/5 Stars

*Special thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy*


Friday 18 July 2014

Harry and the Monster by Sue Morgan & Nick East


My Review

If you're a parent then you've most probably been disturbed in the middle of the night by a loud 'Theres a monster under my bed!!' This laugh out loud picture book shows little guys how to fight back against those big bad bedroom monsters.

The little boy in this story, Harry, is awoken night after night by a big nasty monster. His parents give him some super tips, including imagining pink pants on it's head...to try and make him look less scary. But what do you think monsters are really afraid of?

The ending is hilarious...I think it's hard not to be a little frightened by the thing that frightens our monster!

Harry and the Monster is a really great read full of fun, adventure and surprises. Nick East's illustrations pop right up out of the page and bring everything to life so vibrantly. A perfect bad dream kicker!

4 / 5 Stars

*Special thanks to Little Tiger Press for the review copy*


Wednesday 9 July 2014

Mr Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr Seuss


My Review

This has to be the most brilliant book in brilliant book history. It is funny, rhymes in a sing songing way and needs to be read with great booming enthusiasm. Warning - this book is not for the timid reader!!

Mr. Brown really is quite wonderful and the different sounds he can do are all rather outstanding. As the reader goes through all the different things the text turns into a bouncing song that begs to be read out loud. Little ears and little mouths will revel in learning and trying out these super sounds with Mr. Brown.

The illustrations are really memorable. They have this old time cartoon feel to them, which is really wonderful.

This is a sounds adventure that will stick in heads everywhere. It is full on fun and packs a big punch. We simply can't recommend it enough!

5 / 5 stars

*Special thanks to Harper Collin's Children's Books for the review copy*


Thursday 3 July 2014

Abigail by Catherine Rayner


My Review

Aw, what a simply beautiful picture book this is. Abigail is a delicate beauty who is gentle and patient with her friends. Catherine Rayner captures the slow, majestic beauty of the giraffe like no other and it's ever so stunning!

Abigail loves to count more than anything. Finding something to count proves to be a bit of a tricky business though, as her friends just won't keep still. But Abigail soon discovers that there is an endless supply of things in the world to count and also that she is a rather fine teacher.

What a really lovely and gentle way to introduce counting to little folks. Everyone needs a copy of Abigail to call their own.

The illustrations are gorgeous, with only a few subtle colours - they are a real treat.

Abigail is a truly memorable counting picture book that is full of warmth and beauty! Go grab a copy today!

5 / 5 Stars

*With special thanks to Little Tiger Press for the review copy*