The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers

My Review

Wow! This is such a touching book that is guaranteed to move adults and children alike! Oliver Jeffers has a fantastic ability, he takes something complex and simplifies it into something quite wonderful.

The storyline follows a very bright and enthusiastic girl who like most children, wants to know everything there is to know about everything. But one day she comes upon an empty chair, one that never used to be empty and It hurts her a lot. So, she decides to put her heart in a bottle for safe keeping.

We loved this girls journey and found it very heartwarming when she realises that she has to face things and take her heart back out of the bottle.

The illustrations are brilliantly quirky and tell the most beautiful story all of their own. That's one thing about Oliver Jeffers' illustrations - they very easily stand out from the crowd.

I just have to mention the most awesome illustrations that are hiding under the dust cover! Go find yourself a copy today and have a peek for yourself!

This is once again something very special from a very talented author/illustrator that we really can't seem to get enough of!

5 / 5 Stars!

*We picked this little book up in our local library*

You can check it out on Amazon

When Tom Met Tallulah by Rosie Reeve

My Review

When Tom Met Tallulah is such a charming little book with a very cheeky little cat!
 
I think the best bit about this is the illustrations! They are stunning, very eye catching, colourful and bring the story to life in a super cute and very fun way!
 
We love Tom and we just wanted to pick the furry little guy up and give him a great big squeeze! But he is a bit of a naughty cat that comes across so sweet but really he's up to something quite cunning indeed.

Tallulah is a lovely little girl who is very good at making her new little kitty feel right at home, but she will be in for a bit of a shock....

We thought the ending  was very surprising and quite funny. Pick up this different tale today to be in for a treat!

4 / 5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy*

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Baby Let's Play! by Ruth Redford‏ & Amy-Lou Sharpe

My Review

This is yet again another wonderful touch and feel book from Ruth Redford!

It is aimed at babies aged 6 - 12 months and I can guarantee that they will simply love discovering each page. There are tons of super fun activities like, funny faces in the mirror, songs and using imaginations to make dens and playthings.

There is never a dull moment to be spent in this book and the illustrations are super eye-catching, the touch and feel bits are just great for developing babies motor skills.

Another big plus is the little hello mummy parts of the book, which easily tells mums how to get the most out of each page with their inquisitive little people.

This is a big winner for babies everywhere and if your baby is younger than 6 months, then I would very highly recommend Baby it's You, which is also by Ruth Redford!

5 / 5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Red Fox for the review copy*

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The Wild Child by Jeanne Willis & Lorna Freytag‏

My Review

We LOVE this book!

This is one of the most special picture books we have ever came across. The most spectacular thing about it has to be the real child that is the wild child in this story - I'm not too sure I've ever seen anything quite like this before.

Inside the beautiful pages we are taken on a journey with the very last wild child left in the wild. It's full of the very best things in life, children should be allowed to be children and I loved seeing this point emphasised here.

The child in this book just wants to be free, she runs wild with nature and doesn't want silly shoes and rules! My daughter is a bit of a wild child herself and at the weekend she likes nothing more that dressing herself in bonkers outfits and getting very messy - which is wonderful!

The rhyming quality to this book is simply perfect for reading out loud and believe me we have read it out loud many times.

This is one of the most beautiful picture books I've ever held in my hands and  think everyone must read it. Parents should take note and let their kids be wild and messy because it's the best and most fun way to learn.

We got this little gem out of the library and we will most definitely have tears when it's time to take it back next week!

Go pick it up for yourself today - we highly recommend it!!

A BIG 5 stars!

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Charlie & Lola - My Doodling & Colouring-in Book‏ by Lauren Child

My Review

This is actually the greatest activity book ever and every child needs one of these to call their own!

I found it near impossible to pry this away from my daughter's hands. It kept her occupied for weeks because it really is jam packed with super fun things to do!

On each page there are some instructions - like, draw what everyone is having for lunch or some of your favourite things on the shopping shelves. Kids can have a blast using their imaginations on each page - my daughter even collected leaves and bits & bobs from around the house to stick in, just to make it super duper special!

There's also a lot to learn in here, like drawing emotions on faces, patterns, the weather and tons more....

We absolutely loved this fabulous activity book and we really can't recommend it enough! It's definitely a big winner for any Charlie and Lola fan and I know there are plenty of those out there.

A BIG 5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Puffin for the review copy*

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Mission One of Auggie the Alien by Leah Spiegel & Megan Summers - Cover Reveal

 

Summary

This is the humorous story of a 4th grader, seen through the eyes of a human hybrid alien child, sent to Earth to study our culture - to see if they could coexist with the humans.

Auggie has to try and understand 4th graders slang, body language, and the unwritten protocols of the classroom; all in an attempt to blend in. He upsets his teacher, Mrs. Malumrector, who constantly thinks Auggie’s trying to get smart with her when getting stupid with her would be counterproductive. Not only does Mrs. Malumrector not get Auggie’s literal logic, nor do any of the other students in his class. That is except for Left Hand Chuck who thinks Auggie’s hysterical and helps him by teaching him how to use human slang.    

But if Auggie truly wants to complete his mission of blending in with the other children he needs to cheer for both teams, except if they’re losing. He needs to learn not to wear the ‘P and the J’ with the feet conveniently attached to school because they’re for sleeping in only. That ironically enough, Grandpa isn’t going to faint from low blood pressure even though his eyes often tend to roll upwards whenever Auggie is speaking. ‘Pop-a-Squat’ isn’t a good name for a dog, even though he’s great at it. And under no circumstance is he to bring his pet to school even if his teacher has her own pet there, Emily, another student in his class who is neither a gerbil nor a fish.

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The Hueys in It Wasn't Me by Oliver Jeffers‏

My Review

We simply adored The Hueys and the New Jumper so we were super excited to read this second book! We weren't disappointed - this is yet again another another winner from the super talented Oliver Jeffers!

The Hueys are super cool little fellows, who mostly nearly all look the same and who get along most of the time! But one day they all start arguing and things get a bit out of hand....

You know kids will love this book but the little message is definitely one for the adults -  Distraction is the key for harmony in any household, because lets face it kids are so easily distracted! :)

The illustrations are super duper, very simplistic and plain but with BIG busts of colour throughout!

The Hueys in It Wasn't Me is another Oliver Jeffers book for our favourites shelf! We really can't wait to go on more misadventures with the fabulously quirky Hueys!

4/5 Stars!

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

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Muffin and the Birthday Surprise by Clara Vulliamy

My Review

"This is Muffin, the yummiest small brown bear."

Isn't he just a lovely little fellow? We just adored getting to know Muffin and his best friends Flora and Fizz!

Muffin is a very excited bear when an invitation arrives for Flora and Fizz's birthday Party. He takes a BIG paper bag full of buns but something rather unfortunate happens on the way to the party....












This lovely story rather gently talks about being greedy but more than that - something super can come out of a disaster and fun things can be found in the most simple of places, if you only use your imagination!

The ending is perfect and everything manages to work out for little Muffin, who's dilemma was overcome by some quick thinking! Flora and Fizz ended up having the best birthday party ever!

Clara Vulliamy is an awesome illustrator and we had the best of fun watching the super bright adventures unfold on every fun filled page.

We really can't wait to go on more adventures with Muffin!

4 / 5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Orchard Books for the review copy*

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Ruff and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day by Caroline Jayne Church

My Review
 

Aw, this is such a sweet little picture book that is full of fun, surprises and best of all friendships!

Ruff is such a busy little dog and he is having quite a busy day making himself a new pond for his garden, but when digging he comes across a mouse who is a little upset that someone has wrecked his house!

Ruff manages to make a friend and together things become much more fun but another unexpected arrival makes for one wonderfully amazing day.

We loved the outcome of this and we were oh so very pleased that everyone didn't have to be lonely anymore. Friendships are so important and this super picture book gently tells kids that friendships can come from everywhere and anywhere.

The illustrations are beautifully bright and are bursting with life - kids will adore watching the story unfold on each colourful page.

This is a wonderful picture book that has some seriously cute unlikely friends and is guaranteed to make you smile if nothing else!

4/5 Stars!

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

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Little Beaver and the Big Front Tooth - Written by Amy MacDonald & illustrated by Sarah Fox-Davies‏

 My Review

Aw, this is such a sweet book that very gently reassures kids who might just be a little bit frightened at the thoughts of loosing their first tooth!

My daughter has started asking when her teeth are going to fall out, and while I sit down and explain, like all little inquisitive people she wants to know more. I think this touching little book helped her out a whole lot and now she just can't wait for the tooth fairy to pay her a visit!

I think this storyline also shows that it's okay to be a little different from others and you will always be you no matter what changes you go through.

The story follows brave Little Beaver, who becomes very afraid when his big front tooth becomes wobbly. Beavers use their big front teeth for so much and poor little guy is left wondering if he will still be a beaver if it falls out?

We loved the ending and we were very pleased for Little Beaver - who managed to get great reassuring advice when he confides in Wise Old Beaver.

The illustrations are very simplistic but very lovely and fit the story just perfectly!

4/5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Walker Books for the review copy*

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Pandamonium at Peek Zoo by Kevin Waldron‏

My Review

Pandamonium at Peek Zoo is a fabulously fun adventure story that is full of danger and excitement!

Mr Peek the zoo keeper is a bit of a careless old fellow and is always running into sticky situations. But when he invites the public to come visit the new baby panda, Lulu, he makes a trail of little mistakes which could end up leading to a BIG pandamonium at Peek Zoo!

This has such a great storyline and it lets kids know that being careless and rushing through things without pausing for thought can sometimes be disastrous.

Mr Peek's son Jimmy is a brilliantly helpful boy who ends up running around fixing his dads mistakes.

The illustrations are stunning, they stand out from the crowd and are a touch quirky. We especially liked all the little newspaper articles and best of all the fold out animal parade page - which turns out tickety-boo as dear old Mr Peek would say.

This is a gorgeous little picture book that has a great message and is tons of fun - we would highly recommend it!

4/5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Templar for the review copy*

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Splat Says ThankYou! by Rob Scotton‏

My Review

Splat Says Thank You is a really sweet book about friendship and saying thank you!

Poor little Seymour is sick, he is covered in spots and feeling pretty rotten. My daughter actually had the chicken pox when we got this book, so she could easily relate to Seymour!

His best friend Splat just wants to make him smile. He takes out the friendship book that he made for him - which takes us through very funny and adventurous journeys alongside the 2 pals! There are lots of ups and downs throughout the friendship book but in the end Splat just wants to say thank you to his friend.

The illustrations are quite fantastic and we loved seeing Seymour and Splat be brought to life so wonderfully.

This is a great book that very nicely teaches the value of having a good friend and saying thank you!

4/5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Harper Collins Children's Book's for the review copy*

Check this book out on Amazon or Goodreads