The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past- Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter

Oh. My. Word.  There is a new Pooping Dinosaur book out!  Let's just say there has been a bit of excitement about this one in our house (and not just from my son-we both squealed in equal measure when it landed on the doormat).  I love McFly and have long been aware of the warped sense of humour the band have, but my son Zachary knows Tom and Dougie only as authors-he didn't believe me when I went to watch McBusted and said Tom and Dougie were in the band!

The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet and The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas are firm favourites here, so this latest instalment had a lot to live up to.  It's another brilliant read- children will love it and adults will be grossed out by it.  But when you've finished you'll have a smile on your face, whatever your age.

Here's my review (in funky Pooping Dino style rhyme)...

It's Danny's Gran's birthday, her party's today
But Danny and Dinosaur just want to play.
She's filled up the table with food that is green,
Probably the most green food you've ever seen.
Sweeties and biscuits and cakes it is not
But with one giant gulp Dinosaur eats the lot.

They head to the garden to play on the swing,
When suddenly something strange starts happening.
They're swinging and looping and going real fast
Then SNAP!- with a bump they're both in the past.

But Danny and Dino spy cracks in the dirt.
OH HELP, A VOLCANO IS GOING TO SPURT!
The lava is dangerous, the lava is hot,
This volcano could wipe out the past, the whole lot!
But Dinosaur knows just what he can do
He can save the whole lot with a rip-roaring poo.

It's pretty disgusting, but you want specifics?
He's pooping Egyptians who love hieroglyphics!
He poops baby dinosaurs, cute as can be,
He even poops Roman and Trojans, you'll see!
He's pooping out artefacts, ancient and rare,
This dinosaur poop's going everywhere!

Of course, in the end they are all safe and sound
They're back in the future, with feet on the ground.
With Dinosaur's help they escaped the great quake
and are back to eat Gran's birthday broccoli cake.

This book is disgusting (it's all about poo),
But I must admit it is hilarious too.
The pictures are awesome, eye-catching and bold,
And the story in rhyme? It is comedy gold.

My six year old's view when I asked him to rate?
'The Dinosaur That Pooped the Past is just GREAT'.

With thanks to Random House Children's Books for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Dinosaur That Pooped the Past is out now.

Young Adult books I've read this summer

Well, I've been without a laptop for the past month.  It's been VERY annoying.  And not exactly conducive to blogging.  So, instead of individual posts, I decided the best way to catch up on reviews would be to do quickfire posts by genre, starting with my favourite- Young Adult.

So, here's what I've read this summer...

Boys Don't Knit by T.S. Easton
The Blurb

Ben Fletcher must get to grips with his more 'feminine' side following an unfortunate incident with a lollipop lady and a stolen bottle of Martini Rosso from Waitrose.

All a big misunderstanding of course.

To avoid the Young Offenders unit, Ben is ordered to give something back to the community and develop his sense of social alignment. Take up a hobby and keep on the straight and narrow. The hot teacher he likes runs a knitting group so Ben, reluctantly at first, gets 'stuck in'. Not easy when your dad is a sports fan and thinks Jeremy Clarkson is God. To his surprise, Ben finds that he likes knitting and that he has a mean competitive streak. If he can just keep it all a secret from his mates...and notice that the girl of his dreams, girl-next-door Megan Hooper has a bit of a thing for him...

Laugh-out-loud, often ridiculous, sometimes quite touching, and revelatory about the knitting world, Boys Don't Knit is a must for boys and girls...

The Review
This book is laugh out loud funny.  From the scene where Ben and his friends try and steal alcohol (from Waitrose, no less) I was hooked.  I loved Ben- he's a teenager bumbling through life, wondering how on earth he finds himself in the situations he does.  He's a bit like one of The Inbetweeners, certainly not perceived as cool by the majority of his peers, yet desperate to fit in-or at least, not stand out.

Don't let the knitting bit throw you, this book is about friendship, family and challenging stereotypes rather than crafting.  I enjoyed it much more than I expected to, and will definitely be getting hold of a copy of the sequel, An English Boy in New York.

Hot Key Books never fail to push the boundaries of YA fiction, and Boys Don't Knit doesn't disappoint. 

If I had to describe it in one word= hilarious

With thanks to Hot Key books for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.  Boys Don't Knit is out now.

Lola and the Boy Next Door- Stephanie Perkins
The Blurb
Budding designer Lola has an outrageous sense of style, a hot rocker boyfriend and big plans for the future. Everything is perfect - until Cricket Bell returns to the neighbourhood. When he steps back into her world, Lola must reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. And perhaps discover that true love can be closer than you think.

The Review
Earlier this year I read Anna and the French Kiss and fell truly, madly, deeply in love with its hero, Etienne St Clair.  I was literally itching, like a girl with intense allergies, to read the next in the series, Lola and The Boy Next Door. 

Firstly, it isn't a sequel as such.  Anna and Etienne do have small cameo appearances throughout (which disappointed me somewhat- Etienne was nowhere near as alluring as he was in Anna), but this is very much the story of Lola, the quirky girl who has two Dad's and an alcoholic mother, and Cricket, the 'boy next door'.  And their story is angsty, and cute, and touching.  If I fell in love with Etienne, I full on adored Cricket Bell, despite his ridiculous name.  He's been living in his twin sisters shadow his whole life, but instead of being bitter, he's genuinely happy to support her as she strives for her dreams.  How sweet is that?  He's a bit of a geek, but that's part of his charm.

The plot is a 'will they/won't they' tug of war and as I got to know Lola and Cricket more as the book progressed I wanted to bash their heads together until they realised just how perfect they would be together.

It's got a different feel to Anna and the French Kiss, but is just as enjoyable.  I can't wait to read the final book in the series, Isla and the Happily Ever After.

If I had to compare it to a TV series- Dawson's Creek

If I Stay- Gayle Forman
The Blurb
Life can change in an instant.

A cold February morning . . . a snowy road . . . and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one.

As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all.

Gripping, heartrending and ultimately life-affirming, If I Stay will make you appreciate all that you have, all that you've lost - and all that might be.

The Review
If I Stay is that dangerous beast- a book which has received so much hype that the reader expects A LOT.  And I did expect a lot from this book.

The premise, that Mia is hanging somewhere between life and death and needs to choose whether to pull through, is interesting.  It's a thought provoking concept.  But I'm not going to lie, I found it hard going in places.  I wouldn't say it's the kind of book you can enjoy.  Appreciate, yes.  But enjoy?  No.  Whether my age played a part in that, I don't know.  I'm not the target audience, although Forman has definitely passed that transitional line into crossover fiction.  Maybe it was particularly hard for me, as a mother, to contemplate how it would be for a child to lose her whole family?

The strangest thing about this book is how it was only at the end that I realised how much I cared about the characters and their fate.  Yes, there is a love story at the heart of If I Stay, but it's more than that somehow.  It's kind of heartbreaking.

Gayle Forman either has a natural talent for creating engaging characters or she works hard at crafting them.  Not just the leads, but the hospital staff, Mia's best friend Kim...I felt as though they were real people, not just characters in a book.

I didn't know how it would end, which is a feat in itself, and I can see why it has been made into a film.

Does it deserve the hype?  I'm not quite sure.  When I was reading it, I didn't feel much.  But at the end I had ALL THE FEELS.  So I'm a bit torn.  But would I recommend it?  Yes.  Definitely.

If I had to compare it to a song- Never Tear Us Apart by INXS

With thanks to Random House Children's Publishers for providing me with a review copy of If I Stay in return for my honest opinion.

So those are the YA books I've read this summer.  They've all been crackers.

Dixie O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery- Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy

 

The Blurb

Dixie O'Day and his best friend Percy are off on holiday, and drive straight into adventure!

Peaches Miaow, the fabulous pop star, has her priceless diamond necklace stolen from the Hotel Splendide in the crime of the century. Can Dixie and Percy track down the sinister figures at the heart of the mystery?

Pack your bags for a thrilling trip filled with glamourpusses, cat burglars and seaside fun in this gorgeous chapter book with a chapter for each night of the week, as well as plenty of exciting extra material.

The Review

I am beyond excited that the next Dixie book has finally ventured out into the big wide world.  My son and I read the first in the series, Dixie O'Day in the Fast Lane last year and fell in love with Dixie and his sidekick Percy.  It's no exaggeration to say this has been one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year in our house, and I don't just mean by Zachary!

Everything we liked about the first book is back.  Lovable characters- check.  High drama-check.  Beautiful illustrations- check.  Additional extras, maps to envisage the places in the story, chapters which are perfect in length and substance- check, check, check.

However, there are enough changes to distinguish Dixie O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery from what has gone before.  The holiday setting worked well and Peaches Miaow is the ultimate in glamorous- my son developed quite the soft spot for her.  I also felt the 'baddies' were just naughty enough without being nightmare-inducing and of course they get their comeuppance in the end.

The vocabulary in the book will stretch most children in the target market, introducing new words to expand their language development.  There are humorous elements and a moral message.  It is all round good old-fashioned fun, and the wonderful illustrations bring the text to life.  The illustration on page 99 of Percy and Peaches is my ultimate favourite- utterly simplistic but beautifully evocative- I want a larger version of it for my wall!!!

Overall, we were not disappointed.  The only disappointment came when we finished it at break-neck speed and we realised we had a long wait for the next Dixie adventure!

Dixie O'Day and the Great Diamond Robbery is out today, published by The Bodley Head.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this title.

The Bell Family- Noel Streatfeild

 

As a child I loved Noel Streatfeild's most famous work Ballet Shoes.  I had dreams of being a ballerina (which were never to materialise, although I did do a few dance exams) which were pretty much exclusively because of that book.  Yet for some reason I never read any more of Streatfeild's books, until now.

 

Vintage Classics published  this edition of The Bell Family this spring.  Originally a radio series in the 1950s, the Bell's are a typical post-war family struggling to make ends meet.  They have to 'make do and mend', utilise hand me down's from the wealthier side of their family and look for ways to bring in extra money.  There isn't much of a plot, but that really doesn't matter- it is very much character driven. Each of the children brings their own personality and charm to the book-Paul, the sensible eldest child, Jane who harbours dreams of attending ballet school, rash and mischievous Ginnie who is desperate to find her role in the family (I must admit to having a soft spot for her.  She's a feisty, determined madam) and baby of the family Angus, who collects all manner of bugs in his quest to start his own zoo.  Then there is Esau the dog, who the Bell's are convinced is the most beautiful dog in Britain.  Mrs Gage, the housekeeper, has oodles of compassion and is a lovable addition to the character list.   

 

The relationships between the children are a heart warming reminder that being part of a family unit involves hard work and compromise, emphasised by the teamwork ethic which is a running theme throughout the book. 

 

As with any text of this age (it is 60 years this year since The Bell Family was first published) it contains words that are no longer in common usage.  However, there is a useful glossary in the extra features, alongside detailed author facts, information about life in the 1950s and a quiz to find out which Bell child you most closely resemble.  There are also beautiful line drawing illustrations by Shirley Hughes OBE, drawn in 1954, which compliment the story perfectly.

 

I can't say how much I enjoyed this book which reflected on an era so different to the consumerist society we currently live in.  It has similarities to classics such as The Railway Children, and I think The Bell Family deserves the same level of acclaim- it has been overlooked for far too long. I'm going to keep my copy, something I rarely do these days, because I know I will read it again in the future

 

Vintage Classics has a diverse range of titles, and the quality of the books is second to none.  They are good value for money and have modern covers to appeal to a young audience.  The hardest part is choosing which of these timeless children's books to read next-although I must admit I'm very tempted by Emil and the Detectives.

 

The Bell Family is out now published by Vintage Classics, an imprint of Random House.

 

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Bird- Crystal Chan

Jewel has always lived in the shadow of her brother.  John, who earned the nickname Bird through his penchant for jumping off anything and everything, has a hold over the whole family.  But Bird died.  He tried to fly off a cliff on the day that Jewel was born, and the family are now living a dysfunctional existence. 

Bird is the story of a family struggling with the tight grip of grief.

I've thought long and hard about how to describe Bird.  I cant compare it to other books as it is so original, and although there are words and emotions that I can link to it (magical, enchanting, unique, gut wrenching, painful, wistful) I want to be able to wrap that up into one neat paragraph about why you should read Bird.  I'm not sure I'm going to be very eloquent or succinct, but here goes. Here is why you should read Bird.

You should read Bird because it is a book which transcends genres.  It reads almost like a fairy tale, and has spiritual undertones which left my arms studded with goosepimples.  It is a family saga.  It is a story of friendship, and place within community.  It is a story of loss, bereavement and self worth.  It is a coming of age tale, a voyage of self discovery.  It feels part fantastical, with elements of mystery.  But most of all it is brimming with hope.

You should read Bird if you have ever lost someone close to you.  It captures the anguish, the pain, the desperation for answers perfectly.  And if you haven't been bereaved yourself, you should read Bird because it will help you be more empathetic to how those left behind carry the weight of bereavement with them at all times.

You should read Bird if you have ever felt like an outsider.  Jewel is lonely, misunderstood and is a protagonist that I desperately wanted to protect and befriend.  And if you have never felt like an outsider you should read Bird because it will give you an insight into how life is for many people who are feeling their way through life, grasping for understanding and acceptance.

You should read Bird.  Really, you should. 

Although prepare yourself for the blubfest at the end.  I could hardly breathe with the deepset pain in my chest and I had snot bubbles coming out of my nose as I couldn't control myself.

Poignant.  Perfect.

Bird is out now, published by Random House Kids UK.  Aimed at 10+, Bird undoubtedly has the potential to cross over into the adult market. 

9/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Random Movies Brunch at Random House Publishers- guest speaker Matt Haig

I had been counting down to Saturday 25th January for MONTHS.  I'd had an invite to the Random House Children's Publishers Blogger Brunch and I was bouncing off the walls with excitement.  A chance to talk books, meet bloggers and hear from author Matt Haig were all on the menu.  Although also on the menu was pick and mix, popcorn and a rather fabulous cake made by Harriet, one of the lovely publicists!

There are so many books being made into films at the moment, most notably Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief, and this brunch was a celebration of that.  There are some other cracking adaptations due out over the next 18 months or so, some of which I'll definitely be going to see.

I was actually the first of the bloggers to meet Matt Haig at the event as I arrived so spectacularly late to the event due to signal failure delaying my train!  I must admit to not having read any of this books before, and I didn't immediately recognise him from his twitter icon.

However, Matt was a really interesting speaker. He read us two chapters of his new release and answered questions posed by Jasmine, one of the other publicists, and the bloggers about his forthcoming release Echo Boy and about his life as an author.

So, what did I find out about Matt Haig?

- He is not a huge sci-fi geek, so writing a novel in this genre was very different to his usual work
- When he started writing Echo Boy, he wasn't sure which direction it was going to go in.  Matt said he didn't want it to be a love story as he had 'twilightphobia' (how great a term is that?!)
- Matt says that when he goes to kids events the question asked are always very diverse-and often not about books!
- Echo Boy was largely influenced by a non- fiction book he was given (Physics of the Future) about the future of health care, education, societal developments.
-Matt says that he is nervous about this book as it is so different from his previous books.  He mentioned that it almost felt like this was his debut release as an author.
- When asked if he specifically set out to write for a YA audience, Matt said that in many ways he was afraid of patronising teen readers, so feels Echo Boy is closer to a book for adults than one for children.
- He is a 'pantser' rather than a planner
- His favourite book is Hinton's The Outsiders
- Matt believes that the best YA books have 'attitude'

Most of all, one of my very favourite quotes from the day was what he had to say about the life of an author- 'You either choose to have a life, or write about life'.  As someone who is trying to write themselves I can definitely relate to this comment!  I found myself thinking I had a lot in common with Matt Haig, especially when he spoke candidly about his depression and anxiety and how writing was his therapy.

As well as hearing about the forthcoming releases from Random House (and there are some crackers- I cannot wait to read Bird in particular!) , it was lovely to meet other bloggers.  I had a chat with Leah, one of the book bloggers I met via twitter, and it was only after we'd said our goodbyes I thought I should have taken some photos for the blog!

Huge thanks need to go out to all the staff at Random House for their hospitality-they really are a wonderfully welcoming team, all approachable and have been so helpful to me ever since I started my blog.  Jasmine, Charlotte, Harriet, Clare (and apologies to anyone I have missed!)-thank you for a wonderful event.  I look forward to reviewing some of your titles over the next few months.

You're A Rude Pig, Bertie!- Claudia Boldt

Blurb

Bertie is the most vain, rude and outspoken pig you'll ever meet. He can't help offending his friends and pretty soon he doesn't have any left. But a beautiful bunny and a disastrous party all lead Bertie to a startling realization, and a change of heart.

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Review
We have all come across someone who is obnoxious and rude, full of their own self importance.  Bertie the Pig is a prime example-his lack of manners and respect mean he is friendless and alone.  Meeting Ruby the Rabbit influences him- he wants to be her friend yet why would she want to be friends with a rude pig? 

You're A Rude Pig, Bertie! is a lesson in social skills, complimented by amusing illustrations.  The artwork is a contrast of line drawings and bright blocks of colour.

A moral story which would be great to use with an infant class to teach them the importance of their actions and words.

You're A Rude Pig, Bertie! is out now, published by Jonathan Cape.

6.5/10

With thanks to Jasmine at Random House for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Picnic-John Burningham

Picnic is a typical John Burningham picturebook.  Like Burningham's bestselling The Shopping Basket and Mr Gumpy's Outing, Picnic has a simple text.  And of course there are the illustrations.  Inimitable and immediately recognisable, Burningham's drawings are famous within genre (Raymond Briggs says they are 'completely original' works).  I must admit I'm not a huge fan of John Burningham's style, although children seem to be drawn to his books and they are always hugely popular at the nursery where I work.

The tale of 'boy' and 'girl' setting off on (surprise surprise) a picnic, the story tells of their encounters with animals that have a tendency to lose things.  The reader is then asked to spot the lost item in the picture.  However, this isn't a Where's Wally? type of book.  As Picnic is aimed at pre-schoolers, the lost items are easy to find, and I would say the book is more an introduction to basic vocabulary than a test of children's observational skills.

Picnic is a lovely book to read with young children at the end of the day. As the characters go to bed at the end of the story it is ideal for bedtime, and is a calm and pleasant read. 

Most suitable for children aged 1-4.

Picnic is out now, published by Jonathan Cape, and imprint of Random House Children's Publishers.

8/10

With thanks to the fabulous Jasmine for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Dixie O'Day In the fast Lane- Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy

Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane is a collaborative work between Shirley Hughes and her daughter Clara Vulliamy.  Aimed at young readers, it is a fantastic introduction to a basic chapter book and a perfect progression from picturebooks.  With seven short chapters it would also work well as a bedtime read for children not yet confident to read alone.

 

Dixie O'Day in the Fast Lane is the first book in the Dixie O'Day series.  We are introduced to Dixie and his sidekick Percy as they embark on a calamitous race reminiscent of an episode of Wacky Races.  They meet a variety of challenges on their journey as they topple on a cliff edge and get stuck on a train track-can they overcome these mishaps and finish before confident, cocky Lou Ella? 

 

With simple red, white and black illustrations, Clara Vulliamy has created bold, attractive artwork which perfectly compliments the text.  The movement and velocity in the images will capture a child's imagination and adds to the quick-paced nature of the book.  Dixie and Percy are illustrated as charming, visually appealing characters full of mischief and fun.

 

The additional content is superb.  A detailed map precedes the story allowing children to visualise Dixie and Percy's adventure (and maps are always very popular with children!), and also question and answers sessions with Dixie, an array of suggestions of games to play on a car journey and a quiz section which acts as an introduction to comprehension activities.

 

I am already a huge Dixie O'Day fan.  Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy have come up trumps.  Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane is a brilliant first chapter book for younger readers.  Exciting and appropriate for the target age range, it would make a lovely gift or keepsake for children aged five-eight.  I particularly like the array of additional features that set it apart from other books. 

 

Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane is out now, published by The Bodley Head, an imprint of Random House Children's Publishers. 

 

10/10

 

With thanks to Random House Children's Publishers who provided me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.