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Engaging reads for children, from Books go Walkabout

Tag: children’s book illustrations

Tundra Mouse Mountain – Stories from Finland

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On January 24, 2017

In Dolphinbooksellers

Tundra Mouse Mountain book cover image

View, review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk

Tundra Mouse Mountain is a beautifully written book by Riita Jalonen and illustrated  in pastel style by Kristiina Louhi. It has an endearing and dreamy quality.

We are very pleased to have donated some copies, this month, to the Finnish Embassy for Imagine Stories at Southbank Centre, London.

Tundra Mouse Mountain is a book about a journey, a journey to the Arctic with Sari and her mother, to fulfill her childhood promise.

‘What will you dream about tonight, Sari’ says her Mum.  I’ll dream about bears or elk calves’, replies Sari.’

Tundra Mouse Mountain qr code image

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And in the illustration we see Sari riding a large brown bear, and then a reindeer who stares and stares. Did you know that if you stare long enough at a reindeer, it will go to sleep? Maybe we should try it next time we are face to face with a reindeer.

Imagine: A Nordic Childhood takes place at the Southbank Centre from the 9th Feb – 19th Feb and is well worth a visit. Stop and take a look at the childrens Nordic books when you are there.

Interesting facts from the Southbank Centre website:

‘Many of the 5.5 million children who live in the Nordic countries are said to be the happiest in the world.

In 2013, UNICEF listed Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden as four of the top five places on the planet to be a child. Some of the Nordic countries top the charts when it comes to education, while others are considered the best places to be a mother.’

Worth spending time there, we are making a visit to The Southbank Centre and maybe even Finland!

Sue Martin

Books Go Walkabout

Adventivity House 25 projects and materials for Advent

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On December 14, 2016

In All Ages, Books go Walkabout, Featured children's book, Featured illustrators, New titles, Dolphinbooksellers

 

Adventivity House cover image

Review or purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk here…

Adventivity House is an Advent Calendar and activity book rolled into one.

QED Publishing produced a very  successful Adventivity title in 2014 . Instead of just opening a window on the Advent Calendar this book has a really good activity for each day of the Advent season.

There are some beautiful ideas including a sleigh from a match box with an elf on top, a Christmas wreath, and many others finishing with a spectacular day 25  Christmas carousel with reindeers, snowmen and angels.

Adventivity House QR code image

Buy this book direct from your mobile device…

Everything you need for making the activities is included in the book with push out designs, stencils and card, or you could use your own materials and ideas based on the activity, depends how creative you are feeling! Each door reveals a a surprise and it will make a beautiful calendar and chance to get ready for Christmas.

Advent is a season for getting ready and being prepared. In all the preparations for presents and for eating and sharing together it is wonderful to have something that is creative and will give time to reflect on preparation for the true meaning of Christmas.

Sue Martin

The Dragon’s Hoard by Lari Don and Cate James

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On November 17, 2016

In 7+ years, Books go Walkabout, Dragons, Featured authors, Featured children's book, New titles

The Dragon's Hoard

Review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk here…

Dragons are looming large in our blogs this month!

The Dragon’s Hoard has eleven amazing stories from Viking Sagas, and it’s packed with warriors, battles, Berserkers, monsters and zombies. A really good book for story time as the nights get longer and darker in the northern hemisphere.

Lari Don is the author and Cate James is the illustrator in this recently published book from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. As a team the production of this book is brilliant,  it brings mythical and historical characters to life through the excellent  stories and wonderful illustrations.

It can be used as a good resource for Key Stage 2 National Curriculum work on the Vikings. It is a very creative and inspiring read on the Viking period of history from long ago. It is a good book to have in the library and also at home as the short stories are easy to share together and will bring some magic to stories around the fire or at bedtime.

Lari Don was born in Chile and has lived in Scotland for a long while, a keen interest in Scottish Landscapes and myths and fables. She has written many books including the award winning YA novel Mind Blind.

Cate James lives in Sydney and has many successful books including the Lollipop and Grandpa series. She also is a volunteer visiting artist at the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

Dragon's Hoard

And as for the dragon’s tales… maybe we can find some more to add to this months collection of dragons good and bad, friendly and fierce.

Sue Martin

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Dare to Care: Pet Dragon

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On November 2, 2016

In 6+ Years, 7+ years, All Ages, Dragons, Featured authors, Featured children's book, Featured illustrators, New titles, Dolphinbooksellers

Dare to Care: Pet Dragon cover image

Review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk here…

If you too have ever wanted to have a pet dragon, then this is the book for you!

A spectacular and fun spoof pet-care guide to dragons with everything you would ever need; taking your dragon to the vets, how to groom your dragon, teaching it to fly.

Written by Sally Symes and illustrated by M.P Robertson, published by Frances Lincoln it is now available in paper back at £6.99 or for a gift in hardback at £11.99.

There are pages of fun facts, such as  what to give your dragon to eat and what is not so good, brussel sprouts for instance are a complete No!

The Dragon Snatcher cover image

See more…

When it comes to grooming the illustrations are really good and include a tiler fixing the scales, a chimney sweep for the fire and smoke places and much more.

Great team work on this book and makes an excellent book for children aged from 5 and above. It’s part of a series about dragons and includes  The Egg and the Dragon Snatcher.

Sue Martin

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Little People, Big Dreams

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On March 5, 2016

In 6+ Years, Books go Walkabout, Featured authors, Featured children's book, Featured illustrators, New titles, Dolphinbooksellers

Coco Chanel cover image...

Buy this from Amazon.co.uk here…

This is a new series of books from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, which tell people’s stories, and how they became famous. Starting off as children, finding a dream and following it through to a successful career.

The first book follows Coco Chanel, from her early life in an orphanage, where she is a genius with needle and thread, to her time as a cabaret singer, hat maker and international fashion designer.The book is written by Ms Isabel Sanchez Vegara and with beautifully stylised illustrations by Ana Albero.

The second book is about Frida Kahlo, she wanted to study medicine but had a bad childhood accident. But despite a terrible time her career culminated in a solo exhibition in America.

These are inspirational biographies perfect for encouraging children to follow their dreams. They are excellently published books in hardback and encourage you to open them from the start. I was in The British Library recently and noticed that many people just had to peep inside.

Frida Kahlo cover image...

Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk…

In each book there is a fact section and a timeline.

Future books will include Maya Angelou and Amelia Earhart, can’t wait for that one!

We love these books and recommend for children from 6 years to 9 years.

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers and Books Go Walkabout

The Christmas Miracle
by Jonathan Toomey

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On December 21, 2014

In Featured children's book, Dolphinbooksellers

Buy this book from Amazon.co.uk

When Jonathan Toomey gruffly agrees to make a set of nativity figures the heart warming Christmas miracle begins.

Happy Christmas

Sue Martin

 

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New titles for October
Frances Lincoln

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On October 30, 2014

In Featured authors, Featured children's book, Featured illustrators, Libraries, New titles, Dolphinbooksellers

Four great new titles from the publisher Frances Lincoln this month.Image 5

Beautifully created with thought and care, they all make splendid additions to your bookshelf at home or to the library.

Image 2The Magic Bojabi Tree by Dianne Hofmeyer and Piet Grobler.

Folktales from Africa.

‘Python has wrapped himself around the melon/mango/pomegranate tree with its delicious fruit, and he won’t share the fruit unless the animals can tell him the correct name of the tree. Elephant, Monkey and Zebra each in turn visit Lion, who alone knows the name of the tree…’

My Life as a Goldfish and other poems
by Rachel Rooney.

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I just love the title and it is excellent for jokes, rhymes and surprises.

‘A monster’s lunch, a wolf boy, Monday mornings, monkeys, headlice, Christmas, making friends, goldfish – and lots more. Full of jokes, surprises and puzzles, but also sensitive and thought-provoking, this is a spellbinding new collection from the winner of the CLPE Poetry Award…’

 

Image 4How the Library Saved Rapunzel by Wendy Meddour (and illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown)

Living on the 16th floor, the only thing that saves Rapunzel is the work in the library.

‘Rapunzel sits on the sixteenth floor of an inner city block, bored, dreaming and looking out at the rain.  No one can rouse her from her apathy, not the milkman or the postman or the baker or her aunt – or even the prince. But when at last a letter is delivered, it contains news that has Rapunzel on her feet again. She has a new job at the library! And suddenly her life is busy, sparkling, exciting and stimulating…’

 

Unos, Dos, Tres, by Yanitzia Canetti and illustrated by Patrice AggsImage 3

This is a beautiful collection of Spanish words and phrases.

“Simple songs and rhymes are an excellent way to familiarise young children with another language. Uno Dos Tres a collection of 25 traditional nursery rhymes, is a delightful way to introduce Spanish. An illustrated vocabulary features simple words and phrases that are easy to learn and that can be used in games or everyday life. Children are encouraged to repeat the phrases and sing along with the rhymes, and the included CD lets them know how both should sound…”

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Jackie Morris – Artist, illustrator and author of amazing children’s books

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On October 8, 2010

In Book events, Featured authors, Featured children's book, Featured illustrators, New titles, Dolphinbooksellers

Imagine 30 children in a village school on an October afternoon, enthralled, listening and just wanting to hear the end of the tale.

For a whole hour the children in years 4, 5 and 6 at Babraham Cof E Primary School near Cambridge, sat and listened to Jackie and watched these wonderful pictures developing into a whole world of dragons, cake eating dragons, dragons made from the sun and the stars and tiny dragons with whisper thin wings.

“In their own drawings, their imaginations were sparked with fire as the dragon came to life, tails made of flowers, to dragons with spikes and claws whose tails curled round and round in spiraling circles”.

By the end of the afternoon, neither the children or the teachers were in any hurry to leave, eagerly looking at the books of Jackie’s we had brought.

Tell Me a Dragon(published by Frances Lincoln ) was in print from last year, the images and the story are just beautiful. The latest book from  Jackie Morris is The Ice Bear, look no further for an inspiring book as a present.

We are really looking forward to working with Jackie again. Enabling her to share with children in schools, so they can be inspired first hand is worth so much, apart from being a magical moment which both the children and staff will remember.

Dolphin Booksellers , part of SmithMartin Partnership LLP broadening horizons and widening imaginations. Sue Martin

Frog Finds a Friend

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On May 28, 2010

In Featured authors, Featured children's book, Featured illustrators, Dolphinbooksellers

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May give-away from Bookstart!

Last chance to enter the competition to receive a free picture book from Bookstart.

This month you can win a wonderful picture book from Max Velthuijs , either  Frog finds a Friend or Frog is Frog.

Great books to have and to share with your children. There is a whole series of Frog books and the illustrations are terrific, simple and appealing in the same way as the Maisy series.

The Frog titles have been translated into over 50 different languages and there stories and simplicity have the same appeal the world over.

‘Frog is worried about his health: His heart is beating too fast. His friend Hare says that he must be in love – but who is he in love with?‘

From Frog in Love 1989

The Bookstart website has a huge range of information and details about future events. The front page is just a delight, watch the bear and his friends come out of the sandcastle armed with books.

The  Booktrust Children’s Books site has even more information about the whole range of children’s books.

But try the May competition, there may just be chance over the holiday weekend and you may be lucky.

The Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris

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On January 6, 2010

In Featured authors, Featured illustrators, Dolphinbooksellers

snThe Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris

Whilst listening to the radio, I heard that snow leopards are perfectly adapted to the snow and bitterly cold weather we are having in the UK. It made me stop and think, then refind my copy of The Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris, published by Frances Lincoln.

The beauty and spirituality of these animals is captured wonderfully. The story is truly magical.

“From the beginning of time the Snow Leopard has sung the stars to life, the sun to rise and the moon to wax and wane. She weaves a song to keep her hidden valley safe from the world of men and as she sings, a child down in the valley beneath, dreams her song.”

slThe illustrations are amazingly evocative with the dreaming and sleeping child snuggled close to the leopard. The shades of cobalt blue matched boldly against the white and grey fur.

If you are looking for a book to use for creativity and imagination, go for this one over the winter spell. The writing and illustrations will give endless scope.

And just open the pages, read, gaze and dream…………

For a more scientific approach, facts about the snow leopard can be found on the BBC nature web site with further links. There are some great videos of snow leopards, these solitary cats need about 2000 acres of snow covered lands in which to roam.

Or visit Jackie’s website and find out more about her work, she has a large range of prints for sale too.
Buy The Snow Leopard, by Jackie Morris before you leave?

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