Books

Exclusive chat with Horrid Henry’s ‘mum’ Francesca Simon on her inspiration behind the naughtiest boy in literature

Seven-year old Horrid Henry Super Fan Diego Scintu interviewed Francesca Simon, one of the UK’s best-selling children’s writers, during the launch of her 23rd book ‘Horrid Henry’s Krazy Ketchup’. Francesca has published over 50 different books and sold over 18 million copies in 24 countries.       Q: If you were the British Queen for the day what would be the first thing…
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Books

Kids' Books: Cat and Mouse stories

Cat and mouse is an old  English-language expression meaning constant pursuit and never-ending contest with no winners. The cat is unable to secure a definitive victory over the mouse, who despite not being able to defeat the cat, is able to escape. Stories based on this cat and mouse game are classic now with Tom & Jerry being the most famous of all. Everyone seems to sympathise with the…
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Books

Storytelling: The Real History of the Watch - Exclusive tale by Max Spera

The Real History of the Watch is a great original and exclusive story by Max Spera illustrated by Nicola Lisci published for the first time in the Summer / Autumn 2014 issue 12 of the London Mums magazine. Enjoy it and read it to your kids at bedtime!  In any city, right near you, if you look carefully, you can find the Old Storyteller Lady. She goes every day to places where she can find…
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Books

Books for kids: Knights and Dragons stories

Stories about Knights and Dragons have always been popular with kids of all ages (and parents alike) and this year there has been a revamp of this theme. I am personally very pleased about that! A lead title was published on 5th June 2014 by Puffin, Sir Scallywag and the Deadly Dragon Poo. This is the second title in the Scallywag series written by Notting Hill based Giles Andreae, the dad…
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Books

Classic books: Snow White crowned Britain’s favourite fairy tale & Evil Queen beats Maleficent as the scariest villain

A recent survey has revealed that Snow White is Britain’s favourite fairy tale and the Evil Queen in Snow White is the scariest character beating Maleficent (which has now being featured in a new Disney movie starring Angelina Jolie that we have recently reviewed). The respondents certainly didn’t see the latest Disney Maleficent before participating in the research otherwise they might…
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Books

Books for early readers: FREE Secret Seven titles by Enid Blyton

What a great idea for McDonalds (for once) to offer books with all Happy Meals instead of useless and cheap toys.  The books being give away are those by no less than Enid Blyton and her Secret Seven adventures. Over the period of the Secret Seven Happy Meal promotion (Weds 30th April – Tues 2nd June 2014) Happy Meal customers will receive: –         A physical Secret Seven…
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Books

Mother and Son

Hello, I’m a novelist & journalist…I’m also a mum. And I have to say that the way mothers are portrayed in fiction DRIVES ME NUTS. Think about the books you’ve read which focus on being a mother…it’s all about the hard work, the difficulties, the mess and the way in which your life is taken away from you. What about the good stuff??? Where is the joy of…
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Books

Putting Wrong Things Right during the Queen’s reign

It is often hard to see the overview of progress of an era while you live in that time. I find all reads fascinating that give you an objective analysis of the changes of your environment. A new book Putting Wrong Things Right published by environmental organisation is marking 60 years of improvement during the Queen’s reign highlighting with great photographs and stats records of the London…
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Books

Best Children's Dog Books

Over the years my son and I have read so many books and we grew fonder and fonder of books starring dogs in particular. Here is the list of the Best Children’s Dog Books published in the United Kingdom. HERO by Sarah Lean A well written story about a little dog with the heart of a lion. From the bestselling World Book Day author, Sarah Lean, of a A Dog Called Homeless and sequel to this…
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Books

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is 45!

Who hasn’t read the The Very Hungry Caterpillar at least a dozen times? With his distinctive shape and colouring, Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is an instantly recognisable character born from the much-loved children’s book. This year, Puffin celebrates 45 years since the greedy yet loveable character first ate his way from baby caterpillar to beautiful butterfly, with the…
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