Think of Noah’s Ark’s story with an Indian backdrop and a huge pumpkin as the ark, and here you have Pattan’s Pumpkin, a vibrantly illustrated flood story from India written by Chitra Soundar with illustrations by Frané Lessac. Pattan has an amazing pumpkin… it grows bigger than the goats, bigger than the elephants, until it is as tall as the mountains. But can Pattan’s…
Yesterday I attended an event at Waterstones Piccadilly to announce the PR campaign surrounding the 20th anniversary of the world’s biggest annual celebration of reading in the UK, World Book Day 2017 . To my surprise I met a stellar panel including Jacqueline Wilson, Francesca Simon (Horrid Henry), Liz Pichon (Tom Gates) and Steven Butler (Dennis the Menace). I happen to be one of few lucky…
This year on 13th September 2016 the world celebrates 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl (1916-1990), one of the most popular children’s authors of all times. For the occasion, Carlton is publishing a fabulous new book The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl. I have literally fallen in love with it. I dare say that it’s the best children’s book that I have reviewed in 2016. A…
A true Hollywood legend comes into land on this week’s edition of the Talking Pictures podcast. Robert Redford takes up The Big Interview hot seat to talk about his latest movie, Pete’s Dragon – the first film he’s ever made for Disney. The new live action re-make of the 1977 animation is released this week and is also in the spotlight, alongside new releases…
London Mums love lists of characters from our favourite movies. This time we hope you enjoy the greatest Animal Animation Heroes.
Over the years we have seen some amazing animation heroes of the animal variety, showing plenty of bravery throwing themselves into copious amounts of adventurous antics. From detective dogs to protagonist penguins, it’s often the animals that are the unlikely heroes…
I could not go and see Sing Street in cinema when it came out in May so I am glad the DVD release is now available for review so soon. It’s a great film with a lovely storyline and amazing soundtrack, that brought me back to being a teenager in the Eighties. Admittedly after the recent blockbusters and super heroes releases, I was glad Sing Street brings a wind of change. Sing Street is…
A live action movie re-imagining of Disney’s cherished family film, Pete’s Dragon is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon. Disney for me is a guarantee of quality storytelling and film making. This movie is a real treat for fans of the original film while capturing the interest of the younger generation with great special…
The holidays are here and the summer blockbuster season gets off to the biggest of starts on this week’s Talking Pictures. Legendary director Steven Spielberg, and the Oscar winning star of the film, Mark Rylance, talk about The BFG, their latest film together at its London press conference. And London Mums’ resident film critic, Freda Cooper, was there to hear what they had to…
There are lots of new Summer reads and bedtime stories for children out there to keep the little ones entertained. Here are London Mums and Kids Club favourite ones. These stories we have chosen are especially engaging. It certainly helped having the authors reading them. Watch them in our exclusive videos. Don’t forget to subscribe to the London Mums’ YouTube channel for more videos…
Swallows and Amazons is a pleasant upcoming family film for this Summer to add to the list of great great movies released or due to be released soon (Finding Dory & Piper, The Secret Life of Pets ….). The enchanting film will be in cinemas from 19 August. It brings to life the classic novel by Arthur Ransome, telling the tale of the Walker children’s summer holiday in the Lake…