As it's World Book Day it seems appropriate to mention some of the books we’ve received recently from Kids at Random House.
I've always thought that everyone's experience of a book is different and it's all down to personal taste, so the books we’ve enjoyed and those we haven’t might not necessarily be viewed the same way by the next person. With that in mind, here's a summary of a selection of kids’ books we received and what we thought of them.
Six Little Chicks by Jez Alborough, RRP £10.99
Released today, Six Little Chicks is aimed at the Easter market. It’s a picture book for younger children and tells the story of Busy Hen who is trying to look after her five chicks, and another one about to hatch, from the scary fox who is busy sniffing them out. When the other chicks warn her they are in danger she hurries to protect them, but they are braver that she realises and they put a stick in his jaws so he can’t eat them.
Dance Together Dinosaurs by Jane Clarke and Lee Wildish, RRP £5.99
Again, Dance Together Dinosaurs is a picture book for younger children with a definite Strictly Come Dancing feel to it. It’s bright and colourful and IJ particularly liked the illustrations.
It’s a book of very few words but there are plenty of pictures to look at and it’s bound to make many a preschooler smile. We’re passing it on to my niece and nephew and we’re certain they’ll love it.
Polly Price’s Totally Secret Diary On Stage in America, by Dee Shulman, RRP £4.99
The design of this book, aimed at girls aged 9+, is very original as it’s not printed in normal typewriter text but in hand writing to appear like a real diary entry complete with spelling mistakes and the odd crossing out. It doesn’t make it difficult to read and IJ particularly liked the accompanying drawings.
It’s the story of Polly Price who travels to America with her slightly hopeless mother who is performing on stage there. It tells the tale of the people she meets there and the adventures she has while In America. It’s definitely a girly girl book and even though IJ is into books like Mr Gum and Mr Stink at the moment, girls with an interest in drama and theatre will enjoy it as the book contains plenty of both.
Minnow and the Bear by Ben Blathwayt, RRP £5.99
This book is a little different from the more light-hearted teddy bear bedtime stories IJ used to enjoy but she absolutely loves it. We’ve read it every night for the past three weeks.
It’s the story of Minnow who wants to be a hunter but is told he is too young to go out into the wilderness. So he goes on his own and gets swept down the river where he meets a bear who he lives with in a cave for the next few months.
They make a shelter together and fend for themselves until the weather deteriorates and they decide to attempt the difficult journey home. It’s a story of friendship and survival and ultimately Minnow is a hero. It’s currently IJ’s favourite book and we can’t travel anywhere without it.
Are there any kids’ books you’d recommend this World Book Day?
