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This book is an absolute delight, after A Boy Named Christmas I wasn't sure if the magic could be created again but Matt Haig has smashed it out of the park! Delightful, heartwarming fairy tale suffused with the joy and spirit of Christmas, after having read it in ebook form I just had to buy myself a physical copy to treasure. Young Amelia has an awful time after her mother dies and she is sent to the strictest workhouse in London and her hope is all but extinguished for a while. Meanwhile there are problems in Elfhelm and Father Christmas has his work cut out sorting them but when he and Amelia meet for the second time the magic truly begins and builds to an extremely happy ending.
The Girl Who Saved Christmas would be perfect as a book to share with your children or pupils to be read aloud to enjoy tegether. I found it enchanting and it really put a smile on my face - it deserves to be on everyone's Christmas list this year! An oldie but definitely a goodie today; you have probably heard of (and maybe even know off by heart....no? just me then!) Rod Campbell's book for younger children Dear Zoo, well Dear Santa is the festive reworking of it. Santa is trying to choose a presend to bring but rejects many for different reasons - the finger paints are too messy, the ball is too bouncy, the tiger mask is too scary etc Eventually after discarding all the unsuitable gifts he finally brings a pet - a lovely ginger cat. There's a piece of fake fur incorporated into the picture too so you can actually stroke the kitty. Little ones already familiar with Dear Zoo will find Dear Santa a delight and if they aren't familiar with Dear Zoo......why the heck not?!
8/3/2016 0 Comments International Women's DayAs today is International Women's Day I've spent some of it thinking about the tweeting women whom inspire me - I've come up with the list below:
JK Rowling - anyone that knows me could probably have predicted this one, not only did JK write my favourite series of books of all time, she also made sure those books had very strong female characters and has remained 'human' - entering into dialogue on Twitter, visiting local libraries etc She is witty, caring and has raised a heck of a lot of money for charity, this lady has it all. Alice Oseman - an author with so much talent at such a young age that it's almost scary. I have just finished Radio Silence which is sensitively written, with an authentic teenage voice and a gripping story. Very much looking forward to reading all of her future books. Kate Wilson - founder and managing director of Nosy Crow publishers who produce fantastic children's books and apps. Using the word 'inspirational' to describe such an eloquent, creative woman seems a little hackneyed but this fangirl is struggling to find an alternative! Dr Sue Black - we are so not worthy! Sparky, campaigning and proving to the world day after day that yes, women can do tech and bloody well too. Sarah Crossan - Not just because One has an assured place in my top ten books but because listening to her rhapsodising about poetry is sheer pleasure - and very funny! - and would encourage more young (& more mature!) people to explore and enjoy the medium more frequently. Just a few, because I could go on for hours, I follow so many amazing women and I'd like to say thank you to all of them for bringing out my creative side, making me laugh, sometimes making me cry and generally enhancing my online life on a day to day basis. 3/1/2016 0 Comments 2015 Reading RoundupHappy New Year all! I am very pleased to have surpassed my GoodReads target of reading 120 books in 2015 (in fact I read 121) so now need to set myself a new challenge. I was going to make this post a list of my top 5 books of the year - but I can't possibly limit it to 5, will have to be 10! Here they are in no particular order, and they are not necessarily books published in this year, just books I have read: One, Sarah Crossan - this book stands out for me as the book that I have recommended to everyone and that probably made the most impression on me. Lyrical, beautifully written and so emotional, if you haven't read it yet go read it now! Concentr8, William Sutcliffe - an extremely powerful read that is scarily credible with some thought provoking extra reading on the subject of the over prescription of Ritalin etc. Twisted Dark Volume 1, Neil Gibson - I've started to read more graphic novels this year and intend to continue to do so in 2016 and Twisted Dark are going to help me with that. Hard hitting and not for younger children this was not always a comfortable read but gripping nonetheless. Clariel, Garth Nix - being drawn back into the world of the Abhorsen was an absolute delight, this prequel to a favourite series was like being given an unexpected present Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt Haig - an important, sensitive description of Matt's struggle with depression that is both uplifting and comforting. I've requested this as my book to give out on World Book Night, fingers are firmly crossed. (very honourable mention to A Boy Named Christmas too which is destined to be a December read for me for many years to come). Monster, CJ Skuse - the one that kept me awake at night and gave me nightmares! Tense, scary and set in a boarding school (reminiscent for me of Mallory Towers!), what's not to like?! Demon Road, Derek Landy - first YA title from the always sarcastically amusing creator of Skulduggery. Read this in one greedy gulp and will will go back and reread. Darkly funny but bloodthirsty too. Because you'll never meet me, Leah Thomas - debut novel and very unusual story of a friendship built on letters that sustains and is a lifeline for two 'different' teenage boys. Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar, Emily Mackenzie - my favourite picture book of the year. Ralfy Rabbit is obsessed with books, he just can't get enough of them and this leads him into a life of crime when he starts to steal other peoples. He's 'saved' by a library - of course! Eren, Simon P Clark - Gorgeous book about the very nature of story and the impact it can have on life. Narrowing down to just 10 books has been ridiculously difficult and I must give a hat tip to a couple of others that didn't quite get into the lineup, Cleo, Lucy Coats & Mind Games, Teri Terry that I thoroughly enjoyed too ;-) My reading resolution is quite a simple one - read......more! and I'm looking forward to discovering more fantastic books in 2016. 22/12/2015 0 Comments Christmas Challenge Dec 22In The Bleak Midwinter, Philip Reeve illustrated by Sarah McIntyre. A short story today, from the fantastic duo of Reeve & McIntyre. I loved the nod to Christmas Carol in the beginning sentence and greatly enjoyed the clean, sparse storytelling that is beautifully illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Can machines feel? you must draw your own conclusions from this tale about Shrike and Hester who travel together in strange lands. A Christmas cracker to be sure.
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AuthorMy blog is a collection of thoughts and I hope you will learn something about me from the ramblings as well as finding some useful links. I'm Bev Humphrey and I'm a Literacy, School Libraries and Technology Consultant. I am self employed so views expressed are solely my own. CategoriesAll Android Apps Authors Bett Book Giving Day Books Cats Childrens Books Christmas Christmas Challenge Conferences Dickens Dyslexia English Games Geography Graphic Novels Images Inspiration International Women's Day Ipad Ipad For Education Libraries London Mfl Picture Books Podcasts Poetry Poetry Day Primaries Reading Resources Revision Twitter Urls Video Visits Wbd Wordcloud Wordle Workshops Write Path Writers Writing YA Youtube |