A retrospective look at Usborne’s FarmYard Tales

If there’s ever a series of books that bring back the fondest memories of my childhood, it’s the Usborne Farmyard Tales series. Celebrating 35 years of the series, the books have been there for so many children. It’s their timeless appeal and charm (all thanks to the little yellow duck of course!) which has meant the books are still in print today and boasting a huge interactive range from sticker to touchy feely books. I’ve always been very vocal in my love of Usborne books, they’re everything a children’s book should be. Here I’ll be exploring my fondest memories of the Farmyard Tales and what I would recommend for today’s young reader.

There are a few illustrators who evoke that strong feeling of nostalgia but none so much as Steven Cartwright, the creator of the Apple Tree Farm characters. His creations take me right back to childhood and of reading ‘Tractor in Trouble’…

Each story was new and exciting, following the Boot family around their farm. Of course the real joy came from spotting the little yellow duck on every page. He is always very well hidden and poses a good challenge in finding him.

 

The Farmyard Tales series has grown and grown over the years as we’ve seen new types of books involve and there has been the ever increasing need of ‘interactive’ books. I really think Usborne has got it right here. Whilst it’s wonderful that publishers have been able to create apps to coincide with print books, Usborne continue to cater to the demands of a young reader by producing books which engage the child in reading and activity, which I think is so important for development.

One of the most popular books I’ve noticed as a bookseller, and certainly a favourite of mine is Touchy Feely Animal Hide and Seek. It’s a lovely hardback book which introduces characters on Apple Tree Farm with texturised patches on every page, all whilst following a story narrative. It’s a fantastic book for children to explore themselves.

Of course there are so many books in the FarmYard Tales series – cookbooks, nature books, sticker books, touchy feely books, Christmas books. When I have children on my own, I’ll relish bedtime because it means I will get to relive some wonderful stories and introduce Apple Tree Farm to another generation. I really can’t recommend the cookbook enough. It’s visually pleasing and has some great recipes in there with all your favourite characters…

 

Congratulations Usborne and Steven Cartwright on 35 wonderful years of bringing little yellow ducks to little people!

Read Full Post »

Christmas Book Advent – Little Stories for Christmas

A Christmas book for the little ones today. A lovely, beautifully illustrated collection of five short Christmas stories for ages 3-5.

There’s a tale for each of the themes of friendship, appreciation, giving, sharing and love and features lovely woodland creatures who can’t help but warm your heart. Each page is loving full of colour illustrations and glitter which will just add to the magic of Christmas when this is being read.

THE USBORNE BOOK OF LITTLE STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS

Sam Taplin

9781409535218

£9.99 HB

Usborne

www.usborne.com

Read Full Post »

Christmas Book Advent – Christmas Cooking

With the kids all finished for Christmas (lucky them) now is the perfect time to get in the kitchen, roll up those sleeves and start on your Christmas baking. And who shows them how better than Usborne?

Christmas Cooking is part of the Usborne Activties series and features lots of recipes; sweet and savoury to get you in the festive spirit. From crinkly Christmas pies to iced gingerbread hearts, this book has it all. It features step-by-step illustrated and photographed instructions on how to get the best result. If anything is considered too difficult or dangerous for a child to do, then in lets you know parents should help at that stage…brilliant.

I’ve tried my hand at the gingerbread biscuits and they came out beautifully. They were meant to be added to the decorations on my tree but not all of them made it…nom nom nom.

A fantastic activity cookbook to fill up those hours inbetwen The Polar Express and The Muppet Christmas Carol!

CHRISTMAS COOKING

Rebecca Gilpin & Catherine Atkinson

9781409509448

£4.99 PB

Usborne

www.usborne.com

Read Full Post »

Christmas Book Advent – Usborne Nativity Sticker Book

Customers often come in around Christmas asking for young children’s books which explain the religious aspect of Christmas, more specifically the story of the nativity.

This year, Usborne have gone one up on their Touchy Feely Nativity Books (9780746098349) and have published a Nativity sticker book.

It’s a fantastic, interactive way of teaching the story to children and allows them to create the Nativity scene for themselves and in my opinion, the best way of learning is by doing.

With tasteful stickers which honour the true nature and meaning of Christmas, this is a wonderful book for those looking to teach and inspire this festive season. It has a very grown up feel to it with some of the stickers but there’s a whole variety of stickers to please all tastes.

NATIVITY STICKER BOOKS

Jane Chisolm

9781409536420

£5.99 PB

Usborne

Read Full Post »

Christmas Book Advent- Sticker Dolly Dressing Christmas

A festive edition of the hugely popular Sticker Dolly series. Usborne has built up a huge following for this series and with the fantastic ipad app released earlier in the year; things can only get better for the Dollies!

This festive themed activity book has the usual layout of the books and puts the characters in festive scenes such as ice skating and Christmas shopping and there’s a whole range of Christmas outfits to choose from with over 400 stickers to use. Little girls everywhere (and adults too I’m sure) will love getting into the christmas spirit. Perfect for when those snow days inevitably come.

STICKER DOLLY DRESSING – CHRISTMAS

Usborne

9780746087985

£5.99 PB

Read Full Post »

A celebration of children’s book illustration!

In a children’s book, the world can be anything you want it to be.

I think that’s part of what draws me back into children’s literature time and time again; why I go straight to the kids section when I walk into a book store, and why I spend far too much of my money discovering wondrous characters and fleeting adventures.

I was chatting with Kate Wilson the other day, MD of children’s publisher Nosy Crow and she asked if my interests were with fiction  or illustrated work – the answer was clear; illustrated. I so often recall a fond memory with the visual elements of a book. Thinking back…I do it all the time.

When I rediscovered Usborne’s First Experience series ‘Going to School’, it was the iconic illustration of the two children at school enjoying a break time snack of cookies and juice in amongst their craft making which brought everything back.  And when I found Jill Murphy’s ‘Five Minutes Peace’ in the loft, it was Mrs Large enjoying a huge slice of cake which brought the initial smile to my face.

Sometimes, a story needs pictures. That little something that connects us with what we’re reading- almost anthropomorphising characters which are otherwise just written text. That’s not to say that a story can’t hold it’s own just as a text…quite the opposite. It’s that a story can be so hauntingly beautiful or meaningful or just plain crazy, that it deserves to be forever animated, to honour its talent and imagination.

As Kate Wilson said, there’s a fine line between a picture and an illustration. The drawing has to go hand in hand with story being told. There are some wonderful successes with this notion. Just look at Oliver Jeffers’ Lost and Found…is there anything more iconic than that wonderful little boy and his friend the penguin?

Or the Gruffalo, oh yes that terrible creature with terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws (by the way, he’s not that terrible, he sits quite happily guarding my bookcase with his beady orange eyes). Julia Donaldson has said that she doesn’t really communicate with illustrator Axel Scheffler when they work together. She writes the story and hands him the script and he bring the story to life. It’s truly a wonderful thing to see books like The Gruffalo become so iconic that when children come into the store and see the Gruffalo toy, their faces light up and they shout out lines from the book.

Having household names in children’s books, in particular picture books, is important for children to discover their likes and dislikes and latch on to something they like and to progress from there. But it’s equally important to discover something new, something that stops you in your tracks because it’s different and can only be described as imagination.

And that’s where Book Trust’s ‘Best New Illustrator’s Award comes in. It is a celebration of talented new illustrators and the talent on show here is just astounding. Take a look for yourself on the Book Trust website http://www.booktrust.org.uk/Prizes-and-awards/Best-New-Illustrators-Award

There’s a complete array of style on show; from the graphic design inspired to exotic, abstract colourings- it’s all just wondrous to look at and many of the final 10 have already had their illustrations published.

This award is just an honest celebration of great talent, bringing even more imagination into the wonderful world of children’s books.

Read Full Post »

Calling all Star Makers…’Polly Plays her Part’

 

‘Polly Plays her Part’ is the second book in the Star Makers Club series written by Anne-Marie Conway. ‘Phoebe finds her Voice’ is Anne-Marie’s first novel and was shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction competition.

Aimed at the 8-12 audience, this book and the others in the series appeals to boys and girls…especially those who like to be in the spotlight. Get the hairbrushes ready and mirrors polished; the spotlight is on you!

Each book in this series is self-contained but is based around the Star Makers Club. In this second book, Polly is having a few family troubles to say the least. She’s got a Mum who is more focused on sombrero’s than Polly’s spotlight, a Stepmum who is being a bit TOO nice and a leading part in the brand new Star Makers’ Production.

I think the cover is quite deceiving. Obviously produced to appeal to those who like Daisy Meadows and Cathy Cassidy; Anne-Marie’s books actually deal with some quite important issues around growing up. In this book, Polly must juggle her mum and Dad splitting up, a stepmum joining her family and she learns about internet safety the hard way. In these times when children are using gadgets and have the freedom to use the internet at such a young age, this book is testament to just how careful we should be. Of course, this book certainly isn’t serious throughout and relies on the dazzle of The Star Makers Club to lighten the mood. The result is an hilarious, often touching read about Polly, a young girl just trying to find her footing on the stage and at home.

‘Polly Plays her Part’ by Anne-Marie Conway is published by Usborne, £5.99     9781409520917

The third in the series ‘Sam in the Spotlight’ was published this month, £5.99     9781409521419

http://www.annemarieconway.com/

http://www.usborne.com

 

Read Full Post »

Christmas Advent – ’30 Things to Cook and Eat for Christmas’

During the festive season there’s nothing I love more than spending time in the kitchen, with a good Christmas movie on in the background. But sometimes it’s hard to let kids get involved unless you are prepared for mass destruction of the kitchen…and your food.

That’s where Usborne’s ’30 Things to Cook and Eat for Christmas’ comes in. Produced as a handy small hardback book which will survive the odd smearing of butter and dusting of flour these thirty recipes have the makings of a classic Christmas cookbook for the little ones, with easy to follow step-by-step illustrated instructions.

My favourites are the creamy chocolate fudge, which would make a lovely gift is presented in a box of tied in a clear bag twirled with christmas ribbons.

On Sunday I’ll be visiting the Winchester Christmas Market, held in the cathedral grounds. For those who have never been I think it comes second to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and in terms of the things sold in the stalls, it’s second to none. I’ll be walking round with a glass of mulled wine in hand looking for inspiration.  Then in the afternoon I’ll be putting up the Christmas tree at home. Whilst we have far too many decorations to fit on the tree, I always like to do something a little homemade and this year I’ll be trying ‘Shining Star Biscuits’ from the book. These are simple ginger spiced biscuits baked with a boiled sweet in the middle of the biscuit to a create a stained glass appearance. These will look stunning against the twinkling lights. Check back Sunday evening for the results.

At just £5.99 this book is a steal for what you get from it; hours of festive fun in the kitchen and then a few minutes pleasure from eating all your hard work.

’30 Things to Cook and Eat for Christmas’ is published by Usborne £5.99

9780746087633

Read Full Post »

Mailbox Monday #1 – A weekly look at the books I received

Mailbox Monday is hosted by the Printed Page over at http://printedpage.us/ and is a weekly meme looking at all the books I have received in the past week, either for a review or books I have bought myself. I’ve got a great list to start with.

‘The Elephant’s Tale’ by Lauren St John. Paperback published 1st July 2010, by Orion.

Book description (via Amazon): It’s the first day of the December school holidays and Martine has lots of fun planned for the next few weeks, not least spending time with Jemmy, her beloved white giraffe, and her best friend, Ben. But her plans for a peaceful holiday are soon shattered when a sinister man informs Martine and her grandmother that Sabuwona is about to be repossessed. The nature reserve, and everything in it, will no longer belong to them. Martine is determined to save the home she’s grown to love. When Grace has a vision about a unique herd of Namibian elephants, she knows she must travel to Namibia to learn their secrets. This could be the answer to all their troubles … The fourth thrilling African adventure, written with all the zest and skill that has endeared so many readers to THE WHITE GIRAFFE, DOLPHIN SONG and THE LAST LEOPARD.

I picked up a proof copy that got sent to work of the paperback edition, can’t wait to delve into this. St John is always very popular and looks set to continue this tradition. I think children find the books very helpful in growing up whilst still maintaining that important form of escapism through the Afican lands.

‘Usborne Children’s World Cookbook’ Hardback published 28th May 2010 by Usborne.

Book description (via Amazon): This is an exciting new edition of the cookbook that takes adventurous cooks on a gastronomic trip around the world. Stylish, mouth-watering photographs will inspire readers to be adventurous with new flavours and cuisines. Different cooking techniques are clearly illustrated, and accompanied by information on ingredients from around the globe. Simple, illustrated step-by-step instructions explain exactly what cooks need to do, making each recipe 100 per cent fail-safe.

This book is quite simply, stunning. It has what a lot of adult cookbooks don’t and that’s format and coherence. The book is indexed through food type and food by region and the pictures are beautiful; colourful and diverse and really portray the traditions of each country. Kids will love getting their hands dirty and cooking recipes. There are some basics like the classic English scone… “scown” or “scon”? and pancakes and there are some more exotic recipes such as Hungarian goulash and Thai chicken in coconut sauce. The recipes are laid out in a step by step basis so that children can follow easily. There are real photographs of the the end result as well as the native people enjoying their food customs and ways of life. Children will learn as much about all the countries as they will about food.

A fantastic book, I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve always been a supporter of Usborne books because I remember the ‘first experience’ books so fondly, especially ‘Going to School’. When I found that book again and looked back at the photography, the memories of reading that book over and over came flooding back. When customers ask for educational books I always point them in the direction of Usborne and they seem very satisfied.

 

Look out this week for an additional review on other cooking related books for children that will go down a treat…mmm “Revolting Recipes”.

 

‘Cake Girl’ by David Lucas. Hardback published October 2009. Andersen Press.

 

Book description (via Amazon): The witch was alone on her birthday – again! So she bakes a Cake Girl, and tells her to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and dance, and smile, and make her laugh – and do all the housework…’And then’, said the Witch, ‘I’ll eat you’. What will Cake Girl do? A delicious new picture book from the creator of “Halibut Jackson” and “The Robot and the Bluebird”.

 

Oh, I must have cake on my mind. I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor cake girl, mainly because I want to eat her too! Check out David Lucas’s books because he’s writen some great ones, my other favourite being ‘Nutmeg’. I bought this book to add to my collection because I think it’s lovely. Reminiscent of the down-on-luck princess in a fairy tale, and even The Nutcracker, this is a charming book which will lift anyone’s spirits and satisfy a sweet tooth craving (for an hour or so I’m sure).

‘Penguin by Design: A Cover Story 1935-2005′ by Phil Baines. Published May 2005, Penguin (Allen Lane).

 

I’ve wanted this book for so long and now I’ve got it. It features all the book covers from the past 70 years by Penguin. It’s fascinating to see art change through book design and you will find some real classics in here. Each design is a representation of our culture and really pays tribute to the book inside hiding beneath the cover. Penguin continues to be at the forefront of publishing and I love their retro, vintage designs; specifically the new Nancy Mitford fiction editions. I will of course have to have them all. You can also get postcards featuring book covers and a fun game in the same style as the book.

That’s my mailbox done for the week. I know I’ve got some more stuff on the way for next week so I better get reading.

 

Read Full Post »