Good morning/evening people.
Okay, time for two book reviews, this will be a weekly slot where I review two different books, from different genres, age groups and current trends.
If anyone has any suggestions for a book review please leave a comment and I will do my best to get around to reviewing the book or books you suggest.
First book review is - Skellig By David Almond.
David Almond grew up in the North East, he comes from a big family, in his lifetime he has been - a postman, a brush salesman, an editor and a teacher. He always wanted to write and has written many prize winning books for both adults and children.
Skellig was first published in 1998, it's age range is roughly 8-12 but I personally think this would appeal to any age.
Here is an extract for the book, remember I hold no copyright, this belongs to the author at all times - 'He was lying there in the darkness behind the tea chests, in the dust and dirt. It was as if he'd been there forever.' Copyright D. Almond.
This is just the beginning of a magical adventure for the main character Micheal. His baby sister is ill, they've just moved house, he finds it boring, that is until he wanders into the crumbling garage, only to discover someone is there.
Micheal meets Mina and together they learn from eachother through various activities, when Micheal shows Mina what is hiding in the garage and together they move him to somewhere safe. With their help, Skellig regains strength and shows them who he really is, but what is he? An angel? An owl? A hybrid? Or something other wordly?
Will his baby sister survive? Or will she be with the angels?
You'll have to read the book to find out. It is available second hand on http://www.play.com/
You can guarantee a lovely moving story, full of magic, possibilities and surprises.
I was introduced to this book by my daughter, they were reading it at school. She came home begging me to find and buy her a copy and so I did and I bought myself one aswell. It is a truly wonderful story, one that captures the imagination and makes you wonder - do we really have guardians who watch over us?
Out of 5 stars I rate this book 5 out of 5.
Onto my second book review for the week - 'Dead Man's Cove' By Lauren St. John.
If you're a fan of either Enid Blyton or R.L. Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' you may well enjoy this book.
Before this was published, Lauren St. John had written a series for children - The White Giraffe, Dolphin song, The last leopard and The elephant's tale.
Dead Man's Cove was first published in 2010, again the age range is around 8-12, but anyone who likes an adventure story, this will suit you well.
Here is a small exert, again I do not hold copyright, this as always belongs to the author - 'Orphaned Laura is sent to live with her Uncle in Cornwall. Everywhere she turns she's confronted with mysteries. Why does her Uncle seem intent on erasing his own past? And why is everyone so afraid of Dead Man's Cove?' Copyright L. St. John.
It centres around an Orphan called - Laura (the theme of an orphan is often used in books, esp the main character, example - treasure island.) who lives in a care home, she dreams of adventure, a mysterious Uncle is located and so Laura is packed off to go and live with her mysterious Uncle. Awaiting her are mysteries, adventure and a deadly race for survival. She meets a shy shop keepers son, who to her feels like a complete mystery, even more so when Laura digs deeper into what is going on.
She uncovers something I don't think she expected. It is down to her faithful canine friend Skye to find them before the tide washes them away.
Full of mystery, twists, turns, lovely moments, scary moments and most of all adventure, this book proves - be careful what you wish for, it may come true.
Out of 5 stars I give it 4.9, a wonderful book, wonderfully written by a creative author, this is one to keep.
This book is available in most book shops and available online at such places as http://www.play.com/ & http://www.amazon.co.uk/ and obviously amazon usa.
Thanks for reading this, if you have?? Lol, like I said earlier if you wish me to review any books at somepoint in time (hopefully not long, depending if I have read it before, or have to go and buy it lol) please leave a comment and I will do my best.
Catch you on Friday, where I will be interviewing a friend and fellow parent, then Saturday another book review.
Have a fantastic weekend :-)
Saturday 30 June 2012
Friday 29 June 2012
Parent view of a fave childhood book.: A favourite childhood book
Parent view of a fave childhood book.: A favourite childhood book: As a child I could do nothing but read, it was all I wanted to do. It took a while for me to catch the 'reading bug' but once that happened...
A favourite childhood book
As a child I could do nothing but read, it was all I wanted to do.
It took a while for me to catch the 'reading bug' but once that happened a whole new world opened up for me, a world where anything could happen at any given time.
I have noticed over time that most children do not seem interested in reading, they'd rather play video games, watch tv or do something that for me is mind numbing. Obviously certain video games are ok, they can build up hand eye coordination, but most games I have seem children play, don't do anything other than entertain, which is all well and good every now and again, when you need something to get them out of your way for a while.
I am not condemning outdoor activities, as this keeps them fit and active. But it would seem that over the past 10yrs (or maybe even more) reading isn't seen as something cool to do, instead they prefer to maybe out do eachother with the latest phone or game or games console.
I didn't have that option as a child, computers were really expensive and mobile phones looked like bricks and weighed a ton lol.
This blog today is going to take me back to my childhood, where I remember reading so many different books from such brilliant authors, one which I will discuss shortly.
Okay onto a favourite childhood book, which to this day I still adore and laugh at.
The author's name was -Roald Dahl (many millions of people have heard of him), who sadly passed away in 1991 (I think??). He had written many books, but the one I wish to focus on is - Georges Marvellous Medicine. (I have read quite a few of his books).
George is a boy who lives at home with his parents and Grandma. He hates his Grandma as she is rude, disgusting and cruel. His parents go out, leaving him in charge of giving his Grandma her medicine, this is where the fun begins. He puts allsorts into the medicine before giving it Grandma with hilarious results.
When I read this book for the first time, I really had no idea what to expect. As a child reading this book, I found his Grandma hideous and thanked whoever for giving me lovely grandparents. When George administered the medicine to his grandma I had a feeling something awesome was going to happen. With each turning of the page, I was dragged (happily I have to say) more into the story.
And when George's mum finds out, she panics, so poor George has to make the 'medicine' all over again, but he cannot remember all the ingredients he used. (Paint was one of the weird ingredients amongst others.) The end result? You will have to read the book to find out.
I honestly have no clue as to how parents influence their childs reading? My daughter who is almost 11, was a pain to try to read a simple book. It took me a whole year to turn her around to the idea of reading a book. At first she refused, that made me frustrated and her upset, but all I wanted, was for her to grasp the basics of reading. After a 2 day break, I tried again, not much change on her part, but to her credit she read a page lol.
A month in and I decided to buy some books that I had read as a child, mainly Roald Dahl, though I did have books by other authors like Micheal Rosen and Spike Milligan.
Slowly but surely I encouraged her to pick up the book and to try to make up her own story just by looking at the front cover, result = progress.
By the end of the year (it was a long haul lol) her confidence had grown and ever since then hasn't stopped reading and likes nothing more than to curl up with a hot drink and a good book. Currently she is moaning that she has a lack of books (200 at the last count) and so I have decided to buy her a kindle as this will store many more books than her bedroom can take he he he.
It was a brilliant book by a fantastic author. Thankyou Roald Dahl, you no doubt inspired millions, me included.
Next weeks blog will be an interview with a friend and fellow parent, we shall discuss her own childhood influences, what she reads now and does she influence what her child reads? Or is it free reign? Or a balance between the two?
Thanks for reading xx
Nadine :-)
It took a while for me to catch the 'reading bug' but once that happened a whole new world opened up for me, a world where anything could happen at any given time.
I have noticed over time that most children do not seem interested in reading, they'd rather play video games, watch tv or do something that for me is mind numbing. Obviously certain video games are ok, they can build up hand eye coordination, but most games I have seem children play, don't do anything other than entertain, which is all well and good every now and again, when you need something to get them out of your way for a while.
I am not condemning outdoor activities, as this keeps them fit and active. But it would seem that over the past 10yrs (or maybe even more) reading isn't seen as something cool to do, instead they prefer to maybe out do eachother with the latest phone or game or games console.
I didn't have that option as a child, computers were really expensive and mobile phones looked like bricks and weighed a ton lol.
This blog today is going to take me back to my childhood, where I remember reading so many different books from such brilliant authors, one which I will discuss shortly.
Okay onto a favourite childhood book, which to this day I still adore and laugh at.
The author's name was -Roald Dahl (many millions of people have heard of him), who sadly passed away in 1991 (I think??). He had written many books, but the one I wish to focus on is - Georges Marvellous Medicine. (I have read quite a few of his books).
George is a boy who lives at home with his parents and Grandma. He hates his Grandma as she is rude, disgusting and cruel. His parents go out, leaving him in charge of giving his Grandma her medicine, this is where the fun begins. He puts allsorts into the medicine before giving it Grandma with hilarious results.
When I read this book for the first time, I really had no idea what to expect. As a child reading this book, I found his Grandma hideous and thanked whoever for giving me lovely grandparents. When George administered the medicine to his grandma I had a feeling something awesome was going to happen. With each turning of the page, I was dragged (happily I have to say) more into the story.
And when George's mum finds out, she panics, so poor George has to make the 'medicine' all over again, but he cannot remember all the ingredients he used. (Paint was one of the weird ingredients amongst others.) The end result? You will have to read the book to find out.
I honestly have no clue as to how parents influence their childs reading? My daughter who is almost 11, was a pain to try to read a simple book. It took me a whole year to turn her around to the idea of reading a book. At first she refused, that made me frustrated and her upset, but all I wanted, was for her to grasp the basics of reading. After a 2 day break, I tried again, not much change on her part, but to her credit she read a page lol.
A month in and I decided to buy some books that I had read as a child, mainly Roald Dahl, though I did have books by other authors like Micheal Rosen and Spike Milligan.
Slowly but surely I encouraged her to pick up the book and to try to make up her own story just by looking at the front cover, result = progress.
By the end of the year (it was a long haul lol) her confidence had grown and ever since then hasn't stopped reading and likes nothing more than to curl up with a hot drink and a good book. Currently she is moaning that she has a lack of books (200 at the last count) and so I have decided to buy her a kindle as this will store many more books than her bedroom can take he he he.
It was a brilliant book by a fantastic author. Thankyou Roald Dahl, you no doubt inspired millions, me included.
Next weeks blog will be an interview with a friend and fellow parent, we shall discuss her own childhood influences, what she reads now and does she influence what her child reads? Or is it free reign? Or a balance between the two?
Thanks for reading xx
Nadine :-)
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