They told me they had a particular problem with some of their boys in the 7 to 9 age group.

They needed inspiring.

Despite my reservations about returning to the classroom, and also doubting my ability to have a positive impact on them in that environment, I felt it was almost my duty to answer their call for help.

Since leaving fulltime education I have only been back into schools for playgroups when my child was a pre-schooler and thereafter for parent consultations, school performances and fairs.

I have played chaperone on a few school trips, and a couple of years ago I went into my son’s school to tell the children about a charity walk I made along Hadrian’s Wall so had a tiny insight of what to expect.

Still, the idea of trying to engage with a 30 strong group of Key Stage 2 children, and thus attempt to get them more engaged with literacy was a shade more than daunting.

However, armed with some guidance from friends and folks of the Internet, I set off for my morning at the school.

My idea was to try and convince children, that although literacy is hard work – for some – that the rewards are enormous and virtually limitless.

I started by asking if they enjoyed literacy, and before giving them enough time to answer explained that it wasn’t really something I enjoyed at school.

It wasn’t until I discovered that it’s what you are writing and reading about that creates any interest that my love of language developed.

And that’s what I tried to practically convey in the next 60 minutes or so.  I showed them examples of my writing, specifically that I’ve done reviewing books, toys and days out.

Then I gave each group of children some toys – most of which I’d been sent to review – and asked them to write about them.

Imagine someone who’d never seen these things before, a parent perhaps, and then write an explanation of these toys for them.

What were they?

How had they been made?

What could you do with them?

What improvements would you suggest?

I levelled the playing field for them too.  Expressing that spelling and grammar (in this exercise) was not important, and it was more the language they used and how they expressed themselves and the toys in front of them.

Hopefully so they knew that it wasn’t necessarily the ‘best’ at literacy who was automatically going to come up with work trumping everyone else.

Many seemed to get it, and some of the specific children I was targeting really engaged with trying to put into words how they would describe the toys.

I hope they could see that by working hard in their future literacy lessons that this would be a process they would find easier.

Introducing a bit of healthy competition, specifically with those reluctant boys in mind, I awarded one of their children for their excellent work with a prize.

The prize being a Tidy Books Cabin Puzzle.

But all the children were brilliant, as was my experience of spending time with them on this subject, one that I feel passionately about.

That said I’m not in a rush to repeat this process and don’t envy those in the teaching profession.

Yet I comforted myself in the belief that I made one teacher’s job a tiny bit easier, if only for an hour!

If you’ve volunteered to help out at your children’s school, what’s been your experience?  If it’s something you’ve not done before, is it something you’d consider?  Are you a teacher? What do you think about parents volunteering in the classroom?

You can read more about one scheme to get volunteers into classrooms in London, sponsored by the London Evening Standard through Volunteer Reading Help which operates throughout the UK.  If your young reader and writer is in need of inspiration, you could visit the Ministry of Stories which is inspired by Dave Eggers Pirate Store in the US

Inspiring reluctant readers in the classroom is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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It must be somewhere, it must, it must

It’s not that I’ve lost it – it’s really just

I got it

And then I forgot it

I put it down here, I’m sure I did

It’s not my fault if it’s gone and hid

I got it

And then I forgot it

So it must be somewhere, it has to be

I never lose my things, you see

I got it

And then I forgot it

And if with the ‘got’ you choose to ignore

That small bit in front, that miniscule ‘for’

That means, I reckon, in fact I’m sure

That I’ve only gone and got it some more

(Does that make sense?)

It must be some…what do you suppose?

It was here all along right in front of my nose!

Elli Woollard

Elli Woollard writes poems regularly on her blog.  You can read her biog here

Elli’s work is copyrighted.  Please see her notes on copyright and use here

‘It Must Be Somewhere’ | Original Poems for Kids is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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On Christmas morning at seven o’clock

Our Gran came downstairs and she got a great shock

As the house was so quiet! So peaceful! So still!

And she said ‘Goodness gracious! Are all those kids ill?’

And she stood there in puzzlement, scratching her head

And she thought to herself ‘Are those kids still in bed?’

She remarked to our Dad ‘My, those kids are so good

They’re behaving themselves like small children all should

You say that they’re naughty, but nobody gets

That they’re such darling angels, they’re such perfect pets

I can’t hear a thing! Not a peep! Not a noise

From their room – they’ve not opened their toys!’

But under our covers we silently laughed

And we thought to ourselves ‘Boy – those grown-ups are daft

Our toys were all opened – we’d ripped into them

By the light of our torches at four a.m.

In fact we’d been partying half the night

Here under our duvets with torches for light

And we were being quiet because (you should try it)

Itsh very, very diffishult to shpeak witsh your moush shtuffed full of schocolate

Elli Woollard

Elli Woollard writes poems regularly on her blog.  You can read her biog here

Elli’s work is copyrighted.  Please see her notes on copyright and use here

Christmas Angels | Original Poems for Kids is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Giving a child a love for reading is a gift that involves more than a story.  The texture, size and turning pages are parts of the experience of reading, and what are in important part of what makes children fall in love with books.   When Geraldine first created her Tidy Books bookcase, she was working on a belief that children should pick up, handle and choose their own books.  So we were fascinated to read this recent article in the New York Times which talks about the digital marketing professionals and other e-book fans who insist on traditional books for their children, saying the experience is an essential part of learning to read.   We hope you find it a revealing article too.

For Their Children, Many E-Book Fans Insist on Paper

Print books may be under siege from the rise of e-books, but they have a tenacious hold on a particular group: children and toddlers. Their parents are insisting this next generation of readers spend their early years with old-fashioned books.

This is the case even with parents who themselves are die-hard downloaders of books onto Kindles, iPads, laptops and phones. They freely acknowledge their digital double standard, saying they want their children to be surrounded by print books, to experience turning physical pages as they learn about shapes, colors and animals.

Parents also say they like cuddling up with their child and a book, and fear that a shiny gadget might get all the attention. Also, if little Joey is going to spit up, a book may be easier to clean than a tablet computer.

“It’s intimacy, the intimacy of reading and touching the world. It’s the wonderment of her reaching for a page with me,” said Leslie Van Every, 41, a loyal Kindle user in San Francisco whose husband, Eric, reads on his iPhone. But for their 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Georgia, dead-tree books, stacked and strewn around the house, are the lone option.

“She reads only print books,” Ms. Van Every said, adding with a laugh that she works for a digital company, CBS Interactive. “Oh, the shame.”

As the adult book world turns digital at a faster rate than publishers expected, sales of e-books for titles aimed at children under 8 have barely budged. They represent less than 5 percent of total annual sales of children’s books, several publishers estimated, compared with more than 25 percent in some categories of adult books.

Many print books are also bought as gifts, since the delights of an Amazon gift card are lost on most 6-year-olds.

Children’s books are also a bright spot for brick-and-mortar bookstores, since parents often want to flip through an entire book before buying it, something they usually cannot do with e-book browsing. A study commissioned by HarperCollins in 2010 found that books bought for 3- to 7-year-olds were frequently discovered at a local bookstore — 38 percent of the time.

And here is a question for a digital-era debate: is anything lost by taking a picture book and converting it to an e-book? Junko Yokota, a professor and director of the Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books at National Louis University in Chicago, thinks the answer is yes, because the shape and size of the book are often part of the reading experience. Wider pages might be used to convey broad landscapes, or a taller format might be chosen for stories about skyscrapers.

Size and shape “become part of the emotional experience, the intellectual experience. There’s a lot you can’t standardize and stick into an electronic format,” said Ms. Yokota, who has lectured on how to decide when a child’s book is best suited for digital or print format.

Publishers say they are gradually increasing the number of print picture books that they are converting to digital format, even though it is time-consuming and expensive, and developers have been busy creating interactive children’s book apps.

While the entry of new tablet devices from Barnes & Noble and Amazon this fall is expected to increase the demand for children’s e-books, several publishers said they suspected that many parents would still prefer the print versions.

“There’s definitely a predisposition to print,” said Jon Yaged, president and publisher of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, which released “The Pout-Pout Fish” by Deborah Diesen and “On the Night You Were Born” by Nancy Tillman.

“And the parents are the same folks who will have no qualms about buying an e-book for themselves,” he added.

That is the case in the home of Ari Wallach, a tech-obsessed New York entrepreneur who helps companies update their technology. He himself reads on Kindle, iPad and iPhone, but the room of his twin girls is packed with only print books.

“I know I’m a Luddite on this, but there’s something very personal about a book and not one of one thousand files on an iPad, something that’s connected and emotional, something I grew up with and that I want them to grow up with,” he said.

“I recognize that when they are my age, it’ll be difficult to find a ‘dead-tree book,’ ” he added. “That being said, I feel that learning with books is as important a rite of passage as learning to eat with utensils and being potty-trained.”

Some parents do not want to make the switch for even their school-age children. Alexandra Tyler and her husband read on Kindles, but for their son Wolfie, 7, it is print all the way.

“Somehow, I think it’s different,” she said. “When you read a book, a proper kid’s book, it engages all the senses. It’s teaching them to turn the page properly. You get the smell of paper, the touch.”

There are many software programs that profess to help children learn to read by, for example, saying aloud a highlighted word or picture. Not all parents buy in; Matthew Thomson, 38, an executive at Klout, a social media site, has tried such software for Finn, his 5-year-old. But he believes his son will learn to read faster from print. Plus the bells and whistles of an iPad become a distraction.

“When we go to bed and he knows it’s reading time, he says, ‘Let’s play Angry Birds a little bit,’ ” Mr. Thomson said. “If he’s going to pick up the iPad, he’s not going to read, he’s going to want to play a game. So reading concentration goes out the window.”

By MATT RICHTEL and JULIE BOSMAN

Published Nov 20^th 2011

A version of this article appeared in print on November 21, 2011, on page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: To Serve The Young, E-Book Fans Prefer Print.

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I have always supported my son’s schoolwork without really making a big fuss about making sure that we do it.

When his sounds came home, we made them together and learnt their actions.  I even bought the Jolly Phonics DVD.

However – now in his third year of school – my son is struggling to reach the reading level of his peers, and I believe it is partly down to him failing to fully grasp his phonics.

His vocabulary is wonderful, as is his clear love for books, but he is getting very frustrated at his lack of reading progress, and after taking a step back from it all, I believe it could be about him not fully understanding the fundamentals of words and their sounds.

I consulted with his teacher, who did say that at this time they do normally revisit phonics, and focus on ensuring children now understand whey they learnt their ‘ch’ ‘th’ and ‘ng’ (I’d be doing their corresponding hand actions too if my fingers weren’t on my keyboard) and how to apply them to words.

So while my son will be revisiting his word sounds, I too am going to be playing with phonics at home, in the hope of going two steps backwards to make three steps forward.

That’s for both my son and I.

It quickly dawned on me playing phonics games that I don’t actually fully grasp the concept either, and it would better help my son if I did.

I completed some of the excellent BBC Bitesize Key Stage 1 games (yes, I know, meant for seven year-olds) ignoring that I knew the words and instead tried to make them from sounds.

Initially I didn’t find it easy.

Why isn’t wear spelt ‘wair’?

Couldn’t fight be spelt ‘fite’?

It did get me thinking, and making sounds and words properly.  I think it is termed effective blending.

Anyway the school has advised that these games, and others you can find online are very useful for children.  But a child can play – and succeed with – these games without really learning.

So I’m mixing in some practical play at home.

Junior Boggle is coming out again.

And I’ve been setting little challenges for my son like putting this right.

It’s been fun, and different, hopefully something we shall continue to enjoy together and at the same time be both improving our literacy skills.

I’m hoping one day I get it.

Probably not before my six year-old though.

What have you found useful in helping your child with learning to read?

Do you know your phonics? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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They’re pretty pleased with the end result.  And you can win one too!   Just follow the link to our Facebook site, where we are hosting the competition along with blogger Life is a Sandcastle.

Good luck.  Competition closes Dec 20th

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Zoe’s Christmas List is one of the Zoe and Beans series by Chloe and Mick Inkpen.   Chloe is the daughter of Mick Inkpen (of Wibbly Pig fame) and the talent has clearly stayed in the family.

Zoe has only one thing on her Christmas list; a sparkly Kylie Kurlz doll.  With a determination worthy of an Olympic athlete, Zoe decides to stick her list to the North Pole to make sure Father Christmas sees it.   She and Beans, her very obliging dog, make the trek to the Arctic and on the way, find and lose a little polar bear.  In the hunt for the little bear, Zoe decides that she is not so bothered about Kylie Kurlz after all, and maybe it’s better to get a surprise from Father Christmas.  There are all sorts of ideas in here about being so focussed on what you want that you lose perspective, and the pleasure of a surprise gift.  There’s a nice ironic twist as on Christmas day Zoe opens her Kylie Kurlz after all!

This book has a really warm feel; the illustrations are sweet, vibrant and humourous, making it appealing to kids aged between 3 and 8.    The four year old has enjoyed reading this book this week, and said his favourite bit was when Zoe got her Kylie Kurlz at the end.  I liked the North Pole, a red and white painted pole helpfully placed in the Arctic to help Zoe identify it,  and giving life to kids’ questions about why isn’t there a real pole at the North Pole?

You can find more about Chloe and Mick Inkpen’s father -daughter partnership here . You can read reviews of other Zoe and Beans stories on Library Mice blog, or on Life Ninja Killer Cat blog here.

What other books about Christmas do you and your kids enjoy?  We liked Aliens love PantaClaus reviewed here, and of course, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas.

You can find Zoe’s Christmas List in the UK and in the US.  Even better, try your local library or independent bookshop.

Zoe and Beans Zoe’s Christmas List by Chloe and Mick Inkpen is published by Macmillan Children’s Books Oct 2011.

Kids Book Review | Zoe’s Christmas List by Chloe and Mick Inkpen is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Elli is mum to three sons, and one daughter, and is a Londoner who’s lived in Thailand for many years, and has now returned to London.  Elli works as a Thai to English translator, and her background in anthropology makes her well qualified to observe the quirks and sheer ridiculousness of life with kids!   We hope you and your children enjoy them.

I’M THE WINNER

I’m the winner

I’m the winner

I’m the winner

Down to dinner

I put out my arm so you couldn’t get past

So I was the first

And you were the last

Don’t tell Mum that I’m a cheat!

The naughty step? But I want to EAT!

I’m all thinner

I’m all thinner

I’m all thinner

Without my dinner

And when my skeleton’s found on the stair

Then you’ll be sorry – IT’S JUST NOT FAIR!

But nobody ever listens even when I shout

Elli Woollard writes poems regularly on her blog.

Elli’s work is copyrighted.  Please see her notes on copyright and use here

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You will always find a few in our Tidy Box.

As a parent to a young boy – one pretty reluctant to reading – I think comics are a fabulous way of engaging children into reading.

Due to their ‘busy’ nature, having lots of characters and colour, coupled with their stories generally being short and having fewer words than traditional tales, they are a winner for me, and us.

However, and if I’m being cynical, the comic industry has become a sea of gimicks, competitions and a form of advertising for children’s brands.

It has been a struggle to convince my son of the genius of the Beano, versus an army of ‘brand-name’ comics with sweets or plastic rubbish sellotaped to the front of them.

Which is another reason I love the inventiveness of the David Fickling Books.

They are the company behind the creation of The DFC Library.

The DFC Library is perfect for reluctant readers. If you know a child that struggles to engage with ordinary fiction, place a DFC Library title in their hands, and watch as they learn to love books. This growing collection, full of hilarious plots, will appeal to anyone aged 9-90 – so feast your eyes on The DFC Library!

In a world where comic sales may be ailing, perhaps due to the nature and selling tactics mentioned above, this library consists of hard back books, serialising comic strips rather than the reader having to buy a weekly comic to keep up with the goings on of their favourite characters.

Super Animal Adventure Squad

The title we were sent, Super Animal Adventure Squad by James Turner, is about a collective of special agents that are charged with two different world saving tasks.

There’s ‘The Tea Time of Doom’ that deals with a level six cake emergency, as well as the gang having to find the world’s most valuable treasure, the Jade Baboon of Rangoon, in ‘The Case of the Baboon Bandit’.

Its characters are brilliant, and the stories are a great read for children and parents.  The words are very descriptive, fun and sure to extend and challenge a child’s vocabulary and understanding of it without turning them off literacy.

The Squad in action

James Turner is a prolific creator of comics, and his won acclaim and a giant online audience for his web comic The Unfeasible Adventures of Beaver and Steve.

Super Animal Adventure Squad first appeared in The Times and Guardian newspapers before becoming part of the DFC Library.  Turner is currently working on a series of books about the adventures of a group of half-dog, half-bean creatures called Mameshiba.

Sound more than interesting.

Much like the Super Animal Adventure Squad.

Book Review: Super Animal Adventure Squad by James Turner is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Win a Tidy Books Bookcase hosted by blogger Two Classy Chics. Shelly reviewed the bookcase with her 3 year old granddaughter and gave it “10 out of 10″.  You can read more of her review here, and enter the competition too.

There is also a chance to win one of our fab Tidy Books Boxes.  Mommy Living the Life of Riley reviewed the Box and loved its quality, and that the Box was stylish and sturdy enough to last from tots to teens, and beyond.  You can read her review here and enter the competition.

Both competitions are limited to the US only.  There will be UK competitions coming shortly!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=aXV-yaFmQNk#t=7s

What do you think? Should we send her a bookcase?

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The Fudgy Bear books are aimed at pre-school children, and the range of titles includes ‘Count with Fudgy’,  ‘Fudgy goes to the Farm’, and are factual rather than a story.   What makes these books stand out is that they come with a very lovable teddy bear called Fudgy.  Children get to cuddle Fudgy bear while they read the book in which he features.

The idea is very simple,    Fudgy goes to the farm or the zoo, learns what the animals are, counts them, and says what colour they are.  There is a slightly formulaic feel to them, rather like Thomas the Tank Engine or Topsy and Tim.  The book that works best in this format is ‘Count with Fudgy’.  It’s a tried and test formula too, which goes down well with nursery age children.   The three year old has very much enjoyed counting the penguins with Fudgy, and doing the quizzes at the end of the story.

And of course, there’s the bear.  Fudgy was an instant hit, and has become part of the family of animals in our house, and the three year old had to fight off the seven year old for a while in a competition over who got the bear.   My three year old instantly ‘got’ that the bear and the books went together, saying “Fudgy likes to read about himself in a book.” And the seven year old, after reading the books said they were “good information books for learning about lots of different things.”

The Fudgy Bear books are great for building up knowledge of colours, animals, counting, and for getting the less eager young readers to sit down with a book, and a cuddly teddy.   Fudgy has also been part of a literacy campaign in London with the Evening Standard to help young children with difficulties with reading, along with Volunteer Reading Help. Fudgy Bear, I can imagine, could have a great impact  in encouraging young children to enjoy books.

You can find out more about Fudgy Bear books, devised by Sarah Marley here.

Fudgy Bear and his books were given to Tidy Books to review.   The views expressed are my own on behalf of Tidy Books.  Thanks to Sarah Marley for inviting us to review her books, and of course Fudgy Bear.

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In the meantime, there is an online game, the History Keepers online character generator  as a fun way for young readers to engage with this new fiction series.  You can choose which era you travel back to and what type of hero you want to become if you upload a picture of yourself.  You can then share the results – a picture of yourself as a Roman soldier or Aztec princess – with friends via Facebook or email.

Let us know what you think of the game and we’ll be back with a review shortly!

The History Keepers: The Storm Begins by Damien Dibben is published by Doubleday, September 2011

Tidy Books received a complimentary copy of the book to review.

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Newly Crunchy Mama loves the quality of the bookcase, and that her little girl was inspired to get stuck into her books, all by herself!

You can read more of what Newly Crunchy Mama thought here, and there’s the chance for you to be delighted, and win a Tidy Books bookcase for your family.  Enter here, US only.

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Inspired by the power of books to take you on a journey of the imagination, the Tidy Books’ Bunk Bed Buddy is beautifully decorated to evoke a magical journey around the world.

Inspire your kid’s dreams with our special Bunk Bed Buddy!

• Simple slimline design.
• Perfect storage for both bunk beds and standard beds, keeping your kid’s favourite
things safe and handy!
• Designed to securely hold books, clocks, small toys and even drinks.
• A fabulous gift
• Compact design: 53cm/20.9” wide: 33cm/13” high: 13cm/4.7” deep.

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The ForgetMeNot is designed to be the family’s aide-memoire.  With a shelf to store essential keys, lunch money and school ID cards, hooks to hang up PE bags and coats, and a magnetic whiteboard to jot reminders, and hold those important school trip letters, the ForgetMeNot is just the place for things a family mustn’t forget!

We’re really proud of the latest addition to the Tidy Books family, and we’re sure you’ll wonder how you managed without it!

• Simple slimline design.
• Holds nappies, wipes and bottles securely.
• Choose from a range of environmentally sound water-based finishes.
• Compact design: 53cm/20.9” wide: 33cm/13” high: 13cm/4.7” deep

Available to order now for November, currently only in the UK.

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Partly as my child is normally on the receiving end, but also because they often have very warming tones and include tales that put a smile on your face.

Like one of our favourites, The Selfish Crocodile.  A very popular book in the UK with children, parents and early years professionals.

The story is about how all the other animals are frightened of the crocodile, and he isn’t very nice to them, not allowing them to swim with him in HIS river.  Then, when a brave mouse comes to his aid all the creatures end up being friends, and the crocodile sees the error of his previously selfish ways.

Then there’s the Berenstain Bears books, very popular here at Tidy Books.  Geraldine’s son loves them, and my boy has taken to them too.  Evidently good reads for boys at primary school.

These books always carry interesting stories but ones that consistently promote a strong moral.  Whether it is to always help others, not to exclude people or to simply be kind, each book has a ‘hidden’ meaning.

However I’ve come across a few books that don’t necessarily promote the morale that they clearly hope to.

One of these is a book called Enormous Elephant.

This book aimed at pre-school children is a story about how an elephant causes all sorts of bother in the jungle, not caring how he affects others, to then see the error of his ways, apologise, and then everyone is friends again.

Of course I think it is great to teach children that saying sorry – and meaning it – is important, but in my humble opinion we need to be careful of not implying that you can get away with any behaviour simply by apologising afterwards.

Such was my concern about this book I inserted some extra lines, and made the elephant pay a penance (100 hours community service with the forestry commission) on top of his, hopefully sincere, apology.

Sure this was over the top and probably unnecessary, but I hope you get my point that children’s books can teach great things, but at the same time unintentionally teach them something completely different.

Do you agree?

Would be great to hear of any books you’ve read where you’ve questioned the moral or are uncomfortable with what the story actually teaches rather than intends to.

Hidden morals in children’s books is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Box of Tricks begins as Eva is given a very special cardboard box for her birthday, and as any self respecting child would do, she jumps in, and her imagination  takes over.   Eva is transformed to a master magician and conjures up what she wants most; a pet who turns out to be rather large, rabbits pulled from hats, weightlessness, and a fantastic party!  When’s everyone’s danced till they can dance no more, Eva clicks her fingers and makes everything disappear, just about!

The appeal of this book is in the illustrations which bring Eva’s magic to life.  Katie Cleminson’s striking illustrations are black and white, and it is only when she becomes a magician and the musicians and dancers flow around her that the colour bursts from the page, using vibrant paint splodges and splats in a Jackson Pollock way.  The illustrations and the story are kept spare and pretty minimal, with lots of white space to let the reader use their own imagination to fill it out.  There is an interview with the author on the Booktrust site where she explains how she paints with a pipette. And the ever inventive Playing by the Book describes a Box of Tricks related art project.

The three and the seven year old sat down to read this together quite a few times during the summer.  It is too young for the seven year old, but the three year old has been found ‘reading’ this on his own, and the simple story and energetic illustrations make it an appealing one for children to look at independently.

We’ve enjoyed another of Katie Cleminson’s books ‘Wake Up’  and you can read the review here , while you can get an immediate flavour of the illustrations over at the Library Mice review.

Box of Tricks by Katie Cleminson is published by Red Fox 2010.

You can find it in the UK here or in the US here where it is has also been published as Magic Box,  or support your local independent bookshop in the US or the UK!

http://www.tidy-booksblog.com/reviews/book-review-wake-katie-cleminson/

Kids book review: Box of Tricks by Katie Cleminson is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Can you guess what it is yet? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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5. Could this be the justification for buying more books?

Our thanks go to all the bloggers who’ve made this ultimate giveaway possible!

To enter visit Just Children’s Books and you can choose how much or how little you do to enter.

The Journey of the Noble Gnarble by Daniel Errico from NobleGnarble.com
Meet Einstein by Mariela Kleiner from MeetEinstein.com
A Quest for Good Manners by Karen Lefranc from AQuestForGoodManners.com
In Search of the Light by Leonard Jacobson from insearchofthelight.com
Freight Train Trip! by Susanna Leonard Hill from SusannaHill.com (signed copy)
Can’t Sleep Without Sheep by Susanna Leonard Hill from SusannaHill.com (signed copy)
Terra Tempo: Ice Age Cataclysm! from IceAgeCataclysm.com (signed copy)
Blunderbuss Wanderlust from VictorVonVector.com
Right Where You Are Now by Lisa Montierth from RightWhereYouAreNow.com (signed copy)
Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz from KarenToz.com (signed copy)
Ruby’s School Walk by Kathryn White from NatReview.com
Girl Coming in for a Landing–a novel in poems by April Halprin Wayland from TeachingAuthors.com (signed copy)
Monsoon by Uma Krishnaswami from UmaKrishnaswami.com (signed copy)
Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand by Scott Alex from Trish @ Yoke
Costume Trunk by Bob Fuller from Paddywhack Lane (signed copy)
A Dog Is a Dog by Stephen Shaskan from Chronicle Books

Win an instant library! Signed copies and a Tidy Books bookcase! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Tidy Books is exhibiting at the Kind und Jugend Fair this month, and our stand is inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel; ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. Which got me thinking about the books that I used to love as a child, whether classic or not.  Here a selection I was able to dig out of the family attic with their original ‘vintage’ covers.  They are not first publications, but still pretty old!

“Which Witch” by Eva Ibbotson, “Stig of the Dump” by Clive King and “The Diddakoi” by Rumer Godden.

The fact that I’ve hung on to them means they were favourites, and probably re-read many times.  There were others too, such as “Charlotte’s Web” EB White and very much still a favourite with kids, and “Harriet the Spy” by Louise Fitzhugh, still in publication and now called a modern classic.  I wondered how well they’d date when I gave them to my 7 year old.  He turned up his nose at the cover of The Diddakoi and declined to open it, but loved ‘Stig’ and ‘Which Witch.’

What books make you nostalgic for your childhood?  Have you kept favourites?   Are you planning to give them to your own kids?

And if you do happen to be on your way to Kind und Jugend there are nostalgic children’s books on the Tidy Books stand for visitors to browse through, and a comfy seat too!

Kind und Jugend is from 15th -18th September, Cologne.  Tidy Books stand Hall 11.1 Stand C49

Books from our childhoods: A nostalgia trip is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Lucky readers have the chance to win one of two Tidy Books storage sets:  One original Tidy Books bookcase and one Book Box, and another set of a Tidy Books bookcase and a Bunk Bed Buddy, all in our stylish natural finish.

All you have to do is visit Netmums here and send them an email!  Simple as pie.

The competition is open until 22nd September and to UK residents only.

Win a Tidy Books storage set worth up to £188 with Netmums is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Tidy Books are off on their hols for a couple of weeks now, but before we go, I wanted to share what’s in our pile of books to curl up in a deckchair with.

The seven year old has chosen Dr Proctors Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo, a crazy adventure involving gunpowder, fart powder and space travel, and David Walliam’s Billionaire Boy, reviewed here by Active Dad.  And, finally, there is the ubiquitous, and child centred humour of Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney reviewed on Childrens Books.

In the three year old’s holiday reading bag is a classic; Elmer and the Wind by David McKee, and the even more classic The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark reviewed here on Goodreads , which I was a bit dubious about when my three year old pulled it off the shelf until I saw it way by Jill Tomlinson.  And from Playing by the Book’s recommendation, we also splashed out on newly released Thank You For Looking After Our Pets by Tim Hopgood.

I’m hoping that this will keep them quiet enough for me to get further into Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother Series.  Have ploughed through books 1-3 and hooked already.  They are fantastic for children and adults alike, and remind me of Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials Trilogy.

Have a fantastic time with what’s left of the summer.  And we’d love to hear what you’ve all been reading.  Happy reading!

What are you reading this summer? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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In our house, the three year old has developed obsessions about the Traffic Club books, which are brilliant at teaching kids road safety, but very dull for the grown up to read again and again.   Other books that top my list of ones to hide are anything by Richard Scarry, and the Topsy and Tim and Berenstain Bears series.

I have to stress that my three year old loves them.  I think the appeal of reading about real life situations is very strong.   I do gather my patience and read them, but I have to admit to hiding them when we’ve read the same one every night for a week!

What books do your kids love, but make you groan (inwardly or outwardly) when they bring them out?  Do you hide them when you can’t take any more?  When you take them out of the kids’ bookcase, where do you hide them?

Do you ever hide some of your kid’s books? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Mommy Moment who reviewed the Tidy Books Box, loved its sturdy, quality construction, and often finds one of her children “cuddled beside the Book Box” browsing their books, and then even putting them back in the Box when they’re finished.

Mommy Moment is hosting our latest giveaway, and you have the chance to win a Tidy Books Box, or a Bunk Bed Buddy, our bedside shelf especially for bunk beds.  You can enter here, and do as much or as little as you like to make an entry.

A really useful idea for bilingual families: Book Box review and giveaway is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYwaq6p75ik

Created by the Reading Agency, and rolled out in libraries, the Reading Challenge is great for enthusing sometimes reluctant readers, and not so reluctant readers, aged 4- 11 to keep up their reading out of school.  There is an added incentive of getting your certificate sent to your school, which is given out in assembly.

During the summer, most libraries have events to entice young readers in, and the Circus Stars website you can create your avatar (along the lines of Madison the Intrepid Balancer) , as well as play games, and there’s a place to leave your reading recommendations, and ask questions of the Ringmaster.   The seven year old gave the games a whirl, but wasn’t blown away by them, but that’s not really the point of Circus Stars.

Do your kids get involved with Summer Reading Challenges?  Does it engage them?  You can find your local library here

A quick look around the world on other summer reading projects or programmes has brought up these suggestions if you’re not in the UK, but perhaps you know of a better one?

The Collaborative Summer Reading Program in the US

The Chicago Public Libraries has one called Book Beats

and blogger An Ordinary Mom has some suggestions to find local ones, and one in Barnes and Noble Bookshops

And of course, if you’re in Australia, summer has been and gone.  How was your Reading Challenge?

Happy reading!

Summer reading tricks: The Summer Reading Challenge 2011 is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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When you place an order on Tidy Books’ website, or join our mailing list, we will generate a unique code for you.  When you share this code with friends, and they make a purchase at Tidy Books online, you will earn a £5 book voucher! There is no limit to the amount of book vouchers you can earn, so there’s a great opportunity to fill your bookcase!

Geraldine Grandidier, Tidy Books’ founder says: “Our new book voucher initiative is just the thing to get parents talking and sharing.  There is no limit on the number of book vouchers you can earn, so you can stock up on great kids’ books, or club together and help your school or nursery.”

For more information on the Tidy Books book voucher initiative, visit the Tidy Books website or call us on 020 8520 4647.  Offer currently limited to the UK only.

We hope you’ll have fun sharing and collecting lots of brand new books!

Our kids bookcases, bunk bed buddies, and book boxes:

A little help to fill your Bookcase! Earn Book Vouchers from Tidy Books is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Take flatulence as an example.  The mention of trumping in this house now that my son has ‘matured’ to six-and-a-half years old always raises a smile and a laugh.

However, despite the horrific nature of some of the things my son currently finds hilarious, it has actually lent to him finding new subjects to read about.

I have introduced him to the favourite comics of my childhood, the Beano and Dandy.  For an aspiring reader, with a limited attention span, comics like these are fabulous tools to encourage their reading engagement.

They are full of stories rather than competitions, quizzes and adverts like some children’s magazines.

Both comics are wonderfully illustrated, the dialogues are reasonable, and stories are generally only short, varying over a page or a couple of pages in length.

It’s been great to compare favourite characters, and also for me to return to these comics to see if they are still enjoyable to read, which indeed they are.

Dennis the Menace is still brilliant, and I still enjoy the antics of the Bash Street Kids.  However my son has different favourites.

The Bogies.

Yes, The Bogies.

Each story depicts the daydreams of a boy called ‘Alex’.  Whenever he picks his nose, he thinks of all the adventures his bogies might get into.

These stories feature such charming characters as Evel Knasal, Hot Snot and Gobzilla.

The tales are generally daft, and well planned out, and while the characters in question are all made from mucus, the actual things they get up to are not so disgusting and quite normal really.  Evel Knasal being late for work for example, and having to use his daredevil skills to get there on time.

One week the Dandy came complete with free Bogies stickers, and my son’s excitement was overflowing.

He wanted to make his own cartoons, and even made a montage to take into school and explain to his teacher and classmates what he was doing.

Very charming.

In a way.

And it looks like as he needs more challenging reading material there are books out there that can help.

I’ve been sent some of Steve Cole’s books.  He writes about The Slime Squad who are horrific mutated monsters than have evolved on a rubbish tip.   My favourite of his titles is The Slime Squad Vs The Cyber-Poos.

I am sure that will go down a storm with my son at some point.

But how about you?  Would you encourage your children to read material that you may find disgusting?  And, if so, what are their favourite vile stories?

Is using vulgarity to get children to read a good idea? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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They put the bookcase together (see the picture evidence here) in an impressive 30 minutes, and it was up in the hallway in no time.   They liked that the Tidy Books bookcase holds lots of books in a small space, and that the front covers of the books are facing outwards, making them accessible to smaller children.

Its an investment in reading, and we’re delighted when Mum in the Mad House says “every house should have a Tidy Books bookcase,” as if children can see their books, then they’ll use them.

Mum in the Mad House is hosting our latest UK competition so you can win a Tidy Books bookcase for your children’s enjoyment.   You can enter here to see what you have to do (its easy!)

A bookcase review and competition with Mum in the Mad House is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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As with most good books, its the title that first intrigued me and the kids, and the play on a traditional favourite.  And of course, for any small child,  pictures of scary creatures with big teeth are a sure winner! 

But, its the twists, and the laugh out loud ending that make this book a great read for 3 to 5 year olds.

Good Little Wolf, Rolf,  likes baking, and being kind to his friends ( a little pig) and helping his friend, grandmother Mrs Boggins.  When the big bad wolf appears and challenges Rolf to become a real wolf, Rolf tries out all the wolf ‘stereotypes’; howling, huffing and puffing to blow houses down, and eating up grannies.   But Rolf’s just not ruthless enough.  As my 7 year old pointed out;  he doesn’t get the

bad wolf tied up tightly enough, and then he asks him to tea! Rolf is just too nice for his own good!

The three year old enjoyed this, particularly the close up of the big bad wolf’s teeth, but he was bemused by the ending on first read; couldn’t work out where Rolf and Mrs Boggins had gone!   I’ll leave the ending for you to discover.

I couldn’t help but think that Mrs Boggins looked like she’d been drawn by the South Park team, and read with interest Playing by the Book’s interview with new author and illustrator Nadia Shireen .

Good Little Wolf is also released in an ebook format too,  Would you buy this in an ebook or hard copy for your child?

Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen is published by Jonathan Cape, Random House Children’s Books, June 2011.

You can find it here on Amazon in the UK and the US, or support your local independent bookshop in the US or the UK!

Kids book review: “Good Little Wolf” by Nadia Shireen is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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One Savvy Mom said that now the kids’ books are easy to see and to pull out “without emptying the shelves.”  And her kids are reading more frequently during the day: The books are there, look attractive and are easily within reach.   It strikes us that everyone’s a winner!

You can be a winner too.  Its easy to enter the competition, and you can do as much or as little as you like to enter.  Go to One Savvy Mom’s blog.

Entries are limited to the Mainland US and Canada.   (There will be a UK competition next month!)

Win a Tidy Books bookcase! Giveaway with One Savvy Mom is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Our small city garden has to multi-task furiously as somewhere to hang the washing, store the bikes, be a football pitch and lastly, somewhere to grow things.

Charles Majuri is a family therapist who has been using gardening as a way to get children and adults doing something constructive together.  His book, Growing up Green, gives a month by month plan of activities to get your vegetable and fruit garden started.   The book is a collation of gardening ideas, from famous quotes, to activities to do together with your child such as looking at butterflies, making a salad with what you’ve grown or learning about what birds do in winter.  I thought it would be a good place to start in getting the kids interested in growing some fruit and vegetables.

By May, we’re somewhat into the gardening calendar, so we bypassed the planning stage, and I managed to get hold of some strawberry plant bulbs, a cucumber plant and some lettuce seeds, and a few flowers from the local market.   This is our ‘ vegetable garden.’

As a family therapist, the author is keen for you to think about your relationship with your child.  He cites a theme for each month, such as love or wisdom and how working on the garden can bring you closer. I think that most parents, will do these things instinctively and doing the garden together is, like baking, that you can chat about as you get on with the job.

Growing up Green had a sort of grandfatherly feel, caring, with lots of commonsense advice, if slightly eccentric, in the way that Dr Spock, childcare expert is.  For me, the family therapy bits felt a bit out of place, though I understand why the author included them.  If you really are going to start a garden from scratch, then you’ll ideally need another gardening book to go alongside this one, to give you more information on plants, what to look for and what to do if there are problems.

There are sections that the children can read for themselves and fill in answers, but they are not enticing enough for most children to want to engage with.

Finally, my 3 loved the Wibbly Pig ‘Flowerpots’ clip on CBeebies , which sums up perfectly author Charles Majuri’s advice to be ‘patient, patient, patient’!

Growing Up Green is published by PSI Press Dec 2010, and kindly sent to Tidy Books for review by Cadence Marketing Group. You can purchase it on Amazon here in the US, and here in the UK.

Reading books about gardening with kids is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was released in 1997 when I would have been around 20-years-old.  Not exactly the target audience I suppose, but then that didn’t stop vast swathes of people of all ages and backgrounds falling in love with these incredible books by J.K. Rowling.

Their success was, and still is, astounding.  Dispelling the previous common hold perception that children’s books would never have mass appeal.

I was always left a little confused.  I read the first book out of intrigue but to me it was clearly an excellent children’s book, but really not for me, an adult.

Not that I read very complex novels, Ben Elton was probably my favourite at that time, which says it all really.  But still, the tales of a young wizard were not for me.

But in our household my mother was absolutely gripped by them.  And was a little disappointed that nobody else in her immediate family was that bothered by them.

Skip forward 15 years and my son, now six-years-old, has become very interested in Harry Potter.  I think school pals have introduced him to Potter, and it has lead to lots of role play, and me watching him cast spells across the playground.

Whilst I enjoyed watching his Potter based play, part of me was thinking ‘bugger, I’m going to have to read the books to him.’

He really isn’t at the stage of reading novels himself.

I love reading to my child, but the thought of getting through a complete novel I didn’t like was a little daunting.

Then I remembered Grandma.

That picture was taken during the Easter holidays, where my son sat with his Nan for Harry Potter readings.  She read the first book to him over a week-long period.

Him never losing interest, and asking questions all the time.

They both really enjoyed the process, as did I watching and listening to them.

Only problem is now, he wants me to read the other six.

He may have to spend the summer at Grandma’s house.

Living with a Harry Potter fan is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Orla Kierly like design

Spot it Again is like beautiful, graphic wallpaper.   Its is a series of visual puzzles, prompting children (and adults!) to look carefully to find the hidden creatures.  The patterns and graphics are Orla Kierly like, and they are also incredibly clever and witty.

This book made me think of childhood visits to older relatives houses, who tended to have wallpaper, and (perhaps a bit bored) looking for the patterns and tiny details, and making up stories about the things on the wallpaper.

The seven and the three year old both sat with me, carefully examining each page, and picking out the minute animal that is hidden in the pattern.  The book is probably a bit difficult for a three year old, as mine couldn’t find them, but he seemed captivated by the patterns.  The seven year old was still challenged, as there were some puzzles he couldn’t do right away.  He enjoyed the book more, I think, and has come back to it a few times over the week.

This is his favourite page

I think this is the sort of book you’d want to keep after the children have grown out of it, as it is gorgeous.

This book is just out in the UK, but has been available in the US and France for a couple of years.  What do you think?  Is it you or your kids who love this one more?  This of course, is a sequel to Spot It!

You can find it here on Amazon in the UK and the US, or support your local independent bookshop in the US or the UK!

We’re reading… “Spot It Again” by Delphine Chedru is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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We’re thrilled that blogger Fun and Funky Mommy appreciates the Tidy Books solution. Her littlest, Brandon is enjoying his new bookcase and loves that his books are so easy to find and get out.   And his mom loves that the children’s books are organized and look like they are taken care of.

Fun and Funky Mommy is hosting our latest giveaway: Your chance to win a Tidy Books Box.

Spring over to Fun and Funky Mommy’s blog and follow the instructions to enter the competition.

Fingers crossed!

A Fun and Funky giveaway! Win a Tidy Books Box! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Nothing makes you feel more like a celebrity than a room full of children hanging on your every word. As a parent I have always loved reading to my own two children, and that pleasure is just as great each time I visit a school, a library or a book festival and engage with my young audience. What better job could there be?

I first started writing for children when my youngest was learning to read. Unlike my daughter who lapped up the alphabet with gusto, my son was more reluctant to take to words. I resorted to writing about his favourite thing in the world penguins! My first book, Pip Likes Snow, was a simple story that I hoped would get him hooked on reading.

Later, my daughter made a miniature school for her toys, with an upturned shoebox for a desk and tiny notebooks, pencils and paper set out for each pupil. One of the books she made was about 4cm square, with a little penguin drawn on the cover and a one-word title: PINK. “That’s a great title for a book!” I told her. “What’s it about?”

She explained that this penguin had woken up to find he had turned pink. The idea really caught my imagination, and I began to wonder how a penguin might feel in such calamitous circumstances. Imagine if he were a BOY penguin, how awful that would be! It was from this little kernel of an idea that my first full-size picture book was born.

After Pink was published, I received a very moving letter from the mother of a little girl with special needs in Vancouver. She told me she had discovered Pink on a trip to London, and bought several copies to take home with her. The story had great resonance for her daughter because, like Patrick the pink penguin, she was different from her peers and struggled to fit in. Patrick and his friends eventually learn that being different isn’t a bad thing, and in the end his pinkness is forgotten. For this reason, the little girl’s mother used Pink in her daughter’s classroom to engage the children in a discussion about diversity and tolerance.

When I first wrote the story of Patrick I had no intention of tackling the subject of diversity. The underlying message of Pink simply developed organically from the central dilemma that my daughter had given me! But the story of that little girl in Vancouver inspired me to create an educational resource that could be used in the classroom to help young children understand how it feels to be different, and how important it is to respect each other. Pink turned out to be the perfect vehicle for exploring these issues.

I hope in the two years since its inception, the Pink Project has contributed to changing children’s attitudes about those who don’t quite fit in. Despite differences of race, culture, language or ability, we all deserve respect and understanding. If my book can have even a small influence in that regard, I will feel blessed indeed.

Lynne Rickards is the author of six books for children:

Pip Likes Snow (illustrated by Belinda Worsley)

Jack’s Bed (illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw)

I Win! (illustrated by Melanie Williamson)

Pink! (illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain)

Jacob O’Reilly Wants a Pet (illustrated by Lee Wildish)

I Do Not Eat the Colour Green (illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain)

Lewis Clowns Around (illustrated by Gabby Grant) will be published by Floris Books in the autumn.

Links:

http://www.lynnerickards.co.uk/books.html

http://lynnerickardsauthor.wordpress.com

The Pink Project

http://www.lynnerickards.co.uk/pink.html

Lynne’s first book bag was launched as the Pink Project in 2009, and has sold widely in schools and libraries across the UK. She has since developed educational resources to complement her two subsequent books. The Pets bag and the Green bag have also proved popular. A white puffin bag (for Lewis Clowns Around) is currently in the works.

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So, hop over to her blog, find out how to enter and keep your fingers crossed!

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Does it matter?  Do kids enjoy poetry?  For most children, their first experiences of books and speech are nursery rhymes and songs, giving them a sense of enjoyment and fun around words, and helping them to learn to speak.  My own children equate poems with humour, and enjoy Michael Rosen’s poems in particular, and love finding things to ryhme with ‘poo’ and ‘wee’.

There are some great opinion pieces on the importance of poetry: Hunger Mountain’s essay about making children’s poetry important to them by bringing it to them early and regularly, and making it an accessible part of the curriculum, while Poets.org makes the point that all children are natural poets until adolescence

Maybe too, as parents, we need to set the example?  I know that poetry would not necessarily be my own first choice over a novel, but I should try harder! Are parents guilty of imparting the impression that poetry is boring?

So, where to look for ideas for getting hold of funny poems.  Poet John Brassey, has a blog dedicated to short silly funny poems, and Ken Nesbitt also has a huge store of kids poems, book ideas and more.

Finally, Booktrust’s list of ten poetry books for kids to get you started, with favourites such as Michael Rosen, Roald Dahl’s Revolting rhymes and Allen Ahlberg.

What do you think?   Do you think it matters?  If money’s tight, should we concentrate on literature instead?  How do you get your kids interested in poetry?

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Our thanks to the young readers, and their parents for the pictures and video.  If you’d like to send in pics of your Tidy Books Bookcase, Buddy or Box in action, then we’d love to hear from you.

Firstly, here is budding film star, three year old Annalise of BabyBudgeting giving her verdict on the Tidy Books Bookcase

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FzfGquPVgk

And this is CJ reading Nonny a story, plucked from her bookcase:

and there are a couple of before and after stories that we can relate to!

Here is Jessika of Oh My Handmade Goodness and her daughter’s bookshelf, with a little makeover!

And we were alerted to Tasha at Wahm Bam’s Operation Reverse Pandora.  It looked like they needed our help!

Wahm Bam’s living room, before Reverse Pandora (name speaks for itself!)    And after!  Great job!

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In Miss Breakbone’s class, it’s war.   The children, who she calls ‘Dunderheads’ are an eclectic collection of talents: distance spitting, cycling, movie buff and dustbin scavenging.   Miss Breakbone is truly evil; giving herself a gold star every time she makes a kid cry, and had bought her electric chair funded by confiscating everything in class.  So, when ace scavenger, Junkyard, has his prize find confiscated, they band together in and set out on a Bond style mission to retrieve it from Miss Breakbone’s house (read fortress.)

It’s a fabulous tale of team work and individual talents (perhaps not recognised in the national curriculum!) and that has jokes built in all the way through.  There’s a real dark side to this book (electric chairs for example) , and jokes which perhaps only older kids and adults will get: I particularly loved the posters in the movie buff’s house; saying ‘East Side Anecdote’ and ‘An American Werewolf in Luton’ which is completely over my seven year old’s head.   But, there’s plenty in this for children to enjoy; a fast paced story, suspense and fun.

This book has the feel of a heist movie, where the characters are quirky caricatures, and talk short, snappy sentences.  The kids are incredibly individual, with unlikely talents, but all work together to outwit their teacher and help Junkyard get his prize back, so that he can give it to his mum on her birthday.  My seven year old loved it, and enjoyed it being read to by us and read it by himself several times, and thought  it very funny.

The illustrations are fantastic, slightly quirky and sophisticated for a children’s book.  There’s lots of detail, in the ink line drawings, with beautiful colours, and patterns picked out.  They reflect the subversive humour in the book perfectly.   I can also recommend the review by 100 Scope Notes whose review comes in the form of a comic strip – very pertinent to the feel of the book.  Paul Fleischman is a Newbery Medal Winner, and illustrator David Roberts has created another of my favourites; The Troll, written by Julia Donaldson. I can also second the request for a sequel made by blogger Books4yourkids. It would make a school series; a classier version of Captain Underpants.

I can recommend this one for your fluent reader as an alternative to chapter books, or for your older, more reluctant reader. Do you know of similar books that you’d recommend?

You can find this on UK Amazon here and US Amazon here, or of course, ask your local bookshop UK  or  US for a copy!

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We are incredibly proud to tell you that Tidy Books bookcases are now finished in water lacquer, an entirely safe and breathable paint that has no chemical smell, just like fresh air.

Company founder, Geraldine took a trip to the factory to see the Tidy Books bookcases being made, and she began a journey that would push Tidy Books well ahead of the accepted standards on safe paints and finishes.  Geraldine learned that the legally safe and tested acrylic paint gave off toxic fumes, and workers left at the end of each day with headaches.  With a commitment to care not just about Tidy Books customers, but also to care for the people who make the bookcases, she began to look for alternatives.

After trial and error, she found a water lacquer with no toxic petrochemical smell, and that was environmentally sustainable, and still gave the bookcases a stylish finish.   The water lacquer creates a beautiful natural coat for the wooden bookcases, allowing the wood grain to be just visible.  Water lacquer surpasses all legally accepted standards of paint, making it ideal for children and allergy sufferers. We were included in a list of green children’s products in newspaper, The Irish Independent.

It’s been hard work to reach our destination, and it is a journey that few other producers have made yet, but at Tidy Books, our care for the healthy well-being of our customers, and our producers has made it a totally natural choice.    We hope you will agree.

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I have a distinct memory of being at my parents and discovering some of my old Mr Men books.  Favourites as a child – I even had their wallpaper! – and still favourites today.

Anyway, I remember finding these books again as I immediately wanted to read one to my son.  He was so small, still in need of support with all of his limbs, that positioning him correctly and still being able to hold the book was a very tricky task.

But still, I did it.  And he responded in his own way to the book, by belching or moving an eye-lid.

My point is, that ever since he can remember he has been read to.  We always read at bedtime but more often than not, during the day too.  Especially in the days before his official schooling started.

From what I’d read about children learning to read I surmised this could only be a good thing, and that it would set him up to be reading himself in good time.

I often saw quips in news reports that would say that children that are read to by parents at home, often do better with their own reading once at school.  Studies exist that suggest as such.

However in our experience, Max is now six, things have not panned out that way, and I find myself in the strange position of having a child that loves books, yet is a reluctant reader.

We have a nightly ‘argument’ about how many books we are reading, where I am the one reducing the number we read rather than having to encourage him to want more.

Our nigh-time routine usually incorporates his schoolbook, or something else he actually wants to read himself.  But he much prefers to be the one listening.

By reading to him I know I have increased his vocabulary, he can be very specific with his words and often can use different words to express the same thing.

Which actually can be a hindrance to his reading.  I think he is frustrated that he can’t read books he wants to straight away, and is also turned off by some of the very simple ‘story lines’ in the books sent home in his school bag.

He will often guess the lines in his book by looking at the pictures, or sometimes even from the first letter of each word.  Which is actually quite impressive if he gets to the same meaning of the original sentence, using only words that start with the same letters.

I am very relaxed about it, and perhaps naively am assuming that my son will eventually be a very keen and able reader.

Plus for now it means I still get to read to him a lot, something I hope to enjoy for as long as possible.

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When you enter the competition, we’ll donate to Book Aid International who promote literacy  in developing countries in Africa.  We liked working with Book Aid last time we ran a World Book Day promotion so much so we thought we’d do it again.  It’s a giveaway that has winners all round.

Oh My! Handmade Goodness,  are a group of artisans, designers and industry experts, who in short, know a beautiful thing when they see it, and have a blog well worth a visit as they share their industry knowledge.

So, we’re delighted offer you the chance to win, get involved, and lets get some more books packed on their way to schools, libraries and community centres in Africa!

You can enter to win a Tidy Books Box here!

Click on Book Aid International’s logo to read more about their work in Sub Saharan Africa

Book Aid International registered charity number 313869.

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This catch-all term describes children with a range of problems that are commonly faced by parents and teachers today. Reluctant readers can often perform the mechanics of reading, but choose not to. They do not usually have other learning difficulties. With a TV in the bedroom, computer games and social networking sites, our offspring have plenty to keep them engaged and entertained. But computer games and TVs in bedrooms tempt children away from reading, from practising a skill that, once learned, goes on to shape their lives.

Computer and TV screens may not be all that’s keeping them from becoming good readers. Some children are just not interested in reading stories, or in reading anything that’s more than a few sentences long. Even when they are older and have developed their reading skills, some children are still reluctant to read for more than a few minutes. They might skim-read magazines or factual texts, or search for specific information on Web sites – and these abilities do represent important skills – but for children to engage fully with more meaningful content, their curiosity needs to be aroused at an early age, or they will have a handicap that may be difficult to overcome in the later years.

All the latest research confirms that intervening early with young readers who are not attracted to books is essential. It is important for the rest of their lives that they become fluent in reading. Choosing the right books is the key to success with reluctant readers.

There is an incredibly rich choice of children’s literature in a range of genres, from ancient myths to stories of modern life. The key issue is to make the books accessible, and help children find relevance in what they read.

The trick is to pick something that will help them pursue something they are interested in. If they are interested in magic and folklore, dinosaurs and wildlife, space travel or fashion, there are many fascinating and well-illustrated factual books around – all potentially riveting reads.

But they do need to be riveting reads.  Youngsters for whom reading is any kind of hard work are only going to make the effort if they feel the book is worth the effort.

Increasingly popular are book collections specially designed for reluctant readers, which include titles from both mainstream and specialist publishers, with many from authors everyone is likely to recognise. Specialist publishers tend to focus on titles for readers whose reading age is lower than the interest age, which means that if you have a child who finds reading difficult, or one who isn’t yet ready to cope with long books, or even one who simply doesn’t latch on to the concept of books at all, you can try one of these. Each collection is labelled with its reading age and interest age.

Some specialist publishers and authors are past masters at convincing reluctant readers that books can be cool. Typically, their books are short, sharp and intriguing – skilfully written and edited with page turnability uppermost in mind.

Picking the right books that focus on titles that entertain, provide appealing subjects, and have readable, structured texts not only promote and build sustained interest but help improve self confidence in young readers.

Pandora Books has been a supplier of books for schools for over 20 years and provide specially compiled books collections to meet the criteria of the National Curriculum and the National Literacy Strategy.

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Congratulations Daisy Doo!   We will get in touch to get your prize to you.

Congratulations too,  to everyone who told us the book that got them reading with torches under the duvet!   You’ve helped Tidy Books donate to Book Aid International, who send lots of  books to African schools and libraries, helping another generation of readers to get stuck in! As a thank you for getting involved, there is a special discount on Tidy Books bookcases.

We had some great favourites, from Swallows and Amazons (from BeckyWilloughby) and Charlotte’s Web (from Susan Chew), but the ones that got the most mentions were The Secret Garden and any Enid Blyton book!

We’re really proud to be able to help Book Aid International’s work and hope to continue working with them in the future.   Its a great way to celebrate World Book Day and change a life!

And, to continue the celebrations, we are offering a special discount code of 20% off the price of a Tidy Books bookcase.   Use code WBD20 at the checkout!

Tidy Books donated £2 or $3  for every 4 nominations up to a total of £300.  We received 55 nominations, meaning that we will send 14 books to Africa.  Its a small step and we hope to keep on working with Book Aid International to help further.

Book Aid International registered charity number 313869.

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Barbara Stevens, Director, Kasiisi Project, Uganda

“Friends I would like to tell you we are happy with our school and the beautiful beloved books which are in our school library.  We spend much time in our good library, reading the books you sent us.  We have explored most parts of the world using the books.  So the only thing I would say is thank you a thousand times!”

Beatrice Mbabazi, Florence Murungi, Moreen Nsungwa, and Albert Busobozi  Children at Kasiisi School,

That’s why,  in the run-up to World Book Day, we are supporting Book Aid International, and we’d love you to play a part too.  And it’s easy.

Simply go to the Tidy Books Facebook page, and tell us which book changed your life (or your favourite as a child).  For every four nominations, Tidy Books will send a book to Africa, the equivalent of £2 o3.

As a thank you for getting involved, everyone who nominates a book will be put into a draw to win a Tidy Books Bookcase on World Book Day, on March 3rd.  There will be a special discount on Tidy Books’ products too.

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That’s why,  in the run-up to World Book Day, we are supporting Book Aid International, and we’d love you to play a part too.  And it’s easy.

Simply go to the Tidy Books Facebook page, and tell us which book changed your life (or your favourite as a child).  For every four nominations, Tidy Books will send a book to Africa, the equivalent of £2 or $3.

As a thank you for getting involved, everyone who nominates a book will be put into a draw to win a Tidy Books Bookcase on World Book Day, on March 3rd.  There will be a special discount on Tidy Books’ products too.

Just to get you started, here are some of the Tidy Books’ staff favourite books:  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl), Blue Beard (a classic French fairytale by Charles Perrault), The Diddakoi (Rumer Godden) and The Mountain of Adventure, by Enid Blyton.

And you can watch what some of the books that you help Tidy Books donate will do in some of the communities in Africa here. This is Book Aid’s film:   Books Change Lives

So, come and join in, and tell us which book changed your life - and help change another life with a book!

Book Aid International registered charity number 313869.  We hope to develop a long term partnership with Book Aid International and keep on giving.   Tidy Books will donate £2 or $3  for every 4 nominations up to a total of £300.

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But, 153 million adults in Africa cannot read, and are denied access to vital knowledge which could lift them out of poverty.  At Tidy Books, we want to share the gift of reading with disadvantaged children around the world, and as part of our World Book Day celebration, we are very proud to link up with Book Aid International who help children have brighter futures by sending new books to some of the poorest countries in the world.

We’d love you to play a part too, so look out for our competition which starts next week on Monday 21st February.   There’ll be a chance to get involved, and help Tidy Books send books to Africa.  And on World Book Day on March 3rd, there will be a chance to win a Tidy Books Bookcase.

Over the past 56 years, Book Aid International has sent over 25 million carefully chosen and high quality books to sub Saharan Africa.    Much of their work supports the education of girls, enhancing their life prospects, and that of their families.  Book Aid International provides the books for libraries, in schools and community centres for the most disadvantaged people.   Without quality books, it is impossible to get a good education and have the chance to escape poverty.

We are very excited about our work with Book Aid, and we’ll be bringing you news about some of the vital work that Book Aid are doing over the next 3 weeks in the run-up to World Book Day.

Will you help Tidy Books and Book Aid International change someone’s life with a book?

Book Aid International registered charity number 313869

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Guaranteed to make you feel warm and cosy inside!

Available in sweetest pink (and our other usual colours too)

Use code 4LUV20 at the checkout on both our UK and US websites 11th-14th Feb.  Love, Tidy Books xxx

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We recently heard from a young customer, Milo, son of blogger, Natasha Worswick who writes about Children’s books for Grown-ups, who got a Tidy Books Book Box for Christmas, and has decided no adults are allowed to pick books from it because it is his, and his alone!    This is not a new phenomenon; Ian, Tidy Books blogger was banned from his son’s bookcase.

It’s always lovely to hear from customers, especially when they’re enjoying Tidy Books’ products, and their books, so much.  We hope a little domestic harmony breaks out soon!

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In a recent case study with business advice centre, Business Link, Geraldine talks about how she used her artisan violin making skills, applied some determination (and a novel idea) to start producing kids bookcases that are now shipped flat pack around the world.  Her Business Link adviser, Gavin Brooks suggested flat packs would make distribution much easier.

Geraldine talks about her methods of getting retailers to stock her products (rudimentary, but effective) and how Business Link helped her plug the knowledge gap.  She was also recently interviewed by OhMyHandmade Goodness about how she found her inspiration for the business, and combining work and parenthood.

Now, if you buy a Tidy Books bookcase, it comes flat-packed, although, it looks far from flat-packed when put together.  It is very simple to construct.  In fact one blogger, Sticky Fingers got her own children to do the work!

You can read more of the case study here, on Business Link’s site.  Have you gone about a business from scratch, and had to learn on the way?  What was the best bit of advice you recieved?

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But Enid Blyton’s language also had a darker reputation, of being racist, sexist and expressing class snobbery, which meant that I was not particularly encouraged to read them as a child, (but read them anyway), nor had I thought of offering them to my child.

However, I was offered a smart box set of ten of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Famous Five’ books just before Christmas to review, and thought that my six year old would enjoy getting his teeth into them over the holidays.  The books, published by Hodder Children’s books have been revamped, with some of the most old fashioned language, and or offensive language being revised.  We were sent the classic version, with the original language intact, so I was interested to see what my son made of it.

It’s also recently been done with Huckleberry Finn too, to make the story accessible to younger readers, by removing the language now generally agreed to be offensive.

The Famous Five (and their younger cousins The Secret Seven) were a staple of our parents’ libraries as children.  They are fantastic adventure stories, of a group of four cousins  and a dog who are generally left to roam about without grown-ups around, employing bikes, boats and picnics with ‘lashings of ginger beer’ to solve the mysteries that they unearth.  The appeal of these books is that the children are incredibly independent and resourceful, and their adventures are genuinely exciting. It helps too that one of them, George, owns her own island.  Enid Blyton was able to build up suspense well, and the stories crack along at a pace, keeping young readers engaged.

The stories, written in the 1940s and 50s, express many of the attitudes of the time: girls are generally inferior to boys, and class snobbery. They were also mercilessly mocked in the 80’s in the Comic Strip presents Five Go Mad in Dorset. The language too, is old fashioned and patronising, and you’ll recognise it if you watch old British movies from the era too, like the Ealing Comedies.

However, the language is pacy, and the plots are exciting, yet simple enough for good comprehension.  There is also a likeable wholesomeness about the books, where kids go outside with no adult supervision, and behave responsibly.  They are a refreshing  antidote to computer games and some of the more fantasy related stories that are being written for kids currently.

My nearly- seven year old has positively yomped his way through The Famous Five books.  He’s been deeply drawn into their world, settling down to read for an hour at a time, and then getting into character…as Timmy the dog.   He also asked me if we could go for a hike one day! His favourite book is Five Go Away in a Caravan, and rates them all as “very very good”.   He’s not had a problem with the language, but that is because he skim reads, and ignores the things he doesn’t understand.   So, I would recommend The Famous Five for your child as long as you understand their context.  Or look out for the updated language version.  The language and values are of their time (hopefully), but the adventures and excitement for children are timeless.

What do you think?  Would you give your child an version of any story with updated language, or go for the original and explain the context?

The Famous Five, by Enid Blyton is published by Hodder Children’s Books .  My review copy was sent courtesy of KidsIQbooks who have this message:  Visit http://www.kidsiqbooks.com online bookshop to see their huge range of discounted chidren’s titles.

Should classic children’s books update their language? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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We’d love to think we’re in with a chance!  Best of luck to all the other entrants, and fingers crossed!

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One primary school as featured on the BBC News website, has embraced social media wholeheartedly, as children video, blog and interview any visitor for inclusion on their website.   A quick tour round that school’s website shows that some of the most popular content is Club Penguin, and a piece on ‘My first day in my new class’.  Their website is hosted by Radiowaves which monitors the content to help keep kids safe online.  Another expert, Professor Steve Heppell, (who also has an interesting mumology project on his website) recommends that teachers use Facebook as a way to connect with kids, allowing them to ask extra questions, at a time that suits them. For blogger The Obvious, banning Facebook for kids is a bit like not allowing them to use the phone (though parents with high phone bills may have other thoughts on this!)

It all sounds interesting, and a great way for kids to connect with other schools, particularly those abroad, but it leaves me with some questions:   Would you be happy to get your 9 year old interacting on Facebook?  If you are a teacher, do you still want to be talking with your classroom kids in the evening?

The Digizen site has useful ideas for parents and teachers about using safe social networking for children and to promote learning.

Is this happening in your local school?  Are your kids excited by it, and is it helping to broaden their learning?

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When a lightsaber fight is heading to being out of control, or when the noise level is such that you feel like you may never actually hear anything else again.

I have a sarcastic catchphrase for such moments, which is: “Why don’t we all recite poetry together?”

This is almost always met with derision, if indeed they even take me seriously, but does often start dialogue towards and more eloquent and tranquil activities.

But perhaps I should be so flippant with poetry, especially when dealing with young boys, I suppose I am lazily using an out-of-date stigma, that poetry is ‘boring’.

I was inspired by some of my own work as an eight-year-old.  My parents were recently having a sort out, and I was presented with this:

Now I am saying this is my own work, but I could have simply copied it from somewhere, and stuck my name to it.  I was not ever very studious.

However it got me thinking how I could expose my child to more poetry, more creativity, more to get him thinking.

A quick Google search for Children’s Poetry, yields a multitude of websites.  The first I click on was the Poetry Archive, which has poems for children, that are not only there to read they are also recorded as audio tracks to listen to.

The Children’s Poetry Book Shelf runs an annual UK contest run around National Poetry Day and if your children are inspired by entering a contest, or by reading other children’s work, then this is a good site to look at.

I also recalled my son, like all children in England, receiving The Puffin Book of Fantastic First Poems, sent to him by the Booktime initiative.

So there are loads of resources available, and, for us, it is a case of getting into the habit and introducing poetry to our everyday lives.

Is poetry something your children are interested in?  Or would you like them to be?

Any tips for working with children and poetry would be gratefully received.

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In a clear case of before and after, Jessika posted a picture of her traditional kids bookcase (which we have to say looked a bit worse for wear!), and a picture of after the Tidy Books bookcase had arrived and been assembled.   It does look great, and she and her family are really pleased with their easy bit of home make-over.

Jessika says “it was love at first sight” when they opened the package from Tidy Books. They are a family of booklovers, and now that they have their Tidy Books bookcase, the girls can find their odd-shaped, or long-forgotten-at-the-bottom-of-the-pile books for themselves, and so they all have more time for reading.   We also loved that the littlest one explored the letters on the new bookcase.   I would bet that she takes ownership of the bookcase before too long!

A before and after love story! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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It seems to be an inevitable part of the trend in adults’ fiction, which saw sales in the UK drop last year, but more than a million e-books were downloaded.

Kids, already used to downloading music, will feel that it is normal to download books too.  And many publishers are responding to the changing dynamic of reading, and will be publishing ebooks alongside their hardcopy version.

What do you think?  Would you let your 4 year old handle your iPad?  Would you buy them their own device?  It sounds like a great way to get kids engaged with reading, who otherwise might not be.  But, what about the joy of handling books, and the tactile learning that kids get from them?

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Our customer, Benz2922, talks about how to put it together, the different colour options, and its size.  What we loved hearing about was that her daughter is having a lot of fun with her books, finding them by herself and tidying them up again:” My daughter loves nothing more than being able to choose her own teddy and then 2 books off her book shelf whilst mummy waits in bed for her”  It sounds like an ideal chance for a sneaky lie down!

She continues: “I couldn’t recommend this book case enough, It is one of the best designed things I have ever seen and I truly believe it could get any child however stubborn to read books, or at least take an interest in them. I can’t find any faults with this case what so ever. It’s one of the best loved pieces of furniture in our house!”

It’s great to hear!  We hope she enjoys her new princess bedroom, and her very cosy book corner – the pics look cute.

Don’t take our word for it. Get the lowdown on our bookcase, straight from a Tidy Books customer is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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The goodies inside included two quality books, some colouring pencils and paper, and some reading ideas for parents.   All for free.  This is part of the national bookgifting scheme Bookstart, run by Booktrust, that gives all babies and children free books to help inspire a love of reading.

My three year old has been delighted with the chest, hanging on to it grimly, in the face of varied attempts by his older brother to take into his possesion, and has been storing other bits of ‘treasure’ in it too.    The books are always welcome, and have been added to our large stack of books at home, which also makes me aware that for other children, these Bookstart books may be some of the few that they own.   Which makes it all the more disappointing/disgraceful that the Bookstart scheme has been scrapped recently, although the recent reaction to this has made the government do a U-turn.  I can only hope that the new bookgifting scheme will be as progressive and civilised in its ambitions.

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They found the Tidy Books Box easy to put together, and thought it a really useful way to store the overflow of kids books that naturally tend to get stacked up on the bedside table.   She wrote that it works well in a small space, and gives her six year old a simple way to locate her favourite books; saying it is “satisfyingly reminiscent of the children’s display shelves in the library.”

It’s a great starting point to build up your own library, and to be able to trundle the current favourites around.  You can read the full review in Dwell magazine here

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She said “We love the fact that DD can now organize her own books by putting them away according to their titles. Not only that it’s a great way to teach her the alphabets and organize her books accordingly, she is also to see the covers of her books if she is not able to remember the names of the book she wants.  And, as a mother, I love that the bookcase from Tidy Books helps DD keep her books in one place– all nice and neat. There is no more pulling out 30 books from her normal bookcase just to find the one book she wants.”

Sugarpopribbons is hosting a competition to win a Tidy Books bookcase, which you can enter here, until January 5th 2011.

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We’re pleased too that the Bunk Bed Buddy solves the bunk bed problem: Where do you put your cup and book when you sleep in the top bunk?  It works for the 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires family.  Now it’s  a question of just what can you stash in your Bunk Bed Buddy?

You can enter a competition to win a Bunk Bed Buddy, hosted by 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires here.  It ends on January 3rd 2011.

It’s roomy at the top! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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The One Fantastical also hosted a giveaway, and we’re pleased to announce a winner; Sherrie Cruson, who said “Woo hoo! Thank you so much! I am really excited to have won.”

We hope you and your kids enjoy your Tidy Books bookcase, Sherrie.   Thank you to all who entered, and thanks to the One Fantastical for hosting.

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If you’re looking for a Christmas themed story to help your little ones into the Christmas mood, then Aliens Love Panta Claus is a good bet.   It’s Christmas and the aliens are invading Earth to spread goodwill, giving pants rather than stealing them.  They pitch up at Santa’s house on Christmas Eve to help the elves pack the presents, and when Santa discovers his sleigh has broken down, the aliens come to the rescue.  Santa Claus becomes Panta Claus as he delivers the children’s toys by alien spaceship, and a rope of pants elastic to bungee down chimneys on!

It’s great fun, and my three year old has been bringing this one to me twice a day for a week, so it has some repeat value.  My six year old gave his usual one line answer: “It’s good”.  So I think it means it’s really quite good.  It has bouncy rhyming text, which doesn’t always quite scan, and my 3 year old enjoys spotting all the things that are wearing pants.

My favourite children’s Christmas story remains Raymond Briggs’ classic story ‘Father Christmas’ who is determinedly gloomy but very appealing, and with a lovely sense of realism in a fairy story.  I only recently realised there was a sequel to it ‘Father Christmas on Holiday’ which is encapsulated in the animated film ‘Father Christmas’.  The book is available in the US on Amazon here.

Another Christmas favourite is ‘Cops and Robbers’ by Janet and Allan Ahlberg which has the robbers of London town stealing the children’s presents on Christmas Eve.  It fantastic lines in it such as “There are toys going missing galore.  From the size of the job, We suspect it’s a mob.  What they need’s the strong arm of the Law!”  It has  a long shelf life way past Christmas.  You can find it in the US here.

Aliens love Panta Claus by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort is published by Simon &Schuster Children’s Books, Oct 2010.

You can find it in the US via Amazon here

We’re reading: Aliens love Panta Claus by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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And it seems to work for her book loving boys too…

“And since all the books are facing forward, it is even easier for the boys to pick out a book they would like me to read. The height is just right. Even the top shelf is reachable for my two year old so they can easily remove and put away their books. Brilliant, right?”

We love the pics of your boys checking out their new Tidy Books bookcase!

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We’re really pleased to have inspired a new book lover, and a little domestic harmony! You can read the review here, and there’s a chance to win a bookcase, until 20th December.

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She reviewed the Tidy Books Bunk Bed Buddy and loved that it was well made, stylish and produced in sustainable wood.  She also reckoned it looked so good that it would work anywhere in the house, even as a mini book shelf!    You can read Babybix’s review here, and there’s a giveaway to enter and special discount code to use at the checkout.

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Sticky Fingers has a great list too, of favourite children’s books, which most kids would readily identify with.  Many of them are on my kids’ favourite list too, particularly ‘Pants’ by Giles Andreae.

We’d love to know how the Tidy Books Bookcase has changed reading habits now your kids can see their books.  Do they always go for their old favourites, or are they picking the slightly less travelled ones?

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We like the train set ideas and the very cool looking Studio Skinky crayons too.  You can read Kids Style File reviews of the Tidy Books Bunk Bed Buddy here.

The mentions of summer holidays and t-shirts give us a whole new perspective on the idea of Christmas too…

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The competition is open worldwide, and you can find out how to enter here.

Best of luck!

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Grab a chance to try the Bunk Bed Buddy (which can be used anywhere; bathroom, nursery, not just next to a bunk bed) with our latest giveaway with blogger Kenziepoo.

The competition is up and running now, until the 3rd of December, which is a Friday.

Good luck everyone!

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Which of course is actually a very good reaction.

For a five-year-old boy, the graphic inner workings of the human body are a subject thoroughly enjoyable.

The grosser, the better.

I am not usually a huge fan of ‘pop-up’ books, because largely to this point, my robust child has make short work of making these sometimes delicate books a mess, or inoperable.

However, now he is less like a house brick going through a window in how he handles everything, we can enjoy them more.

The pages of this book really do bounce out at you.

Being a pop-up and interactive experience is no gimmick or token gesture with this book.  It really wouldn’t work anywhere near as well if not presented in this way.

Each double spread depicts a different part of the human body, and as mentioned, the opening pages cover how we grow within our mothers.

The sections have various different activities around a central interactive focus.  And there are little tasks to discover, and gems of knowledge to unearth in a variety of flaps, pull-outs, fold-outs, knobs and whistles.

The boy’s favourite section is ‘All About My Bones’.

He really was engrossed in this part, after I got him passed the inner workings of ‘All About My Wee and Poo’ of course.

I can see this book being useful for a long time, as the information it holds, whilst enjoyable and incredibly well presented, will actually become more relevant as my son’s formal learning expands to include more details of human biology.

It’s stuffed full of information presented in very straightforward, but not at all bland, words.

This is a book by the multi-faced Jennie Maizels and William Petty, is published by Walker Books, and I found it available on Amazon at the keenest price.

Book review: My Pop-Up Body Book by Jennie Maizels and William Petty is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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5. A breath of fresh air

They’ve graduated  from picture books to chapter books,  from toddler bed to bunk bed, and they don’t want to tell you what they did at school today.  When children begin to read to themselves, it can be a challenge to find books for them that give them something to get their teeth into, and yet which have plot lines that are easily comprehended.

So, when they’re snuggled up in their bunk beds, what new books can you put on their Bunk Bed Buddy? We’ve put a guide together based on our experience as parents (and Tidy Books colleagues) that can help you in your quest to find great books for 5-7 year olds.

As always, one of the best places to start is your local library.   The librarians should be able to give you advice about what new readers can tackle.  But it can be daunting to know where to start looking on the shelves especially if you’re short of time.  One of the best things to get from the library are the audio books.  Audio books are great for long car journeys and kids seem to understand a more complex story better when its read to them.

Another good starting point is a book of short stories.  Puffin does an excellent series of ‘Stories for 5 year olds‘ and ‘Stories for 6 year olds’ and so on (US, UK).  The collection of different authors brought together by Wendy Cooling gives you and your child a feeling for who they might like to read more of, and there is a mix of traditional tales as well as ones written by established children’s authors such as Penelope Lively and Geraldine McCaughrean. My six year old was helpless with giggles at one story about some children making an incredible mess and mischief, in a story called ‘Making pancakes when my mother was out’ by Paddy Kinsale.

Roald Dahl is a firm favourite with most children, and with films and museums dedicated to his stories, there are few children who will get through childhood without reading at least one or two.   My six year old always returns to his favourite Roald Dahl stories when he’s run out of other books, such as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (US, UK)and ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’ (US, UK).

Stories about animals seem to appeal to girls and boys.  Some of our favourites have been ‘Dear Hound’ by Jill Murphy (US, UK), a lively, unsentimental book written from the point of view of the hound, called Alfie.  The series of ‘Daisy’ books by Kes Gray are laugh out loud funny, and boys and girls should well enjoy them too (US, UK). Despite the books featuring girls, my six year old boy has zoomed his way through The Worst Witch series also by Jill Murphy (US, UK) (now on TV too), and Airy Fairy written by Margaret Ryan (US, UK).  Continuing on the magical theme, the Oliver Moon series by Sue Mongredien (US, UK)about a trainee wizard are a nice precursor to Harry Potter, and have the essential kid’s story ingredients of magic and schools.

Michael Morpurgo, Anne Fine, Philip Pullman, Roddy Doyle and Jeremy Strong are also great kids authors to look out for.

For parents worried about how to get their boys enthused about reading, there are series of books targeted at boys,  such as Beast Quest by Adam Blade which are fantasy adventures about strange beasts(US, UK) and Astrosaurs by Steve Cole which are fantasy adventures involving flying dinosaurs (US, UK) that seem to bring out the competitive element in boys; who’s read most!   There are equivalents targeted at girls involving ice skating and kittens.  They’re ubiquitous, not terribly well written,  and you’ll be hard pressed to stop your kids picking them up.

Most kids love stories about bad behaviour, and Horrid Henry (US, UK) and  Captain Underpants (US, UK)  fulfill that brief with aplomb.  They’re also genuinely funny, and I like reading them too!

Plunder your old childhood shelves if you still have them.  ‘Clever Polly and The Stupid Wolf’ by Catherine Storr (US, UK) is a witty take on traditional wolf stories. Lion Witch and Wardrobe by C S Lewis (US, UK) is the obvious classic, but probably a bit advanced for 7 year olds, but they may enjoy the film tie in.   Another one that my six year old enjoyed was Charlotte’s Web (US, UK) which appeals to both girls and boys.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.   What do your kids enjoy?  Can you recommend any?

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Congratulations Corinne.  A beautiful Tidy Books Bookcase is on its way to you.  We hope you and your kids enjoy it, and their books.

Thanks to everyone who entered the competition.

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See Bragging Mommies blog or follow the links on our Facebook page for details on how to enter the competition.  It’s open till 2nd December.  Good luck!

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The Tidy Books Box is perfect for keeping books close to hand, and helping toddlers find (and tidy) their books.

Enter by 20th Dec

http://ow.ly/3beRs

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Ace assembler, Riley’s mum, shows us how easy it is to put a Tidy Books Bookcase together. is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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His school books, whilst I am sure excellent learning resources for the budding reader, can be terribly uninteresting, and as a parent I do try to stress to him how brilliant reading can be.  In the hope that his reading motivation does not subside.

It is one of the very reasons I ever got involved with Tidy Books, buying one of their children’s bookcases and now finding myself helping with their social media.

Having a collection of books he really takes ownership of is all part of my grand reading encouragement plan.  If you don’t believe me see Hands off my Bookcase

It is generally accepted here that boys can struggle more with reading than girls, and I know this is something both myself, and Geraldine – the originator and owner of Tidy Books – can relate to.

So to both of us it is important that our boys find joy in books, no matter what they are.

Emile, Geraldine’s boy, after being introduced to them at school, has recently become obsessed with the Berenstain Bears.  Not a series either I or Geraldine were immediately familiar with.

Perhaps you are?

Anyway, books were secured from the World Wide Web and Emile’s love for them is growing, check him out below.

So perhaps his current choice of favourite book was quite clear to him, and his mum, but it was not so obvious in this house.

Max tends to flit from book-to-book, each becoming flavour of the moment for a few days to then be updated with a brand new favourite.

If I was going to guess I would have gone for one of the Mr Men series, as we do seem to stick with them longer than most, and our bedtime reading can be provided by them for days on end.

But no.

On this occasion, another book, and another person was flavour of the week.

Daddy Hug is one of my favourites from his collection.  It has very simply rhyming text, and effectively compliments a father, coming to an end with ‘Daddy Hug”, which invariably ends up with a warmer final embrace of the day than usual.

I take it as a sign of my stock as to the frequency this is read, perhaps I shouldn’t, but I do.

And I was very proud when he took this to school to share with his teacher and peers.

What books would your kids choose?

Our kids’ favourite books is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Sitting down quietly and reading! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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See us on Babble.com, and win a Tidy Books Bookcase! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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5. A Fun and Funky giveaway! Win a Tidy Books Box!

We’ve have teamed up together to offer you the opportunity of winning some great prizes and just in time for Xmas too!

1 Tidy Books Bookcase RRP £109 together with this amazing selection of books from KidsIQBooks

Mr Men Blue Box Set – £44.99
Roald Dahl Box set – £24.99
A Series of Unfortunate Events 13 Books – £39.99
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – £9.99
St Clare’s Box Set – £19.99
Malory Towers – £12.99
Little Miss – £34.99

The competition will run from Wednesday 10th November until 5pm on Friday 19th November.

The winner will have answered both questions correctly, one on KidsIQ Facebook page and the other on Tidy Books’.

So, to be in with a chance of winning, you need to leave your answers on the Facebook pages of both us (TidyBooks) and KidsIQ.

One overall winner will be selected and notified accordingly.

On KidsIQBooks Facebook page – Name the six characters in the Mr Men Glitter collection sold on the www.kidsiqbooks.com website.
KidsIQBooks Facebook Page

On Tidy Books Facebook page – How many finishes does the Tidy Book bookcase come in?
TidyBooks Facebook page (Don’t forget to “like” us!)

Good Luck everyone!

Enter our Facebook Competition and Win a Bookcase and Books for Xmas! is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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We’re really proud to have won a clutch of awards recently for our newest idea, the Tidy Books® Box, a portable book box for kids that looks great anywhere in the home.  Parenting and educational awards have given the seal of approval to the Tidy Books® Box, and it’s great to have our enthusiasm for kids’ reading recognised by the experts.

We’re entered in to the hall of fame as Silver medal winner in the Right Start Toy Award and Practical Pre-School Award, and finalist in the Practical Parenting Award.   Judges said the Tidy Books® Box was “A good portable storage unit, attractive design encouraged children to replace their books back in the Box. Easy to assemble, it does not take
up much space. The clock has educational value too”

You can find out more about the Tidy Books® Box on our website.  We’d love to know what you think too.  Where would you use a Tidy Books® Box?

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I know one of the huge benefits of this wonderful bookcase is that it really encourages children to engage with their books, and also with its smart design makes it far easier for a child to retrieve and put back a book without fuss.

After buying one, I’ve witnessed that process work first hand.

However.

When Geraldine designed the first one for her own daughter, I am unsure if she even thought that these fabulous children’s bookcases would be things that parents would find themselves banned from using.

Well, that’s exactly what has happened to me.

Banned.

Banned from a child’s bookcase.

And check out how serious he is about it.

It is a ban I am taking seriously, for fear of the physical repercussions for one thing.

But actually, it is something I am absolutely delighted to be banned from.

I think one of the major ways to encourage children to read is to allow them the freedom to chose exactly what they want to read, rather than to force them to read something a parent, or teacher, deems more ‘appropriate’.

Granted sometimes I put something in front of my child that he wouldn’t have picked up himself, but generally I do so as it is something I think he will enjoy, or that I feel he has overlooked.

In the main it is his choice what books we enjoy.

I don’t know if it is working, but I love being put on my chair next to his bed to wait for him to choose his night-time reading.

OK, I don’t always play ball, and sometimes make a break for the bookcase, but that only adds to the fun aspect of our bedtime stories.

The only problem I can see with this, is if my son decides to extend my ban to our Tidy Books Box, in which case I have no idea where I will store – or get to – my copies of Private Eye magazine!

Hands off my bookcase is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Daisy is unnerved by her big new bed in a new house, and unable to sleep in the first few nights is visited by the Beasties.  Daisy doesn’t see the Beasties arrive, but she listens to their stories which soothe her as she floats off to sleep.  Until one night, there is no story and bravely, she looks under her bed to discover the where the story tellers have gone, and finds the Beasties.   They encourage her to tell her own story, and as Daisy tells her own story and drifts asleep, their work is done and they pack up their storytelling ‘treasures’ and creep away.

By chance this week, my two year old, went into a big new bed too, and this book gave us a nice prompt to talk about being small in a big bed.   He has brought this book to me most days this week, and has been able to follow the storyline.  Sadly it hasn’t encouraged him to stay in his bed after lights out!

This book has a magical, fairytale quality, without being sentimental or scary.   It’s wonderfully illustrated, with beautiful detail and colours, perfectly matching the text.  The text has a lovely pace, which sounds great read aloud like a fable or traditional tale.  The six year old picked up the book and unprompted, told me that he ‘liked it’.  I think this is pretty high praise from a six year old, but also reminds me that the stories he liked best as a toddler were the ones we made up, just like Daisy does.

Another story, about the power of stories that we’ve enjoyed is ‘Tiddler ‘by Julia Donaldson.  This modern classic has been regularly requested in our house by the two year old.

Are there bedtime stories which regularly help your child to sleep?

If you like the sound of ‘The Beasties’, you can find it here in the UK, and here in the US

The Beasties by Jenny Nimmo and Gwen Millward is published by Egmont Books, Oct 2010

We’re reading…”The Beasties” by Jenny Nimmo and Gwen Millward is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Tidy Books is a British company which designs and makes innovative kids bookcases, bookshelves and book storage boxes.    We’re proud that we’ve won many awards for the quality and practicality of our designs, and that our bookcases give books a special place in the family home.  The bookcases enable children to easily see and pick their books independently, fostering a love of reading from a tender age.

See our brand new website for more on the Tidy Books Bookcase, the Bunk Bed Buddy and the book storage book, the Tidy Books Box.   We know that kids love reading, and that parents love to encourage them, so we have lots of ideas on our blog, facebook and twitter @tidybooks, sites about kids and reading.  Come and visit us and tell us what you think too.

We’ll be launching in the US soon, keep watching for more news.

Tidy Books is coming! Launching in the US very soon. is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Most homes today are designed specifically to avoid productive activity. The biggest investment is most likely a big screen television topped off with a Wii or Xbox. A virtual shrine to not being productive. The most productive our kids can be while watching television is learning how to cook via the food channel. Making Wii people, while creative, is not going to set anyone up for future glory.

family activities

The amazing thing about the “do something productive” line is that it actually seems to work. My youngest often disappears upstairs and starts reading a book. The 11 year old often goes to her desk and starts designing the next big fashion sensation (to be seen at a designer store near you around 2025).

Why does it work? Maybe it just gets them thinking. Maybe all of us need a reminder that watching a not so compelling television show or constantly checking out Facebook is perhaps not the best way to spend your time.

The next step might be to create a productive space that makes being productive easy. Could be why the Tidy Books bookcase works so well. It creates a space for kids to be able to interact with books and read. Many people have already created productive spaces. A workshop in the garage. A room set aside for painting. Could be that productivity just needs some room. Let us know how you have created productive spaces in your home for yourself and your kids.

Being productive is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Oh, how I loved my childhood books: 101 Dalmations, Bed Knobs and Broomsticks, The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe series, The Borrowers, Anne of Green Gables, and so many more.

Writing for Tidy Books is such a joy. It brings back such wonder of these books I adored as a child. My father was a librarian.  Need I say more?  As I was growing up, Daddy brought me home books weekly, and 101 Dalmatian was a breathtaking experience when I was eight.  This book just grabbed me and took me on an emotional ride, with characters that were so complete, humor that was so gentle, and an England I knew nothing about. Plus, there was the gentle loyalty of these two dogs for each other and their “pets.” (They are not “owners,” they are “pets!”).

I read the book seven times.  My father had to renew it three times.  And then when it could be renewed no more, I couldn’t bear for it to go back!  I asked Daddy if there was some way I could save my allowance to buy it from the library.  He said, “No. That’s not how it works.  Honey, this book belongs to the library, and it’s not for sale.  I know you love it, but I’ll get it for you again in a few weeks.”

He thought I would forget. I didn’t. I don’t know what happened inside my little eight-year-old soul, but I couldn’t bear to part with the book.  I knew I had three weeks left before it absolutely, absolutely had to go back to the library, so I started copying.  Yes, that’s right, I started to write it out.  Every afternoon after school I raced home, had a glass of milk and went to my room and started to copy.  At first, my parents chuckled gently at this mild insanity from their little girl, but as the three weeks grew to a close, I had 78 pages of this beautiful look written out on a growing pile of 8 x 10 pads.

Then the book just had to go back.  It was two weeks until he could borrow it again, and I must have asked every day at least twice not forget to bring it home again.  When he did bring it back I scribbled furiously.  Then the book had to be returned. I was tenacious, and I never let up.  My poor parents!

Christmas was a month away, and at one point in my never-ending barrage of reminders, to “bring the book back again, please,” Daddy said softly, “Christmas is coming, and let’s see what it brings.”

Christmas morning arrived, and there, under the tree, to my absolute joy, lay that magical book. Oh, yes! “To Diane, from Mrs. Hilliard.”  Who?  My dad told a story, with a laugh, about the long-suffering head of the library system, who managed to finagle it so that one of her employees could take this book home to his daughter. I know now how touched she was by my passion for the book. But I’m sure my Dad’s pleas for his own sanity played in – I was driving everyone slightly nuts!

But to this day, I own the same much beloved, 50-year-old copy of 101 Dalmatians and have read it at least another 50 times in 50 years.

What was this mild obsession?  I’ve never been able to answer that except to say that Dodie Smith touched my heart.  There was family, loyalty, tenderness. There was love, helping others less fortunate, and the wonder of small puppies. And she introduced me to new concepts, new ideas, that somehow seem to truly resonate with me.  St. John’s Wood, Primrose Hill, and Hampstead Heath, areas where I lived or worked as an adult were introduced to me in this charming tale.  A village in Suffolk, where I also lived as a grown-up, began to call to me.  Did I know at some level in my soul that I was going to live in those places?  Or was the effect of this book so profound that somehow I engineered it to live in Hampstead and in a village in Suffolk?  I will never know.

What I do know is that when I am in bed with a bad cold, I go downstairs to my huge library of books, and I reach for 101 Dalmatians. I snuggle up in my own room, and re-experience the joy all over again – the joy of the tender and funny stories I grew up with.

Don’t we all?

What is your favorite book from your childhood?

Take our quick survey :  Click here for short survey: What is your favorite childhood book? a chance to win a Tidy Books Product!

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My favorite book as a child – 101 Dalmations! What’s yours? is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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It’s a slightly eccentric, but classic story of an elephant offering a ride one day to a bad baby.  We’re not told why the baby is bad, nor why the elephant is intent on stealing snacks, but as with many of the best children’s stories, you have to suspend credulity.  As the elephant takes a succession of pies, biscuits and lollies, it is chased by an ever-growing horde of angry shopkeepers.  And as the elephant runs, it goes ‘rumpeta, rumpeta, rumpeta all down the road’ which is a wonderful rollicking repetition for kids to join in with.  The list of angry shopkeepers grows, and is another source of repetition, along the lines of “Chicken Licken” or the memory game ‘I went to the market and bought some…’   The elephant realises that the bad baby has forgotten his manners; (he forgot to say ‘please’) and sits down with a bump, making the baby fall off.  Nothing is mentioned however, about the elephant’s lack of manners!  The story ends well with the baby’s mummy making everyone pancakes at home for tea.

This book has a sweetly dated feel, similar to that of  ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’ which was written about the same time.  The illustrations by Raymond Briggs (of The Snowman and Fungus the Bogeyman), show people in hats and shopkeepers in aprons, however, they’re witty and expressive and the two year old enjoyed picking out the different items he could see in the shop.   The book was first published in 1969, although I found a much later edition in my local library.  I believe that it has not been reprinted in the US, but there are copies available on Amazon in the US.  It is available in the UK from the publishers or Amazon.

The Elephant and the Bad Baby by Elfrida Vipont and Raymond Briggs, published by Puffin Books, 1969

We’re reading…”The Elephant and the Bad Baby” by Elfrida Vipont and Raymond Briggs is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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The Beachy Books website explains what they are hoping to achieve.

‘Beachy Books is a small family run publishing company. We are passionate about books, especially children’s books. Our first book is a picture book called Jack & Boo’s Bucket of Treasures. It has been written, illustrated, designed, typeset and published by us. We plan a whole series of Jack & Boo adventures in 2010, as well as publishing other books for older children.’

It is evident from reading their début book that they do not lack passion.  Jack and Boo’s adventures on the beach are lovingly regaled, and the illustrations are a mix of colourful drawings placed upon actual pictures that I believe are actually ones taken by the illustrator.

This style reminded me of another book I recently reviewed: George and Flora’s Secret Garden published by a wing of the Eden Project.

Personally I am not entirely sure I like this style, but it is definitely one that children relate to and enjoy.  I could see my five year-old boy getting taken in by them, and picturing himself in scenes of his own beach adventures.

The text has a whimsical edge, and anyone who has fond memories of the beach will have those happy thoughts brought right back to them.

Its narrative gets smoother as the books goes on, and small illustrations of the items featured within it offer additional interest and an excellent first point of reference for a inquisitive child wanting to know what ‘bladderwrack’ is for example.

As well as the story of Jack and Boo’s discoveries the book also carries a ‘Beach Spotter Guide’ and ‘Family Beach Ideas’.  I found the guide in particular useful. With a child learning to read having a checklist of items you may find on a beach, as well as in this story, makes for an excellent aid.

This book has a cover price of £7.99, but I found it cheaper on Amazon.

Some of those that have already bought this book via the giant of online book sales left favourable Amazon reviews, and it reads like this may be an excellent book to buy as a gift.

You can find more about Beach Books on their website, and also follow Beachy Books on Twitter.

Don’t forget you can follow Tidy Books on Twitter, and that all sorts of news and reviews can be found on the Tidy Books Facebook page.

Book review: Jack & Boo’s Bucket of Treasures is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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The six year old, on picking up the book for the first time, instinctively sang it to the tune of (you guessed it) ‘Sing a song of Sixpence’.  The two year old has brought it out regularly to be read, and has also been heard around the house singing it to himself.

This is an easy book to read out loud; its rhyming text bounces along and is perfect for kids to join in with after a few reads.   The illustrations are a great fit with the text; they’re perky and mildly cheeky, and remind me of the sweetest of the Disney cartoons.

The author knows she is on to a winning streak here with the perennial humour of bums and pants.  Jeanne Willis, has won lots of awards for her other titles which include ‘Bottoms Up’ and ‘Who’s in the Loo?’ The latter is a favourite in our house, and has fantastic, witty drawings.   ‘Sing a Song of Bottoms’ is cross between two other books which have a familiar format:  ‘Pants’ by Nick Sharratt  and Giles Andreae which features a talent show of animals in pants and is genuinely funny,  and ‘Doing the Animal Bop’ by Linsdey Gardiner and Jan Ormerod which has a lovely swinging beat and celebrates what each animal can do.

Sing a Song of Bottoms has instant appeal for children aged 2-5, perfect for a having bit of a laugh and improving the mood.  It is quick to read and is great for a quick story time when time is tight.

Sing a Song of Bottoms by Jeanne Willis and Adam Stower is published by Puffin Books, June 2010.

You can get hold of this book from most bookshops.  We’ve provided a link to Amazon to make it easy if you’re interested in it for both our customers, in the UK and in the US.

We’re reading.. “Sing a Song of Bottoms” by Jeanne Willis and Adam Stower is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Originally designed with children’s bunk beds in mind, The Home Buddy can be used in all the rooms around your home.  We discovered a lot of people have found them useful in nurseries for holding nappies and wipes above a changing station, and in bathrooms keeping toiletries safe and close to hand.

Available in a variety of colours, and with durability that means it will continue to look great for many years, The Home Buddy will look great on any wall.

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It is certainly amongst my to-do items, and I shall also be casting my attention to my son’s summer reading soon.

Reading throughout the impending school holidays can be of enormous benefit.  As well as keeping children in the good habit of reading, the extra freedom of reading exactly what they want to, can turn a possible chore into a positive joy.

That’s the hope of the Reading Agency, who will soon be releasing their Summer Reading Challenge.

Libraries from all over the country will be involved in rewarding children for their reading throughout the summer.

The challenge for children aged between 4 and 11 is simple, read six or more books of their choice.

They will be incentivised by receiving collectable items and rewards along the way, with certificates and medals for all that complete the challenge successfully.

This year’s theme is space, and has been called Space Hop.  Children will be boldly going where no one has been before, as they continue to nurture a life-long love of reading books through an exciting galaxy.

As well as having a tangible Space Hop pack, there is also an interactive website linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them the chance to share and discuss their favourite books and reading tips.

My local library will be registering children from the 10^th of July, and you should get in touch with your local library to see how and when you can get involved.

And how should we put together a quality reading list?

Well of course children can look for books they have yet to read from their favourite authors, but if you’re at a library already, it is a good idea to make use of the experts at your disposal.

Terry wrote an excellent post on the Booklights blog about how to make a great summer reading list.  As well as exploiting initiatives such as Space Hop, libraries are an excellent resource for putting together a book list.

Based on age, author, or even subject.  If you have a passion for bugs, or princesses, then it is the experts at the library, who will be able to point you in the direction of books about, or containing, your favoured subject.

So will your children be taking up the challenge? Or were yours some of the 750,000 to benefit from this initiative last year?

Summer reading lists is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Here is a list of a few reading initiatives for children.

The National Literacy Trust is a great place to start.   This is a trust that believes that improved literacy can genuinely improve people’s lives.  I would not argue with that.

They operate numerous projects.  Gaining funding from the Department of Education, Early Reading Connects aims to strengthen literacy development in the under fives.

After government figures recorded that boys’ performance was lower than their female peers, Reading Champions was created to increase boys’ enjoyment of their reading.

Reading for Life is also borne of the National Literacy Trust.  And this was set up to encourage everyone to read.  Promoting the benefits of reading to all ages.

Booktrust is an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to enjoy books.  It operates a large number of specific initiatives and partners with Reading for Life and the Arts Council.

Bookstart is its national programme concerned with encouraging children from the earliest possible age.  One of its main aims is to provide a free pack of books to every baby in the UK.

Booked Up is a similar scheme that aims to give a free book to every child starting secondary school in England.

Booktime concerns itself with the children between these two age brackets.  And my own son was very pleased to receive his free Booktime books and bag during his first school year.

Another independent charity inspiring more people to read is The Reading Agency.  They do a lot of work with public libraries and throughout the summer will again be running its Summer Reading Challenge.

The idea of this initiative is to encourage children to continue reading throughout the lengthy school holidays, and to help kids turn their reading from a chore to a pleasure.

An initiative that they run all the time is Their Reading Future.   Working in partnership with libraries, supporting them to deliver the best possible reader development programmes.

The Scottish Book Trust aims to inspire readers and writers.  And what four year-old would not be delighted with an explorer backpack?

In America Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has really taken off.  The idea of this initiative is that each community provides every child with a free book every month until they turn five.

A project that many communities have bought in to after its initial launch and success in Dolly’s home county in east Tennessee.

It is spreading into Canada, and also parts of the UK.  You can go and see if there is an affiliate near you here.

Another stateside project I have stumbled upon is Reach Out and Read.  This not-for-profit organisation aims to promote school readiness by providing new books to children and advice to parents via America’s network of paediatric exam rooms.

But what wonderful initiatives am I missing?

And I would love to read about any positive impacts reading initiatives have had.

Children’s reading initiatives is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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This book is a re-read and returned to favourite with the two year old and the six year old, and is probably perfect for four year olds.  It has also added to our vocabulary at home.  The “Wendelbot”, the robot who goes on a tidying rampage and throws everything out, has become a term of friendly abuse.

Maybe it’s the robots and the brilliant Heath Robinson-esque drawings that have made this such a favourite.  Or that there’s a classic mix of humour and sadness.  Or that it’s a multi-layered book; there’s a relatively simple story that can be enjoyed by a two year old, with lots more in-depth ideas to talk about with an older child.

Wendel is an inventor with a draconian mind; if his invention doesn’t work exactly, he throws it onto the scrap heap and starts again. Soon his workshop is piled high with rubbish, and he creates a robot to deal with the mess.   “Clunk”, his creation doesn’t work too well, getting teacups, wellies, and bed making hopelessly mixed up.  Poor Clunk is quickly despatched down the rubbish chute.  Wendel tries again, making the Wendelbot.   The Wendelbot works perfectly, but doesn’t stop tidying.  Soon Wendel is the untidiest thing in the room, and he’s thrown down the rubbish chute, where he bumps into Clunk.   As the Wendelbot starts upon world domination, he is only stopped by Wendel and Clunk’s gaggle of imperfect robots they’ve salvaged from the rubbish.   As the story ends, Wendel learns to be patient with the failings of his robots, and never to throw anything away again!

I’m unreservedly enthusiastic about this book.  It’s a brilliant story that will appeal to all children and contains interesting ideas about friendship and helping others, to being tolerant of others’ imperfections, and re-using and recycling your rubbish.  However the themes are subtle, you can choose to pick up on them or just enjoy the story.  And, it’s funny too.

Chris Riddell is a prolific writer and illustrator and winner of many children’s book awards.  He has a great website where you can peek at his books and listen to them too. His drawings may also be familiar to you as he a renowned political cartoonist.

Wendel’s Workshop by Chris Riddell is published by Macmillan Children’s Books, 2007

We’re reading…”Wendel’s Workshop” by Chris Riddell is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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I am somewhere in the middle of those two groups.  I enjoy watching football, and usually a major football tournament would be of great interest to me.  But my interest this time has only really been ignited by ways in which my son is engaging with it.

The stubbornness within my son’s personality means that it is a much more joyous thing to let him choose a topic to aid his learning and development, than force him down a road he is reluctant to travel.

It seems this is true of a lot of children, especially boys, as they start their formal learning lives.

I did not expect it to, but at the moment the World Cup really has my son’s attention, and I have been looking at ways of making the most of that.  I haven’t had to look too hard, as my son has found ways of doing that himself.

He was given a Panini World Cup sticker book.  And he has enjoyed looking for the numbers that correspond with the stickers he has got, and has been slowly populating his new treasured sticker book.  Regardless of who the player actually is the number is all important to him, which is great.

Older children at his school have been collecting Match Attax cards, some of which have been kind enough to give their duplicates to my son.  He thinks the few he has got are great, and has been using them to learn how to spell names of countries, and also as guides for when he is drawing footballers from the respective teams.

His drawings have been brilliant, using different colours for the different teams.  Replicating national badges and flags, and coming up with scorelines for most of the scenes we have both drawn.  England always seem to score 10, he still has a lot to learn obviously.

During England’s first appearance in the tournament he and a couple of his friends made flags and footballers on sticks.  They had great fun, barely paying any real attention to the game – not that they missed anything, unlike England’s goalkeeper.

Then last night, with a little help from CITV’s Share-a-Story contest, using their template, he started his own World Cup cartoon.  Which included drawing and writing in speech bubbles.

Yesterday really was a ‘football’ day as he wanted to conclude it with a football story at bedtime.  I had to think quickly (no mean feat) if we had one, then I remembered that Roger Hargreaves’ Mr Cool, from the Mr Men series, includes a footballer and he was more than happy with my choice.

I am delighted that my son is engaging with the World Cup in such positive ways, and not just kicking a ball about, which he is enjoying doing too.

Has it been the same in your house, and do you have any more ideas for me?

Using the World Cup as a learning aid is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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Wake UP by Katie Cleminson ticks this box with bells on.

It is tale of one boy’s very busy day, very apt for the little boy of this house.  He wakes up, and up and up, and the book continues beautifully along the same rhyming vein.

He goes to school, where he must listen up, and up and up.

His adventures include all sorts of things in a typical young boy’s life.  Dressing up, playing, show and tell, eating, bathing, and cuddling up for bed.

My son could relate to all these things, and enjoyed having the book read at a lively pace, but also enjoyed stopping me to pour over the wonderful illustrations, trying to spot things that are mentioned in the book’s verse.

Katie Cleminson is clearly a very talented illustrator and author.  This book follows the impressively successful Box of Tricks that earned Katie the prestigious honour of Best Emerging Illustrator at the Booktrust Early Years Awards 2009.

On receiving that award Cleminson explained how it actually left her ‘lost for words’.

The illustrations in this book are wonderfully crafted using pen and ink.  Some pages are made up of a single scene, while others are made of a collective of smaller drawings.  All are eloquently accompanied by the appropriate text

For an emerging reader the language is uncomplicated, and even for a child at the very beginning of learning to read, the style of the book encourages them to engage with it.

Along with Jacqueline Wilson, Katie will be judging the Vintage Classics competition to find a young artist to design the jackets for a new edition of the Secret Garden.  The competition is for 7 to 12 year olds and is running in The Times newspaper.

Book review: Wake Up! by Katie Cleminson is a post from: TidyBooks - The Childrens Storage Solution.

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