Children’s Book Review: Operation Alphabet

This was possibly one of the most exciting packages BG ever received and it came from the Ministry of Letters.

I love the whole concept of this. The Ministry of Letters is a secret government agency that makes up the words in the country.  They also have the 'Special Alphabet Service' (SAS) that help with any emergency and they are the heroes of the book Operation Alphabet.

BG was sent a very special package that contained the book though she won’t tell me what else was in it, apparently it’s a secret!

The book itself is really good. It’s a nice heavy book with lots of great illustration; I really love the retro feel to it.

The story is of a little boy called Charlie who needs to learn the Alphabet and how the SAS help him learn with with songs and stories.

BG really enjoyed it and even through it is aimed at 5-8 year olds really got into it.

This would make a great gift and is ideal for a child who is learning the alphabet.

It’s available from Amazon for £6.37 which is great price for this hardback book.

Visit the site www.ministryofletters.com as they have some great little features on their for you children to do.

I will leave you will a great video they have made!

Children’s Book Review - The Silent Owl by Clemency Pearce

This book is really nice story and has a great ending. The forest animals are worried about the Owl that never speaks but as they find out there is no need to be worried.

It’s great to read as it has rhythmic text which I find my much fun to read.

The illustrations are really lovely and really add to the book.

BG really enjoys this story and I do too!

The Silent Owl (£5.39) is available from Top That Publishing

Children's Book Review - Sainsbury’s Pre School Books - My First Box of Books

Sainsbury’s Pre School Books - My First Box of Books

Price:  £3.50

Available from:  Sainsbury’s  

Initial Reaction: Nice collection of books.

Pros:

• Bright
• Hard wearing
• Good Selection
• Teaches colours, shapes an numbers
• Comes in a handy box

Cons:

• None

Value for money? Good

Overall Reaction:  Great collection of first books. Nice and bright. BG enjoyed going through them and disusing them now she’s a bit older. 

Great gift idea

By Carol 

Children's Book Review - My Terrific Tractor Book

My Terrific Tractor Book

Price:  £7.99

Available from:  Sainsbury’s  

Initial Reaction: Oh dear it makes a noise!

Pros:

• Packed full of information
• Good pictures
• Has a button which makes a tractor sound
• Sturdy

Cons:

• None

Value for money? Average

Overall Reaction:  This is one of BG’s favourite books; her Granddad is a farmer so she is obsessed with tractors. It has loads of information and is set out really well.  

Great book for tractor fans 

By Carol

Children's Book Review - The Coffee Table Book for Children - Volume 2

The Coffee Table Book for Children - Volume 2

With this book we're trying to encourage children to have fun being imaginative and thoughtful and silly and slightly surreal. We've hand picked some fantastic high quality photographs from Sarah's huge library and we've added some facts, some conversation starters and some straight forward "what do you imagine?" questions. We love the idea of children being empowered by learning through effortless enjoyment.

Price:  £22

Available from: 2littleboys.co.uk

Initial Reaction:  looks gorgeous. Lovely large hard back book.

Pros:

• Amazing Photos
• Engages Children
• Great questions

Cons:

• A little expensive

Value for money?  It expensive

Overall Reaction:  I think this a great book for children, it’s packed full of pictures and questions. It’s a great book for sitting down with your children going through. It also looks great on your coffee table. BG enjoyed the pictures and would ask questions but at 2 ½ hasn’t got the real benefit from it yet and is still heavy handed so it will go up for now until she’s a little older.

Ideal book for a raining day. 

By Carol

Children's Book Review - I Am a Parrot by Simon Mayor and Hilary James

I Am a Parrot

Children will delight in following the story of a parrot who just loves to say things twice! Humorous text and illustrations are complemented by the entertaining accompanying song that children will love to sing along with!

Price:  £4.49

Available from:  Top That Publishing

Suitable from:  3+

Initial Reaction:  Great it comes with a CD!

Pros:

• It’s very funny
• Comes with a CD so you can sing along
• Illustrations are good
• Kept BG entertained

 Cons:

• The song can get a little annoying

Value for money?  Yes

Overall Reaction:  BG insisted the CD be played over and over again which a little annoying but at least it engaged her. She really liked this book. It is very funny and entertaining. 

By Carol

Children's Book Review - Hullabaloo by Gordon Volke

Hullabaloo


From a donkey called Drew, to hopping bunnies with grass to chew, this rowdy group of animals at the zoo are making a hullabaloo! Children will delight in this enchanting storybook, with humorous text and lively illustrations. Each spread describes each of the animals and adds another, resulting in chaos that is bound to amuse new and emerging readers and ensuring that this title is guaranteed to be picked up time and time again.

Price:  £5.39

Available from:  Top That Publishing

Suitable from: 3 to 5 yrs

Initial Reaction:  Great illustrations

Pros:

• Really funny
• It rhymes which I love.
• Kept BG’s attention
• Great Illustrations

Cons:

• None

Value for money? Average

Overall Reaction:  BG really enjoys this book; it’s funny and keeps her attention. She asked to read it quite often.  Big thumbs up from us

It is also available as a PDF download 

By Carol

Parent Panel Review - This Book Totally Makes Stuff Grow - A Maggie and Rose Activity Book

Product: This Book Totally Makes Stuff Grow _ A Maggie and Rose Activity Book

Price: from £4.13

Available from: Amazon, Waterstones, Walker Books

Suitable from:  3 plus

Initial Reaction: I love the concept of this book and couldn’t wait to get stared with the activities with the boys

Pros: A super book for getting children involved in gardening.  Full of simple activities and things to do with everyday item that you already have in your home.  We didn’t need to purchase anything to carry out the things we did.

Cons: None I could see, apart from the fact it would have been good to have wipeable pages as the boys got it very muddy

Value for money? Good value

Overall Reaction:  A great book to encourage a love of the outdoors and encourage curiosity in children.

 By Jen