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Julia Donaldson

The Ugly Five By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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The Ugly FiveAlmost everyone has heard of the Big Five – the largest and most dangerous animals in Africa – but what about the Ugly Five? Julia Donaldson shines the spotlight on this lesser known group in this heartwarming story.

The lappet-faced vulture, the spotted hyena, the wildebeest, the marabou stork and the warthog are not going to win any prizes for their beauty. With their gnarled faces, distinctive odours and questionable table manners, they repel the other animals they meet.

However as they wander the savannah they meet a group who think they are the kindest and most beautiful animals in the world – their babies! Their little ones gather together and highlight all the reasons they think their mummies and daddies are wonderful and it really is quite lovely I may have shed a little tear the first time I read it…

This is a fantastic story which reminds parents and children alike that even at your worst, you are somebody’s whole world and to them you will always be beautiful.

Buy it now: https://amzn.to/2qkagqd

Ivy’s Guest Book: Marcela Ferreira AKA S.E. Sussed

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S.E. SussedTell us a little bit about yourself and your family

My name is Marcela, I am a mum of two (Izzy 8, and George 6) and wife of one.  I am an aspiring children’s writer and though I have nabbed a great agent, I am yet to have my stories published (here is hoping).

What is your son/daughter’s favourite book?

We read a lot at our house, so favourites change all the time.  I asked the kids what their favourites are right now, and this is what they said:

My daughter’s is Jake Atlas, by Rob Lloyd Jones: “because it’s adventurous”.  Jake Atlas is Indiana Jones for kids, inspired by the author’s own experiences as an Egyptologist.  His previous books, the ‘Wild Boy’ series are fantastic (and take place in Victorian London). I was lucky enough to meet Rob, and he is a brilliant story teller in person too – I highly recommend his books.

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Ivy’s Guest Book: Kate AKA The Muddled Mum

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The Muddled MumTell us a little bit about yourself and your family

Hello! My name is Kate but I am also known as The Muddled Mum because, well, my mind is a bit of a muddle. I live in Dorset with my wonderful husband and 2.5-year-old daughter. My daughter is also called Ivy – a name I didn’t realise was so popular until I started going on Instagram!

What is your daughter’s favourite book?

Ivy has many favourites that get rotated around. Her current favourite is Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb. I bought it to see if I could encourage her to eat more and it worked! She knows most of the pages off by heart and likes repeating phrases like ‘a nice clean plate’, and ‘revolting!’ The illustrations have a certain innocence to them and Ivy often says that she is the little girl.

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Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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Charlie Cook's Favourite BookOur choice for World Book Day is Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson. Why? Because it’s not just a book – it’s a book in a book in a book in a book!

This really clever story takes you on a little adventure through a whole host of different stories and styles in just a few short pages.

Charlie Cook is sitting in an armchair reading his favourite book, which is about a pirate. In the story he’s reading, the pirate finds a copy of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and reads it. In the Goldilocks book one of the bears talks about his favourite story which is about a knight. And the knight is reading a book about a frog … And so on and so forth until we come right round to a headless ghost who is reading a book about Charlie Cook!

It may sound a little confusing but it’s a simple story and the rhyme is really catchy.

We also love the way that each page looks completely different as technically they’re each from a different book!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2F4oq4Q

Fox’s Socks By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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Fox's SocksThis is another lovely lift-the-flap book from Julia Donaldson’s Acorn Wood series.

Poor fox wakes up in the morning and discovers he’s lost his socks. He searches all over the house and it’s your job to help him by lifting the flaps to open, trunks and doors and cupboards.

He finds an assortment of different clothes in strange locations, but where on earth are his socks?

The combination of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is always magical and this one is no exception!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2CnUBhR

Animal Music by Julia Donaldson & Nick Sharratt

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Animal MusicIvy is partial to a boogie so we are big fans of this musical number by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt.

The raucous rhyme runs through a whole orchestra of animals, each playing a different musical instrument. It’s really fun to read and has also been a great way for Ivy to learn the names of animals that don’t often show up in kids books.

She particularly likes the crooning crayfish and the bison who plays the cello!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2DXbPE0

The Flying Bath By Julia Donaldson & David Roberts

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The Flying BathThe Flying Bath by Julia Donaldson has an extremely random story but the rhyme and illustrations never fail to make Ivy giggle.

3 little bath toys (a duck, a frog and a turtle) operate their own little emergency service for animals in urgent need of water. When they receive a call they jump in their magic flying bath and set off to the rescue.

On their adventures they help a thirsty kangaroo, a bee with droopy flowers, a pig who needs a wash and many more. But will they make it home for bathtime?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2mWKoQn

Rosie’s Hat By Julia Donaldson & Anna Currey

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Rosie's HatWe LOVE this lesser known story from Julia Donaldson.

Little Rosie is walking along a cliff top with her parents on a blustery day when suddenly a gust of wind blows away her lovely hat. It’s found by a dog who plays with it on the sea shore, then it’s swept away to sea and caught by a fisherman.

The hat goes on a big old adventure along the beach over a period of many years and all the while little Rosie is away living her life and growing up.

One day a cat gets stuck in a tree near the beach and the fire brigade is called. The rescue lady turns out to be Rosie and is that a hat she can spy hidden up in the tree next to the cat? Could it be her hat from when she was a tiny little girl?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2mbabUc

Tiddler by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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TiddlerTiddler is a very cheeky fish who likes to tell little white lies to impress his friends. Whenever he’s late for school he tells extravagant tales of mermaids, treasure chests and sea turtles to explain away his tardiness.

One day he’s so engrossed in coming up with a new story that he doesn’t spot a fishing net and soon finds himself in unfamiliar territory. Is it possible that his tall tales might be able to save him and help him find his way back home?

This is one of our favourites from Julia Donaldson.The rhyming is super catchy and we speed up a lot as we get towards the end of the story, leaving us breathless and giggling by the last page

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2ClVGpV

Stick Man By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

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Stick ManPoor Stick Man. All he wants to do is go for a little jog but everyone interferes and he ends up on an epic adventure trying to get back to his family.

First a dog uses him as a stick, then a little girl uses him as a pooh stick, then a swan weaves him in to her nest, then a dad uses him as a flag mast for a sand castle…

As Christmas approaches he worries that he won’t reach his family, but a chance encounter with Santa might just get him home on time.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2B1kuQa