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Reviews

Tilly & Tank by Jay Fleck

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Tilly & TankA tank isn’t an obvious choice for a character in a children’s book and before reading this I have to admit I was sceptical. However Tilly & Tank carries a lovely message about friendship and since we received it a few days ago it has become a firm favourite.

Tilly is a blue elephant who one day spots a little green tank which looks just like her. She approaches it hoping to make friends. Tank is on duty, minding his own business, when he sees what he thinks is a little blue tank coming towards him. He presumes it is an enemy.

Their confusion causes problems but can they look beyond their differences and become friends? #makepeacenotwar

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2nLOPwL

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet by Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie

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Dogs Don't Do BalletBiff isn’t like other dogs. He doesn’t like playing fetch and he doesn’t do dog stuff like scratch himself or drink from the loo. Instead he dreams of becoming a ballerina!

He follows his owner to her ballet classes and watches intently – but whenever he tries to dance everyone says ‘dogs don’t do ballet!’.

For her birthday, his owner receives tickets to the royal ballet but Biff isn’t allowed to go. He’s so desperate to see the show that he sneaks after her.

Disaster strikes when the prima ballerina trips and falls – who could possibly take her place and save the show?

This is a great book which shows you should always follow your dreams and be true to yourself, even when others doubt you.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2EFDG8L

Little People Big Dreams: Rosa Parks by Lisbeth Kaiser & Marta Antelo

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Little People Big Dreams: Rosa ParksWhen I spotted the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series of books I knew I had to get them for Ivy. I bought 6 of them, each highlighting the life of an inspirational woman from history, with the intention of putting them away until she’s a tiny bit older. However she spotted them and was fascinated straight away. She’s too young to understand the stories and their significance yet but she seems drawn to the beautiful illustrations. Her favourite seems to be this one, which runs through the amazing life of Rosa Parks.

It shows all of the injustices and inequalities she had to deal with as a child and the inspiring way in which she stood up and made a massive difference.I definitely recommend checking it out (along with the rest of the series).

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2E1dQ2c

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

Silly Dizzy Dinosaur by Jack Tickle

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Silly Dizzy DinosaurIvy LOVES Silly Dizzy Dinosaur by Jack Tickle.The story calls for lots of interaction so it’s perfect for burning off some excess energy.

Dizzy is a big,red dinosaur who loves to be tickled but is a tiny bit clumsy.As you move through the book you need to tickle him, talk to him and rotate/shake the book to keep him happy and stop him from hurting himself. However despite your best efforts he bumps his nose and you need to give him a big kiss to make him feel better.

Whenever this book comes out we read it multiple times in a row and there are always fits of giggles (from both of us!)

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2E2pc5d

How To Catch A Star By Oliver Jeffers

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How To Catch A StarOur love affair with Oliver Jeffers continues with ‘How to Catch a Star’.

This story is about a little boy who loves stars. He loves them so much that he wants to find one so that it can be his friend – so he decides to catch a star of his very own! He waits all day but doesn’t see any stars. Then night arrives and a star appears, but it’s too high for him to reach.

He uses lots of inventive ways to try and catch the star – but will he succeed?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2s1pKUb

A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

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A Bit LostOne day little owl is sleeping in his tree next to his Mummy when he accidentally falls out and bounces in to the forest. Alone and scared, he meets a squirrel who tries to help him find his Mummy.

Using the little owl’s limited descriptions (Big, Pointy Ears, Big Eyes) the squirrel leads him to lots of animals that he he thinks could be the mum but he can’t quite get it right. Will the little owl manage to make it home safely?

The minimalist illustrations by Chris Haughton are adorable and the story is great for sparking a conversation with your little one about how to describe what someone looks like and what to do if you get lost.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2GvZPqE

The Storm Whale in Winter by Benji Davies

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The Storm Whale in WinterWe loved The Storm Whale by Benji Davies and recently purchased this sequel – The Storm Whale in Winter. It does not disappoint!

In the original story a little boy called Noi saves a young whale who washes up in the beach during a storm – however in this book it is the whale who comes to the rescue.

Winter is setting in and Noi’s dad (a fisherman) decides to take his boat out on one last trip, but he doesn’t come back. Noi heads out over the frozen sea to find him but soon finds himself lost and stuck.

Enter the little Storm Whale who appears with his whole family to rescue poor Noi. Together they work to find Noi’s dad – but where could he be?

A gorgeous tale of friendship and bravery

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2npHQJQ

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

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A Book Of SleepBedtime has become a bit of a challenge at our house this week as Ivy has started chatting rather than sleeping when she gets in to bed.

This evening we have read this lovely little book about how different animals sleep. It’s a short and calm read with beautiful illustrations showing koalas, elephants, giraffes, penguins and more having a snooze.

She went to sleep a little quicker than last night so who knows? It may actually have helped! What are your favourite books to encourage sleep? I would love to hear your recommendations.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2nda2An

Snuggle The Baby by Sara Gillingham

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Snuggle The BabyThis book is so fantastic that I can’t really do it justice in a mini review. It’s beautifully illustrated, well thought out and a great interactive learning tool.

The book itself talks about babies – how to look after them, how to play with them and how to show them love. However what lifts this above other books about babies is the fact you can interact with the pictures and even take the baby and her bottle out of the book to play with.

Ivy loves getting the baby out and keeping it by her side – kissing her, talking to her, feeding her milk and rocking her back and forth – but she always makes sure that she puts her safely back to bed in the back of the book so she doesn’t get lost.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2BmgMQK