• TATE: Project Print (30 projects to spark your creativity)
    book review - What I'm reading

    TATE: Project Print (30 projects to spark your creativity)

    April 14, 2020 - By 

    I don’t know about you but I love a new craft book for a bit of inspiration or to challenge me to try something new. The lovely people at Octopus Books recently got in touch, asking if I would like to see a copy of TATE: Project Print 30 projects to spark your creativity by Colette Whittington, the next wonderful addition to their list in collaboration with TATE. TATE: Project Print (30 projects to spark your creativity) With this book you can explore the versatile art form of printmaking and develop your skills with 30 eye-catching projects. Whether you are…

  • I Can't Draw {book review}
    book review - Crafts for kids - What I'm reading

    I Can’t Draw {book review}

    February 23, 2020 - By 

    If you’ve ever thought that you’re not creative or can’t draw then I have a great book review to share with you today. I Can’t Draw: this book will prove that you can by Lydia Crook contains 60 fun and quirky art activities for all ages. I Can’t Draw {book review} I Can’t Draw: this book will prove that you can, is a fun and interactive workbook for all ages that teaches the basic elements of drawing, sees illustrator Lydia Cook provide beginners with 60 quirky art activities to teach them how to draw. These include lessons on: continuous line…

  • The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford
    book review - What I'm reading

    The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford

    February 1, 2020 - By 

    I felt that I wasn’t doing very well in my 2020 Goodreads challenge until I saw the front cover of The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford on NetGalley (thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book!). I spent 5 years living in Scotland, which is where I first heard about the magical islands of St Kilda, an isolated archipelago of islands some 40 miles off the west coast of Scotland. The Lost Lights of St Kilda is set on the beautiful and remote islands, linking one of the islands inhabitants, Chrissie, to a parallel story…

  • Explorers: amazing tales of the world's greatest adventurers
    book review - What I'm reading

    Explorers: amazing tales of the world’s greatest adventurers

    August 27, 2019 - By 

    We love adding books to our collection and were so excited when we received a parcel from DK Books. The children love fact books and were delighted to receive a copy of Explorers: amazing tales of the world’s greatest adventurers. Explorers: amazing tales of the world’s greatest adventurers This is a really lovely picture book for children with beautiful illustrations. In it you can meet famous explorers and adventurers. Venture into steaming jungles in search of lost temples, fight off frostbite in the Arctic, and blast off into space! We’ve been reading it at bedtime and it’s a great format…

  • When You Read This by Mary Adkins
    book review - What I'm reading

    When You Read This by Mary Adkins

    March 2, 2019 - By 

    I am really enjoying reading at the moment. I’m sure it has something to do with working in a school where literacy is encouraged amongst staff, students and teachers. I seem to be reading all of the time, which is brilliant!  I’ve read quite a few books already this year and am going to smash my Goodreads target this month. My latest book is When You Read This by Mary Adkins, the cover really caught my eye and I was delighted to receive a copy from NetGalley to review. When You Read This by Mary Adkins Iris Massey is gone. …

  • Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook review
    book review - Crafts for kids - STEM activity - What I'm reading

    Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook review

    February 21, 2019 - By 

    Over the last few weeks I have been reading the Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook: STEAM projects to help kids make a difference by Alan & Gill Bridgewater. I love a craft book and this has a great mix of projects for crafty kids like mine. Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook The Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook offers a wide range of ways to capture the imagination and make a positive contribution to the world around us. Twenty-eight exciting projects support integrated STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, maths), all with easy to follow step-by-step instructions and photographs. By cleverly combining creativity with eco-awareness, this…

  • Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle
    book review - What I'm reading

    Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle by Clare Hunter

    February 15, 2019 - By 

    Did you watch the Great British Sewing Bee on Tuesday evening? I attempted to watch it, but I was interrupted so many times by my children that I gave up. I will watch it again when they are both out! I’ve always loved sewing so have been looking forward to reading Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle by Clare Hunter( I got my copy via NetGalley). Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle  For the mothers of the disappeared in 1970s Argentina, protest was difficult. Every…

  • Win a bundle of children's books from Stripes Publishing
    book review - competition - Family Life

    Win a bundle of children’s books from Stripes Publishing

    January 12, 2019 - By 

    I mentioned the other day that my youngest finally discovered the joy of reading over Christmas. It was if a lightbulb had switched on and she realised just how good it was to read independently. We’ve always shared books, both during the day and at bedtime, but now I find she always has her head in a book! If she can snatch an extra 5 minutes in bed with a good book then she will. It’s lovely to see, especially as her brother is like this too. I love sharing new books on my blog so am delighted to have…

  • What books featured in our Book Advent in 2017
    Advent crafts - book review - Family Life

    What books featured in our Book Advent in 2017

    January 4, 2019 - By 

    I was in two minds about having a Book Advent last year. Although we had  books from the previous year I just didn’t have time to wrap them all individually. However my 7 year old wanted to know why our Christmas elves hadn’t brought the books when they arrived with the Advent calendars, so I quickly got them out so she could enjoy reading them. What is a Christmas Book Advent? The idea of a Christmas Book Advent is simple. Alongside your daily chocolate treat you can also consume something a little longer lasting – a book! We love reading and…