Lovereading 4 Kids Updates from the world of children’s books

At Lovereading4kids we love authors most of all, as they create the brilliant books that we get to tell all of you parents about. So, to help them share more of their thoughts with their readers we have built a uniquely useful new system to link directly to their Facebook pages and Twitter feeds.

But we can only show the posts and tweets if we have the correct information – So, why not help any authors you know, or follow, by checking their author page on Lovereading4kids  to see whether the Facebook posts and Tweets are appearing. If they are there are handy buttons to let the author know what is missing and what you can do about it – simples.

World Book Day is not only an event that encourages children and teenagers to pick up a book, it offers the chance to make a character come to life. Every year children across the world are invited to come into school dressed as their favourite fictional or non-fictional character in celebration of the written word.

Last year Harry Pottermania was at its strongest with many children opting to come dressed as the popular wizards Hermione and Harry. However, Dorothy and Where’s Wally? costumes were also all the rage with children in 2012. Having children dress up as their favourite character can encourage them to drop the remote control in preference to a good book. It can help to involve them in the story, relate to characters, bring the plot to life and incorporate an element of fun into story time.

With the new release of Oz: The Great and Powerful set to come to our cinema screens the following day on 8 March, we expect a lot of girls will be coming into school dressed as witches with glittery red shoes as a prop.

There are many interesting, classic, funny and popular characters that children can dress up as. Harry Potter, the Wizard of Oz and Where’s Wally? are but a few of them. From The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Little Red Riding Hood among many others, the characters your child could dress as are plentiful.

As a parent you have the choice of either buying an outfit or helping your child bring a character to life by making the costume at home. There are a couple of costumes that you can make that won’t take up too much time, money or resources. Take Where’s Wally? for instance,  all you need to find is a red striped top and matching tights, round glasses, a red and white hat and either a blue skirt or trousers; you’re sure to have at least one, if not two of these items in your child’s wardrobe. If not, then buying an outfit might be the best option.

Another character costume that you might be interested in creating at home is Alice in Wonderland. Written by Lewis Carroll, Alice’s adventures in Wonderland have captured the imaginations of millions and to this day remains one of the most popular children’s books. If your child has a blue dress lying around, simply accessorise it with a white apron and a black bow headband, and there you have it, the perfect World Book Day ensemble.

There is something magical about opening a book to become immersed in someone’s story. As you turn the pages you can quite easily find yourself travelling with the characters on their extraordinary adventures and discovering new tales that will live with you for a lifetime. Once you find that one book you can’t put down you’re sure to want to read similar books and encourage others to do the same. World Book Day isn’t just for children; everyone no matter your age should uncover an astonishing story on 7 March.

You will find a myriad of costumes for World Book Day on AFD.  From children’s outfits to teenager and adult costumes, the whole family can join in all the fun of World Book Day.

We are looking for 15 readers to review books by new publisher Hot Key that are being published in August and September this year.

We have had an advance copies of the books in the office and loved them – our reviews are below but we want to know what you think.

If selected your review will appear on Lovereading4kids.co.uk and will also be sent to the publisher to use in promotional material.

We have 5 copies of each title and If you are interested then email contact@lovereading4kids.co.uk, by 3 August, using the Subject line HOTKEY REVIEWER and tell us in no more than 100 words why you should be one of the 15 chosen reviewers.

Good Luck!

If you are chosen you will be sent the book shortly after the 6 Aug and you will need to email your review back to us by 31 August 2012.

The Lovereading4kids Reviews.

Angel Dust – Sarah Mussi: An urban ROMEO AND JULIET with a paranormal twist. Engaging with such serious issues as free will, destiny, love and salvation, Sarah Mussi weaves a narrative spell that will enthral and transport her YA readers. ANGEL DUST is a must-read for YA readers who want more than the usual from their paranormal romance.

Insignia – S. J. Kincaid: Alex Rider meets Hogwarts in space in this futuristic action adventure debut! In the first book in this fast-paced and futuristic trilogy, S J Kincaid asks significant questions concerning the use of technology, the value of human life and if games really can save the world.  20th Century Fox have pre- emptively bought the film rights for the first book in the series.

Maggot Moon – Sally Gardner: Utterly original and stunning, it is impossible not to be moved by MAGGOT MOON’s powerful story and the unforgettable heroism of Standish.   Narrated against the backdrop of a ruthless regime determined to beat its enemies in the race to the moon, MAGGOT MOON is the stunning new novel from award-winning author Sally Gardner.

14 June 2012. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness has won the 2012 Carnegie Medal AND 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal. This is the first time, in the awards 75 year history, that one book has won both prizes!

Rachel Levy chair of the 2012 CILIP Carnegie judging panel said: “A Monster Calls” is an exquisite piece of writing. It is a beautifully economical, structurally brilliant and lyrically descriptive account of a challenging episode in one child’s life.”

You can read a FREE OPENING EXTRACT of A Monster Calls, and all of the other books shortlisted for the Carnegie and Greenaway Medals, exclusively, on Lovereading4kids.

The Lovereading4kids review of A Monster Calls

Prize-winning Patrick Ness displays brilliant new skills of sensitivity in this hauntingly touching story of how a boy deals with the looming threat of his mother’s death from cancer. Haunted by a monster in his dreams, denied much information by his family and treated as a weirdo by his class mates and a ‘special case’ by his teachers, Conor struggles to get to grips with the devastating emotions which threaten to overwhelm him.

How he finds the courage and strength to face the end when it happens is both utterly shattering and deeply satisfying. Costa Award winner Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final idea of much-loved Carnegie Medal winner Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself.

Find out more today…

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Monkey and Me (Board Book) Emily Gravett Emily Gravett was selected as one of The Big Picture campaign’s Best New Illustrators in 2008 And since her launch onto the children’s book scene she has made a considerable name for herself with children with her stunning and clever but simple picture books. … Download free opening extract
2		Say Hello to the Baby Animals Ian Whybrow Stroke all the baby animals in the jungle in this attractive board book in which baby lion sets out to meet all the other baby animals around him. There’s a baby giraffe stretching up tall to eat the leaves at … Download free opening extract
3		Orange Pear Apple Bear (Board Book) Emily Gravett With just 4 words this exceptionally talented author and illustrator has created a deliciously simple, yet wonderfully fun juxtaposition of animal and fruit as well as an all-important introduction to the ‘comma’. It’s not just a breathtakingly beautiful book but … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Monsters of Men Patrick Ness This is a spine-tingling, page turning read. Heaped with well-deserved awards, the Chaos Walking Trilogy comes to a brilliant conclusion in Monsters of Men. Set in a dystopian future in a world where all thoughts can be heard, Todd and Viola … Download free opening extract
2		Up in the Tree Margaret Atwood This is a delightfully simple and light-hearted story told with a poetic jauntiness written and illustrated by one of the foremost literary novelists writing today. Two children love their home in a tree, they can feel the wind rushing by … Download free opening extract
3		Moon Rabbit Natalie Russell As an author/illustrator Natalie is not just an immensely talented storyteller but also her print-making skills are shown off to their absolute best in this, one of the most striking debuts seen in the world of picture books.  Fresh and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Ms Wiz RULES OK! Terence Blacker The classroom will never be the same again for those who love the stories about Ms Wiz, a teacher with a difference. Her unusual ways of running her class are hilarious, chaotic, unlikely and very, very funny. … Download free opening extract
2		Oi, Cave Boy! – Iggy the Urk Book 1 Alan Macdonald Fans of Mr Gum, Grubtown Tales, Charlie Small and Dirty bertie or indeed the Flintstones will love this new series featuring a wonderfully adventurous cave boy called Iggy. Full of humour it will entertain on every page as you discover more … Download free opening extract
3		Where Do They Go When it Rains? Gerda Muller A delightful story featuring a family day out into the countryside. On their way they pass through fields full of flowers, grasshoppers and bees. They stop at a farm, where they feed the hens, pigs and ponies. But when they … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Boy who climbed into the moon David Almond Author of the classic Skellig, and winner of the incredibly prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, David Almond is a wholly original writer of magical and unusual stories that make anything and everything seem possible. Packed full of wonder and magic, … Download free opening extract
2		Mr Gum and the Cherry Tree Andy Stanton Hilarious, delightful and utterly, utterly absurd, prize-winning Andy Stanton’s truly revolting hero Mr Gum and the extraordinary town of Lamonic Bibber where he lives are back in this riotous new adventure brought about by a little bit of Spring … Download free opening extract
3		Michael Foreman’s Treasure Island Robert Louis Stevenson, Michael Morpurgo Michael Foreman’s stunning illustrations brilliantly capture the fast-paced action and drama of Stevenson’s classic, of high seas adventure, mysterious maps, peg-legged pirates and fabulous buried treasure that has sparked children’s imaginations for generations.  How difficult it must have been for … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Pasta Detectives Andreas Steinhofel This is a funny and original mystery starring two unlikely boy detectives, the mildly autistic Rico and the brainy but anxiety-ridden Oscar.  The story of The Pasta Detectives explores the friendships between these two very disparate characters but who together … Download free opening extract
2		Shine Kate Maryon Tiff’s life has been a bit of a rollercoaster, until that is her mother is sent to prison for theft. So Tiff begins a new life with some distant relatives in what she perceives to be a god-forsaken island … Download free opening extract
3		Vampireology Nick Holt Tapping into the current zeitgeist of all things vampire the subject is tackled with originality and flair. It’s a terrific book that will be pored over by younger children in the family who are too young to read the plethora of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Where I Belong Gillian Cross Prize-winning author Gillian Cross tells a nail biting and fascinating story that’ll make readers think hard about how the lives of individuals connect and the wide ranging impacts they can have. Told in the voices of three teenagers who become inextricably … Download free opening extract
2		Luke and Jon Robert Williams This is a wonderfully original and arresting debut novel about friendship, grief and love.  Written with great power, warmth and humour with not a word out of place you feel utterly compelled to read on.  Luke and Jon is a … Download free opening extract
3		The Island Sarah Singleton Put simply this is The Beach for teens. Three friends are on the start of their gap year in India but when one of them discovers a body of a girl he becomes the prime suspect. And, when he … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Truth About Leo David Yelland Full of insight, this is a deeply moving story about how a child handles a parent with a serious problem. Leo’s life with his father is a mess but there is no way Leo is going to let anyone know that. … Download free opening extract
2		Inside My Head Jim Carrington A very, very pacy and unputdownable contemporary novel that will be relevant to all teenagers. With sharp teen dialogue and a keen eye for a teenager’s world this punchy novel’s themes of friendship, bullying, the importance of family life and … Download free opening extract
3		Rich and Mad William Nicholson Full of the myriad and criss-crossing emotions of adolescent love, this is a warm-hearted and finely observed view of two teenagers’ experience. Sixth-formers Maddy Fisher and Richard Ross both want to fall in love. Both want the heady experience of … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		My Circus Xavier Deneux Full of stylish images, this is a chunky board book with cunning holes and cutaways that reveal the different and lively characters that perform at the circus. A clown, magician, jugglers and a tightrope walker all make their appearance wittily … Download free opening extract
2		How to Catch a Star Oliver Jeffers A prize winning illustrator with a reputation for spare illustrations which pack a huge emotional punch. A little boy so loves the stars that he decides to set off and try to catch one. But catching a star is not as easy as … Download free opening extract
3		Monkey and Me (Board Book) Emily Gravett Emily Gravett was selected as one of The Big Picture campaign’s Best New Illustrators in 2008 And since her launch onto the children’s book scene she has made a considerable name for herself with children with her stunning and clever but simple picture books. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Big Bug, Little Bug Paul Stickland A fantastic book of opposites featuring bugs of all shapes and sizes which can be found wriggling, creeping and crawling their way through the book. It also features vibrant illustrations, lively rhyming text and a spectacular pop-up ending. … Download free opening extract
2		Green Mark Sperring This is a brilliantly witty, familiar and well-observed depiction of sibling relationships. Clive is a boy who absolutely loves green. In fact, so much so that he wears no other colour but his sister is always laughing and teasing him … Download free opening extract
3		Up in the Tree Margaret Atwood This is a delightfully simple and light-hearted story told with a poetic jauntiness written and illustrated by one of the foremost literary novelists writing today. Two children love their home in a tree, they can feel the wind rushing by … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Everybody Was a Baby Once Allan Ahlberg A wonderful collection of the simplest and most joyous poems produced in a gorgeous picture book format. Nineteen delightful poems about everything from meeting a witch to getting sausages to dance jump off the page in Allan Ahlberg’s witty words … Download free opening extract
2		Outside in Clare Smallman With clear, simple text for any child of 5 or 6+ and some terrific lift the flaps for children to see what’s going on inside their body! Loads of information is well described and explained in this introduction to the … Download free opening extract
3		Ms Wiz RULES OK! Terence Blacker The classroom will never be the same again for those who love the stories about Ms Wiz, a teacher with a difference. Her unusual ways of running her class are hilarious, chaotic, unlikely and very, very funny. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Boy who climbed into the moon David Almond Author of the classic Skellig, and winner of the incredibly prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, David Almond is a wholly original writer of magical and unusual stories that make anything and everything seem possible. Packed full of wonder and magic, … Download free opening extract
2		Flossie Crums: The Fairies Cupcake Ball Nathan, Helen This is not just a wonderful story of Flossie Crums the Fairy, this is also a wonderful baking adventure too.  Simple mouth-watering recipes are woven into the story so that parents and children together can have fun baking alongside the … Download free opening extract
3		Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Emma Thompson With wit and warmth and warts and all, the wonderfully talented writer and star of Nanny Mcphee, Emma Thompson recounts the story of the film, a story of one family’s summer with Nanny McPhee, a story of blackmail, tragedy and … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Pasta Detectives Andreas Steinhofel This is a funny and original mystery starring two unlikely boy detectives, the mildly autistic Rico and the brainy but anxiety-ridden Oscar.  The story of The Pasta Detectives explores the friendships between these two very disparate characters but who together … Download free opening extract
2		Vampireology Nick Holt Tapping into the current zeitgeist of all things vampire the subject is tackled with originality and flair. It’s a terrific book that will be pored over by younger children in the family who are too young to read the plethora of … Download free opening extract
3		Mortlock Jon Mayhew This devilishly good debut sees the birth of a wickedly witty and original new voice in the children’s book world. Mortlock is the sort of adventure that boys and girls will enjoy in equal measure for it is peppered with … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Where I Belong Gillian Cross Prize-winning author Gillian Cross tells a nail biting and fascinating story that’ll make readers think hard about how the lives of individuals connect and the wide ranging impacts they can have. Told in the voices of three teenagers who become inextricably … Download free opening extract
2		Luke and Jon Robert Williams This is a wonderfully original and arresting debut novel about friendship, grief and love.  Written with great power, warmth and humour with not a word out of place you feel utterly compelled to read on.  Luke and Jon is a … Download free opening extract
3		The Island Sarah Singleton Put simply this is The Beach for teens. Three friends are on the start of their gap year in India but when one of them discovers a body of a girl he becomes the prime suspect. And, when he … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Rich and Mad William Nicholson Full of the myriad and criss-crossing emotions of adolescent love, this is a warm-hearted and finely observed view of two teenagers’ experience. Sixth-formers Maddy Fisher and Richard Ross both want to fall in love. Both want the heady experience of … Download free opening extract
2		Inside My Head Jim Carrington A very, very pacy and unputdownable contemporary novel that will be relevant to all teenagers. With sharp teen dialogue and a keen eye for a teenager’s world this punchy novel’s themes of friendship, bullying, the importance of family life and … Download free opening extract
3		Dreaming of Amelia Jaclyn Moriarty A spellbinding story about ghosts, secrets, madness, passion, locked doors, femme fatales, and that terrifying moment in the final year of high school when Riley and Amelia realise the future’s coming to get you. They might be glamorous, talented … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Nursery Rhyme Rainbow (board book) Alison Jay Beautiful illustrations with a delightful nostalgic feel bring to life the stories of a host of favourite nursery rhymes selected for their reference to different colours. Little Boy Blue dozes contentedly under a hay stack, the Owl and the Pussy … Download free opening extract
2		Five Little Ducks Jason Chapman, Jemima Lumley, Francesca Stich Shortlisted for the Baby Book Award, Early Year Awards 2009 Complete with cleverly cut pages, all with rounded corners so that even the smallest toddler can handle this board book, it tells the story very simply of a duck who starts … Download free opening extract
3		Welcome to the Zoo Alison Jay This absolutely gorgeous wordless picture book has now been re-released in a small format rounded-edged board book that’s perfect for babies and tiddly toddlers.  Curious eyes will explore the zoo, which is brimming with beauty, humour and high-jinks.  Parents will … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Terrible Plop Ursula Dubosarsky, Andrew Joyner This is a great read-aloud storybook for parents and children alike.  It has funny, clever, rhyming text about a little rabbit who learns that some things aren’t as scary as they first seem and a bad-tempered bear who isn’t as … Download free opening extract
2		Do as you would be done by Hugh Salmon and Anthony Stileman This whole book is available to download and read free of charge. Either click the ‘Download Entire Book’ button above to get a PDF version you can print out or click the image to the right to read an online … Download free opening extract
3		1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Julia Eccleshare & Quentin Blake Fall down the rabbit hole, take flight into Neverland, or follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City; we all remember what it was like to disappear into the imaginary worlds of the most magical and fantastic type of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Spells Emily Gravett Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a … Download free opening extract
2		The Penguin Who Wanted to Find Out Jill Tomlinson This is a perfect story for animal lovers young and old, filled with tenderness and love combined with a subtle humour.  Soft focus illustrations take readers right into the cold world of the penguins living in Antarctica. The beautiful pictures … Download free opening extract
3		Usborne Lift the Flap Picture Atlas Alex Frith, Kate Leake Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Best Book with Facts’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. An original, innovative and interactive atlas full of flaps to lift, revealing beautiful buildings, exotic animals … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Peter the Penguin Pioneer Daren King Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. Hugely inventive and charmingly funny with laugh out loud zany humour and wonderful illustrations throughout that … Download free opening extract
2		Green Smoke Rosemary Manning A touching and magical adventure story, Green Smoke tells how Susan meets a very special dragon while on her summer holiday in Cornwall. R. Dragon is 1,500 years old. He’s green and scaly and has two golden-yellow horns but he’s … Download free opening extract
3		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother Tom win the battle to be … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky … Download free opening extract
2		Frozen In Time Ali Sparkes Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A page-turning mystery-adventure with a pleasingly old-fashioned feel as two children, frozen by cryonic suspension by … Download free opening extract
3		Flyaway Lucy Christopher Tender and touching, this is a delicate story about facing up to difficulties and finding a way through. When Isla’s father develops a serious heart condition he can no longer take her to see the swans on the lake. Instead … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Season of Secrets Sally Nicholls A haunting and unforgettable new novel From the award-winning author of Ways to Live Forever. Season of Secrets weaves the tale of a heartbroken child and an age-old legend into beautiful story of love, healing and strange magic. Resonant of classics such as … Download free opening extract
2		The 13 Curses Michelle Harrison Sequel to the award-winning The 13 Treasures, this shows just about how disagreeable fairies can get! Red returns determined to find her brother and get him back. To do so she must find a way to enter the fairy realm. … Download free opening extract
3		A Perfect Ten Chris Higgins Winner of the Young Minds Book Prize 2009. Chris Higgins’ writing rivals the likes of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.  She’s an author truly in tune with the teen psyche.  This is her fourth novel and she gets better and better with each … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		My Love Lies Bleeding Alyxandra Harvey This is a teen romance to really get your teeth into.  It’s an action-packed, urban fantasy full of Gothic seduction, teen angst, passion, wicked humour and adventure, all skilfully ignited by an age-old prophecy and a reluctant vampire princess that … Download free opening extract
2		Hunger Michael Grant Michael Grant’s GONE was one of the highlights of 2009 and his sequel is, do I dare say it, as good or possibly even better.  The series hits the zeitgeist and HUNGER continues at heart-in-your-mouth pace just like GONE and … Download free opening extract
3		Inside Julia Jarman This is raw and powerful writing but a book that should be read for it doesn’t shy away from telling the reader exactly how awful a Young Offenders’ Institution is for a first-timer. Aged seventeen, Lee is inside for a crime … Download free opening extract

Happy New Year from all of us at Lovereading4kids! Hopefully batteries have been recharged over the festive break, so now is the perfect time for children to start reading with renewed energy, to help them grow up bright and successful in the new decade.

Reading is fundamental to the long term development of kids, and our mission is to help you choose titles to foster a life-long love of reading in your children. To help, take a look at some of this month’s highlights below or scroll down further for our recommendations in the age ranges you have said you would like to see.

From nursery rhymes to dead hamsters – our Books of the Month – there’s something for everyone!

Conspiracy 365 – 12 explosive books…. 12 months…

We’re excited to tell you about a new and explosive series to keep kids’ turning pages throughout 2010. One book of this 12-part series is published each month, giving enough time to order a copy and race through it, heart-pounding, before waiting in suspense for the next episode. On New Year’s Eve Cal finds out that the people who killed his father are after him too. Hurled into life as a fugitive, he has 365 days to uncover a devastating conspiracy. This will be a rip-roaring reading year…

Police protection and magic forests – great January Debuts for older readers

The Crowfield Curse – Pat Walsh

9+ A wonderfully imaginative story about a 14th century orphan boy who lives in an abbey amidst a fantastical forest. Shortlisted for The Times Children’s Fiction Competition in 2008.

Quick Silver – Sam Osman

9+ Three extraordinary children from opposite sides of the world are brought together to fulfil an ancient prophecy; but will they discover the chilling truth of who they really are?

Castle of Shadows – Ellen Renner

11+ The mysterious disappearance of the queen leads her daughter on a dangerous race against time to uncover the truth.

Monster Republic: The Divinity Project – Ben Horton 9

14+ An explosion in a nuclear powerplant and victims patched up with scavenged body parts leads to a creation of an army of super human soldiers.

When I was Joe – Keren David

14+ An intelligent and gripping debut. Ty and his mum go into police protection after he witnesses a stabbing but the new life soon begins to crumble into confusion. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Author of the Month – the hilarious Jeremy Strong

Jeremy’s books are absolutely packed with humour that kids will love. His varied career has included stints as a head teacher and jam doughnut stuffer! Jeremy’s award-winning books include The Hundred-mile-an-hour Dog and Dinosaur Pox, and his new series about an apple crumble loving orang utan, Batpants, is guaranteed to cause much more than just chuckling.

Our first Guest Editor for 2010! – Sophie McKenzie

Phenomenally successful Sophie has penned some of the very finest children’s books of recent times, including Girl, Missing. Her new book, The Medusa Project: Hostage, is featured on Lovereading4kids this month, but she’s also put together a selection of books by authors who have inspired her on her rise to fame.

Costa Children’s Book Award announced

The winner of the prestigious Costa Book Awards children’s category has been announced. The prize has gone to a book that seems to be beating all other children’s book this year. The Ask and the Answer by the new wunderkind kids author Patrick Ness. We recommend to read the equally award winning 1st book in the series, The Knife of Never Letting Go, first.

We hope this gives you plenty of great adventures to be getting on with. Give your kids some gentle encouragement to make 2010 a year of reading, and with so many remarkable stories they’ll soon be voracious bookworms.

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Dear Santa Rod Campbell A letter to Santa starts off on a merry chain of gift-wrapping, but nothing is quite right and each time he thinks better of his choice. Lift the flaps to unwrap each present and find out what Santa chooses as … Download free opening extract
2		Bathtime with Woof Caroline Jayne Church Experience bath time with Woof by feeling the slimy soap he washes with, the shiny bubbles he blows in the bath and the softness of the fluffy towel he dries himself on afterwards. All babies will love seeing themselves scrubbed … Download free opening extract
3		Rainforest Wonders (A Sparkling Slide Book) Erin Ranson and Hannah Wood Pull out the sliders on each page to reveal a brightly coloured animal of the rainforest.  From a purple hummingbird to an orange-spotted gecko it will have lots of appeal and provide plenty of entertainment to children of 3+.  It’s … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Julia Eccleshare & Quentin Blake Fall down the rabbit hole, take flight into Neverland, or follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City; we all remember what it was like to disappear into the imaginary worlds of the most magical and fantastic type of … Download free opening extract
2		The Tear Thief Carol Ann Duffy This is a warm, poignant and beautifully illustrated story set in a magical world where the tears of children arising from every emotion are of a different colour. An underlying thought-provoking message about emotions lies at its heart. The multi-coloured … Download free opening extract
3		Lulu’s Christmas Camilla Reid All the excitement of Christmas is crammed into this interactive picture book showing all the things Lulu has to do to get ready for the big day. And young readers will love pulling the tab to help her decorate the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		The Incredible Book Eating Boy (pop-up edition) Oliver Jeffers Delicious pop-up spreads bring an interactive version of this popular story about a boy who loves books so much that he actually eats his way through them. An entertaining story about different ways of loving reading from an award winning … Download free opening extract
2		Explore, Dream, Discover Charlotte Samiec, Andrew Pinder Put quite simply, if you’re looking for a travel diary, a memory-maker, a doodle pad, a story-storer, a brain-engager, a boredom-stopper, a kick-starter, an idea-waker, a picture-keeper, a captain’s log or simply a thought-provoking book then look no further than … Download free opening extract
3		Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats T.S. Eliot, Axel Scheffler These classic cat poems which sum up all the different kinds of cats there can be are given a delightful new look by bestselling Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler. Scheffler’s cats are cuddly creatures with expressive eyes through which the cats … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Tim the Tiny Horse at Large Harry Hill Tiny Tim’s latest adventures are a brilliant and inventive piece of comic writing and illustration. Tiny has done much of everything since the original story about him – everything except grow! Tiny remains very, very small but that doesn’t stop … Download free opening extract
2		The Best of Times Michael Morpurgo Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated, this is a gem of a book. Michael Morpurgo weaves a magical story about the unusual way a prince finds to make his princess happy and so to save her life. Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations capture the subtle … Download free opening extract
3		Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky Philip Ardagh Winner of the 7 – 14 yr old category of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009. You cannot fail to find the town of Grubtown and its inhabitants hysterically funny.  What goes on defies belief but if you’ve read books by … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		A Dinosaur Ate My Socks Eric Brown Space fantasy, dinosaurs and a trip back in time are the elements in this dramatic story about some homework that goes a bit wild. Millie and Mouse disagree about their homework on dinosaurs: Millie who loves them thinks it will … Download free opening extract
2		FLIPS: Too Ghoul for School (Nintendo DS) B. Strange Ghosts, slime and a huge dose of humour is the order of the day in this terrific series for 8-12 year olds.   James’ school has a paranormal problem but is he and his gang up to the challenge of finally … Download free opening extract
3		FLIPS: Faraway Tree Stories (Nintendo DS) Enid Blyton The Enchanted Wood is one of Enid Blyton’s most memorable and truly imaginative stories, capturing a world where almost anything can happen if you just believe in the magic of nature and its creatures.  Three stories from the Enchanted Wood … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		FLIPS: Artemis Fowl (Nintendo DS) Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer’s terrific series featuring the teenage criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has been acclaimed as ‘Die Hard with fairies’!  Now that his father has disappeared Artemis must take charge and rebuild his family fortune. Full of lots of interactivity this … Download free opening extract
2		The Graveyard Book (illustrated by Chris Riddell) Neil Gaiman Winner of the prestigious Teenage Book of the Year Award 2009. Winner of Best Novel at the Hugo Awards 2009. 2009 winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal. Spooks galore in this brilliant and fantastic story of life in the graveyard. When Baby … Download free opening extract
3		A Perfect Ten Chris Higgins Winner of the Young Minds Book Prize 2009. Chris Higgins’ writing rivals the likes of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.  She’s an author truly in tune with the teen psyche.  This is her fourth novel and she gets better and better with each … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it. Sensitive, intelligent and gripping, Stolen is a contemporary story which will force the … Download free opening extract
2		A Christmas Carol (Classics Illustrated) Charles Dickens The Lovereading comment: This edition of The Christmas Carol is one of a range of marvellous comic books created in the ’50s and ’60s now with artwork re-coloured and covers digitally enhanced for a new generation. Perfect bound at a terrifically … Download free opening extract
3		Solace of the Road Siobhan Dowd Shortlisted for the prestigious Costa Children’s Book Award 2009 – the winner will be announced in early January. Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2009 Beautifully written and achingly moving, Solace of the Road is the poignant and desperate story … Download free opening extract