Archive for February, 2009
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
Featured Books for 14+ readers
Tags: 101 ways to get your child to read, A Michael Recycle Adventure: Litterbug Doug, Alan Gibbons, Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble, An Awfully Beastly Business: Bang Goes A Troll!, Auslander, Beastly Boys, Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness, Charles Darwin, children's book, children's book reviews, Chris Wooding, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Dogs, Ellie Bethel, Emily Gravett, Everything Beautiful, Flood And Fang: Raven Mysteries Book One, Foul Play, Gilbert in Deep (book & CD - read by Dervla Kirwan), Giles Andreae, Jane Clarke, Jeff Kinney, julia donaldson, Kirsten Boie, Louise Rennison, lovereading4kids, Malice, marcus sedgwick, Margaret Ryan, Patience Thomson, Paul Dowswell, Running on the Cracks, sarah webb, Simmone Howell, Stop In The Name Of Pants, The Princess Plot, Tom Palmer, Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed
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Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
In addition to Lovereading4kids keeping you abreast of lots of new books from established and debut authors we wanted to let you know about three special sections that have just gone live (due to numerous reader requests) and we think you’ll love.
Children’s Classics
The first is one dedicated to Classic Children’s Books from Alice (in Alice in Wonderland) to Zeus (in Tales of Greek Heroes). From great value hardbacks from Oxford and large format illustrated paperbacks from Walker Books to Puffin’s delightfully packaged paperbacks there’s a format for every time and place and as you collect them you’ll find they make a marvellous library for your child’s bookshelf. Find out more today.
Essential Reading
The second are what we call Essential Reading. Eagle-eyed readers will realised we launched this last year but for 2009 we’ve refreshed the list. It’s the perfect place to go if you are stuck for a book to buy next for your child. Split by age range it features dozens of titles, that are all fabulous reads and have a timeless quality about them. Our highlight of the month for this section has to be The Little White Horse, which has come back to prominence with the launch of the hugely successful film The Secret of Moonacre.
Books for reluctant readers
Last but by no means least, if you have any children that aren’t overly keen about picking up a book to read, perhaps they even struggle as a reader, then have a look at our Reluctant Readers category. Working with the Literacy Trust, we’ve packed it with books recommended by parents and teachers who found them useful for encouraging hesitant readers. We hope it helps!
Start reading books before they are published
We have some excellent pre-publication stories this month for your kids to discover before the playground crowds. Just download some free Opening Extracts to read together:
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Litterbug Doug by Ellie Bethel – 5+ readers
A fun story about a lazy, wasteful boy who hates recycling… only Michael Recycle, Planet Earth’s Super Green Hero can save the day! |
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Raven Mysteries by Marcus Segewick – 7+ readers.
A really funny new Gothic series about a very strange family, told from the point of a raven. We’re always pleased when an author with an established fan base begins writing for a younger audience, particularly someone as talented as Marcus. |
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Running on the Cracks by Julia Donaldson for 9+ readers.
A heart-stopping debut thriller from an award-winning picture book author about a girl who runs away from home to escape life and investigate the secret behind her dead father’s feud with his family. |
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Princess Plot by Kirsten Boie – 11+ readers.
Jenna has just won the starring role in a film about a princess – but when she gets whisked off to the shoot, she becomes caught up in a real-life royal mystery! This is a stunningly original debut. |
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Auslander by Paul Dowswell – 14+ readers.
Peter grows up in a Warsaw orphanage, but with his Aryan blond hair and blue eyes, he is soon adopted by a German professor. But Peter refuses to be the perfect Hitler-jugend.It’s chilling and thought-provoking in equal measure. |
Potential Prize Winners
The name Blue Peter conjures up memories for parents and children everywhere but did you know they organise a very influential children’s book prize?. To find the shortlisted titles in the three sections of the award – ‘the best book with facts’, ‘the book I couldn’t put down’ and ‘the most funny story with pictures’ – go to our Prize Winners section and decide which are your favourites to win. The winners of the sections will be announced on World Book Day 5 March.
Spread the word about Lovereading4kids and get money off books!
Finally, We know that as a parent you appreciate the guidance that Lovereading4kids provides in finding some amazing new children’s books to keep the reading-ball rolling But don’t forget to tell all your friends and family about it too, also recommending your friends to join up can earn you discounts on books!
P.S Oh and one last thing, time waits for no man, or child for that matter, so why not take a moment to review the age categories you have asked us to keep you up-to-date on. After all, kids get older too and may be you’re no longer receiving the most appropriate age ranges for your kids. Just click this link and login to your account page.
P.P.S A reminder too about our free prize draws page that we launched recently. If you’ve not dropped in to that page this month then why not take a look.
Tags: Auslander, Blue Peter, children's classics, Ellie Bethel, essential reading, free prize draws, julia donaldson, Kirsten Boie, Litterbug Doug, Marcus Segewick, Paul Dowswell, Princess Plot, prize winners, Raven Mysteries, reluctant readers, Running on the Cracks, shortlisted titles, the best book with facts, the book I couldn’t put down, the most funny story with pictures
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Monday, February 16th, 2009
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
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Brilliant Billy Does His Bit
Simon Hutton
An entertaining story about how one boy gets so absorbed in the effect of the Second World War on ordinary people’s lives that he begins to do things in the same way. When the teacher describes how people managed by …
Download free opening extract |
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Charles Darwin
Alan Gibbons
Discover the world of Darwin through the diary of a ship’s boy. Combining non-fiction and fiction but factually absolutely accurate, this book is published to coincide with Darwin’s 200th birthday. It begins with a diary, told from the point of view of …
Download free opening extract |
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Foul Play
Tom Palmer
On the Blue Peter Award Shortlist – Football mad boys and girls will devour this all-action adventure novel, virtually in a sitting. Hopefully, even the most reluctant reader, just like the author himself was at school, will devour it too. …
Download free opening extract |
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
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Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble
Sarah Webb
Sarah Webb is a debut children’s author but an established chick-lit novelist and her wonderful 13 year old character creation in Amy Green, teen agony aunt extraordinaire, is set to be the new best friend for every pre-teen girl. Full of humour …
Download free opening extract |
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Malice
Chris Wooding
Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story …
Download free opening extract |
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Bog Child
Siobhan Dowd
New and challenging book full of mystery and shadows from recently deceased author Siobhan Dowd. Both terrifying and fascinating from the start, Bog Child is a must-read for 2009. The plot follows Fergus a boy who finds the body of …
Download free opening extract |
Featured Books for 14+ readers
Tags
Tags: 101 ways to get your child to read, Alan Gibbons, Amanda Wood, Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble, before i die, Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness, Bog Child, Brilliant Billy Does His Bit, Charles Darwin, Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure, children's book reviews, children's books, Chris Wooding, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Dogs, Ellie Bethel, Emily Gravett, Foul Play, Giles Andreae, Jeff Kinney, jenny downham, Linda Newbery, Litterbug Doug: In the Missions of Michael Recycle, Louise Rennison, lovereading4kids, Malice, Margaret Ryan, Matty Takes Off, Miriam Moss, Patience Thomson, sarah webb, Simon Hutton, Siobhan Dowd, Sophie Mckenzie, Stop In The Name Of Pants, The One And Only, The Sandfather, Tom Palmer, Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed
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Monday, February 9th, 2009
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
Featured Books for 14+ readers
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Solace Of The Road
Siobhan Dowd
Beautifully written and achingly moving, Solace of the Road is the poignant and desperate story of one girl’s search for her mother. Running away from her foster home, Holly dons the blonde wig she finds and reinvents herself as the …
Download free opening extract |
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The One And Only
Sophie Mckenzie
From the author of the Richard and Judy Children’s Books winner, Girl, Missing comes the final instalment in a terrific teenage love story trilogy, which captures the ups, downs and at times almost unbearable emotions of being in love. To …
Download free opening extract |
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War of the Witches
Maite Carranza
This is the perfect read for fans of Buffy, Charmed and W.I.T.C.H. Evocative, timeless storytelling that delves deep into the bond between mothers and daughters and the mysteries of growing up. For all those magic and astrology obsessed teenagers this …
Download free opening extract |
Tags: 101 ways to get your child to read, Alan Gibbons, Algy Hall, Amanda Wood, Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble, An Awfully Beastly Business: Bang Goes A Troll!, Beastly Boys, Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness, book review, Brilliant Billy Does His Bit, Charles Darwin, Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure, children's books, Chris Wooding, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Dogs, Ellie Bethel, Emily Gravett, Fine As We Are, Giles Andreae, Jeff Kinney, Just Henry, Linda Newbery, Litterbug Doug: In the Missions of Michael Recycle, lovereading4kids, Maite Carranza, Malice, michelle magorian, Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom, opening extract, Patience Thomson, sarah webb, Simon Hutton, Siobhan Dowd, solace of the road, Sophie Mckenzie, The One And Only, The Sandfather, War of the Witches, What Mr Darwin Saw
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

We have a veritable treasure trove of books to introduce to you this month, so much so we’ve been burning the midnight oil even more than usual to make our selection for you.
From the latest Prize Winners to some sensational Books of the Month, the most avid to the most reluctant reader will find something tantalisingly good.
Author of the Month Siobhan Dowd

Author of the Month is the extraordinarily talented Siobhan Dowd, whose life was sadly cut short in 2007. We’re featuring all four of her incredibly moving novels, including her last one, Solace of the Road that she finished writing just before her death and is published this month. Also, do take a peek at the Trust that has been set up in her memory www.siobhandowd.co.uk, to help disadvantaged children enjoy reading.
Photo credit Siobhan at Killarney, 2006: G. Morgan
Darwin Day 12 February 2009
To tie-in with all the excitement of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, we have a wide range of inspirational books to celebrate one of the greatest scientists ever to live, and the founding father of the theory of evolution.
Discover a Debut Author today!
Why not ‘discover someone new’ by reading our Debuts of the Month? Damian Kelleher’s Life Interrupted is a warm novel about a teenager facing the worst and surviving. Secondly, meet teenage agony aunt extraordinaire in Amy Green by Sarah Webb.
Prize Winning Books
The overall winner of the prestigious Costa Award was announced a day or two ago. It rarely goes to the children’s book category winner and sadly this year it didn’t again. But just to remind you the children’s category winner was Just Henry by Michelle Magorian, so if you’ve yet to take get a taster why not click here and read an extract of this soaring and uplifting book. Also in the world of forthcoming awards, you can discover all the books on the shortlist of the Blue Peter Book Awards right here.
February Books of the Month
Our choice for Books of the Month was an incredibly difficult decision this month with such a strong range of titles to choose from but we believe we’ve selected something to suit everyone’s taste.
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11+: Henderson’s Boys – Robert Muchamore
An incredibly powerful and pacy adventure thriller about kids working for the British Secret Service during World War II by Robert Muchamore, the mega-bestselling author of the Cherub series. |
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9+: The Sandfather – Linda Newbery
This is a gripping read about a 13-year-old boy who is excluded from school and goes to spend a period of reflection on the coast with his aunt. |
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0-5: Dogs – Emily Gravett
A delightful picture book celebrating all kinds of dogs, big and small, stroppy and soppy, with a twist in its tail! |
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9+: Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
A New York Times bestselling series – part brilliant story, part blank journal for you to fill in, and part interactive game and there’s a film starring the Wimpy Kid scheduled for release in 2010. |
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14+: Malice – Chris Wooding
Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel. |
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0-5: Matty Takes Off – Miriam Moss
A gloriously charming and funny picture book about a bear and his tidy house. Perfect for bedtime reading. |
101 ways to get your child to read
Finally World Book Day is coming round again on 5 March, and publisher Barrington Stoke has teamed up with the Quick Reads initiative to bring out a wonderful new short book for parents entitled, 101 ways to get your child to read. It’s full of great tips and we rate it highly.
I’m sure you’ll agree there’s plenty for your children to get their teeth into in terms of some wonderful reading so why not visit Lovereading4kids and select the books with them before doing anything else.
Tags: 101 ways to get your child to read, amy green, Blue Peter Book awards, book reviews, Chris Wooding, damian Kelleher, Darwin Day, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dogs, Emily Gravett, Henderson’s Boys, Jeff Kinney, Just Henry, life interrupted, Linda Newbery, lovereading4kids, Malice, Matty Takes Off, Miriam Moss, robert muchamore, sarah webb, Siobhan Dowd, solace of the road, The Sandfather
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years
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Dogs
Emily Gravett
Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs …
Download free opening extract |
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I Love You Through And Through
Bernadette Rossetti-shustak and Caroline Jayne Church
Brim full of the overpowering emotion of unconditional love for all the aspects of a baby, this robust board book is perfect for sharing again and again and again. Each page shows the smiling – and sometimes not so smiling …
Download free opening extract |
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Happy Birthday Chimp and Zee
Catherine, Anholt, Laurence Anholt
“Ha, ha, ha! Hee, hee, hee! Happy Birthday, Chimp and Zee! Mischievous twins Chimp and Zee are celebrating their birthday. There are birthday cards and presents and, as with everything to do with this delightful pair, absolute chaos everywhere they …
Download free opening extract |
Featured Books for 5+ readers
Featured Books for 7+ readers
Featured Books for 9+ readers
Featured Books for 11+ readers
Featured Books for 14+ readers
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Before I Die
Jenny Downham
Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would …
Download free opening extract |
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Malice
Chris Wooding
Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story …
Download free opening extract |
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Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
Deeply seductive and irresistibly compelling, this is an extraordinary love story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s the first in the Twilight series and is a captivating sage of vampire romance. The 2nd …
Download free opening extract |
Tags: Alan Gibbons, Amanda Wood, Anholt, before i die, Bernadette Rossetti-shustak and Caroline Jayne Church, book review, Catherine, Chains, Charles Darwin, Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure, Chris Wooding, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Dogs, Emily Gravett, Happy Birthday Chimp and Zee, I Love You Through And Through, Ian Beck, Invitation Only, Jeff Kinney, jenny downham, Just Henry, Kate Brian, Laurence Anholt, Laurie Halse Anderson, Linda Newbery, lovereading4kids, Malice, Margaret Ryan, Mark Skelton, michelle magorian, Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom, Morris Gleitzman, Roald Dahl, Stephenie Meyer, The Bfg, The Monkey Pirates, The Sandfather, Then, Tom Trueheart And The Land Of Dark Stories, Twilight, Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed, What Mr Darwin Saw
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