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

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		The Baby That Roared Simon Puttock Love them or loathe then, most babies are sweet. At least, that’s what Mr and Mrs Deer think. They long for a baby of their own to love and cuddle and read aloud to, so, when one is left on … Download free opening extract
2		The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom Steve Smallman What better than a cheeky monkey to enthuse a young child to love books in this bestselling picture book.  This edition comes complete with a CD read by CBBC’s Justin Fletcher.  The reading is a great aid to improving reading skills, perfect for bedtime, … Download free opening extract
3		Goat Goes to Playgroup Julia Donaldson Playgroup has begun. Time to have some fun. A comforting story for any child starting at, or already attending, a playgroup. Perfect for reading aloud, even the youngest toddler will enjoy Goat’s antics. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		My Adventure Island Timothy Knapman April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination.  It’s a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and … Download free opening extract
2		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract
3		Rabbityness Jo Empson April 2012 Debut of the Month. Highly original, this is a stunning debut picture book which celebrates creativity and difference while also serving as a touching introduction to the idea that people leave good things behind them even when they are … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Walk in London Salvatore Rubbino This walk gives readers a wonderfully close-up and intimate look at some of the best sights of the great city.  While the landmarks are accurately positioned and defined, the artist’s impressions bring a distinct and personal flavour to them. A little … Download free opening extract
2		The Fearsome Beastie Giles Paley-Phillips April 2012 Book of the Month. Shortlisted for The People’s Book Prize 2012. This is a terrific little picture book that parents are likely to be more worried about for the fear factor than any toddler.  There’s a great storyline written in rhyme … Download free opening extract
3		Jogger’s Big Adventure (Early Reader) Francesca Simon This charming, funny animal story is perfect for early readers. Jogger the hamster is on an adventure, nibbling on books and climbing on chairs. But mean old Sour Puss is about – will Jogger make it back to his cage in … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
2		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract
3		The Secret Lake Karen Inglis Author Karen Inglis on what inspired The Secret Lake: “The Secret Lake was partly inspired by an apartment some friends moved to in Notting Hill many years ago when my children were younger. It backed on to the most fantastic communal … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract
2		Titanic An Edwardian Girl’s Diary,1912 Ellen Emerson White Titanic, My Story is a vividly imagined account of life on the Titanic by a young girl and told in diary form.  A terrific way for children 100 years on to experience what happened in what remains one of the … Download free opening extract
3		Freaks Kieran Larwood April 2012 Debut of the Month and Winner of The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011.  This well-written and action-packed debut is even being considered the new Harry Potter for its originality but we’d say X-Men meets Oliver Twist with a whiff of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Chomp Carl Hiaasen April 2012 Book of the Month. An hilarious, edge-of-your seat read. Animal lovers everywhere will love this great story about dangerous creatures which also gives a behind the scenes look at how the worst TV shows are made. Wahoo’s Dad … Download free opening extract
2		A Tiger Too Many Antony Wootten April 2012 Debut of the Month. A Tiger Too Many is enchanting from the word go and very readable.  The sentences are short and concise with no waffle and therefore the story goes forward quite briskly and the reader’s attention … Download free opening extract
3		Call Me Drog Sue Cowing April 2012 Debut of the Month. Parker’s got a lot of demons to face as he struggles to come to terms with his parent’s separation and his father’s expectations of him. He thinks he’s coping alright until he finds Drog … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Fear (The Enemy Series 3) Charlie Higson April 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling author Charlie Higson has created a chilling world in his thrilling Zombie series. Not only have all the adults – older siblings and parents – lost their minds and become hopeless has-beens but there … Download free opening extract
2		Fear Michael Grant April 2012 Book of the Month. This is a blood-pumping, white-knuckle sci-fi futuristic thriller of epic proportions and the fifth of the six planned titles in the GONE series. Night is falling in the FAYZ. Even though it’s been nearly a … Download free opening extract
3		A Monster Calls Patrick Ness Shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal and 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal. The Judges said: An exquisite piece of writing of great depth which has huge impact upon the reader, guiding them through some difficult emotional lessons. Well plotted and lyrically written … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids TOP 10

1		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
2		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract
3		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract
4		My Adventure Island Timothy Knapman April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination.  It’s a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and … Download free opening extract
5		The Fearsome Beastie Giles Paley-Phillips April 2012 Book of the Month. Shortlisted for The People’s Book Prize 2012. This is a terrific little picture book that parents are likely to be more worried about for the fear factor than any toddler.  There’s a great storyline written in rhyme … Download free opening extract
6		Rabbityness Jo Empson April 2012 Debut of the Month. Highly original, this is a stunning debut picture book which celebrates creativity and difference while also serving as a touching introduction to the idea that people leave good things behind them even when they are … Download free opening extract
7		A Walk in London Salvatore Rubbino This walk gives readers a wonderfully close-up and intimate look at some of the best sights of the great city.  While the landmarks are accurately positioned and defined, the artist’s impressions bring a distinct and personal flavour to them. A little … Download free opening extract
8		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract
9		Freaks Kieran Larwood April 2012 Debut of the Month and Winner of The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011. This well-written and action-packed debut is even being considered the new Harry Potter for its originality but we’d say X-Men meets Oliver Twist with a whiff of … Download free opening extract
10		Titanic An Edwardian Girl’s Diary,1912 Ellen Emerson White Titanic, My Story is a vividly imagined account of life on the Titanic by a young girl and told in diary form.  A terrific way for children 100 years on to experience what happened in what remains one of the … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids.co.uk Top 10

1		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
2		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract
3		Rabbityness Jo Empson April 2012 Debut of the Month. Highly original, this is a stunning debut picture book which celebrates creativity and difference while also serving as a touching introduction to the idea that people leave good things behind them even when they are … Download free opening extract
4		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract
5		The Stick Book : Loads of Things You Can Make or Do with a Stick Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield This is a wonderfully inspiring book for the great outdoors or indoors for that matter.  The authors offer masses of suggestions for things to do with a stick, in the way of adventures and bushcraft, creative and imaginative play, games, … Download free opening extract
6		My Adventure Island Timothy Knapman April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination.  It’s a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and … Download free opening extract
7		The Fearsome Beastie Giles Paley-Phillips April 2012 Book of the Month. This is a terrific little picture book that parents are likely to be more worried about for the fear factor than any toddler.  There’s a great storyline written in rhyme with echoes of Grimm’s Fairy … Download free opening extract
8		The Hunger Games (Film Tie-In Edition) Suzanne Collins The astonishing bestseller is now a fantastic movie. Here is the original novel with new movie artwork on the cover. The Hunger Games is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present. In a dark vision of … Download free opening extract
9		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract
10		Down in the Jungle (Early Reader) Vivian French Down in the Jungle it’s time for bed, but Monkey wants a story and he sets off to find one in this charming, funny story, perfect for early readers and for reading aloud and sharing with less confident children.  These … Download free opening extract

Welcome to blossom-clad April from Lovereading4kids! Hans Christian Andersen was born in April over 200 years ago, so here’s to a fairytale Easter – we hope that we’ve found you ‘eggs’actly the right, wonderful books for your Little Mermaids and Steadfast Tin Soldiers to read over the Holidays.

My Oh Mayan, What an Author of the Month! – M. G. Harris

Half-Mexican Manchester United fan and self-confessed geek

M. G. Harris is the author of the fabulous Mayan prophecy influenced, futuristic series, The Joshua Files – perfect for action-hero 9+ year olds.

The 5th and final book in the series is out now and is packed full of gripping, daring teen adventure in dark pyramids and alien tunnels. If you haven’t discovered these pacy adventures yet, now’s the perfect time – particularly as the end of the Mayan calendar (and perhaps even the end of the world) draws near on 21 December 2012!

No April Fools! – Debuts of the Month

Rabbityness Jo Empson 4+ Stunning debut with positive takes on individuality, creativity and dealing with loss. Download Extract More info	The Comic Cafe Roger Stevens 9+ Can kids run the show? Witty, Lemony Snicket-esque adventure! Download Extract More info
Call Me Drog Sue Cowing 9+ Compelling, courageous and unforgettable, Call Me Drog is a classic coming-of-age story. Download Extract More info	Freaks Kieran Larwood 11+ Crime sleuthing, freak-show style,with a band of extraordinarily talented misfits. X-men meets Oliver Twist! Download Extract More info
Immortal City Scott Speer 14+ Electric debut set in a world where Guardian Angels walk among us in the street. Download Extract More info	Starters Lissa Price 14+ Matched meets The Hunger Games. Action-packed thriller with a great heroine. Download Extract More info

Young Bond and Zombies, Guest Editor Charlie Higson

April’s Guest Editor is the multi-talented and multi-award winning author of the action-packed Young Bond series of books and the gruesome but brilliant Enemy series. The first Young Bond Book, Silverfin, was published in 2005 and the series has been translated into 24 different languages! The Enemy series, about Zombies and aimed at an older 11+ audience, is now into its third outing with The Fear. Find out more about Charlie’s books as well as some personal favourites that have influenced his writing to date.

Get Out! – Out and About Section

This is our section to help you get kids outside and enjoying the open air. Books on all kinds of activities can be unearthed here; gardening, exploring, bird-watching … you name it. Special mention this month goes to:

The Bumper Book of London Everything You Need to Know About London and More… Becky Jones, Clare Lewis (7+) Everything you need to know about London … and more! Great for the Olympics. Download Extract More info	The Stick Book : Loads of Things You Can Make or Do with a Stick Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield (7+) Amazingly imaginative guide to all the things you can do with a stick! Genius. Download Extract More info
RSPB Children’s Guide to Birdwatching David Chandler, Mike Unwin (7+) Fascinating fact boxes and top tips for young bird watching enthusiasts. Download Extract More info	Green Fingers and Muddy Boots Ivor Santer (5+) Practical activities to do in the garden every month of the year, come rain or shine Download Extract Buy

…Just One More Thing …

We can’t go without mentioning these two cracking books which have kept us turning pages in the office…

If you enjoyed Long Reach by Peter Cocks then don’t miss the sequel, Body Blow. It’s in our Undercover Reads section (because they’ll be sneaking in another chapter after lights-out!) and is a must for any thrill-seeking teen!

And whatever you do, don’t miss this month’s Free Prize Draws section brimming with exclusive prints, books, goody-bags and a free trip to the Zoo!…

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Happy Reading, and Happy Easter!