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

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!

If you’re looking for some brilliant books to give your kids a life-long passion for reading, then look no further than this month’s selection…

Award winning books with Blue Peter

You’ll find the winners of the Blue Peter Book Award categories – ‘the best book with facts’, ‘the best book with pictures’ and the ‘book you cannot put down’. It’s a unique prize in that children get to choose the winners. We’re featuring all the category winners right here together with the shortlist, and you can download a free Opening Extract of each one to let your kids decide whether they agreed with the judges!.

Loose yourself in the world of Ingo

Our Series of the Month is the Ingo Quartet by Helen Dunmore. Set in a tantalisingly beautiful underwater world inhabited by Mer people, Helen’s books send readers on fantastical adventures they won’t want to end. Luckily, there are four books in all, the last in the quartet is published this month – so the fun can last and last and last and last. There’s a prize draw to win her backlist as well.

Special Feature on Illustrator Korky Paul

Korky Paul, is the wonderfully quirky illustrator and writer whose award-winning books are synonymous with wacky humour, in particular his wonderful character Winnie the Witch and her erstwhile partner in crime, Wilbur the cat. And now, we’re delighted to tell you that Winnie is no longer just featured in picture books for toddlers but some terrific titles for children who are just beginning to read alone have been released, so why not find out more today…..

Make the most of the ‘Outdoors’ with your children

The weather looks set to improve before the economy does, and the glass is always half-full here at Lovereading4kids, so we’re having a special promotion of books to help your children make the most of getting out and about during the Easter holidays, It covers outdoorsy things to do from gardening to wildlife watching and much more.

Marvellous March – Books of the Month

Each month, here at Lovereading4kids, we’re always astounded by the quality of new books being published and our Book of the Month selection is no exception in March. There are lots for kids of all ages to get their teeth into. Click on the book in the age range you are interested in.

Magnificent March – Debuts of the Month

There is always something fresh and exciting about an author’s first book – which is why you’ll find some of the most exuberant writing among our Debuts of the Month:

The Princess Plot – Kirsten Boie  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!		The Secret Ministry of Frost – Nick Lake   An extraordinary adventure story which follows an heroic, apparently orphaned albino girl called Light, as she travels to the Arctic to get to the root of a whole series of unpleasant goings-on.		Wildthorn –Jane England  This incredible, thought-provoking and sometimes shocking debut read is completely engrossing. It’s set in late Victorian England, about a girl who is put into an asylum, when she is anything but mad, and tries to piece together the mystery of why.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day

Also as 22 Mar is Mother’s Day we wanted to have just a couple of delightful books that could find there way into being gifts for the sometimes under valued and overworked people without whom we wouldn’t be here. Both books are called My Mum (well what else could it be) both are lovely stories to share with the under 5’s while you have your breakfast in bed!

With all these outrageously exciting stories, you can be sure some will really grip your kids’ imaginations. So download our free Opening Extracts and let Lovereading4kids help turn your children into reading machines.

Finally, don’t forget to take a look at this month’s prize draws – lots of free books are being given away as prizes.