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Jane Clarke is the talented author of over 80 books for young children, including the award-wining picture books Gilbert the Great, Knight Time and Stuck in the Mud.
Jane Clarke on Jane Clarke:
I live in Kent with my two Labradors, Bramble and Amber. The dogs love to swim in the sea, so I burn a lot of perfumed candles to stop our house from smelling of damp dog.
Thanks to my Mum and Dad, I had a very happy childhood in the English Midlands. Dad attached a trapeze to the branch of a tree in our garden, and my friends and I spent a lot of time hanging upside down pretending to be acrobats. There were always pets – mice, hamster, and guinea pigs, cats and dogs. For a long time, I thought my dog was my brother. My bedroom was stuffed full of fossils and shells.
My ideas come from my family and pets, my friends and their families, and from school. I often lose all track of time when I’m writing. Amber and Bramble have learned to bring me their leads, to remind me to take them out for a walk.
Most of my stories and poems are funny, because I love to laugh, but sometimes I write about sad things. The saddest thing in my life is my husband’s death. Martin was a lovely man, a great husband and Dad. Andy and Rob are now at university and Martin lives on in them, in our hearts, and in our happy memories.
Book band: Gold Quizzed for Accelerated Reader Ideal for ages: 5+ | This new series from Bloomsbury Education is geared at turning children into independent readers. Not only will the books give youngsters a boost into solo reading, they’ll also make it easier and more enjoyable for the adults helping children as they come with useful tips and notes. The books are short and divided into chapters thereby breaking the story into manageable chunks. The adventures are lively and fast-moving though told via short sentences and carefully chosen vocabulary: some words are highlighted in the Tips for Grown Ups section on the inside cover, so that children can learn them and their meanings. Full colour illustrations amplify the action and make the books really attractive to look at too. Written by favourite authors, these are well worth collecting and are just the thing for children ready for reading.
Baking, detection and fairy tales are all whisked together in this busy story to make a tasty picture book. When Sky Private Eye gets an emergency call on her cupcake communicator (she combines careers in cake making and crime solving) to say that Granny is missing she speeds into action on her scooter to help Little Red Riding Hood track her granny down. They find her happily on holiday, but there’s a suspiciously hairy, toothy sunbather loitering nearby… All ends happily – the wolf is reformed by Sky’s special mix cupcake - and this is a funny, lively spin on a traditional fairy tale. ~ Andrea Reece
Baking, detection and fairy tales are all whisked together in this appealing story to make a tasty picture book. When Sky Private Eye gets an emergency call from the Little Old Man on her cupcake communicator (she combines careers in cake making and crime solving) to say that the Gingerbread Boy has gone missing, she speeds into action with trusty dog Snuffle at her side. They quickly work out that Foxy Loxy is on the Gingerbread Boy’s tail too, but manage to save the day (and the biscuit) with mission finally accomplished at the Fairytale Olympics. A busy, action-packed story that puts an original spin on the world of fairy tales. ~ Andrea Reece
Jane Clarke and Emma Dodd have enormous fun reinventing the story of the old woman who swallowed a flea, transposing the setting to the Amazon jungle and replacing the old woman with an anaconda! The list of creatures swallowed is much more exotic and interesting too: a tick, a skink, a frog, a piranha (its toothy grin did not alarm her!), and finally the narrator. A series of increasingly elaborate flaps and pop ups enable readers to watch the progress of the animals inside the snake until in a final splendid scene the anaconda is sick and they are freed! The text is a joy, the illustrations too, and lift-the-flap doesn’t get any better than this. ~ Andrea Reece The Editor at Nosy Crow says: “Have you ever wondered just how many animals one snake could swallow? This may not be the most scientifically accurate account, but it’s a hilarious imagining of a pretty wild scenario. And as it gets more and more squished inside the anaconda, there’s only one way things are going to end… With loads of icky, boysy humour, you’re sure to go ‘bleugh’. Giggles guaranteed.”
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. Award-winning illustrator Charles Fuge’s Gilbert is a charming picture book character – despite being a great white shark! The story of his touching friendship with Raymond the Remora is delightfully retold in this handsome board book version.
Can Gilbert the Great White Shark save his little brother from the deadly jaws of the enormous predator? How an older brother takes charge of a younger in the dangerous location of the sea bed makes a delightful variation on the theme of the trials and delights of caring for a sibling.
Witty writing with lots of shark-infested humour. Gilbert is a shark with a softer side. He has had Raymond, his pet friend Remora, since he was just a tiny pup. They have swum through the seaweed together and played finball, tide and seek and Sardines with their fishy friends. But one day, Raymond is no longer around. Gilbert is heartbroken and needs all the help that his kind mum can give him to get though the loss. But, having grieved, Gilbert learns to get up and live – and love – again. A tender story about the pain of losing someone you love. The book is read by Dervla Kirwan with plenty of music and sound effects to go with it. Great stuff to listen to and read at the same time. All children will identify with this delightfully scary follow-up to the hugely successful and equally fun Gilbert the Great.
Gilbert is a shark with a softer side. He has had Raymond, his pet remora, since he was just a tiny pup. They have swum through the seaweed together and played finball, tide and seek and Sardines with their fishy friends. But one day, Raymond is no longer around. Gilbert is heartbroken and needs all the help that his kind mum can give him to get though the loss. But, having grieved, Gilbert learns to get up and live – and love – again. A tender story about the pain of losing someone you love.
Brightly illustrated first reading books with large text format by top authors and illustrators.
So many Lovereading members remarked on the delights of Gilbert the Great, that we felt we must tell you about the authors’ delightful follow-up called Gilbert in Deep. Wonderfully vibrant illustrations coupled with a text that will hook you and your child from page one. A little bit scary but it all comes good in the end. A must.
The best book about jealousy I’ve come across. Somewhere in a space world, children are much the same as down here on earth. Royd is jealous of his friend Gark who has everything from his very own space pod to a magician performing at his birthday party. What Royd has that no earthling possesses is a G.E.M – his own personalised Green Eyed Monster who as Royd gets increasingly jealous gets bigger and bigger and, in the end, gobbles him up. Royd has to learn that no one has everything and that sharing is good.
Gilbert is a shark with a softer side. He has had Raymond, his pet remora, since he was just a tiny pup. They have swum through the seaweed together and played finball, tide and seek and Sardines with their fishy friends. But one day, Raymond is no longer around. Gilbert is heartbroken and needs all the help that his kind mum can give him to get though the loss. But, having grieved, Gilbert learns to get up and live – and love – again. A tender story about the pain of losing someone you love.
Lottie loves wildlife and dreams of becoming a nature show presenter like Samira, host of her favourite programme Every Little Thing. Lottie has been reading about the decline in the number of insects in nature. With the help of her tech neighbour Noah, she decides to build a bug-hotel to encourage their return. But buzzing-mayhem, they are interrupted by a swarm of bees invading Mr. Parfitt's garden next door. Can Lottie help save the bees before the exterminator arrives? Nature Hooks: bee and bug facts, pollination, butterfly feeder, how to make a bug hotel.
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. What can you see? Includes: Before and after reading activities Exam practice for Cambridge Pre A1 Starters Reading guide online
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. Ivy and Mack go on a plane. Includes: Before and after reading activities Mini-dictionary Exam practice for Cambridge A1 Movers Reading guide online
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. What did Marty paint? Includes: Before and after reading activities Picture dictionary Exam practice for Cambridge Pre A1 Starters Reading guide online
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. Ivy and Mack go to a museum. Includes: Before and after reading activities Mini-dictionary Exam practice for Cambridge A1 Movers Reading guide online
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. Doctor Clare helps Teddy. Includes: Before and after reading activities Picture dictionary Exam practice for Cambridge Pre A1 Starters, working towards A1 Movers Reading guide online
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. Ivy and Mack go to the dentist. Includes: Before and after reading activities Mini-dictionary Exam practice for Cambridge A1 Movers Reading guide online
Inspire a love of reading with stories that are written from a child's perspective and will encourage children to discover the world around them. With audio and activities, Peapod Readers are the perfect start to a child's journey into learning English. Rob's bored. What could he do? Includes: Before and after reading activities Mini-dictionary Exam practice for Cambridge A1 Movers Reading guide online
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