Rowan: Bigger Picture & Rowan: The Next Big Thing
Release Date: January 2002
Publisher: Rowan
54 pages & 63 pages, Paperback
Personal Copy
Arts & Crafts/Knitting
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Summary from The Knitting Garden:
(Bigger Picture)
Featuring over 20 designs by Kim Hargreaves using Big Wool and Biggy Print yarn.
Includes patterns for easy and quick to knit sweaters, scarves, hats and bags!!
(The Next Big Thing)
The Next Big Thing - over thirty designs by Kim Hargreaves!
This contemporary collection contains both garments and accessories for men & women. There are ponchos and capes, long line coats, a sleeveless dress and a waistcoat with shaggy collar. Accessories include a selection of hats and scarves, some knitted, some crocheted. Other items include bags, wrist & leg warmers!!
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I ordinarily do not review knitting pattern books. I got this one and the 2nd Rowan one on Tuesday. They have lots of pictures giving close ups of the garments, which is always a big plus. The patterns are easy to read, with a clear ink diagram of the shape of the garment. I'm reviewing these two books because they made me laugh. This one feels as though the models inside were acting in a soap. It felt like it was a troubled relationship, half the time the girls looked like they were moping. Maybe I'm just used to cute baby patterns which look really natural. The Next Big Thing - that was more about friendship, I think, but it still didn't look natural and the people didn't necessarily look as though they'd usually wear the garments. I think when I see knitting patterns I want more normal people, in more normal clothes, people that I'd know rather than people who don't have many physical imperfections. None of that will stop me from knitting from a few patterns in here, which is what the books are about!
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Sammy Goes Flying by Odette Elliott
Release Date: 7th April 2011
Publisher: Tamarind Books
32 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Fiction
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Summary from Tamarind Books:
Sammy dreams of flying. His older siblings are going on a school trip to an aeroplane museum. But Sammy is too small to go. Then Grandma plans a magical day out just for Sammy.
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
This book is very blue! I love the different shades of blue and green that are used to tell Sammy's tale. It's hard being the youngest, but Sammy's parents make sure that he gets to fulfil his dream and have fun with his teddy. The joy he feels rises off from the pages and made me smile.
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Don't Want To Go! by Shirley Hughes
Release Date: 7th April 2011
Publisher: Red Fox
32 pages, Paperback
Review Copy
Children's Fiction
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Summery from Red Fox:
Mum is ill and Dad has to go to work, so Lily will have to go to Melanie’s house for the day. Dad says she'll have lots of fun, but there’s a problem: Lily doesn't want to go!
Join Lily as she braves Melanie's house, and realises that doing new things needn't be scary after all...
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I was exactly like Lily when I was little. I didn't like having to stay with strangers, although I mostly threw a strop when I went to school (I was the only child in my class to have a special sticker chart for when I was good and didn't cry when I got in. It worked!) Although Lily has her favourite toy with her, it isn't much comfort at first. She makes a decision to make a fuss, but then several someones distract her and she actually enjoys herself. I've read Shirley's books since I was little, and this is one of my favourites because it captures the exact sentiment of a young child.
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The Pink Bicycle by Gill Lobel
Release Date: 7th April 2011
Publisher: Tamarind
32 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Picture Books
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Summary from Tamarind:
Sunita and Blue Rabbit love riding on Alisha's red bike. But one day Alisha's knees start to get in the way! Mum and Dad say the red bike is too small. Can Alisha learn to ride the new pink bicycle with no stabilisers?
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
The book is about Sunita getting to grips with a new bike, and the perils of riding without stabilisers. It takes something important for her to try it out. However, for me the book is about Blue Rabbit. Sunita takes him everywhere. He is in every picture, and his expressions are really funny, especially when danger looms. He had me smiling away, and I want him! He helps Sunita get through the harder parts of life, just as any special toy does for a child.
The book is about Sunita getting to grips with a new bike, and the perils of riding without stabilisers. It takes something important for her to try it out. However, for me the book is about Blue Rabbit. Sunita takes him everywhere. He is in every picture, and his expressions are really funny, especially when danger looms. He had me smiling away, and I want him! He helps Sunita get through the harder parts of life, just as any special toy does for a child.
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The Boy Who Cried Ninja by Alex Latimer
Release Date: 7th April 2011
Publisher: Picture Corgi
32 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Picture Book
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Summary from Picture Corgi:
Once there was a boy named Tim whom no one believed, even when he was telling the truth. No one believed that it was a ninja who snaffled the last slice of cake; or that a giant squid ate his homework; or that it really was a time-travelling monkey who was throwing pencils at Grampa. How can Tim get his parents to believe him - when the truth is too incredible to be true?
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I'm a fan of ninjas. They are really cool. What this ninja does isn't so cool though. Tim's parents think he's lying when he says the mischief the ninja and several other characters get up to. Tim doesn't like being punished for something he didn't do, so he finds a way to show his parents he wasn't lying. Most ninjas I've read about wouldn't steal cake without asking, unless it was from the enemy.
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Spike and Ali Enson by Malaika Rose Stanley
Release Date: September 2011
Publisher: Tamarind
144 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Fiction
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Summary from Tamarind:
Bonnie baby or alien invader?
Everyone loves Spike’s baby brother, Ali. He’s so cute even the school bullies want to babysit him. But Spike isn’t so sure. Ali’s poos are bright green and his soft, brown skin looks a little scaly. Yes, there’s definitely something strange about Ali! And when Spike discovers a way to learn the truth, he begins to realise just how different his family really is…
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I liked it how Spike's father knits! That was nice to hear about. Spike has perfectly normal feelings about his little brother. I think he feels a bit jealous sometimes, because Spike was adopted and Ali wasn't. It was nice to hold similar views to Spike's parents about a few things - although their real identity is a huge shock to both me and Spike. The book ends on a small cliffhanger, but I think I know which choice Spike made because of the illustration on the opposite page.
I liked it how Spike's father knits! That was nice to hear about. Spike has perfectly normal feelings about his little brother. I think he feels a bit jealous sometimes, because Spike was adopted and Ali wasn't. It was nice to hold similar views to Spike's parents about a few things - although their real identity is a huge shock to both me and Spike. The book ends on a small cliffhanger, but I think I know which choice Spike made because of the illustration on the opposite page.
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Pocket Cats: Lucky Star by Kitty Wells
Release Date: August 2010
Publisher: David Fickling Books
176 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Fiction
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Summary from David Fickling Books:
Maddy has always wanted a cat, but now she's got something even better - three small ceramic cats which come to life and give her magical powers!
Maddy is thrilled to see Nibs again. But Nibs is NOT happy about their new problem: it involves a dog! Star is a gorgeous golden retriever, but he's sad because his glamorous owner doesn't love him. Can Maddy and Nibs find a way to make him happy?
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I've just finished reading this book and I nearly need a tissue. Maddy has so much fun with her cats, even though there's a bit of danger and potentially Maddy (along with her friend Rachel who knows all about the cats) could get into serious trouble. I get sad because Maddy has mixed feelings at the end of her adventures. She is happy to have sold the problem. This one was quite tricky. Nibs naturally doesn't like dogs, so has to overcome that issue. The dog in question is unloved by his owner. It's a tough thing to get someone to realise there is more to their pet than just putting them in for shows. Maddy & Nibs do succeed, using more of Maddy's special cat abilities. Nibs is quite prim, and it was horrible when she turned back into an ornament. I liked reading about her sleeping in the dolls house, with blu-tack placed so she didn't slip. It's little touches like that which add to how much fun this book is. As ever the illustrations fit perfectly with the story.
I've just finished reading this book and I nearly need a tissue. Maddy has so much fun with her cats, even though there's a bit of danger and potentially Maddy (along with her friend Rachel who knows all about the cats) could get into serious trouble. I get sad because Maddy has mixed feelings at the end of her adventures. She is happy to have sold the problem. This one was quite tricky. Nibs naturally doesn't like dogs, so has to overcome that issue. The dog in question is unloved by his owner. It's a tough thing to get someone to realise there is more to their pet than just putting them in for shows. Maddy & Nibs do succeed, using more of Maddy's special cat abilities. Nibs is quite prim, and it was horrible when she turned back into an ornament. I liked reading about her sleeping in the dolls house, with blu-tack placed so she didn't slip. It's little touches like that which add to how much fun this book is. As ever the illustrations fit perfectly with the story.
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Snow Dog by Malorie Blackman
Release Date: September 2010
Publisher: Corgi Pups
64 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Fiction
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Summary from Corgi Pups:
“IT'S GOING TO BE WOOF-ONDERFUL!”
There is nothing Nicky wants more in the world than a dog to play with. But Mum and Dad don’t want a dog. Then Grandad has an idea – he and Nicky can make a dog: a snow-dome dog. Even better, he has some special clay, found at the end of a rainbow, so that the dog will be extra-special. Maybe even magic . . .
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
Dogs need a lot of care and attention (as shown in Pocket Cats: Lucky Star). Like many other children Nicky wants one of her own. I liked how her parents explained exactly why they couldn't have one, outline what a dog needs and why most people can't fulfil their needs. Nicky makes one with her grandad out of clay. That would make a good project for children, then they could 'have' a dog of their own which wouldn't need as much care. It wouldn't be like Harry, Nicky's dog who comes to life and Nicky can transport herself to his world where they can play together, but it would still be fun. I think this book shows how we can't always have something, but we can usually have something related to it.
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Snowy's Story by Amy Watson
Release Date: September 2010
Publisher: Red Fox
112 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Children's Fiction
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Summary from Red Fox:
Twins Lucy and Samuel know EXACTLY what they want for Christmas - a puppy of their own! Mum and Dad take them to Battersea Dogs Home a few days before Christmas, warning them to choose carefully - after all, a dog is for life and not just a gift to get bored of after a while.
Lucy and Samuel fall in love with a St Bernard puppy called Snowy - and he certainly lives up to his name, loving to leave pawprints in the snowy garden and help the twins build a snowman. One day, when Lucy has a fight with Samuel and storms off for a walk with Snowy, a blizzard sets in and she gets hopelessly lost. Can Snowy use his survival instincts to lead her back home?
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
This is a real feel good book. Samuel & Lucy are twins. It was realistic that they moaned as they got tired from shopping, but a few minutes later they forgot about how they felt because they saw cute little puppies. Unfortunately the puppies all had homes waiting for them, but their parents agree to a dog, as long as they get it from Battersea. Just like the other books in the series, reviewed here, Snowy's Story portrays the reality of a pet, the fun times and the not so fun times. Lucy gets a bit jealous because of the fun Samuel had with Snowy, she she decides to take off in the middle of the night with him. It wasn't a good idea, and she is in heaps of trouble when she gets back, but I had to laugh when Samuel thought her adventure was cool. There are details at the back on the process of applying for a pet with Battersea, as well as some fun puzzles (although they might need to be blown up on a photocopier).
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Little Miss Princess by Roger Hargreaves
Release Date: March 2011
Publisher: Egmont
34 pages, Paperback
Review copy
Review copy
Children's Fiction
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Summary from Egmont:
Little Miss Princess lives in a castle with turrets and a moat. A very BIG castle. And Little Miss Princess has lots of people to do things for her. But Little Miss Princess isn’t rude and spoilt. She is a kind and generous, good hearted princess.
One day, she decides to help an injured Mr. Bump, but as you can imagine, Little Miss Princess isn't used to doing things herself, so everything doesn't quite go to plan...
A sweet and funny tale that will leave all little princesses giggling!
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Nayuleska's Thoughts:
I was a huge fan of the Mr Men series when I was little, although I did want more stories about girls. My wish did start to come true with the Little Miss books. This is my favourite one to date. How cool is it to have one about a princess who is pink? (purple would have been more awesome). Little Miss Princess is a typical princess, living how you would expect a princess to live. She doesn't know much about how to do things, but she has a compassionate heart and is happiest when helping people. Unfortunately because of her inexperience when she tries to help with every day actions that most people take for granted, things go a little wrong. That doesn't matter too much because people understand that it's not her fault, and one person finds a way for Little Miss Princess to help successfully using the skills she has as a princess. This is an uplifting addition to the famous series.
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