The Legend Of Sidri by Rauf Khalilov - Blog Tour Review

Today Life Of A Nerdish Mum is part of the blog tour for The Legend Of Sidri by Rauf Khalilov a wonderful children's fantasy and I am sharing my review. With big thanks to Faye of Authoright for having me along. 

The Legend Of Sidri 

In the mythical realm of Badalonium, a young boy named Sidri lived happily with his beloved parents. But the family is shattered by an evil figure from the afar, triggering a series of events that lead Sidri on a journey of self-development, friendship, family reunions and retribution.

My Review

The Legend Of Sidri really took me back to my childhood reading! The coloured pages and the absolutely stunning illustrations, even the font used gave the feel of a classic children's fantasy and I felt at "home" straight away before I'd even read a word. The story itself continued along that same and there were morals and talking animals (both things were in all children's fantasy books when I was younger). 

Sidri was a very strong character and one that you wouldn't mind your children wanting to be like as he is smart and brave and kind. 

The world building is done exceptionally well and I could picture myself there, surrounded by the magic. Part of what makes this possible, is the fact that though words are used that are "made up", they sound natural to read and are easy even for a younger reader to sound out. This means that you don't lose immersion in the story trying to figure out how to pronounce something. I really enjoyed the adventures Sidri has and the trials and travels he has to go through as he gets older. 

The Legend Of Sidri is only 40 and a bit pages long and passed far too quickly for me, I would have happily read a sweeping, epic fantasy set in this world. However I'm not the target audience and I think it's a perfect book to introduce a kind of fantasy to children.

Oh and there's a map! You can't help nut loving a book with a map. 

Overall a really enjoyable book and one I will be passing on to mini Nerdling to read in the future. 

I gave this book 5 stars. 

About The Author

Rauf Khalilov is a lawyer by profession. He lives and works in London. He is married and has two kids. Rauf enjoys spending time away from work with his family, but when he has spare time left, he plays chess, writes poetry and music, sings, exercises and cooks. Rauf has a dream to own a farm with a lake where he would have a restaurant that would serve food produced on his own farm. He would also like to create a centre within the farm for children with special needs where they would receive education through play therapy with animals and nature.   

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The Secret Life Of Moles by Liz Burgess - Blog Tour Review

Thank you to Clink Street Publishing for having Life Of A Nerdish Mum on the blog tour for The Secret Life Of Moles (And Their Friends) by Liz Burgess.

The Secret Life Of Moles (And Their Friends) 

Liz Burgess has always held a keen interest in nature, especially small furry mammals!

Long fascinated by their secret activities at home in her own back garden, and the fields surrounding it, she decided to explore this special underground world, and find out more about moles and their other little friends. Liz Burgess lives in South Yorkshire and The Secret Life of Moles is her first book for children.

My Review

The Secret Life Of Moles follows Ragwort Teasel, a young mole, as he wants to spread his wings and move out of the family tunnels into more space. There's a road being built and there's a farm and tractor near by so he has to go into uncharted territory. Along the way, there are trials and tribulations until finally he is settled nicely in his new home.

As the story progresses, it shows how working together and helping your friends can assist in achieving your goals. There is also give a small insight into how moles live.

The Secret Life Of Moles is aimed at children, I would say it would be better for age seven and up as there is a lot of text and though there are pictures, they are simple (but beautiful) sketches with no colour and they are not very often. As a grown up reading the book, I found the names of things difficult, wingthings, climbing fox etc. But I'd imagine for children this would be a fun way of describing each animal and them guessing as what they were.

Overall an engaging story and I will be interested to see what Liz Burgess produces after The Secret Life Of Moles.

I gave this book 3 stars.

About The Author

Liz Burgess lives in South Yorkshire has enjoyed a varied career, including working for a UK Environmental Charity, the latter 10 years as a Director. She had always had a keen interest in nature especially small mammals, activities in her own back garden and the surrounding fields inspired her to write the Secret Life of Moles. Any reference to a moles natural behaviour in The Secret Life of Moles is correct according to Liz’s small amount of research. All the drawings were been done by Liz in pencil and ink.

At the age of 68, Liz enjoys hiking, bird-watching anything to do with wildlife. She has done quite a bit of foreign travel, including rain forests, jungles and was fortunate to see a 'tiger' in the wild. Liz retired at 60, previous to this she worked for an environmental charity for 28 years. Mainly involved with operational developments but she does have a background in Human Resources and Employment Law.

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Bertie The Buffalo by Wendy H Jones - Blog Tour Review

Today I'm really excited to be taking part in the blog tour for Bertie The Buffalo by Wendy H. Jones, a fabulous children's picture book. 

Bertie The Buffalo 

Bertie the Buffalo is based on a true story of when a Water Buffalo escaped from a Buffalo Park in Fife, near Dundee, Scotland. A rhyming book about the adventures Bertie got up to and how he safely returned home, demonstrating how important each of us is no matter how insignificant we feel. Bertie felt that no one noticed him. But he didn't need to think that as we are all special. We are all a part of one big family.  

My Review

I really, really enjoyed this lovely story. Bertie is adorable both in words and in the illustrations. It was nice to see an animal not usually given a spotlight in children's stories, as buffaloes are not your typical "cutesie" animal. 

I thought the pace and tempo of the story was perfect and it felt really natural and easy while reading. My five year old managed to read it fluently and pointed out how the words rhymed. 

The story was clever and covered some big ideas like dealing with different and new situations and the importance of family and friends. Each issue was covered in a manner that would be understandable to a child without overwhelming them with information or any fear. 

The illustrations were beautiful and memorable. I thought all of the animals were incredibly cute and the pictures told the story just as clearly as the words. 

Overall a really wonderful book and one I will enjoy reading again and again with my both my little ones. 

About The Author

Award Winning Author Wendy H. Jones lives in Scotland, and her police procedural series featuring Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie, is set in the beautiful city of Dundee, Scotland. Wendy has led a varied and adventurous life. Her love for adventure led to her joining the Royal Navy to undertake nurse training. After six years in the Navy she joined the Army where she served as an Officer for a further 17 years. This took her all over the world including Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Much of her spare time is now spent travelling around the UK, and lands much further afield. As well as nursing Wendy also worked for many years in Academia. This led to publication in academic textbooks and journals. Killer's Countdown is her first novel and the first book in the Shona McKenzie Mystery series. Killer's Crew won the Books Go Social Book of the Year 2107. There are now six books in this series with Killer's Crypt being released in August, 2017. The Dagger's Curse is the first book in The Fergus and Flora Mysteries for Young Adults. This book is currently shortlisted for the Woman Alive Magazine Readers Choice Award Book of the Year. She is also a highly successful marketer and she shares her methods in the book, Power Packed Book Marketing.

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Mini Nerdling's Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge 2018 - Reviews

This year was the second year of Mini Nerdling taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge hosted by our local library. If you don't know what this is, it's an incentive to keep children reading throughout the six weeks holiday (summer holiday here in the UK), they have to read six books and give them a score out of three stars. As they go through they get rewards and stickers and there are other activities to keep it interesting. Once they complete it they get some goodies, a wristband, a medal and a certificate. If you want to find out more, the official website is here. 

As Mini Nerdling has helped me out with book reviews before, he knows I give my "score" out of five stars and he knows I have to write about what I thought of the book, so although there is only room to score out of three stars on the form, he wanted to do it the way I do it. I thought it would be fun to keep a record of his reviews and share them with everyone. It's also good practice for when he helps with reviews and for school in the future. So without further ado, onto the reviews - 

Animal Fun! Touch And Feel - Tracey Radford

My favourite part was the elephants and I enjoyed feeling the pages.

5 stars

In-o-saur, Out-o-saur - David Bedford and Leonie Worthington

My favourite part was the cover and I liked that it was the same as a page in the book.

5 stars

Fortunately, Unfortunately - Michael Foreman

My favourite part was the aliens.

5 stars

100 First Animals - Dawn Sirett

My favourite animal out of all of them was the snake.

5 stars

But Excuse Me That Is My Book - Lauren Child

I liked the first page when the brother and sister were sat reading together

5 Stars

Meg And Mog - Helen Nicoll and Jan Pieńkowski

I liked the witches and I liked the page when all the witches looked the same and I spotted the differences.

5 Stars


And that's it! What do you think? Do you think he did a good job, because I do but I am biased. Have you and you kids read any of these books? What did you think?

The Beedog by Addie Broussard - Blog Tour Review

Today on Life Of A Nerdish Mum, I am reviewing a fabulous children's book, The Beedog: An Insect Discovery In Portugal by Addie Broussard. 

The Beedog: An Insect Discovery In Portugal

An award-winning picture book that will get little ones excited about science.

While building a unique sandcastle, Cora and Manny spot a rather curious insect.
Soon, the little scientists keep a watchful eye on the insect’s movements, while learning about the natural environment along the way.

A great book for STEM education and home-school projects or just curious little ones who love science. Book extras include fun, printable activities related to science learning and research.

The Beedog is available to buy on Amazon US and Amazon UK

My Review

The Beedog is a really fun way to get your little one interested in paying more attention to the world around them. Manny and Cora head to the beach and discover an insect they haven't seen before and the story follows them researching what kind of insect it actually is as well as then sharing their new found knowledge with their school friends. 

The story is fun and shows the children playing as well as learning, showing a good balance. The illustrations are beautiful and the joy that comes off the pages, matches the tone of the story. 

The book is also filled with facts as the children learn about the "Beedog" and there are resource references included if you wanted to go and find out more, including a video of the insect itself. I like the inclusion of information about other wasps and at the beginning there is some information about Portugal and the language used. 

The activities that are free to download are all excellent and cover a range of skills and topics. I particularly enjoyed the I Love Nature page encouraging children to go outside and find something that they can come home and research. I also liked the page with questions about Portugal. There is something for everyone though with colouring, drawing and exercise pages too. 

Overall a really wonderful book and resource and one I will be going back over with mini Nerdling and we will be completing some of the worksheets more than once they're that much fun (and educational). 

I gave this book 5 stars.

About The Author

Addie is an avid traveller, and once went on a solo journey to fifteen countries in one year. When she encounters something unique, she writes about it. Her first published picture book, The Beedog, is about a curious insect that she found in southern Portugal.

Addie began her writing journey when she was just nine years old, with a book called Doggienauts. That book has been updated and is set for publication in 2018. Addie is originally from the United States and is currently a full-time traveller. Home is where her suitcase is.

About The Illustrator - Joyeeta Neogi

Joyeeta is a children’s book illustrator who has worked with international authors and publishers. Her engagement with worldwide clients and multicultural themes has allowed her to create captivating original animal and child characters. Her art captures the expressions, movements and vibrancy of life within simple compositions to bring the author’s story to life. In her free time, Joyeeta is busy with painting and music. She loves to paint in oil and acrylic, and has also developed a passion for watercolour.

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Stripey Enid by Natasha Lea - Blog Tour Review

Today is Life Of A Nerdish Mum's stop on the blog tour for Stripey Enid by Natasha Lea. This unique children's book will be published on the 16th of June.

Stripey Enid

‘Believe in yourself, for you are unique!’

In this ever-changing world our children are bombarded with ‘image’ driven ideals of what is accepted as normal, or what we should aspire to be.

The reality is we are all unique and should be proud of it.

Stripey Enid has no colour or creed, she is just a friend. Using simple verse and interactive tasks, she aims to help your child understand that it is good to be unique, and that being yourself is all you need to be.

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed Stripey Enid. The first time I read through this with my nearly five year old mini Nerdling, we concentrated on just reading through the story and finding what the book was about. We both really enjoyed the rhyming words (mini Nerdling has been learning about these in school, so it was perfectly timed) and how easily they all flowed.

The story alone encouraged discussion as I like both fish and chips and sausage and gravy, whereas mini Nerdling thinks they are both "gross"! We talked abut how it was fine to like different things to other people and how it's good that we are all different. The language used, is also not "dumbed down" to talk to children and so there were some words, such as unique, that mini Nerdling could ask the meaning of which is a great way for children to learn.

The interactivity in the book was both interesting and fun and it was suitable for a wide range of age ranges. My favourite section was thinking about "My Good Points". This really made both me and mini Nerdling think and concentrate on what are the good things about us. I loved listening to his logic and thinking and he came up with so many we needed more paper to add more. I think one of his best was that "one of my good points is that my eyes are blue and that's good because it is my favourite colour".

Stripey Enid is really well illustrated and I thought the colours (or lack thereof) were well used. This may be a small book, but I think it makes a big impact. I also feel that any parents reading this with their children will benefit from it too, not just by enjoying watching their child get involved and think about how they form friendships and how they think about themselves, but by making them think more about them specifically, especially what are their good points!

Overall an excellent book and one I will enjoy reading over with mini Nerdling, I've also borrowed a quote from inside as a personal inspiration in my bullet journal.

I gave this book 5 stars

About The Author

It was over 10 years ago, during a marketing exercise to promote a new theatre company whilst studying Performing Arts, that the idea of Stripey Enid came to Natasha. 

Even back then, Stripey was seen to be different, something to challenge the norm, ask questions of people.

The idea of writing a book was never the intention but a natural progression on from the poems Natasha used to create for friends and family for birthdays & special occasions. 

At the time Natasha was also working with a local Brownie pack and it was this interaction that made her realise that she was an adult in these children’s lives that wasn’t a parent or a teacher but a friend, a unique friendship that benefited both parties.

Stripey came into being by the pure belief that Natasha had about peer pressure & social demands creating barriers between people, stopping people from seeing others as they truly are.

Don't Forget To Check Out The Rest Of The Tour 

Meet The Imaginative Joe Dreamer by Karlene Stewart - Review

Today on Life On A Nerdish Mum I am reviewing a children's book, Meet The Imaginative Joe Dreamer written by Karlene Stewart and illustrated by Telmo Sampaio. 

Meet The Imaginative Joe Dreamer

Meet the Imaginative Joe Dreamer is the first edition in a series of children's picture books, introducing a young boy who channels his frustrations into his creative passions - drawing and his imagination. In this first edition Joe faces the challenge of going to the beach on a rainy day. 

The book is set in the beautiful Cayman Islands, where Joe resides with his parents. Joe's parents are entertained by his creativity and sense of humour. Similarly, the book serves to encourage young children to be creative and imaginative. Older children may read alone or younger children may have their parents read to them. This cosy picture book is a great addition for any family as it brings together exciting ingredients of the Caribbean, imagination and viewing problem solving through a young child's eyes,

My Review

Meet The Imaginative Joe Dreamer is a wonderfully bright and enjoyable read for both child and adult. This is important with children's books as you are bound to be reading it numerous times. 

I enjoyed the family dynamic displayed in Joe Dreamer with the parents spending time with their child and encouraging his loves and imagination. They obviously love each other and that is really nice to see. 

The fact that the book celebrates a child's imagination and encourages it is really important to me as I feel imagination is being lost by some children in this current time. As an adult it's also a nice reminder that we can use our imagination too, I know I still use mine on occasion. Also the use of simple crayons and paper can be so meaningful to a child and is a brilliant and age appropriate way to help with a child's development, 

The story itself is fun and easy to read and both my 3 and 8 year old nerdlings enjoyed me reading it to them, My 8 year old found it easy to read herself and she asked questions about the Cayman Islands as she had never heard of them which led to learning more about them, where they are in the world and that yes it does really rain in paradise. 

Overall a great read for both me and the children and one that will be read again. 

I gave this book 4 stars.

About The Author

Karlene Stewart is the author of several books and ebooks; You Can Rise Up, Journey of Miracles, Meet the Imaginative Joe Dreamer and What If…All You Can Imagine. Karlene holds a Master of Arts Degree in Communication for Social and Behavior Change from the University of the West Indies. Karlene began her published writing in her teenage years as a Youth Writer with Jamaica’s national newspaper The Gleaner. Today, she focuses mostly on writing blogs, ebooks and short stories. Her favourite authors are Joel Osteen and Dr. Seuss.

All Things I Can Do by Lilly Rowe - Review

I've been reading and reviewing a lot more children's books recently and I've been really enjoying it. (I read a LOT of children's books with my 3 year old, but as you can imagine it tends to be the same one a hundred times in one day before moving on to another). The most recent one I read is All The Things I Can Do by Lilly Rowe with illustrations by Joel Guerrero. 

Blurb

Drawing inspiration from Philippians 4:13, “All Things I Can Do,” is a fun and engaging children's poetry book that covers a range of issues like vanquishing a monster in a closet, wishing for a snow day in July, giving a guardian angel a day off, and more. “All Things I Can Do,” has an inspirational undertone, quirky voice, and beautiful illustrations to support the book's message that with faith, children really can do all things.

My Review

I'll start with with artwork, the art is bright and very engaging for children. I liked the fact that there was a picture before each poem which was relevant to the poem so you could talk about the picture with your child to help them with understanding the poem. 

The poems themselves are all very beautifully written and they rhyme (always such a good thing in children's books). I feel that each poem is as strong as the other and there are some really good lessons throughout. Being inspired by a bible quote there is a mention of God and belief, so if you are religious this is a perfect book for you to introduce your children to poetry through faith. If you are not religious it is not so overwhelming that you would not enjoy the poetry. I am not religious but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading all the poems. 

Overall a very enjoyable book which will be read again by both myself and my Nerdlings. 

I gave this book 5 stars. 

Pee Wee The Christmas Tree by George Wells - Blog Tour Review

Today is my stop on the Pee Wee The Christmas Tree by George Wells blog tour and I have both my review and a review from my three year old Nerdling. 

About Pee Wee The Christmas Tree

Heartwarming illustrated story about a Christmas tree overlooked for his small size who refuses to give up on finding a family to spend the holidays with.

For years, Pee Wee has lived in the shadow of the bigger trees on the Christmas farm. Without enough sunlight to grow tall and strong, he has been forced to watch helplessly as the other bigger and more attractive trees are picked every year, going home with a happy family. Just as Pee Wee is about to give up hope that he will ever get the chance to bring joy to a family during the holiday season, he is finally cut down to be sold!

After years of waiting, Pee Wee is disappointed to find that he is still overlooked by customers wanting fuller trees to  decorate. With his dream of celebrating Christmas with a family of his own fading fast, he is at last discovered by two children who tell their father that they found one that is the perfect size. Driven back to their home and adorned with lights and decorations, Pee Wee is finally able to accomplish his life’s big dream: to make children happy at Christmas!

Pee Wee the Christmas Tree by George Wells is the perfect story for young kids this holiday season, encouraging them to never give up on their own dreams and proving that - large or small - there is room for us all.

My Review

Pee Wee The Christmas Tree is a very cute little story about a Christmas Tree who is too small to be used but is eventually found by the perfect family for him. It's a very nice subtle moral tale of not judging people by their outer appearance (in this case height) which is a good thing to instill from as early an age as possible.

The drawings are beautiful and match perfectly with the wording throughout. Both me and my little guy enjoyed looking at the pictures and took time to point different things out in them as we read the story. The story does rhyme which is always good in a children's book, though it took me a couple of attempts in places to get the rhythm back when I lost it while talking about the pictures.

Overall a fun book for younger children and one which parents won't mind reading. A great way to get in the Christmas mood and to prepare for decorating in December.

I gave this book 4 stars.

Mini Nerdling's Review

Woo Christmas tree has a star. Happy tree.

To purchase Pee Wee The Christmas Tree click HERE

About The Author

George Wells has been a songwriter for over fifty years with over 100 of his songs having been recorded. He has worked with artists including Charlie Walker, Neil Bonnett and Patsy Trigg and has had a song featured in the 1969 film, From Nashville With Music, as well as numerous television and radio programs over the course of his career. Wells currently resides in Huntsville, Alabama. Pee Wee the Christmas Tree is his second book.

Isabella's Adventures In Numberland by Peta Rainford - Review

On Life Of A Nerdish Mum today I have the pleasure of reviewing Isabella's Adventures In Numberland which is both written and illustrated by Peta Rainford. 

Blurb

Can you imagine what it would be like if there were no numbers? If you couldn’t measure, count or weigh? In her latest adventure, accident-prone young witch Isabella falls down a hole and finds herself in a land where nothing quite adds up. She makes new friends, encounters an old enemy and, though the odds are against her, finally saves the day.

You can count on Isabella!

Review

Isabella's Adventures In Numberland is the second book in the Isabella, Rotten Speller series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. 

The story follows Isabella as she goes on a walk and falls down a hole, ending up in a very Alice In Wonderland-esque world with a white rabbit and a tea party. In this world their numbers have gone missing and Isabella helps to save the day with a very clever play on words. 

The story is written in rhyme and is very easy to read, however the author hasn't shied away from using "grown up" words which I really like. 

The artwork is absolutely beautiful in a very naive and childlike way and it matches the story perfectly. 

I really enjoyed this book and I enjoyed reading it to my youngest Nerdling (aged 3) who really enjoyed the pictures and looking at all the numbers. I'll definitely be going back and finding the first book in the series. 

I gave this book 5 Stars.

Isabella's Adventures In Numberland is released today and you can pick up your own copy - HERE

About The Author

Peta grew up on the Isle of Wight so long ago she can remember buying crisps from the school tuck shop for 21⁄2p. As a child she loved words, and loved drawing too, but she had no idea what she wanted to do when she grew up. She studied English at York University and then worked in London as a business journalist and editor for 14 years. She went to art classes and even studied fine art at St Martins, but she still had no idea what she wanted to do when she grew up. She moved back to the Isle of Wight in 2006, and it was here that Peta, now balancing the roles of freelance writer and mum, decided to write and illustrate her first book for children. It was a revelation: a way of combining picture making with her love of words – not to mention an outlet for her awful jokes. It may have taken more than four decades, but finally, Peta knows what she wants to do when she grows up.

Zak And Jen's Astronomical Adventures: Tinsel Town - Review, Guest Post and GIVEAWAY!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Zak and Jen's Astronomical Adventures: Tinsel Town by Natalie Page and Chris Rivers Nuttall and I have lots of fun things to share! I have my review as well as my nerdlings review. a lovely guest post from Natalie Page AND a giveaway to win a copy of the book! It's a very exciting day. 

Blurb

Zak flew to Jen's planet and giggled with glee, he was so excited for what they might see... Best friends Zak and Jen are off on a Christmas adventure with their special umbrellas. This time, the pair fly to a new planet, but where is everybody? Enjoy the magic as Zak and Jen make some new festive friends and discover how important it is to make the most of every day.

My Review

I fell in love with this book immediately! The art work is just absolutely stunning and even before I read the story I had to flick through the pages several times just so I could appreciate just how beautiful the pictures are. 

When I then did read the story, it was just perfect. The rhtyhm and rhyming are really well done for a parent to read to a child and it is also easy for a child to read it to themselves. I knew I was going to enjoy reading this to my littlest nerdling no matter how many times he asked for it. 

The story itself is very well thought out and I really enjoyed the subtle message to make sure you live everyday to the fullest in the ways that make you happy. 

Overall an excellent book and I will be looking forward to collecting more of these books as they come out. 

7 Year Old Nerdling's Review

I liked the pictures, they were nice. The book was fun and it made me excited for Christmas!

3 Year Old Nerdling's Review

Yay my Halloween Book! 

Christmas Reading Wish list

by Natalie Page

Today, on Life of a Nerdish Mum, I am excited to be able to share my Christmas Reading Wish list with you – I have done two, one for me and one for my little girl (who is almost 3).

Who knows, if we are good, maybe Father Christmas will see fit to put a few of these in our stockings this year!

You will notice some of the books are Christmas themed (why not given the time of year?) whilst others are ones that I have been desperately wanting to get around to reading, I just haven’t had the time!

So, let’s start with my reading wish list:

• Bed Time Stories for Grown Ups – By Ben Holden
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• The Christmas Promise – by Sue Moorcroft
• All I want for Christmas – by Jenny Hale
• Avalon – by Mindee Arnett

As you will see, this is a rather interesting mix. The reason for that is because I don’t just read in one genre. Outside of writing picture books, I also write Young Adult fiction so it is important for me to try and read what else is out there so I can see what is popular and also where the gaps are. As a children’s author I am also a huge kid at heart, I love Disney and anything to do with magic, fantasy and adventure. When I saw that Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children had been made into a film, (directed by my favourite director Tim Burton) I realised that I would have to make time to actually read the book before seeing it, and that is what I intend to do!

As for the other books on the list, I a love reading book reviews on book blogs and these are some recent titles that have really caught my attention. To be honest, I also feel that the best time to read Christmas books is at this time of year, I find it hard to get on board with Christmas themes if I am reading it in July!

So on to my list for my daughter:

Aside from my own Christmas book, here is what I would like for her (and some of these may have already found their way to our Christmas cupboard ready for the big day).

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar - An absolute classic and one that she doesn’t yet own.
• The celebrated, Giraffe’s Can’t Dance – by Giles Andreae. This book has become an international bestseller and I am keen to find out why, so on our wish list it goes!
• The Day the Crayon’s Quit – by Drew Daywait. Again, this is a book that has received some rave reviews and had lots of people talking. I love the concept of the crayon’s being alive and having something to say! My only concern is that it might be a bit old for her, but we will give it a try!
• Dogger – By Shirley Hughes. I remember reading this when I was young and I would love my little girl to have and be able to keep a copy of her own.
• The Christmas Bear – written by Ian Whybrow and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Obviously, we need to have at least one Christmas themed book, and this is a lift flap book which is a style my daughter adores. The book has received some great reviews so I am keen to get a copy for my little one to try out!

To pick up your own copy of Zak and Jen's Astronomical Adventures: Tinsel Town (If you're not lucky enough to win below) you can head over to Etsy and buy it HERE.

And finally the GIVEAWAY! There's plenty of ways to enter and I'm leaving the competition open for five days so plenty of time to get in :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check out the rest of the blog tour, there will be more chances to win you're own copy!