Books

Books we love: A Christmas Tale with Whiskers: Two Little Mice Who Witness the Very First Christmas 

If you’ve ever wondered what the Nativity might have looked like from ground level, Janet McBride has the answer – and it comes with whiskers, twitchy noses and more curiosity than your average toddler on Christmas morning. A Christmas Tale: What Harriet and Henrietta Mouse Saw in the Stablereimagines the very first Christmas Night through the eyes of two adventurous little mice…
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Books

Read, wrap, repeat: Brilliant books to gift this Christmas

There’s something quietly powerful about giving a book at Christmas. As Anna Quindlen once said,“Books are the plane, the train, and the road. They are the destination and the journey.”A good book doesn’t just fill a stocking; it invites someone into a new world, a fresh idea or a story they didn’t know they needed. This year, we’re shining a light on the writers who…
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Books

Quiet Please! and Other Humorous Tales: The feel-good short-story collection bringing laughter back to everyday life

If your Christmas list includes someone who desperately needs a laugh (and frankly, who doesn’t in December?), Quiet Please! and Other Humorous Tales by Denise Dumont may be the most delightful little stocking filler you didn’t realise you needed. It arrives with all the charm of a hand-written Christmas card and the warm glow of a well-brewed cuppa, bringing together twenty light-hearted…
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Books

Books we love: Things You Didn't Know About Chimneys by John Hughes

If you’re on the lookout for a quirky new read to spark your child’s imagination, London Irish author John Hughes has something rather special up his sleeve. His latest children’s novel, Things You Didn’t Know About Chimneys, is already drawing comparisons to the mischievous magic of Roald Dahl. The story follows ten-year-old Millie, who finds herself dispatched to the…
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BOOKS WE LOVE: The Recyclosaurus and EggBangers: A Fable for a New Generation

A R Trent’s The Recyclosaurus and EggBangers invites young readers to step into LA-LA Forest Park for an unforgettable eco-adventure. When young Ed Williams gets lost, he discovers a secret world of homeless wild animals, a runaway stray dog, and a wise old crow – all debating who’s to blame for the planet’s climate crisis. Along the way, Ed befriends EggBanger, Little Bro, and learns…
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BOOKS WE LOVE: Good Bits by Kes Gray, illustrated by Ruby Wright

Bestselling and award-winning author Kes Gray is back with a brand-new book that’s bound to get kids reading, laughing and letting their imaginations run wild. Good Bits is a collection of story-bites that will captivate readers and encourage them to delve into the endless possibilities of imaginative storytelling. In a world of increasingly decreasing attention spans, Kes Gray is on…
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Books

BOOKS WE LOVE: Ella the Superstar (7 Rules for a Happy Life)

If your child has ever doubted how special they truly are, Ella the Superstar will remind them that the brightest magic lies within. This heart-warming tale by Goose in Gold, beautifully illustrated by Kris Lillyman, captures that universal childhood worry – “Am I good enough?” – and turns it into a joyful journey of discovery, courage and kindness. When Ella is given an…
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Prince Andrew - A Royal reckoning

Let’s not dress this up in polite court language: the monarchy has been called into account – and yes, I’m cheering. The man formerly known as Prince Andrew, scion of privilege and poster-boy for entitlement, has been stripped of his princely style, uprooted from his Windsor estate, and quite possibly forced to stare at a life he never truly earned. The Facts: The end of “Prince…
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Books we love: Humphrey’s Hum - Joyful New Picture Book Explores Big Feelings and the Healing Power of Mum and a Hum

Humphrey’s Hum is a gentle, reassuring tale about feeling ‘under the weather’ and the quiet comfort of being cared for. With his mother providing love, rest and understanding, Sophie Hyndman shares how Humphrey is coaxed back to his usual happy self – hum and all. Bursting with warmth, creativity, and charm, Humphrey’s Hum is the heartwarming children’s book that parents, carers…
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Books

Building a strong foundation for your first book

Ready to finally write that book? Starting a first book is an exciting but daunting prospect. There are so many details to think about from outlining the book to developing characters to finally finishing the manuscript. But here’s the thing… Like most authors, making all the mistakes others have made before is common—that’s why so many people never get past the planning stages and…
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