Children's Fiction

Yet another bunch of Horrid Henry's Stories. Three hour long discs with four stories on each, brilliant for those on long journeys.

Disc one has stories are Horrid Henry Reads a book, Horrid Henry's Stinkbomb, Horrid Henry's School Project  and last but not least Horrid Henry's Sleepover.

Disc two has stories Horrid Henry Eats a Vegetable, Horrid Henry's Underpants, Horrid Henry's Sick Day and Horrid Henry's Thank you Letter.

Disc Three Has Horrid Henry's Chores, Moody Margaret casts a Spell,horrid Henry's Bathtime, and Horrid Henry Meets the Queen. 

What a great book for brothers with older sisters, or the other way around. The older child always seems to know better but, everyone knows that older siblings can be a pain; but they can also be a great support when things go wrong.

I love the way these stories are written and the way the older sister just has to have the last word! But little brother Jake will one day just say the right thing at the right time and he does, much to the shock of his big sister!

Michelle Paver is an extraordinary writer who is able to convey so much in her writings that make us believe and care about her characters Torak and Renn.

Torak is cast out from his adopted tribe and slowly going mad. Both wolf and Renn desperately want to help but he pushes them away as he sinks ever deeper into the battle within him.

Sir Ian McKellen gives an incredibly atmospheric rendition of Michelle Paver's book Outcast, but what is so fantastic is that you can go from book to audio cd and back without missing a beat.

It is interesting how we can have a picture in our minds of scenes in the book and then change them when we hear such an excellent rendition of the words.

I highly recommend this audio book for children and adults. 

Another great children's book. This time by Nick Sharrat who has combined two well known charactors Elephant and Wellyphant - pet of the firebrigade. There is lots of fun to be had in this book by pulling tabs and peeping under lift up flaps in the book.

Beautifuly illustrated and great fun, even us adults like to be big kids sometimes - give us more Nick - please!!!!!

Tiddler, a great book for all ages. This may be a book that is aimed at very young children but it is beautifully written and illustrated with the antics that this little fish gets up to being amazing.

My grand-daughter loved this book when her mum read it to her and has now taken to asking is Tiddler on the telly unfotunately not but perhaps the author and the artist should approach a children's TV producer.

Great story beautifully written lets have some more!

My friend and I listened to this audio book on our way to the Birmingham Quilt show and I have to say it's absolutely brilliant. I loved the way it was read in 50s style with all the different special effects - magic! I should be saying that Tom Goodman-Hill as Dan Dare is the star but I think it's Rupert Degas who does just about everybody else and is wonderful with each different voice and personality. The cohesiveness between all the actors comes through very strongly and you do get the feeling that they must have had a very good time recording the story.

Ruth Wilson reads Dolphin Song brilliantly with doing all the different African accents which can be quite difficult with their different nuances and subtleties which very much brought this story very vividly to life. I found myself being caught up in the story and beeing emotionally quite moved as the children wwent through the trauma of being nearly drowned but saved by the dolphins and then left to survive by themselves on an island.

Ruth's rendition brought back wonderful memories for me when I swam with a 15 foot wild dolphin in the north sea way back in 1989.

Yet another brilliant set of storries read by Miranda Richardson. Written by Francesca Simon on her little terror Horrid Henry.

Horrid Henry's newspaper is a great idea to rais e money so that he can get something he really wants but when challenged by the schools inspector, he says it is for a little boy who has nothing that he is raising money and gets praise for his efforts but no tis for him!

An enthralling, romantic novel from a best selling author Eva Ibbotson.

The book tells the story of a young dancer who gets the offer of the opportunity to dance with a Russian Ballet Company. Harriet defies her father and goes to join the group who are off on a journey down the Amazon Delta. Before she goes she spends time with her neighbours Chiuld Henry and he tells her he has an uncle who lives in the Amazon and of his great achievements in his home out there.