Category Archives: Age 0-2

New Autumn releases from Barefoot Books: enchanting, engaging new stories for independent readers and gorgeous picture books for those just embarking on their reading journey (Part One)

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Autumn by Elli Woollard In the brisk and bracing breeze The trees perform their year’s strip-tease. Shimmy-shaking bits of bling, The golden leaves first flutter, fling Themselves upon the floor; Bronze ones, brown ones, then some more, Until (so skimpy! … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

RHCBA blog tour: Ed Eaves, illustrator of “Welcome to Alien School”, shortlisted in the Younger Children category of the Red House Children’s Book Award 2013

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

I am delighted to welcome Ed Eaves, children’s book illustrator and one part of the writer/illustrator partnership that have created Welcome to Alien School, shortlisted for the Younger Children category of the Red House Book Award 2013. First of all, of course, congratulations … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Eaves, Ed | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Books without words: the starting point for introducing your child to reading. Dressing by Helen Oxenbury, Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Believe it or not, books with no words (or just a few) are the basis for introducing your child to reading.   It’s never too soon to introduce books and share books with your baby and books with no words or … Continue reading →

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It’s Spring (honest!) So celebrate with (and maybe WIN) Barefoot Books beautiful new Spring list picture books (Competition now closed)

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Broken Spring by Elli Woollard Could someone repair this spring, do you think? Do you think that somebody could? This spring’s all broken, the sky’s dark grey The sun has lost its bounce today The clouds are spouting with terrible … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

The Not So Scary Cactus by Theatre Tots: Storytelling using Drama, Music and Dance

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Storytelling can take many forms – a cosy cuddle at bedtime, a whole school story in assembly.  It can be one person telling a story, it can be hundreds.  It can even be off-the-cuff made-up stories in the middle of … Continue reading →

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6 books about science for younger children: investigate, explore, witness and prepare to be amazed

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Science can be so exciting for children – discoveries to be made, amazing transformations to be witnessed and everyday things to be looked at in a completely new way.    Getting science out of the classroom and exploring the world and all its … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

6 beautiful children’s books from Barefoot Books – “Explore. Imagine. Create. Connect. Give Back*.”

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

If you take a look at the inside flap of a Barefoot book, you will find the Barefoot message proudly written under the name Barefoot and a drawing of two tiny feet.  It says, “At Barefoot Books, we celebrate art … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Riel, Jorn | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

4 books to help children to learn to read and write

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Before talking about particular books to help you support your child with reading and writing, I can honestly say that the best thing that I have found to help with my children’s language development is simply to enjoy lots and … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Miki by Stephen Mackey: beautiful dreamy snowscenes and a magical mid-winter tale of courage, friendship and adventure

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

A forever-icy world and magical underwater creatures brought to life by Stephen Mackey, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts and Slot Machine theatre company Just before Christmas I took my two daughters (aged nine and six) to see Miki at Norden … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Mackey, Stephen | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

5 children’s books about monsters for our very own little monsters to enjoy

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Have you got monsters-in-training?  I have!   The thing about ‘hoomum’*monsters is that they might look angelic but don’t be fooled!  Beneath that wide-eyed, sweet-smiling exterior is a tantrum of monstrous proportions ready to EXPLODE!   Know what I mean? (*hoomum, by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Bass,Guy, Donaldson, Julia, Schleffer, Axel, Stewart, Joel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Another delightful children’s picture book from Ping and Pong – this time join Ping and Pong in a Christmas adventure all of their own

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

                    Ping and Pong are the delightful, miniature creations of Amy Trevaskus (author) and Alison Heath (illustrator) and have featured in an earlier piece right here on Babbleabout.  And now they … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Heath, Alison, Trevaskus, Amy | Leave a comment

9 Children’s Christmas Picture Books That Capture the Magic of this Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Get into the true spirit of Christmas with these beautiful children’s Christmas picture books.   Reading these books together always gets us excited during the days before Christmas.   We don’t do mounds of presents in our house but we can’t help … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Bond, Michael, Chichester Clark, Emma, Foreman, Michael, Kerr, Judith, Morpurgo, Michael, Murphy, Mary | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

7 children’s picture books that gently touch upon generosity, letting go, honesty, good deeds, difference and love

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Continuing the theme of books that help us nagivate through life’s ups and downs, this collection will definitely guide parents and children along the way. That’s Love by Sam Williams, illustrated by Mique Moriuchi   A beautiful reminder of what love … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Blackman, Malorie, Cave, Kathryn, Freedman, Claire, Graham, Bob, Stewart, Amber, Williams, Sam, Wolff, Ferida | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

*This competition is now closed* Children’s Books – The Great Babbleabout/Tesco Magazine Kids’ Book Club *BOOK GIVEAWAY*

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

*This competition is now closed.*  Thank you everyone for taking part. To celebrate  the launch of Tesco Magazine Kids’ Book Club story-telling videos, we’ve got one copy of each of the ten featured story books to giveaway – yes, that … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Bass,Guy, Bright, Rachel, Cleminson, Katie, Cottrell Boyce, Frank, Donaldson, Julia, Gray, Kes, Hopgood, Tim, Moore, Clement C, Reeve, Suzi | Tagged | 199 Comments

5 Children’s Books about Saving the Planet – Picture Books That Carry an Important Message

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

                        Besides caring for our fellow human beings, is there a more important message than taking care of our planet?   These delightful children’s picture books carry this message in … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Foreman, Michael | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

9 Children’s Books About Africa : Celebrating Africa’s Colour, Culture and Diversity in Stories and Rhyme

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

                    I have always been fascinated by Africa.   My father was stationed in west Africa during the Second World War.   Besides being a soldier he was an artist and he brought back … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Browne, Eileen | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 Delightful Children’s Picture Books from Small, Independent Publishers – Celebrating their Creativity

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Here are six delightful children’s picture books that have been published by the authors and illustrators themselves as self-publishers or by setting up their own, independent publishing companies.    And I am so glad they did! The authors/illustrators of these books … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

5 Great Children’s Picture Books for Counting Fun

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Make counting fun with these great children’s picture books and help your children begin to learn an important life skill at the same time.   Count with Ted as he falls out of bed and tries to get back in; how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Carle, Eric, Donaldson, Julia | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

8 Ways to Keep Children Reading over the Summer Holidays

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

It is well-known that reading can be neglected during the long summer holidays.   There is always so much fun to be had and quite right too!   However, the consequence of not keeping up with reading can be that some children slip back in … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

6 Children’s Picture Books for Blissful Bedtimes

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

It’s really important to establish a calm bedtime routine after a busy day spent running, jumping, climbing, playing and generally doing everything on ‘fast’ mode.   A good picture storybook is central to establishing a quiet end to the day and setting the right mood … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Bratney, Sam, Richards, Lucy, Simmons, Jane, Waddell, Martin | Tagged , | Leave a comment

5 Great Children’s Books for Reading Aloud

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

There are some books that just cry out to be read aloud.  And over and over again!   The benefits of reading aloud to your children are well-known and numerous. Hearing new words gives children an expanded and rich vocabulary. A good storyteller … Continue reading →

Posted in Aardema, Verna, Adams, Pam, Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Donaldson, Julia, Murphy, Jill, Schleffer, Axel, Vidal, Beatriz | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

6 Inspiring Children’s Books of Poetry and Rhyme

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Riding on My Rocking Horse by Hannah Keen, age 8 Riding on my rocking horse Through the desert sands            My hair flying out behind me      Its mane hooked through my hands.   Riding on my rocking horse Through the woodland … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

4 (And a Few More) Children’s Books to Explore the Great Outdoors

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Switch off the television, turn off the computer, grab your wellies and explore the great outdoors with the help of these lovely and factual books.   And along the way you can kick fallen leaves, collect buckets of treasures and hunt … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

6 Children’s Craft Books for Long Summer Days

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

We are big on craft in our house and love to fill our long summer days with creating, cutting, sticking and building.   And most of the ideas in these inspiring books make use of materials and things discarded or found … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 0-2, Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10 | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments