Category Archives: Age 2-4

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

Four very different Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland books plus beautiful, never-before-seen Alice illustrations by talented artist Marie Petty

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

 ”There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!’ (when she thought it … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Carroll, Lewis, Kusama, Yayoi, Pre-teen, Sabuda, Robert, Teenage, Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Pea and the Princess: an endearing twist on a well-known fairytale plus a lovely Princess and the Pea sewing project from Mollie Makes

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

 From pod to palace – the real story of the princess and the pea…” I love it when writers come up with an original twist on a well-known fairytale and you can’t get more original than Mini Grey’s take on … Continue reading →

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

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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This is London by Miroslav Sasek: a charming children’s travel guide to London first published in 1959 and brought up to date for 2012.

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

This is London by Miroslav Sasek was a follow-up to This is Paris which was inspired by a vacation to the French capital.  When first published in the 1950s Sasek’s  This is… series was incredibly popular and it is easy to see why.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Henriques, Joel, Pre-teen, Sasek, Miroslav | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Children’s magazines: getting past the ‘buy one magazine, get five tacky, two-minute wonder toys for free’ to something educational and beautiful

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Go with your children to any supermarket or a branch of a well-known newsagent/bookseller chain and you will find it very difficult to make it past the children’s magazines section.   The magazines are strategically placed at kiddy eye level and are … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Wilson, Jacqueline | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Fairyland Olympics : an enchanting children’s picture book about a forest of fairies that decide to hold a Fairy Olympics. *Win a signed copy by the illustrator*

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

It is so much fun to imagine what other creatures, real or imaginery, would do if they got hold of the Olympic idea – underwater sea creatures at the bottom of the ocean; insects and butterflies on a hot sunny … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Clibbon, Meg, Loveheart, Lucy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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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The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Rachel Isadora : Evoking the colours, shapes and patterns of Africa in a reworking of Brothers Grimm

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

Rachel Isadora began dancing at the age of six and went on to dance professionally in New York City.   Rachel also lived for ten years in Africa.   Both influences are clearly visible in the treatment she has given to the Brothers Grimm fairy … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Isadora, Rachel | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

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

Children’s drawing competition – illustrate a short story and win an 83 piece art chest or Crayola set and £500 of books for your school!

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Fancy winning yourself an amazing 83 piece art chest or Crayola set and £500 worth of books for your school or nursery?  Yes?  Then sharpen your brains (and your pencils), imagine yourself as a children’s book illustrator and enter the Tesco … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Vere, Ed | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

5 children’s Christmas craft books – activities and projects to brighten up your home this Christmas

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

I think homemade Christmas decorations add something really special and unique to a home.    Making your own decorations can also be fun and very inexpensive.   For example, the homemade bauble featured above is made from an old Christmas card and two split pins – … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Bull, Jane, Craig, Helen, Holabird, Katharine, Pre-teen, Teenage, Uncategorized, Woram, Catherine | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Children’s Books – Watch Before You Buy at Tesco Magazine Kids’ Book Club

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

      Tesco Magazine Kids’ Book Club are launching a new series of story-telling videos – a great way to watch before you buy.  All the new story-time videos have been read by leading actors such as Alison Steadman, Caroline Quentin … Continue reading →

Posted in 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, Yates, Louise | Leave a comment

Children’s Books on iPad and Desktops – A Way Forward But Not THE Way Forward

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

Up until now I have resisted any developments in children’s books which in any way might distract from the serenity and quiet of following a storyline in a traditional, printed book.   My two children are avid readers and I put that … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Make it with paper – 6 children’s books for budding paper engineers

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

I don’t know about your children, but mine go through paper like drinking water.  Thankfully we have a plentiful supply of scrap paper.   Paper, scissors, sellotape and lots of imagination will keep children happy for hours.   And sometimes the results … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 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

7 Fun Ways to Keep Your Children Writing in the Summer Holidays

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

This might sound like a bit of an ‘ask’ when the sun is shining and the garden is so inviting, but all the suggestions below are fun, don’t take up too much time and don’t feel like school work at … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | 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 Children’s Gardening Books To Turn Little Fingers Green

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

All children love to get their hands dirty, digging, sowing and watering.   After planting your tiny seed, watch it grow into a delicate seedling.  Then with careful watering and feeding, your little plant will grow bigger and bigger and eventually … Continue reading →

Posted in Age 2-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Fletcher, Corina, Maizels, Jennie, Petty, Kate, Schleffer, Axel | 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

4 (and a few more) Children’s Board and Card Games to Support Maths Learning

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

  Make learning maths fun with these board and card games.   We have found all of these games really helpful in supporting our children’s learning of numbers, spacial awareness, patterns, shapes, number operations and good old turn-taking. Your Number’s Up!  The … Continue reading →

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

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