Category Archives: Pre-teen

Make time for reading for pleasure and not just to get ahead at school. Egmont’s ‘Reading Street’ reveals key benefits of children reading being missed

Our time (as children and adults) is constantly under pressure – from work, school, including homework and preparation for endless tests and exams (UK children are amongst the most tested children in the world), television, computer games and hand-held gadgets.   And … Continue reading

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

Five favourite family board games enjoyed during the holidays and not an on-switch in sight!

Board games, it appears, are making a comeback – see a recent piece in The Guardian.  I, myself, have always loved board games – there is no on/off switch, they can be competitive or collaborative and they can be hilarious: … Continue reading

Posted in Adult, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Knizia, Reiner, Pre-teen, Teenage, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Two new children’s writing competitions: one about your hopes and dreams, the other wildlife themed and inspired by children’s bedtime classics such as Wind in the Willows.

I have mentioned before how good children’s writing competitions are for developing children’s creative thinking and writings skills. And here are two more children’s writing competitions sure to set minds thinking, pens twitching and fingers racing over keys. RSPCA launches children’s short story … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master: What if you think the truth is too painful for someone to bear? Then it’s ok to lie, right?

Aren’t we always told to tell the truth?  It’s drummed into us right from the start by our parents, our teachers.  Look what happened to the boy who cried wolf, we are reminded.  But what if you think the truth … Continue reading

Posted in Master, Irfan, Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Engaging, relevant and ‘grown-up’ ‘high/low’ reading books, giving older children a second shot at mastering reading

Good as many phonics reading schemes are (Jolly Phonics; Oxford Reading Tree; Read, Write, Inc), they are clearly not suitable for older learners.   Pictures and text about Floppy and Kipper will just not cut it with older readers.  Instead, what’s required are … Continue reading

Posted in Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

 ”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 Land of Stories (The Wishing Well) by Chris Colfer : reviewed by Hannah, aged 9, from High Wycombe

The Land of Stories – The Wishing Well by  Chris Colfer This book is about two twins – Alex and Conner Bailey - who disappear into their Grandmother’s old book of fairy tales she gave them for their twelth birthday.  After their … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Colfer, Chris, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Back to school? Try student life at the School of Fear or Monster High … if you dare! Two school genre books by Gitty Daneshvari

Back to school this week? Count your lucky stars you’re not going to be a student at the schools featured in these two tween books by Gitty Daneshvari, School of Fear and Ghoulfriends Forever – Monster High, reviewed by Hannah, … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Daneshvari, Gitty, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket: A Wonderful Tale Celebrating Difference by John Boyne

“That’s just not normal, that”. But what exactly is normal and who, if anyone, has the right to decide what is normal?  Your parents, your wider family, your friends, your teachers, society? Where do we learn what is ‘normal’ and from … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Boyne, John, Pre-teen, Teenage, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reading books and ideas for when boys and girls (but especially boys) fall behind in their reading

It is well documented* that there is a “reading gender gap” between boys and girls and that it is growing.  Schools are attempting to address reading issues by using synthetic phonics to teach the mechanics of reading from Reception onwards.  And … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Bradman, Tony, Breslin, Theresa, Cann, Kate, Cottrell Boyce, Frank, Morgan, Michaela, Palmer, Tom, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Giver by Lois Lowry: from Utopia to Dystopia. A powerful story about what it is to be human.

Jonas lives in a community which seeks order, conformity.  The Elders of the Community call it Sameness.    Sameness, it is thought, will protect the community’s citizens from pain, hunger, fear, violence, mistakes, wrong choices.  It is extended to all parts of … Continue reading

Posted in Lowry, Lois, Pre-teen, Teenage, Young Adult | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Rubbish Town Hero by Nicola Davies: A Little Babbler Review by Rose, age 9, from High Wycombe

Chipo and his sister Gentle, live in a bomb crater outside Rubbish Town, where everything and everyone has been thrown away at least once. With no parents or family to protect them, Chipo is convinced that his ability to think quick … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Davies, Nicola, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Leopard Adventure by Anthony McGowan: a contemporary re-imagining of the classic animal adventure series to mark the 125th anniversary of Willard Price’s birthday

“…a mother Amur leopard, one of the rarest big cats in the world, was sniffing the air suspiciously. It should have been a good time.  The two cubs had fed on her rich milk, and they now wormed their way … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, McGowan, Anthony, Pre-teen, Price, Willard, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting to grips with Shakespeare: Great resources for gently introducing the writings of the Bard to children plus a fun Shakespeare game

There’s no doubt that the retelling of Shakespeare’s stories to a younger audience presents a challenge.   In Shakespeare’s original tales, the language is not entirely straightforward and I can remember when studying Twelfth Night for O level getting very bogged down … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Matthews, Andrew, Mayhew, James, Pre-teen, Ross, Tony, Ryan, Patrick, Teenage, Williams, Marcia, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans: A Little Babbler review by Lucy, age 7, from High Wycombe

I really enjoyed this book because it is full of mystery.   Stuart and his friend April want to find Stuart’s Great Uncle, Tony Horton. Stuart’s Great Uncle was a really good magician who never believed in magic until he … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Evans, Lissa, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Brotherband: The Invaders by John Flanagan. A Little Babbler review by Tom, aged 11, from High Wycombe

A very good book especially for adventure, pirate and nautical book enthusiasts. Although I did read the 2nd book first, it will help a lot more if you read the first book as well.   This is also the first book I … Continue reading

Posted in Flanagan, John, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Children’s magazines and comics: two more examples of when children’s magazine publishers get it right

A short while ago (April 2012), I wrote a piece expressing my dismay over the poor quality of most children’s magazines available on the British high street and in supermarkets.  “Buy one magazine, get five tacky, two-minute-wonder toys for free” was the … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

From India to London and back again: The Wheel of Surya by Jamila Gavin and Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari (plus stunning images from The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms, edited by Susan Stronge)

Our journey starts in the Punjab, north-west India, around the time of the Second World War.  Tensions between the different religious communities in India have been rising, fuelled by Britain’s declaration of war on India’s behalf and nearly a century of … Continue reading

Posted in Brahmachari, Sita, Gavin, Jamila, Pre-teen, Teenage, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Vampire Fighters by Pete Johnson: a great book to stimulate reading and creative writing for boys (and girls, if I’m honest)

Life’s already complicated enough when you’re thirteen. Girls are becoming ‘interesting’, you’re a teenager walking along that bumpy path to adulthood and you’re parents still think they can tell you what to do all the time. All quite normal so … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Johnson, Pete, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens: an enchanted leather atlas holds the key to this gripping adventure. A Little Babbler review by Becky, aged 11, from High Wycombe

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens ‘That door wasn’t there a second ago.” Siblings Kate, Michael and Emma were taken from their parents one dreary night – that was 10 years ago.   After growing up in several orphanages, they are … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Stephens, John, Teenage | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Tales from India by Jamila Gavin: Stories of Creation and the Cosmos with sumptuous illustrations by Amanda Hall influenced by both contemporary and classical Indian art

When I think of India, I think of rich colours, ancient civilisations, classical Indian art forms, a vast landscape and a burgeoning population, an emerging India developing at a rapid pace – new skyscrapers of glass standing next to spralling … Continue reading

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

Babbleabout and Random House Children’s Publishers UK launch “Little Babblers” plus tips on how to write a children’s book review

Babbleabout and Random House Children’s Publishers love to see children enjoy a good book.  So together we are offering children the opportunity to become book reviewers and to see their reviews published on Babbleabout.   In other words, to become “Little … Continue reading

Posted in Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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.

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

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

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

Children’s creative writing competitions: a great way to develop your child’s creative thinking and writing skills

Competitions are a great way to develop your child’s creative thinking and writing skills.   They usually have a theme and a word limit and these help to focus a child’s writing in terms of a style or genre, its creativity around an idea … Continue reading

Posted in Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Bowkett, Steve, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

7 children’s picture books/collections of fairy tales. Classic, modern and sumptuous treatments of these enduring tales

“The marvels and prodigies, the seven-league boots and enchanted mirrors, the talking animals, the heroes and heroines changed into frogs or bears or cats, the golden eggs and over-flowing supplies of porridge, the stars on the brow of the good sister and … Continue reading

Posted in Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Browne, Anthony, Chichester Clark, Emma, Doherty, Berlie, Gibb, Sarah, Jones, Ursula, Lewis, Naomi, Morpurgo, Michael, Pre-teen, Rackham, Arthur, Ray, Jane, Ross, Tony, Stewart, Joel, Teenage | 7 Comments

Wonder by R.J. Palacio: “My name is August. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.”

First impressions?  When I got this book out of the envelope after it had dropped through my postbox, I immediately thought what a grotty looking cover!   I turned it over to read the blurb (as you do).  It said Point made.  And I … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Palacio, R J, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Learning your times tables: a necessity so why not make it fun! 5 ways/tools to engage your children with times tables

  There’s no way of avoiding them.  The times tables are a necessity if one is to progress along the mathematics learning journey. So, like them or not, knowing your times tables is important.   They are the building blocks for further … Continue reading

Posted in Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Maizels, Jennie, Petty, Kate, Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Demon’s Watch by Conrad Mason : A fast-moving adventure of pirates, magic and improbable heroes, perfect for ages 9+

The Demon’s Watch – a debut novel by Conrad Mason, published 1st March 2012 by David Fickling Books Port Fayt.  Trading heart of the Middle Islands.  Situated between the Old World and the New World, it has long been a safe haven … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Mason, Conrad, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Witch at Turlingham Academy: an exciting new book series for girls age 8+ who love magic, witchy adventures and boarding school fun

Children’s books set in boarding schools have such an enduring appeal.  For adults, they are a nostalgic look back at their own school days, friendships made, friendships lost, the fun, the scrapes, the tears.  I didn’t get to go to … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Boswell, Ellie, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

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

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

Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans: shortlisted for Costa Children’s Book Award 2012 and recommended for girls/boys age 8+

The Costa Book Awards 2012: The Children’s Book Award: Shortlist Flip by Martyn Bedford (Walker Books) The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Walker Books) Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans (Doubleday) Blood Red Road by Moira Young (Marion … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Evans, Lissa, Pre-teen | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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

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

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

The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce: shortlisted for Costa Children’s Book Award and recommended for girls/boys age 9+

The Costa Book Awards 2012 : Children’s Book Award: Shortlist Flip by Martyn Bedford (Walker Books) The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Walker Books) Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans (Doubleday) Blood Red Road by Moira Young (Marion … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Cottrell Boyce, Frank, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

American Children’s Classics 1: Little House on the Prairie: Books for Girls Age 9+

Say Little House on the Prairie and most people (well, those around my age anyway) will remember the NBC television series of the same name starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Actually, Little House on the Prairie is the second of a … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Ingalls Wilder, Laura, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A brilliant guidebook on spying for young Bonds everywhere (age 7 upwards): Ralph is Not a Spy by Corinne V Davis and El Ashfield

Ralph is Not a Spy is no ordinary book. For within its sumptious pages a spy story gets you hooked! Ralph is a Chess Champion of extraordinary talent. And the members of the International Chess Academy? Well, you could hardly … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Ashfield, El, Davis, Corinne V., Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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!

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

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

9 children’s pop-up books – amazing feats of paper engineering to delight any child (and adult!)

  We are HUGE fans of pop-up books in the Babbleabout household.  Pop-ups, if executed well, bring a truly magical setting to a story, they add drama, explain what’s happening and highlight key events.  All of this makes a classic story … Continue reading

Posted in Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Barrie, J.M., Child, Lauren, Denchfield, Nick, Lewis, C.S, Maizels, Jennie, Petty, Kate, Pre-teen, Reinhart, Matthew, Sabuda, Robert, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Granny by Anthony Horowitz : A Taster for a Forthcoming Post about Grannies in Children’s Books

What is it about grannies that inspires so many authors to write books about them or feature them in their stories?   David Walliams is currently topping the children’s books bestsellers list with Gangsta Granny (see later post) and who can … Continue reading

Posted in Horowitz, Anthony, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

5 Children’s Books Set During the Second World War (Plus Links to Teaching Resources)

                                War is not an easy or straightforward subject to talk about with children.  War is never simple, never black and white.    The stories featured … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Bryne, John, Gleitzman, Morris, Pre-teen, Serrailler, Ian, Teenage, Westall, Robert | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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

If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you’ll love these…3 more children’s books that will have you laughing out loud and great for reluctant readers too

                Books that are stuffed full of jokes or have highly-original storylines or are a bit subversive or naughty are the very best for getting children back into reading.    Graphic or comic-style illustrations … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Kinney, Jeff, Lawrence, Michael, Nelson, Peter, Pre-teen | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dyslexia Friendly Children’s Books – Building a Confidence in Reading for All Children

              All children should have access to books and be able to enjoy a good story or information book.   They can then experience the pleasure of a swashbuckling adventure, follow incredible true-life stories of … Continue reading

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

Using Children’s Fiction to Inspire Interest and Take Up of Science and Engineering Subjects – ‘Is’ by Derek Webb

          Derek Webb is the author of Is.   And Derek Webb has been very clever.   Firstly, he has written a children’s fictional book which will enthuse children about all things science and engineering.   And secondly, by … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 Children’s Adventure/Activity/Puzzle Books to Banish Holiday Boredom

Actually, I believe there is nothing wrong with children experiencing some boredom.   It is often during periods of having ‘nothing to do’ that the most creative and best ideas are born.   All the same, I have included here a list … Continue reading

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

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

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

Author Spotlight : 5 Brilliant Books by Morris Gleitzman. From Frozen Chicken Thawer to One of Australia’s Most Successful Authors

What I REALLY like about Morris Gleitzman are all the things he was BEFORE becoming a writer.   Here, for example, are some of the things he tells us he has done – frozen-chicken thawer, sugar-mill rolling stock unhooker, fashion-industry trainee, … Continue reading

Posted in Age 8-10, Gleitzman, Morris, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

8 Ways to Keep Children Reading over the Summer Holidays

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 Inspiring Children’s Books of Poetry and Rhyme

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

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 Books for Horse-Mad Girls

Don’t all girls sometimes dream of owning and riding their own horse?   My daughters do, always!   There is something magical about the relationship between a horse and its rider.   Three of these books are story books, all of which capture that … Continue reading

Posted in Age 6-8, Age 8-10, Pre-teen, Teenage | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment