Tag Archives: Includes Activities

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

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Yvonne Keen

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

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

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

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

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

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

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

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

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.

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

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

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

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

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

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

  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

5 children’s picture books celebrating storytelling from around the world. Lose yourself in beautiful artwork and touching stories.

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Yvonne Keen

I am always keen to feature traditional tales from around the world.  Stories often passed down by mouth, generation to generation, perhaps with variations to them depending on the storyteller and always unique to the cultures, the landscapes and the people … 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

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

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

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!

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

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

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

  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

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

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

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

              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

The ABC Animals – Reassuring Stories for Children Starting School

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

                            Starting school can be a daunting time even for the most confident of children.   And for us parents it isn’t a whole lot easier.  Even if … Continue reading →

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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

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

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

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

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

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

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

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

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 Books for Horse-Mad Girls

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Yvonne Keen

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