Dinosaurs United and the Cowardly Custard Pirate Crew

Dinosaurs United and the Cowardly Custard 
Pirate Crew

Text by Sam Hay

Illustrations by Daron Parton

Published by Egmont Publishing

For children that love football, dinosaurs and pirates, this picture book nearly has it all... Oh wait, there's even a dinosaur head mask!! When the football kit goes missing, can the dino team find their kit, defeat those cowardly pirates and win the match?

Meet Dinosaurs United, a five-a-side football team in the Fantasy Football League. They're up against the Cowardly Custard Pirate Crew but someone has stolen their football kit. Those dastardly pirates have hidden them but have left clues and a treasure map. The dinosaurs have to use their football skills to defeat the traps and pirate attacks, but not to worry they manage to do it just in the nick of time when the referee's whistle blows. The pirates make a quick retreat back to their ship making Dinosaurs United the cup winners.  

Big, bold and colourful, with fun illustrations, this is looking like it will be the start of an exciting new series. I believe its more aimed at boys, for ages 3+ however that didn't stop Aoife enjoying the dinosaurs and pirates, the football terms were a little lost on her at the moment.

For more information on the new series, check out the Egmont Publishing site here.

Pete's Magic Pants: The Lost Dinosaur

Pete's Magic Pants: The Lost Dinosaur

By Paddy Kempshall (Author) & Chris Chatterton (Illustrator)

Published by Egmont

This is the first of a new hilarious series from duo Paddy Kempshall and Chris Chatterton. Pete discovers a very special suitcase and it's filled to the brim with amazing magic pants! Each pair holding the power to transport Pete on wonderful adventures.

This thrilling first tale has Pete being transported back to prehistoric times. He quickly makes friends with a baby dino and a chicken called Ted. Together they encounter a very hungry T-Rex. Can Pete and his magic pants save the day and escape the T-Rex and reunite the baby Dino with his Dada?

Chris' illustrations are as wonderful as ever, bringing lovable characters together with eye popping colour. The story is funny throughout and the idea of a magic pair of pants will have any child giggling. The book series also comes with an array of stickers featuring the characters (including those magic pants!) from the story - a sure fire hit with any young reader.

Pete's Magic Pants: The Lost Dinosaur is available to buy now from all good bookshops and from the Egmont website. Look out for Pete's next adventure where he ends up with pirates, due out in Spring 2017!

Supermarket Gremlins

Supermarket Gremlins

Written by Adam and Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Chris Chatterton

Published by Egmont

Watch out when you're next in the supermarket, there could be gremlins lurking about! Supermarket Gremlins is the latest book by Adam and Charlotte Guillain, it's full of fun rhyming romp and lots of lift-the-flaps where you'll find naughty gremlins getting up to mischief.

If you notice strange happenings going on at the supermarket, like bananas in amongst the shampoos, cheese being extra smelly and odd wet patches on the floor, then it's most likely due to the naughty gremlins. But watch out if you disturb them, they'll chuck muffins at your head! Or you might spot a gremlin bottom nestling in the kiwis. These naughty gremlins have a plan and are trying to escape by hiding inside your bags and once they're in your car, they'll play tricks everywhere so you better watch out.

This book is very funny and I love trying to spot the flaps as they're all different size and could easily become a game trying to spot the bold little gremlins. This book is aimed at ages 3+ but Aoife loves looking through this and lifting the flaps and to be honest, I do as well. I find the cheeky little gremlins rather cute. 

This will have little ones looking out for gremlins when they're next at the supermarket! Supermarket Gremlins it's lots of fun, available in all good bookshops or online here.

Monkey and the Little One

Monkey and the Little One

By Charlie Alexander
Published by EGMONT

Monkey and the Little One is a sweet and touching story about the value of friendship (and jam sandwiches). 

Meet Monkey, he loves his quiet life, reading books and swimming in the cool lake until one day the Little One turned up. Monkey didn't know where the Little One had come from but he didn't want his company. "Please go away," said Monkey but the Little One doesn't understand monkey-speak. 

The Little One starts following Monkey everywhere and copying everything that Monkey does. The Little One wants to share Monkey's jungle and life but Monkey just wants to be left alone. It isn't long before he has had enough and shouts at the Little One to go away, who finally understands that he is not wanted. Monkey is soon left alone but it doesn't feel the same. After finding the Little One's pot of jam and loaf, and wondering what the Little One will eat, Monkey knows he has to find the Little One. 

This charming picture book is a warm-hearted tale about the importance of friendship. It would also be a good book that can help prepare children for the arrival of a new sibling. 

The illustrations are sweet with lovely colours and cute characters - I love Monkey's cute expressions especially when he's getting fed up with the Little One copying him. 

Monkey and the Little One is recommended for ages 3+ and is available in all good book shops.

The Adventures of Water

The Adventures of Water

Written by Malcolm Rose

 Designed by Sean Sims

Published by Egmont

The Adventures of Water is a fun and an informative book, with flaps, pull tabs and pop-ups - it sure is an adventure! It brings an interactive approach to the fascinating journey of the water cycle.

Water, water, everywhere! Water has been here for millions of years and there's a lot.. over 70% of Earth's surface is covered in water however less than 1% of the water on Earth is available as drinking water! There's some fascinating facts within this book and adults will find it just as interesting as children. Topics include Sky to Earth, Into the Body and Out Again, Escape to the River, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and finally, Going Round and Round.

Wow, this book is well made and designed. It's bright, colourful and offers lots of interactive options,  it makes learning about water fun. Recommended for ages 6+, children and adults will enjoy exploring this watery adventure. There's also some fun facts at the back of the book and a helpful Glossary (to help out adults explain a few terms!).

Have fun and splash your way through this interactive adventure - there will be a follow up book, The Adventures of Earth, coming out in June this year.

Where's the Elephant?

Where's the Elephant?

By Barroux
Published by Egmont

What an interesting and moving book to start of the New Year - Where's the Elephant? starts as a spot the animal book but soon turns into something quite significant, a story about endangered animals and their habitats.

There are three animals to spot within the forest but as you turn more pages, trees are being chopped down and houses are sprouting up. It soon becomes easier to spot the animals especially when they end up in the zoo. There is a slight happy ending as the animals do escape and find a new home.

Barroux explains the story behind the book at the end - after a visit to Brazil and witness to the rainforest being set on fire to clear the way for soybean production, he wanted an idea to talk about deforestation, it was Where's Wally? that inspired him.

I like Barroux's style of illustration, it works well for this serious topic. I was rather moved by this book and though sad, young children may not fully understand the meaning and the reason for the animals to lose their habitat though they will enjoy looking for the animals. I would recommend this book for 5 years and upwards as I believe they would have a better understanding. I think its a good idea to make children aware, its such an important issue which has led to endangered animals and their disappearing habitats.

Where's the Elephant? is an almost wordless picture book with an important message - a unique book! Available in all good bookshops.

Socks For Santa

Socks For Santa

Written by Adam & Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Lee Wildish
Published by EGMONT

Socks for Santa is the fifth book in George's Amazing Adventures, a series which has featured Martians, a Dragon, a Yeti and Pirates. Now George in is the North Pole and wants to make sure Santa gets presents for a change.

On his way to the North Pole, George gets caught in a blizzard but he soon meets two friendly polar bears who help him along the way to Santa's workshop where there's chaos, the Elves are terribly late as there's a stack of toys still to wrap and Santa is waiting. George and the Bears don't hesitate and get stuck in to help and it's not long before George is being ushered in to Santa's room but it's not santa in there, it's Rudolph who has the flu and a nose that isn't glowing. Rudolph doesn't think he can lead Santa and the other reindeers but George pulls out one of his gifts for Santa and offers it to Rudolph, it's a head torch. 

All the other reindeer decide to pull out gifts for themselves leaving George upset that he has no more presents to give to Santa, he prepares to leave but just then he hears a "Ho, Ho' Ho." Santa has arrived and George explains to him what has happened. Santa is pleased as believe's that the spirt of Christmas! As Santa gets ready, and pulls on his socks, a toe pops out of a hole, what will Santa do, his foot will freeze! George has an idea and pulls out the very last present he has, a spare pair of socks!

This is a rhyming escapade with a feel good feeling - I love the idea of a child wanting to give Santa presents - a nice change! The illustrations fill the pages with cute character designs. I especially like the cute puffins with their expressive little faces.

Recommended for ages 3+, this would make a lovely addition to a Christmas collection of books. It's sweet, fun and a feel good story. Available in all good book shops.

The Little Christmas Tree

The Little Christmas Tree

Paper Engineered by Corina Fletcher Illustrated by Vicki Gausden
Written by Rachel Elliot
Published by EGMONT

The Little Christmas Tree is more than just a story - It's a sweet tale about all the animals in Emerald Wood decorating the trees but one tree has been forgotten. Its a rush to make this tree just as spectacular as all the others and they manage just in time before they have a very, special visitor.

Once you've finished the story you have your very own pop up tree to decorate with decorations provided. Just tie the covers back with the ribbon on the covers and wow! The tree is well designed and sturdy for little hands to hang the cutout baubles. There's even the animal characters to play with as well. 27 press-out pieces provided and an envelope inside to keep them safe. I thought this was so pretty and a lovely way for children to act out the story. I adore the illustrations of the animals and with a sparkly, glittery cover, with so much fun to be had, this would make a great Christmas gift for boys and girls.

Recommended for ages 3+ and available in all good book shops.