Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide

Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide

Written and Illustrated by Emma Yarlett

Published by Little Tiger Press

This is currently one of my daughter's favourite books at the moment which we like to read during the day and will often end up re-reading its predecessor, Nibbles: The Book Monster alongside it - we'll often re-read it a few times in one sitting! We enjoy lifting flaps and looking through holes, on the look out for Nibbles who is a very naughty monster who likes to chew through books and is always getting himself into a lot of trouble...

This time we find that Nibbles has nibbled, or should I say chomped, his way into a dinosaur guide book and readers must try and prevent Nibbles from falling prey to a set of ferocious jaws. There's hot-headed Triceratops, greedy Diplodocus' and scary Velociraptors among a few others. Filled with nibbled peep holes, lift-the-flaps, funny jokes and dinosaur facts, this book can be enjoyed by children ages 3 - 6 years.

This book is very funny and one that can be explored and enjoyed over and over again. Jam packed with entertaining illustrations, has Nibbles met his match when he ends up meeting the most terrible dinosaur of all - the T-Rex? Well I won't ruin the ending for you, you'll just have to catch up with this little monster yourself!

For more information on Nibbles, check out the link here. 

And below, Aoife pretending to be Nibbles - my cheeky little monster!

Laugh Out Loud Children's Book Awards 2016

So you're probably wondering what the LOLLIES are. Well as much as we like an ice cold lolly on a hot day like today, these are more the laughing kind than the lickable ones we know! The LOLLIES are The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2016! A panel of 'Laugh detecting' judges have chosen their shortlist and now it’s over to YOU and your class to vote for your favourites.

Votes must be submitted by teachers on behalf of a class, so get reading, discussing and register your class to vote! Voting closes on 10th June and winners will be announced on 21st June at The Lyric Theatre in the West End. (If your class isn’t registered ask your teacher if you can join in!) So teachers of Great Britain get over to scholastic.co.uk/lollies to cast your votes now!

To help with the very hard task of selecting a winner (and it is very tough from the great shortlist), I have been reading and re-reading this year’s nominated picture books. And what a funny bunch they are too! Take a look at the fine selection below, followed by my opinion on which one I think should bag the prize!

Hoot Owl - Master of Disguise

By Sean Taylor and illustrated by Jean Jullien

Published by Walker

First up is Hoot Owl - Master of Disguise. Hoot Owl can blend in anywhere with his genius disguises. He could be watching you right now if you're unlucky, just ready to ponce as he's hungry and you look like a tasty snack! Unfortunately for Hoot Owl, he's not as good at blending in as he thinks he is. He's on the prowl for a midnight snack and comes across a tasty rabbit who isn't fooled by his carrot disguise. Then he spots a cuddly lamb, but his fluffy mother sheep costume doesn't work here either. He then pretends to be a bird bath to catch a pigeon, but that too fails. But there is one snack that can't get away, and dressing up as a chef might just bag him a full tummy...

This a very funny picture book, with bold colours and lovable character design from Jean Jullien. It's a book that you can pick up again and again and chuckle at the naive Hoot and his silly disguises. Plus it's always more fun to root for the loser! 

I Need A Wee!

By Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet

Published by Simon & Schuster

We've all been there, missing a toilet break and then regretting we did when the urge to go wee comes thick and fast and you can't think of anything else! This is exactly what happens to Alan. After having one too many goes on the helter-skelter, Alan is forced to find the nearest toilet before he wets himself. But getting Alan to the nearest loo is a bit trickier than his friends Giraffe and Robot first thought. Along the way there are many distractions, like balloons and pieces of yummy birthday cake. They finally find the toilets but the queue is too long for Alan to hold on, so they continue their search for somewhere for Alan to pee! Alan then somehow ends up on a stage, and due to his 'holding in his wee' dance, he wins a talent competition. Luckily his winning trophy doubles up as a somewhere to finally wee!

From the best selling author that brought us other funnies such as No-Bot and Barry the Fish With Fingers, I Need a Wee! is another laugh out loud book that's sure to make you wet your pants! With lovable funny characters and bright colours throughout, this is sure to be a winner with the younger audiences.

Gracie Grabbit and the Tiger

By Helen Stephens

Published by Scholastic

Meet Gracie Grabbit. She is the daughter of a very naughty robber called Bobby Grabbit. Gracie doesn't like how her dad robs people and during a trip to the zoo she warns him that she will set the tiger on him if he steals from anyone. But Bobby just doesn't listen and laughs off his daughter's threats. So they visit the zoo and just as Gracie thought, Bobby just can't help himself and steals from the zoo animals and other visitors. Gracie tries to tell the zoo keeper but the zoo keeper is too busy washing a giraffe and doesn't hear her. But someone else hears her, and that someone is the tiger! And in a funny mix up, the tiger ends up with the keys to his cage, allowing him to escape and catch naughty Bobby Grabbit!

A very humorous story with the naughty burglar getting caught and deciding not to steal anymore to become a zoo keeper! Helen's illustrations are a joy to look at and you can't but feel sorry for Bobby when the game is finally up! A story that little ones will love and laugh at all the silly things that happen! 

Slug Needs a Hug!

By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

Published by Andersen Press

No one really quite likes slugs, they're not exactly the cuddly creature that you'd like to give a hug to. In Slug Needs a Hug! Slug is wondering why his mummy won't hug him. Is he too slimy? Too ugly? He decides to ask other creatures what they think he should do to get a hug off his mummy. So they advise changing his appearance, from a kitten telling him to be more furry, and a bird suggesting he wears feathers and a beak. Before Slug knows it, he is unrecognisable to his mother, who just loves Slug for who he is. The reason she never hugged him is because she doesn't have arms!  

This is a very funny rhyming book, with equally funny (and slimy) illustrations from legendary illustrator Tony Ross. It has laugh out loud moments and is sure to be a funny bone hit with young children.

So there you have it, a brief look at the contenders for best LOL picture book. These are all VERY funny titles and I have a strong idea who will win over young voters. In my opinion I very much enjoyed and chuckled at Hoot Owl - Master of Disguise, as I couldn't help liking the owl and his determination to get some dinner! And Slug Needs A Hug! being a (huggably) close second! But now it's over to you and your class to crown the funniest picture book. For more details visit scholastic.co.uk/lollies Check out the video featuring the always funny Michael Rosen below!

The Entertainer

The Entertainer

By Emma Dodd
Published by Templar Publishing

Ding dong! Ding dong! The children's entertainer is here to save the party! (we can only hope!). Children and adults alike will adore Emma Dodd’s latest book, The Entertainer. Emma has had over 40 books published and her latest will not disappoint; its a fun and very entertaining picture book!

Billy is having a party and his mum and dad have booked an entertainer for him and his friends. 

An entertainer arrives at the door dressed as a bear - and a very convincing one at that! The children are impressed; after whirling and spinning on a misplaced toy, which the children think is hilarious, making a lot of mess, before munching flowers, juggling fruit and then gulping them down, he soon stumbles upon the birthday spread… uh oh… Billy and his friends find him asleep and all the food eaten but thank goodness Billy’s mum has saved the cake. Once everyone has left and said their goodbyes, there’s soon a surprise at the door… and we can all guess who’s there.

This book is fun and will have little ones laughing at the entertainer’s antics. It reminds me slightly of  The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr, where a tiger ate everything in the house, very much like this naughty entertainer. 

I really enjoyed this book and even missed the hint on the title page about who the entertainer really is! (one to look out for when you're reading the book). The story flows really well and with the use of larger text for sounds and actions, it makes it fun and a joy to read over and over again. There’s even little boxes with words of advice found on a few corners of the spreads, i.e  its rude to burp when someone gives you food, never leave toys around on the floor, and never to juggle your food before eating them in one big gulp, a hazardous way to digest (all sound advice I think you'll agree!)!. Even the large and bold illustrations are fun. If you’ve not read Emma’s books before, this is definitely a great one to start with!

Look out for the upcoming interview with the fabulous, Emma Dodd, where she'll answer what inspired the book and her process for creating such a beauty! The Entertainer is available to buy from all good bookshops and online.