Noisy Bottoms - an Usborne book that does what it says on the tin - my GSs love it!!!!
Heated Brush recommendation,please.
Last weekend, in Rutland, the first statue in Britain of the late Elizabeth II was unveiled.
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Great books for grandkids
It's easy to fall back on well-loved classics when choosing new books to read with grandchildren, but according to author Elizabeth Laird it's important not to miss out on the exciting new authors the literary world has to offer. Here are her tips on finding the best new children's writers.
Elizabeth with her grandchildren.
There's nothing as lovely as cuddling up on a sofa with a wriggly little grandchild in your arms, and enjoying a book together. But how to find good books to read with them? And once the children can read by themselves, how do you choose a book to give them as a birthday or Christmas present?
The easy answer is to fall back on the books you enjoyed as a child. Peter Rabbit, The Wind in the Willows, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - these classic stories are eternal, but it's a shame to miss out on the other marvellous things on offer, especially as we are living through a golden age of children's literature, with the likes of Anthony Browne, Quentin Blake, Oliver Jeffers, Michael Rosen, Malorie Blackman, Anne Fine, Jamila Gavin and Patrick Ness - not to mention the superstars, JK Rowling, Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson and Julia Donaldson.
A good picture book can be enjoyed for years. A child will learn it by heart and absorb the artwork, so it's important to introduce the child to the best, rather than settle for a diet of endless TV tie-ins, cartoony pictures and bad retellings of old fairy tales. After all, the grown-up has to enjoy the book too.
A good picture book can be enjoyed for years. A child will learn it by heart and absorb the artwork, so it's important to introduce the child to the best.
A quick way to find the best is to check out the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards shortlists. These are chosen by librarians from around the country and they really know their stuff. A look through their past and present shortlists is a roll call of all that's excellent in British children's literature. Books for Keeps is a wonderful resource, with over 12,000 reviews of children's books in its archive, and great articles about books and writers. The lovely journal Carousel drops onto my doormat three times a year. It contains reviews of the best books for readers from babyhood to teenage, as well as interviews with authors and feature articles. You can subscribe online too.
If you'd like to get more involved with children and books, you might be lucky enough to find that the Federation of Children's Book Groups has a group in your area. Members read and discuss children's books together, and get the chance to help with all kinds of projects in schools to help children discover and love books. The FCBG organises the annual Red House Children's Book Award, with a glamorous award ceremony at the end of the whole process. If there isn't a book group in your area, you can always start one yourself!
Liz's latest novel, The Fastest Boy in the World, is published by Pan Macmillan and is available now on Amazon.
By Elizabeth Laird
Twitter: @EMRLaird
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