Our Parakeet subscribers are kicking off the year with a fantastic, swashbuckling adventure story, brilliantly illustrated by Mark Elvins and combining two of our favourite themes for this age group: pirates and detectives! Here author Derek Keilty tells us what inspired his new series and which other pirate books for kids he would recommend you read next.
This month we sent our Parakeet subscribers the first book in a delightful new series by Sally Gardner, The Tindims of Rubbish Island, which explores our impact on the environment and inventive ways to recycle. Illustrated by Sally’s daughter, Lydia Corry, the book introduces a fun new world of characters and adventures perfect for keen young ecologists. Here we talk to Sally about what inspired the book.
The book we sent our Cockatoo subscribers this month is a magical adventure story with a fascinating historical setting, packed with atmosphere, drama and intrigue. We loved it! Here we quiz author Jenni Spangler on what inspired the book and which other books with historical settings she would recommend you read next.
Of course, reading together is for life, not just for Christmas! But there’s something particularly special about the books we share with our kids at Christmas. Getting out the box of Christmas books is as much a part of our pre-Christmas preparations as decorating the tree.
There are so many brilliant Christmas books for kids to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here we share our top recommendations for a bit of festive reading this holiday season.
The book we sent out Parakeet subscribers this month is a lovely, gentle tale about life in a lively Indian family and the very relatable feelings Sona has about becoming a big sister. It was an easy pick for our boxes, not least because it has the most beautiful cover! We asked author Chitra Soundar to tell us more about what inspired the book and which other books set in India she would recommend for kids and parents.
The idea of making Christmas, and particularly Christmas Eve, a time of books has been growing here in the UK over recent years and it’s something we completely support. There are few things better than snuggling up with your loved ones and reading – whether that’s aloud to each other or simply being together whilst lost in your own book. We think no Christmas Eve box would be complete without a book, or two. Any book that kids will enjoy is a great book to include but if you’re after something festive and short enough to enjoy on Christmas Eve itself, we're sharing 5 great suggestions.
This month we sent our Cockatoo subscribers a brilliant book starring a pair of super-sleuth twins who set about solving a medical mystery. Here author and real-life doctor Roopa Farooki tells us what inspired the book and which other crime books for kids she recommends you read next.
My eldest just turned 11 and I know from experience how tricky it can be to find books for story-loving tweens who might be coming to the end of their middle-grade years, but aren’t quite ready for so-called young adult books. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of recently published titles that I think work particularly well for this age group.
As a mother of boys, I know how hard it can be to come up with gift ideas that don’t involve Lego, football or super expensive digital gadgets. It won’t surprise you to hear that my go-to gift for friends and family is a pile of books, but if you’re looking for some alternative ideas, here are some fantastic gifts for boys aged 8+ from some of our favourite independent brands and retailers.
A good book is so much more than words and pictures printed on a page – it’s a whole experience, one that the reader can relive again and again. Books really are the gift that keeps on giving. Here’s our guide to some of the best new chapter books for kids aged 8 to 12 that we think should be on everyone’s Christmas shopping list this year.
Author and illustrator John Kelly tells us how he created The Monster Doctor and all about his own favourite books for kids. Packed with quirky illustrations, it's almost like a graphic novel. It's funny, super silly and a little bit gross - what's not to like?
It can be fun to feel a little scared, when snug and safe in the comfort of your own home. You can let your imagination run wild and get lost in a terrifically terrifying story. This is our top pick of spooky and creepy, yet age-appropriate, reads for 8-year-olds and up.
