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.
Journalist and book-lover Hannah Jull has kindly written this post for us about how her own mother purchasing a book subscription for her granddaughter has provided a lovely connection between the two of them, despite living on separate continents.
Whether it’s serving up spooky snacks or creating a fiendish feast, festive food is a great way to add to the fun of Halloween at home. We know that our subscribers love getting stuck into the recipe we include with each month’s pack, so we delved into the archive to find 7 ideas for you to try.
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?
Kids love getting into the spirit of Halloween with crafts and activities to get stuck into. But we know that sometimes you need to take some shortcuts to make sure the kids’ grand plans fit in with your own. Here we share some of our favourite off-the-shelf activity ideas from fellow small businesses.
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.
Sharing spooky books is a great way to add to kids’ excitement about upcoming Halloween celebrations. Whether you’re after something charming, funny or chilling, we’ve picked 7 of our favourite chapter books that we think kids aged 5 to 8 will enjoy.
Alex Johnson is a journalist and author of How to Give Your Child a Lifelong Love of Reading, which is packed with practical advice and recommendations for encouraging your child to read, as well as contributions from a host of children’s writers, including Michael Rosen, Cressida Cowell and Jacqueline Wilson.
The book we sent our Cockatoo subscribers this month is an exciting adventure story set in the Amazon rainforest that puts kids front and centre, celebrating their bravery, resilience and sense of what is just and fair. We asked author Emma Rea to tell us all about what inspired the book, the incredible cast of characters, and her travels to the Amazon.
