For Babies
Lullaby Baby – Board Book and CD  
Babies love soothing lullabies and this book and CD focuses on some of the best loved lullabies. The large board book, with it’s rounded tabs and colourful images, provides the text of 12 popular lullabies, such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Mockingbird, Now the Day is Over and Kumbaya. Lift the flap at the front of the book and you’ll find the CD tucked in, containing 30 minutes of listening. Sung by FUNtastic, a group of five young musicians, it’s a lovely way of introducing your baby to lullabies, as well as refreshing your knowledge of the words so you can sing along.
Amazing Baby: One Little Bunny. by Beth Harwood, illustrated by Emma Dodd and Mike Jolley
Amazing Baby: Guess Who? By Beth Harwood, illustrated by Emma Dodd and Mike Jolley 
These two chunky board books are aimed at ages 6-12 months and feature a nifty sliding tab that you or your infant can slide out to the top or side to reveal pictures and words. One Little Bunny is based on counting, from one to five, all featuring animals. With Guess Who?, it’s a case of guessing which animals are doing certain things, like ‘mewing for her tea,’ or ‘flying around the flowers.’ As is typical with the Amazing Baby series, both books are strong and hard-wearing, full of vibrant colour and simply designed illustrations with added holographic touches. They’re fun to read and babies will love the interactive element.
Age 1+
Yes, by Jez Alborough
When it comes to books for this age group, simplicity is the key and Yes certainly fulfils this. Using only eight words throughout, the book tells the tale of Bobo the chimp, wholoves bath time, but isn’t keen to go to bed. His response of ‘yes’ to bathing soon turns to ‘no’ when it comes to going to bed and, through vibrant pictures and limited words, the book shows how it takes two friends and a lot of splashing about in the water to convince him to say, ‘yes!’ With lots to look at, this will keep young children captivated.
Our New Baby, by Dee Shulman
A Perfect Cuddle, by Dee Shulman
 These small board books are designed for children aged 1-3 years old and use simple stories focusing on familiar scenarios. The highlight of both is the added extra features – touch-and-feel shapes, peep holes and lift up flaps. Our New Baby is pretty self-explanatory, as the crux of it is about a new baby in the family, with the rest looking at all the other babies a child likes, such as kittens, puppies and baby chicks. The second book hunts down something to cuddle in bed, looking under flaps for suitable people or objects. You can be sure the touch-and-feel parts will be well used in these books and they’re the perfect size for little hands.
Gossie and Gertie, by Olivier Dunrea
Peedie, by Olivier Dunrea
These two fun books in the Gossie and Friends series are great for one-year-olds and over. Gossie and Gertie are the best of friends and, where one goes, the other is usually close behind. Peedie the gosling forgets things sometimes, but until one day is always remembers to wear his red baseball cap. He hides it in a secret place, but forgets where and has to get Mama Goose to help him out. Both books are simple, colourful and cute, both in their language and pictures, and are ideal for toddlers.
Age 2+
One Gorilla: A Magical Kind of Counting Book, by Atsuko Morozumi
Previously on the New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year list, this great book has been redesigned and re-published and is as good as ever. It’s basically a counting book, teaching children from one to 10, and uses all sorts of exciting animals to teach numbers. Along the way, the book is packed with pictures, which are full of interest and animals to find and count. It’s the kind of book children will come back to time and time again and always find something new to look at, as there’s all sorts to see in the pictures. If you buy only one book on counting, make it this one.
Diamond in the Snow, by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban
It may be spring, but winter weather lives on in children’s books. This heart-warming tale for age 2+ focuses on the loveable Mole who is very excited when he experiences snow for the first time and finds a diamond, which he thinks is full of magic. But it’s not quite a diamond and his friends say it isn’t magic, but then they get to experience something that is. A classic tale that children will love, this book highlights the beauty of the world we live in and the magic of nature.
Parsnip, by Sue Porter
Aimed at toddlers aged 2-5 years old, Parnsip tells the story of a little lamb born on a very cold night. It’s too cold to stay in the barn, so they go inside the farmhouse and have to find a nice warm place to sleep. Parsnip warms up and survives, then wants to find her mum, so Champy the puppy helps. With fun illustrations, lots of flaps to lift up and peer under and simple text, this is the first in a new series about Parsnip.
Age 3+
Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram. Book and DVD set.
This classic picture book features Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare and their efforts to describe how much they love each other. Their descriptions are fun for children to read and the illustrations provide great pictures of what they mean.
The accompanying DVD offers another perspective, with an animated story narrated by Kevin Whately and specially composed music.It provides ideal viewing material after the book has been read and is likely to offer much enjoyment.
Elmer and the Lost Teddy, by David McKee
Elmer and the Lost Teddy is one of the titles in the bestselling series by David McKee. It’s been reproduced as a new board book edition. It tells the tale of Baby Elephant who loses his teddy. Elmer kindly lends him his teddy, whilst he sets of searching for the missing bear. As with all of the Elmer books, it’s charming and memorable, with a special message at the end.
For Parents
How To Survive the Terrible Twos, by Caroline Dunford
Subtitled, “A Diary of a Mother Under Siege,” this book is part diary, and part helpful hints. Caroline records family life and the antics of her two year old – the Emperor – for a year, in an honest, thought-provoking and entertaining way. Unlike other books on the topic, this focuses on real life, so there are plenty of ups and downs, tricky moments and times of despair, when Caroline wonders what she’s doing wrong. In between the diary entries are boxes packed with useful guidelines, practical ideas and handy hints, covering issues such as potty training, sleeping, healthy eating, childcare, bad habits and TV watching. If the terrible twos stage is nearing, or you’re currently going through it, this book provides plenty of reassurance that you’re not alone and inspiration to tackle the situations that arise.
The Yummy Mummy Workout (DVD) with Leisa Hart
If you’re keen to stay fit during pregnancy and get rid of any post-pregnancy weight gain, the Yummy Mummy Workout is for you! Devised by US fitness expert, Leisa Hart, and used by her to stay fit during her own pregnancies, the two disc set is designed to support you both during pregnancy and after you’ve given birth.
On Disc 1 you’ll find a varied mix including yoga, salsa dancing and stretching and relaxing exercises, that together aim to increase your energy levels, prepare your body for delivery and give good groundwork for a quick recovery after the stress and strain of giving birth. Disc 2 is devoted to all kinds of post-natal exercise – ideal for when you want to burn off any excess fat – and includes aspects such as yoga, fat burning and pilates. Practical and inspirational, it’s an ideal set for pre- and post-pregnancy and can make keeping fit during your new stage of life fun and enjoyable.
|
