Title: Brilliant Baxter at the Funfair
Author: Carol Cordrey
Illustrator: Tim Bulmer
Genre: Picture Book
Publication Date: 7th May
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53327925-brilliant-baxter-at-the-funfair  
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Baxter-At-Fun-Fair/dp/1912850583
Summary: An exciting visit to the Funfair for Eliza, her grandmother, Grinny, and their much loved Labrador, Brilliant Baxter. This story’s easy rhyme and vibrant illustrations are certain to delight both children and adults.

 

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FIVE FAVOURITE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Where’s Spot is etched on my memory because it played such a key role in encouraging both our daughters to love books.  When our elder daughter was under two years of age, she seemed to become disinterested in books and bedtime stories This book’s bright illustrations, simple language and sweet story about a puppy,  brought to life through lifting flaps, was an instant success with her and it rekindled an interest in books which has lasted her entire life.  

Peter Rabbit is an ideal book for a young child because they can relate to its main, mischievous character with such ease and they never forget him as they grow up.  Also, Beatrix Potter’s beautiful pictures are so gentle in style and she cleverly attached just enough narrative on each page to maintain the interest of both child and adult without exhausting them, particularly at the end of a tiring day. The background to Potter publishing this book which has achieved global popularity made me realise that with enough determination and skill, a woman can influence the entire world from the comfort of her own home.

Mr Men on Holiday is among my favourite books for children because it makes a child look forward to fun, active family holidays.  Short but sweet, it manages, also, to convey empathy, good friendship, humour and gratitude in the most easily absorbed manner which both children and adults can appreciate. The colourful images of happy, smiling characters are so strong that they print themselves (and those of the other Mr Men books) on memories forever, indeed, Little Miss Sunshine looks like it was an inspiration for today’s internationally popular Smiley Face Emoji. 

Swallows & Amazons relies on text and not imagery to encourage children to enjoy the great outdoors, not least of all during school holidays.  It shines a healthy light on team – even gang –  membership, provided that good intentions and natural rivalry lie at the heart of it all.  The story is distinctive because of its exciting narrative and elements of risk which demonstrate how imaginative, creative and daring children can be and that sometimes adults would be wise to listen to them, instead of those roles always being reversed. 

 Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes was bought for our daughter when she was around 10 years of age and she loved the rhymes and the unusual, cartoon style of illustrations by the imaginative Quentin Blake.  The simple rhyme and good rhythm made it possible for her to memorise some of the stories, so much so that she used to enjoy reciting sections!  Equally engaging was Dahl’s innovative and distorted perspective on traditional children’s stories which taught his young readers that satire is a brilliant tool to see life and people through a different and sometimes clearer lens. 

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Author Information

Carol Codrey has a strong history within the art world, starting out as an Art columnist before becoming an Art Editor for Sheengate Publishing Ltd. For Guildford Borough Council she created and marketed the annual Guildford Calendar for five years. She was also an Art Columnist and Critic and then Art Editor for Run Wild Media Ltd. She was on the judging panel for the annual international Wildlife Artist of the Year competition for five years. She has also written art features for the Home supplement of the Financial Times, the NADFAS Magazine – now re-titled The Art Society Magazine – and the National Trust Magazine. She has been repeatedly invited to be the sole judge of the Post Office and British Telecom Art Club’s annual art exhibition. She is a longstanding member of the Royal Automobile Club and has written varied features about the Club’s art collection for its members’ magazine, Pell Mell & Woodcote. She was also the founder and co-creater for six years of the annual and unique London International Ice Sculpting Festival.

During the past eighteen months, Carol has fused her experiences of family life with her combined love of writing and art. The results are a series of short story books for young children, written in rhyme and illustrated by a successful artist and illustrator who has brought the characters to life. The books are ideally suited to children of pre-school age as well as to early readers as she is very enthusiastic about encouraging all children to develop a love of language and art. Carol is married and has two adult daughters.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/carolcodrey1 

Hey guys. Today is my stop on the blog tour for Dad You’ve Trumped by Andrew Rogerson and I am bringing you a guest post. Enjoy!

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Title: Dad You’ve Trumped
Author: Andrew Rogerson
Illustrator: Christopher Dodd
Genre: Picture Book
Publication Date: 14th May  2020
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53348627-dad-you-ve-trumped   
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dad-Youve-Trumped-Andrew-Rogerson/dp/1913136655/
Summary: This is the story of how a dad tries to explain away his moments of flatulent indiscretion to his daughter Poppy who is five. These are real moments. They are real excuses!

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Hey guys. Today is my stop on the blog tour for Change Leadership by Bill Mann and I am bringing you a guest post. Enjoy.

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Title: Change Leadership
Author: Bill Mann
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publication Date: 21st April 2020
Page Count: 116
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53348772-change-leadership 
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-Leadership-people-through-change-ebook/dp/B08572TDB5/ 

Summary: 80% of change projects fail. It’s a staggering amount. The most common reason is a reluctance to change by the people involved. It’s not surprising really: people make up a business and it’s those same people who must accept and adapt to change. The difference between change management and change leadership is making the connection between organisational change and the human impact on all involved. This book will show you how to lead change, not just manage it. Bill Mann, founder of The Keep Calm Guy, has learnt the hard way about change. After a long career delivering change projects for many businesses it was his personal experiences of coping with the trauma of a suicide bomb attack, and losing his wife to cancer, that taught him how to find a path through change that other people will follow.  www.thekeepcalmguy.co.uk

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