March 7, 2019

World Book Day with Curls: The Mega Magic Hair Swap

The Mega Magic Hair Swap by Rochelle Humes Illustrated by Rachel Suzanne I've wanted to swap my hair from the age of three, at least that's my first memory of wanting to shed my coiled locks. You see, I have extremely fizzy curly hair but I've always wanted long blonde tussled…

March 3, 2017

Owl and Dog Playbooks: Pirouette One to Watch winner – design dot to dot

The Owl and Dog Playbooks are the first Pirouette One to Watch winners in the design category. We were already familiar with their books but it's always so nice (important) to see a product in the flesh and let it grab your attention. We also took the time to speak with the…

April 22, 2014

Freddy Deane reports on Bologna Children’s book Fair

Book books books! "The 51st annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair was a wow", reports Freddy Deane, founder of Smiling Planet and writer+illustrator. His report tells us all about the event and the new great books to come.

November 11, 2011

Picks of the week (n. 2)

. 1. Apron and poster by Deuz - 2. Great selection of science books, Sweet William  - 3. Tees, Pjs and underwear with fun graphics by Picnik, a new brand from Barcelona (Spain) - 4. Cool selection of presents by Bianca&family - 5. Embroidered cushions spotted in a…

March 25, 2011

A book, a child – Iris presents Klimt and his cat

  I like this book because the images are beautiful with many colors. The women, who are models of the painter Klimt, have very long and thick hair, and there is gold on their dresses.  The story is full of adventures and travels and it is also about brushes and paints…

February 23, 2011

Beasties : make your own monsters

      It's half term here in the UK, time for mums and nannies to find crafty ideas to entertain the children (it's raining, but it's London after all...). Here's a wonderful book, perfect to fit the purpose : Beasties - How to Make 22 Mischievous Monsters That Go Bump in…

October 27, 2010

The dreaming tree, a book by Eithne Massey

    The story of Roberto, a Brazilian boy who loves playing football. Roberto moves to Ireland and he is too shy to ask the boys in the park to play with him. But granny's not far and helps Roberto building on friendship. By Eithne Massey. O'Brien Press - Frances Lincoln Books…

October 10, 2010

An engaging book, for very early readers

Color Bears is an aesthetic, bold book. Adorable, colorful, fun loving, this cardboard book bursting with bears will engage any toddler at first glance. Even infant 3 month old eyes will be attracted by it with the high contrast print that appears on every spread. As the…

October 8, 2010

On the book shelf

  A dark attic, a light bulb, an imaginative little girl. A great book for the story and for the wonderful illustrations by Suzy Lee. For all ages. www.Chronicle books.com