‘Twas
the night before Christmas and Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes were off to a party in the
city...’
Hold
onto your Christmas baubles and tinsel because it’s time for Claude, and his
best friend, Sir Bobblysock, to stumble into another adventure. This time they
are in charge of trying to save Christmas. Will they be able to help Santa
Claus deliver all of the world gifts before Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes get back from
their party? Grab yourself a copy to find out.
Alex uses his festive skills to bring us a sparkling (literally, take a
look at the glorious cover) new Claude adventure. Santa
Claudeis the ninth title in this hilarious young fiction series of two-colour fiction titles for new readers.
Claude
won the 5-9 young fiction Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and was selected
for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize, the Richard and Judy Book Club and
is soon to be a TV star on Disney Junior with 52 episodes airing in 2017.
Santa Claude is jammed full of wonderful illustrious and makes for a perfect
festive treat, ideal for growing
children’s confidence as they move from picture books to longer, independent
reads. This would be the perfect stocking filler this
Christmas!
Have you read Claude’s other adventures?
Previous Titles
Claude in the City
Claude on Holiday
Claude at the Circus
Claude in the Country
Claude in the Spotlight
Claude on the Slopes
Claude: Lights, Camera, Action
Claude: Going for Gold
Reviews
'...illustrated with humour and elegance...'
- The Times
'A handsome creation' - The C hildren's
Bookseller
'Perfect for newly developing readers and
great to share' - Primary Times
HAPPY 1st December everyone! as the count down begins, here for your delectation and delight are a small selection of tip top picture book picks perfect for sharing in the run up to the big day!
Otto The Book Bear - In the Snow
By Katie Cleminson - Published by Penguin £6.99 PB
Charming duo Otto and Ernest find themselves in a pickle as they have to find their way back to the library in time for the winter party! Packed with excitement and mild peril, this is just the kind of seasonal treat to curl up with on a cold night. Katie's wonderful drawings have a magical spontaneity about them and this seat gripping adventure showcases the very best in accessible contemporary illustration.
By Claire Harcup and Gabriel Alborozo - Published by Walker Books £11.99 HB
This book is a warm hug on a chilly night, a delight to read aloud with a little bear cub nestled in your arms and perfect to enjoy together just before bed. With it's exquisite illustrations and simple lyrical text this will no doubt be a story to share and share across many generations.
By Jessica Courtney-Tickle Published by Big Picture Press £10.99 HB
Immerse yourself in a picturesque winter wonderland as you are led gently through a myriad of frosted woodland scenes, Children will squeal with delight as they discover wonderful creatures and plants under the cleverly disguised flaps.
A book to ignite a love and respect for the environment and it's inhabitants in even the youngest of readers. Bravo!
By Steve Antony - Published by Hodder Children's Books £11.99 HB
Yet another magnificent triumph from illustrator Steve Antony, this time filled with hundreds upon hundreds of green felt clad elves.
We join a well known monarch on her quest to find the perfect present for her grandchildren in this all too familiar last minute scenario. Joined by a rotund and rambunctious Father Christmas and several Corgis in winter attire we are whisked on a magical adventure across continents.
Little readers will pour over the pages for hours marvelling at the detail on each spread as they explore famous landmarks and delight in the drama of last minute Christmas shopping.
By Margery Williams and Sarah Massini Published by Nosy Crow £14.99 HB
This beautifully emotive classic sees a divine new lease of life with illustrations by Sarah Massini.
A seemingly insignificant toy rabbit longs to be 'real' and only with love, imagination and a touch of nursery magic can the little rabbits dreams really come true.
A tear jerking, thought provoking wonderfully warming antidote to the consumerist nature of a modern Christmas.
By Rachel Bright and Yu Rong Published by Walker Books £6.99 PB
Squirrel and bear make the most wonderfully odd pairing, one ld and wise one young and full of vim. Squirrel is in raptures of delight as the first snow of winter falls but quickly realises nothing is quite as fun without bear. This charming story explores friendship in the most delectable way with a cosy comforting ending which will leave sweet thoughts with little readers as they scurry off to bed.
The Snowman
By Raymond Briggs Published by Puffin Books £7.99 PB
Nothing but NOTHING compares to the first time you discover the wordless classic that is The Snowman, although I must have enjoyed this book a thousand times over it still perfectly encapsulates everything which is magical about Christmas. First published 38 years ago it has aged most gracefully and such is the nature of a true classic.
As thick snow falls over the British countryside a small boy is about the embark on the adventure of a lifetime as the majestic snowman he builds comes to life. No Christmas is complete without at least one visit to this timeless family favourite so reclaim the magic of Christmas and believe.
By Linda Sunderland and Daniel Egneus Published by Templar Publishing £7.99 HB
Encrusted in thick luxurious glitter this book certainly catches they eye, as do the striking illustrations which perfectly compliment the wonderful folklore inspired tale. If you are looking for a wondrous haunting fairytale filled with adventure and intrigueRaven Child does not disappoint.
As a fan of the humble Brussel Sprout I was a tad apprehensive regarding the misrepresentation of this hard done by brassica but I was wrong. This mean green fart inducing machine is bad to the bone. This is a hilarious and snort laugh inducing story and the illustrations had me weeping with delight. One for the cheeky little sprout haters amongst you. The perfect stocking filler (for BIG stockings)
The Lisztsby Kyo MacLear and Júlia Sardàand is one of the most intensely intriguing books to appear on my shelf in ever such a long time, the mysterious jewel-like cover reveals a deliciously dark hauntingly insular family of avid list makers.
From David Bowie songs to winged insects and exotic illnesses, everything but everything is meticulously added to each family members preferred list..... that is until a strange unexpected visitor arrives one day, un-noticed by most of the family but embraced by the youngest. A prophetic message about living in the moment and emerging yourself in life.
The uniquely sophisticated illustrations demand to be poured over as if the reader were observing the story unfolding through a crack in the doorway.
Celebrating the joy of spontaneity
The Liszts is utter perfection and a classic in every sense.
WIN A COPY!
Win a copy
of one of this year’s most unique and
spellbinding picture books,
The Liszts by Kyo Maclear and Júlia Sardà!
So, what can you do to win a copy of this
stunning book? Well, we want to see your lists! Specifically, a list of things
that bring you joy!
The
Liszts make lists of things both usual and unusual, like lists of fun things to
do, dreaded chores and the greatest football players of all time. Your list can
be as short or as long as you like, but you’ve got to get creative.
Share your list of things that make you
happy on Twitter with the hashtag #TheLiszts and don’t forget to tag @maybeswabey!
This
competition is UK only and will close on 15th December 2016, after
which three winners will be chosen.
With HUGE thanks to Harriet at Andersen Press for helping to organise this fabulous competition!
Kyo Maclear is a self-professed spork—her father is British and her mother is Japanese. She was born in England, but moved to Canada at a young age. Spork, the story of a mixed kitchen utensil and Kyo’s debut book for children, was originally conceived with her husband to celebrate the birth of their first child. Kyo now resides in Toronto where she shares a home with two sons, two cats, a musician and a truckload of books.
In addition to writing for children, Kyo is also a novelist and widely published essayist. She is a member of the Writer’s Union of Canada; the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP); the Canadian Children’s Book Centre; IBBY-Canada; and the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment. She is represented by Jackie Kaiser of Westwood Creative Artists.
The nights are drawing in and there's a spooky chill in the air, so we've invited top twitterer Danny Pearson and his puggy companion Jess to review their favourite Halloween read for us!
5 STARS! ***** (Stars also interchangeable with magnificent pumpkins)
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam - The Spooky School By Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton Published by Nosy Crow £5.99 PB
"From the brains which brought you the massively successful Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam picture books comes the first in a new series of two-colour fiction titles.
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Spooky Schoolcontains three hilarious read-aloud stories. The Spooky School, The Wacky Weather Week and Trouble at the Museum.
Our heroes don’t just make wonderful cakes. They also solve wacky and downright crazy mysteries too. The first of the stories, The Spooky School, is a perfect
Halloween bedtime read. Halloween at St Spectre’s school will grip young readers as our dynamic duo go on the hunt to find who, or what, is behind the mysterious ghost dog.
The other two stories in this title are equally as thrilling. Readers will be flying through the pages wanting to follow Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam as they go on their adventures.
Why is the weather going crazy? Who is the mysterious power-grabbing red panda and what are those racoons up to in the local museum?
These beautifully created fiction tales of the much loved pair of pooches is ideal for growing children’s confidence as they move from picture books to longer, independent reads." - Danny Pearson
