London 2012 Olympic Games - The Official Book

The Olympic Games comes to London in 2012 and London 2012 Olympic Games The Official Book is a stunning illustrated guide to the world's greatest sporting event and essential reading for sports fans everywhere. Packed with glorious photography and expert analysis of the star athletes and their prospects at the Games, The Official Book is an authoritative and comprehensive preview of the 30th Olympiad. The book features a guide to each of the Olympic Games sports and venues, a brief history of the Games and the competition schedule to ensure you won't miss a moment of the Games. Whether you are watching the Olympic Games live in London or from the comfort of your own living room, this is the preview for you.

The Official Book for the London 2012 Olympic Games. There is a foreward written by Sebastian Coe KBE and is a great companion to the games this summer. However, unlike many of the other books published in the build up to the games, it does not mention the Paralympic Games.

There are sections on all the Olympic venues both inside and outside London. A full games schedule is also included - which also list the venues they are based in. All the games included within the Games are detailed in the book and include information on the disciplines key facts; countries/teams to watch along with star athlete in that discipline. There is a detailed explanation to the discipline and its history within the Olympics. The explanation to the discipline is detailed and will make a good armchair companion to any Olympic enthusiasts.

There is a section entitled 12 for London 2012 which are 12 unknown youngsters who will be debuting in London 2012's Olympics. The final section is all about current Olympic Games records which make interesting reading and great material for any quiz lovers!

I would recommend this as the best companion to London 2012 that I have found - it will guide you through each event and also give you those little facts which are pulled out in quizzes.

Thank you to the publishers, Carlton Books, for sending me this book to review. 

Deadly 60 2013 Annual

A year packed full of adventure in the first ever DEADLY Annual! Containing brand new material from Steve Backshall, this is a fierce, fun and fact-filled compilation of quizzes, puzzles and activities featuring deadly animals from around the world.

Deadly 60 is a big hit in this house and anything about it is also a big hit!

The annual follows the same format as any annual - lots of features, puzzles and photographs all on the same theme - the deadly animals of the world. 

There are lots of beautiful photographs and facts about some of the most deadly animals in the world - a great starting point for any  animal fans or for anyone interested in these animals. There are also reports from some of the treks and expeditions carried out by the team.


In summary, this would make a great gift for any Deadly 60 fans or budding zoologists.

This annual is part of a new range of books by Orion from the Deadly 60 team.


Thank you to the publishers, Orion Children's Books, for sending me the annual to review.



Cudweed in Outer Space by Marcus Sedgwick

Cudweed encounters aliens and a time machine in this funny, quirky story, perfect for beginner readers, from the bestselling Raven Mysteries team, Marcus Sedgwick and Pete Williamson.

A great early reader book which will appeal specifically to boys. I know that when my son was beginning to read longer story books other than Horrid Henry and Beast Quest books I found it difficult to find books to interest him in the same way. However this book would have been perfect for him and would of captured his imagination

It is about a boy who builds his own spaceship and goes on his own adventure. It is full of fantastic illustrations by Pete Williamson who captures the essence of the story perfectly and will also capture a childs imagination while they read the story.

These Orion Children's Books Early Readers are fantastic. Just the right level for children who are gaining confidence in reading alone.Would also make a perfect book to share at bedtime, reading a chapter, or two, a night.

Thank you to the publishers, Orion Children Books, for sending me the book to review. 

To Turn Full Circle by Linda Mitchelmore

Life in Devon in 1909 is hard and unforgiving, especially for young Emma Le Goff, whose mother and brother die in curious circumstances, leaving her totally alone in the world. While she grieves, her callous landlord Reuben Jago claims her home and belongings. His son Seth is deeply attracted to Emma and sympathises with her desperate need to find out what really happened, but all his attempts to help only incur his father's wrath. When mysterious fisherman Matthew Caunter comes to Emma's rescue, Seth is jealous at what he sees and seeks solace in another woman. However, he finds that forgetting Emma is not as easy as he hoped. Matthew is kind and charismatic, but handsome Seth is never far from Emma's mind. Whatever twists and turns her life takes, it seems there is always something - or someone - missing.

When I pick up a book published by Choc Lit Publishers I know I will be reading a fantastic story and this book is no disappointment.

This is the first novel written by Linda Mitchelmore and is a brilliant debut novel. The book is written in a style which does not include much description but concentrates more on dialogue and the story. 

It features a strong family theme and also tells the story of a small fishing village.  The main character is a strong female who wants to make her own way in a male dominated times.

This is the first book in a trilogy and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next instalment by Mitchelmore.

This book would be the perfect book to be added to any holiday bag this summer or to pick up to relax in the sun for a lazy afternoon spent reading!

Thank you to the publishers, Choc Lit Publishers, for sending me the book to review.

Team GB and Paralympics GB Activity Handbook

 Join the great team of Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they prepare for the London 2012 Games. In this fantastic handbook, you'll find lots of photos and facts about your favourite star athletes, along with puzzles, activities and creative ideas to make you into a world-class fan! There are also stickers to decorate the pages and a colourful poster to put on your wall and show your support.

A fantastic book for the young fans of London 2012, who want to learn about it before it all starts on Friday.

 

There are five sections to the handbook: Sports files; Team GB; Hall of Fame; Puzzles with Pride; and Stickers and Poster. The information contained is rather scarce and does not cover all Olympic events and disciplines but do give children an insight into some of the popular events. There are space for information to be added by children - including how many medal are won by teams in both The Olympics and The Paralympics. There are sections on some of Team GB's famous stars and also has space to record their achievements in the games. Previous Olympic stars from Great Britain are also included within the file.

 

This book would be a good gift for children who are interested in the Games, but I think that after they have read the file and get into the Games a bigger table will be requested to record all of the medals rewarded during the Games and Paralympic Games.

 

Thank you to the publishers, Carlton Books, for sending me the book to review.

Adventures in Parenthood by Denise Van Outen

In her second parenting book, Denise van Outen recounts, with her trademark warmth and honest, down-to-earth attitude, the joys and challenges of motherhood following the birth of her daughter Betsy with Lee Mead. ADVENTURES IN PARENTHOOD tells the trials and tribulations of those first 18 months of parenthood, when everything is new. Denise believes it's important to be open and to share as a new mum - she has spoken out about breastfeeding and being a working mum in the press - and this book does exactly that. Denise draws not just on her own experience, but also those of her non-celebrity friends. Some of her Twitter followers have also added their own advice and experience. This frank and honest account from Denise is a great holiday read for any new parent who is wondering if anyone else is feeling the same way they are - the answer is usually yes!

There are many celebrity books out which are trying to get people into a new craze or are trying to say they are the new chef, stylist, make up artist etc. However, this book is not one of those. It is Denise Van Outen sharing her 'diary' about the first 18 months of her daughter's life and her personal feelings about the trials and tribulations that lots of new parents go through every day.

The book is one which new, first time parents or parents who have more than one child will find informative. There are many hints and tips and tried suggestions for many of a newborn babies milestones. Each chapter also ends with 'words from my twitter followers' which show that they are real problems/difficulties which affect everyone and gives some really good ideas which have helped others in the same situation.

This is a book which can be dipped into to any time to 'research' a specific time in an infants development or could be read front to back as a diary/book. It is a good read which will be a perfect gift for a new time mum.

Thank you to the publishers, Headline, for sending me the book to review.

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce

Welcome to New York City, where the socialites are witches. Jane Boyle has been living a fairy tale. When her boyfriend Malcolm proposes, Jane can't believe her luck and decides to leave her Paris-based job as a fledgling architect and makes a new start with him in New York. But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan, one of Manhattan's most feared and revered families, Jane's fairy tale takes a darker turn. Now Jane must struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them. Welcome to "666 Park Avenue".

When I read the synopsis for this book I was unsure if it was my kind of book, however I did read it and was pleasantly surprised. There are lots of books on the market which involve witches, vampires and the like which i do not enjoy, however this book is unlike any of those and is a good read. 

I did think that the story started slowly, with a girl falling in love with a mysterious man, who whisks her away to New York to live. However before before they do, they visit her grandmother her brought her up to find her dead, and a letter for Jane which reveals a family secret. When they reach New York, Jane finds herself in a strange house with the Doran clan who also have a secret and are a powerful family. It was here that I felt the story really got going  and I felt that the story got interesting just before the book ended - however it has left me wanting to read the other two books in the story.

The scene is set for a very glamorous lifestyle and I am intrigued to find out more about the  Doran clan and their powers within New York and beyond. I am sure Jane's life will be changing forever.

Thank you to the publishers, Canvas Books, for sending me the book to review.