Christmas Cracker Tag

December 21, 2018December 16, 20182 Comments

Hello there! It’s Friday again… it’s FINALLY ALMOST THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. There’ll be a “first term wrap up” post coming… but today just a bit of fun. I’m taking on the Christmas Cracker Tag, which I first saw on my friend Cora’s blog. Check out her post here.

Lets get on!

Pick A Book With A Wintry Cover

Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone: you don’t get much more wintry than actual ice and the Northern Lights. This book is BRILLIANT too. Would recommend!

Pick A Book You’re Likely To Buy As A Present

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig: there is something incredibly special about this book. I definitely think everyone needs to read this book.

Pick A Festive Themed Book

The Night I Met Father Christmas by Ben Miller: I finished this last weekend and it is SO BRILLIANT. It’s like the most brilliant version of a Christmas story ever. I wish I’d read it before now, cause I’d love to share it with the kids I teach.

Pick A Book You Can Curl Up With By The Fireplace

A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard: for me sitting by the fireplace is dedicated to romance and loveliness. This book is one that’s stuck with me. I will need to find time to reread it. I just adore Steffi and Rhys.

Pick A Book You Want To Read Over The Festive Period

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman: the absolute angels of Walker sent me a copy of this last week… in perfect time for my Christmas holidays!

Pick A Book That’s So Good It Gives You Chills

A Darkness of Dragons by S.A.Patrick: I recently finished this and man, I just loved it! As a massive MG fan, it’s really great to come across a book that ticks so many boxes!

Pick A Book Going On Your Christmas Wishlist

Six of Crows Collector’s Edition by Leigh Bardugo: I’ve not actually told Santa this is on my list… so I might have to treat myself post Christmas!

Let me know your thoughts!

S x

Looking for a brilliant read for a teen in your life?

December 6, 2018December 2, 2018Leave a comment

Here we are, day 3 of my gift guide. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them! It’s been a blast looking back at my year in books and thinking which ones I would recommend people buy and read AND SHOVE IN EACH OTHERS FACES *ahem*.

Today, on this here final day of recommending, I’m sorting through the MANY MANY YA books I’ve read this year and giving you 12 that you ABSOLUTELY need to buy for the YA fan in your life! (Just as the past few days, none of these books will REALLY come as a surprise!) Without further ado…

Scythe/Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven

State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury (while we’re at it… The Sin Eater’s Daughter trilogy too, LBR)

Goodbye Perfect by Sara Barnard (and ANY of her other books too)

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Show Stopper/Show Stealer by Hayley Barker

White Rabbit, Red Wolf by Tom Pollock

The Secret Deep by Lindsay Galvin

Theatrical by Maggie Harcourt

Clean by Juno Dawson

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber (and Wing Jones too)

Floored by the Floored Seven

TADAAAAH. You made it. This list could’ve been so much longer. GO AND BUY THEM ALL. READ THEM ALL. LOVE THEM ALL.

Do you agree with my recommendations?
Can you add any to my list?
Which of these books have you loved most?

Talk to me in the comments! Are you SHOCKED by my choices?

S x

“Which books should I add to my Christmas list, Miss?”

December 5, 2018December 2, 20181 Comment

Yesterday, I shared 10 recommendations for emerging chapter book readers – check it out if you’re after recommendations for 6+ years! Today I’m sharing books that I’ve shared with the kids in my class, school and life! Today is the turn of those who are confidently reading longer chapter books – longer chapter books that are BLOODY BRILLIANT.

None of these books will come as a surprise to ANYONE who knows me, but nevertheless. I think one of the best books you can buy kids is a book. These recommendations are books I’ve loved, but also books that my kids have wholeheartedly taken under their wing!

(I know right, SHOCKERS)

Now, some of these are book 1 in a series that I would recommend the whole series of… but if I’d put ALL of the books in the series of, I would have been here forever!

The House with Chicken Legs – Sophie Anderson

The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club series – Alex Bell

A Place Called Perfect series – Helena Duggan

Armistice Runner – Tom Palmer

The Light Jar – Lisa Thompson

Tilly and the Bookwanderers – Anna James

The Way Past Winter – Kiran Milwood Hargrave

Snowglobe – Amy Wilson

The Nowhere Emporium series – Ross Mackenzie

Brightstorm – Vashti Hardy

The Storm Keeper’s Island – Catherine Doyle

Who Let The Gods Out series by Maz Evans (Simply the Quest review, Beyond the Odyssey review)

And there you have it… my second lot of MG recommendations which are perfect to buy for any budding bookworm in your life!

Have you read any of these?
Do you have any favourites?
Would you recommend any for me to add to my list?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Come back tomorrow for YA recommendations!

S x

“You know books… can I have some recommendations?”

December 4, 2018December 2, 20182 Comments

The amount of times I’ve been asked for recommendations over the past few weeks is LUSH. Whether it’s from my kids for what to read next, for parents on what to buy their kids for Christmas or from my colleagues on what to read, it’s all lush to talk books.

Over the next 3 days I’m going to collate 3 different lists for books I’d recommend – be it to read or to buy someone for Christmas!

Today I’m tackling 7+ (ish) recommendations

Tomorrow will be 8+ish and then Wednesday will be YA recommendations! There are LOADS of recommendations out there, I just decided to collate my favourite 10 from the past year (or so)!

If you have a reader who is just starting to read chapter books, or likes the look of illustrated chapter books, these books are brilliant.

Violet and the… series by Harriet Whitehorn

Fabio – The World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective by Laura James

Royal Rabbits of London series by Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig

Amelia Fang series by Laura Ellen Anderson

Max – The Detective Cat series by Sarah Todd Taylor

The Wild Robot series by Peter Brown

The Twitches series by Hayley Scott

Sam Wu series by Katie and Kevin Tsang

Horace and Harriet series by Clare Elsom

There you have it! 10 of the best books for Y2+ I’ve read recently. I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know!

Have you read any of these?
Do you have any recommendations that I could add?
Which of these would you like to pick up most?

Talk to me!

Remember to come back tomorrow for recommendations for books for those 8+ years!

S x

BOOK BLOG: Lara Hawthorne

October 24, 2018October 21, 20182 Comments

Silent Night: the classic, beautifully illustrated!

“Celebrate the magic of Christmas with this beautifully illustrated book, based on the world’s best-loved carol. Rediscover the Nativity Story in all its glory—from quaking shepherds to heaven-sent angels—as the song lyrics are brought to life on every spread. The world’s diversity is reflected in a cast of characters with a range of skin tones. A gorgeous book for all the family to share during the festive season.”

Christmas is coming and what’s more perfect than one of the greatest Christmas carols beautifully illustrated? Silent Night is one of those classics that everyone knows. I even know the chorus and the first verse in German (I’m not sure why!). I think Christmas is such a lovely time of year and music is an important part of that.

Silent Night has been beautifully illustrated in this book, with the lyrics of the book broken into little scenes of the night that Jesus was born. The book features the key people in the Christmas story – angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, kings and the stable!

This book is going to be SO perfect to use at school. Whether kids know the song or not, it is a brilliantly simple, yet beautiful, way to teach them the story of Christmas.

I also love that it comes with this information page in the back all about the song. Great for older children to find out more about the song. This could inspire some of your KS2 kids to make their own book of a Christmas song and write their own “about the carol” page.

This would make the perfect Christmas present. I already know it’s going to go down brilliantly at school.

A massive thank you to the wonderful Quarto for sending me a copy of this book! I do now however want to start singing Christmas songs… (but not yet… I can’t until after Halloween!)

Silent Night is out now!

Do you have a favourite Christmas song?
Is Silent Night up there in your top 10?
What’s your Christmas rules?

Talk to me! Which carol would you like to see made into a book?!

S x

S4S – Christmas books

December 24, 2017December 24, 2017Leave a comment

IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE!

WHAT? HOW? WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

How excited is everyone? But seriously? I hope you’re all on the nice list.

But anyway, the important things…#SixforSunday.

Today’s category is quite simply:

Christmas books

So today I come to you with books I have asked for/bought myself/bought for other people for Christmas:

Mythos – Stephen Fry
The Magic Misfits – Neil Patrick Harris
It Only Happens in the Movies – Holly Bourne
Paris for One – Jojo Moyes
Du Iz Tak? – Carson Ellis
The Creakers – Tom Fletcher

So there we go! 1 book I’ve asked for, 1 book I bought for myself and 4 books I’ve bought for other people! I’ll let you have a guess at which books are which!

Don’t forget to share your#SixforSunday post on twitter and I’ll check it out! Thank you everyone who joins in!

S x

Why buy books?

December 21, 2017December 17, 20171 Comment

As you saw at the beginning of December, in my Perfect Presents feature, I am a MASSIVE fan of buying books for EVERYONE for Christmas. I think books ARE the perfect present. If you missed that feature, please check out my gift guides for EVERYONE in your life:
– Perfect Presents #1 deals with picture book recommendations
– Perfect Presents #2 shows you some brilliant MG books to buy!
– Perfect Presents: YA edition does exactly what it says on the tin… recommendations for YA books
– Perfect Presents: Miscellaneous edition is a miscellaneous mix of ALL kinds of books that I would recommend!

Everyone in my life (from the twiglets, to my best friend, to my mam) is getting a book. Some of them are getting MULTIPLE books. My twiglets are getting about a million books. I have a strong feeling about books. For as long as I can remember, I have bought books for the twiglets. (My twiglets are my goddaughters, if you weren’t sure!) Birthdays, Christmas: books have been on the agenda. I don’t think there is a better present. It has meant that they are now total book worms.

I recently posted on twitter this picture, with the caption:

“All 31 of my Y6s will be getting a book for Christmas! Gotta love @TheBookPeople for total bargains! (Forgive the badly drawn smudges to cover up names) #givebooks“

And my WORD what a response it got. Mostly positive, I did receive a few messages that weren’t so positive. The over riding response was positive. People were so kind. Comments about how thoughtful it is. How they wish they’d had me as a teacher. How teachers like me are what’s good about teaching.

To all of you, thank you so much. It means the world. You’re all brilliant. Your kind words mean a lot.

I bought them all a book because that’s what I do.

For some of my kids it might be the only book they get. If I get to provide that, then I’m doing my job. I want all of my kids to be surrounded by books. I want them to read for pleasure. I want reading to be a part of their life. Reading books opens you up to so many different worlds, so much incredible vocabulary and some true escapism.

For the sceptical people who sent me messages that weren’t very supportive: I wasn’t showing off, I wasn’t looking for approval. For those who said I shouldn’t shop at The Book People, I should shop at Waterstones/WHSmiths: I quite simply can’t afford to buy 31 books at Waterstones prices. What The Book People provide is a very affordable means for me to ensure that my kids get at least one book at Christmas.

I’m there to facilitate the learning of my kids, not just in the classroom.

So yeah, give books.

S x

Christmas movies!

December 19, 2017December 10, 20172 Comments

We’re getting closer!

Christmas is on its way!

Yesterday, I shared my favourite Christmas songs, and today I am sharing my favourite Christmas films.

Now… confession time, gather around everyone. I’m not a massive film watcher. I LOVE going to the cinema, but I’m not great at watching films at home. Maybe I just need to find someone to watch films with? Who knows! So yes, I don’t watch films OFTEN but Christmas is an excellent time to sit and watch films. Here’s a few I watch at Christmas!

Love Actually Image result for love actually

I know, I know, a lot of people think this is problematic, BUT I love it. I think it’s lush. The message at the start in the airport gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME. I like the love stories. Are they believable? No. I don’t watch for believability; I watch because I’m a romantic at heart. It makes me cry so much at many different things.

The Grinch

Image result for the grinch

I really like Jim Carrey’s performance as the Grinch, he’s pretty spot on. This is definitely one I will be hoping is on some streaming service or another as I want to watch it again! It makes me laugh and gives me festive feels!

The Holiday

Image result for the holiday

I’ve only seen The Holiday a handful of times but what I remember, I really loved it. I will seek it out this holiday season and reignite my love for it. I’d quite like to swap homes with someone in a warmer climate and fall in love this Christmas… *sigh*

Elf

Image result for elf

If you don’t love Elf, I don’t know if we can be friends. I love this film. It is so quintessential Christmas for me that I watch it EVERY SINGLE Christmas. I may in fact even watch it tonight. Will Ferrell plays SUCH A BRILLIANT Buddy the Elf in this film. He is HILARIOUS. If you’ve never seen it, please go watch it (although I will find it hard to believe anyone hasn’t seen it!)

Miracle on 34th Street

Image result

For me, THIS Santa is the one and only Santa there is. I love this film, so much. I don’t watch it often, but when I do I absolutely adore it. It’s one of those savour the moment kind of films!

And there you go! There’s 5 of my faves! Nothing out of the ordinary, but good films deserve their praise!

What are your favourite Christmas films?
What’s your favourite snack to accompany your films?
Do you prefer the cinema or at home watching?

Talk to me! Tweet me! Comment! Email! Send a pigeon!

S x

Christmasssssssssssssssssss!

December 18, 2017December 10, 20172 Comments

Hello!

As if this time next week it will be Christmas Day. What is that about? Where has this year gone? BUT ALSO HOW EXCITING. How excited is everyone? On a scale of 1-SANTAAAAAAAAAAAA. I’m about a 5 at the minute. Get me through this last week of school and we’ll be grand!

Today I’m sharing some of my favourite Christmas songs… I’ll try and stick to 5, but there may be more!

First on my list will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me…

Michael Buble – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

CLICK

I love this man. I love this song, it makes me feel SO FESTIVE. The whole album does, but the music for this one just gets me!

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You

WATCH

YEP I LOVE IT. It’s just so brilliant. I often dance around my bedroom to this on a morning, to inspire mysef to get up. It’s a great start to the morning.

Pentatonix – Away In A Manger

LISTEN

For those of you who don’t know who Pentatonix are, they’re this incredible acapella group who make EVERYTHING SOUND AMAZING. They released this version of Away in a Manger this year and I may have listened to it 600000 times already!

Kelly Clarkson – Underneath the Tree

GO GO GO

This is another one of those that you can properly dance to! I love Kelly Clarkson and her voice is just brilliant. This is one of those brilliant boppy songs! (Yes, sorry I did just use the word bop). The whole Wrapped in Red album is excellent – would recommend.

Frozen soundtrack – Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?

OK BYE

I have grown to absolutely LOVE THIS SONG. Not really Christmassy BUT Frozen screams Christmas and winter at me!

I could go on and on if we’re honest!

Honourable mentions to: Last Christmas and O Holy Night.

I am a massive fan of carols, I love going to Christmas carol services! They’re just so beautiful. I’m hoping I can get to one this year!

Do you have a favourite Christmas song?
What’s your favourite carol?

Let me know in the comments, or tweet me! Happy singing!

S x

S4S – Winter rereads

December 10, 2017December 3, 2017Leave a comment

Good afternoon #SixforSunday folks!

A massive thank you to all of you for your enthusiasm about #SixforSunday! There is a post in a week or 2 about the prompts for 2018. I hope to see you all of you and more in 2018! Invite your friends along! Tell them how awesome #SixforSunday is!

Anyway, on with this week’s theme:

Winter rereads

This is a hard one because I don’t tend to reread books very often BUT there are definitely some that I will, and some that I am hoping to reread this winter! Some winter themed, some not so much!

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – not strictly Winter, but there’s snow, so there.
Matilda – again, not technically Winter, BUT I will be rereading it!
Eleanor and Park – I haven’t reread this since reading it originally, so I am looking forward to this.
The Storm Whale at Winter – gorgeous picture book, well worth a read at all times of year!
Refuge – this book is about Mary and Joseph, it’s a picture book that I bought last year and I absolutely adored it!
The Christmas Mystery – this book was given to me by one of my colleagues last year and it’s the most incredible book where you read a chapter a day from December 1st to December 25th. I must get it back out and catch up!

Share your #SixforSunday with me! Use the hashtag and link me in the comments, or on twitter!

S x

alittlebutalot

Even if you're little you can do a lot

Tag: christmasblog