Picture Books by Leslie Patricelli

If you think that kids should only start reading when they enter kindergarten, these books by Leslie Patricelli can prove you wrong. Indeed, toddlers may be more fascinated by toys than by daunting books, but that is not the case if you find books that teach age-appropriate knowledge with easy text. The picture books by Leslie Patricelli aim at turning everyday, mundane activities into interesting stories that will appeal to infants and toddlers. One of her most popular books – No No Yes Yes teaches babies how to navigate in this new world and tells them what is correct and incorrect behaviour, such as picking his nose and filling the toilet with toys. In addition, with the colourful and eye-catching illustrations and the limited number of words in huge fonts, children are allowed ample room on each page for their creativity to blossom while they try to act out the funny illustrations in the book. With the hilarious stories and pictures, your child will be giggling away while enjoying these entertaining picture books!

Angel@Booklodge

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss is probably one of the most famous and popular children’s author of all time. Having written over 60 children’s books, 16 of which have been included in Publishers Weekly’s list of the best-selling children's books of all time, his classics are a must read for children of all ages! The simple and short stories filled with lively characters and interesting storylines make his books great bedtime stories. More importantly, written with fun phrases and rhymes, very young children can gain confidence in reading through repetition, and most early readers find no difficulty in reading these books by themselves! What’s more, the stories also portray important messages that are useful in helping kids develop their characters. For example, one of Dr. Seuss’ most popular books, Green Eggs and Ham, teaches children never to be afraid to try. If you’re trying to get your kids to start enjoying reading, Dr. Seuss is definitely your first choice!

Angel@booklodge



Booklodge tips: to check out Dr. Seuss titles, click this link.

Let's Get on the Magic School Bus!

Ever found it impossible to teach a 4-year old about boring topics of science? Not anymore! With the Magic School Bus series by Scholastic, kids from four to eight can now experience the wonders of science through their own eyes! Every book in this series features an adventure where the class goes on a magical fieldtrip led by their class teacher Ms. Frizzle. With the magic school bus transforming into all sorts of vehicles, such as a submarine or a spaceship, and shrinking so small as to fit into a blood vessel, the class takes on the most extraordinary exploration of space, the ocean, and even the human body! With the colourful illustrations and comic book style conversations, learning about science has never been so simple! The books also include additional facts on the side of the pages, which give readers interesting additional information on the subject. Are you ready to bring your children on board the Magic School Bus?

Angel@Booklodge

Click this link to view the Magic School Bus series

Picture Books by Karen Katz

Ever found it difficult to get your child to go to bed, or found classic stories like the Princess and the Frog boring after repeating it every single night? Karen Katz has written and illustrated more than fifty picture books that is not only fun to read during the day, but as bedtime stories as well! Her latest book – Princess Baby, Night-Night is a parental favourite because as the little Princess gets to bed, the child reading it will be as well! Karen Katz is best known and loved for her bright and cheery illustrations of adorable babies, and her light-hearted stories that captivates readers of very young age. Many of Karen Katz’s books also focus on teaching young children good manners, like how to share and play fair. With the big, bright and easy-to-read text, this book makes a great read-aloud, which helps your child take the important first step into learning how to read.

Angel@Booklodge

The Happiest Baby on the Block

What should you do when you are facing a baby who just won’t sleep or stop crying? Many modern parents find it old-fashioned to use so-called traditional ways like singing nursery rhymes to calm babies down. My aunt is one of these fashionable parents. Talking about her baby girl during dinner, she told me the best way to calm my cute cousin is, to my surprise, not by any method suggested by my experienced Grandma, but some funny ways mentioned in the book The Happiest Baby On The Block. One of these innovative ways includes imitating the environment in the uterus (which the baby has stayed comfortably for nine entire months) by swaddling and swinging the baby. Well, I haven’t got a chance to experiment these interesting tricks yet, but I’m sure you’ll find them really useful after reading the thorough explanation of every technique in the book!

Angel@booklodge.com



P.S. Find the book here!

Reading Tips!

We all know that the love of reading is crucial to the development of our children and must be instilled at an early age, but how? Read on for tips on how to nurture a lifelong reader:

A regular pattern
In order to foster the habit of reading, it is essential that children are reading books on a daily basis. It is common that children are busy with their daily routine but there are many opportunities to read books to your child during their routine. Right before mealtime is a perfect slot to read some short stories whilst bedtime story is an important part of growing up. When you have a fixed reading schedule, it gives the child something to look forward to!

Let the child select the book
The parents probably select most of the books in the home. Why not let the child have his/her own say on which book to read? Your child should also be given a choice as this allows them develop their own individual thinking.

Interaction
Reading books to your child should not be a solo performance. Whilst reading, questions and answers should be exchanged. Reading time is an opportunity to introduce new concepts to your child, enhance language ability, and to build up his/her knowledge.

Role model
As we all know, parents are role models for their children. It is important that your child knows that you are also an avid reader. Surround yourself with a lot of reading materials at your home and read them!

Reading should be fun and it is a wonderful way to bond with the family!

Joey@booklodge

The Great Hamster Massacre

Last Sunday, I paid a visit to my grandparents’. While we were chatting about my childhood, we were disturbed by gales of laughter coming from my nieces in the living room. When I asked the two sisters what was so interesting, my 11-year-old niece showed me a book they’ve been reading together called The Great Hamster Massacre.

Bearing in mind a massacre means a scene of mass killing, I was about to question whether the book is about animal abuse when I was attracted by the colourful cover of the book with a cute, chubby hamster. Flipping through the book, I came to find that the book has a far healthier content. It’s about the adventure of Anna and her brother in their investigation into the recent death of their hamster pets. The story is written in first-person by Anna and is a hilarious narration of the 9-year-old girl .The lovable tale makes an enjoyable read with its funny illustrations for readers of any age. It has won the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2010 and has been recommended by a wide range of children’s magazines.

Angel@Booklodge

The Great Hamster Massacre and its sequel The Great Rabbit Rescue can be found at Booklodge.com.

The Series of Who Was...

Encouraging your child to learn by reading an interesting fictitious story is not hard, but asking them to read non-novels about great people in the world is always not as easy a task. The Who Was…? series is then a helpful choice for parents who want their children to learn about the world and great people across time.

The series features over 30 illustrated biographies of great people from different times of history. With the series, your child can learn about the lives and interesting stories of people from the the famous Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci to the popular band Beatles. Every biography is written by a different author of children’s books to ensure diversity, and nearly every page of the biography comes with illustrations to bring more fun to the reading. Who says biographies can’t be interesting for kids?

Angel@Booklodge

Click this link to see all titles of Who Was ...

Step into Reading!

It is understandable how parents always want their children to enjoy reading and improve their English at a young age. Yet, many of them seem to think that piling thick books on their kids' tables and forcing them to read would eventually bring those results. This is a terrible idea as not only would your child not read them, they won't even dare to go near them!

When it comes to picking books for children, the first step is to find something age-appropriate. Random House's Step into Reading series is divided into five levels to suit five different age groups. From Step One, designed for preschool children, which includes easy rhymes and rhythms, to Step Five with long paragraphs and full chapters, it is easy for you to pick books that are suitable for your child.

Another important thing to bear in mind is to find books that are interesting and engaging. One way to do this is by choosing different types of books instead of merely sticking to ordinary storybooks. The Step into Reading series includes not only fiction, but non-fiction as well, uncovering lives of historical figures, interesting facts about science, and important stories in history. Filled with full colour art and exciting stories, these books will definitely be a fun read for your child!

Remarks: Each of the Step into Reading book only costs HK$28! Check out this link!

Angel@Booklodge

Pop-up Books

If I had to name a kind of book that will appeal to all children, it must be pop-up books. Isn't it amazing how you can discover new things every time you flip the page, lift the flap, and see how the pop-ups work?

Walker Books have published a series of pop-up books that are educational but yet still remain entertaining for young minds. The "Pop-Up House of Inventions" is an example of which that includes hundreds of fascinating facts about your home, from the origin of the washing machine to the history of the toilet. Another example would be "My Pop-Up Body Book", which allows children from the age of three to start learning about how their bodies work. As everything is explained in short, simple sentences with the aid of exciting pop-ups and colourful pictures, your children are guaranteed to have a great time learning and reading at the same time!

These hardback pop-up books would also make great gifts for young children! So if you are still struggling about what cartoon or stuffed toy to get as a present, why not make it interesting and get a pop-up book instead?


Angel@Booklodge

Let's Jump Into Science!

"Where do stars come from?"
"Why do we have earthquakes?
"Where is the moon?"

Have your curious kids ever asked you questions like that, but you don't know how to explain it to them easily? With the help of the Jump Into Science series published by the National Geographic, this job is made much easier! Covering topics such as space and geography, these books uncover basic concepts through the use of simple, age-appropriate language and beautiful full colour illustrations. What's more, every book comes with a DIY experiment with easy-to-follow instructions that can allow your children to have a better understanding of the concepts they've just learnt! Filled with important scientific information and interactive activities, the Jump Into Science series is definitely going to captivate the curious minds of your children!




Remarks: all Jump into Science books can be found in our website http://www.booklodge.com

Angel@Booklodge

Maisy

If you're a parent with a young child, you'll probably know who Maisy Mouse is. Maisy Mouse is the main character in a wide range of bestselling books that are appropriate for children from newborns up. One of its most special collections is its line of buggy books that are perfect for babies 6 months and above, as they can be strapped onto pushchairs, prams and cots. This way, your children can have their favourite book with them wherever they go!

Apart from picture books and buggy books, there is also a variety of acclaimed novelty books under Maisy Mouse, such its lift-the-flap books that are sure to make reading fun for your child! Maisy books are also filled with colourful illustrations to accompany their simple stories, making it very easy for children to grasp simple ideas and concepts.

Angel@booklodge

Roald Dahl

When I was young, one of my favourite authors ever was Roald Dahl, the most well-known name in the world of children's literature as well as one of the world's bestselling fiction authors with sales estimated at 100 million. Many of his books are written from the point of view of a child, making them very easy to read and understand. The stories were always creative and exciting that they kept me lying in bed reading for days. A few of Roald Dahl's most acclaimed books include The Big Friendly Giant, James and The Giant Peach, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, all of which have been made into popular movies.

When choosing books for children, many parents hope to find books that can help improve their children's English, and at the same time, embody essential values and virtues that help build up their children's personality. Books by Roald Dahl are not only about depicting funny and exciting characters, but are, more importantly, focused on enlightening us about lessons in life, what to be and not to be.

At lower levels, Roald Dahl books are filled with full colour illustrations that make them fun to read and allow your child to have a better understanding of the stories. As this acclaimed author writes with a great sense of humour, I'm sure your child will enjoy his books as much as I do!

Angel@Booklodge

Booklodge tips: Roald Dahl titles can be found by clicking into the category of "Bestselling Authors / Characters / Series" in our website (http://www.booklodge.com)

Meet Daisy!

When it comes to reading, I always tend to have favourite characters that I just can't get enough of. Sadly, not all books have sequels where I can learn more about them. This is not the case for Daisy, who is one of the best loved children book characters. These books written by Kes Gray have won various book awards such as the Children's Book Award, and have been international bestsellers for many years!

With a variety of books ranging from simple picture books to longer novels, children can get to know more about Daisy and experience her adventures as they grow up. These books are also filled with full colour illustrations and a sense of humour which are guaranteed to get your child giggling away. Daisy books also often come with many extras, such as stickers and CDs, that complement the simple stories and make the reading experience so much more fun and interactive!

Angel@Booklodge

Smart Tips: All Daisy books can be found within the category of Bestselling Authors / Characters / Series in our website (www.booklodge.com).

Learn to love reading with the Usborne Reading Programme

If you want your child to develop a habit of reading, it is most important for them to start young. Yet, books may seem daunting and boring to many young children. The Usborne Reading Programme provides a great solution to this dilemma. With a collection of over 200 titles, Usborne has published a variety of books filled with colourful illustrations and a sense of humour that will surely capture your child's attention.

Moreover, books by Usborne aren't confined to fiction and classics only. It has also published a range of non-fictions that cover historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Napoleon. This way, not only can children enjoy the fun of reading, they can at the same time learn a great deal about history and the meaning behind it. With series ranging from 'Very First Reading' for very young children to 'Young Reading' for competent readers aged 10+, parents can choose books that best suit their children's age and ability.

Angel@Booklodge

Reasonably Priced Workbooks & Activity Books

I still remember how my mother used to spend thousands of dollars when I was young buying workbooks and reference books that bored me to tears, all with the good intention of improving my English and Maths. I was often forced to spend an hour a day to fight my way through all the boring fill in the blanks and multiple choice questions.

Who knew activity books now no longer make learning a chore? With workbooks published by Future Ace, kids can practise their English and Maths without undergoing the stress and reluctance that I gone through when I was young. Filled with activities such as colouring, matching and drawing, Future Ace workbooks make learning fun and interesting for your child. What's more, these workbooks are completely affordable, with prices ranging from HKD$8 to HKD$32! If you're trying to make your child more enthusiastic about learning without draining your wallet, Future Ace workbooks are definitely the smartest choice.

Angel@Booklodge

Smart Tips: Want to search the suitable workbooks / activity books / flash cards for your kids? Simply type "Future Ace" in the search bar of our website. (http://www.booklodge.com)

Winnie the Witch

Currently, my daughter is burying her head in the books of Winnie the Witch. I am not surprised as myself was mesmerized by its unique illustration and style at first sight.

Winnie the Witch is a hugely successful series published by Oxford University Press with over 2 million copies sold worldwide. Since its first book, the award-winning title Winnie the Witch, the series has developed into a whole range of picture books, paperback with audio CD and young fictions.

For kids who love funny stories, magic and cat (Winnie has a lovely black cat called Wilbur), Winnie the Witch is definitely THE choice! Once the children are clicked with Winnie in the picture books, they would keep on reading and reading and it really helps in encouraging the transition from picture books to chapter books as they leap with enthusiasm to read Winnie's young fiction.

List of Picture Books:

• Winnie The Witch
• Winnie in Winter
• Winnie Flies Again
• Winnie's Magic Wand
• Winnie's New Computer
• Winnie at the Seaside
• Winnie's Midnight Dragon
• Happy Birthday, Winnie
• Winnie's Flying Carpet
• Winnie's Amazing Pumpkin
• Winnie in Space

List of Young Fiction:

• Winnie Says Cheese
• Whizz-Bang Winnie
• Winnie the Twit
• Winnie's Big Catch
• Mini Winnie
• Giddy Up Winnie
• Winnie Goes Batty
• Winnie's Jokes
• Winnie on Patrol

Joey@Booklodge

Jacqueline Wilson

When I was a teenager, I loved to bury myself in books whenever I was at home. Not because I had nothing better to do, but because I enjoyed the sense of escapism I got from reading stories much more exciting than my life. On the other hand, I also appreciated books that are relatable, books that seem that they are speaking to me.

It may be difficult to find books that involve fantasy yet still remain down to earth, but Jacqueline Wilson managed to write a whole range of books that are able to achieve the best of both worlds. This award-winning author not only uncovers fun and exciting adventures, but at the same time, sheds light upon issues that many teenagers face when they are growing up, such as divorce and bullying.

Many teenagers are going through a lot of confusion when they grow up, and it may not be the easiest thing for them to come to you about their problems. Therefore, it would be a good idea to get your kids to read a couple of these books to help them get their answers without actually going through any awkward confrontations.

If your kids, like me when I was younger, get addicted to Jacqueline Wilson books, fret not! With a huge collection of books written and published, you need not worry that your kids won't be able to satisfy their appetite for more Jacqueline Wilson!

Angel@booklodge

Fun Reading with Priddy Books

Have you ever found it difficult to convince your child into reading a book when they can't seem to keep their hands off their toys? As children, especially very young ones, tend to have short attention spans, it is necessary to provide them with books that are fun, interesting and appealing to the eye.

Priddy have specially designed different books that can easily catch young kids’ attention. Not only are all their books loaded with colourful illustrations, many of them are also special in the way they use real pictures instead, which makes it much easier for young children to understand new words and concepts. With books ranging from baby board books to touch-and-feel and wipe-clean books, children are provided with a great variety of fun choices that are not only interesting to read, but very effective for learning new words and acquiring reading skills as well.

Angel@Booklodge

An important lesson for my children

Tonight, I was reading "High Flier, The Story of Amy Johnson" to my children. The story is about how Amy Johnson, amid the strong view that women were not as capable as men, became a pilot and tried to break the records for long flights around the world in 1930.

Amy Johnson resisted the norm about what a woman should or shouldn't do and challenged her own ability. I was particularly touched to learn that Amy could accomplish her goal partly because she had always had the strongest support from her father. Ceasing the opportunity, I asked Hillary and Alexis on whether they thought there is any gap between the capability of boys and girls, I could not be more delighted when I heard them both shouted firmly, "No!"

In a society where traditional thinking with biased ideas are still finding ways to creep into our children's mind, I am resolute to act fast and teach them to THINK and to make sound judgment.

Joey@booklodge