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.

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)

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

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