Jacqueline Wilson Bean Bags: Review

As a book-loving adult, I know there's nothing better than curling up in a big squashy, comfy chair to read a book. (I have tried reading in the bath, but trying to keep the pages dry actually makes for a stressful, rather than relaxing experience!) And as a book-loving parent, nothing beats cuddling up with your child to enjoy a great story together. And of course when your children are old enough to read on their own it's a great idea for them to have a comfortable place to sit and read.

While S and B are not quite reading themselves yet, when we were asked to review a Jacqueline Wilson bean bag I have to admit I was very excited! Although the girls and I haven't read any Jacqueline Wilson books yet, they have been on my radar since we took a detour into her exhibition at 7Stories when we were visiting the Julia Donaldson exhibition.

Book Review: Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley

Last month I took part in my first running race/event since I was at school (you can read about it here) and on the very same day the Sunday Times published an extract of Alexandra Heminsley's book Running Like a Girl. The timing seemed inspired (and the extract was funny) so I downloaded the book onto my Kindle straightaway! Part memoir, part beginners-guide-to-running, it combines Heminsley's first person account of  her journey from complete non-runner to becoming a multiple marathon runner, with really practical tips for wannabe/beginner runners.

There are few books that can move you to near tears, make you want to shout out loud with outrage and give you sensible advice about your boobs - all between the same covers - but Running Like a Girl is one such book.

Picture Book Review: Little Poppets - Mouse's Sock Tree

Aside from books, one of my favourite childhood treasures was my dolls house and the bespoke pieces of furniture my parents made for it. I particularly remember the drawers my dad made from a pile of old matchboxes, covered in some sort of wood-effect lino with paper fasteners as the handles! Nostalgia, it's a wonderful thing eh? So the creators of Little Poppets - a new series of board book that are stylistically reminiscent of my late 70s/early 80s childhood - are definitely onto something.

Reading to Schoolchildren

On Friday it was my company's annual volunteering event. As I work in corporate communications my job was to travel around some of the projects with a camera crew and photographer capturing footage and images for a round-up. But at one of the projects I had the chance to take part in something that is really close to my heart - reading to young children.

We were in a primary school in central London where a lot of the children are from disadvantaged backgrounds. My colleagues who were there all day were reading to children from all classes but it just so happened that I was there for the reading to reception year - 4-5 year olds. I was paired up with two children, a boy and a girl, and they were able to choose the books they wanted me to read.

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

A gripping story with authentic, believable characters and enough twists to keep you frantically turning the pages

Gone Girl is probably one of the most hyped books of the year. The kind of book I usually avoid - I prefer to discover books rather than follow the crowd - but there was something intriguing about this plot that reeled me in.  Amy Dunne goes missing on the day of her fifth wedding anniversary and before long her husband Nick finds the finger of suspicion pointing his way. 

Some reviewers seem to have interpreted the story as some kind of polemic on marriage. And yes, Nick and Amy certainly don't have/didn't have a healthy relationship. It turns out they weren't exactly going to be celebrating five happy years together on the day she went missing. The contemporary backdrop has seen the couple forced to move from New York after they both lose their jobs as writers, back to Nick's hometown of North Carthage in Missouri - a small town, literally and figuratively miles from the cool Big Apple. 

Running Like a Wally for Literacy: My 10k for the National Literacy Trust

Not quite Olympic Gold!

At the start of the year I signed up to run 10k for the National Literacy Trust in March. I'm a bit of a fairweather runner - don't particularly like running outside, especially not in the rain, and had never run further than 5k on the treadmill - but I'd been thinking of doing a 10k race as a way to keep me motivated. When I saw this race advertised in early January, as well as being hooked by the clever timing of the promotion (new year resolutions and all that!), I felt enthusiastic about the cause. Literacy/reading is my 'thing' and here was a chance to achieve a personal goal at the same time as raising money for this important issue.

When I signed up, the race was 12 weeks away. Full of enthusiasm I downloaded a 12-week training programme and then let it, and my trainers, gather dust for 6 weeks! I was really busy at work, travelling and starting a new role, so by mid-Feb I started panicking and downloaded a 6-week training programme!  The enthusiasm returned as I got started with four runs in the first week. The second week I managed three and the third week shin splints kicked it! Bugger! A quick self-diagnosis on Google led me to conclude I was simply running too far/too fast too soon. So I had to scale it back a bit - cue panic as the days to the race ticked down! Still I persevered and a week before the race I ran 8k in 50 minutes. This felt like a real achievement and I was reassured that I might just be able to run 10k after all!

Picture Book Review: The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto

published by Harper Collins

A wonderfully madcap story

The Cow That Laid an Egg is a wonderful madcap but heartwarming story. The bonkers bar is set from the start when we are introduced to Marjorie the cow who is down in the dumps because she doesn't have any special talents like the other cows .. such as riding bicycles or doing handstands! Feeling sorry for her, the crafty chickens hatch a plan and lo and behold the next day Marjorie has laid an egg!

Obviously this generates a fervour of interest in Marjorie with press reports and visitors coming from far and wide to see this miracle egg. Soon enough the other cows get suspicious and accuse the chickens of interfering. But there's nothing anyone can do until the egg hatches. So they all wait ... and wait.... until the egg cracks and out pops a feathery little bundle, which soon utters its first cry of 'moo' and is duly declared to be a cow by Marjorie who names it Daisy!