The Flying Bath by Julia Donaldson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When everyone has left the house in the morning, the bath toys spring into action and head off on exciting adventures in their magical flying bath! From giving a muddy piglet a shower to putting out a fire for a frightened baboon, they have water at the ready for any emergency - but they're always home for the children's bathtime at the end of the day. The simple rhyming speech-bubble text is great to read aloud, and perfect for developing reading confidence. Richly detailed, sumptuous artwork completes this irresistible book for young readers.
This is another picture book by the very popular Julia Donaldson. When this arrived on my doorstep to share with my KS1 class I couldn't wait. They love to have stories read to them, but especially love a Donaldson book.
This is a very cute story about a bunch of animals who set out to help others. When the family leave the house in the morning, the little bath critters get straight on the phone to find out who needs their help first. The bath ends up going on a journey across the world helping animals in need.
I really liked this aspect of the book, every new page the bath was somewhere new, this really excited the children too, they liked to guess where it was going next and who they were going to help. The illustrations were truly wonderful too.
The children, once the story had ended loved it and said they would read it again and again. It really excited them and they said they would give it 5*, however from an adult's point of view, I personally didn't think it was as good as some as Donaldson's previous books. Saying that, they can't all be as good as The Gruffalo or What the Ladybird Heard.
If you like Donaldson's books, this is certainly one to add to your collection, however I don't think it will be as big as her earlier stories. I have decided to award 5* as that was the opinion of the children and they are the ones who get the true enjoyment from it.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
What the Ladybird Heard Next by Julia Donaldson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Once upon a farm lived a ladybird,
And these are the things that she saw and heard
Those crafty robbers Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are out of jail, and they're heading back to the farm with another cunning plan to cause trouble. They've been stealing eggs from the fat red hen, but now they're setting their sights higher and are planning to steal the fat red hen herself! Fortunately the quiet, clever ladybird is on their trail, and she and her farm animal friends have a plan of their own.
Join the cow, the goose, the horse, the sheep, the cat, and everyone's favourite ladybird in this fantastically funny farmyard caper - a much anticipated sequel to the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard, which has sold over a million copies worldwide.
I didn't know that Donaldson was going to be bringing out a sequel to What the ladybird heard, however when I was offered the next book to review with my class I jumped at the chance. I was so excited. Donaldson is a brilliant children's author and I love to shard her books with my class.
I took the book into school for them, they were so excited, we reread What the Ladybird heard to have it fresh in our minds, before starting this wonderful edition. When I shared this text with them, I could not believe how glued to the text they were. The children loved it, they also loved spotting the ladybird and the glitter on every page as before.
Once finished we were all disappointed, however this is going to be a firm favourite story for home time. Many of the children have already said they are going to be asking their parents for this one to add to their own library.
I don't want to spoil the book for you, but it follows the same idea as the original, with more laughs along the way. The same characters appear as in What the ladybird heard. Are Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len going to get away with it this time? This is a must to add to your Donaldson collection and I feel so lucky to have been able to share it with my class.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
What the Jackdaw Saw by Julia Donaldson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Poor jackdaw is about to fly into trouble - will he learn to read the animals' signs in time?
This book is for younger children than some of Donaldson's other books and when I was offered this to review, I jumped at the chance as I know my class love her work, this however was a little young for them. I did read it to them regardless and while some enjoyed it, for most it was not what they expected.
This is about a Jackdaw and he is inviting all his friends, the other animals to a party, he doesn't understand when the animals don't say anything but just touch their heads. To be honest the children I was reading this too were as equally confused during this part of the story and they couldn't understand it either. This did make them want to keep listening to try and find out why this was happening. Later in the story it becomes apparent why they are doing this.
It was the first book I have received for review which includes sign language and I think this is nice, there are many children who are unable to discover a love for reading when they are younger as they can't hear the story being told. This allows them to join in with the story but also they can feel the expert and be able to educate those around them with the signs and explain why this is happening.
As a teacher this is a really good book to bring into classroom discussion and PSHE/circle time sessions, it allows the topic of deafness to come up and discuss it in a supporting environment. It also allows other children to experience deafness as there are signs at the back of the book which can be used, this is an added bonus which I think enhances the book.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
Superworm by Julia Donaldson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
'A wacky and fun new adventure from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, starring a truly unforgettable hero!
Toad in trouble? Beetle in a jam? Never fear -- Superworm is here! And he's wiggling to the rescue!
But when Superworm is captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard, will his friends find a way to help their favorite superhero escape?
From the creators of THE GRUFFALO and ROOM ON THE BROOM, a super new adventure with a wriggly, squiggly hero you'll never forget.'
This is a story that I regularly read to my class and they absolutely love it every time.
Julia Donaldson has an unique way of engaging the children and sparking imagination. All of her books are popular favourites in our class, that we regularly use to prepare work for them.
The book has wonderful rhyme in it, which the children pick up and join in with. It introduces vocabulary for the children to use when to describe something, such as wiggle/squirm.
Being an insect this book can be related to topics on minibeasts for reception/year 1 children.
When the children were asked what they loved about this book, they all mentioned the illustrations. They are clear, colourful and exciting.
Personally I don't think this is as good as other Julia Donaldson books, however the children do and it's them that count!
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
'Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when the quick-thinking mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake "and "a hungry gruffalo . . . '
As a primary school teacher the Gruffalo is a story that comes up regularly. The children love to listen to the story and it can also be used as an educational tool.
The story is about a little mouse who walks through the forest, along the way he meets many predators. They all want to eat him and suggest they go for a visit at their houses. The little mouse is very clever and warns the predators off by coming up with a creature that he is going to meet. This is the Gruffalo. The little mouse describes the Gruffalo to the animals who in turn disappear, worried that they are going to be in the Gruffalo's belly! This is until the little mouse meets a monster, that looks like the description of the Gruffalo that he created. The little mouse then manages to convince the Gruffalo that he is the smartest animal in the forest and everyone is scared of him.
This is a wonderful tale that teaches children to not judge things by their appearance. There is repetition in the story that the children love to join in with and rhymes. This is a wonderful book to introduce character description to children and for them to create their own monster using description. Children of all ages enjoy reading the Gruffalo, I have used it in classes of 5 - 7 year olds.
