Recent Articles

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (in: Books: children & YA)
Mar 13, 2018

Puffin has published the film tie-in edition of Madeleine L'Engle's bestselling novel and winner of the prestigious Newbury Award. Anne Coates reviews.

Word Has It! (in: Games & toys)
Mar 12, 2018

University Games has created a great way to test your vocabulary – "It's a race a at great speed ... the tallest word is what you need!" Anne Coates relishes the challenge.

Cosy Microwaveable Boots (in: Products & equipment)
Mar 9, 2018

Prezzybox.com has a range of interesting gifts and some are still available for next day delivery in time for Mother's Day. Anne Coates tried out the Cosy Microwaveable Boots – an absolute boon in this cold weather.

The Unmumsy Mum Diary by Sarah Turner (in: Books for parents)
Mar 8, 2018

Published on International Women's Day and in time for Mothering Sunday, The Unmumsy Mum Diary in which Sarah Turner shares a year in her life as a mum, blogger, wife, and bestselling author – and reassures all those having a bad parenting day that they are not alone.

Tax-Free Childcare (in: Money matters)
Mar 7, 2018

Working parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for regulated holiday clubs during the Easter holidays. More than 55,000 registered childcare providers including school, football, art and tennis clubs have signed up.

 

IMAGINE – Picture Book Set to John Lennon's Lyrics (in: Books: children & YA)
Mar 6, 2018

IMAGINE – Picture Book Set to John Lennon's Lyrics, illustrated by Jean Julien and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group.

The National Young Writers’ Awards (in: News)
Mar 5, 2018

The National Young Writers’ Awards are now open and world renowned best-selling children’s author David Walliams has been named judge for 2018.

Destination: Planet Earth (in: Books: children & YA)
Mar 1, 2018

Written by Jo Nelson and illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole, Destination: Planet Earth introduces young readers to our physical world. A useful and inspiring publication from Wide Eyed Editions writes Anne Coates.

My Fairy Garden from Interplay (in: Games & toys)
Feb 28, 2018

With the My Fairy Garden range, children can imagine, create, nurture and grow their own fairy garden. My Fairy Garden encourages interaction with nature through play. Harriet adored hers.

The Highway Rat Competition winners (in: Freebies, offers & competitions)
Feb 26, 2018

The delicious charm of Julia Donaldson's story of The Highway Rat is transposed into glorious animation by Magic Light Pictures and we had three copies of the DVD to be won. Here are our winners.

Around the World in 50 Ways by Dan Smith and illustrated by Frances Castle (in: Books: children & YA)
Feb 23, 2018

From Lonely Planet Kids an exciting book which encourages children to travel the world in a variety of modes of transport – from the comfort of the home: Around the World in 50 Ways written by Dan Smith and illustrated by Frances Castle. Reviewed by Harriet and Anne Coates.

#GiftaBundle Campaign (in: News)
Feb 21, 2018

Following a successful pilot last year, the #GiftaBundle campaign which redistributes good quality, outgrown baby and children’s clothing is rolling out across 42 Mothercare stores in the run up to Mother’s Day on 11 March.