"If you like nice stories about nice girls and boys doing nice things, then this isn't the book you're looking for."
This year the UK's best selling annual is back and The Beano characters are celebrating in style. Dennis the Menace and Gnasher are catching the Beanotown Express from London's St. Pancras International and will be bringing their own brand of mischief and mayhem to the station in a thirteen week takeover. Millions of travellers will get the chance to experience the madcap world of The Beano at this exiting event!
The 112 page annual features all the favourites from Dennis and Gnasher to Minnie the Minx and The Bash Street Kids. It's colourful, fun and filled with classic funnies. (I love the fact that the Beanotown discount supermarket is called Widl!!) It's perfect for those of us who hold a nostalgic love of The Beano as well as for the new generation of younger fans.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a Beano Annual under the Christmas tree!
You can follow The Beano fun following the hashtag #BackTheBeano. RRP £7.99
Opal Plumstead by Jacqueline Wilson
Jacqueline Wilson has played a huge role in the lives of my three daughters who have each enjoyed reading her books over the years. Opal Plumstead is the 100th book from the author and is out now ready to be read and enjoyed by fans old and new. It features the unmistakable illustrations of the brilliant Nick Sharratt.
Opal Plumstead is the outspoken, fiery heroine in this novel. Set in the run up to World War 1, 14 year old Opal finds herself having to give up her dreams to work in a sweet factory, when her father is imprisoned. The factory owner Mrs Roberts introduces Opal to Emmeline Pankhurst and her fellow Suffragettes at the time when they were campaigning for Votes for Women. Opal also meets Mrs Roberts' son: her love interest and soulmate Morgan. But with war imminent, Opal's life is set to change forever.
This is a coming of age book, giving readers an insight into the lives of young woman at the time. As with many of Jacqueline Wilson's previous books, it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life. But even though it can be hard hitting, the overall theme is of empowerment and taking your destiny into your own hands,.Wilson's female characters are always strong in the face of adversity, a great message for their young readers.
Opal Plumstead is available to buy now from Doubleday in hardback with an RRP of £12.99.
Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon
I absolutely love the picture book How To Lose a Lemur, so was looking forward to this latest title from the very talented author and illustrator Frann Preston-Gannon. I was not disppointed!
This sweet story focuses on a group of children who discover a sloth in their garden. They don't know what it is so they try to find out. Some of the suggestions are quite outrageous as they wonder if he is a pirate or a knight or a spaceman, but with some research they discover what he is and where he's from. The sloth sleeps through all the excitement so the children try to find a way to get him home before he wakes up!
This story is about children's curiosity and imagination and their desire to help others. It is beautifully illustrated and teaches little ones about a very curious creature.
It is published by Pavillion Children's Books on October 16th in hardback format priced at £10.99.
All these titles would make excellent gifts for children this Christmas!