Picture Books on Review - Marshmallows for Martians, Pete the Cat and Stop Sticking Stan

Marshmallows for Martians

George is a boy on a mission to find out what sort of sweets aliens like to eat.  Armed with a whole load of his favourite sweeties and a home made rocket, he heads off to Mars.

The book is brilliantly illustrated with detailed pictures and the fast paced, witty rhyming text is lots of fun.  

As the story unfolds, George discovers that the Martians favourite food is marshmallows, but not for the reasons you might think!!  It turns out that the sweets have a very welcome use for the inhabitants of Mars.

Released on June 5th 2014, this latest storybook from the author of Spaghetti with the Yeti is priced at £6.99 RRP and is published by Egmont.

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

Pete the Cat loves his brand new white shoes so much, he walks down the street singing about them.  But on his travels, his shoes don't stay white.  As he steps in different things, his white shoes change colour.  Instead of fretting, Pete just changes his song and keeps singing, embracing the new colours as he goes along his way.

This story has a great moral for little ones - whatever happens, just keep walking and singing your song because it's all good! Pete overcomes the things that could have upset him with an unswerving yet understated optimism.  

The quirky illustrations and the simple, repetitive text is really effective.  Pete is a groovy and bluesy cat with a cool attitude. I love this book and the message it delivers!

There is an MP3 recording featuring the cool song that Pete sings along with other assets at www.harpercollins.co.uk/Petethecat. The book is out now priced at £6.99 RRP published by Harper Collins.  On July 3rd the next Pete the Cat adventure 'Four Groovy Buttons' is out. 

Stop Sticking Stan

Stan is a boy who loves collecting things.  When he receives a sticker as a reward for tidying his room, Stan decides that he is going to be super good so he can collect lots and lots of them.  Soon, Stan's sticker collection gets so big he ends up decorating the whole house.  Mum and Dad call a stop to his latest collection...but unwittingly start a new one!

This book comes with a page of stickers just like Stan's...which Freddy promptly decided to stick on the walls just like Stan did.  Oops!  Thankfully they aren't too sticky and peeled off easily.

This story is a gentle way to introduce the concept of a reward chart for young children, and has lovely illustrations throughout.  It has a RRP of £6.99 and is published by Egmont.


*Freddy received the books to review but all opinions are our own.

Harper Collins Books for Summer

There is nothing like enjoying a good book while enjoying the summer sunshine outside.  Reading in the garden, by the pool or on the beach is such a wonderfully relaxing thing to do.  It is something I like to encourage my children to do too and they are never too young to enjoy a good story book.  Harper Collins has lots of lovely new releases for the summer months and here are two titles, perfect for youngsters to read alone or share with a grown-up.

Ruff and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day

Meet Ruff, a rather busy but very lonely little dog.  That is until one eventful day when Ruff is working in his garden.  He discovers that someone else lives there too.  They then meet another creature looking for friendship.  Ruff, Hubble and Lottie are no longer alone!  This is a delightful and charming tale of friendship which paves the way to further fun-filled adventures featuring Ruff and his new friends!

RRP £6.99 PB

Published July 4th 2013

Beauty and the Beast

This classic fairy tale is brought back to life by Michael Morpurgo's brilliant way with words and new talent Loretta Schauer's loveable illustrations.

Kind hearted Belle agrees to live with the beast in return for her father's life, but soon sees through his fearsome exterior as she discovers his kind and gentle ways and they fall in love.  Belle returns home to ask her wise father's permission to marry the beast, promising to return to the palace in one week, but her plans are thwarted by her jealous sisters.  Their trickery keeps Belle from the beast and breaks his heart. When she finally returns he is as still as death.  Will true love be enough to save him?

This story of love, danger and heartbreak is beautifully written for confident readers in this lovely new edition of a much loved tale.  The ending shows forgiveness and the triumph of love, and shows children that beauty is more than skin deep.  It is a lovely tale to share.

RRP £6.99 PB

Published June 2013

We were sent preview copies for review.