Cliff 
2023 Nature Month-By-Month: A Children’s Almanac by Anna Wilson I’d like to have consulted my junior helper on this one, but it was past his bedtime. However, I think I know what his reaction would be: ‘Auntie Nette, this book says everything!’ It certainly does. ‘It’s got lists of special dates, food we can cook and how to make a garden in an egg cup!’ I’m quite excited by the scope of the Almanac. It’s a fantastic, fully illustrated delight, … Read more
Browse this years’ 20 Top Titles. The reviews below are written by our schools team, who read hundreds of books and selected these as good reads offering a range of themes and cultural and gender diversity to promote Reading for Pleasure. Click on the covers to find out more about individual titles and click to buy discounted book bundles from £40.00. Picture Books Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery This funny, colourfully illustrated counting book tells the story of 10 … Read more
Stuffed with creativity, this is a gorgeous picture book about Milo, a little boy who wanted a brand new story and the exciting journey he goes on to make up the story himself. Making a story seems like a great idea, the only problem is that Milo’s not sure how to start. With a little help from his family, some real-life inspiration, and a lot of imagination, Milo’s story is soon off to a flying start. Cleverly woven into … Read more
We’re really proud to be supporting children’s author Clare Helen Welsh with an important new initiative Books That Help, a collection of sharing books to help people through tough times. Clare has collated a list of sharing picture books to open conversations about challenging topics and create emotionally honest spaces where children (and adults) feel able to express their feelings and are supported to navigate them. You can find a range of picture books that offer support through life’s ups … Read more
Divine Love: The Art Of The Nativity by Sarah Drummond In the introduction Sarah writes: “The feast of Christmas is embedded in our earliest childhood memories: a crescendo of excitement leads up to the day following weeks of preparation…’ How this has been depicted over the years is shown through the best offerings from the art world from Bruegel to Lippi. In typical Unicorn Publishing style, the book is lavish and high quality. I’ve had the privilege of meeting both … Read more
Against the backdrop of the Quaker village in the midlands which was the home of chocolate, Bournville tells the story of four generations of a family from the area. Touching on notable events such as the coronation of Elizabeth II, England’s World Cup success of 1966, all they way up to the recent pandemic, where we see the family grow and change with the times as their lives untangle across the globe. Jonathan Coe’s last book Middle England deftly … Read more
A massive thank you to everyone who has ordered from our website, emailed us, phoned us and visited us in the shop – we’re grateful to each and every one of you for your support. We’re currently knee-deep in orders and deliveries, but wanted to take this chance to keep you informed as to the last days we expect to get your books to you. Orders by post With widespread industrial action we’re saying the latest date to order for … Read more
“Outside of a dog, man’s best friend is a book” wrote Groucho Marx. Adding “Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” We are always surrounded by darkness at Christmas. This year the match of the festive spirit seems difficult to ignite. Never mind, a book is the perfect pressie that informs, educates and entertains. It rarely needs charging and generally delights the soul. I read a lot of books and blog about them so you can make an … Read more
After moving to Devon, Guy Shrubsole was astounded to discover temperate rainforests on his doorstep. Entranced by their beauty and abundance he set out to discover all he could about this rare and precious habitat. Beginning in Wistman’s Wood and other Dartmoor fragments he travels up the western seaboard of Britain including Wales, the Lakes and Scotland exploring these magical woodlands, their biodiversity, their people, their history and deep connections to our culture. What he discovered was a landscape … Read more
Commando: The Inside Story of Britain’s Royal Marines by Monty Halls The first words of chapter one pretty much sum up what sets a Royal Marine apart: “99% need not apply.” Monty then adds, “This was an ill-judged, but statistically accurate, slogan for a 1990s Royal Marines recruiting campaign.” We’re talking an elite force here and South Devon based Monty, also a former Royal Marine officer who served for over a decade, is superbly placed to shine a light … Read more
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