Our reviews from Jason and his mum this time focus on a new series of books based on a TV series, as well as a resource book and a surprise for reluctant readers
MESSY GOES TO OKIDO
Pages: 22 (each book), Publisher: Thames & Hudson, Price: £5.95 for each book
This is a series of three books; Magic Raindrops, Exploding Ice Cream! and Sandwiches in Space. They are storybooks for mini-scientists with 25 stickers too. They come from the TV show on CBeebies.
Each book is a different adventure and there are five main characters; Messy Monster who eats socks and loves sandwiches, Zoe, Felix, Zim and Zam.
The stories are little adventures and in every one Messy and his friends Felix and Zoe go out and they find trouble. Then they learn some science information from Zim and Zam that helps them to get out of the trouble. They learn how rain happens, about gravity and about tasting food.
The most interesting things about the books are when Messy and his friends go to different places around the world or even in Space.
The stories make me feel calm, and joyful when Messy does funny things.
I think these stories are good for boys and girls between the ages of three and six.
I give these stories 7/10. They would be better if they were a bit longer so you could learn even more. It is good that at the end of each story they give you a round up of the science information you have learned from the story and the meaning of the new words.
There is also a doodle art pad with things to make and do and puzzles and games. It costs £5.95 too.
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
By: G C Warner, Pages: 155, Chapters: 13, Illustrations: L. Kate Deal, Prices: Vary, Available: from amazon.co.uk. Also available on Kindle
This book is an adventure story and lots of things are discovered!
The main characters are Jessie, Henry, Benny and Violet. They are four lost children without a mummy or a daddy. The story is about these four poor, hungry children with no parents and no home.
The best thing is the good adventures they have finding a new home in railway boxcar.
The story made me a little bit sad because they don’t have parents and it made me learn how hard life can be with no home, mum or dad.
Children aged over six would like this book.
I would give it 9/10.
It would be better if it started with how the children ended up losing their parents.
Mum says: Jason is not a natural reader, but he really enjoyed this book. Happily there are over 100 in the series to indulge his new-found passion. The author was a teacher back in 1942 and wrote the original 19 stories in the series to give early readers exciting stories to enjoy using the 500 most commonly used words in the English language. They are great confidence boosters for children who would otherwise struggle with a chapter book. We will definitely be seeking out more in the series.
WOODLAND ADVENTURE HANDBOOK
By: Adam Dove. Pages: 128, Publisher: Frances Lincoln Ltd, Price: £9.99
This is a great book featuring 10, 12-page adventures in the great outdoors from Forest Schools leader Adam Dove.
Each woodland adventure activity has a structured story to capture the imagination of a child as well as a You Will Need list of the household items such as wool, vinegar, needles, cabbage and old plastic bottles. Each adventure needs to be set up, then there are game to play, things to make and ideas of what kids will learn as they follow the trail.
The adventures feature pirates, fairies, elves, wizards, unicorns, treasure and erupting rainbows to name a few and really are great “recipes” for even the most novice and nervous of outdoors men and women.
Youngsters can make magic potions, build boats and rockets and learn about insects, animals, trees, water safety and more. The book is packed with useful photos and illustrations too and plenty of guidance advice and instructions.
Highly recommended.