The Autumn half-term is a great opportunity for exploring books with your children and here is a collection for all ages.

Look Again! The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Synopsis:This is a very special gift that will appeal to all children – and many adults too! It draws on the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, presenting some fifteen famous works of art in a fun and novel way.

Each reproduction is prefaced by a page with a cutout circle:
that gives an intriguing glimpse of the painting that lies beneath,
… encouraging the reader to cast aside preconceptions and ensuring that they get really interested!

Hot Brands Verdict
Here at Hot Brands we believe it is never too early to interest children in art and our junior reviewers love the Thames & Hudson art books for children. This is an intriguing book which is not only fun as children try to guess the picture behind, but also encourages observation and could prove a great starting point for half-term visits to local art galleries and museums. Or equally encouraging children to use the technique themselves with two pieces of paper.

A – Z of Animals-Peter David Scott

Synopsis:A wildlife alphabet picture book by the talented wildlife artist, Peter Scott, featuring amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals and reptiles will delight parents and children alike.

The beautiful illustrations are complemented by fascinating nature notes to make this a book to treasure long after children have learnt their “abc”.

This lavish production includes a free A-Z of Animals Wall Frieze and the reverse of the book jacket is a lovely poster, which will look great in any child’s room.

Peter Scott graduated with an honours degree in Wildlife Illustration in 1986 and has always taken a keen interest in natural history. A thousand mile road trip across Africa enabled him to sketch and photograph the landscape and its animals. Now living in East Yorkshire, his daily walk to his studio along a riverbank, continues to provide him with inspiration.

Peter has also worked on the popular lenticular pop-up series, Kaleidopops with Templar and during his 20 years as a professional illustrator has worked for the BBC, The Guardian, Walt Disney and major publishing houses.

Buy A -Z of Animals from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
For inventiveness this should be an award winning book, we loved the way the book jacket turns into a delightful poster, and the frieze included at the back, but more than anything it is the quality of the illustrations that really stand out in this fabulous book. Annabelle one of our junior reviewers is just learning to read and this book is a wonderful inspiration, she loved being able to say ‘iguana’! Children of any age will love this book, because as well as the stunning illustrations, there is also an ‘Amazing Facts’ section which describes the main A-Z animals and also describes some of the other animals also included in the illustrations. A wonderful book!

The Pirate Cruncher Jonny Duddle

Synopsis
One dark and stormy night, a salty old sea dog tells the tale of a mysterious island, bursting with pirate booty!

Captain Purplebeard and his crew have already set sail by the time the cove mentions the hideous Pirate Cruncher who guards the gold…

Buy The Pirate Cruncher from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
This is a classic tale of pirates, with very striking illustrations and tells the tale of what happens to people who become too greedy.

This would be great for a classroom project, as there is absolutely masses of material, and the book is built around a song, the only reservation we have is that it’s perhaps not best for bedtime reading for those with vivid imaginations!

Enchanted World Enid Blyton, Elise Allen.

Synopsis Journey back to the Enchanted World of Blyton, with this series of fairy adventures Fairies, friendship and fantasy lands - Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree is the setting for a five book series called Enid Blyton’s Enchanted World. Set to delight and captivate a new generation, the stories are a spin-off of Blyton’s original masterpiece series - The Faraway Tree - and follow the adventures of Silky the Fairy (from the original series) and her four new fairy friends Melody, Petal, Pinx and Bizzy on a mission to save the tree from the evil troll Talon. The stories are aimed at girls aged seven upwards but can be enjoyed by all ages. The stories have been written by Elise Allen, a writer whose style is reminiscent of Blyton’s. The new stories transport the reader on a magical adventure and include all the classic Blyton story ingredients – cliff-hangers, fantasy, friendship and fun. The brand-new stories are told in a contemporary tone but stay true to the original world Blyton created back in 1939. The five books in the Enchanted World series are:- Book 1: Enid Blyton’s Enchanted World: Silky and The Rainbow Feather Book 2: Enid Blyton’s Enchanted World Melody and the Enchanted Harp Book 3: Enid Blyton’s Enchanted World Petal and the Endless Bloom Book 4: Enid Blyton’s Enchanted World Pinx and the Ring of Midnight Book 5: Enid Blyton’s Enchanted World Bizzy and the Ultimate Teddy Bear The introduction in each book reads: “Tucked away among the thickets, groves and forests of our Earth is a special wood. An Enchanted Wood, where the trees grow taller, the branches grow stronger and the leaves grow denser than anywhere else.

Search hard enough within this Enchanted Wood, and you’ll find one tree that towers above all the others. This is the Faraway Tree, and it is very special.” To enjoy Blyton off the page, children and parents can visit a brand new interactive website www.blyton.com/enchantedworld. The online Enchanted World features lots of activities and more information about the fairies and Enid Blyton.

Buy Pinx and the Ring of Midnight (Enchanted World) from Amazon.co.uk

Charlotte, one of our junior reviewers absolutely loves this series, having had the first three read to her, she couldn’t wait to get the rest. These adventures are particularly exciting, there is always an element of mystery and intrigue, which holds her interest to the end of each story. Children love books which run in a series, it provides familiarity and continuity. Great for bedtime reading !

Noddy and the Farmyard Muddle Enid Blyton, Sophie Smallwood

Synopsis:Exciting news for Noddy and Enid Blyton fans, the first Noddy Classic book in 46 years has arrived!

Noddy's back and those naughty goblins are up to their old tricks again. In this exciting new adventure they sneak onto the farm and cause mayhem! They turn the cows blue, make the pigs woolly, free the animals and drive the tractor into the pond. But thank goodness for Noddy as he comes to the rescue, rounding up the animals and making sure that the goblins right their wrongs. The story also includes a hilarious train journey with animals spilling out of the carriages on their way back to the farm! This delightful picture book is beautifully written by the late Enid Blyton's granddaughter, Sophie Smallwood, and coincides with Noddy's 60th anniversary. The new book, will be the first new Noddy classic title to appear since 1963. Beautiful illustrations throughout the book are by Robert Tyndall, who has drawn the much-loved characters since 1953. The book is a beautiful gift edition in hardback with foiled dust jacket. Noddy fans young and old will love this great new adventure

Buy Noddy and the Farmyard Muddle from Amazon.co.uk

http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Titles/47890/noddy-and-the-farmyard-muddle-enid-blyton-sophie-smallwood-9780007318018

Hot Brands Verdict
We are all familiar with Noddy and Sophie Smallwood’s interpretation of Noddy is delightful, our reviewers loved the muddled up animals and the antics of the naughty goblins. The book is arranged in chapters making it perfect for bedtime reading, leaving them wondering ‘what will happen next ?’ The illustrations by Peter Tyndall will remind parents and grandparents of Noddy books from their own childhood. Destined to become a classic !

Adventures With George and Timmy, Enid Blyton

Synopsis:
Timmy, the Fearless Puppy- George, aged nine, discovers Timmy as an abandoned puppy on the moor. Their first adventure together has them on the trail of the post office robber. Facts/activities: choosing a dog; basic guide to puppy care(illustrated with photos); cave facts – how caves are formed, safety guidelines for exploring, why you get echoes, rock pools and wildlife; game - find your way through the underground tunnels

A Curious Treasure
When George finds an old newspaper, a puzzling headline grabs her attention: DETECTIVES SEARCH FOR BONES. Was this exciting mystery ever solved? Then George spots men digging on the beach at night ...
Facts/activities: basic dog training; fossils and how they are formed; dinosaur facts; codes and ciphers; code related game

The Footprint in the Sand
Someone is on George’s island. She and Timmy have discovered a mysterious footprint in the sand. Creeping up on a pair of crooks hiding out, they overhear them planning a robbery. But before George and Timmy can row for help, George is spotted and captured! Can Timmy help her escape?
Facts/activities: tracking; spot the difference game with different trails; further information and useful websites

http://www.hodderchildrens.co.uk/BOOKS-FOR-7_9-YEARS__FAMOUS-FIVE__ADVENTURES-WITH-GEORGE-AND-TIMMY_H.htm

Hot Brands Verdict
Enid Blyton books are like a step back in time, you can easily lose yourself in this story of George's adventure with Timmy. As well as the story there is also an Adventure Facts Guide between the chapters full of interesting information and ideas for activities with children. A classic adventure story for parents and children to read together, that has stood the test of time !

Skate School Ice Princess Kay Woodward

Synopsis: Frankie lives for ice-skating, and has her heart set on becoming a star. So it’s a dream come true when she’s talent-spotted at her local ice rink and whisked away to train for the Olympics. But Frankie learns that Skate School isn’t just world-class, it’s also ultra-tough, and her competitive classmates are so cool they’re practically sub-zero.

Frankie will have to fight to make friends and keep her rivals at bay. Does she have what it takes to be a winner?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-Princess-Skate-School-Woodward/dp/0746099258

Hot Brands Verdict
With the Olympic Flame being lit today (22nd October) for the Winter Olympic Games 2010, this is a perfect story of ambition and the trials and tribulations of what’s involved in competitive sport, this will be loved by all fans of ice-skating. Great contemporary read !