Synopsis Get ready for this brand new game for the Nintendo DS and DSi based on the wildly popular Nickelodeon TV series and DreamWorks Animation, The Penguins of Madagascar!

The loveable and hilarious penguins are tasked with all new madcap missions and must use team work and their crazy acrobatics to solve puzzles, build contraptions, unlock paths, avoid super silly obstacles to advance through the game and ultimately save the day.

The video game is even voiced by the entire cast from the TV series!

So join in the fun – the game is great value at only £24.99 and is available from all good game retailers.

The Penguins of Madagascar © 2010 Viacom International, Inc. Madagascar ® DWA L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Penguins-of-Madagascar-Nintendo-DS/dp/B0044R7VY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287594195&sr=1-1

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Our Junior Reviewers were over the moon when this arrived for them to review, and this delight was reinforced through playing it.

‘Penguins of Madagascar is one of my favourite DSi Games, I loved the different missions. It was so much fun because you can move the penguins around and Kowalski could build things like bridges from rope and other things. Rico can blow up things, when they all see the manager, Alice they put on disguises and Alice spins around and falls. I loved it’

A brilliant game, we loved it! Highly Recommended!

CHRISTMAS TIME ALISON JAY

Synopsis Come on a journey through Alison Jay’s magical festive world! Discover all the things that make Christmas the most special time of the year and see if you can spot two lucky children who are on their own Christmas Eve adventure.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
This is an absolutely delightful book and perfect for Christmas, we loved Alison Jay’s Welcome to the Zoo and Christmas Time is another example of her wonderful work. What this book does is encourage discussion and observation, perfect for bedtime reading, every time you read it you discover more in the pictures. Alison has a uniquely beautiful style of illustration and her way of linking the pictures together and encouraging children (and adults) to find links in her picture is intriguing. Our youngest junior reviewer loved spotting the different items in the pictures and just talking about the story. An enchanting Christmas story, we loved it! Highly Recommended!

http://www.templarco.co.uk/picture_books/alison_jay/alison_jay_gifts.html

NATIONAL TRUST’S TOP WINTER GARDENS

Blow away the cobwebs and enjoy a refreshing walk in a frosty garden.

From exotic colour to spectacular landscapes that seem to look their best stripped to their bones with a sprinkle of Jack Frost, we’ve tons of great places to explore during the cold winter months.

Here’s our pick of some the best places to enjoy the crisp winter weather:

Anglesey Abbey, Garden and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Measure up next to Corinthian columns in the Temple Lawn or walk the atmospheric Emperors’ Walk and spot the statuary spying on you. But don’t forget the winter garden, with some 150 species of plants and it’s an oasis of colour and scent.
(House closed)

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
There are over 3,000 acres of green open space to enjoy at Clumber. Why not wrap up warm and discover more on your bike (there’s over 20 miles of cycle routes). Or take things a bit easier with a stroll down the longest lime tree avenue in Europe.
(Cycle hire weekends only)

Croome Park, Worcestershire
Find yourself enchanted by Capability Brown’s array of eye-catchers - scattered across the park, visit the beautiful St Mary Magdalene church, explore Dunstall Castle or visit the Island Pavilion that sits on Croome’s lake.
(Weekends only)

Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire
Get to know the superb 18th-century landscape on one of the five walks through the estate. Spot rare and historic White Park cattle in the medieval parkland and enjoy the majestic views.
(Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5 November - 19 December)

Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Enjoy the seven acre winter garden - the largest of its kind in the UK. With over 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs, there’s plenty of colour and scent to enjoy in this unique garden.
(House closed)

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Explore the extensive ruins of the Cistercian abbey and discover the Royal Water Garden that contains canals, moon shaped ponds, elegant temples and neo-classical statues the water garden is guaranteed to capture your imagination.
(Closed on Fridays)

Gibside, Newcastle upon Tyne
A 400 acre ‘forest garden’ designed in the 18th-century, Gibside combines woodland and open spaces with atmospheric buildings. Take time to explore the ruins of the orangery, bathhouse and hall or take a stroll down the impressive oak lined Long Walk.

Killerton, Devon
Discover a green oasis just 8 miles from Exeter, making it the perfect pit-stop en route to and from Cornwall. Take a stroll and enjoy far-reaching views towards Dartmoor, Woodbury Common and the Exe estuary or, discover the ice house and rustic summerhouse known as the ‘Bear's Hut’.

Rowallane Garden, County Down
Feel inspired by this enchanting garden's dazzling array of exotic species from the four corners of the globe. Discover the walled garden, the electric blue bandstand in the Pleasure Grounds and the stable yard that’s full of intriguing features.

Sheffield Park Garden, East Sussex
Wrap up warm and discover over 120 acres of landscaped garden at Sheffield Park; follow winding paths to enchanting lakes, where the reflection showcases the magnificent planting and stunning trees.

Stowe Landscape Garden, Buckinghamshire
Experience the satisfying ‘crunch’ of walking on frosty grass in a landscape that includes wide open spaces, wooded valleys, and ornamental lakes. With spectacular views, hidden corners and over 40 temples and monuments, Stowe is the perfect spot for a winter’s walk.
(Weekends only 6 – 19 December)

Stourhead, Wiltshire
Explore over a 100 acres set around a huge lake, scattered with classical and gothic buildings. Visit the circular temple dedicated to Apollo and recreate the famous scene from the recent Pride and Prejudice film or find some peace and tranquillity in the enchanting grotto.
(House closed)

Wallington, Northumberland
A garden that has developed over more than two centuries, spend time with the mysterious griffin’s heads on the East Lawn and discover the picturesque China ponds in the East Woods, lined with fragrant shrubs and grassy areas it’s an enchanting spot.
(House closed)

DRAYTON MANOR THEME PARK’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS MAKEOVER

Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, kicked off the festive season in style with a magical Christmas makeover last weekend (27th and 28th November).

Those visiting Drayton’s Magical Christmas, which will run until 2nd January 2011*, saw Europe’s only Thomas Land™ transformed into a winter wonderland. With festive musical performances by the Fat Controller and his friends, colourful decorations, thousands of lights and snow machines, which released flurries of snow throughout day, there was enough festive cheer on hand to make even the Grinch smile.

The park also premiered a brand new film in its fabulous 4D Cinema, which entertained children and adults alike. Sleigh Ride tells the story of reindeer, Blitzen, and hapless elf, Bobo, as they race around the world to deliver presents to children, after Santa is accidentally knocked unconscious on Christmas Eve.

As an additional treat, Father Christmas and his two elves will be walking around park, meeting visitors and spreading festive cheer.

Also open throughout the festive season, the park’s ever-popular 15-acre zoo provided entertainment for animal lovers, giving them the opportunity to see reindeer, penguins, and meerkats amongst hundreds of other animal species.

Amongst the park’s first visitors were Anne and Mike Phillips and their two granddaughters, Caitlin, aged eight, and Paige, aged five, from Rugby. Anne comments: “Caitlin and Paige are both huge Thomas fans and we make regular trips to Thomas Land. This is our first experience of Drayton’s Magical Christmas and it really is wonderful, the music and decorations make it feel really festive and we’ll definitely be coming back again.”

Colin Bryan, managing director, Drayton Manor Theme Park, comments: “We’re delighted to open Thomas Land for magical Christmas for the third consecutive year. It’s always popular with our visitors, both young and old and is guaranteed to leave you feeling festive.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.draytonmanor.co.uk or by calling 0844 472 1960. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance.

*Drayton’s Magical Christmas runs from Saturday 27th November 2010 to Sunday 2nd January 2011, excluding 4th, 24th, 25th, 26th December.

Please Note: All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, promotions, or news items. Inclusion in a news item does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Recipes have not been tested by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site. In view of the current weather, always check with the venues before setting out.