It’s been a super busy week of doing new things over at The Little Bookstall. A week of new books, great reads, school book fairs and more, much more!

If you’re already following us*, you’ll know that we are committed to stocking books for all readers. For all readers, regardless of their reading ability. (*and if not, why on earth not?!) So I was delighted to take delivery of a batch of books from Barrington Stoke publisher.

Barrington Stoke publish the most amazing selection of books for children. Amazing because they are commissioned, written and designed to be super-readable and accessible. Because of this, they can help all children become readers for pleasure. Essentially, Barrington Stoke are the publishing version of my spirit animal. They’re my new Publishing Book Crush!

…new books for all readers

We’re quite new on the block. And The Little Bookstall is still very much a work in progress. We already stock a somewhat lovely selection of books, both fiction and non-fiction, for confident readers and avid readers. And now we’re thrilled to be able to open up more books to children who haven’t yet found their reading legs!

I’ll be writing more about Barrington Stoke soon, but just wanted to give you a couple of highlights. A lot of their books have an interest age level that is several years higher than the reading age. For example, The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle has a reading age of 8, but an interest age of 8 to 12. This means that, if your child is 11 or 12, but has a reading age of around 8, the content should interest them and it’s within their current reading ability. Clever, eh?

…and it doesn’t stop there!

The font has been specially designed to be dyslexia-friendly, and the layout and spacing are designed to minimise overcrowding and visual distractions. It’s all super, super clever and there are not words to tell you how excited I am about these books!

I’ll be reviewing these books here and on Instagram over the next few weeks. But, if you can’t wait for that, and must must must share the joy of these book with your child, drop me a message.

What else is new at The Little Bookstall?

As I said earlier, we’re quite new and just finding our feet. We decided to take our books out into the wild in the run-up to Christmas! Yep, we packed up boxes and boxes and boxes of our very favourite books and took them to Christmas Market evenings at some local schools.

My creaky old bones are aching from all that humping and dumping of all those books today. But we had a blast last night. And I was delighted to meet parents of our readers in real life, and to help advise them on book choices for Christmas.

…we loved it so much that…

We’ve decided that we’d love to do more! So, if you’re near Tooting, Balham and Clapham and would like to have The Little Bookstall to take part in a PTA fundraiser, please get in touch. And, if you’re not near us, but think we could work together, drop us a line. After the last 18 months, we all know that keeping apart won’t stop us! So, let’s (virtually) put our heads together and see if we can help get more kids reading more!

Happy reading!

Martina

Not sure how to help your little one with their reading journey? Fear not! The Little Bookstall is here to help!

If you’re here because you’re struggling to get your child to want to pick up a book…..welcome! If you’re here because your child has lost enthusiasm for reading…..pull up a chair! And if you’re here because your child is struggling to read…..make yourself comfortable! Or maybe they can and will read, but haven’t yet discovered reading for pleasure. Or perhaps you simply don’t have time to find great kids’ books for your voracious reader…..

…..welcome to The Little Bookstall

My name is Martina and I’m delighted to meet each and every one of you. And I look forward to helping you to ignite a passion for reading in your child. Because I believe that reading is for all children. But not just reading to tick a box or reading to make the teacher/mummy/granny happy.

We want to see every child’s eyes light up when they pick up a new book! To see each and every child discover the joy of reading! We at The Little Bookstall actually want you to have to beg your child to put their new book down!

….the long road from learning to read to loving to read

If your child didn’t pick up a book and become a lifelong reader, don’t worry. If there are lots of other things they’d rather do than read, don’t worry. Because that’s all entirely normal. The journey from learning to read to reading for pleasure is a long one. And the path is full of curves, bumps, obstacles and detours. But we are here to help you navigate the journey.

…how The Little Bookstall can help

We are passionate about reading! Mad about books! We eat, sleep and dream books! And we’d love to help you find the best books for your child, wherever they are on their reading journey.

We spend a lot of time researching, sourcing and reading children’s books. Looking to find great kids’ books to capture the imagination of children with all different interests. And we aim to curate a superb selection of books so that we can recommend the right books for your child. And to help them along their literary journey to the ultimate aim – reading for pleasure!

…..where can you find us?

We’re currently occupying a teeny little bit of the internet over at TheLittleBookstall.com – or you can find us on Instagram at @thelittlebookstall. If you have a little browse and can’t find what you’re after, or simply don’t have time to look – send us a message.

And, if you’re looking for book reviews, reading tips and bookish inspiration, sign up to our email list. Come and join The Little Bookstall family!

Happy reading!

Magnificent Mabel is a huge hit with newly independent readers! But how did author Ruth Quayle, who wrote the series, create Magnificent Mabel and bring her to life?

Firstly, Ruth, thanks so much for joining us over at The Little Bookstall. We are huge fans of your hilarious short stories featuring the little girl with a big character. Can you tell us how you dreamed her up?

I think Magnificent Mabel has been in my head for ever. I was a bit of a Mabel myself as a child and I’ve always loved strong, funny characters in fiction. When my own children were small they were quite Mabel-ish and I used to scribble down the funny things they said. But it wasn’t until my brilliant publisher Nosy Crow came up with the title Magnificent Mabel and the Rabbit Riot that I sat down and wrote the first Magnificent Mabel book. It was the easiest thing I have ever written – it honestly just seemed to write itself!

How did you feel when you first saw the illustration of Mabel by Julia Christians?

Relief. I could tell at once that Julia had captured Mabel perfectly. I absolutely love her illustrations and only wish I could draw as well as she does.

We really love the way you bring Mabel to life in your series of Magnificent Mabel stories. It seems like she’s a real child! Is she based on someone you know?

Mabel is based on so many people. She’s a little bit me and she’s a little bit my own children but she’s also influenced by some of my favourite characters in fiction. Like most of us, she’s a messy old mix – and all the better for it!

The Magnificent Mabel series is one of our most popular with young readers who are just gaining reading confidence. What do you think it is about her that makes her so very popular?

I think most children can recognise a bit (or a lot!) of Mabel in themselves.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A gymnast! I was obsessed with the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci but unfortunately I wasn’t very good at doing back flips!

Well, I am super pleased that your back flips weren’t up to much! Otherwise, we wouldn’t have the lovely Mabel! Before you wrote Magnificent Mabel, you were a journalist. How does being a children’s book writer compare to writing for magazines?

It’s definitely less glamorous. When I worked on magazines, I spent my time in busy offices in central London. I’m more likely to be found in a village near Oxford these days – in my kitchen!

What’s the best thing about being an author?

The absolute best thing is getting to see your name in print. I’ve written 15 books now and seeing Ruth Quayle on the cover and spine still thrills me every time!

What advice would you give to a child who wants to write books?

Read, read, read. You can discover most of the secrets to writing your own books on the pages of your favourite books.  Also, don’t worry about using perfect spelling and grammar. Plot and character are way more important.

Do you have a special place where you do your writing? And a routine?

I, supposedly, write at my lovely tidy desk but the truth is I write anywhere – in bed, on the sofa, in cafes ­or even when I’m supposed to be watching one of my children play cricket. If I’m stuck, moving around seems to help me.

What were your favourite books when you were a child?

So many. I loved Pippi Longstocking and Just William. I guzzled everything by Noel Streatfeild, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. I adored books about Second World War evacuees, such as Goodnight Mister Tom and Carrie’s War. I loved the Ramona books by Beverley Cleary and laughed out loud at the Private Keep Out series by Gwen Grant. I read everything I could get my hands on and when there wasn’t anything new to read I re-read my old favourites.

What advice do you have for children who don’t like reading?

Don’t read books just because your friends happen to like them, read what YOU like. If you aren’t ready to leave picture books behind then keep reading them. If you prefer comic books, go for it. If all you want to read is the Guinness Book of Records that’s fine too. Reading should be fun, not hard work.

And, back to Mabel. Who would play Magnificent Mabel in a movie?

Gosh, wouldn’t that be fun. My daughter Stella longs to be an actor so maybe she could give it a go!

What’s next for Mabel?

The sixth book in the series, Magnificent Mabel and the Very Bad Birthday Party, comes out in February 2022. As the title suggests, it is Mabel’s turn to have a birthday but sometimes life isn’t even fair. Mabel has to invite EVERYONE in her class to her birthday or she won’t get any presents.

And our last question to the lovely author Ruth Quayle who wrote the Magnificent Mabel series…..

What are you writing at the moment?

I have just finished writing the third book in my Muddlemoor Mysteries series, featuring Joe Robinson and his cousins, Tom and Pip. I am currently cooking up some new ideas for young fiction and picture books. Watch this space!

Ooooh! This sounds super exciting! We’ll eagerly await the next of Joe, Tom and Pip’s adventures!

A huge thanks to writer, Ruth Quale, for joining us to talk about Magnificent Mabel and for her writing tips. If you have newly independent readers, we highly recommend the Magnificent Mabel series for building their reading confidence. Take a look here to check out the some sample pages.

Happy reading!

​

Witches, wizards and mythical creatures. Is there anything more to fantasy books for kids?

Hands up if you think that fantasy books are just souped-up fairy tales for little kids. If you flick past books with dragons and mythical beasts with barely a second glance. Or perhaps you even consider them as an inferior genre to kids’ books set in the real world, with real people and real issues.

Is that you? Does any of the above apply to you? If so, grab yourself a cuppa and give me five minutes of your time. Because I’m going to show you why you’re wrong. Why you very definitely should choose fantasy books for your kids. Hell, I’m even going to recommend a few for you to try! Are you ready?

…escape the real world

I’m sure you’ll all agree that the real world hasn’t been all sunshine and roses lately. Well over a year into Covid lockdowns, restrictions and curtailment of our freedom and we’re still not out of the woods yet. And it’s been especially hard for children, with homeschooling, no playdates and no touching and hugging. As a result, I’d say giving kids the ability to escape the world is a magical gift. And that’s exactly what the very best fantasy books for kids offer. What if you could give your child a break from the real world? A few hours where they don’t have to think about hand sanitizing and keeping their distance. You’d do it, wouldn’t you? With a fantasy book, you can do just that! A child can open the book and enter a whole different world. A world without masks and signs urging you to keep a 2-metre distance. All they need to do is open a book and they are transported to a world of magic and mystery.

…a book genre for kids of all ages

One of the things we really love about fantasy books is that they are suitable for all. Whatever the age of your child, there’s a fantasy out there to inspire and enthrall them. Of course, the themes and storylines get more involved and complex for older readers. But there are still lots out there for younger readers. Some of our favourite picture books for little ones are great fantasy stories. An all-time favourite is ‘Where The Wild Things Are’, a classic by Maurice Sendak, published in 1963. Naughty Max, dressed in a wolf costume, has wreaked havoc at home. So, he is sent to his bedroom without his supper. His room magically transforms into a jungle and he sails to an island with terrifying mythical beasts. And thus begins a fantasy adventure where, spoiler alert, Max tames the creatures and becomes King of the Wild Things.

Even without words, a well ‘written’ fantasy book can bring great enjoyment. We have a fine collection of wordless picture books which can transport children of all ages. ‘Journey’ follows the story of a bored child, whose parents are too busy to play with her. When she finds a red crayon, she draws a doorway on her bedroom wall – don’t try this at home, kids! All of a sudden, she discovers that she can walk through the doorway. And a magical world awaits her, full of adventure. And, because the book is wordless, the reader can use their imagination to add their own fantasy story to the beautiful illustrations.

…spark their imagination with fantasy books for kids

So, your child has opened a fantasy book and entered a world of magical creatures. A magical world brought to life by an author with a vivid imagination. But it doesn’t end there. Or it doesn’t have to. Because the author has opened up your child’s mind to ideas they’d never thought of before. Imagine a child who has the ability to stop animals dying with a simple touch of his hand? I’ll bet your child would never have imagined that unless they read The Life and Time of Lonnie Quicke.

…fantasy books for kids to fire their creative writing

Or could they conjure up a bizarre parallel London, frozen in time? And inhabited by shift-shaping beasts, determined to end the world? As a result of reading The Midnight Hour, yes they could! Opening a child’s mind to the world of fantasy books is like switching on a light. And the result is that you bring out a whole new level of creativity in their own writing. Suddenly their own ideas go from school-based, or football-related, tales to fantastical stories with time-travel, mythical beasts and magical quests!

…experiment with their own bravery and courage

While we’re talking about quests, these feature fairly regularly in fantasy books for kids. Often the main character is transported to a dangerous place where they alone have the ability to save someone, or even to save the world! This allows the child reading it to imagine how they would be brave, or find their courage. It gives them a safe place in which to think about the attributes they have. And perhaps even gives them the confidence to deal with a real-life issue they’re having, such as bullying or being the new kid at school.

…hands up if you’re ready for a fantasy journey!

If you’ve got this far, I hope it means that I’ve convinced you! So all you need to do is leap into the exciting world of fantasy books for kids! Because we’ve got a whole lot of magic, mystery and fantasy waiting for kids of all ages at The Little Bookstall!

Happy reading!

#KCACOLS – 22nd August 2021

Books with no words? What’s the point of wordless picture books? How on earth can that help my child to learn to read? Or to improve their reading?

Is that what you’re thinking? It is, isn’t it? I know because I used to think that too! I used to wonder what was the point of wordless picture books. I viewed them as a waste of shelf space, a waste of valuable reading time. In the race to learn to read, or to get the kids to move on to ‘better’ books, I rejected these wordless books, perhaps even considered them to be inferior to ‘real’ books.

But I was wrong.

Yep, I said it. And it sticks in my craw a little.

I. Was. Wrong.

*inhales deeply and counts to ten

A picture is worth a thousand words

So what is the point of wordless picture books? What is that a book with no words can do as well as, or sometimes even better than, books with words.

Whether for a not-yet-reader, a fledgling reader, a proficient reader, a struggling reader or a reluctant reader, wordless picture books bring a lot to the table.

Wordless they might be, but worthless they most certainly are not!

A picture book with very few words, or without any words at all, is a very valuable reading and learning tool for children of all ages, and of all reading abilities. When you strip the words out of the book, you create a level playing field for all readers. A child who is struggling to read is almost certainly aware that they are not as capable as their peers with their ability to read or their speed of reading. But, take away the words, and they can use their imagination, their creativity and their powers of expression to create a story every bit as good as their more advanced reader peers.

If you strip a book of its words, it becomes a ‘thinking’ book, rather than a reading book. Your child can pore over the illustrations and use the parts that interest them most to invent their own story. A child who cannot yet read, or doesn’t have great confidence in their reading, can co-author their own book, using their own imagination to weave a rich and complex story of their very own.

One of the points of a wordless picture book is to give each and every child the ability to create and have ownership of their own story.

If you’re not used to ‘reading’ wordless picture books, you might feel a bit daft at first. There is a knack to getting the most out of a book with no words. A knack to encouraging observation and critical skills. We suggest that the very first thing to point out is that there are no right answers and, more crucially, no wrong answers. Each child won’t ‘read’ the same story as their friend. Heck, they probably won’t even read the same story each time they pick up their wordless picture book!

If you are new to reading wordless picture books, these five tips will help steer you in the right direction. Just remember…..there is no right or wrong way to do it!

The Cover:

First off, take a look at the cover. What can you see? Where is it set? Who do you think is the main character? What do you think he’s feeling? What do you think the book is about?

The Title:

Read the title to your child, or together. What do you think of the words used? Does this give any more clues to the story?

A Little Stroll:

Next up, take a little wander through the pages to get a feel for the book and the illustrations. Stop and look more closely at any pictures that seem to grab your child’s attention more.

‘Read’ the book: Now it’s time to go back to the start of the book and, using the illustrations to guide you, make up your own story. Be as creative as you like. Add accents, funny voices and sound effects. Be free to add your own creative flair to the story, to add your own rich vocabulary.

Now Your Turn!: Now it’s time to hand the book over to your child and to encourage them to make up their own version of the story. (It’s worth reminding them that, because it is a wordless picture book, there is no wrong answer.) At first read, it might be very similar to yours but, as they get the hang of it, they are likely to become more creative and more expressive. They are likely to become more confident with the book and perhaps even add in some details that you hadn’t even noticed. And that’s fine. That’s more than fine. It is their story after all!

After the story: After you’ve finished reading together, you could spend some time discussing the story. What parts did they like best? Which illustrations were their favourite? How did the character feel? Have they ever felt like that?

Have I convinced you of the point of wordless picture books? Ready to give them the space they deserve on your child’s bookshelf? Head on over to our shop and check out our selection.

Happy reading!

Now, you might have a kid who takes to reading like a duck to water. Or you might have a reluctant reader, a child who’d rather do anything than pick up a book.

Sound familiar? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. And there are some simple ways you can encourage a reluctant reader to pick up a book.

First off, it’s useful to work out why your child is a reluctant reader. Why doesn’t he or she want to pick up a book and read? Why do they find every excuse under the sun to avoid reading with you or to you? 

It could be that your child is reading books that are the wrong level for them – too hard or too easy. Perhaps they are self-conscious about reading aloud and making mistakes in front of others. Or maybe the books they are reading don’t capture their imagination. Or it could even be that they don’t want to read by themselves because then you’ll stop reading to them. Or it could be that they are struggling to read, rather than being reluctant to read.

But the good news is that there are ways to encourage a reluctant reader, so read on!

1. Let’s start off with the reading level. Getting that right is one of the major hurdles with a reluctant reader. If it’s too easy, it’s unlikely to maintain their interest and they’ll put it down. Too hard, and they won’t want to pick it up! So this is a bit of a Goldilocks situation – too hard, too easy…we need to aim for just right! But how? Obviously some of this is trial and error. You’ll need to sit down with your reluctant reader and listen to them read their book from school, or a book you already have at home. We find using the Five Finger Rule works really well. 

2. So you have chosen the right level? Game over, right? Wrong! Now we need to make sure that the book you choose is likely to interest your reluctant reader. We find that the easiest starting point is to look at the non-reading interests they already have. If you have a child who loves football, the best place to start is a book about the beautiful game. A child who is super-keen on ponies, but not so keen on reading, might be persuaded to pick up a book about ponies.

3. Choose fun, silly, hilarious books. Choose books about naughty children who play tricks on their siblings, about kids who are horrible to their parents – like Horrid Henry. They might make you shudder and wince, but they’re one of the most successful ways to encourage a reluctant reader to develop a love for books. Especially if they make you shudder and wince! Throw in books featuring filthy children, like Dirty Bertie, with revolting habits and you’re on track for reading success!

4. Comics count as reading too! A reluctant reader often finds whole blocks of text a little intimidating, but that’s not a problem. There are plenty of traditional comic books out there which will help their reading. Plus a whole host of more traditional books that feature fun illustrations to break up the big scary blocks of text! Our kids loved the 13 Storey Treehouse series and read page after page, guffawing at the zany cartoons and hilarious humour. 

5. Make reading special. Make is something really special. If you’re tearing your child away from their games or sports or the television, you’re going to need to make that book put on a good show! So start off by setting up a special area for your reading, get the cushions out, maybe even get a blanket ready. Beforehand, talk about how much you’re looking forward to reading together, to having your special time together. Make your reading time sound like a real treat – the highlight of the day!

6. Take it in turns to read. Until your reluctant reader has the confidence to read whole chapters alone, you could share the reading. You could start off with one sentence each. This will take a lot of pressure off your child, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they can read a whole paragraph alone! It will also help them develop the confidence to read aloud in front of other people, such as their teachers and classmates.

7. Let them choose their own book. Take your reluctant reader to the library or to the bookshop, steer them towards the correct reading level and let them have a browse. If you think all this choice is too intimidating or overwhelming at this stage, you could select two or three age-appropriate books and then let them choose which one to read first.

8. Be a reading role model! One of best ways to encourage a reluctant reader is to show them how much fun it is. Young children like to copy everything we do – the good, the bad and the ugly. So grab yourself a coffee and a good book, put your feet up and read. And then wait for your reluctant reader to want to be just like mummy (or daddy).

9. Make reading a habit. As with everything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. So set aside some time each day to sit together and read. Make sure it’s a good time for reading, a time with no interruptions. And it doesn’t have to be a long time. Starting off with just 10 minutes a day, each day, will build up the reading habit. 

10. Ease off the pressure. And I don’t just mean the pressure on your reader! Give yourself a break too! Lots of children don’t take to reading naturally – they need a little help. But the very fact that you’re reading this article means you’re on the way to reading success already. Give yourself a pat on the back, make a coffee, pick up a book and enjoy!

If you have any other ways to encourage a reluctant reader, we’d love to hear from you. Or, if you’d like any help choosing books for your child, send us a message and we’d be delighted to help.

Happy reading!

Hooray! Your child is ready to embark on reading alone! But how do you choose a just right book for independent reading?

Firstly, let’s start off by giving yourself a big clap on the back. You’ve probably spent hours (though it might feel a whole lot longer that that) trudging through phonics, pointing out long A sounds and sounding out words. Then waded through treacle with those Biff, Chip and Kipper books, the mere memory of which makes me shudder.

But now your child can read alone. Bliss! Easy street! You’ve made it! But it’s not over yet! It’s not time yet to retire to the sofa, magazine in one hand, cocktail in the other. Because now you have a really important job to do. Now you need to find a book that’s just right for your fledgling reader.

Before we go any further, let me dispel the myth of ‘the perfect book’. There’s no such thing. Not for an adult. Not for a child. Each book is a stepping stone to the next one. Or a rung on the ladder. And you need to find a book that is just right for that rung, so that your child wants to clamber up to the next rung. So the book you’re looking for now, the just right book for independent reading is for now, just to keep the reading momentum going.

You’ll need to channel your Inner Goldilocks. You’re looking for something that’s not too hard, not too easy…you need a just right book. If your reader is relatively new to reading, a book that’s too hard won’t give them a good learning experience. It might even damage their confidence in their new-found skill and put them off from continuing. If you choose a book that’s too easy for their reading level, it’s unlikely the story will hold much interest for them. And it certainly won’t challenge them. 

So, how do you choose the just right book for independent reading?

Choosing the just right book is pivotal to what we do at The Little Bookstall. We have committed to giving you all the tools to help you assess the books before you make your purchase. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to help your child on their reading journey. 

• The Cover – Let’s start here with the book Granny Magic, by Elka Evalds. Does it grab your attention? Does the title intrigue, delight, inspire you? Do the images catch your eye?
• The Blurb – Now flip the book over to the back cover and take a read. Does the blurb make you want to open the book?
• The Inside Pages –  Have a look at a couple of pages. Do the illustrations draw your eye? Are the chapter titles engaging and captivating? Do they make you want to read the book?
• The Five Finger Rule – Go to a sample page and ask your child to read aloud to you. Each time they come across a word that’s too tricky, or they can’t read, ask them to hold up a finger. If they are holding up more than five fingers by the end of the page, the book is too tricky for them to read independently. (If the book is too tricky, but has really piqued their interest, you could buy it anyway but have it as a book that you read together. It probably won’t be long until the book is a just right book for your independent reader!)

Knowing how important it is to choose the just right book, we’ve chosen to include a gallery of images for each of our titles. You can look at the front cover and the blurb. You can take a look at sample pages to see the illustrations and the reading level.

We hope that you’ve found this helpful and that you’re now ready to browse our book selection and find the just right book for your independent reader.

But, if you’re not sure what to choose, just ask us! We’re here to help. Just send us a message with some information about your child – age, what they have enjoyed reading and their interests – and we’ll make some recommendations for you.

Happy reading!

​https://www.amomentwithfranca.com/keep-calm-and-carry-on-linking-sunday​​​

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