This day I love.......: book buddy

Earlier this month we received a package from Parragon books as part of their book buddy scheme. Inside the package was the book 'Factivity Robots and Gadgets'

The girls were very excited to open their new book and wasted no time in getting stuck in.

Factivity Robots and Gadgets contains 300 stickers and is packed full of activities. The book is engaging throughout, with bright colourful graphics and activities which help to explain concepts. One of the aspects I particularly like is how it encourages you to think. No where is there a 'wrong way', it is use your imagination to, or pretend to be a, which are great ways to encourage learning.

Stickers are used to enhance the learning by completing different tasks. Often you find that the stickers are just an added extra to the books, in this case though they are part of the book and a useful addition to complete the different activities. What is even more impressive is the book is up to date and speaking in a tone that the girls can relate to. A book which can explain what a selfie stick is to a 4 year old, and she understands is to me somewhat impressive.

Factivity Robots and Gadgets encourages the girls to think, whilst at the same time answering all their robotic based questions. It gets them involved to allow them to work out the answer themselves, but in such a fun manner that they become engrossed and not realise they are learning. Not only is Factivity Robots and Gadgets great for teaching the girls about robots but it is a great activity book for the girls at any point, such as when travelling or on a rainy day.

The book was sent as part of our collaboration with Parragon books, all words are my own opinion.

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I have taken a few days away from the blog to spend time with family over Christmas. It has been a busy but brilliant few days of family fun and I think what we all needed. The girls enjoyed seeing their Auntie and listening to tales with Granddad on Christmas eve.

On Christmas eve we also read a classic story by Clement C. Moore, the Night before Christmas. Our edition of The Night before Christmas has some wonderful illustrations from breakaway new talent Harriet Muncaster, which really helps to bring the story to life. The Night before Christmas is a wonderful story to read on Christmas eve and it really helps to get the girls ready for Christmas.

The girls both fell asleep really quickly on Christmas eve but then my eldest woke again at 9pm and was awake until nearly 2am! They were both excited and woke up at 7am wanting to see if Father Christmas had been.

Christmas day was spent with family and watching the girls play with their new toys. My eldest daughter was so pleased we made her wish come true. Boxing day was spent as Christmas day round 2 and the girls loved singing Christmas carols and wishing everyone Happy Christmas. They have both loved Christmas this year and have really had the Christmas spirit.

Here is a quick video of Christmas 2015

I always like to capture Christmas through the eyes of my children and so armed with a camera here is what my girls decided to capture this Christmas.

I hope you and your family have had a wonderful Christmas

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Usually when our Parragon Book arrives I show the girls are we read them that night. This months Parragon Book is slightly different. I opened the envelope and was simply taken away by the beauty of the book. The silver on dark blue, the details and every aspect of the book is simply beautiful. I have decided to put the book away and give it to the girls for Christmas.

Whilst I am unable therefore to do a review in the traditional sense, as I cannot tell you what the girls think as they have not seen it, I can tell you that I love this book. I keep taking it from its hiding place to sneak a look and read one of the eight classic stories by Hans Christian Anderson. I adore everything from the illustrations in the book to its classic look and feel. I am looking forward to seeing the girls faces on Christmas day when they open the book for the first time and watch their faces become enchanted by the classic stories. I cannot wait to snuggle up on the sofa with them and read them the stories.

I apologies therefore that I cannot do a review as I normally would but this is a book that was too good and too beautiful for now. This is a book that had to be given to the girls as a present and one which I hope they will treasure forever.

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October seems to have come around very quickly. The leaves are filling up the garden and the girls are having fun playing in them. We are certainly on the countdown to October half term and with this Halloween.

Last year the girls were all set to go trick or treating for the first time but unfortunately they got a little too naughty and ended up not going. This year they have promised to behave and are really excited for trick or treating. I have also promised them we will do a Pumpkin this year.

The September book buddy book from Parragon books was very appropriate for this time of year Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere. The book is a nice easy read and a nice story to read with the girls. Following the adventures of the pumpkins on Halloween it shows the girls not to be scared and to have fun on Halloween.

A great picture story book for Halloween and one that is really great for the younger kids.

This book was sent as part of the Parragon Book Buddy. All words are our own opinion.

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Early this year we were introduced to the Spot A Lot range from Parragon books. We reviewed both the Animals and vehicle books. They are books that are favourites with the girls, each time we read them we find something new. The great thing about the books is you can adapt them by either looking for more or less, which means it is a new story every time.

Parragon Books have developed the Spot A Lot range further and now available from Smyths Toy Store is the Spot a Lot and Jigsaw kit.

The story is the same story as we have previously reviewed but the addition of the jigsaw makes it perfect as a gift. The jigsaw is two sided with one side for the girls to colour in and personalise and the other side has an image to compliment the story. The pieces are of a good size meaning that my youngest could pick them up with ease.

The Spot a Lot Animals Jigsaw is a wonderful gift and the handy sized box means it is also great for travelling and keeping kids entertained on train journeys!

We were sent the Spot a Lot Animals Jigsaw for review as part of our Parragon Book buddy. All words are my own opinion.

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On our recent holiday I took our Parragon book buddy book, Spot a lot Vehicle adventure with us. With a 3 hour flight ahead of us I needed something to keep the girls entertained and to break up the journey. Spot a Lot Vehicle adventure did just this.

Our first Spot a lot book from Parragon was a huge hit with the girls and still proves to be very popular. I knew that this book would be as popular. Following a similar theme from the first book Spot a lot vehicle adventure has you looking for items and counting too. The book is ideal for travelling on a plane as you can read the story and then re read and look for different items.

The great advantage of a spot a lot book is each time you read you can spot something else, or make up a new game to play with the book. It kept the girls entertained during the flight and got them thinking and interacting. I am a big fan of the Spot a Lot series of books as it is a book the girls can get involved with together.

This book was sent as part of the Parragon Book Buddy, all words are my own opinion.

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Dear Sister

I want to be big, just like you

I want to sit and read my stories, the way you do

I want to be able to reach up high

and grab those toys down from the sky

I want to sing Let it go really loud

and spin and dance and twirl around

I want to sound out letters and learn to write

I want to practise every night

I want to be four, not three or two

I want to do this because I love you

So help me sister as I doodle and draw

I am only little and have to start small

For one day all these squiggles will be

Beautiful letters like you do for me

Our book from Parragon has helped me lots

By doodling squiggles, stripes and spots

Thanks to Parragon Books for sending my youngest an amazing activity book that makes her feel grown up like her 4 year old sister.

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Mummy, can I have a pig? A good little, bad little pig?

My youngest has taken a real shine to the story 'A good little, bad little pig' by Margaret Wise Brown. I often find her cuddled up taking a look at the book

Perhaps it is the wonderful illustrations within the book. She points out the good little, bad little pig on the pages even in the pig pen. She laughs at the naughty things the pig does and says they are like spotty dog. I love that she can relate to the story and is taking an interest in reading.

My eldest is starting to read and this is also a picture book which she can sound out. It is lovely to listen to her read the story out loud especially for her sister.

Good little, bad little pig was sent to us as part of our Parragon Book buddies. All words are my own opinion.

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Dig, dig, dig

My girls love to dig, dig dig

The love to dig in sand

And dig in dirt

They just love to dig, even our dog loves to dig

Our Parragon book buddies book the diggers could not be better suited to us. Written by Margaret wise brown who is known for writing Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny, this is a rather lovely story following all who dig. Perfect for your little Diggers.

This book was sent to us as part of our partnership with Parragon Books, all words are my own opinion

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This months book buddy from Parragon books was slightly different from usual. Instead of a book for the girls it was a little something for me. I received a sticky note tin and a notebook from Parragon new range, life canvas stationary.

The life canvas stationary range has several distinct styles each to match an individuals personality. I was sent the Paris range, which feature pastel shades and iconic Parisian landmarks. The range is very elegant.

The notebook is encased in a hard cover and features an elastic to keep closed. Perfect for jotting down blog ideas and notes. The pages are kept in the purple pastel colour and are unlined. Giving plenty of space to draw or write.

The sticky notes tin features sticky notes of all different shapes. Perfect for little reminders or sticking in books to mark pages. With some shaped as triangles they can even be used to point out specific places too. Each note follows the theme and are postal coloured with a Parisian drawing on them.

The life canvas range from Parragon would make an excellent gift and a welcome addition to brighten up what can be uninteresting study times.

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The lovely thing about a good book is that it can be enjoyed anywhere. Stories are not just for bed time, they are for all time. Our July Parragon Book Buddy book is Away in my Airplane by Margaret Wise Brown. We decided to enjoy our book on our little trip.

We went to visit York Gliding Centre with Granddad. Unfortunately we were not allowed to fly and so there were no airplanes in the sky to watch, but we did get to sit in and have a look at the planes.

The girls spotted some of the gliders in the hanger and wanted to take a look at those, my eldest climbed in with her book

She then asked her Granddad to read her the story Away in my airplane, so he climbed inside and read the book to her.

After reading stories we went back outside to have a look at the other airplanes. The girls found a two seater and climbed in. They couldn't resist trying on the headsets. They looked rather sweet!

My eldest wanted to find a red plane, just like the one in her book. We looked round the run way and in the distance we found a red plane

She headed over with Granddad and showed him that the red plane they had found was the same as the one in her book.

My daughter wanted the book reading again, so we climbed onto the bus and sat down to read the stories. My youngest took it upon herself to guard the radio.

The girls had a lovely day with Granddad and exploring the airfield. It was nice not only to bring the story to life for them but also to enjoy the story together whilst out. The girls loved watching the planes, its just a shame there were non flying.

This day I love away in my airplane

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After reading our June Book Buddy book from Parragon Books we decided to set off in search of the fish with the deep sea smile. We searched high and low

We saw fish of all different colours and sizes. Some came up close to show us their smile

Some fish were hiding in the coral reef, but these all had little smiles

Some fish had funny smiles

The lobster and the penguins didn't smile much but we still liked watching them

We were at the deepest part and with the sharks, but we still couldn't find the fish with the deep sea smile.

We set off again to search else where, as the fish with the deep Sea smile could not be found. On our journey we did find two fish that gave us a deep sea smile

After our adventures for lunch the next day we found the fish with the deep sea smile

This day I love the fish with the deep sea smile

The girls were sent the Fish with the Deep sea smile from Parragon books for June Book Buddy. Words and opinions are my own.

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My youngest likes her food, she always has. She isn't greedy and stops when she is full, but she does enjoy eating. She likes to eat in peace and quiet and doesn't really like to share. She really doesn't like it when our dog tries to take her food and does what she can to eat in peace

Anthony the anteater has a similar problem. He likes his food and wants to sit down and enjoy it. Problem is every time he sits down to enjoy his food the ants have a habit of carrying it away. Poor Anthony. Anthony comes up with an idea to take his food far away. The ants however have a better idea

They decide to share, just like the girls do [sometimes!]

Anthony and the ants by Gemma Raynor is a beautiful book which gives an important message at the end.

This book is part of the May Book Buddy from Parragon Books. All words and opinions are my own.

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Our January book buddy title arrived and its one that my youngest has taken a really shine to. Muddy paws new friends. With my youngest having a real passion for dogs this really appealed to her. The beautiful illustrations really brought the story to life, and made the puppies very cute!

Muddy paws tells the story between Ben and his best friend Muddy Paws, one day Ben goes to school and has to leave Muddy Paws at home. Muddy paws is soon taken to school too, but Puppy school where he has to learn a lot of new things. He makes friends with some other puppies who work together to complete their new skills.

The story really helps to tell the story of friendship. About making new friends and also maintaining existing ones, something which will be a great reference to for my children as they grow. Muddypaws new friends is a really lovely story to tell young children.

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