Book Reviews
OK, I'm back. By popular demand I'm going to be putting up as many book reviews as I can - I'll be requesting more once I've finished with these so if you have any you want reviewed, please let me know. However, there is a long waiting list so don't approach me now.
The first book is quick and easy (which, I admit, is why I'm starting with it - you will also find this in my other site). The very talented Robert Claeys sent me his delightful book a while ago - apologies it's taken a long time to come on the site!
This lovely book, The Fiddles Go on Strike (written by Bobby Claeys and illustrated by Mark Tomczak) is very eye catching, with a pretty blue background and a cute character on the front.
The pictures are deceptively simple (and I love the fact that they are drawn as proper people rather than the current trend for stick figures).
The book begins by asking the age old question: How does ... work? Whether a television, radio or toaster the answer is usually a parent will usually give is, by electricity. The child invariably presses for a more indepth answer - and the parent begins to panic - the truth is, as Bobby states, they have no idea exactly how they work.
So what happens when all of the gadgets in the world decide to go on strike. Nothing turns on - nobody can get their email, watch their shows, do their toast! Even the traffic lights stop working! It has a terrible effect on people - and they are thrown when they receive a note, apparently from the appliance, telling them they have decided to quit work - even the repair men, who are run off their feet, have no luck. It is pandemonium!
In this well designed, thought provoking book, Bobby Claeys addresses the terrifying image of life without gadgets - people begin to go mad! It's not long before the streets are flooded with jelly - are they under attack? In fact, all is not as it seems - the things that make the gadgets work have all banded together and are staging a protest because they are sick of being taken for granted. When they stop marching, the items begin to work again.
This story makes us appreciate how much easier our lives are with these gadgets - we take everything for granted, not even taking the time to wonder how things work. When it all goes wrong we see how much harder our lives are without them. In this delightful tale, the people realise their mistake and decide to thank these helpers in a BIG way. The jelly returns and items begin to work again as they accept this most public apology.
The name Fiddles comes about by accident when there is a genuine malfunction - the microphone cuts off as they are about to tell the public their collective name - when the sound returns the little guy shouts, "Fiddles!" - therefore assuming a new name.
It's a wonderful little story which has received great acclaim. The children I've read it to have loved it - and it does its job, making them want to learn HOW things work. Some have even said they appreciate how much easier their lives are with these modern appliances, so Bobby has clearly done his job.
This is a must have book for young children - it is entertaining, educational and makes people think! What more could you want? Certainly the schools will be clamouring for a copy to keep on the library shelves - it ties in nicely with early science lessons. Definitely a must buy.
It is published by 800PUBLISHING.COM and can be easily found on Amazon and many other good book sites. What are you waiting for? If you delay the Fiddles in your house may go on strike - get it now before stock runs out.
I will be interviewing Bobby Claeys on my new radio show shortly so make sure to tune in there.
Stay tuned for my next review ... a thriller, with a hint of Indiana Jones thrown in.
The first book is quick and easy (which, I admit, is why I'm starting with it - you will also find this in my other site). The very talented Robert Claeys sent me his delightful book a while ago - apologies it's taken a long time to come on the site!
This lovely book, The Fiddles Go on Strike (written by Bobby Claeys and illustrated by Mark Tomczak) is very eye catching, with a pretty blue background and a cute character on the front.
The pictures are deceptively simple (and I love the fact that they are drawn as proper people rather than the current trend for stick figures).
The book begins by asking the age old question: How does ... work? Whether a television, radio or toaster the answer is usually a parent will usually give is, by electricity. The child invariably presses for a more indepth answer - and the parent begins to panic - the truth is, as Bobby states, they have no idea exactly how they work.
So what happens when all of the gadgets in the world decide to go on strike. Nothing turns on - nobody can get their email, watch their shows, do their toast! Even the traffic lights stop working! It has a terrible effect on people - and they are thrown when they receive a note, apparently from the appliance, telling them they have decided to quit work - even the repair men, who are run off their feet, have no luck. It is pandemonium!
In this well designed, thought provoking book, Bobby Claeys addresses the terrifying image of life without gadgets - people begin to go mad! It's not long before the streets are flooded with jelly - are they under attack? In fact, all is not as it seems - the things that make the gadgets work have all banded together and are staging a protest because they are sick of being taken for granted. When they stop marching, the items begin to work again.
This story makes us appreciate how much easier our lives are with these gadgets - we take everything for granted, not even taking the time to wonder how things work. When it all goes wrong we see how much harder our lives are without them. In this delightful tale, the people realise their mistake and decide to thank these helpers in a BIG way. The jelly returns and items begin to work again as they accept this most public apology.
The name Fiddles comes about by accident when there is a genuine malfunction - the microphone cuts off as they are about to tell the public their collective name - when the sound returns the little guy shouts, "Fiddles!" - therefore assuming a new name.
It's a wonderful little story which has received great acclaim. The children I've read it to have loved it - and it does its job, making them want to learn HOW things work. Some have even said they appreciate how much easier their lives are with these modern appliances, so Bobby has clearly done his job.
This is a must have book for young children - it is entertaining, educational and makes people think! What more could you want? Certainly the schools will be clamouring for a copy to keep on the library shelves - it ties in nicely with early science lessons. Definitely a must buy.
It is published by 800PUBLISHING.COM and can be easily found on Amazon and many other good book sites. What are you waiting for? If you delay the Fiddles in your house may go on strike - get it now before stock runs out.
I will be interviewing Bobby Claeys on my new radio show shortly so make sure to tune in there.
Stay tuned for my next review ... a thriller, with a hint of Indiana Jones thrown in.