Hello my name is Kate and I'm a bookaholic...
I am, and always have been, a great lover of books and, in particular, picture books. As the daughter of a (now retired) primary school teacher, I remember being surrounded by books from a very young age.
I rediscovered my love of picture books during my first, and somewhat stressful, pregnancy with Mini Reviewer, Izzie. I found reading to "bump" calming and relaxing and a great way to bond. By the time Izzie was born, she had a well established little library.
As our family has grown, so too has our book collection. We continue to share books daily and enjoy our regular library trips together. However, at the end of 2015 we seemed to be in a bit of a book rut. Despite loving the "classics", I found that I couldn't take much more of Dear Zoo; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; or The Gruffalo - as brilliant as they all are!
Inspired by Child's Play Books on Twitter, I started our 366 books in 366 days reading resolution. Throughout 2016 we picked a different book to read each day. We, of course, continued to re-read our favourite stories but the challenge was a brilliant way for us to discover new authors; illustrators and publishers. We've also made some lovely book-loving friends along the way (you all know who you are)!
Hello my name is Kate and I'm a bookaholic...
I am, and always have been, a great lover of books and, in particular, picture books. As the daughter of a (now retired) primary school teacher, I remember being surrounded by books from a very young age.
I rediscovered my love of picture books during my first, and somewhat stressful, pregnancy with Mini Reviewer, Izzie. I found reading to "bump" calming and relaxing and a great way to bond. By the time Izzie was born, she had a well established little library.
As our family has grown, so too has our book collection. We continue to share books daily and enjoy our regular library trips together. However, at the end of 2015 we seemed to be in a bit of a book rut. Despite loving the "classics", I found that I couldn't take much more of Dear Zoo; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; or The Gruffalo - as brilliant as they all are!
Inspired by Child's Play Books on Twitter, I started our 366 books in 366 days reading resolution. Throughout 2016 we picked a different book to read each day. We, of course, continued to re-read our favourite stories but the challenge was a brilliant way for us to discover new authors; illustrators and publishers. We've also made some lovely book-loving friends along the way (you all know who you are)!
Let's start a conversation
My personal aim, goal, dream (whatever you wish to call it!) is to instil a life long love of reading and storytelling in my own little people; awakening their imaginations; and igniting their curiosity in the world around them (and sometimes beyond). I'm also passionate about helping other parents and carers enjoy story time with their own children. So I'd love for you to follow (and join in with) us on our bookish adventures on Instagram; Facebook and Twitter. Please do share your own recommendations with us; ask us questions; and make this one big, book loving conversation!
My personal aim, goal, dream (whatever you wish to call it!) is to instil a life long love of reading and storytelling in my own little people; awakening their imaginations; and igniting their curiosity in the world around them (and sometimes beyond). I'm also passionate about helping other parents and carers enjoy story time with their own children. So I'd love for you to follow (and join in with) us on our bookish adventures on Instagram; Facebook and Twitter. Please do share your own recommendations with us; ask us questions; and make this one big, book loving conversation!
Book Reviews
We only share reviews of the books we really love or we think are of particular interest on Along Came Poppy. But we also review and recommend books on Toppsta; Amazon and Goodreads and have in the past been Family Reviewers for The Guardian Children's Books. We regularly chat with other bookish bloggers too and you can find a list of our favourite blogs on our home page.
We only share reviews of the books we really love or we think are of particular interest on Along Came Poppy. But we also review and recommend books on Toppsta; Amazon and Goodreads and have in the past been Family Reviewers for The Guardian Children's Books. We regularly chat with other bookish bloggers too and you can find a list of our favourite blogs on our home page.
Buying Books
We understand that building a collection of books from scratch can be expensive. We share our top ways to find affordable books here.
Also most of our reviewed books on the blog, along with many, many more book recommendations, can now be purchased via our Amazon Store. We are Amazon Affiliates which means that if any items are purchased through the links within 24 hours, we may receive a small commission but at no extra cost to you and any money received will most likely be used to fund our book habit; did I mention I was a bookaholic?!
So until next time... HAPPY READING!
Kate & the Mini Reviewers
(aka Izzie, Theo, Poppy & now Baby JuJu) xx
We understand that building a collection of books from scratch can be expensive. We share our top ways to find affordable books here.
Also most of our reviewed books on the blog, along with many, many more book recommendations, can now be purchased via our Amazon Store. We are Amazon Affiliates which means that if any items are purchased through the links within 24 hours, we may receive a small commission but at no extra cost to you and any money received will most likely be used to fund our book habit; did I mention I was a bookaholic?!
So until next time... HAPPY READING!
Kate & the Mini Reviewers
(aka Izzie, Theo, Poppy & now Baby JuJu) xx
The Mini Reviewers
Izzie, 8
Izzie enjoys talking, dancing, making things, baking, going to Brownies and all things Disney. She loves a good cardboard box and a roll of sticky tape. She likes picture books and chapter books and is becoming quite a confident little reader. Her favourite picture book is probably still the Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. In fact we are big Julia Donaldson fans. Izzie also adores the Isadora Moon series of books by Harriet Muncaster and anything by Roald Dahl. She has recently become hooked on The Worst Witch and Harry Potter!
Theo, 6
Izzie enjoys talking, dancing, making things, baking, going to Brownies and all things Disney. She loves a good cardboard box and a roll of sticky tape. She likes picture books and chapter books and is becoming quite a confident little reader. Her favourite picture book is probably still the Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. In fact we are big Julia Donaldson fans. Izzie also adores the Isadora Moon series of books by Harriet Muncaster and anything by Roald Dahl. She has recently become hooked on The Worst Witch and Harry Potter!Theo, 6
Poppy, 4
Full of sass, Poppy is one determined little person. She is incredibly mischievous and loves nothing better than to be outside climbing or riding her bike or scooter. She never stops! She is following in her big sister's footsteps and really likes to draw, unfortunately this can be on anything and everything! Poppy has had problems with her hearing so is currently receiving speech therapy. She loves to dance, some what madly. Oi Frog is a probably her current favourite book, although she also found Gardeners’ World magazine very interesting (see photo)!
Baby JuJu
The latest Mini Reviewer to join our little clan arrived in early 2020, just a few weeks before Lockdown occurred - thank goodness! JuJu already enjoys a good story, which means that there will be a lot of board book recommendations coming your way; watch this space!
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