Books


An Amazing Book for Tween Reluctant Readers from Night ZooKeeper

An Amazing Book for Tween Reluctant Readers is a paid collaboration with Night Zookeeper: Escape from Conform Prison #mynzkhero  which is the only create your own adventure story featuring your child own drawn superhero. Being a mum to a reluctant reader means that I am always on the lookout for ways to encourage children to read and engage them in books and words and that is why I adore the Night Zookeeper range. Your child might already be aware of the amazing books by Joshua Davidson which introduce them to the importance of creativity and friendship


LGBTQ-friendly books for Young Children

LGBTQ books for Kids under seven 2

Your children are never too young to introduce these LGBTQ books for Kids. Representation is so important. It not only invites those who identify as LGBTQ an opportunity to be represented – including those who have LGBTQ parents – but it teaches others about inclusivity and acceptance. So I asked my friend Kate from Lesbemums to help me compile a list of diverse books that are perfect for introducing to your children. So over to Kate……


The Benefits of Audiobooks 6

The benefit of audiobooks is a collaborative post with BookBeat.  We are big fans of audiobooks here in The Mad House. We use them a lot and I want to share with you that they are not cheating nor do they prohibit reading.  In fact, in our case, they have actually helped fuel the love of books. I am an avid reader and always have been. When I was younger I could always be found with my head in a book and this is a love that I have always wanted to pass on to the children.  However, as much as we have already read to the boys and encouraged them both […]


Tips for engaging reluctant readers 6

Everyone wants their children to grow up with a love of books.  I know that I did and I have one bookworm, but I also have one reluctant reader.  Maxi is a capable reader, but he has never connected with books for whatever reason and it isn’t for lack of trying on my part!  The fact is that reluctant readers are often boys, but the lack of interest in reading books isn’t just a boy thing. So how do you engage reluctant readers?  I have teamed up with DisneyLife to bring you some tips for engaging reluctant readers.

Tips for engaging reluctant readers

DIY World Book Day Costume ideas for school 14

It is nearly World Book Day, so I have some DIY World Book Day costume ideas for you all.  Do you love or hate dressing up days at school?  I used to hate them with a passion.  Maxi hates dressing up.  He always has, so they have always been a real challenge for me.  But then along came Mini who LOVES dressing up and loves reading too, so whoop! DIY costume ideas perfect for school dressing up day. I adore #14″ width=”870″ height=”870″>


Must have books for Tween Boys 12

Do you have a reader?  I am not going to pretend that my boys are always found with their noses in a book, but I have now got two readers.  One was a reluctant reader and the other was and still is prolific, especially at bedtime!  It is only when I came to put together this list that I realised just how much they both read and how many books we have purchased this year, so here is our must have books for tween boys.

Must have books for Tween Boys

Star Wars Books for Kids

Fab Star Wars Books for kids 1

I have talked before that it can sometimes be frustrating as a parent when you want to instil a love of books and reading in your kids and they are reluctant readers.    Over my years as a parent I have struggled to reconcile the fact that Maxi is not a book worm like I am and that Mini has become.  However, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t read,  just that he reads in different ways.  I have also learned that I need to find something that engages him and with the new Star Wars movie coming out later this year these Star Wars books really did.


Discover the savage world 29

We have so many books in the Mad House that we had to buy a new book case for Mini’s bedroom last week.  Not that I am complaining.  I love that he is a book worm and I really wish that Maxi would have the same relationship with books that iIni does. Both the boys really love “fact” books and they are great for encouraging boys, who can often be reluctant readers.  We are fans of Miles Kelly Publishers and have received and bought books from them before and they sent is the new Discovery Channel Discover the Savage World book to review and also set us a couple of challenges […]