Christmas Books For Young People | Christmas Gift List

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Frostie

It is never too early to get a child into books. Hopefully it will become a life-long habit. These are a great selection for tots to teens.

Deadly 2015 Annual Steve Backshall Out 6 November, HB £12.99

This is a brilliant book to get your child interested in nature and the wider world. Steve Backshall’s Deadly team travel to all corners of the world to film, visiting the driest deserts, the steamiest rain forests, the highest mountains and the snowiest forests in search of the most awesome wildlife. This annual is full of amazing pictures and facts about these incredible places and the animals that spend their lives there. There is also plenty of puzzles, pictures and fun stuff to enjoy.

Deadly Annual 2015

The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager

A great idea for a book. Becoming a teenager can be as hard as living with one. This brilliant book is a guide to starting the journey to an ideal life as a teen. It helps support young people to become the very best version of themselves—and shows them how to figure out who that is, exactly. Written by experts in the art of happiness and positive psychology, this new book will help teenagers become brilliant at school, work and life in general. They will learn to stay cool under all the pressures they’re facing and plot a map for the future that takes them wherever it is they want to go.

This is a book for ambitious teens who are ready to become proactive, determined, successful and most importantly: happy! And for parents and teachers desperate to turn a down-beat teenager into a ray of positivity and delight

The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager

Adventures in Raspberry Pi by Carrie Anne Philbin

This is a great book to give your child a head start in life. Computing knowledge is a must and learning how to program will seriously boost their future career prospects. Assuming no prior computing knowledge, Adventures in Raspberry Piuses the wildly successful, low-cost, Raspberry Pi to explain fundamental computing concepts.

The Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized computer that, when plugged into a screen and a keyboard, can do many of the things that a desktop PC. Users can experiment by connecting up electronics circuits, learn to program in Scratch and Python, learn to manage programs and files with Linux and much more.

Written by Carrie Anne Philbin, a high school teacher of computing who advises the UK government, the book contains nine fun projects that young people will be able to use to learn basic programming and system administration skills. Starting with the very basics of how to plug in the board and turn it on, later chapters (called Adventures) cover areas including Programming Shapes and Building a Raspberry Pi Jukebox. Each project includes a link to a lively and informative video to reinforce the lessons, making it perfect for young, eager self-learners and their parents.

Adventures in Raspberry Pi

Tinder Sally Gardner

A great novel for teenagers (and adults) go sink their teeth into: Otto Hundebiss is tired of war, but when he defies Death he walks a dangerous path. A half beast half man gives him shoes and dice which will lead him deep into a web of dark magic and mystery. He meets the beautiful Safire – pure of heart and spirit, the scheming Mistress Jabber and the terrifying Lady of the Nail. He learns the powers of the tinderbox and the wolves whose master he becomes. But will all the riches in the world bring him the thing he most desires?

Fairy tales are often the cruellest stories of all; in this exquisite novel Sally Gardner writes about great love and great loss.

Tinder

Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Changed The World

The girl of the moment. Nobel Peace prize winner Malala has finally told her story. A wonderful gift to give children of either gender. A testament to how important education and equality is. Written in collaboration with critically acclaimed National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick. Malala tells her story – from her childhood in the Swat Valley to the shooting, her recovery and new life in England.

Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

Best Friends Bakery A Spoonful of Secrets By Linda Chapman

A Spoonful of Secrets is a fun and enjoyable read. This is the second book in the series. A great story about friendship, fun and baking. After a difficult beginning, things are starting to look up for the Sugar and Spice Bakery. Business is good, and Hannah is excited about starting school with her new friends. But as school starts, Mia is acting strangely, and it looks as though things aren’t going to be as easy as Hannah had thought…

A Spoonful of Secrets (Best Friends’ Bakery 2)

Mariella Mystery Investigates The Spaghetti Yeti By Kate Pankhurst

Book five in the series. A fun and engaging book for your child.

“Mariella Mystery (That’s me!) – totally amazing girl detective, aged 9 and a bit. Able to solve the most mysterious mysteries and perplexing problems, even before breakfast.

Is there really a spaghetti-loving yeti stalking the woods next to Limpet Rocks Campsite? Mariella and the Mystery Girls are determined to find out.”

Mariella Mystery Investigates the Spaghetti Yeti (Mariella Mysteries)

The Beaver and the Elephant by Keith Lemon

We were quite surprised that the same person who does the crude TV show Celebrity Juice had written a children’s book, but apparently it is true. A hilarious prequel to the bestselling Being Keith, Little Keith Lemon is a no-holds-barred memoir of Keith’s early life in Leeds. Keith lifts the lid on all the experiences that have led him to become an international ladies’ man and national treasure – from honing his entrepreneurial skills while organising a topless jelly wrestling competition to turning his back on a breakdancing career. This first book, containing three short stories, brings Keith’s distinctive style to the page and follows the adventures of the bossy Beaver and the bumbling but loveable Elephant – whether they are shopping for shoes, splashing around in the sea on holiday or getting into the Christmas spirit. You might even spot a strawberry blonde Northern businessman in there too.

The Beaver and the Elephant is available here.

A Day in the Life of Emma Kavanagh

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Margaret Graham

Before Emma tells us of a day in her life, let me tell you that she has written a brilliant debut psychological thriller for Random House: a plane falls out of the sky, a woman is murdered, four people all have something to hide.

Emma is a former police psychologist but this is her day now. Over to Emma.

I would love to tell you what my typical working day looks like. But I am the mother of two small boys, the youngest just eight weeks old, and so once my maternity leave ends I’ll be working on figuring out a new typical.

So let me tell you about a typical day in my old, pre-baby life. I wake about 6am, stirred to life by the dulcet tones of my 3 year old, shrieking “Morning, Mummy. Wake up.” I blink, try to remember who I am and why there’s a stuffed dog that smells of stale milk resting on my forehead, then face the day. I always get dressed. That may not sound like much of an achievement but remember that I’m a writer. Pyjamas are practically uniform. But I’m a believer in getting ready for the day, allowing my brain to remember that I’m in work mode now. Then, after making my toddler toast (which he won’t eat) and scuttling him to creche or an obliging set of grandparents, I get started.

Work time is sacrosanct for me. I don’t have much of it, and that which I do have is fiercely guarded. Once my toddler is out of the house, everything is about writing. I’m even pretty good at staying off Twitter. Most of the time. I open up my laptop, hunker down on my spot on the sofa, and begin by reviewing what I wrote the day before. I’ll do a bit of a tidy up on that, just ensuring that it reads well enough that I feel comfortable moving on, then I’ll look at what comes next. I don’t tend to edit much on a first draft, just bits here and there. I like to get the words out so that I have something to work with later.

I’ll spend as much time as I can writing. Then when my brain starts to fizz, I’ll move on to e-mails and general admin. If I’m feeling particularly efficient, I’ll jot down a rough plan for the next day. Then I get to be mummy again and my world devolves into talk about Play Doh and Elmo.

So, that’s my life in theory. Of course, now I have two sons. I am officially outnumbered. So…um…watch this space.

This Is Bacon & This Is Gauguin Art Book Review

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Art lovers rejoice: Laurence King Publishing has launched a major series on great artists. We were lucky enough to be sent two of their books to review. This Is…Bacon and This Is…Gauguin. They present art history in a visual and accessible manner. The life and work of each artist is told by leading art historians and accompanied by specially commissioned illustrations, alongside representations of their most famous works. Design of the series has been overseen by Pentagram; with each title featuring vivid fluorescent spines and cut-flush binding, making each book the perfect gift for any art lover. Perfect for Christmas and beyond.

The books have it all: a great biography of the artist and wonderful art work. An art lovers dream. Well written and beautiful.

This is Gauguin

George Roddam
Illustrated by Slawa Harasymowicz

This is Gauguin by George Roddam is a new instalment in a major new art series that rethinks art history and presents it in a highly visual, vivid and engaging way. In this book the story of Paul Gauguin’s life and work is brought to life through Slawa Harasymowicz’s specially commissioned illustrations.

Paul Gauguin created some of the most advanced art in a brilliant generation of artists – all of whom struggled against the stifling conformity of the late 19th century’s artistic mainstream.

He created paintings whose radically simplified lines and colours echoed the unschooled art of the rustic and native cultures he loved. After his famously disastrous stay with Vincent van Gogh in southern France, Gauguin escaped European civilization for the Polynesian islands. Immersing himself in the culture, he produced a series of radiant canvases and powerful sculptures – his last great works.

From his childhood in Peru to his experiences in Tahiti, the story of Gauguin’s life is recounted in authoritative text by an expert on the Post-Impressionists and compelling imagery by an award-winning illustrator.

As well as Slawa Harasymowicz’s unique illustrations, Gauguin’s art is shown throughout the book. Works featured include: Sleeping Child (1884), Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers (1888), Christ in the Garden of Olives (1889), Manao tupapau (The Spirit of the Dead Watching) (1892) and Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (1897-98).

George Roddam has taught art history at universities in the UK and US. His research focuses primarily on European modernisms. He lives in southeast England with his wife and two sons.

Slawa Harasymowicz is a Polish artist based in London. Following the release of the graphic novel The Wolf Man, she had a solo
exhibition at The Freud Museum, London. She was a member of the V&A Award’s jury in 2010.

This is Gauguin is available here and from from thebookpeople.co.uk

This is Bacon

Kitty Hauser
Illustrated by Christina Christoforou

This is Bacon by Kitty Hauser. In this book the story of Francis Bacon’s life and work is brought to life through Christina Christoforou’s specially commissioned illustrations.

Francis Bacon was one of the giants dominating the artistic landscape of the mid-twentieth century, and served as the inspiration and launching point for much of the figural and abstract art that came after him.

This highly illustrated book features 19 of the artist’s major works. In stunning original colour illustrations it portrays the events of his life and the circle of friends and associates with whom he formed a louche, brazen gang that cut open the belly of the old propriety. The major periods of Bacon’s life on the edge, such as his time spent in Berlin, Paris and the seedy milieu of post-war London, are portrayed, along with the influential figures, such as Peter Lacey and George Dyer, who shaped both his personal life and his art.

As well as Christina Christoforou’s unique illustrations, Bacon’s art is shown throughout the book. Works featured include: Three Studies for a Crucifixion (1962), Portrait of Isabel Rawsthorne (1966), Lying Figure (1969), Triptych, May-June (1973) and Sand Dune (1983).

Kitty Hauser is the author of Stanley Spencer, Shadow Sites: Photography, Archaeology and The British Landscape 1927–1955 and Bloody Old Britain. She lives in Sydney where she writes a regular column for The Australian.

Christina Christoforou is a London-based illustrator and artist. She started her career as an art director in Greece before gaining an MA at Camberwell College of Arts in London.

This is Bacon is available here and from thebookpeople.co.uk

Easterleigh Hall by Margaret Graham Book Review

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

The perfect novel is a truly wonderful thing: a key to take you away from your life. It transports you to another world and you can lose yourself and all of your problems for hours at a time. I read most of Easterleigh Hall on a glorious Autumn Sunday while the rain poured outside. I was grabbed straight away, the characters are so well-written and fascinating. Evie Forbes is a fantastic heroine: a ballsy, decent and ambitious young woman. She is smart and is willing to sacrifice and work hard to get what she wants.

Set in County Durham just before the First World War, it is almost impossible to review Easterleigh Hall without mentioning the success of Downton Abbey, and this book would make a similarly amazing TV series. It has its villains in Lord Brampton and a valet called Roger, every great novel needs someone to hate. Most of the rest of the characters, and especially the Forbes family, are impossible to not love. Things are not always what they seem and even those ‘upstairs’ come into their own.

Margaret Graham is a very versatile writer. Her other books are also amazing. Her historical books like this one are always well researched. You are taken into the past and you always learn something too. So not just entertaining.

Evie starts work as an assistant cook at Easterleigh Hall against her family’s wishes. Her family do not like Lord Brampton as her father and brothers work in the mine that he owns. But Evie wants to run a small hotel and her training will give her a way out. Little do they know that the world is on the brink of war. The book does not rush. It allows the story and the characters to grow, to really get into the story. I love this, you really feel like you know these people. This is a glorious read and one I will be recommending to friends. Luckily there are another two books in the series which will take us up to the Second World War. I can’t wait. It is out on October 9th. Read it, buy it or steal it. Okay, maybe not the last one.

Easterleigh Hall is available here.

http://www.margaret-graham.com

Sophie Duffy The Generation Game Book Review

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

The Generation Game is Sophie Duffy’s debut novel. And what a debut. This book truly is unputdownable. Wonderfully written, fresh, relatable and with enough surprises to keep you hooked. It captures family life and human emotion perfectly. In fact, it is now one of my favourite books and I will recommend it to everyone I know. The novel is inspired by Sophie’s childhood growing up in a sweet shop in Torquay

Philippa Smith is in her forties and has a beautiful newborn baby girl. She also has no husband, and nowhere to turn. So she turns to the only place she knows: the beginning.
Retracing her life, she confronts the daily obstacles that shaped her very existence. From the tragic events of her childhood abandonment, to the astonishing accomplishments of those close to her, Philippa learns of the sacrifices others chose to make, and the outcome of buried secrets.

Philippa discovers a celebration of life, love, and the Golden era of television. A reflection of everyday people, in not so everyday situations.

Sophie won the 2010 Luke Bitmead Writers Bursary and the Yeovil Literary Prize 2006. She has another novel that I will definitely be reading soon called This Holey Life.

I highly recommend this book. It is a stunning debut.

The Generation Game is available here.

Kate Kelly: A Day In The Life of An Author: The Edinburgh International Book Fair

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Margaret Graham

A sunny morning in August and I was heading into Edinburgh on one of the city’s shiny new trams. The reason – I had been invited to appear as an author at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and this was the morning of my event.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival 2014 was held in the beautiful Charlotte Gardens in the centre of the city. As I approached I could see the tents and marquees clustered beneath the trees and neat crocodiles of school children in pristine uniforms being herded by their teachers towards the venue.

The author arrives at Charlotte Gardens.

Inside covered walkways connected the event venues and bookshops which had been set up around the edge. In the middle was an area of lawns and seating where people gathered to drink coffee or eat their lunch

The Edinburgh International Book Festival in Charlotte Gardens

Mine was to be a joint event with Sarah Crossan, author of dystopian duology Breathe and Resist. Our event was called The End is Nigh and formed part of the Baillie Gifford Schools programme of events.

Another view of the venue, Charlotte Gardens.

The authors had a separate area, the Author’s Yurt, where we could chat and relax both before and after our events and this was where I headed to meet up with Sarah, Hannah Love of Faber who was chairing our event and my publisher’s marketing director. Here we were fitted with our microphones and then we were escorted to our venue and 150 eagerly waiting schoolchildren.

Myself, Hannah Love and Sarah Crossan in the Authors Yurt

Sarah and I read extracts and answered questions about our books, both about the writing process and our inspirations as well as the environmental issues our books address and the emerging genre of Cli-Fi (Climate Fiction). It was an hour long event but it felt like minutes.

Answering questions about our books.

Afterwards we were taken into the festival bookshop where we had the opportunity to meet some of the children and sign books for them. A couple of groups had come across from Glasgow and were doing a school project on Climate Fiction of which our books formed part. It was lovely to meet them and see their enthusiasm. Then back to the author’s yurt for lunch.

Lunch laid out in the Author’s Yurt

I was then able to explore the festival site a bit more and most importantly to check out the festival book shops. There was a special stand where that day’s events books were displayed.

Lots of copies of Red Rock for sale.

Of course no visit to Edinburgh during festival time would be complete without visiting out The Fringe and that was how I spent the rest of the day. Some of the street acts we saw were quite superb and the whole city was vibrant and alive.

My day at the Edinburgh International Book Festival was a superb experience and one I shall never forget.

Biography

Kate Kelly is a marine scientist by day but by night she writes SF thrillers for kids. Her debut novel Red Rock, a Cli-Fi thriller for teens, is published by Curious Fox. She lives in Dorset with her husband, two daughters and assorted pets and blogs at http://scribblingseaserpent.blogspot.co.uk/

Curious Fox link: http://www.curious-fox.com/

Amazon UK link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Rock-Kate-Kelly/dp/1782020616/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1409831765&sr=8-1&keywords=red+rock

One Step Closer To You Alice Peterson Book Review

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Frostie

The main thing this book has going for it is Polly, a great character who is rebuilding her life. It is fun following Polly on her journey, you really want her to succeed and are willing her on along the way. You will laugh and smile as she makes a new life from the rubble of addiction. Polly has a son and her bond with her child is evident, she also deeply loves her brother Hugh. There is also a love interest on the horizon, will it work out? This is a love story, a rebirth story and a moving exploration of addiction and becoming a better person. It is honest about addiction and the impact it has on an entire family. Beautiful, honest and thought-provoking. Definitely worth a read.

After Polly ends her relationship with the father of her young son, Louis, she is determined to move on. All she wants is to focus on her job, her friends and to be a good mum. No more looking over her shoulder. No more complications…

Then Polly meets Ben.

Ben is guardian to his niece, Emily. They become close, with Polly teaching Ben how to plait Emily’s hair and Ben playing football with Louis. Their friendship is unexpected. Polly has never been happier.

But when Louis’s dad reappears in their life, all Polly’s mistakes come back to haunt her and her resolve weakens when he swears he has changed.

Will she give herself a second chance to love?

Available on September 25 2014. Buy/Pre Order here

Editor Catherine Balavage’s Radio Interview With Orla Barry

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Frostie

Frost editor Catherine Balavage was interviewed on The Green Room with Orla Barry. Catherine was talking about her new book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. The interview is below and has lots of great acting advice. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

Are you an actor? If you have any acting questions then comment below and Catherine will answer them.

How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur is out now and available here.

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