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Little Learning Library - Eric Carle
by k2705
At work we have some book people come round every few weeks and leave some sample books for us to look at and decide if we want to buy any, I always have a look to see what there is, they have quite a lot of children's books and they are so reasonably priced that if I see something I like I more often than not end up getting it as you ... cannot guarantee that it will be available the next time they come round.
One thing they recently had available was The Very Hungry Caterpillar Little Learning Library by Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a book I remember reading at school so I was drawn to these books and decided to purchase them as part of Jayden's birthday present a few weeks ago.
The Little Learning Library consists of 4 books in the style of The Hungry Caterpillar book, the books I have come in a small cream Hessian bag with 2 fabric handles on the top.
On both the front and the back of the bag are the words Little Learning Library in multi colours with a picture of The Hungry Caterpillar just underneath, next to this there is a very small logo for the publisher Puffin.
The bag is slightly larger than the 4 books put together making it easy for you and your child to get the books in and out of the bag. I particularly like the way that these books were presented as it was a bit different to other books that Jayden has.
As I have said there are 4 books in the Little Learning Library, these are all in the form of square shaped board books, each book has 6 pages including the front and back cover.
The card that all of the books are made from is very tough and sturdy making them hardwearing and able to withstand the rough time they might get with children. The pages are thick which makes it easy for little fingers to cope with, Jayden finds it easy to turn these pages as he can easily grip and separate them.
All 4 books are in a similar style and designed to teach your child other aspects at the same as helping them to read and recognise different words. The 4 books are Numbers, Words, Colours and Animal Sounds.
*Numbers - The Numbers book has a plain white cover with the title of the book at the top in multi coloured writing, the rest of the front cover is taken up with a picture of 3 ladybirds, the pages of the book also have a plain white background making the writing and pictures stand out clearly.
Inside the book counts from 1 to 10, at he top of each page is the number, beneath this is a picture and underneath this is a description of the picture, for example "One Bear", Two Trees" Three Stars" and so on. The pictures are done in a way so that they look painted, the number above the pictures are in the same colour as the picture itself.
This book doest just help your child count from 1 to 10 it can also help them recognise numbers written as a number and also in word form, it can help your child to learn to recognise different objects such as different animals, star shapes, flower shapes etc.
Another thing that the book can teach your child is colours (although there is a Colours book in the set) So whilst this book is designed to teach your child numbers it can also help them to learn various other things as well.
* Words - The Words book again has the same plain white front cover as the previous book with the name "Words" written at the top in multi coloured letters and a picture of a red apple just beneath it.
Also the pages of the book are again plain white making the information on them stand out clearly and easy to read. This book is designed to teach your child to read and recognise various words such as Ball, Sun, Bird, Fire Engine and so on.
The majority of each page is taken up with a picture and written underneath it is what the object in the picture actually is. Again the pictures are in a sort of painted style. I would say that this book only really teaches words, however some of the pictures can be used to recognise colours for example red ball, yellow sun etc but for me the book mainly teaches word recognition and helps with actual reading.
* Colours - The Colours book in this set is the one which is I think is most closely linked to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It has the same white front cover with the same white pages inside. The title Colours is written at the top in multi colours with a picture of The Hungry Caterpillar underneath it.
All of the pictures are in the same painted style and are mainly on food or something linked to The Very Hungry Caterpillar and in a lot of the pictures The Caterpillar appears.
On each page there is a picture of an object, written underneath each picture is the word stating what the object is, each double page is one colour, for example there is a different picture on each page but they will be the same colour for example the first 2 pages show The Caterpillar and a leaf both of which are green, the colour is written at the top of one of the pages and in the colour.
This book is obviously aimed at teaching your child to recognise colours but it can also help with recognising objects and words helping to develop their reading ability.
* Animal Sounds - The Animal Sounds book is in the same style as all of the others with its white front cover and the title Animal Sounds written at the top in multi colours, the rest of the front cover is take up with a picture of a dog. Again the pages are all white with the pictures in same painted style as the other books.
In this book on each page is a picture of an animal with the sound that that animal makes written around it in different coloured writing, the name of the animal is written at the bottom of each page in black writing. Other than teaching your child animal sounds it will also help with reading/ word recognition.
All 4 books are aimed at helping your child learn and develop, they are done in a simple yet effective style, the pictures are bright and colourful so that they will capture your child's attention but they are not fussy and over complicated making easier for your child to concentrate on what the book is actually trying to teach them. Although each book is designed to help children learn one particular thing each book will also help to develop other skills.
The Little Learning Library can be used by children of all ages, Jayden just over a year old and he really likes these books, he will happily sit and look at these with me and my Husband, he loves the bright colours of the pictures and will point at them and touch the pages.
Although Jayden is very young and has no concept of reading as yet he is learning all the time and by reading these books to him and showing him the different numbers and pictures as well as the words it will help him to develop his reading and counting skills as he grows. Personally I feel it is never to early to start reading with your child and helping them to learn and develop.
As I have mentioned I bought this set of books from the book people that bring books to my works, however I have seen this same item available from other book stores such as Waterstones, although the way they are displayed is slightly different, at Waterstones they come in a display box rather than a Hessian bag. These books are sold for £4.99 and this seems to be the case in most places, although the RRP on the tag states £15.00 which personally I feel is very over priced. I feel that £4.99 is a very good price for these 4 books.
Jayden has had his Little Learning Library for a few weeks now and he really seems to enjoy the books especially the Animal Sounds one, although there is no story to them he does seem to enjoy them and will indicate he wants another one after the first on is finished.
The books are of an excellent quality and although the style is simple is it effective. All of the books are done in the same style as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the pictures are bright and colourful with the writing being large ideal for children to read.
I like the fact that these are board books as it makes it easier for small hands to cope with, Jayden will sit and turn the pages of the books and does not struggle at all.
I would highly recommend these books, they are ideal at helping your child to learn and are something you can read together or alone, the books are very reasonably priced and will last your child for quite a long while and can be used from an early age.
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Survival - Chris Ryan
by wolby2010
This is the first of Chris Ryan's series known as the Alpha-Force. This book is aimed at younger readers but it can still be appreciated by slightly older readers (Early 20s.) The book tells the story of a group of young teenagers from various backgrounds, for different reasons apply to go on an adventure on a large wooden ship sailing ... across the seas. Thrust together by the course leaders, they find themselves getting on and getting into trouble which leads them to end up stranded on an Island together. The book is extremely gripping and well written and easy to follow. It is a thrill-a-minute actions story.
In order to survive they pull their resources and different skill sets to survive and uncover vicious jungle beasts personal problems and piracy. The characters are Alex, Li, Paulo, Hex & Amber (A.L.P.H.A).
Alex is a young boy from Northumberland bored with his life and seeking adventure. As the son of an SAS soldier, he finds himself leading the pack armed with essential survival knowledge.
Li, an expert in martial arts and mountain climbing is fast on her feet and able to reach in places the others cannot get to.
Paulo, a strong farm-hand from Argentina has medical (albeit veterinary) knowledge that makes him useful when things go wrong.
Hex, a shy London shut-in is an expert when it comes to technology and can hack almost anything but is not too excellent in outdoor situations.
Amber, is young and very wealthy she lives with her uncle as her parents died and was the owner of the ship they were all adventuring on.
At the end of their adventure the guys finds that as a team they can accomplish almost anything and form the Alpha team.
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