Strange bouffant hair. Sharp suit. "I want it all" attitude and prone to childish tantrums? No this isn't a biography of POTUS, it's actually a very funny christmas book for our Booky Advent Calendar Day 14.

It's the run up to Christmas and if there's one thing Morris is sure of, it's that he wants his presents this year to be even more amazing than last year's!

So on the 12 days of Christmas, Morris' long suffering parents begin to pull out all the stops, ensuring their spoilt little diddums gets exactly what he wants.

The first present is small. That simply won't do.

The next present is larger, but Morris is sure his parents could do better. MUCH better.

So the chaos builds, as his poor mum and dad try every day to impress this fussy little 'prince' (yes, that's why he has a "P" on his badge, it's got nothing to do with being the president or anything. Oh nosirree).

By the end of the book you're wishing something rather unpleasant on this fellah - and you'll get your wish (though we were both a little disheartened to see that there's an almost happy ending).

Charlotte's favourite bit: Morris almost gets his comeuppance. Almost!

Daddy's favourite bit: Joshua knows how to write a storming slow-build of a book that rapidly descends into complete chaos as Morris' demands are met. An awesome idea, and yes we loved Amelie's rather cheeky 'homage' for sure!

(Kindly supplied for review)

"Morris Wants More" by Joshua Seigal and Amelie Faliere is out now, published by Flying Eye Books. 

I can usually tell when a book is going to be "Book of the Week" when Charlotte lovingly totes it around with her. Now she can read, it's fantastic when she comes trotting up when I'm cooking or doing the washing up, and says "Listen to this one! Listen to this one!"

Joshua Seigal (who was an awesome guest blogger here last year when he wrote something for our "Poetry" theme week) has compiled a collection of his poems that will tickle your funny bone, toy with your emotions or (in one or two cases) have parents wriggling with embarrassment as their little darlings read them out loud.

Though Joshua's book is illustrated (wonderfully by Chris White) it's all about the poems for Charlotte and it's been unusual to see her engaged with the text as the main lure rather than the pictures (as is often the case when we review picture books).

Reading "There's a bee in the classroom" had her giggling, and of course she took great pleasure in reading "My dad is bald" out loud to me once she'd discovered it (charming! I don't think covering my head in mulched ants is going to bring back my luxurious locks, alas).

Joshua's energy and sense of fun must be a real wow to experience, when he does school visits. Children love the cleverness of rhyme, and the challenge of writing a poem that flows even at a fairly early age (Charlotte was delighted to find that the book had spaces at the back for your own poetry but we're pretty funny about writing in books, we can't stand to think of them being defaced but if you're going to scribble in books, writing a poem might just be allowable!)

We also loved the poem about teaching, and about what teachers do for you - because they care about you, and want to make you a better person (confirming what we already knew - just how awesome teachers really are).

We've had a week of Charlotte reading and enjoying these and we can tell that she's going to be picking out rhymes to randomly recite for some time to come. Fantastic work Joshua!

Charlotte's best poem: A very shouty recital of "THERE'S A BEE IN THE CLASSROOM!"

Daddy's Favourite poem: "I'm sorry" (I mean, who hasn't ever had a crush on their teacher?)

(Very kindly sent to us for review by Joshua Seigal)

Joshua Seigal, Children's Poet and Performer getting the audience involved!

Once again we're delighted to guest a post for #ReadItMD13 Children's Poetry Week, this time by children's poet and performer Joshua Seigal. He's out and about this week visiting schools and the poem below was written for a year 2 class he'll be visiting. He's also just written a poem featured in one of our favourite magazines, Springboard Stories! Find out more about Joshua on his website.


Bradley by Joshua Seigal

In Year 2 we have a pet –

Bradley is his name.

Bradley is a stick insect

And Bradley has a game:

He often likes to leave his box

And crawl across the floor,

He’ll rest upon the windowsill

Or linger by the door.



He likes to lurk among the books

And wallow in the sink,

He sometimes nibbles at our lunch

And drinks our teacher’s drink!

He lolls across the radiator

Basking in the heat,

And when we’re sitting at our desks

He’ll flit across our feet.



In Year 2 we have a pet –

Bradley is his name.

Bradley is a stick insect

And Bradley has a game:

He hides in teacher’s handbag

And he gives her such a fright

That she leaps up high into the air

And screams with all her might!



She says that Bradley’s escapades

Are making her feel sick

So she went into the playground

And she came back with a stick.

She put the stick in Bradley’s box

And told him “This is Brian.

He is your new insect pal –

Now you play Sleeping Lions!”

(C) Joshua Seigal 2013 - Used with permission