Your brain is an amazing thing. No really, it is. Sometimes you might not think so, but the human brain is a complex and dynamic organic machine that is capable of some truly wonderful things.

Following on from their successful books about our bodies, our families and our world, "The Great Big Brain Book" by Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith once again takes a colourful and diverse look at our amazing brains in a bumper book filled to the brim with brainiac facts about our grey matter.

Think of all the things it allows us to do - most of which we take for granted - and you'll find them in this book, everything from the day-to-day functions of our bodies that our brain largely controls automatically, to the more fanciful things that our brain is capable of.

Our dreams, our imaginations, our creativity and our cleverness are all down to that wrinkly grey thing we keep in our skulls!

Let's take a closer look inside this wonderful book!

Your amazing brain can do all these things and more (look out for that scene-stealing cat on every page!)

Poor cat! Might be a tiny brain but they still rule the internet

Different areas of the brain do different things, even from left to right!

Sum this book up in a sentence: Another brilliant, colourful, fact-filled and characterful book by Mary and Ros, cooking up a superb slice of non-fic all about our amazing brains!

"The Great Big Brain Book" by Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith is out now, published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books (kindly supplied for review). 

Life? Don't talk to me about life. Actually, no, do talk to us about life - because life is for living and here's a brilliant book that celebrates all the amazing aspects of our lives that we may take for granted.

"The Great Big Book of Life" takes us on an astonishing journey from cradle to grave.

In this glorious, diverse celebration of human life, from birth to death, Mary Hoffman and Ros explore every stage of human life. 

More nautical naughtiness on the high seas, but this time the trouble is pint-sized...

Two beautiful new books relating the stories of Jesus have been added to the gorgeous range available from innovative publishers Otter-Barry Books.

"Lost and Found" gathers together 8 parables from the stories of Jesus including A Tale of Two Houses,  Neighbours,  Lost and Found,  Fair Pay,  The Jealous Brother, Sowing and Growing,  Come to the Party and  Forgiveness.

Mary Hoffman retells the eight parables showing how Jesus used storytelling to explain God’s idea of truth, fairness and love.

With beautiful, atmospheric illustrations by Jackie Morris, this is a perfect introduction to the teachings of Jesus.


Also in the range is "Walking on Water: Miracles Jesus Worked"...

Once again Mary retells stories such as Water into Wine,  A Netful of Fish,  Weathermaster,  Through the Roof,  The Biggest Picnic in the World,  Is it a Ghost, Remote Control,  Saying Thank You and Back from the Dead. Some stories will be familiar to children, but some may also feel new and fresh.

The nine stories of the miracles Jesus worked, when he overturned the laws of nature, life and death to show God’s great love for humanity, are gorgeously presented in this luxurious book - again with beautiful illustrations from Jackie Morris. 

Hooray! It's the fourth book in the hugely successful and much celebrated "Great Big" book series from Frances Lincoln Children's Books...

It's a happy book birthday and book anniversary to a truly stunning and wonderful book starring one of our favourite characters. Amazing Grace indeed!

We adore books that celebrate the diversity and rich mix of people who populate our humble little planet, and what better place to start a joyous exploration of that diversity than with families themselves. In the Frances Lincoln "Great Big Book" series we've already looked at the fantastic "Great Big Green Book" that tackles the ecological issues facing our planet, but in "The Great Big Book of Families" both Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith put people firmly under the microscope, producing a vibrant and colourful book taking a look at our society from all angles.

Whether you're part of a large family, or just one or two. Whether you've got a mummy and daddy, or two mums, two dads - or live with aunties, uncles or grandparents, adopted or fostered, there's a lovely little corner of this book devoted to you and yours.

Children just love exploring this book as there are so many tiny little details crammed in, all depicted with Ros's trademark cheeky and humorous illustrations but imparting the importance of family life. The book doesn't shy away from subjects that children will inevitably find tricky and challenging at a young age (like what happens when a family unit breaks apart for any number of reasons). Ultimately though, the message is shouted loud and clear, that people are spectacular and special, and families come in all shapes and sizes, colours and creeds.

Charlotte's best bit: A book that both piqued Charlotte's curiosity, and got her enthusiastic about looking into her own family tree

Daddy's Favourite bit: A nice big hardbacked book that is a huge celebration of how diverse and amazing modern families are. A fun exploration of our world and the people who live in it that's bang up to date in attitude and scope.

(Kindly sent to us for review by Frances Lincoln Children's Books)

Introducing children to green issues from an early age couldn't be simpler, and what more vital reason is there for doing so than thinking about the planet they'll inherit from us. Diving into "The Great Big Green Book" by Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith, this is exactly the sort of resource that would be equally useful at home and in the classroom as this bumper collection of fascinating facts, interesting projects and makes.

Do you know what happens to your recycling, or in fact why recycling is so important?

What simple steps can you take in your everyday life to help your family become 'greener'?

The book is packed to the gills with brilliant illustrations and common sense tips that can turn your budding ecologists into green supremos! Love it!

Charlotte's best bit: Learning about all the interesting things that come from trees (like the tyres on a wheelchair and corks for bottles), even material for T shirts!

Daddy's Favourite bit: A totally engrossing and fun way to learn about green issues for younger children just taking their first footsteps towards becoming true eco-tots!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Frances Lincoln Children's Books)