A wonderful flight of imagination in a book that eases a child's fears about starting school for the first time. As Ruby and her mum walk to school, Ruby imagines all the amazing things that she sees out of the corner of her eye. Something floating down the river as she crosses a bridge - crocodiles perhaps? An old abandoned house with flapping curtains - home to a crew of friendly ghosts?

Kathryn White and Miriam Latimer have come up with a brilliant and imaginative story as Ruby tells her mums about the things she sees, and mum gently points out what those things probably really are. Secretly though we love Ruby's version of events far more!

Charlotte's best bit: A ghostly haunted house, or is it? (Charlotte says when she grows up she wants to live in a haunted house!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: A lovely gentle imaginative tale to assuage fears young children might have about starting school or fears of the unknown.

Sunday morning is shopping day at ReadItDaddy towers. For parents with youngsters in tow it can be a trial trawling around the supermarket, trying to find new and exciting things to eat for the week. But secretly I still like to try and turn it into a fun activity. Trolleys are great for skidding down the aisles with, and throwing random things in when @TheStrollingMum isn't looking (and trying to get away with it) can also be fun.

I am, for want of a better word, a shopping dad!

So it's great to be able to dip into a book all about a fun-loving shopping dad - courtesy of Barefoot Books. A rhyming story that starts with a bizarre shopping list, and finishes with a calamitous crashing of cans.

Like most Barefoot books, "Shopping with Dad" by Matt Harvey and Miriam Latimer is not only beautiful to look at, and great fun to read, there's actually a nice little moral tale tucked between the pages. A little girl learns that telling the truth and making sure that you take the blame if you're done something wrong is always for the best.

It's a whacky story really nicely drawn and written (I rather liked the 'stay at home' mum drawing the final panel as the final panel unfolded around her) so if you feel burned out with the weekly trip to the supermarket, make shopping fun with "Shopping with Dad!"

Buy "Shopping with Dad" from Barefoot Books!

Charlotte's best bit: Mum's crazy shopping list

Daddy's favourite bit: Loved that final panel

(Kindly sent to us for review by Hilary at Barefoot Books)

Published by Hodder Children's Books


Surely at one time or another, every little girl dreams of being a mermaid, and every little girl certainly would love to be a mermaid with their mum. 
This bouncy rhyming book explores the undersea world and all the activities and things that a little fish-tailed toddler can see under the waves. 

Great illustrations, cute characters and tons of detail and an engaging lilt to the text. Girls will love it to bits. 

Charlotte's best bit: The greedy seagull. Burp, Squawk!

Daddy's favourite bit: Wondering where you can get a shell bikini like that (for mummy)

Rating: 4 out of 5