We're jumping the gun ahead of this book's 20th August release date as we really wanted to make sure it got in before the blog lock.

So what better way to educate younger children on the perils of climate change than with a book written and illustrated by a lovely fellah who is obviously very passionate about this subject.

"A Climate in Chaos (and how you can help)" by Neal Layton is his second book on the subject of the terrible things we do to our planet. After "A Planet Full of Plastic" Neal is once again urging little ones to consider the ecological impact of everyday 'normal' life, and the simple changes that they (and their families) can make in order to help push back on climate change.

Neal takes us back in time to the way life evolved on our planet, and how the fragile ecosystem was also formed. Through to more modern times when mankind embarked on large scale industrialisation as well as mass scale pollution of our land and oceans, until we are left today with the legacy - and ongoing issues - caused by climate change.

It's not simply warmer summers, but a whole host of things that will undoubtedly begin to adversely affect all life on earth (yes, including us) in the future.

It's a brilliantly devised rallying cry for younger readers, perfectly rendered in Neal's trademark kid-friendly style.

Sum this book up in a sentence: Another fantastic book from Neal for mini eco-warriors.

"A Climate in Chaos" by Neal Layton is out on 20th August 2020, published by Wren and Rook (kindly supplied for review). 

Here's a hugely inspirational book that taps into those moments when children realise that their voices, their opinions and their rights are just as important as anyone else's, in this stunning piece of prose - both beautiful to read and to look at.

"Every Child a Song" by Nicola Davies and Marc Martin is a lyrical and powerful story built around a celebration of children's rights.

A stirring and rallying cry to all kids to stand up and be heard, be counted, and make their opinions matter in a world that is dominated by voices that would quite like children to still be seen and not heard.

Nicola writes with such a passionate voice, working in conjunction with Marc Martin's stunning illustrations showing children all over the world answering that call to use their own powerful arguments to save the planet, and make us all sit up and take notice of what they're saying.

Let's dip into this gorgeous book for a closer look:

Children at play, raise your voices and be heard!

Stunning, characterful and diverse throughout, this is a real treat indeed.

Children are children and have rights too, no matter where they come from

This is the sort of book that's perfect for building classroom activities around, for climate change projects, or projects about migration and fleeing war-torn lands in search of a better life.

Bring your friends, bring your adults, time to mobilse for your rights!

Sum this book up in a sentence: Absolutely stunning stuff, stirring and inspirational for all kids who need to hear the message loud and clear that they matter, and they deserve better in this world!

"Every Child a Song" by Nicola Davies and Marc Martin is out now, published by Wren and Rook (kindly supplied for review). 

Here's a book that couldn't have arrived at a better time. I had no idea that becoming a parent would also involve a brutal lesson in human psychology that (to me at least) was entirely new, and completely all-encompassing in a young tween's life. It's absolutely incredible how the transformation into grumpy tweendom almost happens overnight, and we hear the same from just about all parents of 10+ year olds, so we know it's not just us.

Now the new School term is truly under way, kids might be finding the going gets tougher as time goes by.

These four books are brilliant for helping you increase your brain power, or to help you organise your time a bit better, or just to help you achieve a greater sense of well being about your own body image.

Digging in first with the brilliant "Top Class Quiz Book" to accompany the CBBC Series hosted by Susan Calman, put your grey matter to the test in a set of tricky questions from the show's top quizmasters.

If you think you're the class brainbox, now's your chance to prove it with questions covering a ton of different and diverse subjects from science to pop culture, to songs through to general knowledge.

Brilliantly presented, and perfect to try out on your friends too!

"Top Class Quiz Book" is out now, published by Hachette. 

For older kids there's the awesome "Body Brilliant" by Nicola Morgan.

This book aims to improve your own opinion of your body, promoting self-help and wellbeing exercises as well as a positive outlook on life, to improve everything from your diet to your own self esteem.

It's not as preachy as other books, and talks to kids on a level that they will understand - and not feel lectured at by. Nicola's expertise covers many subjects and the book is full of brilliant advice about a time in your life when everything seems completely crazy and confusing.

"Body Brilliant" by Nicola Morgan is out now, published by Hachette.



Staying with teen health, and coming from the author of "Mad Girl" is "You Got This: A Fabulously Fearless Guide to Being You" by Bryony Gordon.

Teens will love the tone of this one, showing that you have all the superpowers you need to show the world who you are, and be happy in your own skin - with tons of advice and simple ways to make positive changes that can last throughout your teens and beyond.

Again, a book that feels non-preachy or finger-waggy, Bryony uses her own life experiences to demonstrate that you're never as weird, fat, skinny, ugly, beautiful, crazy or daft as you think you are - and that many problems just build up in your mind and can easily be addressed through simple and easy to follow advice.

"You Got This" by Bryony Gordon is out now, published by Wren and Rook. 

Finally one for journal fans amongst you...

"The You Are Awesome Journal" is more than just a secret place to record your inner thoughts, Matthew Syed's brilliantly presented self-help journal will help you write down simple ideas and tips to organise your time a bit better, so you don't feel quite so overwhelmed and bogged down at the start of a new school year.

Help improve your own self-confidence and belief in yourself through simple exercises. Write and doodle your ideas, and keep them all together in this fab book.

"The You Are Awesome Journal" by Matthew Syed is out now, published by Wren and Rook. 

(All books kindly supplied for review). 

A fun look at the entire history of our gorgeous planet, and how you - yes you - came into this world via a fairly amazing route.

In "How did I get here?" by Philip Bunting, take a journey through time from the very first moments that our Universe exploded into being with the Big Bang, through the origin of species, and ending up with a tiny little mite in a nappy - you as a baby!

This fun book filled with awesome facts is a perfect entry-level book for inquisitive kids who want to learn more about evolution in a fun and interesting way.

We really loved the mix of approaches here, feeling very much like a book that would make a truly awesome timeline / wall chart, so a great book to use in school for classroom projects around evolution and the origins of the universe.

Superb!

Sum this book up in a sentence: A fun trip through time with an engaging look at how everything you know and love came to be.

"How did I get here?" by Philip Bunting is out now, published by Wren and Rook (kindly supplied for review) 

Imagine being a true pioneer in this utterly amazing non-fiction title, chronicling some of the most amazing adventures on the planet - and beyond the planet.

"Incredible Journeys" by Levison Wood and Sam Brewster begins with the true pioneers of the land and ocean, and the many perilous journeys undertaken by explorers throughout history.

20 different expeditions are gathered together in this luxurious and gorgeous tome, from the opening of trade routes between east and west, and the infamous Silk Road, through to the medieval pilgrimages and early explorers who sought to circumnavigate the world in rickety ships.

More recent expectitions are also detailed, including a trip to the moon and a deep, deep dive in the Mariana Trench.

Renowned expert explorer Levison Wood also shares insights into adventuring, sharing experiences of tracing the routes of ancient explorers like Marco Polo and Alexander the great.

Let's take a look inside this fabulous book:

Filled with stunning maps and tons of facts to pique young explorers' interest

There's so much to see and learn in this book, brilliant for school projects but also just so good to flick through at your leisure at home too.

Ruling the skies, one mighty girl!

We particularly loved the page spread on the moon landings, of course!

One small step...!

Sum this book up in a sentence: A fabulous book of amazing journeys that kids will want to dip into and refer to time and time again.

"Incredible Journeys" by Levison Wood and Sam Brewster is out now, published by Wren and Rook (kindly supplied for review). 

Time for a distinctly different history book, and one that ticks quite a few boxes for us.

We've often wondered why there's a distinct gap in the market when it comes to books about transport. Most of the titles we search out and recommend to folk are fairly generic children's books that roll up lots of different modes of transport all in one book.

But in "The Story of Flight" by Jakob Whitfield with illustrations by Us Now, there's a more refined and focused look at the history of powered and unpowered flight, from hot air balloons and the first gliders, right through to amazing modern technology such as remotely operated drones, and superfast Stealth aircraft.

The quest for powered flight begins

The Second World War, and aircraft playing a vital role in the war effort

Our Picture Book of the Week this week is a superb little biography for three of the most talented female writers in history...

We go absolutely crazy for this type of book on the blog and I'm happy to see that our prediction that 2019 would be "The Year of the Environmental Book" was accurate and is being fulfilled with amazing titles like "The Incredible Ecosystems of Planet Earth" by Rachel Ignotovsky.

Rachel is the bestselling author of "Women in Science" and this time turns her gaze to producing a book that showcases what an amazing planet we live on.

This illustrated tour of our planet's ecosystems both large and small, from reefs, deserts and rainforests to a single drop of water not only shows how beautiful our world is, but what we stand to lose if we don't join the rallying call to action to address and combat climate change before it's too late.

Through exquisite illustrations, maps and infographics, Rachel explains how our planet works, from its incredible ecosystems and the plants and animals that live there to the importance of biodiversity, weather cycles and more. 

They don't actually drink Um Bongo here. Just thought it was worth stressing that up front.

Even close to home you'll find rich diverse ecosystems of vital importance to wildlife, and of course to us all!

It's certainly been a year where a lot of people have finally and thankfully sat up and taken notice of what they put in their bins...

We've already seen a children's book all about Laika (well, several actually) but this week's Picture Book of the Week sings the praises of two more doggy space heroes

Slap bang in the middle of National Non-Fiction November comes a non-fiction title that completely blew us away with an amazing combination of solid engagement and gorgeous presentation. Our Second Book of the Week is "The Ways of the Wolf"...

Ooh now here's a subject very close to our hearts as both Charlotte and I are a pair of real petrol-heads, who love nothing better than a trip to our local Motor Museum...