From Bump to Grump: Books:

This award winning title is the first in the ‘Chrestomanci series’. We are introduced to magic and witchcraft as a way of life for Gwendolyn Chant, with a story full of fantasy, adventure and unexpected twists. Now republished, the great thing about these new books are the extras in the back, a bit like extras on a DVD. There is an interview with the author and more and these make a superb addition to the book itself – long may this tradition continue.

Just by seeing the exquisite cover to this book, you can tell you are in for a literary treat, full of magic and adventure. This book is part of the ‘Chrestomanci series’ which has enthralled children for 30 years, a testament to an author at the top of their art. The Pinhoe egg is found in an attic and cared for until it hatches. However, it is no ordinary egg, and once it has hatched, mayhem ensues. Superb fiction.

If kids could write books, this is what they’d write. Fast moving, jam packed with humour and pretty much genius, this is kids lit at it’s very best. The Nick Sharatt illustration throughout enhances the experience even more! Nicholas’s baby brother is advertising nappies – the perfect scenario for quips, hilarity and a childlike imagination in overdrive. Being a kid is fun – help them keep it that way and buy them books by Jeremy Strong!

BIG fun, small price – welcome to the new ‘Word Play’ range. We tested ‘Rhymes and Riddles’ with hilarious consequences. Simply fill in the blanks with your choice from the words listed, and the result is laughter. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is merely a game – challenging a child’s mind in this way is of great educational benefit too! There’s a whole lot of paper for the price, and a whole lot of benefit from joining in.

From the glossy front cover, to the colourful cartoons and through the gripping text, this is a magical read with added attitude. W.i.t.c.h is hugely popular and with stories like this, it is easy to see why. The evil Nerissa is again in control but Will is struggling to be positive about things. Leaving the reader on a cliff hanger, the good news is that there must be more books to come!

Tieing in with the release of the film “Meet the Robinsons”, welcome to a family like no other. Just like a child’s imagination, the story wanders through concepts so clever, you can’t fail to believe. The illustration is far more than just that, and would happily grace an art gallery’s walls. The whole book is an experience, and one that it is a pleasure to go through. Clever, clever stuff!

We are already fans of Jane Blonde, and this third outing sees Janey finding she has a secret twin…or does she? A fantastically enticing storyline combined with numerous twists and turns, all done with a light hearted undertone, make this perfect reading for the intended age range. Infact, the Jane Blonde series goes from strength to strength with more humour and intrigue than ever before. A bliss of a read!

In a world where we sometimes overprotect our children from reality, it is great to see animals doing what animals do. OK, the animals talk, but when Owl finds himself in the hen house, they don’t welcome him with open wings. It is only when Owl catches and eats the rat who is terrorising the hens, that they decide he can stay. With super pictures, here’s a book that reminds me of my childhood, only better!

The simplicity of this book is what makes it so magical, perfectly portraying the mood it is trying to create. It cleverly opens up your mind, taking you back to basics and appreciating the things we take for granted like a smile. Your child will feel relaxed and be utterly enchanted, both by the calming yet interesting text and by the soothing illustration. A true example of how life should be.

This is the third book in the ‘Troll’ series and as fantastic as ever. The Viking era is brought to life with this tale of adventure set on a longboat as Hilde and Peer agree to become crew. Involving exploration, mystery, discovery, deception, friendship and lots more aside, you couldn’t ask for more in a children’s book at this age level. This is a book your child will be searching for as an adult as it will leave a mark on the memory forever.

As an adult reviewing this title, strong memories of the cult TV classic “The Tomorrow People” were in my mind. However, this is 2007 and our children demand a far more sophisticated, realistic scenario. Luckily, ‘Sakkara’ delivers exactly this. Believable characters combined with fast moving text bring the story to life. Exciting, gripping and just all round fantastic, this is superhero indulgence at its very best.

A book so brilliant, we’re literally stunned into silence. It truly is impossible to portray how great a read this is apart from to say you must read it! Bang up to date, with ultra modern illustration and full of mischief, comedy and warmth, follow the story of when Tom painted, quite literally, the whole lounge red! You will just love it!

This book would grace any book shelf and enhance any collection. From the antique look cover with gold trim to the glossy pages full of vibrant illustration, this is a work of art. The story is written as a mixture of text and cartoon and oozes warmth and charm. Ottoline and Mr Munroe investigate a string of upper crust burglaries and with the help of the pet police, reprimand the culprits. Don’t miss it!

This is the sort of great fiction that will become totally immersed in, full of dark descriptive language that makes children feel respected as an audience. Our heroine Kat, is a character to be admired and readers will want to be her in some way.A horse riding theme runs through the book but on a totally different level than slightly younger horsy fiction. The splendid, glossy cover is the start of adventure filling each and every page. An extremely well written, edgy read for children who like depth to their books.

When you see a cat, do you see a soft, strokeable creature or the fighting, cunning animal that roams streets? Erin Hunter cleverly takes the latter and makes it into a gripping adventure. You can easily visualise the feline characters, a testament to the writing and they are full of the good and bad of human nature and emotions. This is the fourth book in a series of six and we can’t wait for the next!

Every child loves reading about Mummy and Daddy, but these books are far more special than that. Every single page, inclusive of front and back covers are strokable, with various textures for them to explore. The illustrations portray a truly realistic image of the various animals explored. The book uses a child-friendly and very interesting method of the child feeling the texture on the page before recognising the same texture repeated on the animal’s surface, thus being educational and fun!

Harvey is playing ‘pirates’ and your child can too as the book comes complete with pirate scarf and eye patch! Simple rhyme and colourful pictures will grab their attention. Another clever feature is the tab which transforms the picture of Harvey to a picture of ‘Harvey the Pirate’! If that wasn’t enough, there are always the contents of the treasure chest on the last page. Complete with carry handle, this book is ready to Yo-Ho Go!

When it comes to books that go that extra special bit, Little Tiger Press always impress. “Hug for Humphrey” is another triumph of texture. When you see a picture of Humphrey, always give him the softest of strokes and he will respond. This paperback book has many pages each full of adorable text. Humphrey can’t do what some of the other toys can do but discovers that everybody needs a hug. A book to warm the cockles of your heart.

Simply an absolute dream of a book, combining fairytale text, jigsaws, puzzles and the most wondrous of illustrations, all under one cover. No little girl could fail to be enchanted by this book and the price is as astonishing as the content. So beautiful is this book, that it would make the perfect heirloom to pass through generations. Awesome and inspiring.

Read, learn and play all at the same time at the Alphabet Zoo. The zookeeper, aptly named Noah, will take you through an alphabetic journey which cleverly combines text with jigsaw play. With each turn of the page, both their knowledge and the jigsaw length increase until they have an animal train containing every letter of the alphabet and over a metre long! Who said learning can't be fun?

We admire books whose text treats the child reader with a great understanding of adult type fiction and 'The Talent Thief' is a perfect example. Full of adventure, twists and underlying humour, this is a masterpiece that will leave them unable to stop page turning. With the charm, sophistication and wit of a bygone era, enjoy a different read!

Cosmo the cat is back and living a life of adventure. With the evil Sybil locked up you would think life would be dull but that is never the case when Cosmo is around. Full of ingenious references to our real feline friends, you will cackle out loud as Cosmo's new adventure takes her through many twists and turns. You will never look at your own cat the same again!

For those of us with children who are always losing their favourite teddy or similar, rest assured that even Poppy Cat does the same! A fantastic pop up adventure full of the usual colourful and lively illustrations, making it easy to relate to the text and enjoy it all the more. Another poppet of a book from Poppy Cat.

In a world where terrible things happen, indulge in the innocence of childhood, as a boy tries to catch his very own star. From the front cover to the very end, this book is a sheer delight, so much so that we were immediately looking for more by the same author. A perfect size for keeping with you always, this is so good it makes you tingle

Has life seemed dull and lacking oomph since you read the last Jane Blonde book? Don't worry - chick-lit for the pre-teens is back and just as compelling as before. Live out your wildest dreams through Janey's alter ego when her cat is kitty-napped. Be seen as cool simply by the book you are reading.

Welcome to serious fiction for older girl readers. Jane Blonde (note the intentional subtlety of the name!) is a super spy, a modern heroine with loads of attitude. This is a good, long read, crammed full of adventure to capture their attention and stimulate their imagination from the first page to the very last. Read it, live it, love it!

Here's the deal - buy the book, and we challenge you not to keep going back to repeatedly touch the pages...totally impossible! Every page feels like luxurious wallpaper - fab! A thoroughly modern book with bubbly text and vivid illustrations that is sure to be a staple of any discerning child's bookshelf.

The most beautifully illustrated children's book ever, where every page is a true work of art which we'd be proud to hang on any wall. Chris Riddell captures a child's imagination to perfection, leaving the reader able to relate to the abstract yet equally entrancing text. Awesome - we can't wait to see more!

Who needs parents with books like these? These are the most cleverly written books accompanied by perfect illustrations that reinforce the text. They will teach your child more in a few words than you have done in years! Complete with play dinosaurs which help to remind them of the issues explored, these are genius...sheer genius!!

A book with pictures so clean and vivid, they almost appear like the paint is still wet. The refreshingly different, almost handwritten style font suits this autumnal story perfectly. With animals as cute as can be, your child will finish the book with a smile. An honour to own.

What a refreshing read! Let someone else's childlike imagination entertain and capture both you and your child's full attention. This is certainly different and incredibly enjoyable. Read it once, then try not to read it again straight away....impossible!

Enter an imaginary world full of monsters, dragons, ghosts and witches, who will try to frighten you, but not as much as....??? Read the book to find out more but, suffice to say, for those with experience of sibling rivalry, you will enjoy every word, especially with the addition of fast, fluent and ingenious rhyme.

We all crave our own bed to snuggle into, and Little Mouse is no different. The beautifully soft illustrations combine perfectly with the descriptive powers of the text to make an adorable read with added 'sparkle'. Be prepared for your heart to melt.

Every child has at the very least one night when they refuse to settle down to sleep. The answer? A book about the tiger who didn't want to go to bed with an accompanying CD! After you've relaxed them by reading the book, play the CD to ensure they fall soundly asleep, but with a huge grin on their face.

A proper piece of literature for a child. This story has all the elements of a classic adventure, adapted for a younger audience, and is to be admired for that. It seeks to capture the imagination and achieves. With glittering illustrations accompanying the text, it is refreshing to see an author respecting a child's intelligence to this extent.

A delightful, modern twist on 'Little Red Riding Hood' for today's more caring generation. It literally brought tears to our eyes. The story teaches children that they can be friends with those whom at first may appear to be their enemy by trusting their instincts. One of the most delightful bed time stories ever. All together now....aawwwww!

Every child wants to be older, bigger and better. Explore this childhood emotion through the eyes of the tadpole that grows into a frog. The accompanying CD can be played alongside reading the book, making it ideal for early readers. A book of vivid colours and oh so much more besides!

A gobsmackingly, amazingly awesome book ..infact, think of a superlative and double it! Cheap at twice the price, you will be delighted at the book's centrepiece. Not one, but two great stories and a game also..impossible? Incredibly not. Buy it, love it!

Those of us with more than one child, will definitely recognise the real childhood emotions portrayed throughout the book as Zara struggles to deal with the birth of her new brother, Zack. Full of bright, colourful pictures, we follow the story from the beginning of Zara's mixed up feelings all the way through to their happy conclusion. The text is wonderfully innocent, mimicking Zara's thoughts to perfection. This would undoubtedly be a great present to give a child expecting a new sibling.

With such a light, happy, rythmical dialogue and sing song style rhyme, this book can't fail to delight. The story connects the past and present, showing the child that they will grow up to be an adult whilst cleverly portraying Rosie in a heroic, aspirational female role.The book is full of glorious pictures and such positive imagery that there is no doubt that it will leave the reader with a warm glow.

Prepare to laugh lots. Even the synopsis on the cover will make you chuckle before turning one page. The scene setting is pure genius and every sentence written for the reader's enjoyment. It's refreshing to see the positive aspects of human nature outweighing the negatives whilst being reminded that although life may seem dull and monotous at times, one single event can change everything. Book worm heaven!

'Millions' is immensely enjoyable from cover to cover! It is unputdownable. Once you've started reading, you just can't get enough and want to plunge deeper and deeper into the superb storyline. The characters involved fit perfectly with the setting of the story and the series of events included. Overall, I can describe 'Millions' in 3 words - Touching, Funny and Delightful.

Welcome to chick-lit for teenagers. This book is a great exploration of teenage angst that most of us will have experienced in some form. A mix of diary and story make it easy and enjoyable reading whilst also making it easy to relate to. Full of twists both happy and sad, the book has an overall positive vibe -things can sometimes seem bad, but happier times can be just around the corner.

This book has the sort of vivid, gorey descriptions that would make young kids shake, give adults nightmares but that older kids revel in. The wording is superb and ideal for the target audience who have grown up watching 'Charmed' on TV but want something more fun.They will love this book with a twisted passion and struggle not to read it one go - look out for a torch under the duvet!

If you like buy one get one free deals, here's just the thing for you. This double sided book contains two seperate stories which meet cleverly in the middle for a game of blow football. Full of age appropriate cool rhyme, the story reinforces the importance of friendship and shows how a common interest can unite. The book is pure genius and if your child loves football, it would be a real injustice for them to never encounter it in their lives.

Here is a book so fantastic that it's almost good enough to eat. Join the 3D tadpoles on a down stream adventure leading to a dynamic pop-out finish. The ingenious design will enthrall youngsters and they will undoubtedly demand it be read again and again. This is an excellent introduction to both addition and subtraction, cleverly disguised as a bundle of fun. You will enjoy the journey as much as the characters themselves!

Children love rhyme and adore hide and seek so by combining these two, this book is an absolute winner. The pictures are so bright that they almost appear 3-dimensional! Each page has a clever indestructable slide feature that reveals a hidden animal that we are given clues to find. A book full of interactive fun, it's guaranteed to bring sunshine to even the dullest of days.

Children love to explore 'opposites' (up, down, small, tall) and this book makes the whole concept enormous fun. Of sturdy construction and a visual dream of vibrant colours, the pictures inside change easily and precisely to reveal the reverse scenario. Lara Jones is not only an artist, but a magician who seems to have the knack of conjuring up pure magic with every new Poppy Cat title.

Is it a book or is it a barn? Clever cut outs showing roof space, windows and doors lead cleverly into the next page allowing for total interaction between parent and child which is beneficial for both. The pictures are bright and full of fun as usual. Children's books have been taken to a new level and whilst I'm jealous they weren't part of my own childhood, I'm chuffed to bits they are available for my kids!

Welcome to what I believe must simply be one of the best pre-school books ever! Infact it isn't merely a book as it folds out cleverly to become a playhouse full of surprises also. Despite being made of thin card, it is sturdy enough for any destructive little fingers and once finished with, folds perfectly back together. Complete with a soft "Poppy Cat" of your very own for full interaction, this book is an heirloom - treasure it.

Here is a book that you would be just as proud to own, give or receive! Based on the popular 'Poppy Cat' series, the book is full of the usual bright colours, fabulous rhymes and vivid illustrations but with added interaction. Complete with carry handle and destruct proof catch, it is great for taking from place to place. The book also comes with loads of magnets that actually stick, meaning a child's imagination can run riot through the glossy pages. Everything about this book oozes quality and children deserve nothing less

Exploring the world around you is great fun for babies and toddlers and touch is a necessary component .Combine a book with the ability to feel different textures too, and you are helping your child in this important part of development. Each page is a different vibrant colour and the fun, simple rhyme is perfect for the intended age range. This is a very happy book, full of smiles and as it is reasonably priced at £3.99, it will make parents equally jubilant! If you want to give your child a positive introduction to the world of books, put this on your shopping list.

If you truly enjoy the interaction between parent and child when reading as we do, then this book is bound to please as it is crammed full of opportunities. The drawings are a mixture of art and real animal pictures which reinforce the educational element of the ''Baby Einstein' series.All kids love to get questions right and without over simplifying, the book is ideally levelled for children to achieve. Enjoy watching your child's capabilities enhanced.

The mother child relationship is full of warmth and comfort and this is perfectly conveyed in this board book. Through real life pictures, children learn that animals also have a Mummy. With the help of a guide on the back cover, as with all baby Einstein titles, parents are helped to get the optimum out of the learning experience. Suitable from newborns up, it is never too early to educate.

Lots of little girls love animals, and the vast majority of those love horses and ponies, making them a perfect theme for a book. By adding the carousel, this adds an extra special touch of magic. The carousel is a traditional fairground ride suitable for all ages, and that sense of tradition runs throughout the book, but with toppings of modern. This is just a wonderful, warm hearted read that will make your little girl feel happy inside.

The idea that you will get to meet all the ponies on the carousel is sheer brilliance. The book is reminiscent of that 70's TV classix 'Mr Benn', where you take the hero out of their usual setting and the magical adventure begins. This book explores the loving relationship between humans and animals, a real life issue brought into the homes of those with or without pets of their own. Like the readers themselves, every pony is a true individual, and it is that that makes every new book a unique and enjoyable experience.

For your little girl who likes a bit more rough and tumble, it's off to the Wild West for a story crammed full of adventure. As I personally feel is necessary in children's literature, the subliminal message here is that woman are as equal as the male species, capable of being the winner and every bit the heroine! We also see another culture explored which is all educational, though brilliantly disguised as a true drama.

One of the many things i like about these books is that the horses colours and style truly represent the era and situation they are set in. In 'Jewel', we go back in time to the days of Highwaymen. Whilst always remaining age appropriate, the issues explored are not over romanticised. The scene setting is top rate, giving the child lots of opportunites for their imaginaton to take over. This book reminds of 'Nancy Drew' and as they are my favourite children's books ever, that is recommendation indeed!

The first in this series of books about 'Nina', the Fairy Ballerina, starts amazingly well on the cover alone. The pink sparkly sleeve is sure to capture the eye of any girl perusing a book shelf and with illustrations reminiscent of that cult 60's TV series, "Bewitched", parents are likely to notice it also! The contents of the book do not disappoint either. The story of Nina at her ballet school has a modern edge - this is like Enid Blyton's 'Malory Towers' as you feel that you want to be Nina, leading an independent life full of fun twists and turns. There is no doubt that after reading this, your child will be wanting the next!

Nina is very much like 'Angelina Ballerina' for the older girl. Nina and her friends have character and behave in similar ways to the target audience they are trying to attract. Yes, they can be cheeky, disobedient and materialistic as girls can be, and as such this will make the books all the more appealing. The series is further enhanced by an attached website, www.ninafairyballerina.com , an extremely user friendly and interactive site, the perfect accompaniment to the books. The future of girl's literature is safe in Anna Wilson's hands.

Friendship is an important theme throughout all stages of life but at the stage when you are at primary school, it's the first chance to really explore the ups and downs that go with meeting so many new people. The book explores age appropriate emotions such as jealousy, when Nina starts with one good friend, then gets another. By concluding the conflict in a positive way, this makes the book much more than a pleasant read, and as a parent struggling to convey the importance of such matters face to face, this is a perfect substitute.

Children love to dress up and perform so this is another perfect subject matter for the Nina series. The front covers are still fantasticly eye catching and by the time you have bought your fourth book, you can be in possession of your very own Nina ballet bag, yours free in exchange for three tokens found in the back of each book. Little girls will aspire to be Nina on stage whilst realising that not everything has to go perfectly to be good and enjoyable.By acknowledging your errors, you can learn from them. Another dream of a book - when's the next available?!

Our reviewer, Aidan, is an avid reader of many types of book and was very excited at the prospect of reviewing "Secrets of the Fearless". After completing his task, that same excitement was still in his voice. Superlatives such as "fantastic" and "brilliant" are truly praise indeed from a near teenager so what was it that he found so amazing? The book is set in the Napoleonic wars and the reader can not help but feel they are there, living the same lives of the characters. Aidan says this is a "time travelling book full of adventure" and this is down to the vivid description. Although this is a children's book, the subject has not been dampened down and leaves the reader wanting more, desperate to know what happens next. If you have a boy with a great sense of adventure, this will satisfy to the very last word.

If, like me, you remember the stories from when you were little and would love to read similar stories to your own children, then "This way, Ruby" is the most perfect book ever. It is a book full of genuine warmth that simply can not fail to delight both parent and child. The language used is full of innocence and charm and reinforces the sense of family and security that is oh so important to a child. The illustrations wrap the text in colour, making the book something to truly look after. After reading this to Olivia, I do not know who was happier and more relaxed. Quite simply, an absolute treasure of a book.

Rhyme is a perfect medium to keep the younger child entranced and so when we received 'Orange Pear Apple Bear' for review, we knew we were on to an immediate winner. What we didn't realise is that the book would be an Aladdin's Cave of other fascinating things, all wrapped up in so few words. The book is the perfect size for little hands with that indestructable quality that is so important! What appears to be a simple format is clever beyond belief. Firstly we are introduced to the fruit page by page, and as a parent, reinforcing the healthy aspect of that is an advantage in itself. Bear then appears and the fun truly begins! Using only the same four words, all differing combinations of them unfold, each amusingly represented by the simplistic yet oh so effective illustrations, with punctuation being slowly introduced into the wording also. Who would believe a child could learn so much from this simple format whilst ending up in hysterical laughter too! A super, duper, must have book!

Books are an extremely important part of any pre schooler's early education, and so we were very excited to review 'Hippo Has a Hat' . Before opening the book, the outer cover already draws you in with its bright colours and clear print and our 3 year old tester was already smiling before the first page! The book has extra thick paper pages and so Olivia was able to turn the pages herself, VERY important for an independent young lady. From page to page, the book continues to not disappoint in any way. The pictures of the different animals in different clothes are strong and happy visual images. The wording is clear and age appropriate with a wonderfully clear font for children to see. As Olivia has a slight visual disorder, these factors are vitally important in a book and this book certainly had bucket loads of what every pre school child requires. What more can we say but that 'Hippo Has a Hat' was an absolute joy!

Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of FromBumptoGrump and their testers and we hold no responsibility for any product malfunction or disappointment!