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Books Glorious Books!

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When Rhona asked me to fill in for her while she jetted off for some winter sun I knew immediately what I'd do. Books! From the minute we arrived home from hospital, I read to my son and as a young, skint 21 year old Mum the A K Bell library became a home from home for me and baby Cain. 
 
I am lover of all books but my favourite all time title will always be the curious tale of Alice In Wonderland.  Full of imagination, far off lands and with just the right level of nonsense I return to this classic from Lewis Carroll over and over again. (In fact, I received a kindle for Christmas and this was the first book I downloaded and read).
 
By reading to a child you are giving them far more than just ten minutes of your time. You are giving a love of literature, an endless sea of characters and lands, an appreciation of make-believe and imagination.  I urge you to spend some cold January evenings curled up on the sofa or under the duvet exploring some new and much loved stories. 
 
We asked our favourite sellers of children's books to recommend their favourites and of course, I called upon the wonderful AK Bell library to whom I owe endless rainy afternoons with my son and a debt of immense pleasure. 
 
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The Black Watch Castle Gift Shop recommends:

Hoglet the Spineless Hedgehog by Allyson Marnoch

Allyson Marnoch is a working mother of two who lives in Perth, Scotland. Her love of animals, and hedgehogs in particular, inspired her to write Hog let, her first published book.Hoglet is a small hedgehog with a big attitude!

With no prickles to defend himself, he has to find a safe place to hibernate. A funny and heart-warming story about overcoming adversity. 

Book Feature: Hoglet the Spineless Hedgehog

Hamish the Hairy Haggis by A K Patterson

Hamish the Hairy Haggis lives in the Highlands of Scotland. While everyone else in Inverhaggis enjoys a big Hogmanay party, Hamish is keeping his head down. Why? Because Hogmanay marks the start of the Haggis Bashing season. Can Hamish escape the Inverhaggis Burns Supper before he becomes the main meal? A fun and exciting story for children about the mythical haggis.

Book Feature: Hamish the Hairy Haggis

Hungry Hettie illustrated by Jo Allan

Jo Allan grew up on the east coast of Scotland and has been drawing since she can remember. Jo’s brilliant illustrations bring to life this funny story of Hettie the Highland cow who is always hungry! She eats grass, thistles, hedges and even Granny Macleod's washing! When Callum and Kirsty visit her, they give her treats to eat. Watch Hettie grow as she eats her way through many Scottish favourites, until she and the children finally learn their lesson. 

Book Feature: Hungry Hettie

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Glendoick Garden Centre Recommends:

The best 3 classic children’s books to buy a new-born. I buy them every time a friend has a baby. What’s special about them is that the adult likes them as much as the child and they bear repeating again and again and again. - Jane Cox, Glendoick

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

A caterpillar hatches and begins to eat his way through all kinds of food. This is the one to introduce first as every page has a hole where the caterpillar has eaten and the baby can explore. 

Book Feature: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell 

A child writes to the zoo to ask for a perfect pet and they send him a variety of pets that don’t quite meet the mark. Will the perfect pet ever arrive? A lift-the-flap classic. 

Book Feature: Dear Zoo

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

A classic bedtime story: a little bunny is safely tucked up in bed and says goodnight to all the familiar things in his bedroom, one by one.

Book Feature: Goodnight Moon

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Fun Junction recommends:

Peepo! By Janet and Allan Ahlberg 

"Here's a little baby, One, two, three, Stands in his cot, What does he see? Peepo!" This delightfully rhyming tale by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is all about what little baby can see happening in the world around him. The easy roll-off-the-tongue rhythm and rhyme of this family favourite can still be recited by us word for word - even 30 years later! 

Book Feature: Peepo

Bigfoot and Yeti by Colin Hutton 

Two lonely creatures from very different world with very different personalities meet in the wild one day and very quickly find themselves becoming 'beast' friends. Colin Hutton, the self published author and illustrator of this fantastic colourful world brings these happy creatures to life within the bright pages, and take us on a fun adventure with the two new friends. 

Book Feature: Bigfoot and Yeti

The Big Brown Lazy Dog by John Halvorsen 

There's a big brown dog lying in the middle of the path, what do you do? Follow the colourful cast of annoyed animals as they attempt to climb over the giant 'lazy' dog. A charming book written and illustrated by local Perth man (and previous Big Personality) John Halvorsen shows just how wrong you can be when judging a book by it's cover, and how silly it can leave you feeling in the end.

Book Feature: The Big Brown Lazy Dog

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The A K Bell Library Recommends:

Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar By Emily Mackenzie

Some rabbits dream about lettuces and carrots, others dream of flowering meadows and juicy dandelions, but Ralfy dreams only of books. In fact, he doesn't just dream about them, he wants to read them ALL THE TIME. Soon his obsession sends him spiralling into a life of crime!

Brilliantly funny and beautifully illustrated this is a perfect book for book and library lovers aged around 5-6 years. A pure delight!

Book Feature Wanted Raffy Rabbit Book Burglar

Mog on Fox Night by Judith Kerr

Mog doesn’t want to eat her supper. Mr Thomas doesn’t want to put out the bin bags as it’s cold and snowing. Somehow poor Mog is put outside and a family of foxes try to get into the house. Will Mog get back to the warmth? A lovely picture book that has not aged.

Book Feature Mog On Fox Night

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

Odd the Viking boy has run away from home and in the forest he befriends a bear, a fox and an eagle. Each creature has a story to tell and they also need Odd’s help to defeat the Frost Giants. A great story for older children. Best read on cold winter nights.

Book Feature Odd And The Frost Giants

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We do hope you enjoy these gorgeous books. Please do feel free to share your own favourites with us in our comments section. 

Next month, #RhonaRecommends will be back with a special feature on dancing, singing and drama classes for kids of all ages. Please do let us know any you think should be featured.

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