Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Button Books (7 Mar. 2019) Language: English ISBN-10: 1787080242 ISBN-13: 978-1787080249 Product Dimensions: 15 x 2.2 x 21 cm
The Blurb
Plant, Sow, Make and Grow is a book to get people gardening – especially those with children in their care who they want to be gardening with. It’s full of down-to-earth realistic activities with tips, tricks and short cuts to make sure all the projects are doable for all ages. It’s cheap to garden and this book tries to be as cheap as chips, with tools made from recycled rubbish and lots of other innovative ideas. Get the little gardeners growing with this low-stress approach to producing yummy fruit, veggies and bug friendly flowers. You’ll find plenty of handy gardening information to get you stated plus tips about what wildlife you may see, raid your recycling box to make some useful gardening accessories and other craft activities. So grab some seeds and have a go!
Our Review
The first thing we noticed about this book was the gorgeous illustrations, they really bring the book to life.
The book is split into Seasons, and it tells you how to get started and how to make a plan. Don’t have the tools? There are instructions on how to make a trowel, watering can and planting pots.
As well as giving the best examples of things to plant in each of the seasons there are also lots of information about insects and how to make a bug house. You can also learn how to press flowers and make an Autumn wreath and many more activities.
We can’t grow in our garden, the soil is rubbish (I would really like some raised beds.) But, that’s not a problem, all we need to do is get some planting pots (or recycle the ones we have with dead flowers in) and get planting. I would certainly like to plant some strawberries, carrots and beetroot. I’m also planning a wild flower patch and a herb garden. With this book I’m hoping my kids will be inspired enough to help me. They used to love gardening when we lived in our last house.
In this second edition, which maintains Lynn Crilly’s warm, non-judgemental, family-friendly approach, the more recently recognised eating disorders have been included, the range of treatment options – both mainstream and alternative – has been fully reviewed and revised, and the impact of social and technological change has been fully accommodated, with the role of social media for good and ill to the fore. New case histories highlight key issues, and throughout all references to research and stats have been reviewed and updated. Men’s eating disorders are now addressed by contributing author Dr Russell Delderfield.
Since originally writing Hope with Eating Disorders, Lynn has experienced seven years of counselling practice and seven years of her own daughter’s recovery from an eating disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, underpinning her realistic insight into what recovery actually is and means. Hope with Eating Disorders is a practical, supportive guide for anyone helping someone with an eating disorder be they a family member, teacher, sports coach, workplace colleague or friend.
TheAuthor
Since the first edition of Hope with Eating Disorders was published in 2012, eating disorders have become more widely recognised and treatments have progressed, as have attitudes to this most dangerous of mental health problems.
Lynn Crilly became a counsellor when one of her beautiful daughters fell into the evil trap of Anorexia Nervosa and OCD, at the age of 13. Lynn explored every avenue and source of help, but they were not right for her daughter or them as a family. Watching her daughter disappear before her eyes, and the huge impact it was having on the rest of her family, especially her twin sister, Lynn felt she had no option but to educate herself and learn as much as she could about eating disorders and mental illness. Some years on, a lot of hard work, determination and many tears shed, and with the unconditional support from close family, friends, our GP and their school, their beautiful girl is now recovered, enjoying life to the full and Lynn’s family are stronger than ever together.
With her new found knowledge, personal experience and most of all her passion and love; Lynn has been able to use her gift to help others.
Lynn Crilly lives in Surrey with her husband and their twin daughters. Through using her unique and very effective form of counselling she has now established herself as one of the country’s leading private therapists, working with people from all walks of life, ages and genders. She is admired for her passion and understanding – something she attributes to the strength and loyalty of her family and friends, with whom she spends as much time as possible.
My Verdict
This is such a well written book on what is often thought as a taboo subject.
It covers everything from all the different kinds of eating disorders, how to recognise an eating disorder, how to approach someone you think may have an eating disorder, how to support them and find the proper medical help they need.
It give in depth detail about the therapies that are available and talks about self help techniques. The book describes how eating disorders can be connected to other mental health problems and how to go about tackling them.
The book looks at all the myths about eating disorders and discusses the facts.
In fact this is a very concise, detailed book which explains everything you need to know about eating disorders and gives real hope in tackling them and recovery. It’s a fantastic resource for someone who cares for a person with an eating disorder and for those who suspect they may have a problem.
The facts and details are interspersed with real life accounts and experiences. The whole book is set out in an easy to digest form.
Everyday Lou Suffern battled with the clock. He always had two places to be at the same time. He always had two things to do at once. When asleep he dreamed. In between dreams, he ran through the events of the day while making plans for the next. When at home with his wife and family, his mind was always someplace else. On his way into work one early winter morning, Lou meets Gabe, a homeless man sitting outside the office building. Intrigued by him and on discovering that he could also be very useful to have around, Lou gets Gabe a job in the post room.
But soon Lou begins to regret helping Gabe. His very presence unsettles Lou and how does Gabe appear to be in two places at the same time?
As Christmas draws closer, Lou starts to understand the value of time. He sees what is truly important in life yet at the same time he learns the harshest lesson of all.
This is a story about people who not unlike parcels, hide secrets.They cover themselves in layers until the right person unwraps them and discovers what’s inside. Sometimes you have to be unravelled in order to find out who you really are. For Lou Suffern, that took time.
My Review
I listened to this book on Audible, the narrator, Mark Meadows, had an Irish accent which fitted perfect with the Irish characters. In fact, I think Mark Meadows could become a favourite of mine, he’s so good to listen to.
The story revolves around the main characters Lou and Gabe, but their story is told to a young boy being held at the Police station after throwing a frozen turkey through a window.
Lou first appears as a generous and kind character as he takes a homeless person, Gabe, off the streets and gives him a job in his office block. As the story progresses we see Lou as an uncaring, selfish and cheating character, trying to get to the top position in his office in whatever way he can. He has a beautiful wife and two little children, but he rarely makes time for them. He ends up upsetting most of his wider family members too when he takes over his Dad’s 70th birthday party, but passes the buck to his secretary.
Gabe, however, sees something good in Lou, and despite the fact that Lou is rude to him, he seems adamant to make him see the error of his ways and help him any way he can.
There is an air of mystery in the story as strange things begin to happen, reality has to be suspended as we see Lou getting his wish of being able to be in two places at the same time. It’s only by having the extra time this gives him that he realises just what he is sacrificing and what is really important to him.
Will he choose the big job or his family?
The ending of Lou’s story gives a twist that you may be expecting, or not. It all reminded me a little of ‘Tales of the Unexpected.’
Verdict
I really enjoyed this book, if mostly for the narrator. The story was based around Christmas time and we get a look at the joys of Christmas celebrations Dublin style. The imagery is just right and although the minor characters are not written in too much detail, it doesn’t really matter. The focus is mainly on Lou and Gabe.
The story was a little extraordinary but I’m not complaining about that. The ending did feel like I was being preached too, but I guess the point was a good one to make. I think you could probably cut all that out and people would still get the message. Because that what this whole story is about, delivering a message.
If you don’t wish to listen on Audible you can buy this book on Amazon for £7.99
Lola Zuckerman’s name is a big problem because she’s always Z-for-Zuckerman last.
Lola always seems to be getting herself into trouble despite her best efforts not to. She’s a love able character that will appeal to all youngsters who are just starting to read independently. Aimed at 7 to 10 years old the books have short chapters with fun illustrations.
We were sent three books to review.
Last-But-Not-Least Lola Going Green
Lola Zuckerman hates being last for everything. If only she were Lola Adams or Lola Appleby or anything but Z for Zuckerman. And she is having a particularly hard time right now. Her best friend Amanda Anderson is now her ex-best friend. Her grandparents have moved back to Texas, and her mother is launching a new career. Why is everything always changing? What would make things much, much better is if Lola were to win the Going-Green Contest at school and beat Amanda Anderson, who is determined to win first place too. How can Lola, who is always last, prove that she’s not least? This first book in the Last-But-Not-Least Lola series is a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, and intensely satisfying story about the importance of friendship and creative problem-solving.
Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens
Lola’s mom is home but not home, because she’s frantically working all the time. Lola’s friends are here but not here as allegiances among the foursome change faster than you can forget your lines for a school play. Lola means well but can’t help acting on her emotions and getting into trouble. She’ll need to dig for bravery as she deals with a possible ghost next door, stage fright, and, hardest of all, making amends with her friends. In this heartwarming tale, Lola is braver than she thinks, and her friendships are stronger than she realizes.
Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Wild Chicken
Lola’s back! She patched things up with frenemy Amanda Anderson, but it’s not happily ever after for these two best friends, at least not yet. Lola doesn’t want to share Amanda, especially not with Jessie, who seems to be around . . . all the time. Can there be more than two best friends? And what does a wild chicken have to do with anything? Hint: The answer involves a class trip to a farm. When Lola is around, you never know what will happen next. This second book in Christine Pakkala’s dynamic series is sure to capture the hearts of readers who love a spunky heroine and some unexpected antics.
Our Verdict
Boo has really enjoyed reading these books, they have captured her imagination and ignited her love of reading independently.
Disclosure: We were sent these books for free in return for our promotion. The links in this post are affiliate links which will cost you no more but may earn me a little money if you use them. Thank you.
Author: Colin Stuart Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Button Books (7 Oct. 2018) Language: English ISBN-13: 978-1787080164 Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 1.1 x 24.8 cm
The Blurb
Sit back, buckle up and get ready to enjoy a cosmic tour of our amazing solar system! Inside this illustrated guide you’ll discover the incredible things that make up the solar system and how it came into existence. While you marvel at the beauty of the planets and our Sun and Moon, you can learn astonishing facts about them. You’ll also find out exactly what dwarf planets are, and the differences between asteroids, comets, meteors, meteoroids and meteorites. Plus you can delve into the fascinating history of space and travel and glimpse what the future may hold. With all this and much more, you’re sure to come away from your journey with an even greater sense of awe at the wonders above us.
Our Verdict
The Little Man, aged 8 years, is currently obsessed with outer space. He loves reading anything to do with the solar system so this book was greatly received.
The hardback book is very resilient with thick paper pages. The illustrations are colourful and details and the text provided in short paragraphs which are easy to digest but full of interesting information.You can learn about the Space race with a detailed timeline of the discovery of rockets, to the first space walk and up to current technology launching a sports car into space. There are also details about how rockets are built and how they work once launched.The main purpose of the book though, is to teach everything a child needs to know about the solar system, each of the planets is described along with dwarf planets. You can also find out what Asteroids, comets and meteorites are. The Little Man really enjoyed reading through this book and I’m sure he will pick it up again and again.
Disclosure: This book was sent to me for the purpose of this review, all my thoughts and opinions are honest and entirely my own.
A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay
A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay
Some people only write reviews when things go wrong with products, which is good because it lets people know that there could be potential problems. I’ve also seen negative feedback with say things like, I had to return this item because the colour did not suit me…is this useful?
I write reviews on most items I buy because I like to give genuine feedback. If I have a genuine problem with a product I will write my review in the appropriate place.
I write reviews on my blog too, but they are mostly positive. Why? Because I only write reviews for the things I’ve loved. If I don’t love them I let the person who sent me them know with details why and then let them decided if they would rather me write a negative review or not write one at all. It’s always the latter.
This is my blog, my place and I’ll let you know about the things I love. If you want to find out what other people have hated about the product then you will need to look elsewhere.
My reviews may all be positive, but they are still genuine.
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