Subscribe to blog via Email

Raisie Bay

book review

Hidden Wonders -book review

by Leave a Comment

Hidden Wonders – A lonely Planet Kids Guide to the planet’s wildest, weirdest places

Hidden Wonders, book cover

Hidden Wonders
For readers age 9-12
November 2019 | £14.99 | 1st Edition
240mm x 185mm | 240 pages | full colour
Hardback | ISBN: 9781788683258

Book is currently reduced from £14.99 to only £8.99!

The Blurb

Take a journey into the unknown and discover the planet’s wildest and most wonderful sights. Paddle through the eerie glowworm caves of New Zealand, ride with the wild horses of the Namib desert, swing off the end of the world in Ecuador, and be amazed at hundreds more wonders you never knew existed!

This travel companion for the incurably curious is your guide to finding the world’s most amazing secret places. So grab your compass and let’s get started as you explore the far corners of our world. Start your adventure in the west at Hawaii’s Pineapple Garden Maze, before travelling along the line of longitude to Vanuatu’s underwater post office.

Get ready to bungee jump off a road to nowhere in the Brazilian jungle, or lose yourself in the world’s largest maze. Whether deep underwater in a prehistoric grotto or high on a cliff at the tip of a rock troll’s tongue, afloat on waters as pink as a rose or swimming with pigs on a sandy beach, adventure awaits around every corner. 

Our Verdict

A lovely hardback book with quality paper and gorgeous illustrations. This book would make a lovely gift for any chid aged 9 or over. It’s recommended up to 12 years but it’s one of those books that will interest anyone of any age.

With loads of photographs and short stories, it’s easy to dip into and find something interesting to read. A lot of these places you will have probably never heard of. And there is a whole 240 pages to digest. It will be a book that’s treasured for a long time.

You can read all my other book reviews here : Raisiebay’s Library

Disclosure: This book was gifted in return for my honest review.

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus – review

by 4 Comments

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (Second in the series about Aven)

front cover of momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

Hardcover: 320 pages
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Publisher: Sterling (7 Oct. 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1454933291
ISBN-13: 978-1454933298
Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 2.8 x 19.6 cm

Available on Amazon for £9.35 in hardback. Also available from The GMC Group

The Blurb

Just as Aven starts to feel comfortable in Stagecoach Pass, with her friends and schoolmates accustomed to her lack of armage, everything changes once again. She s about to begin high school . . . with 2,300 new kids to stare at her. And no matter how much Aven tries to play it cool, nothing prepares her for the reality. In a year filled with confusion, humiliation, fears, loss, and just maybe love, can Aven manage to stay true to herself?

My Review

I was lucky to receive a copy of this book for review. You can see my review of the previous book about Aven here, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Myself and my girls are a big fan of Dusti Bowling so I was thrilled to get a signed copy of the review book.

As I’ve said before, Aven, the main character of the book, is inspirational to all who read about her. Born without arms she already has a lot to deal with, but now she’s also dealing with growing up. Written in the first person we get a real insight to Aven and go on her journey with her.

This is the sequal to the critically acclaimed first book about Aven by Dusti Bowling, The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.

It’s so difficult to imagine the life of a child born with no arms but Dusti Bowling has done her research carefully. But it’s not just her disability that Dusti focuses on, she examines the difficulty that most youngsters face when trying to fit in, no matter what their differences.

The main age group for readers is stated as 8 – 12 years old but it was also a hit with my 14 year old. Moving to big school is a major thing no matter where you live. And I’m totally in awe of Aven and her approach to life.

Another fabulous book for tween readers is 24 Hours in Nowhere which I also reviewed.

You can read more about Dusti Bowling on her website here. She claims her inspiration came from many places but one in particular was YouTuber Tisha Unarmed.

Kids love to read

Disclosure: This post contains a couple of affiliate links, thanks for clicking

Hope With Eating Disorders – Book Review

by 1 Comment

front cover of book Hope with Eating disorders - plain white background with text and big yellow butterfly.

Title: Hope with Eating Disorders, 2nd Edition
Author: Lynn Crilly
Genre: Health, Mental Health, Self-Help, Family
Publisher: Hammersmith Books
ISBN: 9781781611456
Publication date: February 19th 2019
Price: £15.99
Availability: Paperback, eBook

The Blurb

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.

Find Out More

Author website: https://lynncrilly.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnCrilly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOPEwithMentalHealth/

Disclosure: I was given an e-copy of this book so that I could write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Dinosaur Craft Book

by 4 Comments

The Dinosaur Craft Book by Laura Minter and Tia Williams.

A meteoric craft book from the amazing award-winning bloggers Little Button Diaries


Front cover of the Dinosaur Craft Book, 15 Things a Dino fan can't do without
  • Paperback: 54 Pages
  • Authors: Laura Minter and Tia Williams
  • ISBN: 978178944841
  • Publisher: GMC Publications
  • Publication Date: November 2018
  • Price: £5.99 on Amazon

The Blurb

Out of the pre-historic mists emerges two mighty terrors that will stupefy and astound! It’s the award wining Little Button Diaries bloggers and crafting mums Laura Minter and Tia Williams who return this season with an amazing children’s craft book for all dino-mad kids out there – The Dinosaur Craft Book!

These pages have all the items your little budding palaeontologists and dinosaur hunters could dream of – whether they want to study dinosaurs or BE dinosaurs this book has it all. Containing 15 different dinosaur themes projects to make, the Dinosaur Craft Book will get your little ones crafting and creating in no time. Aimed and boys and girls aged 3+ years all of the projects can be made either from readily available items or from easy-to-source materials. Parents can have little to no crafting experience to help. As well as dinosaur costumes to wear and essential accessories,t here is also an epic Volcano Cake, perfect for any Party-saurus! Projects include: Dinosaur Paws, Pterodactyl Wings, and adorable snugglesaurus Cushion, a Spino Dino Cape, a Fundy Triceratops Pen Pot and a matching Magnetic dinosaur themed Pen Case.

So get ready to hunt down some terrible lizards with The Dinosaur Craft Book because there’s a Giganotosaurus amount of fun to be had with this book.

Our Verdict

Having reviewed some Little Button Diaries Craft books before, like The Pirate Craft Book and The Super Hero Craft Book. We were keen to take a look at the Dinosaur Craft Book.

As usual with these books the features we love such as big bright colourful photos and easy step-by-step instructions were on every page. However, with this book there are a bigger number of activities where the children can get involved. 

My Little Man is super keen to make a Papier-mâché mini jurassic land. This looks super fun and doesn’t need loads of materials that you probably don’t have lying around. The only thing you might need to buy is some green felt.

For younger children the footprint stamps look super easy and fun and great for the little ones to get involved.

I was taken back to the 70s with the nail and string art. This one is a little more complicated but I’d loved to make a board for my older girls to have a go at ‘stringing’ a picture. 

As always, the book ends with some great party ideas including decorations, games and food and fabulous Volcano Cake. Brilliant if you are planning a Dinosaur themed party. 

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review which I have done honestly.

Linking up with Talk of the Town from Jera’s Jamboree and Bookboodle

Teach Your Child Meditation

by 8 Comments

Teach Your Child Meditation, by Lisa Roberts. Book review.

Front cover - Teach Your Child Meditation

The Blurb

Even Children need to learn ways to calm and centre themselves. With its hands-on exercises, Teach Your Child Meditation gives kids ages 5-12 important tools to relieve anxiety, cultivate mindfulness, and gain confidence. More than 70 illustrated exercises, which all have fun names like ‘Funny Bunny Breath’ and Elephant Shower’, are organised to highlight their special benefits: Choose from such categories as ‘Hocus Pocus, I Can Focus,’ ‘The Chill Zone,’ Stress Busters’ or a sections with group exercises that teachers and parents alike can use.

Whether the goal is for a child to sleep better, concentrate before a big test of game, or enjoy some much-needed relaxation, this guide helps anyone who loves an plays with children to introduce them to the many benefits of meditation.

About the Author

Lisa Roberts is a registered yoga teacher and a registered children’s yoga teacher, and holds a certificate in children’s yoga therapy. She has worked in the paediatric wellness field since 2006 and currently runs the inpatient yoga program at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Lisa offers professional training teaching kids Adaptive and Accessible yoga for paediatric professionals, parents and yoga teachers. In addition to Teach Your Child meditation, she has developed a line of teaching tools for paediatric yoga teachers, parents, and kids.

Why We Love This Book

I started teaching my older kids meditation when they were young to help them sleep and release their stresses. It was natural for me to continue this with my younger kids  years later.

I truly believe that all children should learn at least a few mediation techniques as it is a really useful tool to have at all times in life.

What I loved about this book is it’s simplicity. Each Section gives you the focus of the meditations and why they should be done. For example, breathing, focus, chilling, energy equalising, connecting and stress busting meditations. Then the exercises are set out in a real simple format spread over only two pages. It makes it so easy to just get stuck in.

Balloon Breath: What is balloon breath? How does it help? Simple Steps for kids.
Balloon Breath

Balloon Breath

What is Balloon Breath?

Balloon Breath is a breathing technique that slows down the breath while encouraging full and deep inhales and exhales to cam the mind and body.

How Does it Help?

Balloon Breath is great to use as a quick exercise to centre and calm oneself during activities or to refocus before or during class. Linking physical movement to the breath encourages mind-body concentration and self -regulation. The physical movement of raising the arms up overhead in this exercise allows more space in the torso to accommodate fuller and deeper breaths

Simple Steps for Kids

  • Begin sitting comfortably, either on a chair or on the floor with the hands resting on the thighs. Relax the shoulders, arms and face.
  • Or, begin standing, feet hip-width distance apart, arms resting by the torso, shoulders and face relaxed.
  • Begin to breathe in and out through the nose
  • Inhale, sweeping your arms up overhead. imagine you are filling up a giant balloon.
  • Exhale, slowly lowering your arms to resting your lap or by your side.
  • Repeat for several rounds.
  • Get creative: Imagine the colour of your balloon as you inflate it.Does thinking of a certain colour make you feel more relaxed? Visualise releasing your balloon into the sky as you exhale. Where does your balloon go?

Meditation and mindfulness is very popular these days and if you are thinking that it’s something that your child would never do then this book will teach you otherwise. In just five minutes you can make your child more relaxed or less stressed with these simple exercises that any child would find easy to acheive.

The book contains 70 of these fun and so simple ways to help teach your child the basics of meditation. They will learn how to control their breathing in stressful situations and how to relax when worked up, plus much more. 

Teach Your Child Meditation is dedicated to those who dare to teach beyond the mind and awaken the soul. 

Lucy At Home UK parenting blogger

Disclosure: I was very kindly sent a copy of this book to review, which I have done honestly. This post may also contain affiliate links.