chickenandfrog

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A Spring Clean

Posted on April 21, 2016 by chickenandfrog

Welcome to another sunny day! If we don’t say too much about it, then maybe the spring weather will stay.

This is a quick post to highlight the changes that we have made to our website. We’ve taken away a few pages that didn’t really serve any purpose and had a bit of a tidy of the remaining pages. In particular, the Home Page now features regular recommendations, including picture books, Middle Grade, YA and non-fiction. We’d love to hear your views on our recommendations and if you have a firm favourite that you think is worth a mention, just let us know and we’ll see what we can do!

Enjoy!

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A Spring in Our Step

Posted on April 13, 2016 by chickenandfrog

Good morning dear reader. The sun is here and with it, a spring like feel has crept into the air. There is no doubt that sunshine can do wonders for your mood and whilst nothing much else has changed, the turn in weather has been enough to re-energise us for the coming months.

So, what do we have planned? Well, quite a lot actually! Within the next few weeks, we are welcoming two local authors to Chicken and Frog, for reading and book signing sessions. First up is Karen Chilvers, who is a well known local Councillor, but did you know that she is also a children’s author? Karen’s gorgeous dog, Bailey is the star of the show, in this sweet tale of friendship.

Following on from Karen, in May, is Emma McNally. The Cloudosaurus Rex is for children aged 3 to 6 years and perfect for those who love to join in with actions and rhyming verse – you can even bring along your pet dinosaurs, as long as they are house-trained.

As well as these planned author bookshop events, we have our regular Creative Writing, Book and Handwriting & Fine Motor Skills Clubs on offer.

And we have been busily working away, organising author events in schools, with Nikki Sheehan, James Nicol, Gary Nott and Sara Grant.

Not enough? Ok, well, we’ve also been putting the finishing touches to the Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival, which kicks off with an exclusive visit for students of Shenfield High School and Brentwood County High School, with the one and only Laura Dockrill.

Phew! Now I need to find a lovely sunny spot, curl up with a cuppa and a good book, or two.

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The Great Chocoplot

Posted on April 2, 2016 by chickenandfrog

Book Club this month was choco-tastic, thanks to debut novel The Great Chocoplot from Chris Callaghan. As if a book devoted to chocolate wasn’t enough, Chris very kindly sent the Book Clubbers a rather delicious bar of chocolate to munch on whilst chatting about his book.

How wonderful is that? The chocolate was yummy, but even better than that was the fact that it had a special message printed on the label just for us! Although the chocolate was rather quickly snaffled, rest assured that the wrapper will be treasured and on display in the shop. As well as the sweet treat, Jelly had written to the Book Clubbers,

I must say, as I don’t think it’s said enough, authors are absolutely amazing. Not only are they brave enough to share their stories with us, but they regularly go out of their way to show their appreciation of the readers. We are incredibly lucky.

And the book itself? Well…the Book Clubbers awarded it – that’s 5 cocoa beans to you, in place of the more traditional stars.

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A Sheep’s Tail

Posted on March 6, 2016March 6, 2016 by chickenandfrog

This week has been super busy, what with World Book Day school visits, tuition and a lovely end to the week with a visit from Amanda Brandon. Amanda focused on her two beautiful picture books, A Scarf and a Half (which has been shortlisted for the 2016 Heart of Hawick Children’s book award) and A Box of Socks.

Amanda read the books, using a very large scarf (a scarf and a half in fact) as a great prop to include the children,

She finished the session with a fun craft – creating sheep collages from cotton wool!

If ewe* missed it, don’t worry, we have copies of Amanda’s book in store.

*terrible sheep-based pun intended.

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#HarryPotterBookNight

Posted on February 7, 2016 by chickenandfrog

What a magical afternoon we had yesterday! This week marked the second Harry Potter Book Night – technically it was Thursday, but as we tutor after school it made sense to shift our celebrations along to Saturday.

As last year was far busier than anticipated, we asked people to book in this time, so that we could be fully prepared. And oh boy, I’m pleased that we did, as we managed to squeeze in over 40 children plus parents. It was a little warm by the end of the afternoon!

This year the theme was potions and charms, so we decided to create our own potions books. Here’s some of the Hogwarts’ students crafting away,

There were all sorts of potions invented, from invisibility to knowledge. The young wizards and witches took to potions very well.

As well as the books, all of the children were sorted into their Houses, sung the Hogwarts Song and took part in the incredibly difficult quiz. Hats off to Ravenclaw, the winning house this year…it was close though, so let’s see what happens next year.

Mr Frog and I created something rather nifty, so that the children could pose for a crazed photograph. Here are a few suspicious looking characters:

Although Harry Potter Book Night celebrates the books, rather than the films, in honour of Alan Rickman, who will always be Snape, “Always.”

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Write away

Posted on January 18, 2016 by chickenandfrog

Welcome to the 4th annual writing Competition from Chicken and Frog. We’re keeping it simple this year:

We look forward to reading your entries!

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Farewell 2015, Hello 2016.

Posted on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 by chickenandfrog

As page 365 of 2015 reaches its final paragraph, we would like to take this opportunity to wish one and all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

The year ahead promises to be a bookish affair, with the 150th anniversary of The Jungle Book, Harry Potter Book Night, World Book Day, the centenary of Roald Dahl and the launch of a certain Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival. As well as all of that, we will be welcoming authors into the shop and schools, plus helping schools with their book orders, running our tuition centre, Book Club, Creative Writing Club and of course, ringing in the New Year to the sound of Lego.

So, until next year dear readers…may your book collection grow ever more interesting.

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Bits and Bobs

Posted on December 15, 2015 by chickenandfrog

Hello all. At this time of year, with preparations in full swing for Christmas and New Year parties, the shop is looking very festive. A ridiculously over sized Christmas cracker adorns our window,

This is what happens when you don't measure things first... — This is what happens when you don’t measure things first…

and the shop is jam-packed full of glorious books waiting to be bought, wrapped, unwrapped and cherished. If you can’t see what you want, there’s still time for us to order in especially for you. Remember, we can order in books for grown ups too. If it’s in print, we can get it!

As well as the lovely books, the Santa hunt is still on. There are 16 Santas hidden around Brentwood Town Centre, waiting to be found. Forms are available here, French Quarter and The Brentwood Kitchen. Solve the riddle and enter the free prize draw by close of play on Christmas Eve. Here’s our cheeky chappie:

Once the holidays are done and dusted, we’ll be kicking off 2016 with the Lego Challenge and Book Club, followed by Creative Writing Club on Saturday 2nd January. The author of January’s Book Club book will be popping in on Saturday 23rd January – check out the events page for details. And of course, tuition will start up again from Monday 4th January.

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Lighting Up

Posted on November 29, 2015 by chickenandfrog

I am typing wearily this morning, as yesterday’s Lighting Up was the busiest we have ever had and am very tired. Not that I’m complaining, the atmosphere was fantastic. If only every Saturday was the same!

Thanks to the support of the Brentwood Renaissance, we were able to provide a free Elves’ Grotto again this year. Every child that visited received a free gift and sweets, plus mince pies for parents. At one point Mr Frog was sent out for emergency supplies of chocolate coins as we had run out of gifts! With well over 100 children visiting, this year’s grotto was the busiest yet.

Here are a few pics of the festivities,

This little man was our youngest visitor!

Our grotto - lots of twinkly lights! — Our grotto – lots of twinkly lights!

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Bookshelves

Posted on November 14, 2015November 14, 2015 by chickenandfrog

We have exciting news! Local artist, Russel Newton, has been commissioned by our good-selves to add a bit of interest to our wall and stairwell. Stairwell sounds very fancy – it’s literally three steps and a handrail!

At the moment the walls are purple and in need of a face lift. As neither myself or Mr Frog are overly handy with a paintbrush, plus the fact that we wanted something more inspirational, it was over to Russell for ideas. Russell has created a beautiful book-themed mural at Holly Trees Primary School,

So we know that he’s the perfect man for the job. In hindsight, this may not have been the best time of the year to start out on such an endeavor, but it’s coming along beautifully nonetheless.

Here’s the mural so far…let’s hope that rain doesn’t stop play for too long!

We’ll let you know when it’s finished!