blog – Page 25 – Chicken and Frog Bookshop

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Readit, readit, readit

Posted on April 11, 2013April 10, 2013 by chickenandfrog

As I have said before, a great perk of this being a bookseller lark is getting ‘reading copies’ of new books. It’s brilliant, not only do we get to read titles before they make it to the shelves, we also get to gloat about it (a bit). The following title has actually been around for a little while, but somehow I managed to miss it. There are so many books and only a limited number of hours in the day.

Thanks to the lovely Heidi at Walker Books I have received a copy of Sheena Wilkinson’s Taking Flight.

This is Wilkinson’s debut novel, with a target readership of 14+. It was the Children’s Books Ireland’s Editor’s Choice for 14+ (2010), one of The Irish Times’ Children’s Books of the Year 2011, and has won two Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Awards: the Children’s Choice Award and the Honour Award for Fiction. Not bad eh? On top of that, it was shortlisted for the Reading Association of Ireland awards, featured in the International Youth Library’s White Ravens catalogue and features on the 2012 IBBY Honour List. Phew, that’s quite a list of accolades for a debut novel.

All of the above are justly deserved. I wish that this had been written when I was a teen so that I could have read and re-read it. It is actually that good. The dual narration is a clever device, as it allows the reader to make connections with two key characters, rather than just one. I won’t give anything away, you’ll need to read it for yourself.

I will certainly be ordering myself a copy of the sequel, ‘Grounded’. How did I ever miss the work of this super-talented author?

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Your issue?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by chickenandfrog

I’d like to tell you about a friend of mine. Her name is Monica and we’ve known each other for about 18 months, maybe a little longer – time flies and all that.

Monica is a twenty-something with big dark eyes, long chocolate coloured hair and the warmest smile I’ve ever seen. Sounds perfect doesn’t she? She’s also a dedicated mum of three beautiful children and a damn hard worker. But, she’s homeless and makes money by selling The Big Issue right here in Brentwood – just outside Marks and Spencer in fact. Her life is less than perfect and far from easy, but she’s determined to make it better.

She doesn’t beg or scrounge, she has a job. Do you know how many issues Monica sells on an average morning? One, maybe two. How can that be right. Are you one of the people who avoids eye contact and suddenly has an important call to take as you pass Monica by? I hope not.

I could rant about this situation for hours, but I won’t. I will, however ask you to do one small thing. Next time you see Monica (or any Big Issue vendor), dig around for £2.50 in your pocket and buy a copy. Apart from anything else, it’s a brilliantly written magazine and of course, it will go a little way to supporting the homeless of our communities.

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Picture this…

Posted on April 6, 2013 by chickenandfrog

We have had the most lovely of afternoons here at Chicken and Frog. Michelle Robinson (children’s author extraordinaire) visited us for a huge chunk of the day, reading stories, singing songs and having a good old chat about the life of a writer.

We have been tweeting each other for a few months now, so it felt like I already knew Michelle when she arrived. I think we share the same slightly quirky sense of humour, which is a good thing, otherwise I am aware that I may just come across as a bit ‘eccentric’.

Children and parents came in and out through the day, to meet Michelle and have a story or two or three…

It was really interesting to find out how the whole publishing system works, especially when you are the author of a picture book. I had no idea about the process that goes on behind the scenes. Just like any job I suppose, if you are not part of a specific industry, you are not always aware of its complexities. I have always admired authors and illustrators hugely (good job too), but now I do even more so.

Michelle has kindly signed lots of her books, so if you didn’t get a chance to meet her today, they are here waiting for you.

A small selection of Michelle’s books. Michelle has written a range of picture books, from board books to hilarious tales of escaping startled elephants.

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Week 1

Posted on April 4, 2013 by chickenandfrog

We’re almost at the end of week one of the holidays. Time flies when you’re having fun, even if it’s ridiculously cold. I’ve heard a rumour that it’s Spring, but I’m not sure it’s based on fact.

Anyway, I just thought I’d share a couple of pics from the past two days at Chicken and Frog. We’ve created puppet shows, written stories…

as well as making chocolate lollies, instant ice-cream and designer drinks,

Tomorrow the holiday programme continues with drawing and science workshops (both fully booked, sorry). This week is completely full, but there are a few places left for some of next week’s sessions.

We are rounding off this week with a visit from the rather wonderful Michelle Robinson. Michelle will be reading stories and signing books from 12:00-15:00, so do come along to say hello. If there are any budding writers out there, you are more than welcome too!

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Is Easter the new Christmas?

Posted on March 29, 2013 by chickenandfrog

My first twitch came when I saw Easter crackers in Sainsbury’s. Crackers! Aren’t they a Christmas item? Not that I understand the link between the true meaning of Christmas and crackers filled with toot that ends up in the bin…but I digress.

I know that the Easter egg racket has been rife for many a year,

but this year it all seems to have spun out of control. I have now lost count of how many eggs and sweet treats my girls have received and given. Since when were children egg-spected (come on, allow me one) to shell (ok, two) out their pocket money to purchase Easter gifts? It’s crazy. And we have had a lot of lovely people coming in looking out for an alternative Easter present. Obviously I’m not complaining about that – it’s great that books are preferable to chocolate!

I’m not sure where I’m going with this little rant, I just wanted to vent a bit about commercialism gone mad. Whatever you are doing this holiday, whether it’s eating copious amount of confection or hiding under a blanket with a good book, I wish you a lovely Easter break.

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Keeping it in the family

Posted on March 16, 2013March 16, 2013 by chickenandfrog

Our groovy logo from local artist Russell Newton

‘The what?’ I hear you ask. Well, we decided that we wanted to provide affordable, high quality tuition at Chicken and Frog and we do. But the reality is that there is still a weekly cost for families which means that it is not an accessible service for everyone. This makes me sad, so we hatched a plan, way back in the summer of 2012 (before we’d opened for business). We applied to Brentwood Council for part of the Brentwood Share Fund, asking for a sum of money which would enable us to provide 12 x 1 hour sessions for 10 families.

Each family is provided with 12 x 1 hour tuition sessions in English or Numeracy (they choose each time), a free Learning Library, 10% discount on all books and a dedicated parents’ forum on our website. They even get a biscuit and a cuppa!

Just a small selection of games and books to borrow.

As I have said, our first session was this morning. We shared ideas with parents and their children, to try out at home. I even got my SMART board up and running so that we could share some of the fabulous FREE resources that are out there.

I am delighted that the project is now and up running and am very much looking forward to seeing it go from strength to strength. We are willing to re-run this project for as long as there is a demand for it. Although the funding itself won’t be renewed (it’s a one-off pot of money), we have spent wisely on long term resources and are more than happy to provide our teaching time purely for the joy of supporting our community.

p.s. A huge thanks to my amazing Dad, Louis, for giving up his Saturday mornings to teach. I may not say it enough, but you are the best xx

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A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life. Henry Ward Beecher

Posted on March 12, 2013March 12, 2013 by chickenandfrog

I’ve been poorly for the past few days (pause for sympathy), which has given me far too much thinking time. So I’ve been reminiscing about the library of my childhood.
Libraries have been in the spotlight a lot recently, what with ever decreasing funding, automated systems replacing qualified Librarians and closure after closure. ‘They’ are saying that libraries are becoming outmoded and unnecessary. ‘They’ are never going to make it onto my Christmas list I tell you.
Anyway, the library of my childhood was Loughton Library in Trapps Hill, Loughton.

It was brilliant. We went every week to borrow books from the children’s library and as we got older, we were given a grown up’s card which meant that we could wander across the barrier to borrow books from the main library too. Me and my sister could spend hours in there, choosing books, flicking through magazines, picking out cassette tapes (we’re talking 1980’s just in case you were curious!).

It’s safe to say that I never hung out with the cool kids, but I didn’t care, I had plenty of nerdy friends (back before being a nerd was cool) and I had books.

So ha! This amazing place was my one of my favourite locations well into my late teens. By the time I’d finished revising for my A levels I was sick of the place, but those little revision booths played an integral part in my path to university.

And when I left Loughton Library behind me did I turn my back on libraries? Of course not, I just exchanged my ‘local’ to Roehampton, then to Canterbury Christ Church. As an adult one of the first things I did upon moving house was go into Clayhall Library to get a card. And again when we moved to Brentwood I just I had to check that it was transferable. Yes, it was!

Don’t underestimate the power of the library. They are havens of knowledge and imagination. Free books, highly trained knowledgable librarians (yes, they still exist), your local library is a treasure. If you haven’t visited in a while, why not add it to your ‘To do’ list?

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World Book Day

Posted on March 1, 2013February 15, 2013 by chickenandfrog

Before you know it World Book Day will be here. For us, everyday is book day, but it is rather wonderful that it has now become an internationally recognised event. What a fantastic way to celebrate the wonders of literature.

Throughout the day (Thursday 7th March), we will be holding impromptu story telling. All you have to do is drop in and ask for a story. Your wish is our command! If you happen to be dressed in something book-related, then you will recieve 10% off of everything in-store on the day (apart from the WBD £1 titles).

There will be a range of £1 WBD books to choose from, which you can either buy with real money or otherwise, use your WBD voucher which all children should recieve via school.

Happy reading everyone!

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We survived half term!

Posted on February 23, 2013 by chickenandfrog

Hello out there. It’s been such a full on week, that I haven’t had a chance to blog at all. I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some lovely photographs of the week.

Stuffing a Nishnobbler in before anyone had a chance to nab some!

In the process of creating our very own Fizzy Lifting Drinks. Burptastic!

Eating (of course), whilst creating new packaging for Wonka’s Nutty Crunch Surprise.

Developing drawing skills with local artist, Russell Newton.

Designing volcanoes in science.

And that’s just a small fraction of what we got up to this week. No wonder I’m tired.

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Half term rest?

Posted on February 19, 2013February 19, 2013 by chickenandfrog

It’s only two days into the half term break and I think I need a rest! I may be on holiday from school, but the bookshop and family life is going full pelt, so it’s go, go, go.

On Monday we ran two Roald Dahl inspired cookery sessions. They were fantastically good fun (and exhausting). The back room still smells of melted chocolate and golden syrup. Yum! You can’t beat filling other people’s children full of sugar and then sending them home. We made ‘Nishnobblers’

which are an ingenious combination of melted chocolate and bubble wrap. You don’t eat the bubble wrap, but it does create a fantastic bubbly effect and tastes scrummy too.

Then we moved onto ‘Willy Wonka’s Nutty Crunch Surprise’. The surprise being no nuts, but plenty of fizzy poppy candy instead. And we rounded off the sugar fest with ‘Fizzy Lifting Drinks’

Burptastic. Huge thanks to the genius that was Roald Dahl for the inspiration and to the brilliant children who joined in the fun.

Today began gently with a lovely sleep in (thanks Mr Frog for getting up with smallest Radish). I made up for the leisurely start with a furious spring clean, before going into the shop to run a drama workshop.

Another fun filled two hours with great children, all willing to get involved with the silly games. We ran through conscience ally, sat on smoking hot seats, created a puppet show and interrogated the Big Bad Wolf. All in a day’s work here at Chicken and Frog. I honestly love my job.