From mysteries to a genius doctor and robots, ten great children's books to thrill your kids this half term
Books help improve the development of your children's brains: from speech and language to memory
PAPER CHASE From mysteries to a genius doctor and robots, ten great children's books to thrill your kids this half term
THERE is nothing like getting stuck into a good book in the holidays, no matter your age.
But research has found kids reading enjoyment has plummeted to its worst level in almost two decades.
Advertisement
11
There is nothing like getting stuck into a good book in the holidays, no matter your age
Credit: Getty
That is despite the National Literacy Trust studies showing reading for pleasure benefits empathy, confidence and wellbeing.
Children's author Adam Kay, whose new book Simon Gets Sneezed comes out in July, told The Sun: 'Not only does a love of books award you a lifelong membership to an infinite world of stories and adventure, reading for pleasure is crucially important for children.
'It literally improves the development of their brains: from speech and language to memory and attention.'
So here, books editor Veronica Lorraine brings you ten of the best new children's books for half term.
Advertisement
Puppy's Wobbly Bottom by Kit Frost
JOIN Puppy and friends for a colourful, fun and hilarious rhyming adventure – can you follow the actions and do the Wobbly Bottom dance?
(Farshore, Preschoolers, £6.99)
11
Puppy's Wobbly Bottom by Kit Frost
Credit: Supplied
Oh No, Flo! by Catherine Cawthorne
FARMER does all the jobs on the farm, and she does them perfectly.
Advertisement
When Farmer falls ill, her loyal sheepdog Flo must come to the rescue.
11
Oh No, Flo! by Catherine Cawthorne is about Farmer and her dog
Credit: Supplied
(Templar books, age 3+, £7.99)
Sleep Tight Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron
A DELIGHTFULLY disgusting, utterly unique rhyming tale.
Advertisement
Man starts personalised children's books company after being made redundant and it's expected to turn over £1.3 million this year
It's bedtime for Blob, although they just might need some persuading . . .
11
Sleep Tight Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron is a delightfully disgusting, utterly unique rhyming tale
Credit: Supplied
(Puffin, age 3-7, £7.99)
Dadbot by Jack Noel
FULL of robots, puns and dastardly dad-napping, this hilarious graphic novel series is perfect for fans of Bunny Vs Monkey and reluctant readers.
Advertisement
(Piccadilly Press, age 7+, £8.99)
11
Dadbot by Jack Noel is a graphic novel full of robots, puns and dastardly dad-napping
Credit: Supplied
Beano Betty And The Yeti by Hugh Raine
BETTY isn't supposed to have a yeti living in her room, but what the grown-ups don't now won't hurt them?
Will it end in disaster or will Betty and the Yeti become friends?
Advertisement
11
Beano Betty And The Yeti by Hugh Raine
Credit: Supplied
(Farshore, age 6+, £9.99)
Dexter Procter, The 10-Year-Old Doctor, by Adam Kay
DEXTER started speaking at four seconds old.
By the age of three, he had 87 A-levels.
Advertisement
11
Dexter Procter, The 10-Year-Old Doctor, by Adam Kay
Credit: Supplied
And by ten, he was working as a paediatrician at the hospital.
(Puffin, age 6+, £7.99)
Words Can Fly by Donna Ashworth
POETRY collection serves as a compassionate guide through the journey of childhood, crafted with wisdom and warmth by the author.
Advertisement
(Templar Books, age 7+, £16.99)
11
Words Can Fly by Donna Ashworth is a poetry collection that serves as a compassionate guide through the journey of childhood
Credit: Supplied
Serial Chillers: The Witch In The Woods by Jennifer Killick
HAZARD is an ordinary town where strangeness is a way of life.
When Travis, Zayd, Siline and Danielle start a school project, it changes everything.
Advertisement
11
Serial Chillers: The Witch In The Woods by Jennifer Killick
Credit: Supplied
(Farshore, age 9+, £7.99)
Heir Of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray
BLAZE, a Rain Singer, is born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire.
Then she is thrust into battle – and the limelight.
Advertisement
11
Heir Of Storms is about Blaze who is born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire
Credit: Supplied
(Penguin, Young Adult, £9.99)
Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody
VIOLET is left heartbroken by the captain of the ice hockey team and vows never to date a jock again.
Then meets the captain of the Ransom Devils…
Advertisement
11
Violet is left heartbroken by the captain of the ice hockey team and vows never to date a jock again in Rival Darling
Credit: Supplied
(Electric Monkey, YA, £9.99)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George
'MY MATE' I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOBBY GEORGE says the sudden death of long-time drinking and darts pal Eric Bristow seven years ago 'hit me hard'. And his new book details the duo's many escapades. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Darts great Eric Bristow passed away seven years ago Credit: REX 4 The former world champion passed away aged 60 Credit: GETTY 4 Long-time pal Bobby George has opened up on the passing of the beloved Bristow Credit: GETTY They first met in the 1970s and became oche rivals — they contested the 1980 World Darts Championship final — but also 'very good friends'. According to George, the five-time world champion would be 'good as gold until about 10 or 10.30pm — then he'd become a complete a***hole once he had drunk too much'. The King of Bling, claimed Hackney-born Bristow would be 'rude, arrogant, leery and happy to pick a fight with anyone . . . I didn't like him when he was like that, no one did'. Yet the Crafty Cockney never wavered in his strong loyalty towards George, 11 years the senior man, whom he called Bo. Bristow — one of the sport's greatest throwers — died on April 5, 2018 from a heart attack before a Premier League event in Liverpool. He was 60. Writing in Still Here! The King of Bling, George, 79, said: 'Eric Bristow's death hit me hard. 'He was only 60 for f***'s sake. That's no age these days, is it? I had known him since he was a teenager — and he never changed. 'He could be a pain in the a*** and we had some right ding-dongs over the years. List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler 'But for most of the time, he was my mate and we had some great times together.' On the night Bristow died, George was on Merseyside, working at Shooters Bar and Diner. The pair had 'a little catch-up and I got him a Guinness'. 'One of the best things I've ever seen' - Frank Lampard stunned as Coventry star hits 180 with first-ever three darts That night, George stayed in a Stoke pub run by Barry Birch, Bristow's former driver. And he was even looking at 'Eric's flat' less than 200 yards away when he learned the tragic news. George said: 'I couldn't believe the suddenness of his passing. 'Nor could I take in the fact that I could see his flat — the same flat he'd have left just a few hours earlier — as I was trying to take in the tragic news. 'What were the odds of it? Me being with him, saying goodbye, going to Stoke and looking out of a window at his flat whilst stood alongside his former driver? 'We both needed a stiff drink that night. They reckon Eric's heart must have stopped before he hit the ground as there was no blood. 'In his diary, apparently, he'd written he had got bad chest pains. "Bloody hell, if that was the case, why didn't he go to the doctors or hospital and get it sorted? 'Knowing Eric, he probably thought, 'I'll put loads of Guinness down my neck, that'll get rid of the pain'. 'Anyone who knew him was aware that he didn't exactly lead a healthy lifestyle. I had known him since he was a teenager — and he never changed." Bobby George on Eric Bristow 'For as long as I'd known him, he was a heavy smoker, always rolling his own. 'And he would think nothing of getting through 15 or 16 pints of Guinness in a day, rounding it all off with a curry. Nobody's body can handle that day in, day out. 'Always on the go, working and travelling, meant he was always pushing it. "Although it wasn't work to him, just a chance to get on the p*** every day. 'I like a drink and a smoke but there are extremes and Eric pushed them to the limit. 'I'd say, 'You smoke and you drink too much'. He said, 'I know all about that, Bob. But put it this way, no one is going to be pushing me around in a wheelchair. When I go, I'll go like that. Bang'. And he f***ing did as well, bang.' George first encountered the 'mouthy so-and-so' while playing in a BDO event at Margate in Kent. 4 Bobby George knew the late Eric Bristow when he was a teenager Credit: GETTY He said: 'After that we became good mates and he would do anything for me, anything.' As they toured the country, they 'would share prize money', but there were times when George thought 'we're going to get our heads kicked in' due to Bristow's OTT antics. On a US tour in 1978, the first time George went on a plane, Bristow enraged locals by pretending 'to wipe his a***' with the American Stars and Stripes flag 'before chucking it on the floor'. George said: 'The atmosphere had turned really toxic and I was worried that someone was going to do something really stupid, like pull a gun out on him. ''Watch yourself, Eric,' I whispered in his ear. 'These guys aren't messing about and they have guns over here!' 'I'd like to say that was an isolated incident but it wasn't. 'That's how he was, always getting into trouble. But somehow always managing to get himself out of it.' Still Here! The King of Bling, published by Pitch Publishing, is out now, £25.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Nineties pop icons unrecognisable 25 years after hit as they reunite in London – can you guess who?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO nineties and noughties pop icons look unrecognisable yet ageless 25 years after they dominated the UK charts. Reuniting in London this weekend for the Mighty Hoopla in Brockwell Part, this duo - who shot to fame in 1999 - turned heads. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 The 90s icons reunited at Brockwell Park over the weekend Credit: Tiktok 7 The two hitmakers were seen donning sparkling sequin minidresses Credit: Tiktok 7 Fans went wild when they realised who they were in the TikTok video Credit: Tiktok 7 The duo were big in 2000 Credit: Getty - Contributor Daphne and Celeste were spotted at the iconic event in London as they donned minidresses and plenty of glitter. The pair are an American pop duo, consisting of Celeste Cruz and Karen 'Daphn DiConcetto. Three of their singles reached the top 20 in the UK Singles Chart. In a video shared by the festival, Daphne and Celeste could be seen giving a "dramatic reading". The two ladies were seen standing backstage at the event in sequin minidresses. They said: "Oooh. Stick you, your mama too. And your daddy. "Oooh. Stick you. Your mama too. And your daddy." The lyrics were from their song Ooh Stick You. The caption of the post shared on Mighty Hoopla's page read: "A dramatic reading by Daphne and Celeste." Reacting to the video, one person said: "Why in my head will they always been teens haha! Love to see these icons!!!" 90s soap star, 47 looks unrecognisable three decades after TV fame Another gushed: "Legends!!!!!!!!" A third swooned: "They look exactly the same." "Icons. They deserve the world," said a fourth. A fifth then penned: "I rewatch their incredible performance at Reading festival regularly." While a sixth said: "Queens." And a seventh added: "Icons." The musical duo released three singles in the UK. Their singles included Ooh Stick You and U.G.L.Y., as well as a cover version of Alice Cooper's School's Out. Their album, We Didn't Say That!, was released in June 2000. Another single, named Party, was due to be released in November 2000, but this never came out. 7 The singers had three hits that dominated the UK charts Credit: Handout 7 They hail from the United States Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Liam Gallagher reveals he'll perform with Noel for first time in SIXTEEN YEARS tomorrow as Oasis reunite ahead of tour
It comes just days after The Sun revealed the REAL reason Oasis have got back together IT'S HAPPENING Liam Gallagher reveals he'll perform with Noel for first time in SIXTEEN YEARS tomorrow as Oasis reunite ahead of tour Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S THE tour that Oasis fans around the world have been waiting for, and now Liam Gallagher has revealed even more exciting news. The "mad for it" star, 52, has revealed he'll perform with brother Noel, 58, for first time in 16 years - TOMORROW. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 The Gallagher brothers will reunite tomorrow and perform together for the first time in 16 years Credit: Instagram/Oasis 5 Liam revealed the exciting news about Oasis while chatting to fans Credit: Rex 5 Noel and Liam Gallagher have put differences aside to reunite Oasis - seen here in the 90s Credit: Getty Liam revealed he's set to begin rehearsals for the Oasis tour - which will be the first time the band have played together since 2009. The group's last gig was at V Festival that year, before they split following a huge row backstage at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. The former feuding brothers have now put their differences aside as they get ready for the tour of the decade which kicks off next month. Noel and the rest of the Oasis have already kicked off rehearsals, but now it's time for Liam to join them. The singer revealed the news in a X/Twitter chat yesterday. One fan asked: "Happy Sunday man! Are you ready for rehearsals "There are only a few days left and you're joining the others?' To which Liam replied: "Yes Rasta D I'm in Tuesday to blow there minds [sic]." Another fan asked whether the Wonderwall singer was "excited" to begin rehearsals, to which Liam replied: "Can't wait." REAL REASON FOR REUNION This latest exciting news comes just days after The Sun revealed the REAL reason for Oasis getting back together. Inside Noel & Liam Gallagher's first Oasis show in 16 years at surprise venue where they enraged neighbour According to our sources, Noel's eldest daughter Anais Gallagher was instrumental in helping her famous father and his brother Liam get talking again. The model, who is from Noel's first marriage to Meg Mathews, got to work on healing the rift, following her dad's split from second wife Sara MacDonald. The 25-year-old figured the breakdown of her dad's marriage could be an opportunity for her dad to focus on getting Oasis back together, and also reconcile with his younger sibling. An insider said: 'Anais was one of the biggest sources of comfort and support for Noel following his divorce. 5 Noel's daughter Anais was instrumental in helping the band get back together Credit: Getty "She was the one that was helping him get back on his feet and return to doing things he loved that had fallen by the wayside. 'Over the years, Noel had offered an olive branch to Liam, but he'd never taken it up. 'Anais could tell her dad really wanted both his brothers, Liam and Paul, by his side after the split so was determined to get them back in touch. 'She gets on great with Liam's sons Gene and Lennon so she asked them if their dad would be willing to hear her out. Oasis - The Gallagher Feud Timeline Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have a long history of ongoing fights - both physical and verbal - here's the full history of the band and what they've said to each other. 1991 - Liam Gallagher forms Oasis with Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll, later asking Noel to join. 1993 - The band sign to Creation Records and start work on their debut album. August 1994 - Oasis shoot to fame with their debut album, Definitely Maybe, with tracks including Rock n Roll Star, Live Forever and Supersonic. It's one of the fastest selling debuts ever for a British band. September 1994 - Noel temporarily leaves the band's tour after Liam smacks him in the face with a tambourine on stage in Los Angeles. 1995 - The band release their second album, (What's The Story) Morning Glory? which features Wonderwall, Don't Look Back in Anger, and Champagne Supernova. 1996 - Liam is forced to sit out a leg of tour shows due to laryngitis, but causes chaos when he was filmed heckling his brother from a balcony while a taping of MTV Unplugged. 2000 - Noel quits the band temporarily for a second time when, while partying in Barcelona, Liam riles Noel by questioning if his daughter, Anais, is actually his. The pair get into a fist fight. 2005 - Noel tells Q Magazine that he's 'never forgiven' Liam for his comments about Anais and he's 'never apologised. He tells the mag: "He's my brother. I hope he's reading this and realises that. He's my brother but he's at arm's length until he apologises for what he's done." 2009 - Noel admits in an interview with Q that he 'doesn't like Liam', branding him "rude, arrogant, intimidating, and lazy". "He's the angriest man you'll ever meet," he added. "He's like a man with a fork in a world of soup.' Liam later retaliates and tells NME: 'It takes more than blood to be my brother. He doesn't like me and I don't like him.' August 23, 2009 - Oasis pull out of a headline slot at V Festival in the UK due to Liam having laryngitis. August 28, 2009 - Ahead of the Rock en Seine festival, Noel and Liam get into another fight, during which time Liam breaks one of Noel's guitars after "waving it like an axe" according to Noel. August 28, 2009 - Noel quits the band for the third and final time, saying in a statement: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer." 2010 - Oasis win 'best album of the last 30 years' at the Brit Awards for (What's the Story) Morning Glory. Liam picks up the gong, and thanks everyone except Noel. He later says this was misinterpreted as a dig. 2011 - Liam tries to sue Noel after he claims in the interview they cancelled their V Festival performance due to Liam being hungover. Liam disputed it said the comment "questioned my professionalism". He later apologised and the lawsuit was dropped. 2011 - Noel admits regrets at quitting before the Paris gig, telling Absolute Radio and admits if he did "we may never have split up." 2011 - 2014 - Liam and the other bandmates continue under new name, Beady Eye, while Noel forms new band, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. 2015 - After years of jabs online, especially through media and Twitter, Liam teases he's buried the hatchet with Noel by sharing an All Areas pass from a High Flying Birds gig. However, the fight would recommence two months later after Noel publicly dismissed suggestion Oasis would reunite for Glastonbury 2016. 2017 - Liam performs at Manchester's One Love concert after the bombing at Ariana Grande's show, with Don't Look Back In Anger becoming a unifying anthem for the incident. He then slams Noel for not attending. Noel later tells Sunday Times: "Young music fan were slaughtered, and he, twice, takes it somewhere to be about him. He needs to see somebody.' 2018 - Liam suggests a reunion for the 2018 World Cup on Twitter, writing: 'let's get the big O back together and stop f***ing about the drinks are on me'. When it fell on deaf ears, he added: "I'll take that as a NO then." 2019 - Noel speaks out after Liam sends 'threatening messages' to Anais after a comment made about then wife Sara McDonald. Liam later apologises publicly to Anais. 2020 - Liam urges Noel to reunite for a one-off charity gig. 'They said they thought he would be receptive, so she then asked Liam to reach out to his brother to lend support. 'Liam's always wanted Oasis back together so he got in touch.' The source said: 'It was all very slow-going behind the scenes to get the brothers talking again. 'Anais spending so much time with her dad allowed her to realise how much he missed his brother, despite the jibes they both made. 'It enabled her to plant the idea of a reconciliation on both sides. Thanks to her close relationship with Liam, she was able to call him. 'She worked hard to make sure they didn't look back in anger, if you like. 'Once Liam called Noel, the rest was left up to them.' The Gallagher brothers announced the big Oasis reunion in August last year, which sent fans into meltdown trying to get a tickets. The band are expected will make millions from their world tour, which kicks off in July.
