Book reviews - homework help (page 3)

My Epic Life Word Book: 1000 Words Every Child Needs to Know by Mrs Wordsmith Inc.

This fascinating approach really takes the conventional concept of a dictionary and turns it on its head.Far beyond a list of words and meanings, this is a handbook for any child who wants to extend their use of words. Designed by literacy experts to be hilariously fun and endlessly surprising, each page bursts with Hollywood illustration. The words are curated from relevant, global curriculum lists for children aged four to eight, with extra challenging vocabulary added to the mix. This dictionary gives children the words they need to express themselves in every part of life from emotions to maths, food to philosophy, making a big mucky mess to cleaning up, as well as a whole section on the future of technology.The zany approach will appeal to children and I particularly like the fact it appeals to younger children who can find the concept of a dictionary hard to get to grips with. The multitude of colourful drawimgs is a great asset, too.

Write and Design Your Own Magazine from Usborne Books

Creating magazines is fun and a excellent way to develop creative and factual writing skills as articles can be short or long, thereby allowing skills to be gradually developed and refined. This excellent guide, with its practical spiral binding, offers advice every step of the way, on all sorts of different types of items. Children will learn how to write 5-star reviews and intriguing articles, make giggle-inducing comics and zines, showcase their artistic skills and much more, making this a book which uses a range of skills. Copiously illustrated, it's packed with practical, easily to follow advice which is well presented and engagingly written. It includes links to specially selected websites for furtrher inspiration, hints and tips. This really is a comprehensive guide and the inclusion of plenty of design suggestions really adds value and interest. There are many potential uses for the book, which would work equally well as the basis for a classroom project, or for children working at home to create a family magazine. Excellent.

The Dictionary of Difficult Words by Jane Solomon

This is totally fascinating, and I found myself completely engrossed. There are over 400 words to amaze, confuse and inspire us all, adults and children. Each word is either difficult to spell, hard to say or difficult to understand. They are wonderful - how about bumbershoot, gabfest, jobbernowl, qiviut or squamous? You'll be glad to know that pronunciation guides are included for every word as well as simple, easy-to-understand definitions by lexicographer Jane Solomon. This is a real celebration of the English language and it's perfect for family trivia time spent around the printed page; there are so many ways a family could have fun with this book, making up their own word games to play. It's beautifully illustrated by Louise Lockhart. A briliant way to encourage children to appreciate the beauties of our language and to extend their vocabulary and improve their writing skills. Wonderful! 

Get Set Go Computing: Learn to Code Cards​ from Miles Kelly

Don't feel daunted by coding - it may sound complicated but it is based on simple rules of logic and sequencing. These 100 double-sided cards teach children the basics of coding without the need for a computer - and the great thing is that, being based on dance and activity routines, children are getting physical exercise at the same time. Children can lay out the cards to plan exercise and dance routines, and as the cards are wipe clean, there's an infinite variety to be achieved. The generously sized cards include a set of instruction cards; there are also challenge and concept cards to make the program harder - these are all clearly differentiated with blue borders. Then there are movement and action, exercise, dance, control and marker cards (all colour-coded) which can be combined to create a complete program. There are also blank cards to write in children's own actions. This has been really well thought out and there are so many different ways to use the cards so children can easily learn the basic principles of coding with a fun result - great to use singly or in a group. A brilliant idea.

Get Set Go: Computing - How does my tablet work? by Miles Kelly Publishing

Children are enquiring beings and it's great to capitalise on this by showing them how everyday devices work. Many KS1 children will have their own tablet, or access to a tablet and by understanding how they work, they will gain greater benefit from them. The easy-to-follow, practical activities help young learners get to grips with how tablets actually work. Lively illustrations keep readers engaged as well as showing more about the workings. The technical language, which can be off-putting, is clearly explained and a list of helpful words is found at the end of the book. I'm a big fan of wipe-clean books - they are a great way to build children's confidence, as they don't have to worry about making mistakes. They also offer the opportunity to go back and try things out again as the child's knowledge increases. Get Set Go: Computing - Logic and Data is all about logical thinking, spotting patterns, breaking down problems and organising data. The approach is easy to follow and the logical progression allows children to build on previous learning.

Get Set Go: Computing - Algorithms and Coding by Miles Kelly Publishing

Easy-to-follow, practical activities help young learners get to grips with computing. Readers can learn about algorithms, plan their own code and begin to test and debug existing code. Debugging is a really useful concept, as children will start to work logically through any problems they face, learning to put them right and thereby building self-confidence. Lively illustrations keep readers engaged and wipe-clean pages mean the activities can be repeated again and again. The activities are presented by a lively group of children, and the friendly approach is perfect for the age group. The simple activities are perfect to build confidence and they really encourage children to think about what they are doing and why. The wipe-clean pages are good quality and we found that you really can wipe them clean easily (make sure you use the correct pen, though) so they can be used over and over again. Get Set Go: Computing - Digital Skills is all about learning to do useful things with computers, and it shows children some of the practical applications of computing. Parent and child working together can learn new IT skills and, importantly, how to stay safe online. As with all the books, the activities are varied and engaging, making the facts easy to assimilate and remember.

Get Set Go Coding: ScratchJr - Animation & Stories by Miles Kelly Publishing

Scratch is a block-based visual programming language and online community targeted primarily at children, and used widely in UK schools. Children can program interactive stories, games, and animations — and this excellent series gives a good foundation for using Scratch. Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century. This book is packed with easy-to-follow, visual projects helping young learners get to grips with coding using the free ScratchJr app. Packed with wipe-clean activities, the simple projects help children create walking, talking animations and interactive story books using multiple pages. They can create a duck pond, illustrate Incy Wincy Spider, create an animated underwater scene and much more. Get Set Go Coding: ScratchJr - Making Games. Games are probably the first thing that come to mind with programming for children and this is a great way to introduce the basics and have fun at the same time; children will find a huge sense of satisfaction in creating their own games. The books are excellent value and I really recommend getting each complete set of four, as they will give children a good solid foundation, covering all the basics.

Get Set Go Coding: ScratchJr - Art and Photos by Miles Kelly Publishing

This book has a really practical application, which is great. Packed with wipe-clean activities, the simple projects help children create digital art, use photos in interactive scenes and learn enough basic code to bring their work alive. There are some super projects here, which will give children a real pride in their work, developing their imagination and creativity. In Get Set Go Coding: ScratchJr - Speech and Sounds, the simple but satisfying projects help children create their own sound effects, record their own voices for characters and even make a band. The books in the Get Set Go series are designed for KS1 children (ages 5 to 7), and by working through them, children will have a really good foundation for computing studies in KS2. I like the way each focuses on a specific topic, giving a really good grounding. Through the excellent foundation provided, children will have the skills they need to go and and develop more complex projects of their own.

The Everything Kids' Scratch Coding Book: Learn to Code and Create Your Own Cool Games! by Jason Rukman

Scratch coding is a language designed by MIT specifically to help children learn to code, and it is widely used in schools, to align with the computing curriculum. An understanding of computer science and the ability to code is becoming ever more essential in our technological world. They are skills that children need and will benefit them throughout life. Help your child get a head start and enjoy the satisfaction that learning to code will bring; there are lots of games to create and this will give children enormous satisfaction. The book explains, through well-illustrated simple steps, basic coding concepts and how to build fun games. This book encourages children to think analytically and problem-solve, while helping them develop an essential skill that will last them a lifetime. It's very comprehensive yet easy for children to follow; the extensive use of diagrams and illustrations gives readers confidence that they are on the right track, as they see these translated to the screen. An excellent manual.

Get Set Go: Know Your Grammar by Fran Bromage

As regular readers will know, I am a big fan of wipe-clean books, which give children the opportunity to try things over and over again without worrying about making mistakes. By the conclusion of the book, children (recommended age 5 - 7) will have learnt about the difference between proper nouns and pronouns, about verbs, adverbs, adjectives and synonyms, as well as different tenses and common punctuation. It's not always easy to explain grammar rules to children, so the clear explanations with plenty of examples which are offered by this book are valuable. The activities are well selected and appropriate to the theme; the instructions are easy to follow and the approach and images are all very child-oriented. The book has a practical lie-flat spiral binding for ease of use. An excellent book which will really help learning.

Get Set Go: Know Your Numbers by Rosie Neave

Early number learning for children age 4 - 6 will be fun with this colourful wipe-clean book. Easy-to-follow, practical activities help young learners get to grips with the numbers one to ten. You can be confident the book fits with curriculum requirements, as is devised by experienced mathematics consultant Caroline Clissold. The clearly presented age-appropriate activities explore counting, number properties, the concept of equals, and addition and subtraction. Appealingly, each section is themed around a well-known traditional tale - The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Gingerbread Man and Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a brilliant idea as children will really enjoy the way the stories are incorporated and it's a good cross-curricular mix of numeracy and literacy, shwoing children how they can work together. There are helpful hints for parents through the book. Wipe-clean books are an excellent way to build children's confidence, as mistakes don't matter. They can also be used over and over again to reinforce learning, or with more than one child. I love this book and children will really enjoy learning how to use numbers with its help.

Scholastic Times Tables Workbook Ages 5-7

This book (and the two which follow) are designed for the new times tables check which all children in Year 4 will have to sit. This book is the first in the series designed to prepare children by supporting their learning and understanding of times tables. Each workbook provides a range of activities to encourage practice, including problem-solving activities, games and quick-fire quizzes - all these help to develop quick recall. The book is ideal for use at home or in the classroom. An accompanying Teacher's Guide is also available, providing lessons and activities to build confidence and fluency in times tables.

Scholastic Times Tables Workbook Ages 7 - 9

In Year 4 (age 8 - 9), children will be sitting the new times tables check; the check is voluntary in the academic year 2018 - 2019, and is expected to be statutory the following year, so now is the time to prepare. Each book uses concrete resources, problem solving and reasoning to build a mastery of multiplication and division, not just rote learning - this is an important aspect, as it's all to easy to rely on going through the table to get the answer - and that's slow and tedious. Helpful tips are included throughout, and the book uses situations and objects familiar to children to make times tables relevant. A useful feature of the books in the series comes with the link to the free online test for additional practice.

Scholastic Times Tables Workbook Ages 9 - 11

I'd recommend getting all three books in the series, to ensure that children have a logical progression without either undue repetition or missing out on key facts. The books are well laid out, easy to use and with plenty of helpful advice included; this book includes challenges for children to set adults, so be prepared! There are games to enjoy too - a great way to strengthen learning. It's a good series, well set out and easy to use, with plenty of opportunities to practise this essential subject - constant practice may seem tedious to children but it really does pay dividends and these books make times tables as interesting and relevant as possible.

Wipe-Clean Time 8-9 (Usborne Key Skills)

Wipe-clean books are excellent for building confidence, as children can keep trying until they get it right - and go back to the book for revision purposes too. Time is an integral part of daily life - not only telling time on the clock but also in concepts such as now and later, yesterday and tomorrow. The range of topics covered is excellent and includes telling the time on a digital clock, using a calendar, reading a timetable and understanding the 24-hour day. The answers are included, as are notes for grown-ups and fold-out clocks on the back flap. With its lively presentation and clear explanations, children will find this a very supportive book to help with this essential topic. The Usborne Key Skills series supports maths taught at school and is also very useful to home educators.

Wipe-Clean Geometry 8-9 (Usborne Key Skills)

Say "geometry" to a child and they might think "boring" - but not with this book! Supporting the KS2 maths curriculum, this book helps children understand the properties of a wide variety of 2D shapes, including kites, parallelograms and hexagons. Children will also learn how to draw, reflect and move them on a coordinate grid, and here the wipe-clean pages are a real asset, allowing the opportunity to experiment without feeling they must get it right first time. The lively animal characters who introduce the activities will appeal to children and encourage pleasure in their work. The answers are included behind a fold-out end page, which also includes a useful grid for additional practice. An excellent way to reinforce learning about the subject.

How to Think Like a Coder: Without Even Trying by Jim Christian

Coding can seem daunting - it does indeed have its own way of thinking and this book does an excellent job of clarifying what that is - even for the absolute beginner. Programming needs a grasp of the basics - coding - so here's the ideal start. The book introduces central concepts such as loops, data types, pseudocode and calculations using a set of dice, a deck of cards or a pack of dominoes. By this means, the novice coder will practise and develop key skills such as critical thinking, creativity, logic and problem-solving. Only then is it time for the computer! Think Like a Coder discusses the basic programmes that are available for beginners, keeping a focus on simple activities that draw analogies with the outside world to make learning easy and fun. Excellently presented, even if you think coding is not for you, I ugre you to try this book, which may well make you change your mind as you learn how fundamental the processes are to so much of modern life - and they enhance thinking and reasoning skills too. It's written to be suitable for children and adults so it's great to work through together as you share in learning about this fascinating - and essential for children - topic. The presentation is lively and engaging - an excellent book.

Get Coding 2! by David Whitney

This book shows children how to create Five Computer Games Using HTML and JavaScript, which are readily available and often used in schools. The book clarifies the basic concepts behind computer games, such as loops, ticks, scores, graphics and AI, helping children to understand and to be able to problem solve, Then they will follow the easy step-by-step illustrated Game Builds, and learn how to code five ground-breaking games, including noughts and crosses, snake, table tennis, endless runner and side-scrolling platformer; once they have programmed the games, they will, of course, have the fun and satisfaction of playing games they have created. Simple explanations are given alongside examples of code and there is a supporting website which offers practical help. It's perfect for computer/coding clubs as well as being a valuable lesson resource. Those who are teaching at home, or who want to extend school work, but who don't necessarily have coding skills, will find the striaghtforward approach perfec t to pass on to and share with children - who will probably be one step ahead anyway! A well-prersented and easy-to-follow book which goes into plenty of useful detail.

My Best Short Story in 500 Words by Christopher Edge

The write-in format of this book makes it ideal to encourage children to jot down ideas. The book is laid out in the way children will write their stories, starting with ideas, characters, scenes and more, then moves on to the beginning, middle and end of the story. With colourful illustrations throughout, which will stimulate ideas, it has practical prompts and ideas from bestselling children's author Christopher Edge for building plot, action, characters, scenes, beginnings and endings. There's plenty of space to draft the story and note down ideas, and the book makes a good lasting record. It's ideal for parents and teachers to encourage creativity and writing for fun, for homework or for story writing competitions.I particularly like the fact that the focus of this book is short stories; if children find writing difficult, it's fra better to encourage them to start off with short stories which will give immediate satisfaction, building confidence to move on to longer stories.

Story Writer’s Ideas Journal by Usborne Publishing

Creative writing is something that doesn't come easily to all children; it's also a common focus in schools as they work to improve imagination, fluency and confidence. This comprehensive guide includes all children need to improve their creative writing - story prompts, plot suggestions, character ideas, how to write dialogue, setting the scene and writing tips. Throughout the book, children will be interested in the inspiring quotes and extracts from well-known authors. There are blank pages to write your own stories and jot down ideas, plus an elastic closure to keep it all together. This book has a valuable place in the home, to support and inspire children through its wide range of ideas. As the book is in write-in format, it can also be used as a useful notebook through KS2, as children learn new skills and develop their thinking and imagination. An excellent book with a generous amount of space for children's own ideas.

100 Things to Know About Numbers, Computers & Coding by Usborne Publishing

This book is quite fascinating to browse through - I really found it engrossing and I am sure adults will love sharing this with their children. Why do some say time started in 1980? What was the first two-person computer game? What';s a speghetti code? How could books grow on trees? Find the answers to these questions, along with lots of other curious, amazing and mind-boggling facts, in this eye-catching book that is absolutely bursting with information. Packed with illustrations and diagrams on cloourful backgrounds, it's an easy read; the glossary and index are useful features. The book shows how quickly and constantly numbers, computers and coding are changing; it also highlights the close relationship between all three, in a fascinating and revealing way. This is a lovely book to dip into, and should be of interest to everybody who wants to know more about our world and why things are the way they are.

My First Computer Coding Book with ScratchJr by Usborne Publishing

Many children are fortunate enough to have their own tablet computer and this fun, friendly guide is all about coding on a tablet computer. The book uses the free ScratchJR app; Scratch is commonly used in schools, so this has the benefit of giving children a head start. Young learners will discover how computers work and how to tell them what to do using code. This is followed by simple, step-by-step instructions to code stories and games including a fairy garden, a pet monster and a space game. The clear explanations are are broken down into simple stages which easy for anyone to follow, whether child or computer-challenged adul;t plenty of illustrations and diagrams help too. Links to websites and helpful notes for grown-ups are included in this practical introduction to coding, which is ring-bound for ease of use. Children's logical thinking and reasoning skills will also benefit from the book.

Progress with Oxford: Starting to Write Age 3-4

Children will be encouraged to learn to develop pencil control and the correct letter formation, the foundations that are esential for developing good handwriting, by using this colourful book. The book sratrs with shapes and lines, then progresses through the letters which are grouped by type. OUP have developed the Progress with Oxford series to help every child develop essential skills at home, with minimal help and support; however, I do think that, at this young age, children still need parental encouragement, so even if they are working through the book alone, try to be around to help and encourage if necessary. Picture clues show children how to complete activities, and the reminder boxes, tips and advice support older children to become self-sufficient learners. A lively character, Jot, accompanies all the colourful and engaging activities, and fun stickers are included. A progress chart at the end of the book encourages children to assess their own learning. The book certainly is easy to follow, and the activities fun and engaging.

Progress with Oxford: Number Problems Age 4-5

This Progress with Oxford: Number Problems Age 4-5 workbook will help your child to progress with number skills while having fun so they will quickly learn to solve problems that involve doubling, halving and sharing. As they work through the book, they will be accompanied by Harv, with his useful tips and friendly comments. The book is clearly laid out, with brief explanations followed by lots of practice questions which will ensure children have really grasped each learning point. The colourful stickers are a good extra incentive, and children can assess their progress at the end of the book.

10 Minute English (Wipe Clean Workbooks) by Priddy Books

I always enjoy reviewing Priddy Books; they have a bright clear layout and use excellent child-friendly images.This book is designed to support learning in Year 1. Children will find a big difference as they progress from the freer learning style of Reception classes into Year 1, so giving them extra confidence by working at home will always prove beneficial. Wipe-clean books are a good way to boost that confidence too, as any mistakes can be easily erased and another attempt made. This book is full of colourful, age-appropriate, activities that support aspects of Year 1 English learning. Explanations are given and there are questions to reinforce learning - all of which are to be completed on the page. It is recommended that children just do one page a day; this is good idvice which ensures children won't feel overburdened. An excellent book to support learning.

Toppsta Reading Record

Updated for 2019! The Toppsta Reading Record is 24 pages and now has five pages of book recommendations, giving extra space for recording the books that have been read. The Reading Record also provides a space for children to practise writing a review, helping them develop not only their writing skills but also an understanding of which books they enjoy reading and why. Two pages are dedicated to writing book reviews as well as ten handy tips for writing a good review. Toppsta is the UK’s leading children’s review platform, the Toppsta Reading Record is a resource for schools, but it will be really good for home use too, and home educators will find it especially useful. The free Reading Record is a high-quality and unique 24-page reading diary, designed for sharing between school and home. It would be good to see it available in libraries.  It is hoped it will encourage more reading, as children try and hit the goals for 1, 5 and 10 books read. Remember though that reading is not a race - it's not about how many books children read, but about the pleasure they gain from those books. The Toppsta Reading Records have been distributed to Primary Schools in time for the new 2018/19 academic year and they contain book recommendations, selected by creator Georgina Atwell from a huge number of submissions by publishers, who have been incredibly supportive of the project. This is an excellent idea to stimulate reading, and will give children a lasting record to look back on.

Sherlock Bones and the Addition and Subtraction Adventure (Buster Maths Games) by Jonny Marx and Kirstin Swanson

Maths was never this much fun when I was at school! Sherlock Bones needs help to outwit his rival Moriratty, and children can do so by solving a series of related maths problems. This book is arranged in four different levels, making it easy to work at the correct level for your child. There is a brief explanation for each topic (eg decimals, fractions) and then mathematical puzzles to solve using addition or subtraction. Each puzzle is great fun to do and colourfully presented, with plenty of variety; children will need to read the question and work out how to solve the puzzle - good to develop thinking and comprehension skills. The book also has the added benefit of showing how much we use numbers in everyday life. The numbers are all there, right on the page; just use Sherlock's secret solver to reveal them - but mind you don't lose it! This is an excellent book which covers part of the Number element of the KS2 curriculum in a lively and entertaining way that will certainly appeal to children and encourage them to see maths in a fresh light.

Destroy This Book in the Name of Maths: Pythagoras Edition by Mike Barfield

Maths is amazing! That's a fact that children often don't appreciate but I am sure this book will change their perception as it explains all manner of fascinating facts. It's ideal for inquisitive children who (that's why the book will be partially destroyed!)want to learn more about the background to the maths they are studying. Many hands-on activities are included, including a fiery flexagon, an all-seeing oxahedron, mathemagical card tricks and mind-bending Möbius strips. All you need to supply are scissors, sticky tape and crayons. There are also plenty of fascinating facts, colouring and doodling activities that will keep children busy for hours. The engaging hands-on approach makes it much easier to remember key facts and present maths in a fresh new light

Times Tables Games for Clever Kids (Buster Brain Games) by Gareth Moore

The first thingchildren need when tackling this fun book is to know there times tables - so there's an incentive to learn! Based on times tables up to 12, children will enjoy dot-to-dot times tables, colour-by-multiplication activities, coding puzzles, Calcudoku conundrums, mazes, number pyramids and much more. With over 100 puzzles, there's plenty to keep children thinking and using those times tables - and to encourage them to revisit them if there are any they are not sure about. There's also explanatory information to complement the puzzles and the written questions help children to learn to read carefully and apply what they have read. The book gives a real purpose to knowing times tables and will help embed them.

Word Games for Clever Kids (Buster Brain Games) by Gareth Moore

Another new title in the excellent Buster Books' Brain Games series, this book includes all manner of word puzzles - there are sudokus, anagrams, crosswords, missing letters, word searches and many more. With over 100 puzzles, there's plenty to occupy children, and they can enjoy challenging their friends too. They are all designed to help children expand their vocabulary and thinking skills while having fun. All the answers are provided and I like the fact the book has plenty of pages at the back for children to work out the answers. This, and its companion books, are a great way to encourage children to keep learning over school holidays, as they really enjoy the challenges presented.

Help Your Kids with Computer Science by DK

This is one in a superb series from DK, which covers the key subjects taught at school; each comprehensive book includes all that chiildren will need to know and together, they build up into an excellent reference library that can support children right through primary and often on to secondary school, as this particular title does. Computer science is a fast-moving field and this book covers the principles, from hardware to computer coding and also looks at what the future may hold. Data to digital life, computer coding to cyber attacks, this comprehensive and up-to-date book includes comprehensive facts and information on the subject, presented in a highly visual fashion that will appeal to children and teens. It covers both the technical aspects, such as the latest digital devices and software, and how the Internet works, as well as staying safe online, digital etiquette, and how to navigate the potential pitfalls of social media. An excellent index and comprehensive glossary add to the reference value of the book, making it easy to use.

How to Measure Everything by DK Children

This book is described as 'A Fun First Guide to the Maths of Measuring' and it encourages children to explore the world around them and enjoy the fun they can have measuring all manner of things. This increases their observational skills and appreciation for what is around us. Children will learn how to measure everything including length, weight, volume, temperature, and time through colourful text and interactive elements. Simple explanations are easy to follow. All the activities relate to everyday life and will inspire parents to try out all sorts of measuring activities with their children. The final bedroom picture includes a fun quiz that gets children to measure and compare lots of things in the scene. There are plenty of interactive elements in the book to make information more memorable - and the book more fun, of course. Measuring is an important part of maths, and it's a skill that can be practised on a daily basis, supporting knowledge and enhancing learning; using the ideas in this book will really pay dividends.

First Maths Glossary: An Illustrated Reference Guide by DK Children

Maths has its own very specific vocabulary, and understanding the words used is a big and important step in enjoying maths and making it accessible. Clear, accessible pictures and diagrams support this first introduction to numbers, calculating, measuring, geometry, and data-collecting - the basics children will be learning at school. It's a practical guide with plenty of application to everyday life. Place value, number bonds, multiplication tables, and fractions are just a few of the maths concepts explained and reinforced in a variety of ways for children with different learning styles; this is a good point as all learners are different. Parents will appreciate the book too, as it shows the terminology used in schools, enabling them to help their children. Understanding the terms used in maths will really boost children's confidence; this colourful and accessible book will really help children, and their understanding will be vastly increased as they enjoy the wide-ranging activities.

Measuring Things Activity Book (Maths Activity Books) by Usborne Publishing

There are plenty of opportuntities in everyday life for children to increase their knowledge and skills about measuring; with the aid of this book, parents and teachers will find many more ideas. Full of puzzles and activities related to measurement, this is a fun to use activity book covering all kinds of measuring. It covers length and mass; perimeter and area; volume and mass; more units, followed by additional practice questions. Children will discover the different units and tools used for length, area, volume, mass and more - then write, draw, colour or sticker their answers onto the page. It gives comprehensive coverage of the topic and will be excellent for supporting school work in maths. Quizzes and practice questions complement the topic and make it easier for children to remember the key facts.

Wipe-Clean Grammar & Punctuation 6-7 (Key Skills) by Usborne Publishing Ltd

Wipe Clean books are an excellent way to boost children's confidence, as they allow repeated tries without any commitment; this puts children's minds at rest as they feel free to 'have a go'. The friendly jungle animals are learning about grammar and punctuation and they are here to share their learning. The colourful activities support learning about sentence types, nouns, verbs, adjectives, punctuation and tenses. This is an activity book, not a textbook, so children will need to have covered the basic topics before practising with this book; this makes it valuable for supporting school and home learning. There are answers and practical notes for adults at the end of the book.

Collins Children’s Dictionary: Learn with words

These attractive books will be a great addition to any child's bookshelf. Great care has been given to the presentation - a far cry from boring dictionaries and thesaurii of old. Buy them as a pair - they work perfectly together. Ideal for children of 7+, this dictionary contains up to date coverage of a range of everyday and curriculum vocabulary, ensuring children have access to all they need for KS2, including curriculum requirements. Side bars with the albhabet make navigation easy as the key letter is highlighted. The main word is in blue, with plurals and root words as appropriate, on its own line, followed by the word class and definition(s). Where needed, examples of sentences are included to clarify. Some antonyms and synonyms are included plus a few diagrams. The Word Wizard section provides in-depth support on spelling, punctuation and grammar. This book is designed to build confidence and develop language and dictionary skills at home and in the classroom in preparation for secondary school.There are tips on grammar and spelling to help students understand how to use language more effectively. A lovely hardback book which will really encourage children's interest in words.

Collins Children’s Thesaurus: Learn with words

The essential companion to the book above - all KS2 children need to use words in the best way possible. The attractive presentation makes the books enticing to pick up and dip into, perfect to increase children's vocabulary and love for words. This thesaurus provides support for students’ creative writing and helps build vocabulary - always areas of concern for schools so this will be an excellent classroom as well as home resource. There are full definitions for every synonym and sample sentences for each word so children understand how to use them. A simple, step-by-step introduction shows children how to get the best out of their thesaurus - something that is often overlooked. The colour headwords and A-Z bar on every page make it easy to find the right word. Thematic pages help build vocabulary through carefully selected visually-appealing illustrations. The Writing Wizard section is full of useful ideas. This excellent and attractive thesaurus will stand children in good stead throughout KS2 - so it's good it's a durable hardback.

Master Maths Book 1: Get to Know Numbers: Numbers up to 100 and place value by Anjana Chatterjee

Recent figures (2018) show that 4 in 10 children do not reach the expected maths standard at the end of Year 6. That being the case, changes in teaching are needed and a method that has recently come to the fore is the Singapore Method. The Singapore maths teaching method teaches mathematical concepts in three stages: concrete, pictorial and abstract. This first book, suitable for Year 1, covers numbers up to 100 and place value, this is a clear and simple introduction to mathematical concepts taught in the UK year one syllabus. Parent and teacher notes are included throughout, making the book a valuable resource for any home or classroom.

Master Maths Book 2: Super Calculations: Numbers up to 100 and Calculations by Anjana Chatterjee

This colourful and well presented book really draws the reader in by good use of colour and graphics, making it easy to navigate and find the information you want. The explanations are clear and simple, really giving confidence to parents helping their children. Using simple pictorial exercises and an engaging mascot, Master Maths applies its highly effective technique to the UK maths curriculum, making learning easy and enjoyable for children. These are not workbooks but teaching aids which explain the concepts simply and clearly - a book for non-mathematical parents as well as their children.

Master Maths Book 3: Measure Up: Length, Mass, Capacity, Time and Money by Anjana Chatterjee

Children are guided through the books by Pango, the maths loving pangolin, who will become a familiar friend as they progress. Children are encouraged to think for themselves using the Singapore method - each unit of the book begins with a question or statement that encourages children to begin thinking about a new mathematical concept. This is followed by visual explanations which make excellent use of colour and graphics to get the point across. The hands-on activities that follow lead children to a deep conceptual understanding that will stand them in good stead as they progress on their maths journey, giving them the in-depth understanding they need to work things out for themselves.

Master Maths Book 4: Get in Shape: Shapes, Patterns, Position and Direction by Anjana Chatterjee

Each of the books in the series has a series of practical hands-on activities that can be used to support the learning; a list of tools for success in each book is customised to the topics covered and gives practical ideas for equipment that can easily be supplied at home. The layout throughout is clear and uncluttered, making good use of pastel colours and plenty of space on each page, broken up by clear boxes for information. The tips for parents and teachers are very useful. An excellent series which will really support children's learning.

The Accidental Apostrophe: ... And Other Misadventures in Punctuation by Caroline Taggart

This book really struck a chord with me - incorrect punctuation really grates on me so it's good to see such a considered discussion of the correct usage of punctuation. Starting with the history of punctuation (can you imagine reading a book with no punctuation, not even any paragraphs?), it continues on by examining various punctuation marks, not just the apostrophe, although that is, of course, the ones that produces the most problems. Chapters include 'Things that clarify'; 'Things that show emotion'; 'Things that don't matter any more' and 'Things that have no rules'. Engagingly written, the book is highly readable and will make you think about the way you use punctuation - and that's got to be a good thing.

Lost in the Fourth Dimension (Maths Quest) by Jonathan Litton

Maths Quest is an excellent series of books which is designed to help children practise key maths skills in a fun and lively way. Following on from series one of Maths Quest, these new adventures help develop maths skills through an exciting adventure. They will learn as they go without even realising it! In this exciting story, the reader is lost in the 4th Dimension. To get back to Earth, you need to follow the clues which are throughout the book; mathematical skills are needed and this book focuses on measuring skills. It's excellent that each book uses a different skill. To solve the problems in  Attack on Circuit City (Maths Quest), young readers will need to call on their statistical knowledge. Under attack by bugs, bots and viruses, your computer needs your help.  Finding the answers will enable you to advance through the story, following the clues which are dotted along the way, and learning more about maths – especially statistics - with every step you take.

The Island of Tomorrow (Maths Quest) by Jonathan Litton

Finding a treasure map on the Island of Tomorrow promises great riches - but only if you can avoid fierce creatures, freak weather, and other geometrical perils. Success brings membership of the Explorers' Club? Use your problem-solving skills and geometrical knowledge to help save the day! Finding the answers will enable you to advance through the story, and where you go depends on the answer you give, so it could be different every time - keep trying!  Readers will need to bring their knowledge of numbers to the fore to Escape from Hotel Infinity (Maths Quest). Seeking shelter from a storm, your troubles have only multiplied … can you get to grip with numbers and Escape from Hotel Infinity?  These follow the very successful first 4 books in the series. The books are superbly illustrated in a comic-book style that children will love. The jazzy presentation is perfect and the friendly approach is a great way to instill confidence. A super series that really makes maths enjoyable and meaningful.

Coder Academy: Are you ready for the challenge? by Sean McManus

Computer coding opens up a whole range of exciting possibilities for children; it's great that it is part of the curriculum as it really opens up a world of opportunities. Throughout this book, children are encouraged to undertake a series of imaginative and challenging activities. It starts with the basics, explaining coding and giving simple activities to help children understand the basic principles. It then moves on through a series of exciting projects including animating a character, coding a tube, creating a webpage and making a game. With extras at the back of the book including a game, a pull-out poster, stickers, and even a robot model to press out and make, this is the must-have book for any future junior coders. It's straightforward and does not require any previous knowledge. Ideal for coding clubs in school as well as for home use.

Code Your Own Jungle Adventure: Code with Captain Maria in the City of Gold (Little Coders) by Max Wainewright

Coding is a key part of the computing curriculum so it's good to see these four books which show children just how much fun coding can be. Children will learn to draw characters, animate plot lines and create games as they create their own quest to complete. The straightforward, step-by-step instructions are illustrated in a graphic novel style which will appeal to children. Through simple and practical tasks such as drawing shapes and giving instructions in code to building games, this adventure book makes learning to code fun and accessible. As well as teaching the essentials of coding, the book will also encourage children's imaginations, and give them a challenge that really encourages thinking.

Code Your Own Space Adventure: Code with Major Kate and Save Planet Zyskinar (Little Coders) by Max Wainewright

Follow Major Kate on her space mission to save Planet Zyskinar. The layout is clear and it's easy to follow the progression of the instructions; there are plenty of images to help too. The books take a lively and fun approach by creating a story, and they work really well as a cross-curricular resource as the topics fit well as part of the curriculum. Also available are Code Your Own Pirate Adventure: Code With Pirate Pierre and Find the Lost Treasure (Little Coders) and Code Your Own Knight Adventure: Code With Sir Percival and Discover the Book of Spells (Little Coders). It's good to see there are four books in the series - these offer plenty of opportunity to develop skills as well as ensuring children find a topic or topics that appeal. A super series.

how to write poems (Bloomsbury activity books) by joseph coelho

When asked to write a poem, children can often feel at a loss for ideas, but with this book to hand, they will find inspiration to get those creative ideas flowing. Overflowing with exciting and innovative activities such as making poems out of leaves, carving out a mud poem, going on an outdoors simile hunt, and playing poetry games in the playground, this enticing book is packed with ideas to prompt children to enjoy creating their own poems. Whatever level children are working at, there are useful tips and starting points, all well explained and clearly presented. Well-known poet Joseph Coelho explores a selection of poetry: from laughable limericks to poetic puns, and from ridiculous rhymes to silly sibilance in a way that will really inspire children. Teachers will find this book invaluable when helping their pupils write poetry - it is packed with easy to implement suggestions which are hugely varied, ensuring there is plenty to inspire everyone, and to give children confidence in their own abilities. A really excellent book, highly recommended.

Ready to Read (Skills for Starting School) by DK

As parents, we all know there is plenty we can do to help our children prepare for the start of school - but we don't always know where to begin. That's when books like this are invaluable, giving an outline to follow and principles to build on. Children respond well to the Fun and friendly characters Bip, Bop, and Boo, who take them through the book encouraging children to start developing their reading skills with simple words and exercises. Children will practise their phonics skills by reading letter sounds, finding missing sound stickers, and then by blending letter sounds to read their very first words. Featuring over 90 colourful stickers, the hands-on activities are well designed and show children that reading really is fun, at the same time building confidence. This book is Level 3, for children with a good and growing vocabulary.

My First Coding Book by Kiki Prottsman

... and you don't even need a computer! This introduction to coding, which is suitable for very young children, guides through the first steps which are needed before using a computer for coding. Coding may seem a daunting topic for young children, but it does encourage logical thinking and it's surprising how naturally it comes to children when it is started young. The lively fun approach of the book includes lots of flaps, wheels and sliders which show how to build a robot, hunt for bugs, escape from a jungle and more. The approach is very simple and straightforward, with every step clearly explained. The sturdy board pages mean the book will be durable, ideal for school use. Parents will really enjoy working through this with their children - and it will help them understand coding too!

Raspberry Pi Made Easy (Raspberry Pi Beginner Level) by Carol Vorderman

Raspberry Pi is changing the face of computing, especially for children, who can develop their computer skills using Raspberry Pi. It is an affordable credit-card-sized computer that's a great introduction to computers and coding, accessible to everyone and hugely popular in schools. This Raspberry Pi Made Easy workbook is ideal for showing your child through the basics and giving them the immediate satisfaction of getting started, downloading software and running Pi. The book includes clearly explained and easy-to-follow fun exercises that let children draw, make music, play games, code with Scratch and Python, and much more. These are really satisfying and will encourage children to take steps forward in their computing progress. Perfect for Key Stage 2 pupils, Raspberry Pi Made Easy provides step-by-step guidance to build key computer skills. Help your child learn how to talk to a computer in its own language, for fun or for the future. Clear, straightforward and encouraging - a great introduction.

Maths in 30 Seconds: (Kids' 30 Second) by Anne Rooney

With the subtitle "30 fascinating topics for junior mathematicians explained in half a minute", this promises to be an interesting read and one that will attract children who love succinct yet fascinating facts. Children ask questions endlessly and here is the answer to questions about measuring, data, sets... and much more that children will learn at KS2. The answers are't quite in 30 seconds, as there is an three minute mission activity that gives children a practical application of the topic. The book is excellently illustrated with diagrams which clearly explain facts to children in a way they will find easy to remember. If your child doesn't find maths enjoyable now, they may well do if you introduce this enthralling book to them.

Vikings in 30 Seconds (Kids' 30 Second) by Philip Steele

This is subtitle 30 fascinating viking topics for curious kids explained in half a minute and follows the excellent format reviewed above. In KS2, children will study the Vikings and this book is a really good succinct introduction that covers all the key points. With fast facts, mini missions, and engaging artwork, the book introduces one of the world’s most fascinating cultures. Children will discover all about these amazing warriors, including where they came from, their incredible skill as boat builders and seafarers and how they traded with and settled in other lands. Each topic is presented in a concise 30-second summary, supported by a 3-second flash soundbite and with many three minute missions too. There are also excellent and extensive glossaries for each topic - these are a really good feature. The presentation is excellent - enticing and memerable. "Ivy Kids produces beautiful books that will get kids making, creating, thinking, playing and dreaming. Covering all sorts of areas, including cool, contemporary kids’ crafts, awesome art activities, and fresh nonfiction topics, our books will get kids of all ages imagining, innovating, and above all, having fun!" I am really enjoying what I have seen so far from this innovative publisher and am looking forward to seeing what the future brings.

Letterland Grammar Activity Book 1 - Sentence and Punctuation by Lisa Holt

Using road signs as a practical and familiar analogy as they tell car drivers how to behave on the roads, so punctuation enables readers to successfully navigate sentences and paragraphs. The analogy is clearly exlained at the start of the book, enabling parents to ensure their children gain the maximum benefit. This book introduces sentences and explains how punctuation helps a reader to understand meaning. Each concept is explained an then there are practical activities to check learning. The book includes finger puppets to make, which children can then use to track through the book. The presentation is lively and appealing and there are stickers to add to the fun.

Letterland Grammar Activity Book 2 - Writing Sentences by Lisa Holt

This time, the analogy used is streets - Just as there are lots of different types of streets, so there are lots of different types of sentences; the little car finger puppets help children trace their journey along the streets/sentences. This activity book helps children to recognise the grammatical patterns of expanded noun phrases, statements, questions, exclamations, conjunctions and commands. It's all done through clear, readily understood explanations, accompanied by a range of appropriate activities. Throughout, the bright, colourful activities are very much geared to children's interests and to familiar situations, so they are fun to do and very engaging - helped, of course, by the stickers!

Letterland Grammar Activity Book 3 - Prefixes and Suffixes by Lisa Holt

Again, Letterland use their tried and trusted method of teaching through analogy - this time, buildings. Words are like buildings that can be changed, developed and extended. Prefixes and suffixes are like the porches or extensions we can add to houses.The structure of the house remains the same, but the function is extended. In this book, children learn to use different types of prefixes and suffixes, learn to turn verbs into nouns, adjectives into nouns, and adjectives into adverbs. They are also introduced to compound noun and creating adjectives. All these will help them produce good written work, fiction and fact. A traffic light system is used in the book to good effect, ensuring children progress steadily; there is also an 'I can do' reward chart as an incentive.

Grammar Activity Book 4 - Past and Present Tenses by Lisa Holt

Keeping the consistent theme, stories are described as being like towns. In keeping with the recommended age, the explanations are more detailed and the questions more challenging, which is all very positive as it shows how children will have moved on through the course of the series. The activities are lively and colourful and there are plenty of stickers to enjoy too. This book shows children how to use the present and past tense of verbs appropriately and consistently in their writing. It introduces verbs in their progressive form, both in the present and past tense, in order to describe an activity that is ongoing.Each book in the series very much stands on its own, but by working through all the books, children will have a really thorough grounding in grammar which will stand them in good stead for the future. Book 1 is recommended for 5+; Books 2 and 3 for 6+; Book 4 for 7+.

First Children's Dictionary from DK

Algorithms and Bugs (Kids Get Coding) by Heather Lyons

Spell Check (DK) by Jacqueline Harris

20 Games To Create With Scratch by Max Wainewright

Julia Donaldson's Songbirds: My First Reading and Activity Book (Oxford Reading Tree)

A Beginner's Guide to Coding by Marc Scott

Write Your Best Story Ever! Notebook by Christopher Edge

When I reviewed How to Write Your Best Story Ever!, I said " Children's confidence in their own abilities will really be enhanced by the book and the engaging presentation makes it a real must-read; a book that will be picked up time and time again." Created to work with its predecessor, this notebook contains even more hints and tips and is the perfect place for budding young writers to gather the ingredients for a great story. The colourful pages, with plenty of room for children's own writing, will really inspire them with its practical ideas. Particularly notable are the word webs, which are on many pages - these include a superb collection of words to extend children's vocabulary and to make their writing more colourful and interesting. The book includes ideas for building plot, action, characters, scenes, beginnings and endings; top tips from the Oxford word experts to further creativity and writing skills; and activity pages for jotting down words, sketching characters, and writing in stories. Ideal for capturing the sudden inspirations of a child's everyday world and surroundings, the notebook provides a fun and practical step towards creative writing that no child should be without. I fully endorse that - often children need inspiration for their writing and it is here in abundance.

Story Path by Kate Baker

My Book of Stories: Write Your Own Fairy Tales by Deborah Patterson

My Book of Stories: Write Your Own Myths by Deborah Patterson