I Read, Therefore I Blog

The Blurb On The Back:

You’ve just made your first great decision as LEADER OF YOUR VERY OWN COUNTRY - you’ve picked up this brilliant* book.

GOOD MOVE, BOSS!

You see, being top dog isn’t easy. There are lots of important decisions to make.

What kind of government will you set up and how will it work?
How can you be as fair as possible (if you care about that kind of thing**)?
What are you going to do about all those tricky issues like climate change and inequality?

You’re going to need to figure out HOW POLITICS WORKS, WHAT YOU STAND FOR and WHY LEADERSHIP MATTERS.

Don’t panic. This funny and fact-packed book will guide you every step of the way.

You’ll be ruling LIKE A PRO in no time!

* Though we say so ourselves.
** We, your people, are kind of hoping you do.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Rich Knight is an award-winning BBC journalist. This is a light-hearted but informative guide for children aged 9+ about the serious subject of government with fun and inclusive illustrations by Allan Sanders. Knight runs through different types of government, key policies, international co-operation and economic systems in a way that emphasises how politics is about choices and compromise but without ever being patronising to readers.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

”Home ain’t jus’ where you live. Home is your heart an’ yer history.”

The Place For Me - twelve moving tales of sacrifice and bravery, inspired by first-hand accounts of the Windrush generation. Each inspiring and authentic story helps to bring the real experience of Black British people into focus.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The Black Cultural Archives is the UK’s only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the history of African and Caribbean people in Britain. This moving, thoughtful illustrated book for readers aged 9+ is a mix of short stories inspired by the Windrush generation of Caribbean people who came to help re-build Britain after World War II, combined with facts about some of those people and their accomplishments.

THE PLACE FOR ME was released in the United Kingdom on 3rd June 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

This is a diary with a difference. More of a do-ary. Scribble in it, dribble on it, nibble it when you’re peckish. Read, enjoy, learn, laugh but most of all DO. Because your future’s so bright you’re gonna need shades!

This book is an instruction manual for life. It tells you how to be epic so grab a hot choc, make your bum comfy and read on. It’s even got pictures!

It’s time to shine …

From the multi-layered cupcake consisting of Andy Cope (Doctor of Happiness), Gavin Oattes (stand-up comedian), Will Hussey (an actual real teacher) and Amy Bradley (best illustrator evs) - this is your recipe book for having your cake and scoffing it. Diary Of A Brilliant Kid works up your appetite to enjoy and savour every last dollop of whatever life serves you. As well as putting-the-cherry-on top, it inspires you to:

- Think big, sparkly brightly and by your absolute best
- Be a mover, shaker and relationship maker
- Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons
- Feel the fear and do it anyway
- Embrace the magnificent seven works that will change your life (yes, really!)

#Fact: The average person lives for 4000 weeks. Life’s short. It’s a gift. Let’s not send it back unwrapped.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Andy Cope has a PhD in positive psychology and writes the bestselling SPY DOGs series. Gavin Oattes is a former school teacher turned comedian and author. Will Hussey is a teacher and author. This self-help book for children aged 9+ (with lively illustrations by Amy Bradley) unevenly mixes humour and practical tips to encourage a more positive mindset and set and achieve goals such that despite good intentions the key messages get lost.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Why is it important to talk about race?
How does it feel to experience racism?
Why does skin colour matter?

Talking about race is often discouraged, but in this book we’re aiming to bring everyone into the conversation. We explore the history of race and society and discuss how racist attitudes come into being. We look at belonging and identity, the damaging effects of stereotyping and the benefits of positive representation. We talk about why its important to identify and challenge racist behaviour, wherever it exists.

Together with contributions from a range of writers of colour, including Inua Ellams, Derek Owusu, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Asim Chaudhry, Wei Ming Kam, Chitra Ramaswamy and Becky Olaniyi, we talk about our experiences relating to race and racism and discuss why skin colour matters.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Claire Heuchan is an award-winning feminist blogger and author and Nikesh Shukla a writer, editor and co-founder of The Good Journal and Good Literary Agency. In this necessary, fascinating and thought-provoking must-read non-fiction book for children aged 10+ they aim to start a conversation about race and racism and why it’s important to identify and challenge racist behaviour and include moving personal experiences from guest contributors.

WHAT IS RACE? WHO ARE RACISTS? WHY DOES SKIN COLOUR MATTER? AND OTHER BIG QUESTIONS was released in the United Kingdom on 11th October 2018. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The humble loo is a lifesaver. Over two billion people in the world don’t have access to a proper toilet or clean water to drink or to wash their hands – and that stinks! Access to sanitation and clean water literally saves lives. Loos also help schools. When children have access to a safe, clean loo at school, they are more likely to stay in education, get better jobs and escape poverty.

Toilet Twinning is a charity that empowers people in low-income countries to build proper toilets and help make their communities healthier, safer and more prosperous. This book visits some of the places Toilet Twinning have worked in, across Africa, Asia and Central America, and reveals the stories of the people they have helped. It’s packed with stats, facts and lots of information all about water and waste.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This book for children aged 9+ by Seren Boyd with the charity Toilet Twinning is a matter of fact look at an important and yet still socially taboo topic of the importance of toilet and sanitation facilities and although it was interesting to read the case studies setting out the transformative work being done by Toilet Twinning, I wasn’t completely comfortable with the way it exists to promote the charity and encourage fund raising for it.

LOOS SAVE LIVES was released in the United Kingdom on 9th November 2017. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.