Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the bumper edition of GMC’s Children’s Books Christmas Newsletter. Such a wonderful selection of books to share with the followers of Entertain the Kids. I am sure there will be more book reviews to follow #WatchThisSpace.

Nothing beats sitting down with a good book, no matter what age you are. In this age of “e-technology” it is important to ensure our children have a hobby away from the PC, iPad, etc : what better way than with a colourful book?

Here at Entertain the Kids we were privaledged to receive the November & December children’s books newsletter from GMC Distribution. This Christmas newsletter is a bumper edition combining both months titles and there are some great books for all interests. Due to the number of featured books in the newsletter, we will spread this across a few separate pages for your convenience.

William (age 6), Chief Tester at Entertain the Kids is currently ploughing through some of the titles featured and we will aim to pass on his review comments as soon as possible.

The titles covered in this article :

The Princess and the Pea Retold by John Cech; illustrated by Bernhard Oberdieck

Rapunzel Retold by John Cech; illustrated by Fiona Sansom

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories By Washington Irving

Moby-Dick By Herman Melville

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea Retold by John Cech; illustrated by Bernhard Oberdieck

One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories gets a breath-taking showcase, with lavish art and an elegant retelling by acclaimed writer, professor, and radio host John Cech. It’s the second exquisite entry in the Classic Fairy Tale Collection series. Although the handsome prince meets ladies blessed with beauty, wealth, and brains, he knows in his heart that none is the true princess he longs for. Then, one stormy night, a wet, disheveled, and very weary young woman knocks at the castle door. Could she be his queen? One tiny pea buried underneath 20 soft mattresses might reveal the truth. Bernhard Oberdieck’s stunning images, with their soft colour and unusual perspectives, capture all the fantasy and romance of Andersen’s appealing tale.

9781454916789 – Paperback with flaps – £5.99 – Sterling

Rapunzel

Rapunzel Retold by John Cech; illustrated by Fiona Sansom

John Cech’s enchanting retelling of “Rapunzel” is the tale of a poor couple forced to surrender their new-born daughter to a powerful witch, all for having stolen some lettuce to satisfy the wife’s unbearable hunger. And so the witch takes Rapunzel to a secluded tower, where the girl spends her days singing and braiding her long hair. Then, one day, a prince hears her sweet voice and everything changes. . . . Complete with fanciful illustrations by Fiona Sansom, this beautiful book belongs on every fairy tale lover’s shelf.

9781454916796 – Paperback with flaps – £5.99 – Sterling

Something for the “Older Readers”

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories By Washington Irving

Time hasn’t dulled the suspense and humour of Irving’s chilling tale. The story of the Headless Horseman and his effect on Ichabod Crane is enhanced by brooding, fitting folk-art illustrations. This hardback edition includes dynamic folk-art illustrations and also contains 12 additional short stories by Washington Irving.

9781435160675 – Hardback – £9.99 – Sterling

Moby-Dick

Moby-Dick By Herman Melville

“Call me Ishmael”. So begins Moby-Dick, Herman Melville’s epic account of the last voyage of the ill-fated whaling ship Pequod, and its captain’s obsessive pursuit of the legendary white whale that maimed him years before. Melville’s classic novel has given American literature some of its most iconic characters. Inspired by the real-life ordeal of the crew of the whaling ship Essex–who, in 1819, were set adrift in the heart of the sea for eighty-nine days, after the whale they were hunting stove in their ship’s hull–and steeped in the lore and legendry of whaling, Melville’s novel is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels. More than a rousing tale of adventure on the high seas, Moby-Dick is acknowledged today as a fundamental exploration of the ideas and interests that shaped the American experience in the nineteenth century.

The text of Moby-Dick in this volume is from the authoritative Northwestern Newberry edition of The Writings of Herman Melville. Moby-Dick is one of Barnes & Noble’s leatherbound classics. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world’s greatest authors in an exquisitely designed bonded-leather binding, with distinctive gilt edging and a silk-ribbon bookmark.

9781435161405 – Hardback – £25.00 – Barnes & Noble