Looking for a good book for your child? A book with a great story line and good quality English? A book to stimulate the imagination and demonstrate why reading is such an enjoyable way to pass the time? Try one of these books for toddlers and children recommended by Ian at Stray's:

Picture Books

"Mammoth Pie" "Grill Pan Eddy" "The Really Rude Rhino" all by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross - great for toddlers - uproarious tales of smart mammoths, cheeky mice and raspberry blowing rhinos. Delightful stories well complemented by Tony Ross's expressive illustrations.

"The Tear Thief" by Ann Duffy - suitable for children of 4 and over. A captivating story of an ethereal creature visible only through her reflection in puddles who creeps about each evening collecting the tears of children. Once gathered they are poured out into the moon's light. A beautiful, poetic book.

"Molly and the Night Moster" by Chris Wormell - for all those children nervous about going to bed at night.

"The Odd Egg" by Emily Gravett. If you only ever buy one book for your two-year-old this should be the one. A tale of a duck that can't lay eggs but finds one that turns into a crocodile. If it makes you decide to buy a second one then ..... "Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear" by the same author.

Adventure Books

"Invisible City" by M G Harris - a plot that embraces CIA cover-ups and alien abductions set in the form of blog entries as Josh Garan seeks the truth behind the death of his archaeologist father in Mexico.

"Dogfight" by Craig Simpson - a second world war adventure set in occupied Norway and similar to .....

"The Machine-Gunners" by Robert Westall.

"Bearkeeper" by Josh Lacey - aimed at a younger age group the story offers a vivid and unusaul portrait of boyhood in Shakespearean England.

Fantasy Books

"The Game" by Diana Wynne Jones - will grip younger readers for every page and encourage further encounters with ancient myths. It has everything - youthful unhappiness, a forbidding house, mean relatives, a dark fairy tale theme and much dangling from windows.

"M is for Magic" by Neil Gaiman - a collection of short stories - some sci fi, a little horror and a bit of romance. Can be a bit frightening.

"Airman" by Eoin Colfer - a highly recommended "Boys Own" adventure by the author of Artemis Fowl. A real 'rush to find out what happens next' book.

"Hootcat Hill" by Lucy Coats - set in a world that is this one but not quite. This is a charming and enthralling story suitable for almost anybody under 11.

"Charlie's Monsters" by Dean Lorey - mainly about travelling to other universes and the slaying of monsters. Comes with the encouraging tagline - ' Your parents lied. There are monsters under the bed.'

"The Windspinner" by Berlie Doherty - a boy finds a fairy floating at the bottom of his bed (as they do). The fairy, Oban, becomes a human for a while but man-magic and fairy-magic don't mix!

"Dinosaur Cave: Attack of the Lizard King" by Rex Stone - time travel to the age of the dinosaurs.
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This idea came from Paul, a customer who wants to start a reading group with a specific type of book in mind. more »

We are very fortunate to have a wealth of history on our doorstep here in Newark, and no shortage of local people who are able to pass on their reminices to us, so we have an interesting range of books about Newark and its people and history, as well as fiction written by local authors.

Books by local authors and our surrounding history and town, include:

"Ghost stories" by Rosemary Robb, who is member of Newark Writers Club and vice-chairperson of Nottingham Writers Club.
"Dear Retrospect" and "Drusilla", both works of historical fiction set in the locality, by Joan Stephenson, who is a member of the Fossway Writers Group.
"Windmills of Lincolnshire" by David Jager, a historical photographic portait of local windmills.
"Robin to the Rescue", by the children of Bishop Alexander Primary School, written, published and illustrated by children from the school.
"View of Coddington", compiled by Coddington History Group, an illustrated history and guide to this local village.
"Tales of a Gravedigger", by Ian Shipley, a hunourous book of recollections by the author who has been digging graves for 24 years in Notts and Lincs
"Verging on Work", by John Meredith, the now retired Head Verger of Southwell Minster
"Landships of Lincoln" by Richard Pullen, who has been field archeologist for over 10 years with a particular interest in Lincolns ties with the creation of the tank.
"Last family in England" and "Dead Fathers Club", by Matt Haig, both fiction books that have acheived national renown,and "Shadow Forest", a childrens book which has just been awarded a major childrens literary award in 2007.
"August 21st 2010", by Bill Ashley, a local author's first work of fiction.

We stock "Around Newark" by Francis Frith, at just £6.99, (published at £12.99) which is a lovely sepia photograph filled history book showing how Newark has changed over the years, and local maps and the Newark Town Guide. If you like old postard pictures, then you may be interested in our selection of books showing local postcards of many of our surrounding villages, priced at just £3.50 each.
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To assist parents with teaching their children at home, we have recently introduced two new reading schemes:

Usborne First Reading series incorporates four levels. They are a series of amusing and appealing stories written clearly and simply. Young Reading follows and consists of three levels:
» Level One - For children just starting to read alone
» Level Two - For children growing in confidence
» Level Three - For children who are able to cope with longer stories

These are exciting and interesting fiction and non-fiction titles. They include stories from the classics, history and science as well as fascinating biographies. The range is attractively produced with clear print and delightful colour illustrations. Priced at £4.99 these good quality hardbacks have ribbon markers and durable covers. They would make excellent gifts as well as being fun to collect. More info from the shop...

Harper Collins have published a series called Big Cat Read at Home which moves progressively through four levels:
» Red - First Steps - Linking simple words & pictures together
» Orange - Discover Reading - Starting to read short sentences
» Blue - Explore Reading - Reading stories with speech & developed characters
» Green - Love Reading - Reading longer stories independently

There are four titles in each level with encouragement to read the story and then retell it using mini picture prompts. Activities and projects are included to motivate and entertain along with guidance notes for parents.
Written by popular children's authors such as Martin Waddell , Julia Donaldson and Nick Butterworth, the stories have lively, colourful illustrations which are attractive to young children. They are produced in paperback format and priced at £2.99 More info from the shop...
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Book reviewsThe Time Torn Man by Claire Tomalin...Lovers of Thomas Hardy or indeed biographies will relish The Time Torn Man by Claire Tomalin. As always her approach is honest and pragmatic but also sensitive and she writes with enormous psychological insight.Hardy had an interesting life, rising from obscurity to celebrated author, achieving fame and fortune. He received many awards and honours and became acquainted with some of the most influential people of his age. It is, however, Tomalin's exploration of his complex nature which makes this a particularly fascinating book. Hardy's changeable attitude and at times contradictory personality. The way he responded to certain people's events, significantly the death of his first wife Emma. The depression from which he suffered as 'this blackest state of mind'. The potency of his inner imagination and the precedence this took on his life.Tomalin's examination of Hardy's work may initiate an urge to revisit the great man's novels and poems bringing new perspective and insight. The inspiration for his stories, settings and characters, the motivation for creating a particular mood or expressing a specific opinion.The Time Torn Man is an absorbing book by a skilled author about a man who continues to captivate readers with his poignant and vivid images.Reviewed by Karen Dowlersubmit a review below »

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