Category / Review

by jo

Dick Bruna Books Reprinted at The Tate Bookstore

There are some Dick Bruna books being reprinted and made available at the Tate Bookstore right now. We placed an order and they arrived today – you can never have too many Dick Bruna books in your collection!

dick bruna books 2013 reprints

We love all the Dick Bruna books, he’s been one of my favourite authors since I was a little girl and is now one of H’s. She also has a far better Dick Bruna collection than I ever had.

If you head online to the Tate Bookshop you’ll find some editions of the books which haven’t been available in a long time – there’s a book ‘The Apple’ which was the first Dick Bruna book, originally produced in 1959, translated in 1995 and pretty much unavailable since then.

The Tate is doing a 3 for 2 deal so I picked up two other books we didn’t have – ‘The School’ and ‘On My Scooter’.

They’re all such gorgeous books, if you know the Miffy books it’s more of the same – from a time when things felt much more innocent and simple. I’m loving ‘The School’ for the rhymes about a day at school and what they do (and the teacher telling them to ‘listen to what I say!’). ‘On My Scooter’ has a child getting some veg for Pete the Donkey – this only dates back to 2010, but is a 2013 reprint. ‘The School’ is 1964. You can tell which books are older based on the font used as their title.

‘The Apple’ is a short story about an apple that wishes it had legs. The rooster shows concern, and ends up taking the apple for a fly around instead, which cheers up the apple immensely.

For me, these books are likely to be some of the first ones H will read properly as she’s taught at school. She knows a few words now and I love the simplicity of these books with the gorgeous illustrations. If you like Miffy books, head over to the Tate online too. Suitable for all ages, we love Dick Bruna books – from H at almost four to me at 43!

by jo

Kattoo – A Temporary Tattoo

Kattoo is a brilliant idea – a temporary phone number tattoo which you can stick on your child.

KattooKattoo tattoos are for children, and a great idea, and really simple.

You peel off the backing paper of the tattoo.

Place it on your child’s skin making sure it’s clean and dry.

Put a wet cloth on top to seal the tattoo onto the skin.

Peel off the backing paper.

Allow it to dry for a minute.

Write your phone number in the space provided.

That’s it – how simple?

Kattoo

I like the idea as we often lose things, so having a band with this kind of information is handy, but you can almost guarantee we’d change our number if H had something like that- whereas with a Kattoo you’re writing whatever is current.

H tried it out today and it stayed strong all day, no cracks and my handwriting was still readable.

We’re going to Lollibop in just over a fortnight and will be using our other Kattoo tattoo we received in our BritMums goody bags – and I’ve already ordered another pack as we have some local fairs coming up in the next few weeks.

Kattoo
Things you need to know about Kattoo:

A pack of six costs £5.99 (the website says free UK Shipping)
They come in six different colours, with an ‘if I am lost’ message with a box to write your phone number
They are safe, non-toxic, FDA Certified and CE Certified. They’re also latex free and cosmetically safe.
Depending on your skin type a Kattoo will last 2-5 days.
Kattoos are UV blockers, so you don’t need to put sunscreen on your Kattoo area (though make sure you put it around it, obviously!)

We had a few comments today from people who spotted H’s tattoo and could see what a brilliant idea it is. While I know she’s the kind of child who doesn’t tend to run off, there’s every chance she could, so knowing there’s a way for her to tell someone where her mummy and daddy are is a good thing. I would recommend these.

I received a sample pack of two Kattoo Tattoos in my BritMums goody bag.

by jo

The Ultimate Summer Driving Playlist

What’s your Ultimate Summer Driving Playlist?

MoneySupermarket have a new competition, to compile the Ultimate Summer Driving playlist, as THINK! research suggests that almost 20% of accidents on major roads are sleep or tiredness related. Long journeys on motorways can lead to a lack of concentration and, as well as other preventative measures, listening to songs you love can be a great way to stay alert and focused on the road.

Back when I had to drive back to York a lot on my own, I created a playlist on my iPod to help keep me focused and awake, and a lot of these songs featured. When you’re driving for four hours or more you need something which doesn’t let you drift off.

This is mine – it’s going to be easy as we created a Summer Playlist on Spotify at work which keeps getting songs added to it.

==

This reminds me of the Reading Festival in the early 90s, Buffalo Tom playing ‘Summer’ on the stage and my friend Helen and I dancing on the grass clutching a pint of beer singing along. Aah. It’s good for driving too.

Bananarama’s ‘Cruel Summer’ is another essential. They make fun pop music and there isn’t enough of that these days. They also didn’t take themselves too seriously.

But when you’re driving you do need your music faster with lots of ‘oo’s in there, you know the sort of thing. Lucky we have The Undertones then with ‘Here Comes The Summer’. See, you can mix up the slower with the fast too, that way you’re always kept on your toes.

Not all summer music needs to be pop. Everyone needs a bit of rock in their lives and Queens of the Stone Age have theirs with the top driving song ‘Feel Good Hit of the Summer’ which probably has the least appropriate refrain to sing in front of your child. Better save that one for solo drives… or headphones.

This one always makes it on to my summer playlists – I was a huge Lush fan, and when they (sadly) split and Emma formed Sing-Sing their first single was this, a top summer pop moment, ‘Feels Like Summer’.

If I was to choose the ultimate two driving songs which I think are in my key, these two win. They’re not summer songs, they’re perennial. But they DRIVE.

and this because the video makes me think of the summer and it’s really silly. One night driving home from work Magic AND Heart played it within ten minutes of each other. I drove the long route home. Oh yes.

I hope you like them, I could have made a longer list but I’m sparing you all.

I was gifted an amount of money to pay for these songs – all opinions are my own.

by jo

Jack The Giant Slayer – Movie Night

Jack the Giant Slayer is a film I’ve wanted to see as it’s a remake of the two traditional stories Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer (a film I watched every year when I was young when it was shown on Christmas Day – check that link for the trailer, seeing the giant on there still scares me – despite it being the least scary giant ever, serious 1970s flashback moment)

magic beans

We all know the Jack and the Beanstalk story, but the other story is lesser known. In Jack The Giant Slayer, Jack (Nicholas Hoult) is given beans, the beanstalk grows as you’d expect, but the other story’s elements are a little more violent, giving this film a 12 rating.

Princess Isabelle happens to be in Jack’s house when the beanstalk grows, taking her up to the land where the giants live, so Jack and the King’s men all climb up the beanstalk to find her. Ewan McGregor is the military commander in charge, Ian McShane is the king. Bill Nighy plays the part of the two-headed leader of the giants, Fallon – just one of the heads though. Ewan Bremner appears as one of the Kings men too.

There’s plenty of giants eating humans, you don’t see a lot but it’s implied. Ewan McGregor almost becomes a sausage roll and there’s plenty of ‘fee fi fo fum’s in there too – which originated in Jack the Giant Killer and has evolved through the years (as you’ll hear at the end of the film).

I found the film enjoyable, grim (the picking nose bit made my stomach turn!) and one of those ones you enjoy watching. It’s 109 minutes long, and is out now. Here’s the link at Warner Bros for more information

Jack The Giant Slayer

We were sent a DVD with some beans for the purpose of review, all opinions are our own. No beanstalks have yet grown, nor giants harmed.

by jo

Sammy’s Great Escape Review – Movie Night

Sammy’s Great Escape was released on DVD this week, and we’ve been sent a copy to review. I saw the trailer for this when we went to a kids morning show at the cinema, so we knew this would be suitable for H – the certificate is U – Contains mild threat.

If you were to compare it to a film in feel, Finding Nemo is the closest reference – the main characters are separated from their family and have to get home – but don’t compare the two – Sammy’s Great Escape is a follow-up to A Turtles Tale – Sammy’s Adventure (which we haven’t seen). It’s a Belgian/American animation and was in cinemas last year.

Sammy's Great Escape

So, the plot – Sammy and Ray are looking after the new leatherback hatchlings, who are attacked by seagulls who want the hatchlings for food. In their rush to escape they’re split up, with Sammy and Ray left with Ricky and Ella – two hatchlings – who are captured by poachers and taken to an aquarium where they try to escape.

We liked the music! It features Rachid Taha’s cover of ‘Rock the Casbah’ (Taha claims the song was inspired by The Clash hearing a demo he handed to them in the early eighties) as well as the B52’s ‘Rock Lobster’.

H really enjoyed Sammy’s Great Escape – she’s less scared of things these days so spent more time laughing and enjoying things than asking questions – the scary bits weren’t too bad and didn’t trouble her. She does have a great reaction when she’s quietly urging someone to swim faster though, which amused me!

Sammy’s Great Escape has a total running time of an hour and 33 minutes and comes with UV – you get a code with your DVD, so it can be watched across portable devices (we use it on the iPad with Flixster).

We were sent the DVD for review, all opinions are our own! 

by jo

Big Fish Little Fish Events Brixton Giveaway, September.

Big Fish Little Fish events have arrived in Brixton – have you heard of them? We went to a special preview and reviewed it earlier this month and I hesitate to share this as the quality is so poor, but you get the idea (and it’s only 15 seconds), but H came out of her shell and showed off dance moves we never knew she had. I think I spent more time open-mouthed as she twirled around.

This could be YOUR child. Remember those songs from the 1990s to these days you used to dance to? (Voodoo Ray, The Sun Rising, Hanging On A String, Hey Ya and so many more songs that will come flooding back when you hear them).  Your child could let themselves go and twirl around the dancefloor too (the glowstick is compulsory) – Big Fish Little Fish events are a new monthly social and you could go too if you fancy entering this giveaway! (n.b. I say danced as if you’re anything like us you don’t have the time, money, energy or will to actually stand up and shuffle your feet beyond making food or getting to work – it’s not just me, right?).

Big Fish Little Fish Events

I have a Family ticket to give away for Big Fish Little Fish’s September event. It’s on the 21st and is at the Effra Social in Brixton – walkable from Brixton tube and Herne Hill station and runs from 2-4.30 and has a theme of ‘Sailing the Seven Seas’ – it’s also their launch party.

Please note – travel is NOT included – so I’d recommend you’re based in London and can get there easily. Tickets will be provided direct by Big Fish Little Fish.

Tickets are on sale now at We Got Tickets and there are loads of reviews coming in – including a great feature in Time Out this week. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

by jo

App Time – Jump Up and Join In! with Carrie and David Grant

So following on from our previous post, we’ve been playing with the Jump Up and Join In (JUJI) app for kids that we previewed at Egmont’s offices.

It is based on the Lion’s Speedy Sauce book which we’ll be reviewing soon. The app is very straightforward and uncomplicated. While H isn’t reading properly yet she can work out words and knew which sections she wanted to go to – the colours are bright and colourful and really appealing – and they have good fonts!

JUJI - Main

That place would be her favourite section – the song – and has so far made about ten different videos of herself dancing with Carrie and David while singing the Speedy Sauce song (which we then did a recording of ourselves and she knew all the words to) – she’s picked it up quickly! You can choose various costume combinations to wear as well as adding a picture of yourself and changing the background.

The app has several areas where you can enter the game – if you read the story you occasionally get the JUJI logo which takes you to other interactive parts of the game (and while you’re in each section the characters all have little things they do if you touch them too which H really likes) – so far she’s fascinated with making videos and singing (future pop star in the making maybe?).

JUJI - video

What I like about the app is the various ways you can play – and it’s making learning fun. She likes reading the story ‘Lion’s Speedy Sauce’ plus there’s a section where you can play along with bongos, repeating patterns or with keys repeating the tunes – Lion’s Speedy Sauce is all about rhythm which I think she’ll benefit from.

That and both songs so far are incredibly catchy – you’ll end up singing them yourself, let alone your child.

JUJI - game

If this app proves to be successful, hopefully other books in the series will be added, which is great. We’re finding it lots of fun, although dragging H away from making videos of herself is proving difficult!

JUJI - Bongo

Jump Up and Join In – the App is available now from the App Store

We received a code to review this, all opinions are our own. The iTunes link is an affiliate link.

by jo

Saaf Pure Organic Skincare Review

Saaf Pure Organic Skincare approached me asking if I’d like to review anything from their range.

I had a look at the Saaf Pure Organic Skincare website for something which would help the long-standing dry skin patch on my leg. While various lotions and potions helped it fade, it would still get itchy and I’d find the rash came back after one scratch.

Saaf Pure Organic Skincare

Looking at my skin I could see it was badly dehydrated which could be fixed, but nothing was working to stop the itch.

After describing my problem Saaf Pure Organic Skincare suggested I try some Super Hydrating Body Balm alongside some Eraser Body Oil. My husband, ever the sceptic, didn’t believe anything could shift the rash and that I needed to go back to the doctor but I wanted to persevere. This was the first time I was going to try something which would work on the itchiness.

All Saaf Pure Organic Skincare products are vegetarian, vegan, cruelty free and Halal approved. They are also 95-97% organic. Their founder, Dr Mah, draws on her in-depth homeopathic and pharmacological experience to formulate botanicals into blends which help smooth lines, soothe blemishes, nourish dryness, nurture fragilities and restore natural balance. There’s also no added alcohol, fragrance or chemicals. Dr Mah’s twins put some in their mouths so she made sure all ingredients were all edible!

From cold pressed botanicals to steam distilled essential oils, the ingredients are chosen for their therapeutic effects and the blends are scientifically formulated by a team of experts. There’s a list of all the ingredients here. Saaf Pure Organic Skincare is also fully certified organic by the Soil Association

The Super Hydrating Body Balm – which is solid – makes my skin smell a-maz-ing; it smells like a spa. The body balm is good for dry or prematurely ageing skin and is scented with essential oils – they recommend using on elbows and knees and is suitable for all over. It’s worth it to smell THIS Good – and after two months I still have loads left.

Saaf Pure Organic Skincare

I’ve used the Eraser Body Oil daily for the last two months. You don’t need a lot and it rubs in well, though I’ve found it’s best to apply after a bath or shower. I still have the best part of a bottle left – a little goes a long way with this oil.

The Saaf Pure Organic Skincare products are also safe to use if pregnant says their FAQ :

I’m pregnant, should I be worried about using essential oils?

All our skincare products are safe to use during pregnancy, as we use the finest quality essential oils in small amounts. Our Complexion Boosting Serum contains Juniper Berry essential oil, which some aromatherapists believe may be contra-indicated in pregnancy, however we use less than 0.2% and Dr Mah developed the serum to use herself during her own pregnancy, so it certainly has her seal of approval.

I’m amazed at how effective it has been making my rash go away. The skincare isn’t cheap; you can get a smaller kit on offer at the moment; but for me I’d happily pay to keep the rash away. It is the only product I’ve used which has worked on both sides of the problem.

I was sent full-sized versions of both products to test, thank you! I didn’t think anything would work and I’m so pleased with the results!

by jo

Bear Paws Healthy Snacks – Review

We’re huge fans of the Fruit Yo-Yo’s you can buy in most stores, from Bear Nibbles – we were offered the chance to review their new snacks Bear Paws so jumped at it!

Bear Paws come from Bear Nibbles, and like the other snacks in the range are really yummy.

Bear Paws from Bear Nibbles

Bear Paws are healthy and interesting too – bear paw shaped fruit moulds, which count as one of your five a day, as well as having no added sugar, no preservatives and they’re never from concentrate.

There’s an educational element to them as well, in each pack there’s five different kinds of paws which match to what’s on the back of the pack – H is at the stage where she’ll remember the names of the creatures and identify them by being able to work out the first letter and which animal it should be – it makes a fun guessing game (and she shared a pack with her friend at swimming today too, so it kept them both occupied!).

If you like Yo Yo’s, you’ll know what you’re getting – there’s just the three varieties (and plenty of characters!) – Dino Paws (strawberry and apple), Jungle Paws (apple and blackcurrant) and Safari Paws (orange and strawberry).

Bear paws

There’s a little token on the back of each pack too which you can save up and send off to get a sticker – we’ve already bought more as they’re fun and not sticky – ideal for hot train journeys when your child wants a snack.

I’ve just spotted Bear are doing a cereal too – I’m definitely going to look out for that (available in Waitrose – I’m going there tomorrow to find some!) – healthy alphabet shapes sound perfect for H.

Bear Paws snacks are available at most good supermarkets – I’ve found them at larger Sainsburys branches as well as via Ocado.

We were sent a pack of each to try with some cool goodies, all opinions are our own, especially H who allowed us to share just one paw from each pack, she liked them so much!

by jo

Big Fish Little Fish Events – 2-4 Hour Party People

Big Fish Little Fish Events are a new monthly Sunday afternoon event in Brixton.

If you know your ‘Voodoo Ray’ from your Voodoo Queens then this may be for you – Big Fish Little Fish Events.

The tagline ‘2-4 hour party people’ made me chuckle – if you remember 1990 (or indeed if you don’t remember 1990 but have children now) then this will be your cup of tea.

Big Fish Little Fish EventsWe attended a special launch event to get a taster of what’s to come. Big Fish Little Fish is held at the Effra Social in Brixton and has a bbq and ice cream stall at the front with a cash bar and cakes from Rosie’s Deli Cafe in the main dance area – plus there’s healthy snacks for kids. H got a glowstick bracelet which she’s become surgically attached to (quite literally).

I spotted a buggy and scooter storage area too which is safe and covered.

Our first impressions – it was quite loud – we couldn’t really chat to each other much and H has never been a fan of loud places, but after a little nudge she was off, this may have something to do with me appealing to her competitive nature (‘I bet you can’t dance as well as me’).

Big Fish Little Fish’s DJ’s didn’t play at club-level volume though it was high – with my tinnitus ears it felt sensitive – but if you’re used to higher volume music you’ll be fine – just bear it in mind if your child is like H.

Mid-way through the event we had a cockney knees-up from Nanna of Underbling and Vow, before we were straight back into dancing – from ‘Hey Ya’ by Outkast to some Chic to some ‘Hanging on a String’ by Loose Ends (where I had a weird urge to dance on one leg – did they do that?) – so it’s not strictly rave but it has a good beat. H was in her element and loved dancing to these.

We sat outside towards the end and sampled the ice cream from Crystal Creams – the perfect weather and we were hot and needed to cool down.

Outside families discussed the festivals they were going to this year – albeit with their kids. It’s an afternoon social designed for us former festival goers who miss our old music while keeping it child-friendly. There were balloons all over the venue which H enjoyed.

We missed the very end, and reading Twitter it sounds like ‘The Sun Rising’ was the final Big Fish Little Fish song, sigh. I love that song too…

Big Fish Little Fish events will run monthly from September 21st from 2-4.30pm each event with a fancy dress theme. Tickets are a very reasonable price too – check the site for more info. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

We were given free entry to the launch event, all opinions are our own!