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OK it's not technically a christmas book, but any book featuring snow - and a happy little guy in a red suit is ripe for dragging into our Christmas collection. Besides, we don't really need an excuse to tell you just how great a classic Ezra Jack Keats' "The Snowy Day" is.

Why do we love it? Well you have a happy little dude called Peter in it, who looks out of the window one morning to see the urban landscape transformed into a gorgeous white winter wonderland. You have utterly wonderful illustrations as Peter makes his way through the landscape doing all the things we really love to do in the snow (snowball fights, leaving footprint trails and flicking the snow-covered branch of a tree and enjoying an impromptu snow shower).

Most of all I personally love it because it's a book that's lasted through generations to still retain its place as a firm children's favourite. I know we use this phrase a lot on the blog but it really is timeless, and captures the very essence of child-like joy at those first signs of snow (which, if you believe the weather reports, might be happening sooner than you think).

A superb stocking stuffer. Join Peter in his joyful celebration of the magic of snow and all the fun you can have in it. See you on the slopes!


Charlotte's best bit: Peter making a lovely set of footprints, then making another facing the other way by walking backwards (We both do this as soon as the snow falls!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: Beautiful beautiful artwork that stands the test of time. A simple tale but so wonderfully woven together

We were lucky enough to receive not one but two fantastic "Jack's Mega Machines" books in the post recently - and they're great as christmas presents. Alison Ritchie and Mike Byrne have been establishing something of a cult following for these books, and their innovative papercraft vehicles.

In "Jack's Mega Machines - Supersonic Submarine", Jack's fabulous magic garage plays host to a brilliant little yellow submarine - ready for undersea adventures as Jack winds up caught amidst a fabulous football competition with a pod of happy dolphins.

In "Jack's Mega Machines - The Mighty Monster Truck" Jack fixes up a cool pick-up that magically transforms into a fat-tyred mud-stomping monster truck, just in time to embark on a perilous mission to rescue a little monster from a treetop in a dark, dark forest.

Though these books are firmly pitched at vehicle-loving boys, Charlotte always enjoys reading the stories together and playing with the vehicles - letting her imagination fly as she makes up her own stories using the papercraft models.

As we've said in our previous reviews of these fabulous books, the models are fairly tricky to remove from the book at first (the sticky stuff is just a bit too sticky, and resulted in Jack's supersonic submarine losing a wing - despite me being extremely careful about removing the models from the back cover).

Rollicking stories, brilliant artwork. Begin your Jack's Mega Machines collection today!

Charlotte's best bit: The poor monster truck getting completely trashed in "The Mighty Monster Truck!"

Daddy's Favourite bit: Brilliant undersea adventures and dolphin fun in "Supersonic Submarine"

(Kindly sent to us for review by Simon and Schuster Children's Books)

Murilla Gorilla is back! We absolutely loved "Murilla Gorilla - Jungle Detective" and when that first book hinted at a sequel, we waited...and we waited...and we waited. Finally it's arrived after all our waiting (a bit like Murilla herself) and caused such excitement at home, Charlotte's eyes lit up.

Imagine The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency set in an animal world, with Murilla Gorilla as Mma Ramotswe and you'll start to get an idea of why we love this book. It also gives me a good excuse to do a ton of silly animal voices and the mini-chapter format of the book is a brilliant fit for Charlotte's current reading level, where she still loves lots and lots of illustrations but can handle chapters and text too.

So while I washed up, Charlotte began reading the story to me (I love it when this happens) and we learned about Murilla's latest case. Poor Murilla lives in a shack with a leaky roof and when she discovers her mop is broken (after hunting high and low in the house, and eventually finding it in the bath!) Murilla sets out to visit the market for a replacement.

After the huge rainstorm, the market is in a mess but Murilla soon tracks down a new mop, and also a rather forlorn Parrot parasol salesman who has lost a yellow parasol.

Murilla, complete with her detective backpack, is soon on the case. Stopping for a rain-soaked muffin and digging out her magnifying glass, Murilla's haphazard detective skills soon get to the bottom (or should we say top?) of the mystery.

To find out exactly what happened to that missing parasol, and to experience the sheer joy of finding a book that feels so vibrant and different that you just can't help diving in for another read as soon as you've finished, makes this a must-have. Jennifer and Jacqui have come up with a corking good character and we truly hope that Murilla is gearing up for case number three!

Charlotte's best bit: Soggy muffins are no problem when your tummy is rumbling!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Coming up with a multitude of crazy voices for Murilla, the mandrill, the parrot and all the other characters. My kind of book!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Simply Read Books)

We couldn't have a christmas advent calendar without a christmas 'make' book - and you can always count on Usborne Publishing to have some absolute crackers in their christmas catalogue. Fiona Watt is the doyen of crafty makes and this bumper Christmas "100 Christmas Things to Make and Do" is chock full of utterly brilliant ideas from making an advent calendar, to making brilliant table decorations and all manner of fun christmassy things for little (and large) hands.

The hallmark of Usborne 'make' books is that they're always full of amazing ideas, with clear instructions and illustrations throughout - and above all, the feeling that you really can make everything in the book with fairly modest crafting skills, and without needing to dive out to your local crafting superstore for all the bits you need for the majority of these.

A brilliant addition to anyone's christmas stocking though obviously you'll probably want to dive out and grab one now, and get started with your festive christmas crafting before the first snows fall.


Charlotte's best bit: Making fingerprint robins. So cute!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Painted angels. Such a simple make idea but so effective!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Usborne Publishing)

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Your updates will also be automatically managed each day. With servers the main problem is that you have to spend a considerable amount of time each day for updating it. However, with VPS the server would be updated automatically and you will have to not put in any efforts at all. With automatic updates you would be able to save a lot of time.

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Windows VPS is very popular today also because of several other reasons. You will be able to find out your exact hosting needs for your business. The system will be able to track the usage of your business currently. Based on this, it will also recommend the right hosting package for you so that you will be able to save a considerable amount of money. You will also be able to get a lot of technical assistance from your hosting company. During any time of the day or night, you will be able to call the help line number or use online chat if you are facing any kind of problem with your server.

You would be able to rest assured that your server would be secure since this hosting service will alert you automatically if it nearing a breakdown. A breakdown can actually be unpredictable but the hosting company would be closely monitoring the availability of your server and so they would be able to inform you if there is any potential problem. Business owners can enjoy a wide range of benefits by using this type of hosting service. There is no doubt why windows VPS has gained so much popularity in the recent times.

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All good hosting service providers today offer technical assistance to their clients 24 hours. In case you face any technical difficulties you can contact the customer service at any time for getting your problem resolved. You will have access to live chat, email and help line through which you can contact the hosting provider if there are any technical issues that you cannot handle on your own.

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There are lots of art packages and kid-friendly art apps available on the iPad and we're always on the lookout for a new quirky wrinkle to drawing and painting on tablets. When John Lewis got in touch with a review opportunity on the new Crayola HD iPad Marker - we thought we'd take it for a spin.

Crayola is a brand synonymous with fantastic quality art materials that are kid-friendly, and it's interesting to see how they transpose that to the digital domain.

The HD Marker arrives in brightly coloured packaging, and some simple instructions to get things up and running. You will need a small Phillips screwdriver to fit the iMarker battery, and a QR Code reader on your iPad to allow you to claim the free software that comes with the HD iPad Marker.

Once you've downloaded the app, you're ready to go.

Charlotte gets busy drawing a gorgeous girl with red hair (probably Mummy!)

For a keen digital artist like myself, used to using a Wacom with pressure sensitive stylus, I am always completely flummoxed and frustrated by the iPad when it comes to drawing or painting. Luckily, children have no such foibles so Charlotte was (with a bit of practice) able to get on well with the marker. A point of note though, it seems to require a fair bit of pressure before it registers and draws a mark or colour, and we're still a bit puzzled what the battery actually does (aside from provide a pretty colour changing light on the side of the marker when in use).

The apps are great fun though - there are a range of apps available under the Crayola range (some free, some paid for) so there's a good mix of traditional colouring, drawing and painting fun to be had.

Charlotte enjoys the "Princess Colour Me In" app from Crayola, and seems to be able to use the Marker - though with a bit of parental guidance to ensure she doesn't end up scratching the iPad screen (I have not tested the marker with a screen protector but if you're looking to keep your expensive investment in pristine condition you might want to invest in one before letting your children loose with this).

Dressing as Princess Aurora is optional when using this, by the way

The Crayola HD iPad Marker is one of a range of tablet products available from John Lewis this christmas and retails at £24.95.

Check out the range using this link.


Charlotte's best bit: A good chunky and friendly product with some excellent supporting apps. It took a bit of a while for her to get used to using the Crayola HD iPad Marker but once she got going with it, she loved it!

Daddy's Favourite bit: A fun and engaging alternative to using your fingers or a traditional stylus, perfect for younger tablet-savvy kids

(Kindly sent to us for review by Michael at Forward3D on behalf of John Lewis Ltd)

With a truly wondrous folk-tale feel, and sumptuous illustrations, "The King and the Seed" instantly caught our attention on our recent library visit. We're huge fans of folk tales and fables, stories that offer depth and perhaps a life-lesson or two and you definitely get both in this book.

One day, while looking in the mirror, King Karnak becomes aware that the march of time is taking its toll and soon he'll be too old to reign over his kingdom. With no heir apparent, the king comes up with a plan to find someone worthy to take his crown and throne after he passes away.

Calling on all the knights and noblemen in the land, the king gathers them together for a contest. Knights being knights, they naturally assume that it will be a contest of strength, of fighting ability, or marksmanship with a bow but the king has something else in mind.

A young farmer's son is caught up in the events of the day, and ends up in the queue for the quest the king has in mind. A simple task, to grow a seed into a wonderful plant - with the most impressive horticulturist being granted the throne at the end.

The boy gingerly takes his seed and heads home. Being a farmer's son he thinks he's in with as good a chance as anyone to grow an impressive plant, but try as he might, lavishing as much love and attention as he can on the seed, not a green shoot or a leaf springs forth.

Dejected and forlorn, the boy turns up at the end of the six months with his pot of soil and seed.

All around him, the knights and noblemen have wonderful blooms and plants of all shapes and sizes, which makes the boy sadder than ever. Alas, the boy still ends up in the queue to present his pot to the king. But what happens next?

A wonderful tale that's full of excitement and a knowing nod to classics like the Aesops fables or Grimms Fairy Tales.

Charlotte's best bit: The knights and their showing off.

Daddy's Favourite bit: A great non-preachy life lesson spun into a gorgeous story with truly lovely 'classic' feeling artwork.

As darkly delicious as a cup of mulled wine enjoyed in front of a crackling fire, "Winter's Child" has to be one of the most beautiful festive books we've seen this year. It's also one of the most enjoyable stories - feeling like it's drawn from traditional folk tales you can imagine told to children as they snuggle up in bed waiting for Santa.

A young boy loves the winter. He can ski, and skate and spend all day playing. But as food becomes more scarce and even the boy's beloved skis have to be sacrificed for firewood, it feels like winter has gone on for far too long.

Meeting a mysterious silver-haired child as he plays, the boy thinks he's found a new playmate - but doesn't realise that it is Winter's Child, and until he goes to sleep, Spring cannot come.

As the tale of their friendship unfolds, things get worse for the boy's mum and grandma as the very last scraps of food are eaten and there's nothing left to burn on the fire. The boy heads out in his damp winter clothes determined to explain the situation to The Winter's Child...

The luxurious and detailed illustrations are so beautiful, that this book is destined to become an instant treasure for many children who will soak up the gorgeous visuals and wonderful story. I love books that give Charlotte a genuine 'wow' when we unwrap them together, and "The Winter's Child" definitely did that - and it's been in constant demand ever since.


Charlotte's best bit: A genuinely beautiful moment at the end of the book when the tale draws to an end (but we're not going to spoil it for you)

Daddy's Favourite bit: So lusciously illustrated, so expertly told, so run out and buy a copy immediately!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Templar Publishing)

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Don't worry, we haven't gone completely christmassy - there's still room to squeeze in some reviews here and there, and here's a brilliant dino book that will have your little ones giggling (and might actually get them to wash their hands a bit more!)

"Yikes, Stinkysaurus!" tells the tale of a happy go lucky dinosaur who, and let's be honest here, is more than a bit whiffy. As much as his friends put up with his unpleasant ming, it's all getting a bit too much. He's dirty, his breath is the foulest thing on earth, and he really could use a good manicure.

So the dino friends hatch a plan. No dinosaur should be able to fell a T-Rex at 20 paces so they decide to make the bubbliest bubble bath ever, and trick StinkySaurus into falling right into it!

New author Pamela Butchart has teamed up with Sam Lloyd, who has a knack for producing the most vibrant and funny illustrations for children's books (who on earth can resist the lure of the hilarious "Calm Down, Boris!" - Kissy Kissy!)

This is knockabout fun, with a neat little message tucked into its scented folds. Love it!

Charlotte's best bit: Stinkysaurus ending up in a pink bubbly bath. Phew!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Funny, bouncy, a bit whiffy in places but brilliant stuff!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Bloomsbury Publishing)

I'm old school, I still believe there's no better present to unwrap than an annual and when I was a wee whippersnapper, I always wanted the Dandy or The Beano.

It's absolutely brilliant to see The Beano still going strong after 75 years and in The Beano Annual 2014, it's even more awesome to see comic strips I knew and loved as a kid being brought back so that a whole new audience can enjoy them. Minnie the Minx, Roger the Dodger, Lord Snooty and the superbly strong Pansy Potter once again rub shoulders with our old favourites Dennis the Menace, The Bash Street Kids and the ever-hungry 3 Bears in strips that will have you chortling and sniggering way past boxing day.

It was so great to see Charlotte sneaking off to read this annual on her own. I'd introduced her to classic fun comics like The Beano and The Dandy but this was the first time she'd had something of her own to dive into - in a format that is a great way to introduce kids to comics (so many modern comics could benefit from doing annuals. Phoenix, are you listening?)

Every strip is a hoot, every new artist and of course all the old classic artists can still cut it and can still make these brilliant characters stand out and shine. It has been so fabulous to dive back into the Beano, and I've a feeling we'll be back for more with the regular weekly comics too.


Charlotte's best bit: Minnie the Minx and the strip where she 'helps' Dad be on time for work (really hope this hasn't given her any ideas!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: I have always loved The Numskulls and they're still as ace as ever they were!

(Kindly sent to us for review by D.C. Thomson & Co)

On the first booky day of christmas my true love read to me: The Babar Collection by Jean De Brunhoff.

As Christmas booky-stocking-fillers go, this is a mighty tome - befitting of the mighty Babar, King of the Elephants and one of the most well known and best loved children's book characters ever.

Babar is a whopping 80 years old (80!!) but you wouldn't know it, the stories are so brilliant and timeless that being able to read through this collection has been a huge treat. Collected together in a stylish binder, you can find out all about the suited and booted elephant supreme and his origins.

In "The Story of Babar" we learn how this curious and intelligent elephant left the jungle to seek his fortune in the big city. With no money and nowhere to live, Babar was luckily taken in by a rich and rather sweet old lady who befriended Babar, educated him and introduced him to civilisation and culture. Babar is a quick study, and when the old King of the Elephants dies suddenly, Elephantkind look to Babar to become their new leader.

With each story in the collection, we find out a little more about Babar's world - and experience the highs and lows of life for this wonderful character. Babar marries, has children and founds a marvellous Elephant city - and tying neatly in with our christmas theme, even meets Santa himself!

If you're new to Babar, this is definitely worth purchasing as you get a brilliant selection of stories to read to your little ones over the space of a few bedtimes (or, like us, to read all in one huge glorious gulp! Hooray!)

Jean De Brunhoff's meisterwork is still as vital and important to children's literature as ever, so truly don't miss out on the chance to enter the world of Babar. You'll want to stay till Christmas and beyond!

Charlotte's best bit: Babar's naughty little children who are always getting into trouble

Daddy's Favourite bit: A pleasant surprise to see Charlotte's reaction to Babar, proving how timeless and appealing this wonderful elephant still is. 80 years old and no signs of slowing down at all, love you Babar!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Egmont UK)