Become a Chess Champion

‘Become a Chess Champion’ is an excellent guide for beginners to the challenges and enjoyment of the game of chess.

Comical chess pieces full of personality introduce the reader to how they can move, their value in a game and their strengths and weaknesses. All the information is clearly presented with humour, making it engaging and easy to follow. The author then moves on the explain some of the technical terminology connected to the game, supported by diagrams which offer further explanation. Everything is fully explained and at a pace which allows readers to fully absorb each point before moving on.

The ’how to’ advice is interspersed with information about the history of the game and famous chess players. Readers can learn about the invention of the folding chess board, the development of computer chess and chess games in space. There are also ‘Solve the Puzzle’ pages which offer chess challenges to consider, offering support and developing understanding of the game.

For schools with chess clubs, children learning at home and families wanting to play together, ‘Become a Chess Champion’ offers an excellent introduction to the game, with the expert advice of James Canty III and appealing illustrations from Brian Lambert.

Become a Chess Champion

James Canty III, illustrated by Brian Lambert

Neon Squid     ISBN: 978-1838993627

NNFN2024: The Kids’ Easy Air Fryer Cookbook

Some people love cooking, others do it because they have to, some avoid it like the plague. Unless it’s making cakes, I am very much of the last category. However, ‘The Kid’s Easy Air Fryer Cookbook’ might just have me converted!

The 50 recipes offered here are organised into breakfasts, lunches, dinners, sides and desserts, with an index included at the end to allow for the quick location of a favourite food. An introduction explains how air fryers work and how to use them safely as well as offering some tips for success! Symbols throughout the book indicate whether recipes are gluten free, vegetarian or vegan whilst colour photos make them all look delicious!

I was surprised by the variety of dishes which can be made using an air fryer. Offering plenty of choice, each recipe has clear instructions, clearly showing where children should ask for help, with additional tips and suggestions for varying the dish. The lemon drizzle cupcakes were a huge success - easy to make, delicious to eat! Perfect for aspiring chefs and cooking-refusers alike, this book is wonderful for everyone!

The Kids’ Easy Air Fryer Cookbook

Sally Morgan

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702339349

NNFN2024: This is Skateboarding

‘This is Skateboarding’ celebrates the history of the skateboarding scene, charting its rise from the streets of LA to an Olympic sport. It offers an excellent introduction for those who wish to learn more- or be inspired to take up this hobby.

The book stresses the importance of self-expression, encouraging readers to choose their own style in clothing and skating location as well as creating an individual board. Skating safety- of the individual, other skaters, non-skaters and the environment- is stressed throughout with plenty of advice and tips. A strong sense of community and inclusion is emphasised with information about movements such as the Long Live Southbank group who campaigned to keep the skatepark beneath the Southbank Centre and individuals like blind pro skater, Dan Mancina.

Throughout the book, the development of skateboarding, its clothing styles, board developments and skating spaces are celebrated, from its origins to its recent inclusion as an Olympic event. Famous and influential skaters are acknowledged, with inspirational quotes from some included. Every spread is illustrated in a colourful, vibrant, energetic style, well suited to the topic.

With a detailed glossary to support understanding of technical terms, ‘This is Skateboarding’ would be an excellent addition to any personal or public library, sure to tempt many readers and develop their interest in the world of skating!

This is Skateboarding

Hannah Wilson, illustrated by Peter Phobia

Red Shed ISBN: 978-0008614102

NNFN2024 Review Tour: Winter Windows

It’s my first slot today on the NNFN 2024 Bloggers’ Review Tour and I am sharing something which is perfect for inspiring creativity and allowing families and friends to share the joy of Christmas crafting!

‘Winter Windows’ contains both a booklet and wallet containing stickers, patterned paper, pop-outs and twenty transparent picture pages. In order to make the projects in the book, all that is needed is some colouring pencils (paints, crayons or felt tips), scissors, sticky tape or glue and a little imagination!

The booklet is full of ideas for how to use the resources in the wallet. By colouring in the transparencies, various scenes can be created and used to make baubles, cards, gift tags, bunting and lanterns amongst other things. Advice is given to use LED lights as projects should not be put near candles or lightbulbs, as the transparencies come to life when they are lit up, offering a festive glow.

One of the lovely things about this book is that the ideas here are sure to lead to others, encouraging children to be creative. Tracing paper is both readily available and relatively cheap, allowing for new pictures to be made easily. The ‘Elf door’ activity allows children to create a scene behind an opening door which, with a little imagination, could easily be adapted to include a family gathering. Similarly, the winter scene could be altered to include their own home.

The activities included here are sure to engage and entertain children as well as giving them the opportunity to create gifts and decorations for family and friends.

Creative Paper: Winter Windows

Toni Stemp, designed by Isabelle Grace

iSeek books ISBN: 978-1915995261

Make sure you look at the other reviews for NNFN2024 from these brilliant bloggers!

NNFN2024: From Plant to Plate

Offering a mixture of recipes and information, ‘From Plant to Plate’ is perfect for inspiring a new hobby this NNFN2024! Bright colourful pages offer an appealing mixture of photographs and illustrations, adding visual appeal to interesting content.

Through its three sections, a cast of cheeky cartoon characters, the ‘Bug Squad’, act as guides, helping readers to engage with the text and adding plenty of additional advice and facts along the way. ‘Power Up’, the first section, is packed with information clearly explained information about digestion with labelled diagrams to support understanding. Guidance about nutritional values of different foods and eating to support the body’s needs is then given, supporting readers in making considered choices.

The next section, ‘Plant’, features information about planting, covering everything from composting to biodiversity and including specific guidance on growing certain plants like cherry tomatoes and butternut squash, linking these ingredients to recipes which are included in the final portion of the book. Lots of tips are offered throughout and each planting recommendation is accompanied by clear, step-by-step, illustrated instructions, making it easy for anyone to get started.

‘Plate’ is the final section which provides a selection of tasty and tempting treats, including the ingredients grown and harvested using advice previously given. The authors make suggestions for ingredient swaps which readers might like to try, giving their reasons, all of which encourages young cooks to consider the ingredients which they are using and make informed choices. Each recipe is given a difficulty rating and many offer ideas for using alternative ingredients.

Perfect for inspiring an interest in growing and cooking, environmental and personal health, ‘From Plant to Plate’ is an excellent book whether for inclusion in a library or for families to share and enjoy together.

From Plant to Plate

Darryl Gadzekpo and Ella Phillips

DK ISBN: 978-0241633335

NNFN2024: An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing

Written by BBC presenter and fishing expert Will Millard, ‘An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing’ offers everything a young angler needs to know. First hand experience, tips and anecdotes make it a very accessible and appealing read to guide those new to the activity and support those looking to develop their skill, making it a perfect read for NNFN2024!

So much information is included from which tackle to choose to the different rods available, from which knots to use to the types of bait on offer. There is also a fish-identification guide and, importantly, advice on how to look after any fish which are caught and how to return them safely to the water. There is a real emphasis throughout the book on the responsibilities of those who fish and the fact that it is a privilege, not a right, to pursue this pastime.

The book is very attractively presented, with plenty of illustrations, and step-by-step instruction to support any reader contemplating becoming an angler. Labelled diagrams are used for clarification and there is a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book. Written in a very direct, accessible style, ‘An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing’ makes an excellent and enjoyable companion to this hobby.

An Angler’s Almanac: My First Day Fishing

Will Millard, illustrated by Joanna Lisowiec

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569288

NNFN2024: Foraging

‘Foraging: A Complete Guide for Kids and Families’ makes a perfect book for NNFN2024 as it is sure to encourage children- and their families- to engage in a new hobby! Packed with advice and activities, it is a cornucopia of inspiration for engaging with nature and the bounties it offers.

Although it makes the point that nature doesn’t fall neatly into categories, the book is presented in sections to help readers locate information about fruits and berries, plants and bushes, flowers and trees. Photos of each focused plant accompany the text which explores its appearance, where it can be found, its scientific and common names, the parts you can eat, when best to pick it before looking at what you can do with it. Terms are clearly explained and there are little challenges scattered throughout.

At every stage, the book encourages curiosity and exploration, offering details to notice and look for, as well as plenty of advice on how to forage safely and sustainably, looking after the environment as much as the individual. A section on poisonous plants at the end of the book flags some of the dangerous plants which budding foragers might come into contact with.

Not only does the book offer recipes to try, including drinks, foods, salves and balms, it also includes a wealth of folklore, historical details and fascinating facts. It really is a book to engage, entertain and educate the whole family whilst encouraging them to spend time together and develop an appreciation for, and love of, the natural world. When I was little, we used to love ‘blackberrying’ with Grandma- and this book takes that to another level!

Foraging: A Complete Guide for Kids and Families

Stella and Dane De Luca Mulandiee, illustrated by Elly Jahnz

Puffin ISBN: ‎ 978-0241654569