Let's talk books/activity books - what are you getting this year?

[fuzzpig]

I'm finding it really hard to narrow it down!

Normal books:
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (will arrive with pjs on Xmas eve)
Possibly a couple of others by Seuss as DD loves them.
Some chapter books for DD(6) - possibly Roald Dahl/Enid Blyton... I work in a library so am in a way reluctant to buy many but then I adored having my own copies as a child too and maybe when I have read them to her she will also want to read them herself one day.
Picture books for DS(4) - a few Julia Donaldson ones we haven't got yet but we've had them from the library: superworm, stick man etc.
Other picture books we've enjoyed from the library. Some of which are my old favourites too :o
Possibly famous five annual for me

Activity books:
DD - art (last term's topic) colouring especially Van Gogh as he's her favourite, titanic stickers (this term's topic), maybe Egypt (as they are getting playmobil pyramid), maze book, kings and queens stickers she can do with my mum (history nut)
DS - not so much into colouring so probably just a sticker book, maybe spaceships or dinosaurs. Possibly a really simple maze/tracing type book as he's just got into actually using a pen to write and draw (just started reception)
DH - M C Escher (favourite artist) colouring book :o
Me - some other artist colouring/doodle book, not decided yet.

Now to narrow it down

Couple of recommendations my DD has enjoyed if anyone needs ideas:
famous painting stickers - she loves this and we took it on gallery trips to spot her favourites.

birds colouring book is what really sparked her interest in colouring books last Xmas (although it didn't get used straightaway - it was in a set (bookpeople but I don't think it's on there now) with butterflies and flowers. It's really beautiful inside.

Anyone..?

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www.amazon.co.uk/Angry-Birds-Ultimate-Sticker-Collection/dp/1409333116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383055103&sr=8-1&keywords=angry+birds+star+wars+book

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Oh frig. How do you do links. I should know this by now.

Put them in these but without spaces :)

Loads from The Book People. Lego Star Wars, a maze book, 2014 albums (Beano, Deadly 60, Tree Fu Tom).

They have the deal on there where you can get a free diary from the RHS which was lovely and vv handy last year.

We are still using our RHS diary, it's gorgeous isn't it! It is the first time we've managed to keep using a diary past the end of January () I'm sure in part it's because it's a nice sturdy one rather than a cheap crappy one I pick up on 31st dec.

I'm not doing annuals for the DCs, I don't think they'd use them TBH but I'm so tempted by the famous five one for myself. Obsessed I am.

A lot of what I'm looking at is on a bookpeople wish list, otherwise amazon. I really wish there was a local independent bookstore as I would use that if so.

I got loads of books for my pro-reading DSD last year and she's still working her way through them as well as current popular stuff from the library so I'm not going to get any this year (shame as I love choosing!). For my other DSD (who rarely reads for pleasure) I am getting a manga drawing guide as she's just got into that and it'll hopefully provide some inspiration and confidence :)

Here's what yabba posted earlier

angry birds stickers

angry birds Star Wars stickers

Peter Pan pop up

sonic search and find

Famous Five collections on Book People I think. Just sayin' .

Already on the wish list, betsey :o (thanks though)

All my EBs were ruined with damp/mould in my parents' attic :( I've been very very good not to just rebuy everything... Usually just get them if I see them in charity shops. And one second hand on amazon as it is out of print (boy next door)...

DD1 is in YR1. She has a birthday before Chhristmas so I have both to buy for.

I have bought her a few book collections from The book people as they were too good to refuse (esp with codes) I bought the Claude collection, Magical children collection, Oliver moon collection and the [[http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?productId=382283&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&searchTerm=downtown+dinosaurs Downtown Dinosaurs. I hope they are good but won't know until we read them - they did get good reviews on Amazon.

I have also bought her Sophies Adventures by DKS

We already have some Enid Blytons and have just finished the Faraway tree collection which thankfully she loved as much as me

We have read some Ronald Dahls (fantastic Mr Fox, Giraffee,Pelly and me, Esio Trot) and are currently reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory. She has the pop up Charlie book as a Christmas present so hopefully reading it now ensure she loves the pop up book when she unwraps it.

Last year I bought Where my Wellies take me but thought it was a bit old for her so will give it to her for Christmas this year. Its a beautiful book.

I bought that colouring in set you mentioned Fuzzpig, I put that up for this year as well as last year she was just scribbling a lot and I thought it was too lovely for that

I have also got her this human body book and this paper plane book for her to make with dh]] Lucky him

If your dd likes paintings Fuzzpig have you seen [[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Katie-Meets-Impressionists-James-Mayhew/dp/1860397689/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383075028&sr=8-1&keywords=katie+and+the+impressionists The Katie meets ...books]. They all get good reviews.

DD1 has requested this Sun and moon book so I have added a few 'solar' presents to go with it like the Melissa and Doug solar puzzle. She loves all the books in that range and is able to almost read them by herself which is an added bonus.

This has been ignored since it was bought a year ago but has recently found favour with dd1 and she loves looking about it and talking about it with me

From Letterbox I bought The perfect punctuation book and The great grammer book which look both fun and educational crosses fingers

I have bought for dd2 (age 3) Helpers, Alfies shop and Up Up Up by Shirley Hughes. The Old Bear collection from the book people, The princess and the wizard, what the ladybird heard and Papa bring me the moon.

I also want to get her www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?productId=226833&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&searchTerm=jam+sandwich.

I am off to google the famous five annual ... now I really want it!

That's a mess - sorry

Will clarify if need be

Ooh comeandgo good choice on the paper planes book - I got that for DH and DD last year and they loved it :)

DD doesn't have that exact Katie book but she looked at most of them in school and I gave her the sunflowers one for her birthday. They are fab! We are planning to make our own one with all her favourite pictures including a banksy and the artist who visited her school :)

this looks quite good too as DD loves doing bubble writing etc

BTW we had similar to your atlas but with the see inside your body book you also linked to - in retrospect she was too young when I gave her it but she likes it now.

Last year I bought Tolkein's Christmas letters - the letters he wrote from Father Christmas to his children each year. We read one a day during advent and DS (6 last year) loved it. Can be enjoyed on many different levels as the letters get quite deep as the children grow up.
I also love The Fourth King, a great picture book, the tale of the 4th wise man who got delayed trying to visit baby Jesus. Brings a tear to my eye every time. Suitable for age 5+
I have " where my Welles take me" that a PP mentioned, which I bought from book people last year, but again agree I thought it was too old for DS.
We love the Usborne see inside series, but DS was given How the World Works from Templar books for his 7th birthday and it is fab. Must keep away from 3yr old destroyer of pop up books!
Haven't sorted out the Christmas books for this year yet so appreciating the ideas on this thread. Credit card is flinching.....

I love this thread.

Buying books for the dc makes me very happy

Only just got back to this thread. Thanks for re-doing my links for me fuzzpig

No ideas but marking place to steal others :-)

I'm getting DS and DD 'The Jolly Postman' and 'The Jolly Postman Christmas' by the Ahlbergs, I remember loving them and I'm sure they'll feel the same

Oh I love those whispers! Both are on my wish list but I'm leaving them til next year as DS is still just a little bit too rough/over enthusiastic for all the little pieces. Fond memories though!

You're welcome yabba :)

Whispers I loved them too! I'd almost forgotten about them, thanks!

We have those postman books dd1 loves but we but have to keep them out of the way of destructive dd2!

Pop up Peter Pan is another gorgeous book. Dd2 loves the music!

I am avoiding all pop up books for the moment due to aforementioned DS! :(

I'm reading this copy from the library to DD at the moment, it's slow going due to the language (the first old/long book we've done) but beautifully illustrated. There is a similar one of wind in the willows too.