Find out what Mumsnetters thought of Bear Grylls Adventure series for children

[SorchaMumsnet]

To celebrate the release of Bear Grylls' new adventure series for kids, we gave away a whopping 250 books.

Each story in the 12-book series follows a different child on camp as they receive a magical compass, allowing them to travel to an amazing place where they meet Bear himself, and learn new skills and facts that they can take back with them to real life. The books are suitable for children aged 5-7.

We ask all winners to share their child's thoughts about either The Blizzard Challenge or The Desert Challenge on this discussion thread. Everyone who gives detailed feedback on either book by 5pm, Friday 9 June will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher:

This giveaway is sponsored by Piccadilly Press

Book giveaways T&Cs apply

My six year old received the blizzard challenge to read. First impressions were that it looked really exciting, and he was most interested that someone could be called 'Bear' as there name! We read the first chapter together. The words are just the right size for my reader to read really well and clearly. My son then sped ahead and read the rest of the chapters himself. He couldn't put it down, which for me is the first sign of a really good book.
He really enjoyed the story, and found it really exciting that Olly got whisked away for an adventure. He said he would like to tell all his friends about the story and could I get the next book for him please.
I really liked the content of the story that it was also about finding courage, facing our fears and keeping going even when we are finding it tough, a lesson that we have talked about applying since reading the book back into my son's own situations.
I really liked that it was in chapters that weren't too long and that it was perfect for my son to read on his own. More like this please with adventure, excitement and independent reading!

We received the book and DS wasn't that keen on reading it. I decided to read it together and then he really got into it. He now doesn't want me to read it with him. So I'm waiting for him to finish reading it to tell you what he thinks about it.

We received a copy of the Blizzard Challenge to read.

Though the premise is engaging, a magic compass to take you on an adventure, I think there wasn't enough to keep my 5 yo interested over the 4 nights it took to read it.

Before I started reading each night I recapped what we had read previously as my DC aren't used used to books that get read in more than 1 sitting.

I think the series is okay but I wouldn't go out of m way to buy the other books. If my DC wanted them from the library then I would be fine to read them the future installations.

The transition from books with lots of pictures and a story you can read in one sitting to an occasional black and white photo and a story with chapters is tricky, this book was a somewhat awkward attempt.

My daughter who is 8 years old does not usually enjoy reading.She was excited to receive a copy of this book in the post though and did take it on holiday with us. She has heard of Bear Grylls but hasnt watched any programmes on tv. The story seemed to keep her attention reasonably well although some if it we read together. She liked the mixture of fact and fiction in the book as well as the fact that the chapters were quite short and the book had a fast moving storyline.

Thank you for our copy of The Deset Challenge. I read it with my 6 year old daughter. She was very excited to have a book by Bear Grylls because she knows that her Dad is a fan. We got off to a very good start because she has a friend called Sophie and thought it was brilliant to have a girl like herself as a main character. She could also sympathise with Sophie's dislike of creepy crawlies. The story is very good and kept her attention. She loved learning new things too. It's not pure fiction and the survival skill facts added a great dimension to the story. The book is at a level that she can read herself with minimal supervision, but we enjoyed sharing it. My daughter read some chapters to me and I read others to her at bedtime. I like that it's part of a series and I think we will try more of the books. The only downside for me was that Sophie just magically transported back to reality and it reminded me of the ORT magic key books with its abrupt cop-out.
Overall though, a book we would both recommend.

Hi we received the Blizzard challenge. It has been devoured by my daughter, read to my son & my nephew has borrowed it too. We are fans of Bear's (suitable!) programmes in our house as it is. Think it is great that he has written books aimed at the young explorers. Thank you so much for selecting us!

Thank you for our copy of The Blizzard Challenge. I read it to my five year old DS over the course of a few days. He seemed to enjoy it, and was certainly keen for us to read on and find out what happened, although I think he became, at times, rather weary of the unrelenting accounts of multitudinous ways to die in the cold. Perhaps if he were a bit older he may have gained more from it. I like the basic premise of the series, though, so will happily read more should he wish to.

As soon as I opened the package, my daughter asked that we go upstairs to read it.
She loved it!
We received: The Desert Challange
I thought it was quirky that Bear makes an appearance and empowers Sophie.
Great book for inclusion, team work and self belief

I read The Desert Challenge with my son, age 6. He found it very exciting and could relate to it as he's seen Bear on the TV. He wasn't put off by a girl main character and thought 'she was awesome', so a hit! We will look out for the other books in the series.

I preread the Desert Challenge and I didn't think it would interest my 5 year old but he really enjoyed it. We read a few chapters at a time together - he has no idea who Bear is and he was always eager to get to the next bit of the story. We visited sand dunes at the beach over the Easter holidays and put some of our new survival skills into practise. He is keeping the book to read again in the future and I will look out for the other adventure books to share with him too

After finding the first few chapters of Blizzard a bit drawn out, it does appear to have improved. The kids are enjoying it and liked learning about hypothermia. I agree with the previous poster about becoming 'rather weary of the unrelenting accounts of multitudinous ways to die in the cold.' I'd maybe buy another to try but on the fence at the mo.

Thought I posted feedback but couldn't find it?! Here goes again. My 5 year old daughter wasn't impressed by the front cover and said she didn't really like it, mainly because of the bug on front. We have the desert challenge. I encouraged her to listen to some pages and she said I actually really like it. Quite simply written and my daughter is enjoying the pictures. It's a completely different type of book to what my daughter would normally have hence wanting to trial it. Hopefully she will now try and read some different styles of book. Thank you for sending it to us 😀.

I received a copy of the desert challenge. I'd hoped we would get because my little girl is called Sophie. She is nearly three and so still interested in books with more colour and shine. I did personally think the book felt cheaper quality.

We enjoyed the story and I think it's principles are great for children. My daughter likes the front cover and because it's a namesake she asks for the story to be repeated. I think when she is older she will understand the meaning and importance more. From an adult perspective it was a nice read just less engaging from an aesthetics point of view.

Thank you for our copy of Desert Challenge. I thought it was a lovely
little book for introducing Bear Grylls' adventures to children. It's well written and easy to read. My little ones (who since like to be called my little adventurers), loved the book and the lovely accompanying illustrations. They have given it a thumbs up and have asked for the others in the series to be added to their book reading collection. From my little adventurers and me thank you again!

Thank you for the copy of the desert challenge that we received,

Dd is 5, a real princess lover and scared of bugs, so I thought she might identify herself to a character other than a princess,

Sadly the cover didn't really appealed to her, we read it together as she found a few words tricky, she got into the story by the end of the book, but I can see that she wouldn't have chosen the book by herself if given the choice.

I will keep it and maybe get it out again when she is a little older.

Thanks again

Received my book today as we were away, so excited to start reading it

My DS (age 7) says:

"I loved the part about Bear killing a scorpion and finding a deadly venomous snake. I enjoyed the book and read it in two days. It was funny and amazing"

BEAR GRYLLS ADVENTURES: THE DESERT CHALLENGE.

Many thanks to Mumsnet / Picadilly Press for a copy of this. This is the second in the new series of terrific children’s books by the legendary Bear Grylls .

In this story, we join Sophie at what might be the best adventure camp ever. Her team are winning the challenges, and she is having great fun. But her phobia of insects and all things creepy-crawly threaten to ruin everything. After embarrassing herself at having screamed at a cranefly, she runs off, wanting time alone. And she is not happy to be discovered by a boy that she had seen before at camp. However, the boy (who we recognise from ‘The Blizzard Challenge’, the previous book in the series) gifts her a magic compass, proclaiming that it is “her adventure”, and that it will help her. Sure enough, she is whisked off to a barren desert where she must learn to conquer her fear if she is to survive. But she will not have to do it alone - Chief Scout Bear Grylls is there to guide her.

This is a fantastic read, encouraging young readers to confront and conquer their fears and problems. Like the Bear Grylls TV shows, the story is highly educational, being packed with many essential survival tips. An entertaining adventure, with the cartoon illustrations by Emma McCaan additionally serving to enhance the reading experience.

Undoubtedly a top series of books, they will work well for young readers of both gender, and will sure to leave them wanting more.

.... plus, as a seal of approval from our young one --->

"This book is TOP, TOP, TOP!! Bear Grylls is ultra-cool ... I want to be in the next adventure!!!"

I just wanted to follow up on our comments from a couple of weeks ago to say that during the Easter hols she went and bought herself the first one as she enjoyed the other so much! Thanks again MN.

Thanks very much for The Blizzard Challenge. I read this with my DS, who is 7 and is now used to chapter books. It was a good level for him to read alone, and in fact, when I gave it to him he was excited and did read the first couple of chapters to himself, but at the moment he generally prefers reading aloud with parents at bedtime so we did that.

He doesn't know Bear Grylls but was interested to hear about his background. He really engaged with the story and said he found it exciting, particularly when Olly falls through the ice, and that he learned a bit about survival techniques. So generally it was a hit for him.

I liked the overall message about the need to try hard to be a success, but I must admit I found some of the facts a bit levered into the story, it was like Bear was turning to camera to make a speech every time he opened his mouth, rather than actually engaging with the boy properly. More naturalistic dialogue would have worked better. However, this is my issue – my DS, who reads a lot of non-fiction anyway, didn't mind!

Thank you for our copy of the Blizzard Challenge, my seven year old son was very excited to read it. We read it over a few nights at bedtime. He really enjoyed it and is keen to read another. He watches Bear on the tv and think that helped his enjoyment of the book.
I liked the fact that there were some survival skills to learn in amongst the story and would happily read another with him.

DS7 and 9 both enjoyed the Blizzard Challenge. They're not particularly into outdoorsy stuff and dont know who Bear is so I guess that's a good sign that the books have wide appeal

hi,
thanks mumsnet for the copy of the blizzard challenge. read the book as bedtime story with my 8 year old daughter Martha, over a couple of nights. she likes the usual stuff - roald dahl, horrid henry books, wimpy kid, dork diaries etc and her favourite book is the adventures of mabel jones by will mabbit (the mabel jones books are brilliant!)
we read this together and I was not gripped by the start, we found it slow going and the extremely instructional description of putting the tent up was pretty boring. we persevered and were glad that we had because once the blizzard section started Martha was hooked. I had assumed that it was going to be a fairly standard kids adventure that Bear had added his name to, but it became clear that along with the adventure he was really trying to ram home some useful tips on trekking and being outdoors. Martha really enjoyed this aspect and we kept stopping to chat about why the characters might be doing certain things before it was revealed.
its not a great work of fiction, the descriptions of surroundings and feelings are basic - its pretty dry but having seen Bear on tv I think it sounds very much like his voice - straight to the point. its very accessible and Martha found the story exciting with the real tips really interesting. she has read it again on her own and I would definitely encourage her to read more in the series.

Wanted this for my 9 yr old who loves watching Bear Grylls survival skills, I didn't know this but apparently it's something they watch at school (have no idea why...).
Anyway book arrived while we were away so we are a bit late to the post.
On receiving the book and reading some of the posts I decided to read it to my 6 yr old, she loves the story, we are up to the desert bit.
She wishes there were more pictures and I have to agree, maybe there needs to be a comic version. It was easy for me to imagine a desert but not so easy for my daughter to imagine the heat and thirst.
Loving it so far.