Instagram story viewer> @mini.midnight.reads> Posts

Hannah | Kids Book Reviewer

@mini.midnight.reads

14.1K

followers

594

following

On a mission to get kids reading, one read at a time!
Free resources to help you enjoy the journey!
🤸‍♀️Home Education, Mum to 4 girls!

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Who'd have thought talking about kids history books would have resulted in so many of you fabulous people joining us here!

So I though it was about time I did that thing that I never did before (I don't think - someone tell me if I'm wrong here 🤣). It's an intro post, a little bit about me!

This is also a great place to get your requests for books in, I'm working on some new collation posts and I'm always here to actually give you the books you want to see!

And yes my feet really are that small - but luckily I am also really short! by @mini.midnight.reads

154

27

2 months ago

There is a story behind tonight's post.

I was reading with my children, The Hobbit, a book that I have 100 opinions on.

I'm going to try and describe the scene without too much of a spoiler. We got to a point where a character that holds a lot of power decided to cause division with leading questions.

It prompted a lot of discussion on how those in positions of power can act to disempower us. Leading into much bigger conversations on how we can stand together.

It got me thinking about the amount of value held in childrens books. Adults too, but we talk kids books here.

And how can I help you unlock some of those conversations in your homes and settings.

So I sat myself down, with a coffee (black, one sugar please) and wrote out some questions that can help support conversations with children. Great for using with readalouds, bedtime stories or for car chats with audiobook. by @mini.midnight.reads

248

17

7 months ago

And I love that you guys called me out on it. Because in hindsight, it wasn't the most helpful to sell you the idea of reading kids books, without actually talking about ones that have particular appeal to adults.

So after getting in a few more km on our sponsored walk this morning (35km down, ~150 to go for those following along!), I've scoured the shelves and I'm coming back with the kids book recommendations.

We can absolutely do this again though, so if theres a genre or topic you want books on, do let me know in the comments!

📚Typed out booklist to follow, need to get on the dinner and bedtime train for the kids!

AD-PR Product, post contains book previously sent for review as well as books purchased by myself. by @mini.midnight.reads

696

36

4 months ago

You might not want to look at this post if you don't want to spend all your money on books.

There I gave you some warning this time!

So anyway, I know you're all still here, looking at all these brilliant new children's nonfiction books releasing this month. The publishing world seems to be on a bit of a History kick it seems with lots of books on the history of life on earth, human history and of course the perennial favourite dinosaur kids books!

Other titles that absolutely need your attention are Under the Olive Moon that is a collection of Palestinian Fables as told by a Mum in Gaza.

We also have some Niche NonFiction on erosion horse evolution and Theia (this is a space book!).

As always a few of these will be appearing in the coming weeks on here, so keep an eye out!

AD-PR Product, I have review copies of a few of these ready to share with you properly! by @mini.midnight.reads

123

22

21 hours ago

Whoever said children's history books were dull and boring clearly haven't been reading this duo!

We want interactive elements, we want exciting topics and we certainly don't want long lists of European monarchy - not always all in one book. But this time we're winning!
(AD-PR Product)

📚The Archaeologist's Discoveries
✒️Raksha Dave
🎨Natalia Cardozo
For the kids that insist on making archaeological excavations in the garden is a book on many intriguing artefacts from history. What's particularly interesting in this is that it highlights the different ways of preservation and the impact on their survival.

Each spread shares a focus on a particular artefact, each embossed for a tactile feel and expanded on with facts aplenty. In here you'll travel the world to Kings of Kish, the Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, a Roman City in Croatia and much more!

📚The Time-Tourist's Guide to Ancient Egypt
✒️Emma Roberts
🎨Ilya Milstein
For the person that has read more than their fair share of books on Ancient Egypt, let me offer you up something a little different. The Time Portal Travel Co. have got us sorted with an immersive trip to the past.

Each page offers a different destination to learn about elements of Ancient Egyptian history. We start with a trip on the Great River, which is what the locals called the river at this time, offering a look at daily life from their perspective. We then build to Royal Palaces, people's homes and even a market! Each with something to uncover, a scarab souvenir, a popup pyramid and even a game to learn and play! by @mini.midnight.reads

72

6

4 days ago

Two words that are the bane of many of our lives, am I right?

I do think there's value in boredom and children developing initiative and autonomy to make decisions and find things to do. As always with many things parenting, there is balance, and I'm here to recommend books not give out parenting advice!

So on that note ...

📚How to do (Almost) Everything
✒️Becky Baines
🎨Laurie Avon
(AD-PR Product)

How to calculate pi? How to make a bird feeder? How to build the ultimate den? All of these are explored and many many more in the boredom busting compendium.

Inspire you'll find 100 things to do and learn that range from exploring the natural world, support our mental health and get building things.

Inside you'll find the processes outlined, fabulous illustrations and a real mix of ideas to inspire - with something for everyone, all supported with tips from a panel of experts!

Dare I mention the C word this early... But it would make a great gift for any occasion! by @mini.midnight.reads

127

13

6 days ago

But why is everything a series?!

Don't get me wrong, a series can be good. But remembering the past plot of approximately 1000 fantasy series is beyond me.

Ok that's a slight exaggeration. But can we please have more standalones that pack in a powerful story in one fabulous story. by @mini.midnight.reads

43

19

8 days ago

Children are not content.

Recently (and not so recently), I've read a couple of books that hold the idea of the impact of children in the media front and centre.

Theyre both very different, but both valuable reads and thought provoking pieces that I think many children will appreciate and I think many adults would benefit immensely from reading.

📚 Dangerous Influence (AD-PR)
✒️Sally Nicholls
🎨Cover, Jessica Cruickshank
A short and impactful read, this is a @barringtonstoke book, whose format is designed with dyslexic and reluctant readers in mind - this one is YA. Anna's Mum has been a "Mummy Blogger" ever since she was a toddler, but what cost to their genuine experience of childhood and safety? The book follows Anna and her sister as they question their Mum and ultimately demand that they are no longer used as content for her work.

Bringing light to a variety of linking topics such as the safety of children online, child exploitation, stalking and talking informed consent, it is a thought provoking read - please do check the TW's though.

📚Role Model
✒️Elle McNicoll
🎨Cover illustration, Kay Wilson
If Elle McNicoll writes it, I will read it. That being said this is my top spot book from her because it's just so overwhelming brilliant and relevant. (Not that the others aren't!).

This story focuses around Aeriel, an autistic girl ... whose mum just so happens to be Prime Minister. The book follows as without her consent she is thrust into a position of being "inspiring". It's so brilliantly depicted, both the experience of being neurodivergent, as well as a critical look analysis of the media when it comes to children and privacy.

I actually read this when it came out and filmed a whole vide raving about the book and ranting about our world as it is so brilliantly represented in the book. And then never uploaded it. I do vaguely remember posting some really long stories trying to convince you all to read this though!

It still stands, please please put this, and Dangerous Influence on your TBR! by @mini.midnight.reads

22

6

8 days ago

Is there a book series that you've heard everyone go on about and always said, one day I will read that!

For me that was Grimwood, who I think I saw @bookbairn share all the way back to book ones release! Well since then the series has grow quite profusely so a total of six books!

So I decided to take on a challenge of reading them all in a week to celebrate the release of the newest addition. It was slightly ambitious and I slightly failed.

But let's talk about the books themselves, but first a quick rundown of the titles in order.

Grimwood
Grimwood Let the Fur Fly!
Grimwood Attack of the Stink Monster!
Grimwood Party Animals
Grimwood Rock the Vote!
Grimwood The Fast and the Furriest
✒️🎨 Nadia Shireen
(AD-PR Product)

They're illustrated chapters books about animals that bring the fun. Two fox siblings, Nancy and Ted, leave the big city, setting up home in the Grimwood community.

Over the series of books we see them get involved in the community through their ups and downs, from disputes with neighbouring communities, local elections and that latest, a treebonk competition.

Now for those new to the books, you'll probably be wondering what on earth I'm on about! So treebonk is game played in the trees, mostly, but not exclusively, by squirrels. It's lively and occasionally a little toooo lively....

Please note: these books do include some ableist language. In our home we approach this with conversation, but I appreciate all families approach this differently. by @mini.midnight.reads

76

21

10 days ago

More than a book, this is an experience, an education and a fantastic celebration through story.

📚 Midnight Creep
✒️Jemima Shafei-Ongu
🎨Honoka Taki
🎶Music by A is for Artist, Sung by Karim Nagi
[AD-PR Product]

On the surface a picture book about spiders might not seem like everyone's cup of tea, but I implore you to give this one a go!

It has the perfect balance of intrigue caused by some mischievous escapades of some spiders, mixed with a fantastic celebration of Arabic music and dance.

These elements are brought in through the text, but also depicted in the illustrations, which offer lots of details for children to explore whilst being read too.

The accompanying music (accessible on the publishers website, as well as YouTube) is a fantastic immersive inclusion - and one that has been requested on repeat in our home.

At the back you'll find a bit more info on the spiders in the book, as well as an introduction to Arabic music and the dabke folk dance - and I was thrilled to see the publishers rightly including Palestine here among the countries that dabke is home to. by @mini.midnight.reads

45

6

11 days ago

Because silence is not being neutral. When we know and we say nothing, do nothing, the only person that benefits is the oppressor.

I know at this point it's a repetitive cycle of the media feeding us yet another celebrity that has chosen neutrality. How people still admire them is beyond me.

But it made me think we needed another book collection that inspires us to speak out - and to learn, because when we know better, we can be better.

So here we have a selection of children's books for raising children who will grow to identify and speak out against injustice.

• Tackling Racism Together by A.M Dassu & Mia Saine (AD-PR)
• A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh & Alias Betawi
• Valentine's Guest House by Sam Harland
• My Mummy Marches by Samantha Hawkins & Corey Reid
• If I Were the World by Mark Sperring & Narelle Quek
• A Hero Like Me by Angela Joy, Jen Reid & Leire Salaberria

As always a list of books I've personally read, appreciate and recommend. by @mini.midnight.reads

4k

43

12 days ago

This is our two fingers up to anyone that says that modern children's books just aren't beautiful anymore.

Have they even seen these beautiful nature nonfiction books for children?!

Today I've pulled together some of the children's books that I'd like to decorate my walls with, all ones I've personally read, loved and think will stand the test of time.

I've tried to cover lots of different bases here, we have children's rock books, ocean books, books on animals and woodlands. And a book on jellyfish because they need to be appreciated more!

AD-PR Product, post contains a mix of books previously sent for review and ones purchased myself by @mini.midnight.reads

225

16

13 days ago