The Spectator best children's books for Christmas

Jaqueline Wilson seems to do it for girls. My younger GD (now 11) has read all of them. And I mean ALL! The boys like David Walliams's books.

David Walliams Demon Dentist is another of the four Spectator picks.

I haven't read any of his but they seem very popular.
My grandson is heavily into Mr Gum books which are fun and quite surreal.

broom that is fantastic, congratulations to your DS.

You must be so proud - I know I would be

Congrats to your DS, broomsticks. Mr Gum books were my grandson's all-time favourite.

Oh Congratulations broomsticks I typed the book's title into google and I've just read some wonderful reviews of your son's book. I have a small collection of books I'm keeping for the grandchildren to read as they grow. I want to help make reading an enjoyable pastime for life and I think I will add a copy.

Thanks!
It is a lovely book (not that I'm in any way biased at all .

Wonderful Broomsticks !
We talked about it at the Northallerton meet-up but for the life of me I could not remember the name of the book or that of your son. Like penguinpaperback I shall get a copy to keep for them to grow into.

broomsticks Not only did I google the book, but I also checked out a clip of the author talking about it - and well, what a lovely knowledgeable young man. Oh, and did I mention, handsome?

Incidentally Mumsnet gave away 50 copies. Good old Mumsnet!

I bought River Singers earlier! Congratulations, Broomsticks I would be mega-proud.
(I buy books to read to children I teach, and also for when my GS grows, so I do read a lot of children's books).

Icyalittle I've only just worked out your name!

You must be thrilled Broomsticks. Can anyone tell me the intended age this book is aimed at please?

Aka it's intended for 9 upwards. Apparently, illustrated books for this age group are in.

I've just been reading the first few pages of The River Singers on Amazon. I love his style. The dialogues are spot on and it stopped just when it was beginning to get intriguing. I may have to get it for myself, never mind the GC!

Thank Broom

Well it's 9 upwards. I think quite a lot of adults are reading it, even non-biased ones.

Someone says Riversingers is in the Saturday Times best childen's books list too. Has anyone seen it? We haven't and nor has Tom.

What's the shortening for a son? I haven't worked out all these DS and so on yet.

Was in the Times and here's another one! Go boy!
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/children_sbookreviews/10544061/Best-childrens-books-of-2013.html

Sorry, I'm getting over-excited here

I'm proud of my kids anyway but if one of them wrote a book like that I'd be so proud I'd burst!

Wow, Broom! That's wonderful!

Very excited for him but, yes, I was proud of him anyway,and his brother, like you Tegan. We should be shouldn't we.

Finally in the only paper we actually read. Yes!!
www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/11/river-singers-tom-moorhouse-review