World Book Day

It's our first World Book Day tomorrow - we're not quite sure what to expect. As is usual with us, our first efforts were not too successful. We ordered all of the point of sale material, registered, etc. - then forgot to order the actual books. So back in January I hurled myself on the mercy of Gardners, and now we have 9 out of the 10 books. With all the posters and display racks, the shop is looking like a veritable World Book Day grotto (fighting with Mary Cavanagh's books ahead of our event this evening). So far four people have used their vouchers. All of these have been teachers. Mmm. I guess the vouchers will be handed out in schools tomorrow. Let's hope so! It's been very interesting to learn about World Book Day. Did you know that World Book Day is only March 1st in the UK and Ireland. Actual World Book Day (for the rest of the world) is on 23rd April, and relates to a Catalonian tradition of giving books (and roses) to celebrate St George. I wonder why it's March 1st in the UK? I guess because the school's would be on holiday for Easter break around St George's Day... Anyway (and in the style of DGR!), here's a quick Mostly Books run-down (pop pickers) of the nine books that have been specially prepared, and are currently in the shop: "Let The Snogfest begin" is by Louise Rennison. Girls looking to "avoid boy fiascos" and who are keen followers of the life and loves of Georgia Nicholson should love this one (there is a particularly amusing incident with the book Heidi after her charge Gordy "goes off lederhosen and cheese"). Good stuff. "The Seriously Squishy Science Book" by Nick Arnold should be a great favourite for anyone into the other Horrible Science (or Horrible History and Horrible Geography for that matter). There is a brilliant imagined radio commentary of pioneering surgeon Robert Liston, as he attempts to beat his 150 second record of amputating a leg. Truly awful, splendid... Much more gentile (and for younger kids) is the "Sharing A Shell Song", by the incomparable Julia Donaldson (illustrated by Lydia Monks - a partnership which produced The Princess and the Wizard, and one of our favourites - Aaaarrgghh, Spider!). Crab, Blob and Brush discover the joys of sharing, and despite high melodrama when they all fall out, the story (and the sons) ends happily. The Selfish Crocodile is a counting book by Faustin Charles, illustrated by Michael Terry. A sturdy board book for youngsters, with animals straight out of the Serengeti. Free jungle height chart available if you're quick (500 apparently - details on the back of the book). Leaving the toddlers, we move to "Vampirates: Dead Deep" by Justin Somper. Anyone who knows the other Vampirates stories will know about the combination of, well. vampires and pirates. Featuring a 14 year old protagonist, and with plaudits from Darren Shan and Anthony Horowitz on the cover, this should be fighting (avast!) for the boy's tokens with... ..."I Know What you Did Last Wednesday" by Anthony Horowitz. An instalment of the Diamond Detective Agency, and featuring Horowitz's usual blend of gruesome / witty / teenage boys action stuff, this whodunnit's has a striking cover leaving little to the imagination. "My Sister Has A Spoon Up her Nose" by Jeremy "100 mile an hour dog" Strong looks a lot of fun for slightly younger readers. The cover has been given a bit of a Captain Underpants make-over ("Teaspoons! Penguins! Dee-Doo" it proclaims) and this book gets our vote for book most fun to read aloud. In the same way that Mr Somper sat down and thought "I Know - vampires and pirates!", Astrosaurs (by Steve Cole) is dinosaurs in space. Featuring Teggs, captain of the DSS Sauropod. You can bet the baddy is a T-Rex...again, great reads for kids 6-8 (IMHO). But (in the absence of Princess Megan which sadly hasn't arrived yet) the winner of the Mostly Books favourite WBD book, is "The Code of Romulus" by Caroline Lawrence. We love the history mysteries here at MB, and this mystery set in Ancient Rome, featuring ordinary (Roman) kids trying to solve a puzzle, looks another great addition to the series. Tapping into popular Da Vinci code-esque themes, it features latin posers, palindromes, historical artefacts with Flavia Gemina again out to prove her worth as a detective. Highly recommended!