Mostly Bookbrains 2015 - Charity Literary Quiz in Abingdon

It's the most eagerly-awaited, hotly-contested contest of the year. And not a sequin in sight...

Yes, the ‘Mostly Bookbrains’ Charity Literary Quiz takes place on Friday, Feb 6 at The Manor School, starting at 7.30pm. We're looking for teams of book lovers to pit their wits against each other, competing to be named 'Mostly Bookbrain 2015'!

The focus of the quiz is very much on the ‘fun’ side of things - and of course raising lots of money for a local charity. This year it is the Footsteps Foundation and we want to raise as much money as possible for them. We are looking for team entries of up to eight people, and tickets are £7 per person in advance. As in previous years, there will be a bar, and the bookswap table – so if you did get an unwanted book for Christmas, now’s your chance to swap it for your next favourite read.

It really is huge fun, so if you, your work colleagues, your bookgroup or your family and friends fancy taking part, please email us to reserve a table as soon as possible. All questions are on a bookish theme – but there is something for everyone and it’s an enjoyable way to raise lots of money for a very worthwhile cause.

To reserve your ticket or team table, call 01235 525880, call in at the shop or email books@mostly-books.co.uk

3 4 Friday: Quiz question number 1: What shall we do with the kids this weekend?

It's a week until our annual Mostly Bookbrains Literary Quiz for charity - the questions are now set, prizes have been collected and the infamous bookswap table is being prepared. This year we are raising money for Abingdon-based national charity 'The Pelvic Partnership' who will also be running a bar and providing food on the evening.

There are still places available for both teams and individuals - so learn more about the quiz here.

I wonder if there may be any clues in today's 3 4 Friday?

As we approach the end of the Easter holidays, if you’re looking to get out and about with children this weekend ‘The Usborne Big Spotters Sticker Book’ and ‘Spot the Bird’ are two sticker books that are ideal introductions for children to start spotting and taking a keen interest in the nature around them. And the Usborne ‘Illustrated Book of Nature’ also gives a more detailed insight into the world around, from the biodiversity of woodland, where flowers get their names, to fossil hunting.


Nature books are the perfect way to make walks more interesting and fun for children – and helps adults with all the background they need to know for any questions en route!

Of course if you’ll be trying to keep the children busy indoors you may like to know that the fabulous Jonny Duddle (famed for being the main illustrator behind the Aardman ‘Pirates’ film) has two themed activity books, ‘Pirates Activity Book’ and ‘Pirates Colouring Book’, bursting with pictures to draw and colour, dot-to-dots and word searches to name just a few of the activities children can do. These books are based on the three action-packed picture books that bestselling creator, Jonny Duddle, has written.

And just in from those craft-masters Klutz we love ‘Clay Charms’ a kit to design charms, clay to make them and all the bits and pieces you need to make charms at home, all in one fantastic book.

Klutz do these things marvellously - and if you want any other recommendations, you know where to come this Saturday...

3 4 Friday: A Quiz, a Comp and a Hunt

We hope you’re feeling competitive this Friday as we’ve got three competitions to tell you about.

Firstly, throughout the Easter holidays we will be challenging children to ‘find the egg’ (what bluff old traditionalists we are, eh?).

Any child who manages to find an egg in amongst the books will be presented with an immediate prize egg (chocolate, we hasten to add) and also be invited to take part in a prize draw with a goodie bag of Usborne books on offer.

Happy hunting!

As part of our continuing celebration of all things Hugless Douglas, you have until March 30 to draw us a picture of the thing or person you most like to hug for the chance to win a fantastic David Melling signed print.  Send us your pictures or bring them in – tell us who the picture is of and let us know your contact details.

Entry forms can be found in the shop...and the best of luck!

Finally, just a reminder that you have just a month to go to get your team together and limbered up for our Mostly Bookbrains Literary Quiz on April 19 at 7.30pm.

This year the quiz is being supported by The Pelvic Partnership, which helps women with pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) to find treatment and manage birth with PGP. PGP is common, affecting about one in five pregnant women. The charity is based locally and run by volunteers - more information about the charity and the quiz can be found here.

. . . and a reminder that Mar 24 is the last day to spend your World Book Day tokens if you have any left!