Tag Archives: Children’s Books

Little Pup books, supporting Angel’s Garden.

19/10/2020EventsAngel's Garden, Carol Thomas, Carol Thomas Author, Children's Books, Christmas Books, Christmas Gift ideas, dog shelter, Fundraisercarol

Thank you for your interest and support.

Angel’s Garden is a dog shelter based in Xanthi, Greece, where the wonderful volunteers work tirelessly to ensure stray dogs, cats and other animals are treated for their medical needs, kept safe, fed and watered, until they can find their forever homes.

From now until Christmas I will be donating 20% of all sales of Finding a Friend and Being a Friend at Christmas, made from this page, to Angels’ Garden; see below for purchase details.

UK only: Please select from the options below and state at check out if you would like the book/s signed (p&p is £2.50).

For non UK purchases, or for other inquiries: Please get in touch for a quote via this contact form.

Multiple book purchase, any two books for £10.00 (+p&p):

The Little Pup stories are written with pre and early readers in mind. The language is rhythmic and rhyming, enabling young children to anticipate words and phrases, while the illustrations are engaging and colourful. Each book contains a stand-alone story, though they are also lovely to read together. Ideal for sharing, again and again, the Little Pup series has been well received in both nurseries and schools. Suitable for under 7s.

Finding a Friend, single purchase £6.00 (+p&p):

When Little Pup finds himself at the shelter,
he doesn’t know quite what to do.
Big dogs all around, feeling lost and alone,
Little Pup needs a friend… but who?

ISBN 978-1916493704

Being a Friend at Christmas, single purchase £6.00 (+p&p):

Little Pup’s looking forward to Christmas,
and he knows just how lucky he’s been,
because some dogs are still in shelters,
a warm home and best friend still a dream.

Hoping a small gift of kindness,
will help them feel loved not alone.
Little Pup has a wish that might come true,
when Father Christmas visits his home!

ISBN: 978-1916493728

Discover more about the work of Angel’s Garden here. Your support is hugely appreciated. xxx

All dogs deserve a happy Christmas!

14/09/2020Writing & ReadingAngel's Garden, Being a Friend at Christmas, Children's Books, Christmas Books, Dog lovers, dog shelter, Finding a Friend, Greece, rescue dogs, Xanthicarol

Celebrating the release of Being a Friend at Christmas, my niece Kristy Carpenter – who the book is dedicated to – asked if I would be willing to offer a Christmas promotion that would also support a charity close to her heart. When you read about the charity, you’ll see why I couldn’t resist …

Meet Siggy, Rolo and Patrick, Kristy’s three rescue dogs. While all three are Greek rescues, Patrick (also pictured above as a puppy) came into Kristy’s life as a result of the wonderful work of Angel’s Garden.

Angel’s Garden is a dog shelter based in Xanthi, Greece, where the wonderful volunteers work tirelessly to ensure stray dogs, cats and other animals are kept safe, fed, watered and medicated, until they can find their forever homes.

The “friends of Angel’s Garden” from Greece, Holland, Germany, Austria and the UK, plan and co-ordinate several trips a year to ensure lucky pups, like Patrick, who have found love through the power of the shelter’s social media pages, reach their new forever homes. (All homes are carefully vetted, and continued support is offered as the dogs settle into their new homes and embark on their new lives).

Kristy says, “Run by volunteers, Angel’s Garden needs as much support as they can get because feeding, housing and treating the animals in their care is not a cheap. Every donation received helps them to continue the wonderful work they do, and continues to ensure that dogs like Patrick find their forever home.

“The good work they do is appreciated more than anyone could imagine. Without their help (and that of other organisations) dogs like Siggy, Rolo and Patrick would face a hungry and helpless life on the streets of Greece.”

Kristy’s adorable dogs are now very happily enjoying life here in the UK, and she has subsequently joined the “friends of Angel’s Garden”, recently completing a mission to deliver dogs to homes in the local area.

With books based on the life of a rescue puppy, of course I wanted to help. And so, I am more than happy to offer either of my Little Pup books for £6 and any two books for £10 with 20% of all sales made from this page going directly to Angel’s Garden.

About the books:

For under 7s, my little pup series of books are written with young readers in mind. The words are rhyming and rhythmic, enabling young children to anticipate words and phrases, while the illustrations are bright and colourful. Each book can be read as a stand alone story and shared again and again. Being well received in schools, the books can inspire a conversation and encourage children to think about others.

Finding A Friend

When Little Pup finds himself at the shelter,
he doesn’t know quite what to do.
Big dogs all around, feeling lost and alone,
Little Pup needs a friend… but who?

ISBN 978-1916493704

Being a Friend at Christmas

Little Pup’s looking forward to Christmas,
and he knows just how lucky he’s been,
because some dogs are still in shelters,
a warm home and best friend still a dream.

Hoping a small gift of kindness,
will help them feel loved not alone.
Little Pup has a wish that might come true,
when Father Christmas visits his home!

ISBN: 978-1916493728

UK only: To purchase, please select from the options below and state at check out if you would like the book/s signed (p&p is £2.50).

For non UK purchases, or for other inquiries: Please get in touch for a quote via my contact form:

Multiple book deal:

Single book purchases (20% from each sale goes to Angel’s Garden):

Finding a Friend, single purchase £6.00 (+p&p):

Being a Friend, single purchase £6.00 (+p&p):

Angel’s Garden and their “friends” want to thank everyone who has supported them and who continue to support them in these difficult times. The love they give to the animals is priceless but they couldn’t do it without the generous donations and support from those who can help them. And Kristy’s dogs just have to agree!
xx Thank you xx

Lexi Rees joins my Christmas Countdown!

26/11/2019Guest Post, Writing & ReadingAuthor of the Week, Carol Thomas, Carol Thomas Author, Carol Thomas Author Blog, Children's Books, Chindi Authors, Christmas Countdown, Christmas Reads, Eternal Seas, Festive Fun, Lexi Rees, Matador Books, Relic Hunters, Relic Hunters Series, Wild Skycarol

I am delighted to welcome the Chindi Authors’ Author of the Week, Lexi Rees, to my Christmas Countdown! Lexi writes for children and is celebrating her forthcoming release, Wild Sky.

Welcome to my blog, Lexi. My children and I have read your first book, Eternal Seas, and greatly enjoyed it. Can you tell us a little about Wild Sky, the second in the Relic Hunters series?

Thank you, to give you a taster of Wild Sky, here are some early reviews:

‘This action-packed blend of magical fantasy with classic kids adventuring is a swashbuckling read for 8+ year-olds, peppered with soft line-drawings and propelled by a strong sense of urgency.’ – LoveReading4Kids

‘Non-stop adventure with an exciting blend of magic and dystopia. Sinister villains, strange magic and thrilling adventure. I loved it!’ – Claire Fayers, author of The Accidental Pirates series, Mirror Magic and Storm Hound

‘Raging seas, snowy lands, fortresses and monasteries – the quest for the relics continues at an exhilarating pace. You won’t put it down!’ – Jude Lennon, author of the Hal series and other books

And the blurb:

After delivering the pearl, Finn and Aria thought life would return to normal.
But with the survival of the clans still in peril, they must continue their quest.
Can they find the next relic before the forces of evil?
Not everyone is who they appear to be
And time is running out …

Wow! That sounds great, and as my blog is full of festive cheer at the moment, I must ask, does any of the action takes place over Christmas?

Wild Sky (published on 28^thNovember) starts with my characters finding a riddle about the Cold Moon – the last full moon of the year. Unfortunately, this means they’re going to be sailing off on an impossible quest over Christmas itself. The world is effectively a child-friendly introduction to dystopia (no nuclear holocausts or anything distressing) and there is no reference to Christmas (or any other festivals) in it.

So a great all-year-round read, and I am sure a wonderful addition to the Christmas stocking list of all adventure loving, middle grade, readers.

Find Wild Sky on Amazon.

***To celebrate the publication of Wild Sky, Lexi also has a great giveaway running ENTER HERE!***

With your characters off on a quest, I am intrigued to know what you will be up to this festive season…

We have a pretty traditional family Christmas although now the kids are older it can start at a far more leisurely time than it used to! My brother is a doctor at Great Ormand Street Children’s Hospital so we don’t always get to do the family celebration on Christmas Day itself, but when we get together it always feels like it, even if it’s actually a few days later than everyone else!

I’m completely addicted to mince pies and start doing essential “research” into the best brand as soon as they first make an appearance in the shops, so my Christmas breakfast is coffee and mince pies.

Then we all gather at someone’s house. I’m lucky that my side of the family all live reasonably nearby – my husband’s side of the family are scattered across the globe. We take turns – I’m off the hook this year as I hosted last year. My catering responsibilities include the cranberry jelly, sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, and bread sauce which hardly anyone eats but it reminds me of my granny so is compulsory.

Your Christmas sounds lovely, and I completely agree that good mince pie research is essential 😉 Before you go, I’d love you to answer some quick questions from my festive selection:

Mince pie or Christmas pudding? Both. Have you tried left-over Christmas pudding stir fried in butter? Yummy!

Favourite Christmas film? Them all! One a day in the run up, more if I can get away with it. It’s a Wonderful life is still a treat. Die Hard, Home Alone, Love Actually, Bad Santa, Rise of the Guardians. And don’t forget the panto! Oh yes we do. Even though the kids are far too old!

Multi-coloured decs or co-ordinated Christmas tree? Red, gold, bronze, green, white, sparkly errr I think that’s pretty matchy-matchy actually, although I suspect it’s classified as multi-coloured by most people.

Must read Christmas book? Narnia, of course!

Best Christmas gift? An AGA.

Worst Christmas gift? A set of pans. You can take the “she likes cooking” thing too far!

First Quality Street flavour to disappear from your tub? We don’t fight over our favourites but, as with the characters in my short story in the Chindi Christmas anthology the strawberry fondants are always left.

Sprouts or no sprouts? What do you mean no sprouts? Unthinkable! And not just for Christmas. As long as they’re not boiled to death they’re delicious. So many great sprout recipes – do you want one?

Haha, I love the fact that an AGA was acceptable but a set of pans wasn’t!

Thank you so much for joining my Christmas countdown and I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas. xx

About the author:

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south. She writes action-packed adventures and workbooks for children.

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her Creative Writing Skillsworkbook, she has an active programme of school visits and other events, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.

In her spare time, she’s a keen crafter and spends a considerable amount of time trying not to fall off horses or boats.

Books by Lexi Rees:

The Relic Hunters #1, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids and is currently long-listed for a Chanticleer award.

And in case you missed it, here’s my review:

My children and I loved this tale of adventurers, Finn and Aria. Both characters capture the imagination as the quest and their unique role within it unfolds. Pippin – the small girl with a big personality – was a great addition to the cast of characters too.

Their world is brought to life through descriptive language that is aptly used to hold the focus of middle-grade readers. Finn and Aria’s abilities (and Aria’s bow and arrow) hooked my children in as they willed them to fulfil their potential within the story.

Having short chapters it is an ideal read for younger confident readers, and as a story to share.

Eternal Seas is a brilliant introduction to the fantasy genre and stepping stone for future readers of books like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. I loved the fact it had a futuristic setting but also harked back to an earlier time of magic and the reemergence of these powers.

As a parent, I thought it was a great read for my children – it has all the potential to become a classic, and as a teacher, I could see how I could use this book to discuss and inspire writing about imaginary worlds. I look forward to the next book.

The sequel, Wild Sky, is available for pre-order now.