* Telephone 020 7251 3007
The Lunchbox Book by Penny Stanway & Sara Lewis (Hamlyn, 4.99) is available in paperback from 15 March. This book deals with the nitty gritty of providing a healthy and varied packed lunch for children of all ages. In addition to an extensive section on sandwich fillings, the writers have also included alternatives in the form of mini quiches, pasta salads, pitta breads and drumsticks.
* Telephone 020 7531 8579
READER OFFER: We have ten free copies to give away. Just put your name and the address of your setting on a postcard marked The Lunchbox Book and send to Nursery Equipment, Admiral House, 66/68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX before 31 March, 2003. Alternatively, you can obtain The Lunchbox Book from the publisher at the special price of 3.99 (free p&p). For credit card orders please call 01903 828503 or send a cheque made payable to Hamlyn to LBS, P O Box 4264, Durrington, Worthing BN13 3TG, quoting ref: HAM128.
Anyone who's worked in childcare for any length of time will be familiar with the character of Mog, created by Judith Kerr, and the star of a dozen appealing books for younger children that have spanned more than three decades. Now we are to see the last of Mog in Goodbye Mog (Collins, 9.99).
a touching story in which the old cat dies and the family has to come to terms with the loss of their pet and eventually get another cat. Despite its subject, the story manages to be very positive about a difficult area.
READER OFFER: We have ten free copies to give away. Send your name and the address of your setting on a postcard marked Goodbye Mog to the Nursery Equipment address above.
Also from Collins is an entirely new series of books from the distinctive 'bang on the door' range. The first books, to be published next month, will be a collection to suit babies up to two years old, and will include board books, priced 3.99 each, lift-the-flap books, priced 4.99 each, concertina cloth books, priced 4.50 and miniature books with a ring to attach to a buggy or seat, priced 2.99. Later in the year, there will be 'bang on the door' books for two-to five-year-olds and for five-year-olds and upwards, so watch this space.
* Telephone 020 7223 5428
The first Topsy & Tim book, written by Jean and Gareth Adamson, was published in 1960, and since then the series has sold more than 21 million copies. Illustrating styles may have changed over the years, but the books manage to retain their popularity due to the fact they deal with everyday situations that young children have to face and are sometimes worried about. This month, a selection of the 130 Topsy & Tim titles available is to be republished with updated illustrations and covers to 'create a more contemporary feel'. Look out for Topsy and Tim Start School, Topsy and Tim and the New Baby and Topsy and Tim Learn to Swim, among others. Priced 1.99 from Ladybird in mini hardback.
* Telephone 020 7223 5428
