Hi, I’m Sam, and welcome to Childtastic Books!
I work part time as a librarian at St Michael’s Primary School in Oxford and this blog now acts as the school’s main library blog (it was too difficult writing two separate ones!).
Childtastic originally started as a collaboration between me and my daughter, Holly, as a way of reviewing children’s books from a parent’s and child’s perspective. We’d always give an honest opinion and would often disagree with each other – tactfully, of course!
Now that Holly is a teenager, she’s off doing other things but I have kept the blog running because I love children’s literature – so much so that I gained an MA in it from the University of Roehampton. (I graduated in February 2016 and my degree was conferred upon me by Dame Jacqueline Wilson – how cool, and appropriate – is that?!) I have also written a young adult novel and was shortlisted for the 2017 National Trust’s new fairy tales competition. I’ve been a judge for Chris Evans’ 500 Words competition and for the Revolting Rhymes poetry competition run by the Roald Dahl Foundation.
As well as all this, I am an experienced editor and writer and have worked with a wide range of clients, including the National Literacy Trust. I also write teachers’ resources for Scholastic and work in an editorial capacity with authors on their novels. Basically, I love words!
Please do comment on the posts – it’s great to know my readers!
I hope you enjoy the site!
A wonderful concept for a blog! I have a 6-year-old daughter, so I’m sure we’ll both enjoy your thoughts on books!
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Thank you so much! I hope we can provide some inspiration and please contribute too as we love to hear of new books. Just checking out your site now too and it looks fabulous.
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Thanks for the kind words…I am just sort of putting forward some odd old books…nothing mainstream so I’m not sure it’s much use to anyone. But it’s fun for me! Cheers!
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thanks for visiting my blog – my elder daughter is about to turn 10, so I can really relate to most of the books you’re talking about. Have you read the Mr Gum books…? They’re completely mad, in a good way.
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Thanks for visiting mine, too! I look forward to reading more of your posts. My daughter resists Mr Gum for some reason but I think the books are hilarious!
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I love that you and your daughter are exploring the world of literature together – it’s an experience I will never forget sharing with my mom and grandma! Not only that, but it’s great to see people out there promoting the world of quality books for kids. Thank you for your posts, I really enjoy them!
I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award – check it out at:
http://thehandwrittenlife.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/one-lovely-blog-award/
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Wonderful Blog. I linked to your site from my posts – Hat City Middle School Series Reviewed by a Kid at http://childrensbookbin.com/2013/07/12/hatcitymiddleschool/ and the 2013 Summer Reading List at http://childrensbookbin.com/category/summerreadinglist/. Thanks!
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Thank you for your kind words, and also for linking to our site from yours. I will check yours out!
Best wishes
Sam
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Hi, I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award! http://thoughtorchardblog.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/am-i-dreaming/
Can’t wait to read more of your stuff!
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Thank you for the nomination!
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I am a teacher just about to set the kids up with blogs I will be using yours as an example! Thanks for doing it! – Joanna
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Thanks for the nice comment – and let us know how you get on please!
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Love your blog – so great! Nice ideas and awesome Holly’s fun corner!
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Dear Holly and Sam,
I am A H Benjamin and I wish to thank you both for the great reviews of my book, The Big Splash!, which is going to be published by Digital Leaf. I hope you enjoyed reading it as I think it’s a fun story brought to life by the fantastic artwork of Jon Lycett-Smith, an artist (and author) who has already made his mark in the publishing world. Many thanks.
Very best wishes,
Attia xx
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What a great concept for a book blog! As a mum of two little readers-to-be, this warms my heart.
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Thank you! We hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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Coolest blog ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it. Keep up the brilliant work!
Lexie
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Thank you so much Lexie!
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You won a Lexie for Best Blog
http://whatlexieloves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/awarding-lexies.html
Keep it up!!
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Just found your blog. Fantastic idea. Really looking forward to reading more posts.
Lisa, Glasgow
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Thank you Lisa! Glad to hear you like the blog. 🙂
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Hi Sam, I found your blog via a site on Children’s Literature MA’s. I note you are following the distance learning path at Roehampton. I’m considering doing the same and would love to know more about it if you can spare some time? or advice… Thank you in advance! Shirley
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HI Holly and Sam,
Love your blog, I’ve just started mine. If you have some time I’d love you to visit! http://bibliochild7.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks a million
Edie ♥
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Hi Edie
Thank you so much for visiting the blog. We’re happy you like Childtastic and look forward to seeing your blog too!
Best wishes
Sam
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Hi!
I like your blog 🙂
I also started writing my own blog recently.
Have a look and let me know how did you find it!
ahmedsadventures.com
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Thanks for following our blog, Ahmed. Yours looks cool – keep up the great work!
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Thanks!
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Awesome blog and I love the fact that you have continued to maintain this even after your daughter has gotten herself busy with her other stuff. I will be featuring your blog in a round-up post on mine sometime soon.
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Thanks Praveen!
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