activity book – Mai's Musings

SuSTYLEability Cover Reveal

March 7, 2022 Mai Taylor

The wonderful Lexi Rees is back with another activity book, and I am delighted to be taking part in the cover reveal for it, not least because this one is a subject close to my own heart. Here comes all the info, before I share the cover with you all.

BLURB:

suSTYLEability (noun)
The art of making small changes to the way we dress in order to make big changes in the world.

If you love fashion and want to live more sustainably, this activity book will help you create a wardrobe which reflects your personal style AND is mindful of the impact the fashion industry has on the environment and human welfare.

Learn the shocking facts about fashion
Make better choices when shopping
Develop your own unique style
Have fun with friends and family
Discover unique ways to upstyle and upcycle your wardrobe

Give old clothes a second life with creative crafts

PRE-ORDER LINK:

Order here

And now, drum roll please, because here comes the cover!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south where she’s slave to carrot obsessed gelding, a frisky mare, a dog who’s convinced he’s not been fed in a month, and a house of hungry boys.

She writes action-packed adventures and fun activity books for children. She’s passionate about reducing her footprint on the planet and becoming more self-sufficient.

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Book Review

Horsing Around – Lexi Rees

November 24, 2021November 23, 2021 Mai Taylor

I am delighted to be welcoming Lexi Rees back to my blog today with another fab activity book. Many thanks to Lexi for providing me with a copy of the book, and to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the blog blitz.

BLURB:

Calling all pony fans!

This journal and activity book is bursting with pony-fuelled fun. Whether you’re preparing for your first lesson or out collecting rosettes every weekend, this book has everything you need.

✓ set your riding goals and track your progress

✓ record your best riding moments

✓ tackle the horsey games and puzzles

✓ test your equestrian knowledge

✓ giggle at the funniest horse jokes

✓ try the fun pony-themed arts and crafts

✓ save your precious pony memories

Can you complete all the challenges and become a riding superstar?

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Win a signed copy of Horsing Around (UK Only)

https://kingsumo.com/g/1sg5yd/giddy-up-pony-fans

REVIEW:

There’s no denying that when I was a horse mad tween, I would have killed to have had a book like this to log my riding adventures in each week. In fact, it makes me want to dust off my riding boots and get back in the saddle, just so I can fill in all the fun activities and journal pages.

I absolutely love the weekly and monthly pages with lots of space to record your progress, illustrated with cute pictures, jokes and fun horsey facts. I was itching to dive in to the beautiful colouring pages and to try my hand at the fun activities that are featured throughout the book.

What is particularly great about this book is that it is completely gender neutral, a big step away from the abundance of pink pony books aimed solely at girls that you usually see. I wasn’t a particularly girly girl growing up, so the colour scheme of this book would have been right up my street, and I know it would have appealed to the boys that I rode with too.

If you have a pony crazy young person in your life, this book would make the perfect Christmas present, ready for them to log an entire year of riding fun in 2022.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south where she’s slave to a carrot obsessed gelding, a frisky mare, a dog who’s convinced he’s not been fed in a month, and a house of hungry boys.

She writes action-packed adventures and fun activity books for children.

She wrote Horsing Around in response to a predominance of pink in the existing pony book market which her own son found off-putting.

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her creative writing workbook, 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Book Review

BElieve in YOUrself (BE YOU) – Lexi Rees & Sasha Mullen

August 10, 2021 Mai Taylor

I am welcoming a familiar face back to my blog today as I join the blog tour for BElieve in YOUrself (BE YOU) by Lexi Rees. Many thanks Lexi for providing me with a copy of the book, and to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to be a part of the tour.

BLURB:

Want your child to be more focused, feel calmer, and increase their self-belief?

This unique activity book is packed with fun, creative tasks, plus a wide variety of mindfulness strategies including

✓ visualisation exercises

✓ breathing techniques

✓ mindful arts and crafts

✓ games to improve focus and concentration

✓ mind and body detective skills

Written by primary school teacher and founder of Mindful Mentors, Sasha Mullen, and best-selling author and tutor, Lexi Rees, this fully illustrated activity book provides children with the essential tools to be their best selves, every single day.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Win 3 signed copies of BElieve in YOUrself (BE YOU), UK only

https://kingsumo.com/g/tzyozc/mindfulness-for-kids

REVIEW:

BElieve in YOUrself (BE YOU) is another great activity book from Lexi Rees, and a very timely release coming off the back of an incredibly anxious time for everyone, but perhaps particularly so for children who couldn’t fully process what was happening and why life had changed beyond all recognition. It is also perfectly timed for the summer holidays, and I am looking forward to sharing this book with my friend’s little boys.

Written in accessible language without being patronising, the bold print and illustrations make this a really appealing book, and I loved the colouring pages – I have lots of adult colouring books and find them to be a great mindfulness tool, and I am sure kids will have a lot of fun filling in these pages.

The step-by-step toolkit is fantastic and will be a great aid to making children more able to deal with whatever life throws at them – in fact, I will be adding some of the tips to my own mindfulness toolkit. I particularly liked the breathing exercises, and the fortune teller is a clever take on a game I remember from my own childhood. I am very tempted to make my own lava lamp and kaleidoscope after reading the great, straightforward instructions for these projects.

BElieve in YOUrself (BE YOU) is a really powerful book, and one that I highly recommend. It is quite simply bursting with information and activities to empower children and help them to be comfortable in their own skin.

ABOUT LEXI REES:

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south. She writes action-packed adventures brim full of witch-doctors, fortune-tellers, warriors and smugglers, combining elemental magic with hints of dystopia. She also writes fun activity books for children.

Her fantasy adventure, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids. The sequel, Wild Sky, is available now.

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her Creative Writing Skills workbook, 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

ABOUT SASHA MULLEN:

Sasha has always had a passion for adventure. Be it experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of far flung continents to exploring her hometown of West London. Letting her senses guide her head or heart, she has utilised her personal experiences to gather a kaleidoscope of skills. How to embrace a teaching role in New York- a city so vast and vibrant, how to cope with grief, transition into motherhood. A teacher in primary schools since 2010 has enabled her to see the need for incorporating Mindfulness practice into everyday education. When Sasha is not teaching or enjoying her family or socialising with friends, she is taking an exercise class, and is particularly fond of the child’s pose in yoga, when she can happily have a power snooze!

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Don’t forget to visit the other blogs taking part in the tour!

Book Review

Scavenger Art – Lexi Rees

December 13, 2020December 9, 2020 Mai Taylor

I am delighted to be a part of the blog blitz for Lexi Rees’ latest creative offering, Scavenger Art. Many thanks to Lexi for providing me with a copy of the book, and to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the blitz.

BLURB:

Scavenger hunts are fun.

Drawing is fun.

Put them together for ★ SCAVENGER ART ★

This unique art-based activity book includes 52 scavenger hunts designed to

✓ encourage curious minds
✓ spark creativity
✓ practise mindfulness
✓ develop drawing skills

Perfect for ages 6 to 12.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

REVIEW:

Scavenger Art is a fab book containing 52 scavenger hunts to keep creative kids happy throughout the year. As always with Lexi’s workbooks, it is beautifully presented in a way that will appeal to kids of all ages, complete with colourful illustrations by Molly O’Donoghue for added inspiration.

Featuring scavenger hunts such as “Mugs and Jugs,” “Badges and Buttons,” “Seeds and Pips,” and “Creepy Crawlies,” this really is a book for all seasons, with projects for both inside and outside of the house. With so many ideas of things to hunt down and draw (and space to draw them), Scavenger Art will provide hours of entertainment for children, no matter what their interests are.

I just know that my friend’s sons would absolutely love this book, so that’s another Christmas present ticked off my list.

I am a big fan of all of Lexi Rees’ activity books, and Scavenger Art is no exception. It is another one that I will be adding to my list of recommendations for all my friends and their children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her fantasy adventure, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids. The sequel, Wild Sky, is available now.

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

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Book Review

Wicked Writing Skills – Lexi Rees

November 24, 2020November 23, 2020 Mai Taylor

You might remember that a little over a year ago, I reviewed Creative Writing Skills by Lexi Rees. Well, Lexi is back with another writing book for kids, Wicked Writing Skills, and I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for this as well. Many thanks to Lexi for providing me with a copy of the book, and to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to join the tour.

BLURB:

Writing is like a spell. It can melt hearts and fry brains, twisting and turning as the magic works.

Want the world to fall at your feet, destroyed by the might of your pen?

– Sharpen your powers of persuasion

– Sky-rocket your debating skills

– Add ooomph to your reports

– And lots more!

Packed with top tips, this awesome workbook has everything you need to know to become a WICKED WRITER.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

REVIEW:

Following on from Lexi Rees’ previous writing book, Creative Writing Skills, Wicked Writing Skills moves the focus from fiction to non-fiction writing. Filled with tips and exercises in which to try these tips out, Lexi Rees’ enthusiasm for encouraging children to explore and develop their writing skills shines through on every page.

Covering many types of non-fiction writing, from constructing a persuasive letter of complaint, to publishing a newspaper, the exercises in Wicked Writing Skills can’t fail to inspire the young writer. The exercises are imaginative and based around subjects that will appeal to children, such as how to catch a dragon, and the diary of a naughty puppy.

Although this is a book about writing, so many of the skills being taught will be invaluable to children in the development of their ability to take part in debate and persuasive conversation as they grow up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: