Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a perennial favourite with children and adults alike. Its imaginative illustration and clever cut-out detail charts the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through the week.

This board book edition of what is surely a classic picture book is glossy, sturdy and ideal for curious little hands to get to grips with. (Ages 9 months to 2 years)--Susan Harrison

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Hard, but good practice for the real thing, 06 Nov 2007
GL Assessment (formerly NFER Nelson) are the company that set the real 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers in many parts of the country - certainly they set them in the Essex area, and these papers are the nearest to the real papers that it is possible for any of us to lay our hands on. I have been using them for years with my pupils as part of the final preparation. We have now changed to the Multiple Choice style, so I have found myself having to get a whole new set, as a result of which, I have discovered that ...

... if you live in the CSSE (Essex 11+) area, Amazon supply the whole set quite a bit cheaper when bought from here than when bought from the consortium!

Exactly the same pack from the Consortium - £11.99
from other book shops - £9.99
Here - It varies - but it's usually considerably cheaper than any other source! Look and see.

Go do the maths!

It doesn't take a Grammar School student (or even a prospective Grammar School Student) to work it out! LOL!

N.B.
Don't try these with your child before the final term. They are quite tough, and so can be very discouraging if done too soon; although they provide invaluable preparation close to the test. I recommend (several years experience talking here) that you try them roughly a month before the real test. That gives your child time for one a week, which should help to improve confidence. The 'pass mark' is usually around 70%

Other books that come highly recommended (I've taught 11+ children for more years than I care to imagine!) are the Susan Daughtrey series - Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice (7 books in the series - most important are books 1 & 2, more practice and the practice papers.) They provide fantastic experience in VR from about Year 5 onwards and will lead your child in preparation for the final practice tests that this pack provides.
She also does a multiple choice test pack - the earlier ones of which are reasonable; but the last has some really tricky questions.
Another good series for multiple choice type tests (also for conventional type) is the CGP pack.
Look them all up, and give them a go if you want to provide your child with valuable extra practice.

Beware - not a revised edition at all!, 17 Oct 2007
I already had the 1997 edition of these papers, so bought this so called Revised 2003 edition - but the papers are still the same 1997 papers inside!
Very disappointed!

Very good practice for full test, 09 Oct 2007
This contains four papers designed to take 50 minutes each. The papers consist of 35 questions, around half based on a passage presented at the front of the paper, then batches of questions covering spelling, comprehension and punctuation.

These provide a good full length workout and represent good value for money.

The gentle rhyming and gorgeous, tissue-paper collage illustrations in this classic picture book make it a dog-eared favourite on many children's bookshelves. On each page, we meet a new animal who nudges us onward to discover which creature will show up next: "Blue Horse, Blue Horse, What do you see? I see a green frog looking at me." This pattern is repeated over and over, until the pre-reader can chime in with the reader, easily predicting the next rhyme. One thing readers might not predict, however, is just what kinds of funny characters will make an appearance at the denouement! Children on the verge of reading learn best with plenty of identifiable images and rhythmic repetition. Eric Carle's good-humoured style and colourful, bold illustrations (like those in The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, and Have You Seen My Cat?) have earned him a prominent place in the children's book hall of fame. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie CoulterThe gentle rhyming and gorgeous, tissue-paper collage illustrations in this classic picture book make it a dog-eared favourite on many children's bookshelves. On each page, we meet a new animal who nudges us onward to discover which creature will show up next: "Blue Horse, Blue Horse, What do you see? I see a green frog looking at me." This pattern is repeated over and over, until the pre-reader can chime in with the reader, easily predicting the next rhyme. One thing readers might not predict, however, is just what kinds of funny characters will make an appearance at the denouement! Children on the verge of reading learn best with plenty of identifiable images and rhythmic repetition. Eric Carle's good-humoured style and colourful, bold illustrations (like those in The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, and Have You Seen My Cat?) have earned him a prominent place in the children's book hall of fame. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Hard, but good practice for the real thing, 06 Nov 2007
GL Assessment (formerly NFER Nelson) are the company that set the real 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers in many parts of the country - certainly they set them in the Essex area, and these papers are the nearest to the real papers that it is possible for any of us to lay our hands on. I have been using them for years with my pupils as part of the final preparation. We have now changed to the Multiple Choice style, so I have found myself having to get a whole new set, as a result of which, I have discovered that ...

... if you live in the CSSE (Essex 11+) area, Amazon supply the whole set quite a bit cheaper when bought from here than when bought from the consortium!

Exactly the same pack from the Consortium - £11.99
from other book shops - £9.99
Here - It varies - but it's usually considerably cheaper than any other source! Look and see.

Go do the maths!

It doesn't take a Grammar School student (or even a prospective Grammar School Student) to work it out! LOL!

N.B.
Don't try these with your child before the final term. They are quite tough, and so can be very discouraging if done too soon; although they provide invaluable preparation close to the test. I recommend (several years experience talking here) that you try them roughly a month before the real test. That gives your child time for one a week, which should help to improve confidence. The 'pass mark' is usually around 70%

Other books that come highly recommended (I've taught 11+ children for more years than I care to imagine!) are the Susan Daughtrey series - Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice (7 books in the series - most important are books 1 & 2, more practice and the practice papers.) They provide fantastic experience in VR from about Year 5 onwards and will lead your child in preparation for the final practice tests that this pack provides.
She also does a multiple choice test pack - the earlier ones of which are reasonable; but the last has some really tricky questions.
Another good series for multiple choice type tests (also for conventional type) is the CGP pack.
Look them all up, and give them a go if you want to provide your child with valuable extra practice.

Beware - not a revised edition at all!, 17 Oct 2007
I already had the 1997 edition of these papers, so bought this so called Revised 2003 edition - but the papers are still the same 1997 papers inside!
Very disappointed!

Very good practice for full test, 09 Oct 2007
This contains four papers designed to take 50 minutes each. The papers consist of 35 questions, around half based on a passage presented at the front of the paper, then batches of questions covering spelling, comprehension and punctuation.

These provide a good full length workout and represent good value for money.

Our baby absolutely adores this book, 29 Jun 2008
He's 7 months old, and does not cease to enjoy this book. He wants to hear it over and over again, and is always happy and excited when we read it to him. If you only get one book for your baby- get this one!

Our current favourite!, 19 Mar 2008
Absolutely superb for learning colours and animals and they know it off by heart by about the 3rd or 4th read through. Didn't start with this one till my daugther was about 18 months (being a paperback and all that) but she took to it straight away and now we have to have 'Bown Beh' every night.

Where;s the Monkey gone??, 18 Feb 2008
This is a great book, my daughter has loved it from a very young age. When our second paperback copy bit the dust I thought I would order the board book for hopefully a little more longevity. HOWEVER! It isn't the same book, nearly, but at the end there is a TEACHER instead of a MONKEY!! My daughter is not happy, and is searching for the Monkey in vain. As my darling daughter says "Where's Monkey gone?". I'm off to buy another paperback version. Great book, but loses 3 stars for an absentee Monkey!

A favorite, 31 Jul 2007
Yes this is one of my daughter's favorite books too (21 months). She loves chipping in and we now know it off by heart.

My daughter's favorite book (currently!), 13 Mar 2006
Lovely book that is not only fun but really educational for the under 2's. My 17 month old daughter picked up all the animals and said what they were within two days of getting this book!!! (mind you we do seem to read it about 20 times a day).

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Hard, but good practice for the real thing, 06 Nov 2007
GL Assessment (formerly NFER Nelson) are the company that set the real 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers in many parts of the country - certainly they set them in the Essex area, and these papers are the nearest to the real papers that it is possible for any of us to lay our hands on. I have been using them for years with my pupils as part of the final preparation. We have now changed to the Multiple Choice style, so I have found myself having to get a whole new set, as a result of which, I have discovered that ...

... if you live in the CSSE (Essex 11+) area, Amazon supply the whole set quite a bit cheaper when bought from here than when bought from the consortium!

Exactly the same pack from the Consortium - £11.99
from other book shops - £9.99
Here - It varies - but it's usually considerably cheaper than any other source! Look and see.

Go do the maths!

It doesn't take a Grammar School student (or even a prospective Grammar School Student) to work it out! LOL!

N.B.
Don't try these with your child before the final term. They are quite tough, and so can be very discouraging if done too soon; although they provide invaluable preparation close to the test. I recommend (several years experience talking here) that you try them roughly a month before the real test. That gives your child time for one a week, which should help to improve confidence. The 'pass mark' is usually around 70%

Other books that come highly recommended (I've taught 11+ children for more years than I care to imagine!) are the Susan Daughtrey series - Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice (7 books in the series - most important are books 1 & 2, more practice and the practice papers.) They provide fantastic experience in VR from about Year 5 onwards and will lead your child in preparation for the final practice tests that this pack provides.
She also does a multiple choice test pack - the earlier ones of which are reasonable; but the last has some really tricky questions.
Another good series for multiple choice type tests (also for conventional type) is the CGP pack.
Look them all up, and give them a go if you want to provide your child with valuable extra practice.

Beware - not a revised edition at all!, 17 Oct 2007
I already had the 1997 edition of these papers, so bought this so called Revised 2003 edition - but the papers are still the same 1997 papers inside!
Very disappointed!

Very good practice for full test, 09 Oct 2007
This contains four papers designed to take 50 minutes each. The papers consist of 35 questions, around half based on a passage presented at the front of the paper, then batches of questions covering spelling, comprehension and punctuation.

These provide a good full length workout and represent good value for money.

Our baby absolutely adores this book, 29 Jun 2008
He's 7 months old, and does not cease to enjoy this book. He wants to hear it over and over again, and is always happy and excited when we read it to him. If you only get one book for your baby- get this one!

Our current favourite!, 19 Mar 2008
Absolutely superb for learning colours and animals and they know it off by heart by about the 3rd or 4th read through. Didn't start with this one till my daugther was about 18 months (being a paperback and all that) but she took to it straight away and now we have to have 'Bown Beh' every night.

Where;s the Monkey gone??, 18 Feb 2008
This is a great book, my daughter has loved it from a very young age. When our second paperback copy bit the dust I thought I would order the board book for hopefully a little more longevity. HOWEVER! It isn't the same book, nearly, but at the end there is a TEACHER instead of a MONKEY!! My daughter is not happy, and is searching for the Monkey in vain. As my darling daughter says "Where's Monkey gone?". I'm off to buy another paperback version. Great book, but loses 3 stars for an absentee Monkey!

A favorite, 31 Jul 2007
Yes this is one of my daughter's favorite books too (21 months). She loves chipping in and we now know it off by heart.

My daughter's favorite book (currently!), 13 Mar 2006
Lovely book that is not only fun but really educational for the under 2's. My 17 month old daughter picked up all the animals and said what they were within two days of getting this book!!! (mind you we do seem to read it about 20 times a day).

Essential at any level, 11 Feb 2008
Great book, great for all levels - good mix of theorists, excellent links to more information. Good links to those who oppose the theorists cited and why - would recommend as a good basic book for any level of learning

essential for child related degree, 16 Nov 2007
I'm doing an early years degree and this book provides lots of basic, vital info about theorists. Well worth the money & easy to read with lots of visual info too.

Excellent Book, 26 Oct 2007
Really helped give me a basic outline of each theorists life and studies. Has been my bible for my foundation degree in early years

excellent for nvq3 childcare, 21 Oct 2007
very easy to read and understand making it ideal for nvq3 childcare a must! great!!

A must for those studying in early years, 03 Feb 2007
This book gives a brief outline of the most well known child development theorists. Studying for my foundation degree in childhood studies I refer to this book often as a start point for further research on a particuar theorist, or to find a theorist to make sence of my studies. Together with 'Theories of Childhood' by Carol Garhart Mooney I'm not worried about where to start looking for my research. I look at these! BUY IT.

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Hard, but good practice for the real thing, 06 Nov 2007
GL Assessment (formerly NFER Nelson) are the company that set the real 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers in many parts of the country - certainly they set them in the Essex area, and these papers are the nearest to the real papers that it is possible for any of us to lay our hands on. I have been using them for years with my pupils as part of the final preparation. We have now changed to the Multiple Choice style, so I have found myself having to get a whole new set, as a result of which, I have discovered that ...

... if you live in the CSSE (Essex 11+) area, Amazon supply the whole set quite a bit cheaper when bought from here than when bought from the consortium!

Exactly the same pack from the Consortium - £11.99
from other book shops - £9.99
Here - It varies - but it's usually considerably cheaper than any other source! Look and see.

Go do the maths!

It doesn't take a Grammar School student (or even a prospective Grammar School Student) to work it out! LOL!

N.B.
Don't try these with your child before the final term. They are quite tough, and so can be very discouraging if done too soon; although they provide invaluable preparation close to the test. I recommend (several years experience talking here) that you try them roughly a month before the real test. That gives your child time for one a week, which should help to improve confidence. The 'pass mark' is usually around 70%

Other books that come highly recommended (I've taught 11+ children for more years than I care to imagine!) are the Susan Daughtrey series - Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice (7 books in the series - most important are books 1 & 2, more practice and the practice papers.) They provide fantastic experience in VR from about Year 5 onwards and will lead your child in preparation for the final practice tests that this pack provides.
She also does a multiple choice test pack - the earlier ones of which are reasonable; but the last has some really tricky questions.
Another good series for multiple choice type tests (also for conventional type) is the CGP pack.
Look them all up, and give them a go if you want to provide your child with valuable extra practice.

Beware - not a revised edition at all!, 17 Oct 2007
I already had the 1997 edition of these papers, so bought this so called Revised 2003 edition - but the papers are still the same 1997 papers inside!
Very disappointed!

Very good practice for full test, 09 Oct 2007
This contains four papers designed to take 50 minutes each. The papers consist of 35 questions, around half based on a passage presented at the front of the paper, then batches of questions covering spelling, comprehension and punctuation.

These provide a good full length workout and represent good value for money.

Our baby absolutely adores this book, 29 Jun 2008
He's 7 months old, and does not cease to enjoy this book. He wants to hear it over and over again, and is always happy and excited when we read it to him. If you only get one book for your baby- get this one!

Our current favourite!, 19 Mar 2008
Absolutely superb for learning colours and animals and they know it off by heart by about the 3rd or 4th read through. Didn't start with this one till my daugther was about 18 months (being a paperback and all that) but she took to it straight away and now we have to have 'Bown Beh' every night.

Where;s the Monkey gone??, 18 Feb 2008
This is a great book, my daughter has loved it from a very young age. When our second paperback copy bit the dust I thought I would order the board book for hopefully a little more longevity. HOWEVER! It isn't the same book, nearly, but at the end there is a TEACHER instead of a MONKEY!! My daughter is not happy, and is searching for the Monkey in vain. As my darling daughter says "Where's Monkey gone?". I'm off to buy another paperback version. Great book, but loses 3 stars for an absentee Monkey!

A favorite, 31 Jul 2007
Yes this is one of my daughter's favorite books too (21 months). She loves chipping in and we now know it off by heart.

My daughter's favorite book (currently!), 13 Mar 2006
Lovely book that is not only fun but really educational for the under 2's. My 17 month old daughter picked up all the animals and said what they were within two days of getting this book!!! (mind you we do seem to read it about 20 times a day).

Essential at any level, 11 Feb 2008
Great book, great for all levels - good mix of theorists, excellent links to more information. Good links to those who oppose the theorists cited and why - would recommend as a good basic book for any level of learning

essential for child related degree, 16 Nov 2007
I'm doing an early years degree and this book provides lots of basic, vital info about theorists. Well worth the money & easy to read with lots of visual info too.

Excellent Book, 26 Oct 2007
Really helped give me a basic outline of each theorists life and studies. Has been my bible for my foundation degree in early years

excellent for nvq3 childcare, 21 Oct 2007
very easy to read and understand making it ideal for nvq3 childcare a must! great!!

A must for those studying in early years, 03 Feb 2007
This book gives a brief outline of the most well known child development theorists. Studying for my foundation degree in childhood studies I refer to this book often as a start point for further research on a particuar theorist, or to find a theorist to make sence of my studies. Together with 'Theories of Childhood' by Carol Garhart Mooney I'm not worried about where to start looking for my research. I look at these! BUY IT.

A Universal Study Guide, 27 May 2008
One thing that really strikes me about this book is that it is useful and applicable wherever you are in your life, or education. It teaches principles that are useful to anyone that needs to remember anything - and makes them easily understandable. If you've wanted to know why it is that you can remember some, useless, things easily, but when it comes to dates of major battles (etc.) you're at a loss, then this book can help. It can also teach you how to turn those dates, facts, quotations or just about anything into things that stick in your memory. And the way it does it is not simply by showing a set of techniques (although the techniques such as "Mind Maps" some claim to have really helped their learning), but by giving you some guiding principles to show you how your mind selects and restores information. I haven't tried to put into place the technique of speed reading that occurs in the book - for my purposes reading slowly and carefully is useful. However, I think the book was worth it, even if just for the 'supercharge your memory' chapter alone.

Great introduction to Mind Mapping, Speed Reading, and Memory Improvement, 23 Dec 2007
This amazingly lucid and accessible little book provides the reader with several very useful, interrelated techniques--Mind Mapping, Speed Reading, and Memory Techniques--aimed at aiding the student to get better grades on exams, essays, and projects. The former technique (Mind Mapping), in my opinion, is covered in sufficient depth and is probably the most interesting and novel of the three; on the other hand, the latter two are touched upon relatively superficially--especially the section on Speed Reading is very meager. In short, this book is extremely helpful, being a manual introducing a number of simple techniques that allow one to study more effectively and efficiently; do no expect, however, an extensive academic work covering studying techniques in great detail and in a scientific fashion. Finally, although it is not mentioned in the book, it should be noted that Mind-Mapping software is available, eliminating the need to make them on paper.

Highly recommended for students who have already started their course of study., 12 May 2007
The way this book is written makes it very accessible and an easy read, without losing the depth of what Mr Buzan is trying to say. There are many study books on the market. I have not read a lot of them but the ones I have seen can often be overwhelming. This one is a perfect size to provide the information required and doesn't keep you hanging on and prevent you from getting on with putting your new skills into practice. I certainly found it very useful indeed.

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Hard, but good practice for the real thing, 06 Nov 2007
GL Assessment (formerly NFER Nelson) are the company that set the real 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers in many parts of the country - certainly they set them in the Essex area, and these papers are the nearest to the real papers that it is possible for any of us to lay our hands on. I have been using them for years with my pupils as part of the final preparation. We have now changed to the Multiple Choice style, so I have found myself having to get a whole new set, as a result of which, I have discovered that ...

... if you live in the CSSE (Essex 11+) area, Amazon supply the whole set quite a bit cheaper when bought from here than when bought from the consortium!

Exactly the same pack from the Consortium - £11.99
from other book shops - £9.99
Here - It varies - but it's usually considerably cheaper than any other source! Look and see.

Go do the maths!

It doesn't take a Grammar School student (or even a prospective Grammar School Student) to work it out! LOL!

N.B.
Don't try these with your child before the final term. They are quite tough, and so can be very discouraging if done too soon; although they provide invaluable preparation close to the test. I recommend (several years experience talking here) that you try them roughly a month before the real test. That gives your child time for one a week, which should help to improve confidence. The 'pass mark' is usually around 70%

Other books that come highly recommended (I've taught 11+ children for more years than I care to imagine!) are the Susan Daughtrey series - Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice (7 books in the series - most important are books 1 & 2, more practice and the practice papers.) They provide fantastic experience in VR from about Year 5 onwards and will lead your child in preparation for the final practice tests that this pack provides.
She also does a multiple choice test pack - the earlier ones of which are reasonable; but the last has some really tricky questions.
Another good series for multiple choice type tests (also for conventional type) is the CGP pack.
Look them all up, and give them a go if you want to provide your child with valuable extra practice.

Beware - not a revised edition at all!, 17 Oct 2007
I already had the 1997 edition of these papers, so bought this so called Revised 2003 edition - but the papers are still the same 1997 papers inside!
Very disappointed!

Very good practice for full test, 09 Oct 2007
This contains four papers designed to take 50 minutes each. The papers consist of 35 questions, around half based on a passage presented at the front of the paper, then batches of questions covering spelling, comprehension and punctuation.

These provide a good full length workout and represent good value for money.

Our baby absolutely adores this book, 29 Jun 2008
He's 7 months old, and does not cease to enjoy this book. He wants to hear it over and over again, and is always happy and excited when we read it to him. If you only get one book for your baby- get this one!

Our current favourite!, 19 Mar 2008
Absolutely superb for learning colours and animals and they know it off by heart by about the 3rd or 4th read through. Didn't start with this one till my daugther was about 18 months (being a paperback and all that) but she took to it straight away and now we have to have 'Bown Beh' every night.

Where;s the Monkey gone??, 18 Feb 2008
This is a great book, my daughter has loved it from a very young age. When our second paperback copy bit the dust I thought I would order the board book for hopefully a little more longevity. HOWEVER! It isn't the same book, nearly, but at the end there is a TEACHER instead of a MONKEY!! My daughter is not happy, and is searching for the Monkey in vain. As my darling daughter says "Where's Monkey gone?". I'm off to buy another paperback version. Great book, but loses 3 stars for an absentee Monkey!

A favorite, 31 Jul 2007
Yes this is one of my daughter's favorite books too (21 months). She loves chipping in and we now know it off by heart.

My daughter's favorite book (currently!), 13 Mar 2006
Lovely book that is not only fun but really educational for the under 2's. My 17 month old daughter picked up all the animals and said what they were within two days of getting this book!!! (mind you we do seem to read it about 20 times a day).

Essential at any level, 11 Feb 2008
Great book, great for all levels - good mix of theorists, excellent links to more information. Good links to those who oppose the theorists cited and why - would recommend as a good basic book for any level of learning

essential for child related degree, 16 Nov 2007
I'm doing an early years degree and this book provides lots of basic, vital info about theorists. Well worth the money & easy to read with lots of visual info too.

Excellent Book, 26 Oct 2007
Really helped give me a basic outline of each theorists life and studies. Has been my bible for my foundation degree in early years

excellent for nvq3 childcare, 21 Oct 2007
very easy to read and understand making it ideal for nvq3 childcare a must! great!!

A must for those studying in early years, 03 Feb 2007
This book gives a brief outline of the most well known child development theorists. Studying for my foundation degree in childhood studies I refer to this book often as a start point for further research on a particuar theorist, or to find a theorist to make sence of my studies. Together with 'Theories of Childhood' by Carol Garhart Mooney I'm not worried about where to start looking for my research. I look at these! BUY IT.

A Universal Study Guide, 27 May 2008
One thing that really strikes me about this book is that it is useful and applicable wherever you are in your life, or education. It teaches principles that are useful to anyone that needs to remember anything - and makes them easily understandable. If you've wanted to know why it is that you can remember some, useless, things easily, but when it comes to dates of major battles (etc.) you're at a loss, then this book can help. It can also teach you how to turn those dates, facts, quotations or just about anything into things that stick in your memory. And the way it does it is not simply by showing a set of techniques (although the techniques such as "Mind Maps" some claim to have really helped their learning), but by giving you some guiding principles to show you how your mind selects and restores information. I haven't tried to put into place the technique of speed reading that occurs in the book - for my purposes reading slowly and carefully is useful. However, I think the book was worth it, even if just for the 'supercharge your memory' chapter alone.

Great introduction to Mind Mapping, Speed Reading, and Memory Improvement, 23 Dec 2007
This amazingly lucid and accessible little book provides the reader with several very useful, interrelated techniques--Mind Mapping, Speed Reading, and Memory Techniques--aimed at aiding the student to get better grades on exams, essays, and projects. The former technique (Mind Mapping), in my opinion, is covered in sufficient depth and is probably the most interesting and novel of the three; on the other hand, the latter two are touched upon relatively superficially--especially the section on Speed Reading is very meager. In short, this book is extremely helpful, being a manual introducing a number of simple techniques that allow one to study more effectively and efficiently; do no expect, however, an extensive academic work covering studying techniques in great detail and in a scientific fashion. Finally, although it is not mentioned in the book, it should be noted that Mind-Mapping software is available, eliminating the need to make them on paper.

Highly recommended for students who have already started their course of study., 12 May 2007
The way this book is written makes it very accessible and an easy read, without losing the depth of what Mr Buzan is trying to say. There are many study books on the market. I have not read a lot of them but the ones I have seen can often be overwhelming. This one is a perfect size to provide the information required and doesn't keep you hanging on and prevent you from getting on with putting your new skills into practice. I certainly found it very useful indeed.

great to help kids (and parents), 25 May 2007
well done mr buzan - kid friendly graphics. i never finished the hard back version, but this is interesting for dads too - less theory and more doing. good for us time pressed parents to get the basics and help our kids

Inspiring, 18 Mar 2006
My eight-year old daughter has just completed her rocks and crystals homework using a mind map. I helped her out and we both really enjoyed it. It would have been quite frustrating to do in the default way (lists and tables) as she is quite a slow writer and not naturally good at spelling. We managed to cram so much info in there, using drawings, colours and just a few words.

I've got my own adult version of the book now.

New Way of Outlining Your Thoughts, 07 May 2004
Mind-mapping falls within the larger category of techniques for organizing your thoughts. There are schools of web or blob thinking and other nonlinear forms of organizing material, and this book is clear, concise and well-presented, although I'm a little unclear if it's for parents or for parents to read with their kids. Worth trying if you're not a "Type A" personality. I just finished "I Sleep At Red Lights: A True Story of Life After Triplets," by Bruce Stockler, a gift from my husband, and am passing it along to all my friends--a wonderful, vibrant, funny and compassionate memoir about family life.

Best Book, 26 Mar 2004
Tony Buzan has written many books on mind mapping, a great skill to acquire for anyone. This version is well laid out, has easy to read, simple text and lots and LOTS of colour, pictures and diagrams.

And, there's the trick, the book is designed to use many of the 14 brain skills both logical and creative, so making the subject matter immediately more appealing, and more memorable!

I'd recommend Mind Mapping for kids to kids of all ages. The book is short, but packed with information. You could read the whole book in less than an hour.

No wonder it's a best seller.

Make school more interesting, 10 Mar 2003
Tony Buzan has been at this mind mapping stuff for a while now and I wish someone had given me this book when I was at school. Its really easy to follow and before you know it your kids will be drawing colourful spider diagrams full of facts that help them with their school work. I gave one to my nephew and I've never seen him so interested in his homework.

A Classic, 12 Oct 2008
Not only is this book fun for young hands, as it's perfectly sized and sturdy, it is also educational. Neither the young boy I got this for or his older brother would put this down for days. It went in the car, to nursery and even to bed

Yum!, 16 Sep 2008
An infamous short tale of the caterpillar that munches its way through the edible obstacles on each page, until it becomes a butterfly. Arguably the most famous of the Eric Carle short stories, The Hungry Caterpillar symbolises the journeys things take in the world in order to accomplish something great. Themes in this book include the virtue of patience and the fact that things can sometimes take a surprising turn.

`The Hungry Caterpillar' shows all the great hallmarks of a young children's book, in that it easily lends itself to the curriculum and is as simple as it is equally open to in-depth interpretation. Possibilities of further learning include additional studies of phonics, links with food technology (fruits and their properties) and Art lessons, which could include the replication of the story by building giant cardboard fruits and a willing pupil dressing up as the wriggly main character!

Thanks to its content, messages and style, this book is useful for readers from Reception to low attainment Year 2.

A true classic!, 14 Sep 2008
I was so happy when a friend gave me this when my now 13 month old was born, it reminded me so much of my childhood. I was even happier once he was big enough to start turning it's pages and poking his fingers in the holes and listening intently (well, not always!!) as I counted each different bit of food. He plays with it all the time and it is so hardwearing and virtually indestructible (unlike some other books I have purchsed!).

It's so amazing that a book I adored as a child, which I then read to my younger sister (well, more knowing it off by heart as I couldn't even read then!!) is now being adored by my son.

It's wonderful to know that there are still some sacred things left that haven't been replaced by a flashier, more plasticky version.

This is a definite must-buy for all little kids (and big kids too!).

Keeps them occupied, 15 Aug 2008
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great little book. It keeps my daughter occupied for hours on end. Just a quick flick through it is enough to convince any adult that a small child will like it. Simplistic, enjoyable and charming. And actually quite funny.
Well recommended for very small kids.

Little ones just love it!, 07 Jul 2008
I remembered this book from when I was young so I decided to buy the board book version for my toddler daughter.
The smaller board book fits comfortably in her little hands and she adores paging through it, watching all that the little caterpillar eats (even the sad caterpillar face with a stomachache makes me smile)
My daughter reads it over and over again. It's a classic and a firm favorite in our home.

Highly recommended!, 08 Oct 2008
I love this book. If you only ever buy one "parenting" book, make it this one! It is written with warmth and humour and the author's obvious love and respect for children shines through.
He is not concerned with "managing the child's behaviour" but rather with developing the psychological skills she needs to successfully manage her own life......and to this end, provides us with the ways in which we can assist in this process.
He is also not concerned with "guilt tripping" parents for any shortcomings in their parenting skills....what a relief!
This is a very clear and easy to read book and if it were compulsory reading for all parents, would be parents and teachers, our future generation would be in very safe hands! I highly recommend it.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Hard, but good practice for the real thing, 06 Nov 2007
GL Assessment (formerly NFER Nelson) are the company that set the real 11+ Verbal Reasoning papers in many parts of the country - certainly they set them in the Essex area, and these papers are the nearest to the real papers that it is possible for any of us to lay our hands on. I have been using them for years with my pupils as part of the final preparation. We have now changed to the Multiple Choice style, so I have found myself having to get a whole new set, as a result of which, I have discovered that ...

... if you live in the CSSE (Essex 11+) area, Amazon supply the whole set quite a bit cheaper when bought from here than when bought from the consortium!

Exactly the same pack from the Consortium - £11.99
from other book shops - £9.99
Here - It varies - but it's usually considerably cheaper than any other source! Look and see.

Go do the maths!

It doesn't take a Grammar School student (or even a prospective Grammar School Student) to work it out! LOL!

N.B.
Don't try these with your child before the final term. They are quite tough, and so can be very discouraging if done too soon; although they provide invaluable preparation close to the test. I recommend (several years experience talking here) that you try them roughly a month before the real test. That gives your child time for one a week, which should help to improve confidence. The 'pass mark' is usually around 70%

Other books that come highly recommended (I've taught 11+ children for more years than I care to imagine!) are the Susan Daughtrey series - Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice (7 books in the series - most important are books 1 & 2, more practice and the practice papers.) They provide fantastic experience in VR from about Year 5 onwards and will lead your child in preparation for the final practice tests that this pack provides.
She also does a multiple choice test pack - the earlier ones of which are reasonable; but the last has some really tricky questions.
Another good series for multiple choice type tests (also for conventional type) is the CGP pack.
Look them all up, and give them a go if you want to provide your child with valuable extra practice.

Beware - not a revised edition at all!, 17 Oct 2007
I already had the 1997 edition of these papers, so bought this so called Revised 2003