Advantages: A fantastic story
Disadvantages: Quite female focused, not really a bloke book.

...When (if) you read the bible, you often come across characters that pop up only once, and are in the spotlight for a moment, and then disappear again... but you suspect they have more story to tell than is recorded. For example, the story of Joseph (and his 'technicolour' coat) is famous, but what do you know about his only sister? Nothing? Yeah me too! Until I read this fantastic book. Anita Diamant takes the story of Dinah, mentioned only in passing in the bible, and develops it. The result is largely an imaginative work of fiction, however, it is deeply rooted in information from other sources. For example, Joseph's time in Egypt is included, and other stories about Jacob, such as his difficult relationship with his brother Esau. The Red Tent is therefore deeply plausible as a narrative. There are no details that jar, or suspend... Read review

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Advantages: Encourages teamwork and fun
Disadvantages: none

...Charley the Crocodile Eddie the Elephant Maisy also has a small stuffed Panda toy that she likes to take everywhere with her. ***The Story*** In this book we see Maisy set of for an adventure camping in the country with her friends. They stop when they find the perfect place to camp. Setting the tent up isn't the easiest though and just when they think that teamwork has helped them get it right….it collapses on top of them. This doesn't stop them trying again though and at last the big tent is up. They think it is huge and that there will be loads of room inside for everyone. Before bedtime though they have supper and sing their favourite songs round the campfire. They all line up to get into the tent. "First in was Cyril, with his torch. Nice pyjamas, Cyril! One in the tent! Next came Charley. Mind the tent pegs, Charley... Read review

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Advantages: Easy read, no dead space, keeps going
Disadvantages: none

...-of-factly and without any emotional tie to this God. The women had their goddesses and the "red tent" where menstruation and childbirth took place. They worshipped goddesses and used them in ceremonies to mark womanhood. Even before she is a woman, her mother-aunts allow her into the tent before she is a woman and she is exposed to a world full of life and death that occurs in the red tent. Even though you get Dinah's perspective in the story, you get the sense she is ignored, as she is in the Bible, until her sexuality is unleashed. I feel like this is a metaphor in regard to the sentiment of men (and some women) in very religious communities, that a woman's sexuality must be controlled and when it isn't, all hell breaks loose. I also found it interesting how she was very much apart of her mothers' and grandmother's religious traditions... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful, historical, full of imagery, full of passion and compassion
Disadvantages: I want a series of them!

...As a graduate in literature I have read so many books, but this is my all time favourite. It basically tells the imagined life of Dinah, but is so full of vivid descriptions and a real feeling for the historical period, that I cannot imagine anyone not liking it. Diamant has obviously researched her subject well and this is show in the many details. The ways of child birth, the rites of passage, the relationship between friends, couples and families. It is a thick book but races through enough, to give a sense of anticipation and yet lingers enough to seduce the reader. We used the Red Tent as a reading for our wedding service to be enjoyed by everyone. The last image is of the Egyptian Lotus who's smell is always present, whenever you smell it, the images conjured up makes the memory alive. This is likened to love that never dies... Read review

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Advantages: So much fun to read! - creative, unique, imaginative, funny....
Disadvantages: C'mon! It's Dr Seuss!

...... Read review

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Advantages: Lovely stories from all the CBeebies favourites
Disadvantages: 350 pages, big and bulky

...and Pinga decide to make a tent, their Dad helps them to put it up and gives them some other items to make their stay in the tent more comfortable. Pingu in his own way manages to upset Pinga, but is then upset himself by strange noises and strange noises and shadows outside the tent. So who is outside the tent? You'll have to read the book to find out. And last but not least Bob the Builder returns in Dizzy's Talkie Talkie. Now this particular story I have watched on CBeebies on a number of occasions with my boys. It revolves around Bob needing to build a water tank. Dizzy & Scrambler head out to find rocks to help build the platform. When they find some they use the Talkie Talkie to call Muck to collect the rocks. Things are never that simple though and the Talkie Talkie's are used a few more times during the story. ***** Extra Info... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of insight
Disadvantages: A bit parochial

...Catholic church are diocesan priests. Many belong to monastic orders, or various other orders that provide spiritual support, guidelines and community. Jesuits, Dominicans and others have differing kinds of communities that encourage, through rules and practices, gatherings and accountability systems, spiritual development in their members. The `ordinary' diocesan priest rarely has these kinds of supports. To work in the `secular' world becomes a distraction, sometimes a definite hindrance to spiritual growth and practice. In this sense, it is analogous to the situation in which many Old Catholic priests find themselves. Most Old Catholic clergy have to be `tent-maker' clerics. The label `tent-maker' hearkens back to the apostle Paul, who did not see, nor did he use, his ministry as a means for making money, but rather preferred to continue... Read review

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Advantages: Hilarious, unputdownable, total escapism
Disadvantages: there never ever could be any

...’ or possibly even a witch as the story unfolds. In the book it becomes clear that Tiffany is constantly searching for knowledge and when the travellers come to town advertising lessons she always goes to their tents and gets half an hour of education in her chosen subject in exchange for some vegetables or eggs (Jograffy! Jograffy! Jograffy! For today only all major land masses and oceans PLUS everything you need to kno about glassiers! One penny or All Major Vejtables Acsepted!) The only books at home were an ancient book of Faery Tales and a book called Diseases of the Sheep that had been her Granny’s and Tiffany respected them and read them often, believing that the written word was magical. She resents having to care for her baby brother and besides being a little jealous I think, she finds him a tie. WENTWORTH – Tiffany’s baby... Read review

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Advantages: It's Kipper
Disadvantages: none

...camping under the blankets. They take the tent and their favourite toys but Tiger isn't as brave as he should be and is worried in case any big bears appear. Of course they start to read a scary book and it isn't long before the pair are hearing noises and letting their imaginations run away with them. They drop the torch and see what looks like a horrible monster outside the tent. They soon find out what it is but decide to go back to the safety of Kipper's bedroom and think that camping inside is much safer than camping out. ***The Illustrations*** The illustrations in this book are simple but clear as with all Mick Inkpen books. The expressions on the faces of Kipper and Tiger are drawn to perfection especially the surprised look when they hear the strange noise. The colours are delicate and funny and just right for young... Read review

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Advantages: Lovely story of a camping holiday that doesn't always go to plan
Disadvantages: none

...***Background*** I first discovered Debi Gliori through the Woodland Friends series of board books, which all had shiny bits of silver and gold on the pages. If you're a regular reader of my reviews then you'll probably recognise her name from them, as I was most impressed by the rhyming books. This Mr Bear series is published by Orchard Books and there are 5 of them in total. They are very different from the board books, which are aimed at younger children, as these have proper stories in them, all about the character Mr Bear. ***The Story*** The story starts with Small Bear getting a postcard from her friends who are on holiday. She then thinks what a good idea it would be to go on a holiday. Mr Bear thinks a tent would be the perfect thing to spend a holiday in and the family decide to get everything ready... Read review

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