Since the first publication of 'Born Free', readers have been captivated by the remarkable interaction between Joy and Elsa. Millions of people have also come to know Joy's story through the classic film starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.

Now, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original publication of Joy's story, (available from Pan Macmillan) children can learn about the wild animals that The Born Free Foundation strives to protect in a great range of activity books.

Simply type 'Born Free' into the search function on this website to find a grrreat range of wild activity books! By buying a Top That! Born Free activity book you will be helping to protect wild animals. Thank you!

To learn more about the work undertaken by The Born Free Foundation visit:

http://www.bornfree.org.uk/

If you spot one of our books lurking around, drop us an email on hello@topthatpublishing.com, leaving your name and contact details, where you spotted the book, and which book you saw. All submissions will be entered into a prize draw, and on the 1st of every month we will announce a winner who will receive one of our brand new books!

The answers will be revealed every Wednesday via our Twitter site: http://www.twitter.com/topthatpub

‘It’s never the wrong time to call on Toad. Early or late he’s always the same fellow. Always good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you go.’

‘All the same,’ said the Scarecrow, ‘I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one.’

Local: Farmers Market at Jimmy's Farm

Held the first Saturday of every month, head to Jimmy's Farm between 10am and 2pm and browse the stalls of local suppliers for fresh, quality produce. The kids can also enjoy visiting all the animals on the farm including rare breed pigs, cows, sheep and goats, or wander around the nature trail and woodland walk. There will also be live music from Toni Vines.

National: Bristol International Kite Festival

Head to Ashton Court Estate, near Bristol to see kites and inflatables from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Keep your eyes peeled for 25-metre dragons, 10-metre wizards and coral reefs decorated with sea creatures amongst many others! Open from 8am till dusk and with free entry, it's definitely worth a look!

International: International Fireworks Competition
Hanover's Grosser Garten is the venue for a spectacular combination of classical music and fireworks from five nations. Alongside the fireworks there are also stalls offering food and drink and concerts, theatre and cabaret performances throughout the gardens.

The Little Rock Lighthouse

To buy the title, or for more information:

http://www.topthatpublishing.com/title?id=5123

An important step before your child begins school is to talk to them  about their first day. Try to explain as much as possible about the day, where they'll be going, for how long, what they'll be doing and  so on. Answer any questions they might have and emphasise the things you think they will enjoy about school. Finally reassure your child that you, or their carer, will drop them off and be there to meet them  at the end of the day. If they know what to expect on the day, the less upset and stressed they should feel.

Before your child starts reception try to familiarise them with key words, letters and numbers so they already feel comfortable with them.  Try to read more often with your child, and when you're out make a game of naming objects and number-spotting. If your child feels prepared with the right skills for school it can  really help to boost their confidence.

In the days leading up to their first day, try to establish a routine and talk about what they might be doing at school at different times of day, including playtime and lunchtime. Get them to help to choose things they need for school, such as uniforms or school bags to get them involved and excited about starting.

During the first few weeks of primary school it is important to talk to your child about school and find out about their day, what they  have been doing, what they have learnt and any friends they have made.  It is also important to discuss any worries they may still have about school and keep reassuring and encouraging them. You can also support their literacy skills by encouraging reading at home. Reading together is a great way to develop their confidence and promote reading from an
early age.

To support literacy and give your child a head start, why not try our fantastic range of magnetic first books, School Days and Days Out.  Each title complies with the National Literacy Strategy and includes  the 45 Reception high frequency words. Alternatively, for great  bedtime reading try Toucan Toucan't. It's humorous story and bright  illustrations are perfect for capturing their attention time and time  again.

For more advice and information about schools, learning and development, visit Directgov

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/index.htm

'An author and poet, Spada was born, raised and currently resides in Methuen, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the local high school. His interests include reading, history, philosophy, religion and sports, and his works have been published in 20 – 30 magazines, journals, and newspapers throughout the past decade. Spada’s most recent endeavour is Said the Kitty to the Cat, a children’s book that was released by Top That! Publishing in June.

Said one mother, ‘Although my daughter enjoyed reading Harry Potter and the Lightning Thief series, when this book came across my desk, she asked ME to read it for her – she giggled each time the refrain came. It is our new favourite way to end the night.’

1) What inspired you to write SAID THE KITTY TO THE CAT…?

It was February, 2009, and it was just before Valentine's Day, and I was thinking of what I could get as a present for my two little nieces, Annabelle and Charlotte. (Sisters, aged 7 and 6 at the time) I had made them up little gift baskets, with candy and a card and whatnot, but that didn't seem like enough. Anyway, I thought a poem might be best, as both girls are smart and love to read, so I conjured up a picture in my head of two cats (A cat and a kitten) trying to open up a book of candies without any luck, and the same line kept running through my mind again and again:

‘Said the Kitty to the Cat,
said the Cat to the Kitty.’

Well, I wrote the poem, and afterward thought it might make a nice children's book, so I submitted it to publishers, and, well, the rest is history...

2) People often take for granted that writing a children's book is easy. Can you tell us what some of the challenges are in writing for a young audience?

Well, if you're writing a children's book you must be as descriptive and colorful as possible with every sentence. As most are only a dozen or so pages long, (not counting illustrations) you can't have a lull as in novel or longer work or else you'll lose their interest. As well, always make sure to stress the positive in whatever situation the characters are in. Childhood is supposed to be a happy time. A children's book should relate that on every page.

3) What do you see as the moral of SAID THE KITTY TO THE CAT...? What inspired you to choose that particular message?

I think what I was trying to most relate was a sense of togetherness. That throughout the whole book, the Cat and the Kitty are always trying to accomplish something as a team. They rely on each other and are there for one another at every turn. The way a sibling might depend on another sibling for support. That inspiration comes from a deep personal belief that one never accomplishes anything good alone. It takes so many people to create something worthwhile.

4) You are also a poet. How did that background influence your writing of the book?



It gave me a good sense as to where to start and how to finish the story. A poem, after all, is a tiny book. It should say something that is brief yet meaningful and leave the reader open to explore their own individual thoughts, whether they are about that particular subject or something entirely different. With children, I hope it introduces them to the world of poetry, and shows them what can be done with just a few simple words.

5) What was your first reaction upon seeing the illustrations that Steve Whitlow created to go along with your story? Were you able to collaborate on the process together?

I first saw the rough black and white sketches and thought they were very good, and was even more impressed when color was added to the completed project. It's innocent, gentle, and exactly what I was hoping for. Just right for young children who are beginning to read. No, actually, I have never met, spoken or contacted Mr. Whitlow. Such a thing is not uncommon in the publishing world. I would, however, be happy to work with him again in the future. He did a terrific job and I certainly appreciate his efforts.

6) What can readers expect next from you?

Well, it's difficult to say, as a lot depends on this first book, but I would certainly be interested in further works in children's literature. A book of poetry is also under negotiations, and a major philosophical piece is still planned, although further time is needed for such an important project. I'm not big on specializing in one genre: The sky's the limit. It's just a matter of getting the chance. We'll see how it goes.'

John Valeri, Hartford Books Examiner.

To buy Said the Kitty to the Cat or for more information, click here: http://www.topthatpublishing.com/title?id=4924

Every Friday we will be quoting from famous children's books!

The answers will be revealed every Wednesday via our Twitter site: http://www.twitter.com/topthatpub

‘Don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.’

‘When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.’

Local: Kentwell Hall High Summer Tudor Re-Creation
Step back in time and experience life as a Tudor. Visit the house, garden and farm and take part in the activities on offer.

National: Kidsweek
An annual event, kidsweek gives children aged 5-16 years old the chance to see some of the top London shows for free, as long as they are accompanied by an adult paying full price. Running until the 3rd September, check out the website for more details and the full list of shows available.

http://kidsweek.co.uk/home/

International: European Medieval Festival
Visit horses in Denmark this weekend for an authentic Middle Age experience. Highlights include a knights' tournament, concerts, theatre, falconry, puppetry and a medieval wedding!

Have a great bank holiday!

To buy the title, or for more information:

http://www.topthatpublishing.com/title?id=4925

‘Henry Fisher's illustrations sit beautifully alongside the text, with a unique and quirky style that's hard to define. There are hints of collage, hints of dreamscapes, big, bold characters, and gorgeous textures. Every page is a joy to look at, and gets better each time you read through it. The text alone would be super, the pictures alone would be super, but put the two together and you've got something very special indeed. Highly recommended.’ The Bookbag