It’s a special BOGTF on Linda’s Book Bag today as I review not one, but three, children’s books from the Red Shed Little Experts Series: Marvellous Vehicles by James May, Amazing Bodies by Dr Ronx and Why Money Matters by Deborah Meaden. Little Experts is an unmissable series that will empower and inspire a new generation of experts.

Normally I try not to blog at the weekends but having had some time away over August, with a huge backlog of full reviews to put out here on the blog for the books I’ve read and featured in The People’s Friend and My Weekly magazines, I can’t otherwise fit everything in!

My huge thanks to the team at FMcM for sending the books to me in return for honest reviews.

All three Little Experts books are available for purchase through the links here.

Marvellous Vehicles

Mad about marvellous vehicles? Hit the road with writer and broadcaster James May to discover incredible human-powered vehicles – from bicycles and submarines to amphibious vehicles and even a helicopter. Yes, really!

Our EXPERTS are famous for their incredible know-how and passion for their subjects, and now they have made it their mission to share that knowledge with you in LITTLE EXPERTS: the inspirational new non-fiction series for six- to nine-year-olds.

This jaw-dropping non-fiction journey has bright, inclusive and stylish artwork throughout by Emans.

Marvellous Vehicles is available for purchase here.

My Review of Marvellous Vehicles

All about human powered vehicles.

I was taken aback by Marvellous Vehicles as the level of science and technology is high so that I learnt a great deal, but it is presented in such a manner as to be accessible and understood by young readers.

From James May’s introduction to his final sentence, he adopts a conversational style peppered with anecdotes that balance the more educational aspects and make readers feel as if he is addressing them directly. His questions and suggestions mean that children feel inspired to discover more, to have a go at vehicle design and I can imagine a life-long passion being engendered by Marvellous Vehicles. I was delighted to see reference to vehicles for physically challenged readers too. 

As well as science and technology, Marvellous Vehicles touches on history so that there’s the potential to research beyond the confines of the text, perhaps looking at Leonardo da Vinci or the history of flight. There’s a helpful glossary of terms at the back of the book that supports literacy and understanding too.

With bright, engaging and colourful illustrations by Emans and a good balance of space, text and image, Marvellous Vehicles is an engaging, informative and entertaining book. 

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As with other Little Experts books, the physical book of Marvellous Vehicles is a good weight and size for children’s hands and has a robust cover that makes it idea for home or school use.

About James May

James May is a writer and broadcaster. He’s best known for co-presenting The Grand Tour and Top Gear, and his previous books for adults include Carbolics and Car Fever. This is James’s first official book for children.

You’ll find James May on Twitter @MrJamesMay.

Amazing Bodies

Inspired by the incredible human body? Take a tour with Dr Ronx – TV presenter on CBBC’s Operation Ouch! and an award-winning trans non-binary emergency doctor – to discover spongy brains, gooey guts and everything in between.

Our EXPERTS are famous for their incredible know-how and passion for their subjects, and now they have made it their mission to share that knowledge with you in LITTLE EXPERTS: the inspirational new non-fiction series for six- to nine-year-olds.

This jaw-dropping non-fiction journey has colourful, engaging and inclusive artwork throughout by Ashton Attzs.

My Review of Amazing Bodies

An exploration of the human body.

What a wonderful example for children to have access to a book from someone non-binary that makes no special fuss over the matter so that Amazing Bodies feels totally inclusive. I loved the personal introduction from Dr Ronx too.

Amazing Bodies is filled with the kind of detail and humour children love. Who knew, for example, that during our lives we shed a similar weight in skin cells to that of eight cats! The book is a whistle stop tour of the human body but it is absolutely rammed with interesting facts that will capture children’s imaginations.

The one aspect that I thought was truly inspired in Amazing Bodies was the interactive engagement to be had by trying out the suggestions made by Dr Ronx to find different muscles or your pulse for example.

Amazing Bodies has a smashing combination of text and detail supported by vibrant and helpful illustrations by Ashton Attzs, with a glossary of helpful words at the end. I thought it was an absolutely cracking children’s book and it’s my favourite of the series so far.

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As with other Little Experts books, the physical book of Amazing Bodies is a good weight and size for children’s hands and has a robust cover that makes it idea for home or school use.

About Dr Ronx

Dr Ronx is an award-winning trans non-binary emergency medicine doctor, TV presenter and loveable loudmouth with an unwavering desire to be the representation that young people need to see more of.

Why Money Matters

Mystified by money? Discover how it shapes the world we live in with Dragons’ Den investor and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden.

Our EXPERTS are famous for their incredible know-how and passion for their subjects, and now they have made it their mission to share that knowledge with you in LITTLE EXPERTS: the inspirational new non-fiction series for six- to nine-year-olds.

This jaw-dropping non-fiction journey has vibrant and inclusive artwork throughout by Hao Hao.

My Review of Why Money Matters

The history and use of money.

Forget young children, Deborah Meaden’s Why Money Matters could revolutionise the lives of adults of all ages too as she explains not just how the coins and paper money we use today have come about, but also how to budget and what it means to save and borrow. 

Certainly there’s history and geography present between the pages of Why Money Matters, which could stimulate further research (employment as a snake venom collector anyone?) and engagement, but what works so well is the use of everyday examples for children to explain terms like ‘compound interest’. I thought it inspired to involve young readers by asking then to think where government taxes might be spent in their own environments. There are several activities in the book that children can carry out to make them more financially aware. 

As with other Little Experts books, there’s a personal introduction from the author and a useful glossary at the end. Similarly, the illustrations by Hao Hao really bring the details to life, being bright, colourful and stylistically appealing to the target audience.

I’m not sure all young readers will go from selling a few garden flowers at the age of 7 to being a wealthy entrepreneur like Deborah Meaden’s, but Why Money Matters gives them an interesting, engaging and entertaining first step in dealing with money along the way! It’s an important book for children.

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As with other Little Experts books, the physical book of Why Money Matters is a good weight and size for children’s hands and has a robust cover that makes it idea for home or school use.

About Deborah Meaden

Deborah Meaden is a highly-successful entrepreneur and one of Britain’s best-known business names. Deborah has been an investor on Dragons’ Den since 2006 and she also hosts BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Big Green Money Show podcast.

You can find Deborah on Twitter @DeborahMeaden.