Learn With Alex and Anna by Peter Hayward.

                Learn With Alex and Anna by Peter Hayward.

And now for a complete change…children's books for your child or grandchild. This was my area of expertise when I was in educational management and conducting some post-grad research into reading so it is an area I am more than happy to promote.

"Each story is written around a basis of positive family, personal and social values," didactic in nature. Series 1 will consist of 20 books, 9 of which have already been published. Peter Hayward covers a wide range of themes: train journeys, rain molecules, road safety, acorns, seat belts and a plethora of other relevant subjects. All of them are well-illustrated with the added bonus of primary colours so the reds, blues and yellows are appealing for the young readers.

"With the aid of significant people helping them on their life's journey, Alex and Anna are duly taught educational subjects whilst learning important life skills in a fun and friendly way."


Alex the Superhero: Grandpa arrives just before the imminent birth of Anna to do some DIY dressed in his extra large shirt which he believes is the suitable attire for a superhero. A touch of make-believe, inventiveness which is needed in children's stories can be seen when Grandpa and his little soldier go to school looking out for someone or something that might need rescuing! Important work.

"When they arrived at the school, they had both orbited their pretend world three times. Having saved lots of people and loads of animals, Grandpa was almost exhausted."

After school, Alex wears a makeshift red cape (a bath towel) as "Alex the superhero was everywhere in a flash." He even saves Freddie, the family dog from monsters. Whilst Alex is "saving" lives his mummy gives birth to Anna so an excitable Alex visits his baby sister and sees some babies in what he thinks are "fish tanks." He learns about why some babies are kept in incubators. Alex thinks that "superheroes fly through the air and save people." Mummy teaches him truisms: "Real superheroes don't {fly}because real superheroes are like you." A strong moral emerges here: "Being a real superhero means you are kind and helpful."

Alex the Fireman Saves the Flowers:
"Fire officers are very brave people. They help lots of people in trouble every day. They are heroes."
Alex and Anna visit their Auntie Lucy with Grandpa who has agreed to fit some extra smoke alarms. Auntie Lucy demonstrates how they work and Grandpa explains why it's important to have an extractor or a chimney to allow the bad air and gases to escape. The children tighten the screws which makes them feel proud and important. They both "took a bow as everyone congratulated them with a big round of applause." On the way to the park they heard real sirens blaring, on their way to a house fire. Alex was "mesmerised" and "looked on in awe at this astonishing sight."


He was able to climb into one of the fire engines and sit in the driver's seat before being given an unexpected gift-a special fire officer's hat to cherish. Hosing Auntie Lucy's flowers later seemed a bit of an anti-climax after the day's events.
"Visiting and helping members of their family was always packed full with fun and learning."
This is evident in the story.

The Burping Competiton: Don't we know that laughter is contagious so when Alex "took in huge gulps of air and a small burp erupted from him" this turned into a burping match with Grandpa who was willing to oblige. Onlookers were bemused by this. A visit by the midwife to check on Anna's progress also allowed Alex an opportunity to find out about burping and the function of the brain. We learn how the eyes focus, how hearing improves and how speech starts. We are also told about the ideomotor effect.


"Some fathers and grandfathers think that only mums and grandmas should change nappies and feed babies." The story dispels this idea and we are told that Alex's father is a very "hands-on-father" as well as Grandpa who feeds and changes Anna. The books are aimed primarily at the 6-10 age group and are available from Amazon.co.uk

Publisher: Alex and Anna Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-49976-1894/978-1500-632-762/978-1499-753820.

REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.

Copyright 2015. Permission must be obtained from the author before any of this article review is reproduced.

 I have the first 8 books to give to someone who can email me with contact details explaining why their child or grandchild would enjoy reading the books. Email: carolesleynaylor@gmail.com The winner will be notified by the end of March 2015.
The winner is: Jean Summers of Leeds, UK. Congratulations.



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