Happy Ponies Book Review

We were recently sent some of a wonderful new series of books called Happy Ponies, this series of 20 books are based on real life ponies that live on a farm on the Isle of Wight. Gail, the author taught the ponies owner Nicola how to drive carriages pulled by the ponies and whilst out on their trips, Gail would imagine different characters and scenarios for the ponies.

The bright and colourful book colours are appealing to the eye and the playful ponies on the front were an instant hit for my daughter who coincidentally, is going on her first horse ride this weekend as a birthday treat from her best friend.

The stories themselves are well written and feature real life situations that children can not only enjoy but relate to as well. Our favourite being the story of Malt Loaf and the Tooth Fairy, my son lost his tooth a few months back so this was something we definitely understood.

We have been reading these as bedtime stories and they make the perfect lighthearted story for the end of the day, if I could change one thing it would be the layout. To have the text split over the pages with a few more pictures would have made them more engaging. However I more than made up for this with my silly voices, which it states are more than appropriate in the front of the book, very good.

At the end of each book is a picture of one of the real life ponies and a bit about them, their character and likes and dislikes, this is a really great addition and brings the ponies to life. My daughter has loved looking at these and then looking for them on the front of the book.

These books would make perfect gift for a pony loving child, whether they love to ride them or just have an interest in these wonderful and majestic creatures. 

The first 3 instalments of the Happy Ponies series are available to buy from Amazon, for just £6.99 each. These stories are sure to be a staple on our reading list and have definitely been a bedtime favourite for us these past few weeks. We can't wait to see what other adventures the ponies get up to in the future.

NB: We were sent these books for the purpose of this review, all opinions and pictures are my own.

Hare and Tortoise at the Nottingham Playhouse - Review

This weekend, we were invited to review the Hare and the Tortoise, which is currently playing in the Neville Studio at the Nottingham Playhouse.

An adaptation of the classic Aesop Fable, this story tells of the forever in a hurry Hare and the slow and thoughtful but much slower Tortoise 

We had never been to the Neville Studio before, it is a small intimate theatre, which meant that the children could sit on the cushions at the front and we could sit a bit further back in the seats. Being sat on the cushions so close to the actors meant the children felt like they were part of the show.

The show itself is a beautifully written adaptation of the story, two friends on a journey through the seasons, with the hare desperate to race against the tortoise.

Photo credit Nottingham Playhouse

In contrast, the tortoise wants to enjoy the days, taking in spring, summer and autumn before she goes back to hibernate for winter. Adam Horvath who plays the Hare has some wonderful expressions that had the children laughing from the start, getting them to interact to try and wake the tortoise up. My husband likened his cheeky habits and face pulling to Rik Mayall in The Young Ones. Along side Adam, is Elizabeth Eaves who plays the sleepy and clever tortoise, an endearing character which had us all smiling as she kept telling the tortoise that 'maybe' they would race soon. She was even drinking tea at every stop, well why not when you've been asleep for ages.

Photo credit Nottingham Playhouse

When asked what their favourite parts were, my children said they loved helping to make the waves of the sea and although were disappointed not to be chosen to participate any further, the constant interaction with the characters as they walked around the studio made up for this and it was a wonderful way to make the show feel a lot bigger than it was.

We've been to several plays now with the children, including some larger ones but I have to say that this was without a doubt my favourite, the huge smiles on the children's faces when it finished were a credit to both Elizabeth and Adam's acting. 

Photo credit Nottingham Playhouse

This play is perfect for this time of year, telling us to stop and enjoy the little things rather than rushing through life and missing the things that matter.

We had a wonderful time watching the play and colouring in before hand, I hadn't realised before that the Playhouse did this sort of thing, but now I know about it, we will definitely be back to watch more. A great rainy day activity for all of the family to enjoy.

The show is aimed at 4-8 year olds and I think this is right age bracket, my daughter is four, almost five and my son is seven and a half and it was perfect for them both.

The Hare and Tortoise is playing until the 2nd January and with it only being an hour long it means you can fit it in as part of a day out in Nottingham, they can validate your parking as well, so that it costs only £5, with two showings per day, this is a great way to start or finish a day in town. A family ticket is £28 or the tickets are £8 for children and £10 for adult so it doesn't cost the earth.

NB: We were given a family ticket to attend the show, all words and opinions are mine. Photos are mine unless stated.

I Was A Rat Theatre Review

Last week I was invited to see I Was A Rat at the Nottingham Playhouse. I don't often get to go to the theatre and my son was a little young for this production, so it gave me a good excuse to have a few hours to myself.

Sitting down to a rather dark and empty stage I was intrigued at the performance ahead.

In the opening scene we meet the main character a boy named Roger who walks into the lives of two unsuspecting but wonderfully kind people Joan and Bob.

Following them on a journey to try and find out where Roger comes from, as Roger tries his hardest to fit in, with his child like innocence this isn't easy.

I was a Rat is based on the book by Phillip Pullman and for me was a beautiful and exciting take on a Cinderella like fairytale.

Further on into the story we follow Roger as he finds out about the darker sides of life, from criminals to people willing to exploit him and that not everyone in the world is kind like Joan and Bob.

The play itself was wonderful, I have never been to one with so little set but the atmosphere brought to the show with lighting, sound and moveable props was utterly brilliant and left me captivated and wanting more.

The few actors playing the many characters were incredible, showing just how versatile they were. The acrobatic dance skills of Fox Jackson-Keene who played Roger were fabuous and brought to the play a modern element.

I did here a child sobbing a little so for those that a  little younger and maybe more sensitive I would be prepared for the dark nature of the play, both in effects and in story.

However, with some light hearted jokes on current affairs it stayed topical and up to the minute on a story which set in times long ago.

Overall the stage effects were fabulous, the acting and dancing were entertaining and the characters loveable and I found myself still thinking about the play for a few days after.

Tour Dates

26 March to 13 April
Nottingham Playhouse
0115 941 9419 / nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

16 to 20 April
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
01284 755127 / theatreroyal.org

23 to 25 April
Truro Hall for Cornwall
01872 262466 / hallforcornwall.co.uk

1 to 4 May
Cambridge Arts Theatre
01223 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.co.uk

7 to 11 May
The Lowry Salford
0843 208 6000 / thelowry.com

15 to 18 May
Northcott Theatre, Exeter
01392 493 493 / exeternorthcott.co.uk

22 to 25 May
Leeds City Varieties Theatre
08456 441 881/ cityvarieties.co.uk

29 May to 1 June
Hereford Courtyard Theatre
01432 340555 / courtyard.org.uk

NB: I was given the tickets for this event free of charge, all thoughts are my own.