Dear Newsletter readers

How time flies - we are already into August - soon it will be September and school time. If your grandchild is starting school for the first time, or going into a new year, use the last weeks of the holidays to prepare them for the new term, by encouraging them to read.

As grandparents most of our knowledge is through having read books, magazines, papers - the only ways we could learn before television and internet! Always take books on holidays or days o ut and keep some at home for grandchildrens' visits. Whatever stage their schooling is at, there is still time for having summer fun, without losing sight of the importance of reading. Soon it will be nothing but school books, so encourage them to keep reading in the summer with some Granny Look books 'n' things you may not have discovered!

READ ALL ABOUT IT, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Children are never too young to start learning - especially through books - story books, picture books, nursery rhymes, stories about pre-21st century times -what better way to take them along the road to reading than with bags of books!

From the Ice Age to Roman Times there are EXCITING ADVENTURES ABOUT OUR ANCESTORS with Grandma's Stories - every book contains a unique and holistic "Learn with Grandma" educational and activit ies programme. Grandma's beautifully illustrated books are available in English, and can be printed in a choice of any other language as well, accompanied by downloads and CD-Roms. Find all the details at www.4learningenglish.com

Get your new grandchild off to the best possible start with some bedtime (and any other time!) books! Go to www.beginsmartbooks.com for a great selection of POP-UP BOARD BOOKS FROM 0 - 24 MON THS OLD, all designed to stimulate the various stages of baby's growth.

At www.booksdirect.co.uk you'll find a GREAT LIST OF BOOK CATEGORIES with the CHILDRENS' BOOKS LISTED BY AGE GROUP - perfect for finding that ideal book for your grandchild, however young or old they are! As there are adult books too why not treat yourself to one for when the grandchildren are asleep!!

Under "Links and Shortcuts" at www.usborneonline.org click on Browse Catalogue to find their COMPRENSIVE LIST OF BOOKS FOR ALL AGES from babies to tots and teens - the choice is yours! Navigate their other sections to find out about Free Books, a Prize Draw and having fun with your granchildren!

MAD ABOUT MAGAZINES, CRAZY OVER COMICS!

"Box" magazines have BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS, STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY AND A VARIETY OF WRITING STYLES. Story Box is for 3-6 year olds, Adventure Box for 6 - 9's and Discovery Box for 9 - 12's. Find special offers and discounts at www.bayard-magazines.co.uk/ as well as details of how BOX MAGAZINES CAN BE SENT WORLDWIDE.

Turn your grandchildren's love of animals into a love of reading with a subscription to Zoobooks Magazines - THE KID'S MAGAZINE FOR ANIMAL LOVERS of all ages from 2 - 12! Go to www.zoobooks.com f or more information.

Remember those comics you used to read in your youth!?
Some are celebrating anniversaries this year, so what fun to show them to your grandchildren!

The British Librarys "British Comics Collection" gives all the history, publication dates, and details of COMICS DATING FROM THE 1870'S and under the category "Select List of British Comics" ther e's a list of all the one's they hold - can you find the one you read? All the details are at www.bl.uk/collections/comics.html and once you have the grandchildren's interest why not visit the mus eum and see them all!

The DFC is A BRAND NEW 36 PAGE COMIC FOR CHILDREN. Check out The DFC on the site at www.thedfc.co.uk/ first and then follow the signs to subscribe - - a great way to remind your near or far away randchildren you are thinking of them, when they receive it every Friday.

PRETTY AS A PICTURE (BOOK!)

Seeing is as important as reading, so Granny Look has been searching for some picture books for you to read together.

A book about WHAT GRANDMA'S AND GRANDPA'S DO BEST has to be top of the list! Check this out at www.lauranumeroff.com - the author's own website where she lists all her books, as well as a KIDS FUN SECTION and lots more!

Read the books, watch the characters come to life and buy the "In the Night Garden" products with your grandchildren. It's all at www.inthenightgarden.co.uk/ the MAGICAL PLACE WHERE ALL THE ACTIVITY HAPPENS!

For a different type of picture book try www.antelope-ebooks.com/childrens/CHPIX where they have a large variety of ELECTRONIC BOOKS on CD-ROM - from educational to fun and classics such as Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit.

And finally ... www.grannylook.com has more about all kinds of reading things and her Features/Reviews and Blog contains more on the importance of reading from an early age.

Hope you have enjoyed "READING" this newletter!

Until next time....

Granny Look.