This Month: January 2012

January 3, 2012 Chopsy Baby

We can’t believe it’s New Year already. So the children have probably spent the last three weeks being little horrors and it will be a relief to get them back to school again. But that means the usual routine of early starts, packed lunches and getting wet in the rain. Not quite ready either.

This month’s front cover star is: Marvin from South Bristol.

James Benson from Bristol writes: ‘Thanks for considering dads on this website. Baby websites are usually mushy pink things.’

Chopsy Baby Says: ‘Thanks James. Our editorial policy states: ‘Nothing insipid, no pastels and certainly no baby blues or pinks’.

Classic children’s book Dear Zoo has been transformed into an app in time for its thirtieth anniversary. It is designed for parents and children to explore the story in a new way.

The lift the flap book by Rod Campbell, is the first app that Macmillan Children’s Books have created and launched.

Digital Director of Panmacmillan, Sara Lloyd says:”For us an app always has to deliver something very special to justify its app-worthiness. Here we’ve developed a digital version of the lift-the-flap experience but we’ve also delivered so much more than that, with entertaining animations, a game and exclusive new artwork from Rod himself, as well as synched audio from Caroline Quentin. Plus, the app is launching ahead of a year of celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of Dear Zoo, bringing it to a whole new generation of readers in a charming new way.”

£1.99
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/dear-zoo/id484923402?mt=8

CBeebies’ favourite making-man, Mister Maker, is packing up his craft box and taking his artistic talents on the road to join the channel’s biggest stars in the brand new arena spectacular CBeebies Live! ‘Reach to the Stars’. Fun, inspirational and very good with his hands, Mister Maker has just been confirmed as part of the stellar line-up for this 9-city UK arena tour from 31 March to 14 April 2012. www.CBeebiesLive.com

When do you take your Christmas tree down?

“January the first. Then I feel ready for the new year.”

Jane Hargreaves
Lawrence Weston

“The 28 of December because it will get in the way of the New Year’s Eve party.”

Maise Buckley
Eastville

“Around the second or third of the new year in time for the Christmas rubbish collections. They take trees that week.”

Emma Saunders
Nailsea

Think of any tune you used to love, haven’t heard in years and can’t find on CD then YouTube it. Total joy.

Featured Product: Hug a Pet

A soft cuddly toy converting to cosy pillow will be a perfect pal for the cold January weather. Aimed at children aged 3-14 years.

£19.95