PetsPyjamas • 11th October 2023

Me & My Pet with travel journalist Lottie Gross

We recently spoke to travel journalist Lottie Gross – a dog-adoring writer who is currently working on her second dog-friendly travel book. Her first, Dog-Friendly Weekends: 50 breaks in Britain for you and your dog, is one of our favourite canine-approved guides so we were keen to get her top travel tips and recommendations. Here, she shares all that and more – including a hilarious tale or two about Arty, her spirited Manchester Terrier.

Plus, keep reading until the end to find out how you ca

Penguin Random House UK • 25th September 2023

The best mother figures in children’s literature

It’s undeniable: mums are among the strongest beings out there. So, we’ve chosen some of our favourite mother figures from children’s books. They do everything from tucking their children in at night and putting food on the table, to outsmarting evil witches.

Penguin Random House UK • 25th September 2023

Puffin authors share the best books they received for Christmas

There's no better gift at Christmas than a great book (ok, we might be biased). We asked some of our authors to share the best book they’ve received, here's what it meant to them.

My father believed that most Christmas presents should arrive in a stocking and that most Christmas presents should be books, so as a child I'd wake up each year to a pillowcase full of books at the end of my bed. I discovered so many wonderful stories that way, but the one that really sticks in my mind is The Hundred

Penguin Random House UK • 25th September 2023

9 different types of poetry

Poetry can seem intimidating, especially if you feel you’re not as well versed as others. But the world of poetry is vast and diverse! You’ve probably come across lots of different types of poetry without even realising it!

The haiku (or hokku) is an ancient form of Japanese poetry that has become very popular all over the world. Renowned for its small size, haikus consist of just three lines (tercet); the first and third lines have five syllables, whereas the second has seven. Haikus don’t hav

Penguin Random House UK • 24th September 2023

Reading with children with autism

Books that children can relate to and see themselves reflected in can also be extremely effective in inspiring a love for books and reading: ‘I read a lot of stuff by Jacqueline Wilson; there weren't many books growing up that were about different/unorthodox families like mine and her books were ones I could really relate to’, says Rosie King, the voice of Llama on Pablo.

Penguin Random House UK • 21st September 2023

Best children's books to share together on Mother’s Day

Let’s celebrate all the different kinds of wonderful mums in the world! In honour of Mother’s Day, we’ve put together a list of books for little ones to gift and share.

Penguin Random House UK • 21st September 2023

17 of the best LGBTQIA+ books for kids

It’s important for children and LGBTQIA+ families to see themselves reflected in books. It’s also important for those who are not directly part of the community to learn about acceptance and equality. So, we’ve picked out the best children’s books that celebrate diversity.

PetsPyjamas • 20th September 2023

Pale Hall Review | Pet Inspector

Recently, Kiki the pet inspector took an enchanting journey to the resplendent Pale Hall in Bala, North Wales. Tucked away in the beautiful Welsh countryside, this 5-star, dog-friendly Victorian country house offers an unparalleled retreat for all – especially our furry friends. Surrounded by mountains with Wales’ biggest lake, Llyn Tegid, at its centre, this gorgeous town is the perfect place for a getaway with your pooch. Tag along for this paw-some narrative as Kiki sniffs out the luxurious s

Penguin Random House UK • 18th September 2023

12 books about friendship for little kids

Friendships are one of the most important parts of childhood, and they are the first relationships we all choose for ourselves. We’ve pulled together a list of stories that focus on special friendships, as well as books that offer guidance on how kids can forge lasting bonds with their peers.

Penguin Random House UK • 4th September 2023

Best fictional schools in kid's literature

September is looming and that means back to school. Boo. But just imagine for a second that you’ll start the new term by learning how to ride a broom. Or maybe you’ll befriend a dolphin. Or you might help solve a murder mystery. We’ve picked out our favourite fictional schools we’d love to go to.

Penguin Random House UK • 24th August 2023

10 of the best dogs in children's books

Snoopy’s creator Charles M. Schulz said, ‘Happiness is a warm puppy’ – and we couldn’t agree more! And with International Dog Day coming up on the 26 August, we’ve sniffed out some of the goodest dogs that can be found in children’s fiction.

PetsPyjamas • 3rd August 2023

The 10 best year-Round Dog-Friendly Beaches in the UK

Want to know where the best dog-friendly beaches are? Well, after all, whether it’s playing fetch, a stroll across sandy shores or a dip in the sea, dogs and the coast go hand in hand.

However not all British beaches are pup-friendly, particularly during the summer months, which can make it tricky to choose where to take your hound on holiday. So we’ve done the hard work for you and sniffed out ten of the best dog-friendly beaches across the UK.

Some boast rock pools and secret coves, others m

PetsPyjamas • 21st July 2023

Me & My Pet: Dr Scott

We spoke to Dr Scott Miller, resident vet on ITV’s This Morning show, who also runs his own practice in Isleworth, about life with his two adorable dogs Skully and Ludo, how they enhance his life and how they also get along with his children. We also find out about his charity work in Ukraine with animals caught up in the conflict and his thoughts about animal welfare.

Firstly tell us what you love most about your job and what you are working on at the moment? Also about your charity work in Uk

PetsPyjamas • 14th July 2023

The 17 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants In Liverpool

Embark on a culinary adventure with your canine companion and our guide to the best dog-friendly restaurants in Liverpool.

Liverpool is a true dog-loving city and has plenty of fantastic places for you and your four-legged friend to explore including Sefton Park, with its famous glasshouse, Otterspool promenade where you can stroll along the River Mersey as well as The Albert Dock with its maritime history and backdrop to the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

So whether you are looking for a brunc

Penguin Random House UK • 12th July 2023

How to prepare your kids for travelling

Whether you’ve got a short or long-haul trip planned this summer, you can never be too prepared especially when travelling with children. So, here are some of our top tips to help get you all ready for your holiday as well as some sun-sational books to pack.

The best way to get any child excited about a holiday is to talk to them about it. Their age will dictate how much they want to know and how much they will really understand the concept, but it’s good to start talking about it regularly eve

Penguin Random House UK • 5th July 2023

'She was a born storyteller': Why we love Jill Murphy

Beloved author and illustrator Jill Murphy was born on 5 July 1949. To celebrate and pay tribute to her, we asked a handful of fans, colleagues, and fellow author-illustrators to share what they love most about her work.

PetsPyjamas • 7th June 2023

The Ultimate Guide To Dog-Friendly Plants

When it comes to using safe garden plants and creating the perfect outdoor space, safety and aesthetics are the essential elements every pet parent should consider. Your garden can indeed be a sanctuary for you and your four-legged friend, provided you’ve ensured the plants you cultivate are dog-friendly and it’s always best to double check before planting.

Some common garden plants can be toxic to pets, causing a range of health issues if ingested. But fear not, there are many beautiful blooms

PetsPyjamas • 7th June 2023

‘Petiquette’ - Your Essential Guide To Dog-Friendly Travel

A dog-friendly travel guide curated by PetsPyjamas Co-founder Denise Elphick – a travel journalist who has travelled with her Norfolk Terrier, Kiki.

I believe that travelling with your dog makes holidays so much more fun and rewarding and whenever we can my husband, Rory, and I like to include our Norfolk Terrier, Kiki, aka the Pet Inspector, in our plans. She absolutely loves staying in hotels and cottages by the sea -she especially loves long walks on the beach and has even climbed to the top

Penguin Random House UK • 15th March 2023

9 of the best Irish children’s books and authors

9 of the best Irish children’s books and authors

If you're looking for a way to mark St. Patrick's Day or you just fancy reading some literature by a talented Irish author, we've picked out some top tales.

Penguin Random House UK • 22nd February 2023

7 ways to celebrate World Book Day 2023

Are you ready for World Book Day ? To make sure you celebrate in style, we've put together some fun activities for you to all enjoy together.

Dress up as your favourite character

For many children, dressing up as their favourite book character and then showing off their outfits at school is the highlight of the day. But which character should they go as? Check out our step-by-step guides here for some inspiration. For those of you who may be on a tighter budget or are short on time, try one of

Penguin Random House UK • 9th February 2023

The best classic love stories for young readers

Love is in the air! These classic stories are perfect for younger readers looking for a first introduction to the romance genre.

Penguin Random House UK • 8th February 2023

9 books about mindfulness and big feelings for kids

It’s never too early to teach children to be mindful of their emotional and mental wellbeing. We’ve picked out a selection of books that touch on different ways to practice mindfulness and healthy coping mechanisms for those big emotions.

Penguin Random House UK • 30th January 2023

14 of the best book subscription boxes for children

Wee Bookworms is a specialist children’s bookshop in Northern Ireland, and we’re very thankful they have their own subscription service. They offer six different age range boxes, from babies all the way up to teenagers – and they even have an adult subscription box for fans of classic children’s tales and YA. Each month you’ll receive one or two beautifully wrapped books, and with your first box you’ll also receive a surprise gift, a bookmark, and a Trainee Bookworm certificate (to make it offic

Penguin Random House UK • 23rd January 2023

The best children’s books about the Second World War

War is a difficult subject, and the atrocities of World War II can be especially hard to broach with younger readers. So, we’ve put together a selection of books, from real-life accounts and essential facts to historical fiction, that will give children helpful insight into what life was like during this pivotal time.