Richard and Judy launches kids books club

A children's book written by Jo Nesbo is among the choices in Richard and Judy’s Children’s Book Club, which launched in W H Smith today [27th January].
 
The husband-and wife television presenting team are working alongside the charity Booktrust, to encourage more people to enjoy reading.
 
The Children’s Book Club will present six titles in the categories Read Together, Read Yourself and Fluent Reader to aid parents with selecting the best reading material for their children. The books will feature in a Buy One, Get One for £1 offer until the end of February.
 
Jo Nesbo sees his first children’s novel Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder, which has achieved success in Norway, feature in the Fluent category. Other titles such as Claude in the City by Alex T Smith and Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend, by Francesca Simon and Tony Ross are included in the Read Yourself and Read Together groups respectively.
 
The retailer’s business unit director for books, Rachel Russell, told The Bookseller she hoped the launch would help to increase book sales after a tough trading period over Christmas and into January.
 
The first title in the Richard and Judy Autumn Book Club, Sister, by Rosamund Lupton, broke WH Smith records when it became the fastest selling title by a debut author in WH Smith’s history.
 
Cartoon characters representing the celebrity couple will also be displayed in W H Smith’s shops to entice buyers into the store.
 
Russell said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Richard and Judy’s book recommendations to support children’s reading. They are trusted by millions of UK book buyers.”
 
Madeley said: “We hope that parents who take pleasure in and love the Book Club will enjoy choosing our selection for their children too.”
 
Finnigan added: “Getting children to engage with their favourite books and share their thoughts with friends is a great way to enjoy books and we hope that we can help give parents the suggestions they need to get the most out of the amazing stories that are out there.”
 
 
Children’s Book Club Titles
 
Fluent
Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder, Jo Nesbo (S&S Children’s)
Muncle Trogg, Janet Foxley (Chicken House)
Scarlett Dedd, Cathy Brett (Headline)
The Ogre of Oglefort, Eva Ibbotson (Macmillan Children’s Books)
The Wombles, Elisabeth Beresford (Bloomsbury)
Vordak The Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World, Scott
Seegert (Egmont)
 
Read by Yourself
Claude in the City, Alex T Smith (Hodder Children’s Books)
The Raven Mysteries: Flood and Fang, Marcus Sedgwick (Orion Children’s)
Max & Molly’s Guide to Trouble: How to Catch a Criminal, Dominic Barker and
Hannah Shaw (Orchard)
Scream Street: Heart of the Mummy, Tommy Donbavand (Walker)
The Magic Princess Dress, Gwyneth Rees (Macmillan Children’s Books)
Will Gallows & the Snake Bellied Troll, Derek Keilty (Andersen)
 
Reading Together
Dinosaur Cove: Attack of the Lizard King, Rex Stone (OUP)
Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend, Francesca Simon and Tony Ross (Orion
Children’s)
Jake the Good Bad Dog, Annette and Nick Butterworth (Catnip)
Molly’s Magic: The Witch’s Kitten, Holly Webb (Scholastic)
Roodica the Rude & The Famous Flea Trick, Margaret Ryan (Catnip)
Winnie Goes Batty, Laura Owen and Korky Paul (OUP)