Hello and the warmest of welcomes to Sunday on damppebbles. Not only is it Sunday but it’s also day 39 of #R3COMM3ND3D2021 which is cause for celebration, I think. No? Just me then 😂 There are only ten posts left to share between now and Christmas and I have to tell you, there are some absolute beauties on the horizon. I cannot wait to share them with you so let’s kick things off with today’s guest…

Joining me today is the brilliant Catherine Friess of Story Snug. Story Snug is the perfect blog if you have young readers (or even pre-readers!) in the house as Catherine focusses predominantly on picture books and chapter books. It’s also a great site to visit if you’re looking to buy bookish Christmas gifts for the small people in your life as it’s packed full of gorgeous bookish treats. I know my two children would be sure to find something to interest them. Head over and say hi, and make sure you subscribe whilst you’re there!

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2021? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2021. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2021 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉

Here are the three books Catherine recommends…

The Book Cat by Polly Faber & Clara Vulliamy
The Book Cat is inspired by a homeless cat who made his home in the offices of publisher Faber and Faber. Morgan trains kittens to become book cats and finds ingenious ways to help them escape from London during World War Two.

I love the way that historical facts about the war are woven into this entertaining, beautifully illustrates and heartwarming chapter book.

It’s perfect for cat loving booklovers!
Catherine’s Review of The Book Cat

The Bear and Her Book by Frances Tosdevin & Sophia O’Connor
The Bear and her Book celebrates the brilliance of books!

This beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book with its repetitive refrain is fun to read. I love the way that ‘Bear’s Big Book of Being Wise’ helps Bear help other animals as she travels the world before finding a wonderful destination.
Catherine’s Review of The Bear and Her Book

How to be Brave by Daisy May Johnson
Reminiscent of the boarding school stories I loved as a child, How To Be Brave includes secret tunnels, codebreaking, helicopter flying nuns, rare ducks and umpteen delicious references to cakes and biscuits.

I love the way that this fast paced, middle grade mystery, with its cast of strong, resourceful female characters, intertwines bravery, heartbreak and humour as its young heroine bravely races to rescue her mother before her last packet of biscuits runs out…
Catherine’s Review of How to be Brave

Three absolutely fantastic books, thanks so much Catherine. My daughter already has How to be Brave on her TBR and we’re both really looking forward to reading it.

About Catherine Friess:
Catherine has been blogging for nine years. She recommends picture books and chapter books rather than review them so that her blog followers know that when a book is on Story Snug she and her family have personally read and enjoyed them. She also write picture books and chapter books and hopes that one day her dream of becoming a published author will come true.

Catherine’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Story Snug | Twitter @cjfries | Facebook | Pinterest |

Sadly submissions for #R3COMM3D3D2021 are now closed (posts will be running until just before Christmas so we’re not quite done yet). Shortly after the last post I will be inviting you all to attend the virtual after-show party, which should be a giggle, where we can cast our eyes over the marvellous and majestic beauty of 2021’s books. We will also crown 2021’s winner (or joint winners, if that’s the case). So I expect it to be a jolly good ol’ knees up! Until then stay tuned as we have lots more bookish loveliness heading your way ❤