June picture book of the month: Florentine and Pig and the Lost Pirate Treasure - Apply for free copy

[RachelMumsnet]

We had such great feedback when we ran Florentine and Pig have a very lovely picnic as book of the month last year, that we've chosen another story about F & P as our June picture book of the month. If you're not familiar with this pair, find out more, watch their video and access some downloads from the book of the month page. There's 50 copies to giveaway, so apply for your free copy and if your name is chosen in the draw do come back and let us know what you think on this thread.

[Indith]

Fingers crossed! We love our copy of Florentine and Pig :-)

[Ajm16]

This looks fab, would love to read this with my wee boy.

[Indith]

Thank you Mumsnet! Can't wait for it to arrive so I can snuggle down and read it with dd. She still adores pointing out the apple and jam on the end of pig's nose in the very lovely Florentine and Pig we got in the previous giveaway :)

[lottietiger]

What a fab book! It arrived this morning and we couldnt wait to read it. Fantastic pictures with so much to look at on every page, im sure it will be read over & over. A really great idea to have things to make and things to cook as well as a story ,makes it real value for money. Thank you :)

[littlewifey]

Our book arrived yesterday and my DD absolutely loves it! Great illustrations and a lovely story that encourages children to use their imagination. We will definitely be trying the recipes too. Thanks mumsnet!

[Indith]

must come back when on computer and cam type properly. dd is very happy with her new book

[BusyMum101]

Our book arrived at the weekend - it is GORGEOUS! The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. It is more than just a book; along with a story, there are pirate themed recipes and some fantastic stickers! Brilliant. We would absolutely recommend!! Thank you so much, x

[RedRoseMummy]

We recieved our book at the weekend and it has rapidly become a firm favourite. My little boy is pirate obsessed at the moment so it is quite timely. We love the story and the use of language, lots of alliteration for mummy and daddy to get their teeth around when we read it together.

The book is beautifully drawn and the addition of the recipes and ideas is great for encouraging creativity. I think we might use the ideas for a Florenting and Pig themed tea, which will enable him to dress up as a Pirate again! It's been a huge hit and we will definitely be looking at the other Florentine and Pig books too.

[NoWomanNoCry]

Just received my copy of this book and we read it as our bedtime story. My children loved it. A good book to encourage imagination and even cooking. They want to try out the recipes at the end of the book now aswell.

[Seamus68]

Book arrived yesterday and had first read at bedtime last night. My little girl loved it, it is well written for toddlers to understand and very well illustrated. Great idea to include the activities and recipes, however this did tempt her to try and persuade us to do the activities instead of going to sleep....but a promise of making some 'X marks the spot cookies' today kept her happy :)
A great book, many thanks Mumsnet.

[majjsu]

I do like this book and my little girl says it is good. I have read it to her quite a few times already and she says the best bits are - the adventure, the pictures, the baking and making things. The story is based around a pirate adventure, it is fun, lovely illustrations with a catchy rhyme. The extras are the fun things to make and bake. Think I may try the other book too.

[sabretiggr]

We have the other Florentine and pig book and so it was great to see this one too. Really enjoyed the story, loved the pictures too.

Can't wait til my little girl is old enough to start doing the craft and cooking activities with her. She enjoyed me reading the story to her.

[Belugagrad]

Ooo I want one!

[Indith]

Dd loves it. I think part of the appeal for dd is that the books are written int he way she speaks. Dd will always put as many adjectives as she possibly can into a sentence so the rain sploshing and whatever else-ing against the window really grabs her. She loved the pictures and was exclaiming over the sparkly button and spotting it in the fish bowl. She was in stitches when pig was head down in the bowl diving for it.

Dd said the best bit was when they were sailing on the sofa with the fish and the dolphins. I too thought that picture was wonderful. So often in books when the characters are having and imaginary adventure the pictures are "real" and I think at times that has meant my children have trouble following what is imagination and what isn't and depending on the story line this can lead to them having trouble understanding the story. The illustrations here were delightful, sweeping them into the story yet showing it as a pretend adventure. I think it fired their imaginations far more seeing sock fish and a sofa sailing ship than it would have done with an illustration of a "real" ship. Even 6 year old ds1 loved that picture and I have caught him having a sneaky read :)

Dd says we have to make x marks the spot cookies.

I love these books, I'm so pleased that this one is just as delightful as the first.

[Tailtwister]

We have received our copy and both my boys (5 & 3) love it! They are very keen on anything to do with pirates and especially loved the fact there were recipes and activities to do as well. We are making the blueberry and yogurt treasure chest cakes this afternoon!

My 3yo's favourite bit was when they were sailing on the sofa, closely followed by the picnic. My 5yo said he loved the pictures (I think the illustrations are gorgeous too, beautifully drawn with vibrant colours) and we've already played sailing to a desert island on our own sofa!

I have never seen the first book, but will definitely seeking it out after seeing this one. All in all, a lovely inventive story which has been beautifully illustrated, with the added bonus of recipes/crafts at the end.

[AarghGrrAargh]

This is a lovely book which is beautifully illustrated. My twin girls (2.2) enjoyed it, but I think will appreciate it more when they're a little older.

The recipes look fun - not sure about the fish finger pasta but may give it a whirl as I'm sure the kids will like it! My only gripe is that I'd like one or two more craft activities.

Will definitely check out the other book(s) & website.

[weemouse]

We received our book yesterday, really pleased with it. I was slightly worried it was going to be more "girl" oriented than for boys, but the pirate theme immediately interested my 5 year old boy, and who doesn't love a picnic.

The illustrations are lovely and I like the prose, although it doesn't flow just as well as Julia Donaldson books, but I've only read it out loud once, so maybe I need to find my rhythm.

I love the fact the story is exactly just as how kids use their imagination whilst playing, and the livingroom turns into a vast ocean with treasure island - we've all jumped from settee to chairs as kids to avoid the sea I imagine, and this captures it perfectly.

After one read my son was proudly showing his Dad the picture where Pig gets his head stuck in the fish bowl.

Love the inclusion of crafts and recipes, we shall try some of both, and I shall definately visit the Florentine and Pig website and check out the other books.

I'm really pleased our name was picked to receive this book - thank you!

[HazelDormouse]

Thank you for a great picture book. It has all my ds's favourite things in it: pigs, pirates, cookies and cakes. Thus, it went down really well with him. I will try out the Sparkle cookie recipe first I think. Excellent way to get my ds interested in cooking.

[SiameseIfYouPlease]

We loved the last book and this one has even more things to make at the back which is great ( but more crafts less recipes might be better for us).
I loved the illustrations, as did DD - she made a boat in the living room the next day as opposed to her usual bus!

[Smize]

A nice surprise for my daughter (and me!) to receive this beautiful
book in the post. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story keeps her attention. She's only 2.5 and I think the book will grow with her - can't wait to try out some of the recipes together. Think the story would appeal equally to boys and girls and love the extra dimension of making things to fire up little imaginations and let them 'step in' to the story.

[lorka]

What a lovely book. My daughter loved the bright, colourful pictures and the activites/recipes at the back are great. Looks like we'll be buying more Florentine and Pig books. Thanks for picking us!

[llewejk]

I was so delighted to win this for my baby girl. As soon as it arrived I read it to my 5 month old. I didn't expect her to sit through the whole book in one sitting! We loved all the pictures too. When she is bigger I can't wait to try some of the receipes. I love the book and think its great value for money with a story and activities. Thank you.

[phoebeerin05]

Thank you so much for a great new story to read. We already have a copy of the first Florentine and Pig book and thoroughly enjoyed that. My two daughters aged 3 and 7 were overjoyed when this new edition arrived. The illustrations are divine. The detail is just outstanding. My elder daughter enjoyed comparing the normal living room items when the pair go off on their pirate adventure. It was also fun, early on, spotting the missing button.

It is a fab book that has already become a firm favourite. Lovely that it combines related activities to extend the enjoyment. More installments in the future we hope.

[pinkfiss]

Me and my 5yr old Daughter absolutely love this book, so thank for this copy.
It such an easy enjoyable story to read and the illustrations are fantastic.
Definitely going to purchase the Florentine and pig story.