Jones, Nicolette (31 May 2008). "Allan Ahlberg: 'The fun thing is still making the book' ". The Telegraph . Retrieved 16 June 2010. That is actually the case with the whole book. It seems like it was brought to us in such... passive way that the it was hard to be emotionally invested. Penguin presents Happy Families: The Audio Collection by Allan Ahlberg, read by Alexander Armstrong.

Described as ‘refreshing and original, perfect for fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Rosie Project and Gavin & Stacey' Julie Ma has written a novel set in a place you never really read about in fiction, a Chinese take-away. Julie Ma has had various careers since qualifying from Aberyswyth University before she finally ‘took up the helm at the family takeaway.’ This was her inspiration for Happy Families. I really didn’t see the point in this book. Kept hoping it would get better but, for me, it didn’t. Mr Creep the Crook is a bad man, and all his family are bad too - even Growler his dog. But when he escapes from jail and heads to the seaside, he finds out that being bad is not such a good idea after all ...The "Happy Families" series is designed for use at home or at school. It is guided by the Education Adviser, Brian Thompson, and written by the award-winning author, Allan Ahlberg. 'The best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss' "Children's Rights Workshop".The night ends early, with everyone leaving a bit disgruntled. Ahhh, dinners with family, am I right? This felt like the book version of the movie Knives Out in many ways, quite honestly; but it was fast-paced and kept me very entertained throughout. I flew through it and had fun the whole time. Both were revealed pretty swiftly near the conclusion and felt a little underwhelming, I guess I was expecting something a little more impactful.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing How to ease your child’s tantrums and stop yourself having one too 05/10/2023 For the most part of the book, we never really know why Amy returned home but as the story reveals itself, Julie Ma expertly threads the past and the present together, and we slowly understand why she is there. Amy, now fearful that her grandfather will slip away before the rift between her father and grandfather is repaired, sets about exploring the family history and piecing together the secrets of her family’s past. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

I think this is the most profound and useful thing anyone has ever said on a "reading levels" thread! I listened to this one as an audiobook, and from the beginning, I just couldn't stop listening. It is divided into short sections, which made me compulsively keep listening as more clues were uncovered. The next audio collection from Allan Ahlberg stars more of his best loved characters, including Master Salt the Sailor's Son, Ms Cliff the Climber and Mrs Plug the Plumber. Master Money is a very rich little boy indeed. When he's only four years old, he finds buried treasure in his garden. When he's five, he finds buried treasure in the sandpit at school. And, at six, he finds buried treasure on the beach. But then Mister Creep the Crook finds him ...

The killer will not be the only cold-blooded character that you will encounter. Many of the suspects are unlikable, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. As much of the plot focuses on both the mystery as to why the main protagonist Amy at the age of 34 has deciding to leave a great career in Cardiff for a return the small takeaway shop. Especially as the family were more than happy to integrate within the small Welsh village (though naming their cats after Prime Ministers seemed a step too far!) and these family run businesses are cornerstones in any town - even outlasting the likes of Woolworths. Somewhere around 50% mark we all thought we figured out who the killer was, but I am glad to say we were wrong. Feiler's life-changing discoveries include a radical plan to reshape your family in twenty minutes a week, Warren Buffett's guide for setting an allowance, and the Harvard handbook for resolving conflict. The Secrets of Happy Families is a timely, counterintuitive book that answers the questions countless parents are asking: How do we manage the chaos of our lives? How do we teach our kids values? How do we make our family happier?

My favourite part was the show of how a thing as murder can shake and change relationships that seemed strong before. How one can stop trusting a person and question their intentions, even though prior the big event they would swear on their life for them. Short, snappy chapters kept this moving along at a brisk pace! You never knew when another revelation might be dropped in a casual conversation so it was important to pay attention to ALL of the secrets and lies being exposed!