We Like To Read - The First Hippo on the Moon

'The First Hippo on the Moon' is the latest childrens' book from David Walliams. Who doesn't love David Walliams? He is super talented in many ways (even open water swimming!) and it appears that he knows just what kids like too.

This is the story of two Hippopotamuses who share the same dream: to be the first hippopotamus on the moon! But they go about it in very different ways.

Wiss really loved this book - he asked me to read it again immediately after we finished, and we've read it repeatedly over the last three days too. It's got all the key elements: a good story (with a lovely moral to 'dream big'), lots of fun (Wiss liked the two porcupines best) and a good helping of toilet humour as well (bottoms, poo and farts!) The wonderful illustrations are by Tony Ross and they really bring the story to life.

I found some of the language tricky (hippo-po-rocket for instance!) but Wiss really liked the silliness and repetitiveness of these words. This book was a huge hit in our house and I will definitely be tracking down Walliams' other book for young children.

You can buy this book by clicking here or why not enter my competition to win one?

If you would like the chance to win a copy of 'The First Hippo on the Moon' for yourself then use the RaffleCopter below to enter. The competition will be closing on Monday 1 December. The winner will be announced and they will receive their copy in time for Christmas.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: We were sent a copy of the book for free so we could review it, but all opinions are our own. We really did love it! Wiss is nearly 5 years old but I think that it would still appeal to older and slightly younger children.

Mini Meals - a recipe invented by Wiss

I hope this post isn't too indulgent but when Wiss told me that he'd thought up a recipe all by himself I was intrigued. What would a 4 year old make for dinner?!

In his own words: "you need a bit of pastry or something, and make it round. Then you can put stuff in it like creme fraiche* or ham or cheese or anything really. Then cook it."

I have to say I was pretty impressed and thought that could be delicious - they're a bit like a pasty or an empanada. Wiss even came up with the name for them, and a theme tune too!

So here is our recipe for Mini Meals...

You will need:

• Puff pastry - ready rolled or a block rolled out to about 5mm thick
• Various ingredients you like such as tuna, cheese, ham, spinach, mushrooms, peas, sweetcorn, peppers, olives, tomato puree, creme fraiche etc
• Beaten egg or milk

Cut your pastry into round shapes using a small plate or similar as a template. Use any left overs to make decorations for the tops - Wiss cut out stars and elephants!

Spread one half of your circle with either tomato puree or creme fraiche depending on your preference, but don't go right to the edge. You will need this bit free from ingredients so you can stick it together.

Then add whatever combination of ingredients you fancy. We went for ham, cheese and sweetcorn, tuna, spinach and olive, cheese, peppers and peas, and one with pretty much everything in! Everyone can choose their own concoction - great for kids!

When you have filled them the way you want brush the edge of your pastry circle with the beaten egg/milk and fold over to make a semi-circle shape. Use your fingers to pinch and crimp the edges together. Decorate with the extra pastry shapes if you have them and glaze the tops with egg/milk. We added the last of the cheese on top too...

Bake at around 180 degrees until the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve with salad and enjoy!

The 'Mini Meals' were delicious! What with the recipe and the Mini Meals jingle, who knows, you may see these in the supermarkets soon!

*This is not actually a sponsored post but Wiss is addicted to creme fraiche and would eat it with everything if he could!