Back To School With Books2Door

Back To School With Books2Door

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post. Books2Door referral scheme gives us both £5 off our orders by buying through this link - Last Updated August '23 

I’ve said it before but September really is my favourite month. September reminds me that my favourite time of year is on the way. Autumn is just around the corner, we will soon be visiting Alton Towers for Oktoberfest, then before we know it we will be pumpkin picking, setting off fireworks and then Christmas will soon be here. Working in an Education setting also means that September is the beginning of a new school year for me. I really enjoy meeting the new children, getting to know them and preparing for our school year together.

However I haven’t always liked September, when I was a child September meant back to school with the uncertainty of a new teacher, new classroom and possibly even new friends. So September can be a nervous and anxious time for some and whilst teachers and carers will do all they can to settle children into their new routine, as a parent we can also help them before September arrives.

Whether our little ones are starting nursery, reception, going into a new school year in primary school, starting secondary school, sixth form, college or even university we can help them and prepare them for their new adventure ahead.

If our little ones are nervous or anxious about what lies ahead we can talk to them but also reading stories can be a huge help. Books2Door have a lovely range of books and resources that can help children prepare for the new school year. These are a few of my favourites.

Lucy and Tom at School by Shirley Hughes

Lucy has her school things ready. She has a new grey skirt, a pair of brown shoes, a pencil case and a satchel. Tom wishes that he had a satchel too. Full of warmth and good humour, the happy simplicity of childhood is captured in this richly illustrated, classic picture book about two young children’s first experience of school.

Starting School by Allan Ahlberg

Following a number of children's first experiences, this picture book takes children right from their very first day to the end of the school year. This reassuring read will support even the most nervous school-starter, exploring each emotion, from fear to excitement, with care. The perfect read to start a conversation about any pre-school nerves, packed with playful illustrations and easy to understand explanations. This is a book that you'll want to read again and again - far beyond the last day of the school year.

No Worries : Your Guide To Starting Secondary School by Jenny Alexander

No Worries is the ultimate secondary school survival guide, with tips, quizzes and jokes to help children prepare. What if I've got the wrong stuff? What if I don't fit in? What if the older kids are horrible to me? Starting secondary school can be an exciting time - it's a great adventure but sometimes, before you go, you can get a touch of the 'what ifs'. You may be feeling anxious or stressed about leaving primary school. No Worries is full of information about going up from primary to secondary school and covers all of the big worries and anxieties. With practical hints and tips, jokes and quizzes for finding your way around, making new friends, social media and staying on top of homework, this fully-revised edition of Going Up! is the essential no-worries guide to starting secondary school.

These are just a few of my personal favourites however you can browse a whole range of books by searching Back to School

Why Choose Books2Door?

- A huge range of books from best selling authors and offering bestselling titles 

- Deals and discounts all year round with up to 80% off.

- A loyalty scheme earning book points every time you shop

- 18,000 customers giving a 5* rating

- A new delivery service 

Books2Door referral scheme gives us both £5 off our orders by buying through this link

Books2Door PLUS+

Books2Door PLUS+ is a unique delivery service offering you free delivery for 12 months, on every order.

With two options, Silver or Gold, customers can pay an annual fee, starting from only £6.95. It’s easy to get started, simply add the ‘PLUS+ Silver’ or ‘PLUS+ Gold’ delivery to your cart and your membership will be activated.

PLUS+ SILVER = Pay a £6.95 one-off fee and get all orders delivered for the next 12 months (standard shipping, 3-5 working days)

PLUS+ GOLD = Pay a £9.95 one-off fee and get all orders delivered for the next 12 months (express shipping, 1-2 working days)

Have you started to prepare your little ones for September?  Leave us a comment below and let us know.

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BACK TO SCHOOL WITH BOOKS2DOOR

- If you enjoyed this post leave us a comment.

-  Like us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and follow us on our adventures.

- If you have visited any of the attractions mentioned in this post share photos with us on our socials. 

- If this post has helped you in anyway you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

- If you would like to work with us please visit on Work With Us page for more details

Michelle

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Back To School With Smiggle

Back To School With Smiggle

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Last Updated August '23 

Smiggle is our go to place when little J needs new school essentials, stationary, quirky squashies or fidget toys. Little J will be back at school soon after his Summer break. When he returns he will be wearing his new Winter uniform and this is the perfect time to upgrade his lunch box, water bottle and stationary.

We are lucky we have a Smiggle store in town however we also looked online to purchase little J's back to school essentials. The website is really easy to use with labels and categories to make your browsing experience easier. There is usually a sale section too which is perfect to pick up a bargain. 

Little J has a packed lunch for school and he prefers the Smiggle Double Decker lunch bag. If you want a bag with lots of space then I would definitely recommend a double decker. The top can be opened using the zip to reveal a shallow compartment. This is ideal for snacks or even an ice pack if needed. The bottom is spacious and could fit a large lunch in and/or a water bottle.

Little J chose the Gamer double decker lunchbox. The base is designed like a video console controller and has a retro feel to it with the top layer similar to an arcade game. 

It's a hand held lunchbox and doesn't come with an over the shoulder strap. 

We go through so many water bottles with little J. He either loses them or breaks them but we have always found the Smiggle bottles last the longest. Little J chose the Kick drink bottle which has a flip top spout and a classic football design. 

Both the Gamer and Kick design have other items in their ranges including backpacks and pencil cases. 

There is a huge range of pencil cases available at Smiggle but little J really liked a pencil case that he has already had in the past which he uses at home so wanted the same for his desk in school. It is the Dino Character Pocket Pencil Case. He likes this case as it has two compartments which he uses to separate his felt tips and pencils. It has dinosaur spike detail and a squishy feel which little J loves. 

For store locator, opening times or to browse the back to school selection visit Smiggle. 

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- If you enjoyed this post leave us a comment.

-  Like us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and follow us on our adventures.

- If you have visited any of the attractions mentioned in this post share photos with us on our socials. 

- If this post has helped you in anyway you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

- If you would like to work with us please visit on Work With Us page for more details

Michelle

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What Questions to Ask At A School Open Day

What Questions to Ask At A School Open Day

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post 

I can't believe in just a few days little J will be back to school and will begin his final year in primary school. Time has flown and I feel like secondary school visits and applications have come round too soon. We have a few secondary school visits booked in for September and he is looking forward to seeing the school and I am getting ready to ask lots of questions

From past experience with our eldest a school open day is a good chance to ask plenty of questions to staff, teachers, and the headmaster of the school. I found having a list of questions I wanted to ask can helped alleviate the pressure when I needed to strike up a conversation. Questions should always be asked at open days, so here are a few you could consider asking when you head to your next one.

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Smiggle Lunchbag and Bottle | Review

Smiggle Lunchbag and Bottle | Review

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Disclosure - We were sent the Smiggle goodies for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. 

It was only about 6 months ago we found Smiggle. A store opened up in our city centre, we walked past it one day and the explosion of colours caught little J's eye. From the outside all I could see was pinks and purples and I have to admit I was keen to take a look myself. Smiggle has a huge range of stationery, bags, lunchbags and water bottles on display. Little J was so excited and we agreed he could choose something as a treat. He chose a water bottle and has loved that bottle ever since. Smiggle recently sent us some lunch bags and bottles and little J is over the moon.

This style of lunch bag is called a double decker. So if you want a bag with lots of space than I would definitely recommend a double decker. The top can be opened using the zip to reveal a shallow compartment. This is ideal for snacks or even an ice pack if needed. The bottom is spacious and could fit a large lunch in and/or a water bottle.

The glitz double decker is also spacious and could fit a large lunch inside and/or a water bottle too. There is also a front zip which opens up and is ideal for popping in a water bottle, ice pack or snacks. The glitz double decker comes with the choice of a carry handle or a strap.

There are also a large range of water bottles available at Smiggle. The range includes hard plastic, roll water bottle, stainless steel and also a spritz water bottle that has a water mist trigger that will spray cool, refreshing mist. This is on little J's Smiggle wishlist.

If you don't have a Smiggle close to home you can view and buy the range online by visiting Smiggle. There is currently 25% off all lunch bags and bottles however it is for a limited time so might be a good idea to buy now before the back to school rush.

Michelle

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My Nametags | Review

My Nametags | Review

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Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our unless stated.

Even though the boys haven't finished for Summer yet I am already thinking about the 'Back To School Essentials List' for September. I like to be prepared and organised and there is nothing worse than back to school shopping in the Summer holidays. The boys just want to be out with their friends or playing in the garden in the sunshine, they certainly don't want me dragging them around town trying on uniform and school shoes. So with my back to school preparation in mind I was really excited to be offered the chance to review My Nametags. My Nametags are stick or iron on labels that can be used on almost anything.

I have always labelled the boys uniforms, packed lunch boxes, bags etc, but you will be amazed how many parents don't. You may not feel the need to label but I have always done it and these are my two main reasons why.

The obvious one is to ensure your child can identify their own belongings.

The second reason is I know how hard it is when you are a teacher trying to find a child's belonging when their is no labels. Imagine at the end of the day with a mountain of school jumpers all piled up and trying to figure which jumper belongs to who. Its a nightmare.

When it came to choosing a label for little J I knew instantly he would love Mr Men. He is crazy for Mr Men at the moment so I went with Mr Strong.

The order process was very simple. I chose my design (there are so many to choose from) and clicked order now.

A screen will load which will ask you to enter what you would like on the label. This would be your child's name. There is space for surname too.

As you type you can see what your label will look like on the screen.

You then are prompted with the choice of iron or stick on.

Once completed your order is posted to you within one week.

My Nametags are not just for kids I have loved labelling all my work stuff.

Our giveaway may be closed but you can still enjoy My Nametags by purchasing online or on Amazon.

My Nametags

Michelle

Competition closes on Sunday 1st July 2018. 

Upon entering this giveaway you agree that should you be the winner your details can be passed to the promoter to arrange fulfilment of your prize.

All other entrants details will not be used in any way. They will not be added to a database, mailing list or passed to the promoter. 

The Winners name will not be disclosed on my page. All winners of Playdays and Runways giveaways will have the option to share on social media that they were the winner. Should they wish to disclose they can tag us and only then will we will RT or Share with our followers.

Entrants must have a valid UK address. 

Bulk, third party or any other entries using automated software will be disqualified. 

All entrants and entries are checked and verified. 

2 lucky winners will be chosen at random by the Gleam application. 

Playdays and Runways will contact the lucky winner within 3 days of the competition closing. 

The winner must respond within 28 days. If no response a new winner will be chosen. 

This prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. 

The Prize : My Nametags of your choice.

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Jake Shoes Back To School Range | Review

Jake Shoes Back To School Range | Review

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Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our unless stated. 

So it's that time during the Summer holidays that I start to think about buying big J's uniform. It is usually quite simple as we buy most of it from the school shop, however we do usually have some trouble finding shoes for him as he is very fussy and a typical teenager. As little J will be starting school in September I decided to be super organised and start buying his uniform early as I didn't know what to expect especially if he took after his brother when shoe shopping. Jake Shoes got in touch recently and offered us the chance to try out a pair of shoes from their back to school range. This was perfect as I really dislike shopping for school shoes as it's always manic, doing it online meant I could browse from the comfort of my own sofa. 

There was quite a selection on Jake Shoes including lots of well know brands such as Kickers, Geox and Timberland. You can search the school range by brand, young  boys or older boys. I searched through the young boys selection and was pleased to see most of the shoes available in this category were velcro fastening. We haven't begun to teach little J to tie laces yet infact even now big J were velcro fastening. They are so much easier to slip on and off when needed. 

We narrowed our choice down to two pairs, one Kickers and one Timberland. Due to sizes available we went for the Timberland Woodman Park. The ordering process was very easy and they arrived quickly. 

It's hard to imagine little J in school shoes because he's always in trainers or more casual shoes. When he saw them he smiled and said 'oooohhh' so I think he's impressed.

They are made with quality leather, velcro fastening and are cushioned inside. They look durable and perfect for school.

What We Loved

Lots of choice including well known brands.

Easy to browse using categories.

Free next working delivery if spending over £40.

The shoes we chose are great quality with velcro fastening which is a must for little J.

If online shopping isn't your thing, there are 2 stores in Manchester and Stockport.

What Could Improve

Nothing, everything was fine.

I am so pleased how easy it was to order online but if you would rather shop instore, Jake Shoes do have 2 branches in Manchester and Stockport. You can view more information by visiting Jake Shoes.

Michelle

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