Ruby ep13
 
 
Book Reviews
 

Hi everyone, it's me Ruby, I hope you're all keeping safe. If you're looking for a break from the screen, how about reading some great books before we go back to school. I'm part of the Junior Book Club and here are some entertaining books I have read and recommend.

Adventures of the Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton

A creature appears in the children's shed and takes them on magical journeys, which are adventurous and exciting. The special chair transports them to different lands full of imagination. I would rate this book a 4.5/5 stars. Also, this book is a part of three different wishing chair books; there is: The Island of Surprises, The Land of Fairy tales and The Wishing Chair again.

Dark Blue Rising by Terri Terry

This is ideal for 12-15 year olds.

There once was a girl named Holly who preferred to be called by her middle name Tabby and she was being looked after by who she thinks is her mum: Cate.

Sadly, she was hit by a car so had to go to hospital but the girls didn't want to give away any details about themselves to the hospital. To top it off, Cate is arrested and Tabby has a DNA test. Soon after she is reunited with her parents and is back in her bedroom, which she likes to stay in. Tabby then joins a swimming club and wins for her team but in her lesson she starts breathing uncontrollably, what will happen to her? Tabby then goes to the sea when she thinks she has overcome her breathing difficulties but is it still too dangerous for her? I really enjoyed this book because it was surprising and exciting. I also enjoyed it because some parts you didn't know what was going to happen next, it had lots of twists and was telling Tabby's journey and what she was going through. I would rate this 4.5 stars as I didn't really understand the first chapter but overall, it was a great and interesting book. This book is not a part of a series. Just sit back and enjoy reading Tabby's life journey.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

I really enjoyed this book but it was sad at times. I could relate to this book as my special comforter is a bunny and the book is about bunny rabbits so I didn't want anything bad to happen to them. 

The story introduces young rabbit named Fiver who could sense danger at their warren (their home) so he told his brother Hazel. Together they discussed the matter with El-Ahraira- the leader of their warren. The El-Ahraira said that there was no need to leave. Fiver still had a strong feeling that something was wrong so together Hazel and Fiver gathered together some other rabbits to leave their warren and go with them. After explaining what Fiver senses, they set off on their adventure to find a new warren. They have trouble, injuries and predators on their journey. Did they find their perfect warren?

This book was very adventurous and quite long, 617 pages so great for keen readers like me. A fantastic read if you prefer longer books. I would rate this book a 4.5/5 stars.

"Let Your Imagination Run Wild!"
Ruby Xx
 
Roby ep 12
 
 
Photography: Hints & Tips
 

Hi everyone, Ruby here. I got into photography last summer as I received an iPhone for my birthday; it has a really good camera. My phone has a 12-megapixel f/1.8 wide camera. Have you had a chance to discover your camera phones features?

Nature

When you go out for a walk you can take beautiful photos of the sun and colourful sky. You can also take photos of the plants, flowers and trees. Like me, you can visit Dagnam Park and take pictures of the wild deer close up or photos of family, friends, pets and other wildlife; the possibilities are endless! Don't leave all these beautiful images on your phone, sign up to Free Prints app and you can get 45 prints free every month just pay for delivery. (Ask an adult for permission)

Apps

There are apps you can download to edit your photos. I personally like Adobe Light room; you can adjust the colour and light with simple editing tools. Second is Retouch Al, where you can remove objects out of your photo, which you don't want in the shot and VSCO, where you can take your photography to the next level with 10 VSCO presets. Have a look and discover what you like.

Extras

  • ​A Bluetooth remote is a handy gadget for selfies, also a mini tripod​; both are available online for under £10.
  • iPhone- Portrait mode is next to the normal camera mode, although you can only take the photo to get the clearest picture at a certain distance.
  • If you start a video there is a white button next to the video button, which allows you to take photos during your videos so you never miss a thing.
  • If you swipe left on your device on camera mode you can take photo bursts so you can choose your favourite out of many, click onto select to choose.
  • I like this trick, on your camera when you zoom in you can get a clearer picture after waiting a few seconds for your camera to focus.
"Get creative and snap at the right moment!"
Ruby Xx
Ep 11
 
 
Playlists, Inspirational Music & What I'm Watching!
 

Hi everyone it's me Ruby, I hope you're keeping well and safe and the home schooling is going ok. I've had a great week, topped off with a signed Declan Rice photo delivered to my door! 

Here are some things that have been keeping me entertained.

TV shows

Family Cooking Showdown: This is on Netflix, two families go head-to-head and one of them gets through to the semi-final over a series of three challenges, I'd like to go on this show with my family, some of the recipes have been handed through the generations which I find very inspirational.

Sugar Rush: Four teams of two compete in three challenges and one team will be cut from round one and two, this is a baking competition, great if love sweet treats! Again, on Netflix.

The One & Only Ivan: This is on Disney Plus a film where a silver back gorilla, tries to free the other animals in his circus.

World's Greatest Dogs: This is on Disney plus; dogs from all over the world perform different tricks and are in films doing stunts.

Dancing on Ice: This is on ITV, the series has just started, twelve celebrities take to the ice and they will be leaving the competition through a skate off each week.

The Chase: A quiz show on ITV where people try and beat the chasers who are all very clever to win cash prizes, good to expand your general knowledge.

The Masked Singer: The new series recently started, celebrities sing and are disguised under masks. Have you guessed anyone on there yet?

Playlists

During my virtual 'Zoom' modern dancing class on Saturday my teacher changes the playlists each week. Last week we danced to eighties music and this week it's the nineties! It's good to put on some music and move! You can view playlists and make your own on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify and on the shuffle mode in Spotify it's free to play, you can open an account and play for free! I love the Norris Nuts songs; you can also view workout music to play whilst you exercise or just to motivate you in the background.

I hope you liked my recommendations. Don't forget to join in with London Youth Games School Games fitness challenges to earn points for Havering. Check it out on www.londonyouthgames.org or @ldnyouthgames on Instagram. Go Team Havering!

"Explore to see more"
Ruby Xx
Ep10
 
 
Fun Things To Do At Home!
 

Hi everyone, it's me Ruby. 

Firstly, I would like to wish you a happy and healthy new year. As this is our 3rd national lockdown I have thought of some ideas you could try to keep entertained, creative, fit and active.

Walking

It is great for your health to go for a walk nearly every day.

You can have lovely brisk walks or power walks or walk at a general steady pace; you can choose your preference. Recently I have been going for a twenty- minute walk most mornings with my family before school starts! 

My nan and grandad go for a walk every day to their local park, it helps keep them active, is a chance to take in the natural beauty of nature and get some vitamin D which is important during the winter months, it's sometimes called the 'sunshine vitamin' because it's produced in our skin in response to sunlight, it's also important for normal growth and resistance against certain diseases.

Although walking is slower than running you may not think that you are getting the same amount of exercise but walking can provide the same benefits. Studies show that walking is as good as running and cuts down the risk of heart disease.

Visit http://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk to see what walk routes you can take in your local area, ways to stay motivated and contact details of your local walks coordinator.

.
Baking/Cooking

While we're in lockdown it's a great time to try something new that we may not have had time to do before.

Over the holidays I've been baking and cooking, why don't you give it a try. One of the things I made was a parsnip soup, which is great to eat when it's cold to help warm you up. Visit http://www.jaimeoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-vegetables/spicy-parsnip-soup​ to see the parsnip soup recipe I made. Making soup is also a good way to use up any leftover vegetables.

When baking or cooking you can enjoy a variety of different foods and make your own creative twists!

Art 

Another thing to do to keep you entertained during lockdown is art, it’s a good boost for our mental health to express ourselves. 

You can paint, colour or sketch anything you desire; let your imagination run wild.

Visit http://www.artprojectsforkids.org.uk to find lots of inspiring suggestions and follow them daily for artistic ideas with tips, tricks and more. 

Recently I've made glitter pictures of a snowman by following numbers and my cousin and I enjoy creative ‘Zoom’ calls by designing colourful posters and art competitions together.

"Remember - STAY POSITIVE"
Ruby Xx
Ruby Ep09
 
Christmas 2020 🎅🤶🎄
 
Christmas is a very special and cheerful time of the year, although this year it will be a bit different, you can still celebrate in many ways.
 
Things to do at home
You could host karaoke at home with family, make a gingerbread house, (I personally love making chocolate brownies) watch a movie, play traditional card or board games, try some homemade crafts, Christmas card making or even dance and sing along to a Christmas song! You'll find more ideas at www.penguin.co.uk under the category; games and activities and closer to home at: www.mumsguideto.co.uk which you can search your area.
 
Enjoyment in Havering Parks
Perhaps you could go for a lovely brisk walk or like me visit Dagnam Park. It's so magical with wild deer roaming free, which are great to see over the Christmas holidays. It's ideal to go for a walk, run, swim or bike ride to burn off all the Christmas chocolate! Why not try going for walk in your local park instead of reaching for another mince pie, your body and mind will certainly thank you for it - everything in moderation right?!
 
Now most of us are spending more time indoors it's especially important to make the most of the chances when you do get to go outside. Those days between Christmas and New Year are an ideal time to rethink your fitness, ready for the new year, when we might not get a chance to spend as much time with friends and family as usual. I might even try to get my family to join the new Hornchurch Leisure Centre opening early in January. It looks great. I hope they release a timetable soon and have lots of activities for children.
 
Keeping Safe
Due to Coronavirus, Christmas might feel strange this year. We can still have an amazing Christmas, while still keeping safe. We can enjoy quizzes, online gatherings with friends & family or even socially distanced walks. I really hope I'm on the good list this year, I can't wait to see what 2021 has in store!
 
Keep safe.
Over and out 2020!
Ruby Xx
 
 

Subcategories