So as many of you know I work for a lovely book store called Waterstones. This year for our charity we have teamed up with the Children's Reading Fund to help promote reading to disadvantaged kids or kids that may not have access to books at all. They want to use the power of stories to help engage children across the country in reading, listening or learning through books. 

To celebrate this amazing partnership Waterstones are holding a Matilda Madness Month (or Maytilda as many of us have called it). Up and down the country we are celebrating all things Matilda with crazy events and days filled with readings, face painting, bake sales and all other fun and crazy things. 

Matilda was released 25 years ago this year so it was the perfect book to celebrate. For those of you that don't know. Matilda is the story of a 5 year old girl who loves books more than she loves her own family. They take her to a place that she can only dream about. She is not only great at reading but seems to have the intelligence of her whole family in her little brain and dreams of a better life for herself. 

Matilda has been turned into a gorgeous large format paperback to celebrate the 25th anniversary featuring not only larger print but all the illustrations in full colour by Quentin Blake. It's a perfect story to share with your children and adults alike. From 5 to 95 everyone will love this classic tale of the girl everyone loves. 

If reading really isn't your thing (and if it's not then why isn't it?!) then there are many other formats to enjoy the story such as the film featuring the funny Danny Devito and the musical written by the hilarious Tim Minchin. 

If you have a local store near you then please find out what they are doing and head down to celebrate all things reading and Roald Dahl. If not then read with your children and educate them on the importance of having an amazing book in your life. Not only does a book capture your imagination, but that of everyone else. 

“Matilda said, "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable...”