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Paddington Goes for Gold by Michael Bond
Paddington needs no introduction, and this hardback book, which is a brand new Paddington story, is one to treasure. When he goes to a family sports event with the Brown family, Paddington wants to take part in everything he can - with predictably hilarious results. His 'help' means that the family don't win anything - or do they? This is a lovely story and Paddington is as fresh and lovable as ever - who can resist? Definitely a book which will become a firm favourite and hopefully encourage parents to dig out their old Paddington stories to entrance another generation. The illustrations by R W Alley epitomise the little bear perfectly.
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The Best Kind of Kiss by Margaret Allum
The storyteller likes kisses - big kisses and small kisses, smoochy kisses and pecky kisses, fluffy kisses and waggly kisses - and the givers of all these kisses and many more are depicted in delightful illustrations by Jonathan Bentley. But the very best kiss of all is saved to the end - and I'm not going to spoil the surprise!
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My Shadow by Robie H Harris
I well remember reading Robert Louis Stevenson's poem about My Shadow, and this book takes the same theme - a discovery which fascinates children when they find their shadow follows them. This picture book is an intriguing look at a child's discovery of his shadow - it grows, it copies, it is inescapable - and there is sadness when it goes away. Happily, it comes back, without even waiting for a new day. The author really gets inside a child's mind and this is a wonderful book to share with your child. The vibrant illustrations are a delight.
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Freight Train by Donald Crewe
A simple seeming book which is a wonderful way of introducing colour and colour mixing to children. The brightly coloured trucks steam along and as they gather speed, travelling through tunnels, past cities and over bridges, the colours blend until finally the train disappears. Few words are needed as the pictures speak for themselves. Encourage your child to use his imagination to tell stories based on the book. Simple and amazingly effective.
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Reach For The Stars by Serge Bloch
We all reach milestones in our lives, and these are always something to be celebrated. Whether we are young or old, we face challenges and this witty book is a great way to mark steps forward in life. The young hero, accompanied by his faithful dog, shares the challenges - he feels like a fish out of water, or a small fish in a big pond. Clever use of language, interwoven with line drawings which cleverly incorporate photographs, make this a book to ponder over and enjoy for any age. Thought-provoking and unusual and with a positive ending.
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You Are What You Eat by Serge Bloch
A witty and unusual take on the problem of being a fussy eater, who learns that variety is the spice of life. Another book which makes clever use of language woth word plays which will appeal to adults as much as, or maybe even more than, children. Have you ever thought just how many common sayings relate to food? And just how strange they are if we take them literally - as, of course, children do. Again, the line drawings cleverly incorporate photos, this time of the foods that make up the sayings. Clever!
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The Squirrel, the Hare and the Little Grey Rabbit by Alison Uttley
It's lovely to see these children's classics brought to a new generation with bright, eye-catching covers, which still feature the original delightful illustrations by Margaret Tempest. This is the very first story in the series, adapted for younger readers, in which Grey Rabbit gives her tail to Owl to find out how to grow carrots and rescues Hare and Squirrel from Weasel's cooking pot. The characters are beautifully portyared and everyone will have their favourite. The pace of the stories is gentle and they make perfect bedtime reading. Collect the series (Templar are reissuing the first four) and they will become family favourites - I still have a collection bought when my children were little.
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Busy Boats by Susan Steggall
This vividly illustrated and stimulating book follows the journey of a fishing boat, from first thing in the morning, to its return at night. The rhythmic text introduces toddlers to the huge variety of boats that can be spotted in the harbour - from tugboats to liners, rowing boats to rescue boats. The pictures are packed with detail, and this will give lots of opportunity for discussion and perhaps encouragement to do further research. A lovely book to take on a seaside holiday - how many boats can your child identify?
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Fussy Freya by Katherine Quarmby
Freya used to eat everything put in front of her, but one day, she turned into a fussy eater. Grandma had the answer in this hilarious book, and offers Freya some surprising dishes. Got a fussy eating toddler on your hands? Then this is just the book you need to help your child to be a bit more willing to eat the food put in front of her. After all, she won't want to be offered mashed monkey on rice, or warthog with spice, like Freya! The illustrations are packed with humorous detail - plenty here to talk about and a lesson to be learnt.
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Who Ate Auntie Iris? by Sean Taylor
A little chinchilla loves to visit Auntie Iris... but his visits are fraught with danger, what with the bears on the first floor, crocodiles on the second floor and wolves on the third floor. One day, Auntie Iris goes to put the rubbish out - and disappears. Can the brave little chinchilla find out what happened to her? An intriguing mystery for little children, and one which requires them to think harder than many picture books as the anticipation builds. It's a very funny story and the brilliantly coloured illustrations are full of fascinating detail - such as the box containing the croc's toothbrush! Plenty here to discuss with your child and something new to spot on every re-reading.
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Daisy's Big Dig by Angie Morgan
Daisy's street is, sadly, perhaps typical of many neighbourhoods today, where we all go about our own lives and never get to know our neighbours. But Daisy is different - when Mr Hofmeister falls ill, she is determined that she, and the rest of the neighbours, will help him out. She has a cunning plan, and carefully worded invitations are sent out, ensuring everyone turns up to dig his garden - with surprising results! THis is a delightful story and hopefully one that will mkake us all think. The illustrations are vivid and reflect the story excellently.
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Mike the Knight - Meet Mike
Mike the Knight is a new CBeebies show which is already proving very popular amongst pre-schoolers. Mike is a trainee knight, a;ways on the lookout for adventure. This book will let children - with adults to help - learn everything they need to know about Mike the Knight, Glendragon, Mike's missions, Evie's magic and the dragons. This colourful book, full of characters from the series, is the first in a series of tie-ins from Simon and Schsuter.
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Bugs Galore by Peter Stein
Bugs, bugs everywhere in this glorious celebration of the world of creepy crawlies. Wonderful use ofg language makes this book a sheer delight to read aloud - 'Silly limb bug, swimming skim bug. Frumpy plump bug. Lumpy jump bug.' But please, share the delights of the illustrations (by Bob Staake) with your child, becuase they are wonderful and children will delight in them - especially, perhaps, the bug who crawls right under.........
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Hop, Skip and Jump Maisy! (A Maisy First Science Book) by Lucy Cousins
A great way to encourage children to move as they stretch, hop, jump, kick and much more with Maisy - all these actions happen as the child pulls the flaps in this brightly coloured interactive book. And just like Maisy, your little one will enjoy lunch and snuggle down in bed at night. Plenty to talk about as you discuss the actions and who else does them in the boxes alongside each page. Great fun!
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Arthur's Dream Boat by Polly Dunbar
Do you always listen to your child's dreams? Have you ever had a dream so wonderful you wanted to tell everyone? Arthur had a wonderful dream, all about an amazing beautiful pink and green boat with a stripy mast but nobody listens. But they will have to take note when a boat starts to grow on Arthur's head. A wonderfully imaginative story.
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People by Blexbolex
Share in the wonderful diversity of people from all around the wortld with this unusual book from Gecko Press. For such a simple looking book, it is extremely through-provoking. Each page features just one person - from lumberjack, to thief, to bearded man, to billsticker - and on, and on. The clever twist is to relate the people on opposing pages. The detail in the illustrations will give rise to all sorts of conversations. A book to go back to over and over again, and the durable linen binding ensures the book will last. A wonderful way to extend imagination would be to suggest your child compiles their very own book in this format.
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Seasons by Blexbolex
The wonderful changes that make the seasons are evoked in this fascinating book. Not just an obvious look through the seasons in sequence, you will find yourself really pondering over where each picture fits in. Great for discussion and for garnering ideas for creative writing - give a child one of the pictures, ask them to write about it and see what happens! Both this, and People (above) will make great resources for the Foundation Stage classroom, to enhance studies of these popular topics. It is impossible to pin these books down to an age group - they will have a different appeal to everyone, young and old.
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The House That Jack Built by Gavin Bishop
You might wonder whether there is room in the market for another version of The House That Jack Built - but once you read this unusual and most attractive book from Gecko Press, you will realise there is! This version tells the story of Aotearoa, New Zealand in the early 19th century. The story is told from a Maori perspective – beginning with the myth of reation: Papatuanuku the earth mother, Ranginui the sky father and their children as guardians of the land. As the story goes on and Jack’s house grows, Papatuanuku is shown in the illustrations to weaken and fade. It is a fascinating look into Maori culture and will bring a whole new meaning to the story.
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The Birthday Cake Mystery by The Tjong-Khing
Another lovely and unusual book from Gecko Press, with not a word in sight! Unravel the multiple mysteries by using the clues in the pictures, which are full of humorous details and red herrings to confuse you. It's great fun to share and ponder over together, as each reader will spot different things. Whose birthday party is it? What mischief are the three monkeys making? Who steals the necklace? And will Dog ever finish making the birthday cake? A book which will provide hours of amusement and provoke lots of discussion.
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Duck Says Don't by Alison Ritchie
Duck decides to use his authority now Goose has gone on holiday leaving Duck in charge of her pond. Suddenly, all sorts of notices are springing up 'No racing', 'No fishing', 'No diving' and the poor creatures on the pond, who used to have such fun, start leaving and the pond is silent and deserted. Will Duck realise what he has done before it's too late? It's a lovely story and an excellent way to get the message across to a child who may be just a little bit too bossy! Ideal to share in the classroom. The illustrations by Hannah George are delightful and full of fun.
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The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle
Rollicking fun with the family of pirates who have settled for a while on dry land in Dull-on-Sea , which is - you've guessed it - a quiet seaside town where nothing happens. At least, it was until the Jolley-Roger family took up residence. Tilda decides to make friends with this unusual family who set the town into an uproar - meets the NIMBYs of Dull-on-Sea! It's a hilarious rhyming tale with a lovely twist in the end - and a wonderful invitation for Tilda. There's good in everyone! The illustrations are packed with detail and full of fun - a story to entertain adults as they read it to their children. There's a pirate poster on the back of the jacket too.
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Hans and Matilda by Yokococo
Once upon a time there were two little cats - Hans is very naughty and likes to make lots of noise; Matilda is very good and likes to sit quietly. One day, Hans is VERY naughty and lets all the animals out of the zoo - but Matilda knows just where he can be found..... A funny story about opposites with a ltotally unexpected twist.
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Bramble the Brave by Amber Stewart
Bramble is a very brave little mole who will try anything new..... except where food is concerned. But one day, with some gentle encouragement from her parents, she decides that perhaps it's time to be grown up. A lovely story and perfect to share with any young children who are reluctant to try any new food. The illustrations are delicate and full of detail.
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My Mummy by Paula Metcalf
A perfect book for mothers and children to share - and a lovely gift for them to share. Little Bear says: ' I could travel round the world and know I'd never find a mummy even half as nice or brilliant as mine!' All the wonderful things which mummies do are celebrated in this book, with its caring mummy and loving little bear. The loving relationship is delightfully depicted in the brigh, colourful pictures which can be used to give rise to plenty of discussion.
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Never Say NO to a Princess by Tracey Corderoy
You'd think the little princess would be happy - she has almost everything a little girl could want. And when she does want something else, everyone makes sure she gets it. Until, one day, there is something, and abo nobody could get for her - and she cried and cried so much she got washed out of the palace. But there's the very thing she wanted - but she must remember the magic word first. A captivating story about the importance of that one little word, and about an unlikely friendship. Charmingly illustrated and engagingly told, this is one for little princesses everywhere.
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Wanda Wallaby Finds Her Bounce by Jonathan Emmett
All wallabies hop, don't they? Not poor Wanda Wallaby, who has lost her bounce. She asks all her animal friends but none of them can help. Finally, she meets the crocodile who tries to play a cruel trick on Wanda - but luckily she finds her bounce just in time. Delightful pictures tell the story in delicate detail - and look out for the insect flying across each page. Find out more about Australian animals at the end of the book.
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Monty and Milli: the Totally Amazing Magic Trick by Tracey Corderoy
Little sisters can be such pests, can't they? Everything Monty does, Milli want to do too. Even when Monty gets a magic set for ONE, Milli wants to join in, and when Monty lets her be his assistant she just has to take over. Monty's had enough. "I wish you'd turn into a Warty Toad then disappear!" But then teatime comes, and he still hasn't seen Milli. Perhaps little sisters aren't so bad....and there's a surprise ending. A charming story of family and playing and getting on together.
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Just One More by Tracey Corderoy
Bedtime stories are wonderful, arent't they? And just like children everywhere, Little Brown Bunny always wants 'Just one more.' But all the stories have been read, so clever Little Brown Bunny decides to write his own very very long story that will never end....... or will it? Mum has a great idea - and it brings a surprise ending. The pictures are lovely and colourful and full of interest. And to make the fun complete, there is your child's very own colouring book with a story about Little Brown Bunny and his friends. Written and illustrated just as a child would, it's great inspiration for your child to create their very own story book. A wonderful celebration of the joy of reading, and sharing that with friends. The ultimate bedtime read!
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Bright Stanley Double Trouble by Matt Buckingham
Stanley is looking after his cousin Dennis. But Dennis the little fish is determined to have a real adventure. He suggests arm wrestling an octopus, or pyaying snap with sharks perhaps. Can Stanley keep his mischievous cousin out of trouble? But when Stanley lands in trouble, it's little Dennis who has all the big ideas. Vibrant illustrations, enhanced with sparkly foil, tell the story vividly, with plenty of enciting detail. Bright Stanley has a fun-filled website http://www.brightstanley.com/ |
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Icky Little Duckling by Steve Smallman
Mr Rabbit likes everything perfect, so when he finds a smooth, speckly, perfect thing in the woods he takes it home to add to his neet, tidy aznd perfect collection. But he is in for a bit of a surprise when there's a CRACK! out hatches an icky, sticky duckling! This is not what Mr Rabbit wants but the little chick is very persistent.... finally, she is reunited with her family and life returns to normal for Mr rabbit. Or does it? This is an absolutely delightful story that had me gently chuckling. The illustrations are lovely, gently humorous and convey the gentle emotions of the story very well.
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Cub's First Summer by Rebecca Elliot
I love Rebecca Elliot's books, and this one did not disappoint. Follow an inquisitive young fox as he experiences all the delights of his first summer. A lovely relationship between Cub and his Mum is depicted as they share the fun and meet lots of other animals - but then the weather changes and they have to race to the safety of home. The illustrations are full of detail - all the things that make summer special. A lovely gentle story, perfect as a bedtime read.
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Po-Tolo: Plan Bee from Outer Space by Olly Oliver
An unlikely combination - a spaceman called Po-Tolo, and a purple octopus called Lop - are looking for help. Po-Tolo's world is dying - all the bees have disappeared. He needs help from Earth bees to save his planet. But during their quest, poor Po-Tolo is stung by a wasp and deflates. It's up to Lop to save him - and in a very ingenious way! The bees come to the rescue and off they fly to save Po-Tolo's planet. The vivid zingy pictures leap off the page at the reader - the use of colour is exceptional. The story is fun but there is a serious message here for us all - we need to save our bees. What a lovely way to bring this to people's attention - and don't miss the useful facts at the end of the book.
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My Alphabet Toolbox 
Fun illustrations and rhyming text complement the pictures in this unusual alphabet book. The rhythm of the words and the clues in the pictures help children to recognise the words. Just like a real toolbox, it has a handle (clipping together with velcro) so children can take it around with them. At risk of being sexist, I would say this will have greatest appeal to boys and is a great way to get them keen on books. An unusual and appealing book.
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When I Dream of 123 by Oakley Graham
A brilliant follow up to When I Dream of ABC. There are some wonderful things to count here - polar bears, pirates, penguins and princesses are just a few. At 64 pages, this is a substantial picture book, but the ending is as fresh as the beginning. The text is quirky and amusing - adults will enjoy it as much as children. The illustrations are vivid and full of life - just look at the difference between each creature. There is so much to spot and talk about that bedtime could be a bit late coming! The glittery cover and shiny pages are attractive and I am sure this is a book which will become a great bedtime favourite.
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Katie in Scotland by James Mayhew
This is one of my favourite series - as well as being enjoyable stories James Mayhew manages to pack a great deal of information into his books. Katie meets the Loch Ness Monster and together Katie and Nessie discover how beautiful and stunning the country is as they take in the sights, from the Highlands to the Edinburgh Festival. Features: Loch Ness, Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park and Museum, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, The Royal Mile, The National Gallery and Portrait Gallery and Greyfriar's Bobby.
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The Bump by Mij Kelly
An ideal book to share with your young one when a new baby is expected. Tender and witty, this is a wonderful celebration of a baby's arrival into the world. A funny and poignant book exploring a mother's joy at being pregnant that will help children understand how much they are loved.
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Oliver and the New Baby by Mara Bergman
'Oliver Donnington Rimington-Sneep was hoping and wishing the baby would sleep. His parents were doing whatever they could but nothing they tried seemed to do any good.' What wonderful rhythmic rhyming text! Oliver's baby sister won't stop crying. Oliver gets in his plane and travels to distant lands to get away from the noise. But wherever he goes, there are babies crying. Oliver wonders if back home HIS sister might need him so he flies back to cuddle her to sleep! A new story from a talented prize-winning author/illustrator team praised for their rhythmic imaginative texts and gloriously detailed illustrations
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My Ballet Dream by Adele Geras
Young girls have always loved stories about ballet, and this is an enchanting series to get them enjoying stories early. A third story about the the delightful budding ballerina Tutu Tilly by an award-winning author and talented illustrator. Little ballerinas will love all the ballet-filled detail of Tutu Tilly's world - from the pretty ballet outfits, the nervous butterflies before the performance and the rounds of applause at the end of the show. The perfect books for ballet fans.
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Don't Put Your Pants on Your Head Fred by Caryl Hart and Leigh Hodgkinson
A title bound to appeal to small boys and girls! It's a great idea to get toddlers to start dressing themselves...or is it? This is an absurd story with great appeal to a child's sense of the ridiculous. A brilliant read-aloud book with a great rhyming text. Wonderful illustrations and quirky little asides all add to the fun.
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Moon Dreams: a Book of Moon Magic by Gleb Toropov
The moon is ever magical and mysterious and takes on many guises - limited only by imagination. To the fish it's a wriggly worm; to a monkey, it's a banana; to the giraffe, a leaf...... and as the die cut moon gradually gets bigger, it becomes more things to more creatures. In this picture book, with die-cuts throughout, the moon takes on many guises, getting bigger and bigger - but the child knows it for what it is. Lovely deeply coloured nighttime pictures illustrate the stages of the moon in this perfect bedtime story. Unusual and charming..
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Olive and the Big Secret by Tor Freeman
We've all done it - told just one person a secret and before you know where you are, everyone knows!When Molly shares a secret with Olive, the urge to tell is just too great for Olive. She tells Joe who tells Matt who tells Lola and Bea. But Lola is best friends with Molly. The secret is out, and Olive is in big trouble! But just what is this big secret? Now that would be telling....... The story flows delightfully across the long pages and the expressions are wonderful!
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The Frank Show by David Mackintosh
All parents of young children are familiar with 'Show and Tell' and the narrator of this book has to choose a family member to talk about. But is Grandad too dull? There's quite a surprise at the end. We can all learn so much from the older generation and this heart-warming story shows just how much the boy loves his Grandad Frank. Watch the video about this unusual new book here |
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Recycling! (Helping Hands) by Jess Stockham
What can we recycle? Who can sort the waste? What can we re-use? From a very young age, children enjoy helping and the satisfaction of feeling useful, and recycling gives an ideal opportunity to help. The simple text encourages further discussion and the lively pictures speak for themselves, so children can appreciate the message even before they learn to read. Jess Stockham has an instantly recognisable style - her bright simple and child-friendly illustrations appeal very well to children.
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Food Chain by M P Robertson
A start to the story which will engage children's attention - the food chain created when a naughty boy throws a goldfish down the toilet. When it reaches the sea it eaten by a bigger fish.......... which is eaten by a lbigger fish ... and the naughty boy almost becomes part of the food chain himself in a startling end! A bright and funny story, full of activity.
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Peter and the Magic Goose and Other Magical Stories ed by Belinda Gallagher
Stories from famous authors are adapted for young readers in this imaginative collection. The Hermit; The Elf and the Housewife; The Paradise of Children and Peter and the Magic Goose are the stories in this collection. Revel in the stories of enchanted creatures, curious folk and imaginary lands, retold in easy-to-read language and colourfully illustrated. Stories to read aloud to a group; for older children to read alone; or to share with your child.
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Excuses Excuses by Anushka Ravishankar
We have all heard some ingenious excuses, but this book beats them all! A delightful hero has the very best of intentions but somehow circumstances (of course, entrely beyond his control) conspire against him. Follow Neel through a week of ever more implausible excuses and find out just what happens when he decides to use (just a little) water to clean his room. A joyful tale of knowing the rules, but just going a bit too far..........
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Quack Quack Moo, We See You by Mij Kelly
A story to delight children in the nature of the pantomime 'She's behind you!' as we see poor Poppa Bombola searching everywhere for his beloved missing daughter. Where can she be? All the while, she is closer than he thinks, enjoying a journey full of fun and friendly animals in the farmyard. An enchanting rhyming story, full of colour, as Poppa searches in all sorts of unlikely places. A real giggle of a story!
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Lollipop and Grandpa's Back Garden Safari by Penelope Harper
Who would have guessed that the back garden could be such an exciting place? Lollipop and Grandpa set off, with binoculars, sandwiches and the most important thing - imagination. They find extraordinary things and only just reach safety in time! The vocabulary is descriptive and excellent for reading aloud. A great way to encourage children to have adventures in their own back garden or local park. I foresee a great future for this lovely duo - their relationship is wonderful and Grandpa has such an insight into the way his little granddaughter thinks.
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Collywobble by Malachy Doyle
Aaaaaaaaaah! What a lovable endearing little puppy - even if he is the runt of the litter. His brothers and sisters are all stronger than Collywobble - three will be farm dogs and three pets, but nobody wants poor Collywobble. Luckily for everyone though, he is allowed to stay on the farm. One day, Farmer Joe and Bess go to fetch the sheep down from the snowy mountain, but they don't arrive home. Intrepid little Collywobble sets off to find them and proves just how brave and clever he is..... This really is an enchanting story, with absolutely delightful pictures that depict the little pup so well. The story may even bring a tear to your eye..... Well produced too, on high quality shiny paper that makes the book a delight.
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Frank n Stan by M P Robertson
Like many little children, Frank would dearly love a brother or sister. As his Mum doesn't seem to be obliging, he takes it upon himself to create his own brother - junk modelling brought to a fine art. His creation, Stan, soon becomes an integral part of the family and Frank and Stan do everything together, until someone else comes along........... There's a definite Heath Robinson feel to the illustrations which are fun and quirky - and which I think could inspire some great creations. An unusual and comical story of invention, families and loyalty.
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It's a Book by Lane Smith
Inspired! What better way to celebrate World Book Day than a book which explores all the glories of books and their vital role even in an electronic age. The story is creative and amusing and even young children will readily identify with the IT-related language - 'Can it text? Blog? Scroll? WiFi? Tweet? No.it's a book.' Scanty but effective text is perfectly complemented by the witty and amusing illustrations - I love the illustration of time passing! It's a vital message for children and adults, so the parents sharing this with their child will find food for thought.
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Bunny Loves to Read by Peter Bently
Peter Bently is doing a great job of encouraging children to read with this book. Buster Bunny loves to read and even when his friends come over to play, he has to finish his book first - the adventures in a book are so much more exciting! He gets his friends so keen to read that they won't come out to play when Buster wants too. But when the friends get outside, they find the stories have given them wonderful ideas for imaginative games. Share this lovely story with your child and then use the inspiration to play games based on books. Lovely illustrations of the friends add to the enchantment of the story.
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Sparkle's Song by Samantha Hale
This is a sad and touching story with a magical message of hope. Sparkle finds herself living with her aunt after her parents die. Her aunt stopped listening to music when Sparkle's mother. died. Can Sparkle bring music back into her aunt's life and so back into her own? The colourful pictures will apeal to the young reader - as will the glittery cover, which gives a positive feel to this thoughtful story. and interesting; they will certainly please young readers. I think better for children of 4+, as some of the concepts may be hard to understand. A book to be shared, so the adult can ensure the reassuring message comes across clearly.
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It's Snorey Time by Meg and Catherine Pybus
'Guaranteed to make you zzzzz....' - I can't wait to try it! Meet the Snoreys - Mummy, Daddy, Mop, Snuggle, Snuffle and Pignut. The dormouse family love to sleep, except for little Pignut. Instead, He discovers the dormouse-written 'Secret Book of Sleep' and that is what finally sends him to sleep. And the book includes your very own copy! Carefully selected language helps your child feel sleepy and secure at bedtime. An interesting concept is the fact that the story is written using simple neurolinguistic techniques which are designed to have a soporific effect on the listener. An audio CD of the story is included. A perfect bedtime story for children of 3+ - even the illustrations are softly coloured and relaxing.
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Say Please Little Bear by Peter Bently
Two adorable and irresistible bears adorn the front cover of this lovely story about the importance of friendship, politeness, taking turns and sharing. A lovely warm story about Daddy Bear showing Little Bear how important all these things are. Using animals to convey the all-important message makes the story reassuring and non-threatening to children, and reading the book can be much more effective than being critical of a child's behaviour. The animals are charming and children will love to emulate them.
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The Goblin and the Girl by Neil Irani
When the girl looked in the mirror, she thought she was a goblin. She was ashamed of the way she thought looked and hid herself away as much as possible - but everyone else saw a normal little girl. One day she found herself in the forest, without the hat she always wears to hide behind. She doesn't want the boy to see her but they do walk and talk together, and things change. There is a real and important message for all of us in this story, especially in an age when we are all so concerned about outward appearance. With charming illustrations by Park Yun, this is an enchanting and thought-provoking story.
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Topsy and Tim Go for Gold by Jean and Gareth Adamson
This popular fun-loving duo return for a topical adventure in their own version of the Olympics - school Sports Day. Who can run the fastest? The answer satisfies both as twins are just perfect for running the three-legged race! This reassuring series is great for introducing children to new experiences in a relaxed and fun way. Topsy and Tim have been favourites for many years - many adults will remember reading about them and these new stories have been broight up-to-date for today's young readers with new artwork.
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We Love Bears by Catherine and Laurence Anholt
Another enchanting book from this much-loved author/illustrator team. Everyone loves bears and there are bears of all shapes and sizes in this fun-filled story! Go along with the little boy and his baby brother as their own special teddy takes them on a trip to Teddy Bear Town. This book deserves to become a classic and I am sure it is going to become a favourite bedtime read for many a child. There is lots of detail to spot on each page, so plenty for you and your child to share - with their very own teddy as well, of course!
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My Granny is a Pirate by Val McDermid
When a family secret about Granny is revealed, we discover all about her fiercesome pirate reputation and her swashbuckling ways - from making other rogueish pirates walk the plank to singing sea shanties to her dog, Jolly Roger. Look again at your granny...could she be a pirate too? A must-have book with funny and lively illustrations, ideal for all pirate fans.
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A complex book, and I am not quite sure whether readers will get the full meaning. The publisher tells us: "Young Tristan, a curious boy who rescues all sorts of objects from the rubbish dump, finds an old Viewmaster in its elaborate box, complete with a set of disks. He finds that these represent the ages of humankind, seen as a cyclical structure in which patterns of growth and decay are repeated. Tristan becomes more and more drawn in to the world of the disks, and eventually disappears. The book is full of metaphors and symbols of seeing and watching, circularity and never-endingness, in a complex, fantastical tale, which was Shaun Tan's first picture book." It is certainly an intriguing book! |
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Wolf Won't Bite by Emily Gravett
It seems to me that Emily Gravett just can't fail with her wonderful picture books. She knows just what will appeal to children and her wonderfully quirky illustrations do just that. More - they appeal to adults as well and that means they buy her books to share with their children. The three little pigs turn the tables on the wolf as they make him jump through hoops, undertake some daring feats, and even dress him up........ but will the wolf bite back eventually? This book, with its snappy ending, will appeal to those who have long-suffering pets.
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Goldilocks and Just the One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson
If you are expecting a traditional fairy tale, you will be very surprised by this quirky and unusual picture book. Meet a bear who finds himself in the big and bewildering world of a bustling city. Perhaps 'Snooty Towers' will be a good refuge.... A little sit down in a lift takes him to a very plush apartment, where he decides he would like a bowl of porridge, a comfy chair and a soft bed. But he faces a rude awakening as the tables are turned by......guess who? A lovely story with entrancing illustrations and a well-deserved ending.
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Babar's Book of Colour by Laurent de Brunhoff
'Celebrate 80 years of Babar with this special anniversary edition!' An enduring favourite brough to a whole new audience in this unusual story. Much longer than most picture books, the young reader is taken on an exciting exploration of Babar's art studio. Here, we are introduced to lots of different colours, and given ideas of what to paint with each colour. More - it shows how colours are combined to make different colours so there is lots of encouragement to celebrate. I think this would be a lovely book to use as the basis of a classroom project on colour. Meet Babar and his friends and enjoy a fun story at the same time. A lovely book which can be used in many situations and which will really appeal to all young readers.
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Muffin and the Birthday Surprise by Clare Vulliamy
A simple story with gentle hunour which will appeal to young children. Meet Muffin and his two lovable friends,the twins Flora and Fizz. Today is a special day in Muffin's world - it's Flora and Fizz's birthday and he wants to take them a very special present - but it doesn't turn out quite as he intended.....The story is easy for children to follow and relies on familiar experiences and the artwork is simple but appealing. I can see this delightful trio Muffin becoming firm favourites for pre-schoolers.
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The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans
What a lovely cover! Glittery, embossed and really eye-catching - a great start to the book. This is the fourth in the Jellybeans series - the Jellybeans are enchanting characters and it was lovely to 'meet' them. With such a range of different characters, children are bound to find one they identify with and they will delight in re-joining their favourite in each book of the series. Bitsy is the artist of the group, and she gets all her friends to help paint a mural at their favourite place - the sweetshop! They take a trip to the museum to gain inspiration and then set to work together to create their own masterpiece. A lovely story of friendship and working together.
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Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf by Rachael Mortimer
Yes, I have got the title right....... this is an entertaining twist on the fairytale. In this story, we meet a Sweet Little Wolf who is the despair of her big bad wolf parents. Sweet little Wolf is sent out with a list for dinner which includes 'One little girl tender and juicy'. Unfortunately, she gets rather distracted from her task and it is the wolf who has to be saved........ in the best tradition of fairy tales, they all live happily ever after! A lovely story which will really appeal to children, with illustrations that are full of life and detail.
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The Big Jungle Mix Up by Gareth Edwards
This book is guaranteed to give hours of amusement. Big Bear is trying to teach Little Bear all the jungle animals he ought to know, but the trouble is is they seem to be a bit mixed up! The monkey has got feathers, the rhino has wings and the leopard has scales - and the rest of the jungle animals are no better. Luckily Little Bear is on hand to put Dad right and children will love to lift the flaps and see how the animals should really look. Bold colourful illustrations are full of interest - I would love to see this book used to encourage children to draw their own mixed-up animals.
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The Big Animal Mix-Up by Gareth Edwards
Guess who's under the flap? A wonderfully crazy mixed up book. Young children will adore the strange and wonderful animals created and will take great pleasure in pointing out what is wrong! A real pleasure to share and talk about together and a good way to enhance children's observational skills and have fun at the same time. What happens oi you mix a bird and a snake. or a fish and a cat? The consequences are hilarious and will appeal greatly to children.
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Love Monster by Rachel Bright
How would you feel if you were the only monster in a land full of cute cuddly creatures? Monster has no-one to love him but he's not one to sit and mope, so he sets off to find someone to love him. he looks everywhere and even this determined creature is close to giving up but all is well in the end. A touching story with a lovable hero. Bright bold illustrations are full of charm and appeal. If your child is feeling left out read them this story at bedtime and I guarantee they will fell better! A lovely reassuring story.
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Indigo the Magic Rainbow Pony (Princess Evie's Ponies) by Sarah Kilbride
Princess Evie's ponies aren't like any other ponies - they are magic ponies. This is the sixth in the series, which has proved enormously popular with little girls, who love the sparkly covers and the model pony which comes with every book. This time, Princess Evie and the kitten Sparkles are whisked away on the back of Indigo the Rainbow Pony to the rainbow's end. There they and some friends help to put colour back into a dull garden. Delicately coloured illustrations match the theme of the story beautifully. Collectable!
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Jump on Board the Animal Train by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore
I love rhyming stories for young children, as they respond so well to the rhythms and they are lovely to d-read aloud. This story, with all the noises the animals make - the giraffe's hooves clicking, the tiger's tail swishing, the elephant's feet ploddings is perfect as a rhyming story. A little boy has a very exciting walk one morning, with a great big surprise at the end - find out who he meets in this colourful and imaginative split page book. Children will love the repitition which will encourage them to join in as you read the story aloud. I think there is a great idea in here for a game too............
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Welcome to Alien School by Caryl Hart
Albie really doesn't want to go to school - it's much more fun at home playing space rescues with his toys. Little does he realise, when he straps himself into the car that he's headed for Alien School. He tries hard to fit in but Alien School has a few surprises in store - especially when the paints turn out to be magic and his T-rex comes to life! Full of fun and packed with bold colourful pictures, this action-packed story will really appeal to children and is a great way to extend their imaginations as they put themselves into Alfie's place.
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Monstersaurus! By Claire Freedman
Monty loves inventing, but things don't work out quite as he intends. - his walking toaster ran away and his robot went berserk! But Monty thinks all his problems are over when he found a book with instructions for 'Inventions Very Rare'. Will he dare to try them? Of course the intrepid inventor will! He brings some very weird monsters to life in this zany and entertaining book, with great big colourful pictures to keep children entertained. Very imaginative. The website about the authors www.AliensLoveUnderpants.com is well worth a visit! |
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Numbers by PatrickGeorge
I love this innovative and unusual series from Patrick George. Each double page spread is separated by an acetate sheet - turning the sheet completely transforms the picture, often in a very amusing fashion. They give endless scope for discussion. Numbers is bold and bright - the eye-catching illustrations will attract young children's attention. Ten fat flies flying around are gradually reduced to one - I love the clever twist whereby you can work out just where each fly went! A lovely book.
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Opposites by PatrickGeorge
Opposites is just the right topic for this book from PatrickGeorge. 11 pairs of opposites each with a clear, acetate sheet between them which you flip to see the opposite. An apparently simple concept which works remarkably well. I think my favourite has to be the the bus queue for first and last, closely followed by the parrot in (or out) of his cage.The bold uncluttered illustrations are ideal for young children, who will find hours of entertainment in this book
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Gary and Ray by Sarah Adams
All the animals in the jungle have friends but poor Gary the gorilla is very sad and lonely That all changes when one day a tiny sunbird taes pity on him and this unlikely duo end up as best friends. But one day Ray doesn't show up and Gary feels more lonely than ever - until Ray comes back and leads Gary to his very best friend ever. Stunning pictures really evoke the jungle atmosphere and set this book aside from the majority of picture books. A lovely touching story of friendship and hope.
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The Shape Song Swingalong by SteveSongs
Barefoot Books do so well at involving children with the story and this brilliantly colourful book is no exception. See what can be created with a line - a circle or square or triangle. The bright pictures show how simple shapes can be transformed into anything you want. Children will love singing along to the catchy tune on the audio and video CD, and trying to create the shapes with their own bodies. This would make a lovely class activity for young children who will dance along, making shapes as they go. The pictures are full of life and vitality and the book inspires singing, dancing and drawing.
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Creepy Crawly Calypso by Tony Langham
There is so much in this book, I wondered how to categorise it.There's counting, colourful pictures, creepy-crawly facts, facts about Caribbean and calypso bands and a catchy song to enjoy too. A range of brightly coloured creatures play some unexpected instruments - the fireflies play trumpets and the butterflies play accordians. I can just imagine a class of infant children acting out this book along with the catchy rhyme. Includes an audio and video CD for use on CD player or computer.
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Spot Goes to the Farm by Eric Hill
The classic lift-the-flap book.Spot is so adorable that he has been a huge favourite with generations of small children, who now love to share his adventures with their own children. The storyline is simple, the drawings large and uncluttered, and of course every child loves a lift-the-flap surprise. Join Spot on the farm and see if your child can guess who might be hiding behind the flaps - a lovely way to stimulate discussion. Every child should have some Spot books in their library.
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Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants by Giles Andreae and Korky Paul
Oh no! King Colin has lost his golden pants! THis is a really giggly book for young children, who will revel in the storyline and be amused by the poor King's cold bare bottom! I can just imagine the glee when this is read aloud! He summons young Sir Scallywag, the bravest knight in the land. Can the youngster take on the mighty giant? With his trusted steed Doofus at his side, Sir Scallywag proves that even the least likely hero can be the bravest knight of all. The flowing rhyming text is perfect to read aloud and the colourful and detailed pictures are packed full of detail.Great fun from a talented duo.
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Cuddle Bear by Claire Freedman
I couldn't resist going 'Aaaaaah' when I saw the cute creatures on the cover of this book - and I wasn't disappointed when I looked inside. This really is an ideal story to read aloud while you cuddle up with your little one at bedtime. Cuddle Bear is there for everyone who needs a hug and some love. I enjoyed the gentle humour in the illustrations too - Cuddle Bear complete with cycling helmet is a lovely image! A good book to have to hand for those little 'upset' moments.
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Super-Duper Dudley by Sue Mongredian
Dudley Dog is just a bit of a show-off really - he can ride his bike without his paws on the handlebars and dive into the pool. But Bonzo has a talent that threatens to outshine Dudley... so Dudley decides to put on a show - but bites off more than he can chew. It's Bonzo to the rescue and the two friends show that there is room for us all to have talents and benefit from working together. A bright and colourful book with a meaningful message that brings lots of fun on the way.
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Hugless Douglas by David Melling
Like Douglas, there are times when we have all felt in need of a hug. Join Douglas, the lovable, huggable bear as he sets off on his search for the perfect bear hug! He finds lots, but none are quite right... until he finds the very best hug of all. You really feel for this lovable character as none of the hugs turn out to be quite what he expects. This is the perfect bedtime read, ideal for sending children off to sleep feeling loved.
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Port Side Pirates by Oscar Seaworthy
The CD accompanying this book really brings it to life - the story cries out to be sung! It has audio and video animations of the story, which flows along in rollicking fashion. This tale of a child jumping on board a pirate ship to sail off on an adventure has tremendous appeal, and the vivid illustrations are the perfect complement to the text. The inter-activity is a great idea and the music and words are included. There is also lots of information about pirates and a diagram of a pirate ship. It's a lovely way to really get children totally involved and engrossed in books and there is so much in this one book.
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Walking Through the Jungle by Debbie Harter
Barefoot Books say 'Step Inside a Story' and their picture books really do draw children right into the stories and they are wonderful to encourage reading. The reader is taken on a tour around the habitats of the world, from jungle to ocean, from mountains to rivers and the Arctic. They meet a multitude of animals, depicted in brilliant colour and catchy text and still get home for supper. When the book has been read, all the fun can be had again with the sing-along CD. Plenty to spot and lots of opportunities for discussion of the various habitats.
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How Do You Feel by Anthony Browne
A wonderful way to help children understand the wide range of emotions they feel, written with all Anthony Browne's trademark insight into how young children think and feel. His unmistakeable monkey character expresses emotions from bored to curious, confident to shy, and gives children the opportunity to open up about their own feelings, prompted by the question, ‘How do you feel?’ at the end. Minimal text gives the pictures the opportunity to speak for themselves. Simple but very effective.
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If You're Happy and You Know It by Anna McQuinn
I am really impressed with the amount of information and learning opportunities Barefoot Books pack into their picture books. They encourage interactivity and give lots to talk about. In this book, children can spot children from 36 different cultures as they sing their way through the book and enjoy the colourful illustrations. See how many different countries they can identify too. There is also a CD to enjoy and a memory game to play. If that's not enough, learn to say 'hello' in all the children's languages.
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Homer the Library Cat by Reeve Lindbergh
Homer has a home in a quiet house but a loud noise startles him into jumping out of the window. He looks out for somewhere quiet but the post office is too sneezy, the fire station is too busy ... finally, he finds somewhere quiet and his owner is already there - it's the library! The simple rhyming text conveys the action clearly and the water-colour illustrations have a pleasantly old-fashioned feel. The best is the last page, which finds Homer quietly sleeping amidst the books. A charming, gentle story.
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The Sounds Around Town by Maria Carluccio
Follow a baby throughout the day in this busy action-filled book. Listening to all the sounds of life in the city as you feel as though you are really there yourself. The bright ,colourful and stylish pages are filled with sound words to try out, and the rhyming text uses repetition for easy learning. It's a great way to encourage little one's to be aware of the sounds around them, to encourage observation, and to talk about all the potential sources of sound in the story.
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Guess How Much I Love You Pop Up Edition by Sam McBratney
This well-loved tale lends itself perfectly to the pop up book concept, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare show exactly how much they love each other with pop ups which demonstrate it oh-so-clearly. Cleverly crafted, they are more than just pop ups - there are sliders to pull, wheels to turn, flaps to flip and whole three-dimensional scenes, all in exactly the original illustrations. Studry enough to withstand the enthusiasm with which children will greet it, this is an outstanding version of a heartwarming story about love.
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Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head by Daniel Hahn
An intriguing title! Three miserable neighbours decide to find out what makes Miss Jolly so happy. They decide it must be her hats, so they try a range of hilarious objects as hats, but none make them happy. What can the secret be? What is 'pink, sticky and worn on the head?' They find out in the end in this zany, fun-filled story in catchy rhyming text, with intriguing illustrations by Stella Dreis.
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Zoe and Beans The Magic Hoop! by Chloe and Mick Inkpen
Vivid and action-filled, Zoe almost seems to jump off the pages of this latest book about the appealing duo. I find them irresistible! Chloe finds a hoop and manages to get Beans to jump through it - to her surprise, it is a magic hoop. But, oh dear, there is a bit of a problem and poor Beans has to go on a diet! The clever use of different fonts and the way the text swirls around the pictures draws the reader in to the story - read it aloud by all means, but do please share the pictures as well. Imaginative and great fun.
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Not On A School Night by Rebecca Patterson
'Not on a school night' - how often have children heard that? A fun-packed story with two naughty little boys and two long-suffering parents. The boys create mayhem - just look how much is going on in the pictures. But finally, we get to Friday night which is good - and Saturday mroning, which is even better. Every family will identify with this amusing story.
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Too Princessy by Jean Reidy
A book that perfectly captures the time when, however many toys there are, nothing is quite right. 'Too jolly, too jumpy, too diggy, too dumpy...' It seems that all the toys in the toybox come out and get rejected in this funny rhyming tale with few words but clever fonts and illustrations. Bu a little imagination and the perfect toy is finally found when the toybox is empty. Just right for cooped-up kids everywhere, who will enjoy the reflection of their feelings and learn to laugh at themselves.
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Again! by Emily Gravett
Another irresistible story by Emily Gravett – the perfect book for young book-lovers everywhere Cedric has brushed his teeth and had his bath, so it's time for his favourite story to be read again… and again… and again! But Mum finds it all too tiring. The hilarious consequences of a fire-breathing dragon can be seen in what happens to the book..... Clever and unusual, children will find it hilarious. I love the way Emily manages to tell a story in such an apparently simple way.
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Little Nelly's Big Book by Pippa Goodhart
Mice are grey, has big ears and a thin tail - so Nelly must be a mouse, right? Well, that's what Nelly the elephant thinks after she reads a book - but she's even more confused when she meets some mice. Can we believe everything we read? A really funny story that makes us think twice about the things we read, and why books should always have pictures. Andy Rowland's amusing illustrations are an integral part of the story - read it aloud but make sure you share the pictures!
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Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the really dreadful spell by Kristina Stephenson
What child can resist a book with a starring character called 'Stinky Socks'? And they won't be disappointed - this is a story to read over and over again. A wicked witch casts a spell and turns everyone to stone, but this story isn't predictable! What power will be mighty enough to break the spell? Why, none other than Sir Charlie Stinkysocks, of course. Can he get there in time and conquer all his foes? The vivid use of language is wonderful and makes this a fabulous story to read aloud. The colourful illustrations and the great big open-out flaps will enchant children. There is an extra challenge - how many references to fairy tales can you and your child spot in the book? Now available with an audio soundtrack narrated by Michael Maloney and including songs from the Salisbury Area Young Musician's Choir.
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There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly illus by Pam Adams
A cunningly constructed 'book with a hole' which works both backwards and forwards. The wiggly holes are great fun and children will enjoy tracing around them and following the text. A fun and engaging version that breathes new life into the old favourite of the lady who swallows lots of animals one by one as a remedy until she goes just too far, with the inevitable result!
"Child’s Play is an independent publisher, specialising in whole child development, focused play, life skills and values. Their programme consists of books, games, toys, and associated materials, aimed at 0-8 year olds, each specially created to cater for a range of different learning styles and provide a variety of approaches to developing children’s understanding. 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of Child’s Play and their first book ever published, this classic, well-loved song."
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The Totally Terrifying Three by Haiwyn Oram
Once there was a dragon who was convinced he was TOTALLY TERRIFYING. One look at himself in the mirror and he nearly jumped out of his skin. He thought his neighbours were terrified of him too... So one day, the dragon decided to leave home. But on his journey he met a witch and giant who were also convinced they were TOTALLY TERRIFYING! The terrifying three went along together until they met a toddler who showed them that they were not so scary after all! Fun-filled illustrations by David Melling complement the story marvellously.
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Pushka by Stephen Mackey
Little clown Pushka's sound asleep on the circus train. Little does he know that he is about to topple out... amongst the enchanted trees. Scared, Pushka runs away through the night until he spies the most beautiful dancing girl and thinks he is safe. But she lures him into the arms of a hungry giant. Will Pushka ever make it back to the circus? Atmospheric and vivid pictures brinjg the story alive and the dark backgrounds set the characters off well.
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The Nutcracker illustrated by Alison Jay
Alison Jay brings her wonderful talent to bear on this stunning edition of The Nutcracker, with her trademark crackle-glazed illustrations. As ever, her attention to detail is wonderful and there is just so much to look at and enjoy. Take time out to really study the pictures and see how they develop through the story. A perfect gift book, ideal for young ballet enthusiasts - especially if they are off to see The Nutcracker for the first time, but equally enjoyable when viewed simply as a picture book. Join Clara on her fantastic nighttime journey to a world of dancing fairies, beautiful palaces, and wonderful things to eat.
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FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith
A father who dreams of flying goes off to war and doesn’t return, so his son decides to make his dream come true. This is a moving and emotional story which shows how love and ambition can combine to make seemingly impossible goals attainable. The author uses photographic collage and illustrations in sombe colours to convey his message and the text and illustrations are effectively interwoven to draw the reader into the story. Atmospheric and emotionally charged, the story is told as much through the pictures as through the text. The book is the winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for 2011 - a tremendous accolade. |
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The Diabolical Mr Tiddles by Tom McLaughlin
Mr Tiddles is a cat with character and he is very generous to his new owner, bring him all sorts of lovely presents - but Harry starts to get rather suspicious when his bedroom fills up with all sorts of goodies, so he decides to follow Mr Tiddles one night. He gets a big surprise and they both land up in a very tricky situation. Has Mr Tiddles learnt his lesson? A funny story with bright cheerful illustrations that will appeal to children.
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Get Well Friends by Kes Gray
Oh dear - there are a lot of poorly animals! But never mind, Nurse Nibbles will soon make them feel better! This book introduces a cast of lovely animal characters, many of whom also feature in their very own stories. I suppose we shouldn't laugh, but the poor animals do have some very funny ailments - Hamish the hamster got his whiskers caught in his wheel and Dipak the dalmation came out in spots instead of stripes! A super read-aloud book which will have children in fits of giggles. And the illustrations are just as funny.
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Elmer and Super El by David McKee
The best-selling brightest-coloured elephant ever is back with another adventure and someone else who needs his help. Super El arrives on the scene with his super-costume all torn andElmer knows just the person to mend it - but they have to reach Aunt Zelda without the other elephants seeing them. Elmer makes sure all the other animals are kept very busy so they can slip past unnoticed. Vibrant illustrations tell the story in a wonderful way, and there is lots to talk about and share.
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Monkey's Friends by Ruth Brown
Monkey is off for a walk. Who will he meet on the way? Young children will enjoy the sense of anticipation as they turn the half-page spreads to reveal the friends. Softly coloured pictures, packed full of detail will give lots for children to spot and talk about. The fabulous illustrations repay close attention to detail (and you need to look closely to ensure you miss nothing) and the observational skills shown are amazing. A lovely picture book.
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The Big Snuggle Up by Brian Patten and Nicola Bayley
All the animals are looking for somewhere warm and safe to snuggle up on a cold winter's night. By bedt.ime, there are all sorts of animals safely ensconced by the fire - and there;s even a scarecrow. The animals are absolutely delightful and the repetitive text is the perfect way for little ones to learn the names of the animals. The pictures are meticulously observed and provide a great introduction to nature. A perfect bedtime story.
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Sixes and Sevens by John Yeoman and Quentin Blake
Another wonderful story from this inspired pairing. 'On the way to Limber Lea' the boy stops off at every village on the way to collect a weird and wonderful collection of creatures. Luckily, his mother supplied him with a very inventive box of goodies to help him with his assorted passengers. Wonderful flowing text, combined with lively and colourful pictures make this another sure-fire success,
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Pedro the Penguin Bumps His Head! (Get Well Friends) by Kes Gray and Mary McQuillan
It is a beautiful Polar morning when Pedro the Penguin goes for his early morning swim and decides to do his best dive ever. All of his friends gather beside the diving board to see how wonderful Pedro's dive is going to be.....but it would have been an idea to break the ice first! Before long, Pedro is being carried on a stretcher to see Nurse Nibbles. A lovely story, packed with adorable characters and full of vivid colour to catch little ones' attention.
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Zoe the Zebra Hurts Her Ankle (Get Well Friends) by Kes Gray and Mary McQuillan
Zoe the Zebra is a very nervous zebra. While the other zebras peacefully chew grass, Zoe anxiously nibbles her lip. "Watch out for lions," she says, "watch out for cheetahs and hyenas!" Zoe is so busy looking out for animals that might eat her, she doesn't see a trip to Nurse Nibbles coming.
More in this lovely series that will encourage children to care, to share and to talk - Get Well Friends and Momo Takes a Tumble (Get Well Friends)
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We're Going to a Party by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Any book by this pair is bound to be wonderful! 'We're going to a party, disguised in fancy dress. But which of us is What or Who? It's up to you to guess!' Wonderful catchy rhymes draw the reader through the story, part of which is told on the pop up surprises, the biggest of which is at the end with a great joke. Wonderful disguises of a plethora of animals are uncovered under every flap. Fun and colourful, young readers will delight in the surprises under every flap.
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Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson
Limelight Larry likes nothing better than - you've guessed - being the centre of attention. So what could be better than finding blank book that gives him the opportunity to be its star. But unfortunately, it seems that all his friends have the same idea and Larry gets very upset. Then he realises that, actually, there's not much point being all on his own. A wonderfully witty book, packed with a cast of fascinating characters and with absolutely stunning illustrations that almost leap off the page. THere's an important message about sharing, conveyed to perfection.
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