Protecting our oceans in a hot topic at the moment, with campaigners and some big business working to try to reduce the amount of pollution being dumped into the sea. Plastic in particular is being highlighted as a significant danger and was, interestingly, the most-used word in Radio 2s ‘500 Word’ story-writing competition for children. … Continue reading Sailing the Seven Seas
Written by award-winning author-illustration Rosie Wellesley, The Itchy-saurus was specifically written to normalise itchy skin (particularly eczema.) Tyrannosaurus Rex is out enjoying himself in the jungle when his skin becomes itchy and scratchy. Of course, only having short arms means that he can’t reach everywhere to have a scratch, and where he can scratch just … Continue reading ‘The Itchy-saurus,’ by Rosie Wellesley.
One day, when Julian is on the way home with his Nana, he spots what looks like the most beautiful mermaids. Their long flowing hair and shimmering tails spark something inside Julian. When he gets home, Julian styles his hair, make-up and clothing to transform himself into one of those dazzling creatures. But what will … Continue reading ‘Julian is a Mermaid,’ by Jessica Love.
Father’s Day is always the perfect opportunity to buy a new book for daddies and little ones to snuggle up with. As fate would have it, Raj dropped through my letterbox just in time. Raj and Dad are very excited about heading off on an adventure and have big plans and a long list. All … Continue reading ‘Raj and the Best Day Ever!’ By Seb Braun.
Empathy Day was founded in 2017 by Empathy Lab who believe in using the power of stories to help us understand each other better and make us more empathetic. This year, Empathy Day 2018 is on 12 June so if you’d like to get involved, download a school pack or the free Read For Empathy Guide Of … Continue reading Celebrating Empathy Day with ‘Perfectly Norman,’ by Tom Percival.
I am delighted introduce to you the winner of the Stratford-Salariya Picture Book Prize. In a tale inspired by the stories from Asian folklore told to Camille during her childhood, ‘Luna and the Moon Rabbit’ tells the magical of a curious little girl seeking a moonlit adventure. When the mysterious Moon Rabbit arrives one night, … Continue reading ‘Luna and the Moon Rabbit,’ with a special post by Camille Whitcher on getting that one big break.
Her Ladyship (Library Girl), is delighted to invite you to peruse three glorious new illustrated texts at your leisure... The Knight Who Said “No!” By Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Kate Hindley (Nosy Crow) Little Ned the Knight is always such a good boy. Whenever anyone asks him to do something, he says yes. Until one … Continue reading Princes and dragons and knights – oh my!
Two vibrant interactive books from award-winning author Jane Clarke, stunningly illustrated by the uber-talented Britta Teckentrup. Firefly Home Poor Florence Firefly is lost - all she wants to do is find her way back home to the other fireflies. Unfortunately for her, there are lots of other lights around to lead her astray: lighthouses, trains … Continue reading ‘Firefly Home’ and ‘Neon Leon,’ by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup.
This post is celebrating two books which positively demand audience participation... ‘Do Not Open This Book’ by Andy Lee, illustrated by Heath McKenzie (Studio Stories) Originally written as a first birthday gift for his nephew, George, this book was never actually meant to be published. Luckily for us, it was! Monster is absolutely desperate for … Continue reading Audience Participation Required!
Today, three stunning non-fiction books grace the pages of my blog, each of them teaching me something new about the amazing world we live in. A Year in the Wild by Helen Ahpornsiri (Big Picture Press) A stunningly beautiful book with artwork crafted from hand-pressed blooms and foliage. These are then carefully cut and arranged … Continue reading The Beauty Of Nature
We absolutely love the Jolley-Rogers series so we’re very excited to have received this absolute gem of a book - there’s gold on them thar pages! This book revisits one of our favourite landlubbers, Matilda, and her band of pirate friends as they head off to the holiday resort de rigeur for any discerning swashbuckler … Continue reading ‘The Pirates of Scurvy Sands,’ by Jonny Duddle.
A beautiful cloth-covered reissue of Shakespeare’s classic tale, originally published in 1945. When the Fairy Queen, Titania, and King of the Fairies, Oberon, argue about who should be responsible for a little changeling boy, Oberon and his servant, Puck, cast a mischievous spell on Titania. This spell causes her to fall madly in love with … Continue reading ‘Titania and Oberon – A Fairy Tale,’ written by Jo Manton, illustrated by Phyllis Bray.
Once upon a time, there was a BIG BUNNY. What starts off as an innocent story about a normal, if slightly large, bunny innocently eating some normally-sized carrots soon turns into a tale of a giant, truck-eating monster! But is he? Just how big will Big Bunny be? It turns out that it’s all just … Continue reading ‘Big Bunny,’ by Rowboat Watkins.
A beautiful new addition to the clever ‘Search & Find’ series from the team at Studio Press. This time it’s Rudyard Kipling’s timeless tale, The Jungle Book which has been reimagined in this enchanting picture book. Explore the highly-illustrated pages and classic story in unison as you track Mowgli learning the laws of the jungle … Continue reading ‘Search & Find – The Jungle Book,’ by Sarah Powell, illustrated by Federica Frenna.
Well according to the calendar, Spring has officially sprung and we can look forward to some glimmers of sunshine and possibly some Easter chocolate. If you are looking to give something a little longer-lasting and better for your teeth than an Easter egg, how about one of these bookish treats...? The First Egg Hunt by … Continue reading Spring has Sprung!
Every so often a book series comes along which is to children what catnip is to cats - highly addictive and likely to result in great excitement. William Bee’s Wonderful World of Tractors and Farm Machines The third title in William Bee’s extremely popular series showcases William’s fantastic collection of farm machines. Within its pages … Continue reading William Bee’s Wonderful World…
I think mums might be the least acknowledged group of superheroes on the planet. They walk among us without flashy costumes or theme music playing, but constantly perform heroic deeds without even realising and without applause. This book, from Timothy Knapman and Joe Berger, is an ode to all those Superhero Mums masquerading as regular … Continue reading ‘Superhero Mum,’ by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Joe Berger.
It’s vital that children see themselves and their cultures represented in books. That is why publishers like Lantana Publishing are so important. I’m thrilled to have two of their lead Spring titles to share with you. Nimesh the Adventurer by Ranjit Singh, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (available April 2018) For Nimesh, even the journey home … Continue reading Lantana Publishing – Spring Titles
As well as being the traditional day for giving chocolates and overpriced roses, Wednesday 14th February is also #BookGivingDay. A day when book lovers all over the world donate new or lightly-used books to children who need them. As a teacher, I am very aware of the squeeze being put on school budgets and the cuts … Continue reading Why I’m donating books to school libraries on #BookGivingDay
Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. That’s how it goes, isn’t it? No? It was almost time for tea and Sophie had been enjoying a story with Grandad, who had fallen asleep! Dad steps into the breach and begins to read a lovely story all about an enchanted princess who’d been locked … Continue reading ‘This is NOT a Fairy Tale,’ by Will Mabbitt and Fred Blunt.
Library Girl and Book Boy 