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.
If you’re looking for something new to read, how about one of this foxy new title? Star Friends - Magic Mirror by Linda Chapman, illustrated by Lucy Fleming (Stripes Publishing) Mirror Magic is the first in a new series of books about Maia, her friends and the Star Animals (creatures who must learn to use … Continue reading ‘Star Friends – Mirror Magic,’ by Linda Chapman, illustrated by Lucy Fleming.
I was extremely excited to be invited by Scholastic to be on the judging panel for this year’s Lollies. Although the short-list is decided by the judges, the winners are decided purely by readers, librarians and teachers so make sure you visit http://www.scholastic.co.uk/lollies to vote! Michael Rosen, children’s novelist, poet and former Children’s Laureate, today announced … Continue reading The Laugh Out Loud 2018 Book Awards (Lollies) Short-list!
I am delighted to tell you that ‘Ottoline and the Purple Fox,’ is now available to paperback! I am even more thrilled to tell you that I have a full signed paperback and print set for one lucky follower to win! Ottoline and her hairy companion, Mr Munroe, were busy planning a dinner party when … Continue reading ‘Ottoline and the Purple Fox,’ by Chris Riddell.
It’s currently Mental Health Awareness Week in the U.K. With record rates of mental health referrals amongst children, this seems like the perfect time to introduce you to two books which might help children express and regulate their emotions. Mind Hug by Emily Amber and Vanessa Lovegrove (Circus House) This story was developed to help … Continue reading Supporting Mental Health in Children
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.
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.
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.
Unicorns are currently riding high on a wave of popularity - there’s a constant queue of children clamouring for magical titles in our school library. That’s why I know they (and our librarian) will be delighted to learn about the sparkling new ‘Unicorn Academy’ series by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Lucy Truman and published by … Continue reading Unicorn Academy…Where Magic Happens.
I'm delighted to introduce you to a magical new series from author Hayley Daze and publisher Willow Tree Books. It features a range of cute and cuddly magical who whisk their human friends away for far-flung adventures. Cuddle the Magic Kitten - Magical Friends by Hayley Daze. The first story in the series sees new … Continue reading Magical First Chapter Books from Hayley Daze.
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.
Numbers are everywhere. They’re all around us and are often a source of fascination for young children. From their birthdays to house numbers, children soon learn that numbers are important. This beautiful picture book is by best-selling author and illustrator, Taro Gomi, who currently lives in Tokyo, Japan. It shows just where numbers can be … Continue reading ‘I Know Numbers!,’ by Taro Gomi.
After ‘THE EVENT THAT MUST NEVER BE SPOKEN OF AGAIN,’ Sam has gained the unfortunate nickname of ‘Scaredy-Cat Sam.’ He needs a plan to clear his name! Following an unfortunate incident during a school trip to the space museum, the class bully, Ralph Philip Zinkerman the Third, christened Sam with his much-hated nickname. Sam decides that … Continue reading ‘Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Ghosts,’ by Katie and Kevin Tsang, illustrated by Nathan Reed.
