This brilliant book is a must if you’re studying ecosystems or have an interest in the natural world. Endorsed by the British Ecological Society, packed with information, and gilded with gorgeous illustrations - you are in for a treat! “A teacher challenges her class to decide which is the most important animal of all. Seven … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Most Important Animal of All,’ by Penny Worms, illustrated by Hannah Bailey.
Today I have the great pleasure of sharing a very timely and important book which gently introduces young readers to the meaning of the Black Lives Matter movement and the power of speaking out. A beautifully illustrated and poignant picture book about the Black Lives Matter movement - it's deep history, background and meaning - … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘When We Say Black Lives Matter,’ by Maxine Beneba Clarke.
Today, I’m sharing a really beautiful story written as a result of Karl’s recent experience of going through chemotherapy and having friends old and new reach out to him in support. ‘Some friends need a great big hug to make them feel well. Some prefer to be alone. Some listen, others tell the most adventurous … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘How to Mend a Friend,’ by Karl Newson, illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi.
During lockdown, we came to appreciate just how much we relied on our library to keep our supply of information books up-to-date - particular during the school holidays. The (thankfully) temporary closing of our library was a huge loss for us and many others - including Rosa and her sister.... ‘From the winner of the … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘We Want Our Books,’ by Jake Alexander.
‘Some crews aren’t quite like the rest.’ This story was created as a result of author Jodie Lancet-Grant’s frustration at being unable to find any picture books featuring LGBTQ+ families to read to her twin daughters - she and her wife wanted them to see their own experience reflected back to them. The result is … Continue reading Pride Month: ‘The Pirate Mums,’ by Jodie Lancet-Grant, illustrated by Lydia Corry.
This gorgeous books is currently making waves all over social media - and rightly so. It is a beautifully written modern fairy tale featuring a tender love story between a merman and a lonely fisherman. It’s brought to life by the beautiful illustrations of James Mayhew. “Far out to sea and deep below the whispering … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Nen and the Lonely Fisherman,’ by Ian Eagleton, illustrated by James Mayhew.
Today I’m delighted to be sharing a riotous rampage of a picture book packed with animals behaving VERY badly on holiday! A dream combination of crazy escapades, animals who won’t take no for an answer, and the energetic, anarchic illustrations of David Tazzyman! Make sure you read Patricia’s exclusive piece about the inspiration behind her … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘You Can’t Take an Elephant on Holiday,’ by Patricia Cleveland-Peck and David Tazzyman.
Well it’s my happy job to wrap up the blog tour for ‘Fred Gets Dressed.’ A story about a little boy who loves nothing better than to run a around naked - I’m sure lots of us can think of a small child like that! ‘Fred loves to be naked! He romps around his house … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Fred Gets Dressed,’ by Peter Brown.
Today I have a chucklesome picture book which will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy! I love Haddow’s brilliant ‘Dave Pigeon’ series and Adeola’s illustrations are so full of life - I knew this picture book was going to be roar-some! ‘Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear. In this family, it's just … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘My Dad is a Grizzly Bear,’ by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Dapo Adeola.
Today I’m sharing a beautiful picture book based on real events in Syria: ‘In a war-torn city, a little girl tends to the last garden. But everyone is leaving and soon the girl has to leave too. The garden is all alone now but soon the seeds scatter throughout the city and the roots take … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Last Garden,’ by Rachel Ip, illustrated by Anneli Bray.
Today I’m sharing a very timely picture book about a special journey through the oceans on the back of a whale which makes clear the devastating impact of plastic pollution on the seas and the creatures who live in them. ‘Where land becomes sky and the sky becomes sea, I first saw the whale, and … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Tale of the Whale,’ by Karen Swann, illustrated by Padmacandra.
Today we’re diving down into the watery depths of the world’s oceans and seas in Caryl Hart’s newest picture book. ‘SPLOOOOSH! We're off on an exciting underwater adventure in our submarine to meet the oceans and seas of our blue planet. Join in with the rhymes and get ready to spot all the smiley-faced, friendly … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Meet the Oceans,’ by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Bethan Woollvin.
There’s always something truly magical about finding a tree that’s so enormous you have no hope of putting your arms around it - you know that it has stood on that same spot for hundreds and hundreds of years regardless of the changes which have gone on around it. I always wonder just what it’s … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘What did the Tree See?’ by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Sam Usher.
I absolutely love Will’s books; his humour just tickles me! (See ‘I Can Only Draw Worms’) I am please to be able to share with you his newest title: ‘Flea's got itchy feet! It's time to find a new dog to call home. But, try as he might, none of the dogs he meets are … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Flea Seeks Dog,’ by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Nathan Reed.
I always find this time of year so dark and dreary, especially so this year during lockdown, so it’s important to look for the positives around you and have hope that things will get brighter. ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ is certainly one of those books which encourages readers to think about what makes … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ by Caroline Crowe, illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs.
Although Sharon has illustrated a lot of brilliant books for other authors, this is the very first book she’s both written and illustrated. Make sure you read Sharon’s piece about the ideas & inspirations behind her story. ‘Suzy's family has moved house and everyone is just TOO BUSY to play with her. Eager for someone … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Bears Don’t Wear Shoes,’ by Sharon Davey.
Today I’m sharing a perception-flipping new picture book from award-winning duo Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson. ‘Milo is on a long subway ride with his older sister. To pass the time, he studies the faces around him and makes pictures of their lives. There's the whiskered man with the crossword puzzle; Milo imagines … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Milo Imagines the World,’ by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Can Bears Ski?’ - a fantastic new picture book from poet and teacher, Raymond Antrobus. Raymond was born deaf and his debut picture book draws on his on childhood, showing how isolating being hard of hearing can be. ‘Little Bear feels the world around him. He … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Can Bears Ski?’ by Raymond Antrobus, illustrated by Polly Dunbar.
With swathes of the country already enjoying some snow and with more promised, why not make the most of it as part of home learning and get children outside and enjoying themselves? This clever picture book lends itself brilliantly to some screen-free science (states of matter, the water cycle...) and also raises some interesting questions … Continue reading ‘The Snowman and the Sun,’ by Susan Taghdis, illustrated by Ali Mafakheri, translated from Persian by Azita Rassi.
We all have a responsibility to look after our surroundings and care for the creatures who also make their homes in them. What I have today are three beautiful books with themes of protecting our environment and looking out for bees and other insects. ‘Omar, the Bees and Me,’ by Helen Mortimer, illustrated by Katie … Continue reading Bee-utiful Books!
