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< Back Billy Baldwin Orbit's Monster Nebula Beware, Author Billy Baldwin creates a monstrous world like no other. Have you ever wondered where monsters come from? The abdominal snowman? King Kong? The Loch Ness monster? Orbit’s Monster Nebula will take you on a journey through far distant galaxies to a planet like no other. A planet where only the bravest space travellers dare to venture. A planet where monsters are born. Big ones, small ones, pink ones, green ones, furry ones, slimy ones. Any kind of monster you dare to imagine was born on this planet, in a scare factory by young Orbit and the Astroblast family. But when Orbit notices his monsters are disappearing, he sets off on a treacherous journey to Earth to capture the monsters and bring them home. Will Orbit succeed in his mission? Or will the monsters escape and wreak havoc on planet Earth? This is a super scary, imaginative picture book that will appeal to intrepid monster hunters and wanna-be galaxy travellers. Baldwin creatures a horrifying but very humorous fantasy planet that will have young children shaking in their boots. The illustrator Liesl Bell is an outstanding talent. The wonderfully detailed, vibrant illustrations really capture the imagination and bring the terrifying creatures to life. Children will love pouring over the intricate images of the fantasy world and the disgusting creatures that inhabit it. We cannot wait to read more adventures or Orbit and the Astroblast family. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A super scary, imaginative picture book that will have young children shaking in their boots. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Leah Ingledew Meowl! Author and illustrator Leah Ingledew presents a version of Rome and Juliet for younger readers. Max is a dog and Mia is a cat, and they are very good friends. They like each other a lot. But in the city of Up, dogs and cats are not allowed to be friends. They are not allowed to meet, or talk or play. Dogs and cats are just too different to get on, or so they say in the city of Up. So Max and Mia decide to meet in secret, and every day at sunrise and sunset they play and have lots of fun. Until one day, they are caught, and a big wall is built to keep them apart. But Max and Mia are not happy to be separated and they run far away from their families and the city of Up. How will the two young friends cope away from the parents? And who will protect them now, when they are all alone and in the wilderness? This is a sweet and charming picture book, superbly written and illustrated by Ingeldew. It is a story about forbidden love and friendship, and the destructiveness of forced separation. The book is reminiscent of the story of Romeo and Juliet, but for younger children (and with a happier ending!). The more society pushes Max and Mia apart, the more they are driven to stay together. This is a deep and complex story, but told through dog and cat characters it will easily resonate with younger children. It will help children to learn that despite our physical differences, we are all the same, with the same desires to be happy, have fun, and seek friendships and love. It is a timely reminder for us all. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A story about forbidden love and friendship between two feline and canine friends. Superbly written and illustrated by Ingeldew. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Jon Howe Shanghaied A young man is stolen from his family and enslaved on a merchant ship. In 1810, Eamon McGrath a printer from Marblehead, Massachusetts, wakes up on board a ship in the middle of the North Atlantic ocean. With no memory of how he came to be on board the ship, he soon learns he has been kidnapped (‘shanghaied’) with four other men. The men have been stolen and are forced to work on the merchant ship, Atalanta, after a British frigate captured most of the ships original crew. The ship has been sold to a company in Hong Kong and is headed to East Asia. The men know that any attempt of mutiny would be futile, and quickly adapt to life at sea. The ship sails down the east coast of North and South America, before rounding Cape Horn at the southern tip of mainland South America, and then sails up the west coast. They cross the tropics in the North Pacific and approach Hong Kong via the Solomon Islands and the South China sea. The men learn the daily chores and rituals, but conditions on the ship are brutal and the men live in constant fear for their lives. At every port, Eamon writes a letter to his wife and his two children, hoping it will one day reach home. After the ship stops in Hong Kong, it continues to journey west towards Africa. But when they reach Port Louis in Madagascar, Eamon finally has a chance to escape when he meets the crew of a ship named Voilà . Shanghaied by Jon Howe is an enthralling and insightful historical fiction novel about a man who is stolen from his family and enslaved on a merchant ship. As Eamon McGrath and the crew circumnavigate the globe on board the Atalanta, their resilience is put to the test as they battle to survive in the horrific conditions. Set in the early nineteenth century, during a period of rapid social change and increasing global trade, the book captures the experience of many sailors during this time and the brutality of life at sea. Throughout the book, the reader is transported to the oceans of the world and the many fascinating countries, tropical islands, and ports, that the crew encounter along their journey. Thoroughly researched, with references to key historical events, the book will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction and adventures at sea. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A compelling and thought provoking read about a man enslaved on a merchant ship, and his fight for survival. Purchase here

< Back Ali Barclay The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris Part of the Charlie Wags series, this book follows Charlie as he visits Paris, France. With a familiar introduction to the story, Charlie wags his tail and travels to Paris. He visits the Louvre art museum and sees the famous Mona Lisa painting. He visits Notre Dame, a grand cathedral in the centre of the city. He climbs the Arc de Triomphe and catches a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. He eats tasty French treats in a street café, and hops on a train to the Palace of Versailles. Finally, he floats down the River Seine on a boat and strolls down the charming streets by moonlight. The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris is an illustrated picture book by author Ali Barclay. This is a wonderful addition to the series, which sees the little pup take a trip to the magnificent city of Paris. Each book in the series has a similar introduction, and has a similar style and format, making this a familiar and reassuring read for young readers. Barclay’s rhymes are as sweet as ever and the pastel, watercolour style illustrations, are bursting with French flair. A magnifique addition to this travel adventure series for young explorers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful, tail wagging, travel adventure in Paris, with an adorable little pup. Purchase here

< Back Sally Fetouh Jana's Brightly Coloured Socks Jana shares her marvellous socks with her school friends. Jana has just learnt to put her socks on by herself and has a drawer full of brightly coloured, patterned and pretty socks. Jana loves her socks and puts them on every where she goes. She wears her socks around the house, in the playground and at school. When her friends notice her marvellous socks, they all want a pair too. So, every day, Jana puts an extra pair of socks in her school bag to give to her friends. Until one day, there are no socks left! On the last day of school, Jana’s teacher organises a sock parade, and all the children show off their wacky and wonderful socks. In the parade, Jana recognises some of the socks she has given to her friends. Jana’s friends organise a surprise for her, to thank her for her kindness for sharing her socks. A special surprise, for a special little girl. Can you guess what it is? Jana's Brightly Coloured Socks by Sally Fetouh is a sweet, funny and charming illustrated children’s picture book about a little girl who loves brightly coloured socks and shows kindness by sharing them with her friends. The book promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and will encourage young children to show kindness and compassion towards others. The book was inspired by the author’s own daughter, Jana, who has Down Syndrome. The illustrations by Alexis Schnitger are simply delightful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet, funny and charming illustrated children’s picture book that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. Purchase here

< Back Dawn McLucas Why Am I So Quiet? A little girl celebrates her quietness, by Author Dawn McLucas Eight-year-old Ava is a creative little girl, with a quiet personality and a love of reading. It is her first day back at school, and Ava is looking forward to seeing her friends again. Busy in her own thoughts, as she travels on the bus to school, Ava doesn’t hear her friend call her name. The friend asks, ‘Why are you always so quiet Ava?’ In class, her teacher comments that she has been quiet today, and later at home, her mom also comments that she has been quiet since she got home from school. At bedtime, Ava asks her mom if being quiet is a bad thing. Her mom reassures her that there is nothing wrong with her, and it is okay to be quiet. Ava has a school assignment about her family, and she learns she has more in common with her mom and dad than she realised. Through talking with her friends, Ava also finds the perfect response when people ask her why she is so quiet. Why Am I So Quiet? by author Dawn McLucas, is a wonderful picture book for younger readers about a quiet little girl who learns to accept, and love, her quiet personality. It is a positive story that will help children to understand that being quiet is a positive attribute. It will help children develop confidence and self-esteem, and it will encourage them to accept themselves just the way they are. This is a great resource for parents, carers and teachers to start conversations with younger children about personality and diversity. It will make a great addition to home and pre-school libraries. As a quiet person myself, constantly asked why I am so quiet, I really connected with this story. I wish I had this story as a youngster, as it would have helped me understand that quietness is a positive attribute. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful picture book that will encourage young children to accept themselves just the way they are. Purchase here

< Back Governor Nathan Deal Veto, the Governor's Cat Veto, an ordinary cat, with an extraordinary story. Veto is a cat, but not just any cat! He is the Governor’s cat. Veto was born on a farm and enjoyed playing with all the farmyard animals. One day, Veto and his big brother, Bill, were sent to live at the Governor and First Lady’s mansion, to help protect the mansion’s garden from the chipmunks and birds that were eating the fruits and berries. As Veto and Bill settled into their new home, they explored the grounds and liked to chase away the chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. They make friends with the troopers and a man who worked at the mansion, named Dan. But one day, it is time for the Governor and First Lady to move on, and Veto and Bill move to a new home in the country. The brothers are scared and sad to leave their friends, especially Dan. Veto and Bill have a good life in the country, and meet lots of new friends. But as time passes, Veto soon has to navigate life in the country without his big brother and best friend. He makes new friends, and the Governor and the First Lady become his very special companions. Veto, the Governor's Cat by author, Governor Nathan Deal, is a sweet, charming and heartfelt tale of the Governors cat, Veto. Written from Veto’s perspective, the book follows his journey from his birth on a farm, through to his time living at the Governor’s mansion, through to his later years in the countryside. As Veto moves to different homes, he learns important life lessons, including how to be brave in new situations, how to make new friends, and even how to deal with death. The story captures Veto’s emotions, the confusion of moving home and the sadness of his loss, while also offering moments of warmth and joy as he makes new friends and learns new things. His experiences are similar to human experiences and young children will relate to his journey. The watercolour style illustrations by Cheryl Riner Hodge are beautiful and capture Veto’s life and emotions perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A warm, tender and beautifully illustrated book that gently guides children through big life events. Purchase here

< Back Ragini Shah Constructed Movements: Extraction and Resistance in Mexican Migrant Communities Constructed Movements: Extraction and Resistance in Mexican Migrant Communities is a profound exploration of migration as a system of extraction by Ragini Shah. The book examines the structural forces driving migration from Mexico to the United States, addressing each phase of migration: dislocation, displacement, entrenchment, and resistance. Shah highlights how economic policies, racial capitalism, and neoliberal reforms in Mexico dislocate individuals from their home communities by divesting from small-scale agriculture, suppressing wages, and cutting social spending. This forces individuals to migrate, often into exploitative industries in the U.S., such as agriculture, food processing, and service work, where they face harsh working conditions, racism, and limited legal protections. Shah critiques the U.S. immigration enforcement regime, which criminalizes migrants while simultaneously facilitating their entry into exploitative labor markets. She highlights the resistance efforts of migrant communities, such as organizations like FIOB in Oaxaca and CAFAMI in Tlaxcala, which advocate for the "right not to migrate" by demanding state investment in education, health care, and sustainable employment. The book calls for radical policy changes in both Mexico and the U.S. Shah advocates for dismantling exploitative systems, redistributing resources to migrant communities, and enabling self-determined migration through mechanisms like migrant self-sponsorship. She emphasizes that migration should be a choice, not a necessity, and urges both nations to address the structural harms that perpetuate migration as extraction. The book combines rigorous analysis with the voices of affected communities, making it essential reading for scholars, students, policymakers any anyone interested in migration, racial justice and labor rights. It challenges readers to rethink migration not as a solution to inequality but as a mechanism that perpetuates systemic injustice. Shah’s call for abolitionist investments and reparations is a powerful reminder that reform without recompense cannot rectify the harm caused by decades of extraction. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A bold and paradigm-shifting analysis of migration as a racialized system of extraction. Purchase here

< Back Christina M Carroll The Things I Love A young boy and his mom share memories of the past. A young boy sits in his bedroom with his mother, looking back through an old photograph album. He looks at the photographs and shares memories of all the good times and things he loved to do, with his mother. Each photograph represents a time in his young life, a moment and a memory captured in a glorious colorful image. He loved to climb trees and go on fishing trips, play hide and seek, and go trick or treating. But most of all, he loved spending time with his mother. Written in rhyme, with a numerical countdown from the boy aged ten to age one, this book will help build both vocabulary and numeracy skills. The book is a unique take on a traditional counting book, as the countdown is woven into the story. The format worked really well and will engage young readers. Children love looking back at old photographs and sharing memories, and they will connect with the story in this book. I can imagine young readers sharing this book with parents or caregivers, pulling out their own photograph albums, and remembering key moments in their own lives. In an age where most photographs are captured digitally, this book is a celebration of the beauty and power of a physical photograph. Overall, this is a sweet and charming illustrated picture book, and a perfect book to share at bedtime. The illustrations by Jenny Slife are wonderful. Vibrant, fun, and engaging, the illustrations capture the story perfectly. The main character is sweet and adorable, and I enjoyed watching how he developed and how his appearance changed over time. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A sweet and charming picture book, which captures the essence of childhood and the joy of sharing memories with loved ones. Purchase here

< Back Ginger Smith The Magic Blanket Jo Jo searches for a new home with her mom and her magic blanket. A little girl named Jo Jo carries her beloved magic blanket, as she looks for a new home with her mom. Together they walk the streets in search of a home, and sleep in the park one evening when they are unable to find a place to rest. But mom turns the search into an adventure, as they gaze at the stars in the night sky, and play in the park. Jo Jo meets a puppy and follows it to a warm cosy house. She wishes her magic blanket could find a warm house like the puppy’s. She meets a bird, who flies into a nest in a tree with her babies. She wishes her magic blanket could find her a happy home like the bird’s. She meets a little mouse, who runs into a hole in the wall. She wishes her magic blanket could find her a safe place to go like the mouse. Jo Jo’s mom comforts her and reminds her that home is where you feel love, and she will always be loved. As Jo Jo and her mom find space in a shelter one night, it is Jo Jo’s turn to comfort her mom. She reminds her mom, that home is where you feel love, and she will always love her. The Magic Blanket by author Ginger Smith is a powerful, heartbreaking, and endearing picture book about a little girl who is homeless and in search of a new place to live. Jo Jo’s magic blanket gives her hope that things will change for the better. The book is both sad and hopeful in equal measure. It highlights the devastating impact of homelessness on young children and families, but also demonstrates the unconditional love between parent and child. The book will provide comfort, reassurance and hope to children and parents who might be going through a similar situation, and will help develop understanding, empathy, and compassion amongst readers. The book deals with sensitive and complex issues of homelessness and disadvantage, in a simple way that young children will easily understand. It is an excellent resource for parents or caregivers to open up conversations about social inequalities and privilege with very young children. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful, heartbreaking, and endearing picture book about homelessness. Purchase here

< Back Linda Oatman High First There Was Bird It’s the first day of the summer vacation and eleven-year-old Magnolia from Murdock, Mississippi, is looking forward to lots of adventures. But first, Magnolia must work in her mother’s beauty salon. Magnolia’s mother would like her to become a beauty pageant queen, but Magnolia does not like the attention and has other ideas. Just as she is about to finish her first shift, she accidently leaves the salon door open and her beloved pet cockatiel, named Third Bird, escapes. Magnolia is distraught as her late father won the bird at a carnival and she promised him that she would take good care of Third Bird, just before he passed away. She meets a boy named Jeremiah, who recently moved to Murdock, and he agrees to help her look for the bird. Magnolia and Jeremiah’s shared grief strengthens their bond, creating a ‘Dead Daddies Club’ of mutual understanding. Magnolia and Jeremiah search the whole town, but Third Bird is nowhere to be found. During their hunt, the pair search the local prison, break into a church, and meet lots of different people on the way. These new friends join Magnolia and Jeremiah on their quest, forming a diverse and supportive community. As the hunt for Third Bird continues, Magnolia has an important decision to make about the next beauty pageant. First There Was Bird by author Linda Oatman High is a tender and heartfelt coming-of-age story about grief, friendship, and community, told through the eyes of a young girl named Magnolia. When Magnolia’s beloved pet escapes, she embarks on a journey that leads her to unexpected friendships, self-discovery, and healing. The story delves into complex themes of loss, racism, forgiveness, and acceptance, in an age-appropriate way for this group. Magnolia’s journey culminates in a poignant moment at her father’s grave, where she finds peace and courage. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A beautifully written, poignant, and touching exploration of grief, and the importance of friendships and community. Purchase here

< Back David Zelman PhD What's Next? Get Clear & Get Going The opportunity to create your life awaits you. What's Next? Get Clear and Get Going, is a self-help book from author and CEO of Transitions Institute Inc, David Zelman, PhD. Based on forty years of experience teaching , training, coaching, and mentoring thousands of people, Zelman presents the Transitions Program, a unique approach to help people resolve their own problems and achieve their goals. Zelman argues that his program is different from traditional self-help programs because it encourages people to take ownership of their past and the present, to develop an enlightened relationship with their future. He argues that the key to success lies within us, we just have to learn how to unlock it. The program focuses attention on achieving both tangible (ie the things you want to achieve, such as getting a new job, or moving home) and intangible positive outcomes (ie your experiences and emotional responses to the things you are and are not accomplishing). Central to the program is the theory that people cannot focus on two distinctly different thoughts at the same time (ie positive and negative thoughts). As such, by focusing on positive thoughts, the process helps to free people from the distracting and negative thoughts that might hinder their progress. What's Next? Get Clear and Get Going by David Zelman, PhD is a powerful and inspirational self-help book that takes readers on a journey towards self-awareness, self-improvement, and self-discovery. The book explores the power of the mind, encouraging readers to cultivate a positive, future focused outlook. Zelman draws on his own personal journey towards self-improvement, including learnings from Transcendental Meditation and Erhard Training. He presents real life stories from a number of clients he has helped throughout his career, and the tools and techniques he used to help them discover their full potential. T hrough following Zelman’s guidance, readers will discover their innate ability to create the life they want to live. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful and inspirational self-help book that empowers readers to take control of their lives and shape their own futures. Purchase here