< Back Kathleen Welton Pigs Have Wings Pigs can’t fly, or can they? Miz Peg is a petite pig, with awfully big feet. She likes to jump and leap, but her feet get in the way! Miz Peg would love nothing more than to have wings and fly, fly away. But her friends won’t listen to her dreams and laugh at her , “Oh, my dear! You know pigs don’t have wings.” Peg watches the birds and tries to fly, but falls flat on the ground. When an owl finds Peg crying, she encourages Peg to believe in herself. Peg believes she has wings, leaps into the air, and all of a sudden, she is flying in the sky. Pigs really do have wings! Pigs Have Wings is a sweet, illustrated picture book by author Kathleen Welton. The book follows the journey of Miz Peg, a cute little pig, who dreams of flying like a bird. But no matter how hard she tries, she cannot fly. Pigs don’t have wings after all, or do they? Miz Peg and the other woodland creatures are adorable. Young children will love to hear about Peg’s dreams and will be captivated by her journey. The illustrations by Chau Pham are dreamy and capture Peg’s personality and her fantastical journey perfectly. This is an imaginative picture book, written in rhyme. The book will encourage young children to believe in themselves and follow their dreams, no matter how improbable or impossible they might seem. Miz Peg’s unwavering determination teaches young children about resilience and the importance of not giving up, even when the odds are stacked against them. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A sweet and charming picture book about an adorable little pig, with a big dream. Purchase here

< Back Joanne Russo Insull Don't Follow Pino! Brothers, Dugan and Pino, escape their yard and are lost far away from home, by author Joanne Russo Insull This is a picture book for young readers about two dogs, brothers Dugan and Pino. Dugan loves to go on a walk with his mom and big brother, Pino. Every morning, they walk around their neighborhood and meet lots of new people. Dugan and Pino try to be on their best behavior when they walk on their leash, and if they are very lucky they might even receive a nice treat or two. When they are not out walking, they like to play outside in their back yard. The yard is locked and safe, and Dugan and Pino run and play with the squirrels and chipmunks. But one day, a workman who is fixing a pole behind the house, forgets to shut the gate. Pino suggests to Dugan that they go on a walk outside, without their mom. Dugan is reluctant, he knows they shouldn’t leave the yard alone, but Pino is persistent. Dugan is scared they will get lost, or get into big trouble, but he follows Pino through the gate and out into the street. He tells himself, “Don’t follow Pino!”, but he continues to follow him into a field, far away from home. As Dugan becomes more concerned, he hears his mom calling from the other side of the field. He turns around and sees her waving at the entrance, walking quickly towards them. But Pino thinks it’s a game, and he runs even further away. Suddenly, Dugan notices his mom turn around and walk slowly in the opposite direction. Dugan panics and decides to follow his mom rather than Pino. He runs as fast as he can to catch up with his mom, and Pino follows closely behind. Mom is happy to see her boys again, and quickly puts on their leashes. Dugan feels bad for scaring mom and promises never to run away again. Pino, on the other hand, has other ideas! Don't Follow Pino! by Joanne Russo Insull is a sweet picture book about a couple of mischievous dogs, who escape the safety of their back yard and become lost far away from home. Dugan is influenced by his older brother, Pino, and tags along even though he knows he shouldn’t. Mom eventually finds them, but Pino thinks it’s a game, and runs away. Mom’s quick reaction is to turn and walk in the opposite direction, to bring the boys safely home. Dugan and Pino are sweet and adorable characters, and younger children will enjoy reading about their exciting adventure. This is a fun read for the whole family, but there are some important messages for young people too, about peer pressure, following rules, personal safety. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet picture book about two mischievous pups, and a fun read for the whole family. Purchase here

< Back Nicole Frankel What is math good for, anyway? Can Bennie learn to love math? Bennie hates math. He thinks math is dull and silly, and he doesn’t understand why he has to learn math at school, when he could be doing something much more interesting instead. He ponders, what is math good for anyway? As Bennie goes about his day, he soon learns that math is more useful than he realises. In the cafeteria at lunchtime, Bennie uses math to count his chips and trade cookies with his friend. In the playground at recess, Bennie uses math to count how far he can swing in a monkey bar competition. After school, he uses math to find out how much money he needs to buy his ice cream. At home, he uses math to measure how tall he is, to see if he can ride his favourite roller coaster. That evening, as Bennie thinks about how he used math throughout his day, he realises that math is Mathtastic after all! He feels excited to go to school the next day to continue his math journey. What is math good for, anyway? Is a picture book by author Nicole Frankel, illustrated by Firman Putra Irawan. The book follows a young boy named Bennie as he discovers that math doesn’t have to be dull and boring. It can be fun, cool and useful in any situation, from playing in the park, to buying treats. The book shows that math is an integral part of life, and is used anywhere and everywhere. The book is an excellent resource for parents, carers and educators to introduce young children to math and help explain its importance. Young children will be inspired by Bennie’s curiosity and will hopefully learn to love and appreciate math, both in the classroom and at home. The artwork is fun, vibrant and engaging. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun introduction to math and its usefulness in everyday life. Simply Mathtastic! Purchase here

< Back Nichole Coran Crocodile Christmas Tree Book blurb... When Cris the crocodile forgets a Christmas gift for his mom, he's determined to save the day! With the Christmas tree toppled and time running out, Cris hatches a wild plan: turn himself into a sparkling, jingling, glowing Christmas tree! Will his clever disguise bring holiday cheer? Join Cris and his brothers for a festive, funny adventure filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of crocodile creativity! Purchase here

< Back Allison Hill Lolly the Left Out Lobster Will Lolly the Lobster find her way home? There is a big storm in the ocean and Lolly the Lobster is scooped up by the waves. She is whisked around in the turbulent sea, before being washed up on shore. Lolly finds herself in a strange forest. She is lost, alone and very frightened. Lolly finds a house and meets a squirrel, but when she asks the squirrel for help, he runs away. She meets a turkey and explains she is lost, but the turkey will not help her either. Just when Lolly has given up hope of seeing her mom again, she meets a pack of dogs. At first Lolly is scared of the strange creatures, but the dogs are fun, friendly and offer to help her. The dogs – Billie, Alex, Ruby, Luna, and Izzy – help Lolly back to the ocean, where she is finally reunited with her family. Lolly the Left Out Lobster by author Allison Hill is a charming and thoughtful, illustrated picture book for younger children about an adorable little lobster who finds herself lost in a forest. But when Lolly asks for help, the other forest creatures are wary and scared of her. They have never met a lobster before, and she looks different from anything they have ever seen. When a pack of friendly dogs come to the rescue, the other forest creatures soon realise Lolly is not so scary after all. The different creatures put aside their differences and become good friends. The book teaches young children about diversity, and the importance of showing kindness and accepting others just the way they are. A great resource for parents and educators to gently introduce young children to these complex topics. Lolly’s journey from isolation to acceptance and belonging is one that many children will relate to. The illustrations by Sandie Sonke are super-sweet, vibrant and full of character. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A charming and thoughtful picture book, with an unusual but adorable protagonist, and a powerful message about diversity and inclusion. Purchase here

< Back Kathleen Welton Whoo! Hoo! Hoo! The Carousel at the Zoo Inspired by a well-known children’s song, Whoo! Hoo! Hoo! The Carousel at the Zoo, by Kathleen Welton, is a fun and interactive picture book and sing-along experience. The book features a variety of zoo animals as they have fun riding on a fairground carousel. The rhythm is based on the classic, ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ tune. Each spread introduces different zoo animals, or different features of the carousel, as it spins around and around. We see horses galloping and neighing, elephants stomping and swaying, and pandas romping and rolling along to their favourite sing-along tune. Beautifully written, with lots of playful rhyme and alliteration, children will enjoy singing along. The repetitive structure and memorable tune, make it easy for young children to join in. The vibrant illustrations capture the fun at the fair perfectly. I particularly enjoyed the expressions of the different animal characters in lots of silly scenarios. Young children will love spotting their favourite creatures and predicting the next verse. Based on a well-known song, young children will enjoy this fresh take on a children’s classic. Perfect for pre-schoolers and early learners, this book will help with language development and spark a love of storytelling. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A super, interactive picture book, with a multitude of zoo animals, a fun fairground ride, and a familiar sing-along-tune. Purchase here

< Back April Lopez Napoleon: No Ordinary Donkey Will Napoleon the donkey find his special and unique gift? Arthur, a bouncing little bull, and Napoleon, a darling little donkey, are best friends. When a storm brews over Sunny Hills Farm, Napoleon follows Arthur into the little red barn to take shelter, with the other cows. But Brutus the bull does not like the little donkey in the cow barn, and Napoleon has to go outside, alone in the storm. Napoleon is sad, cold and drenched, and doesn’t know where he belongs. He meets a momma duck and her six ducklings and tries to tuck his head under his foreleg like the ducks, but he falls over. Napoleon is sad that he isn’t big and strong like Brutus, and that he can’t fly or sit in the rain like the ducks. He stumbles into the stable and meets Sampson the noble steed, but Sampson doesn’t let him stay in the stable either. Napoleon sits in a puddle in the middle of the storm, and cries. He thinks he doesn’t fit in and wishes the rain would wash him away. He meets Alfred the Great, the wise billy goat, who lets him shelter under the shed, and explains he has a special and unique gift. Will Napoleon find his special and unique gift? Can you guess what it is? Napoleon: No Ordinary Donkey by author April Lopez is a sweet picture book about a little donkey, who doesn’t feel like he belongs. When a storm arrives, he is pushed out, left out, and has to endure the stormy weather all by himself. Until he meets a wise billy goat who helps him discover his special and unique gift. Younger children will love the adorable donkey character and will relate to his experiences as he is isolated by his peers. The book will encourage young children to find their own special and unique gifts, and will help them develop confidence and self-esteem. This is a delightful book and a pleasure to read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An inspiring and uplifting illustrated picture book for pre-school children, with adorable animal characters, and an important message about the value of friendship, kindness and inclusion. Purchase here

< Back Ron Keres The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard It really is the scariest story you will ever read, by author Ron Keres The front cover of this book grabs your attention and immediately draws you in. You know you are going to be scared, but you just can’t help yourself, you have to read this book! The font, the gloomy, dark colour-scheme and the terrified eyes peeking out of the bedsheets all add to the tension. Go on, I dare you… Well, I dared, and I was not disappointed. Spooked yes, but disappointed no. The book lived up to its title of the ‘Scariest book ever’. Whilst the story is far too scary to present in pictures, this review is almost too scary to describe in words. I’ll do my best without giving the plot away. The fonts, the page layout, the black pages with small pops of colour, the lack of pictures, the use of language, all gradually build fear and suspense. Young readers will be captivated and terrified. I was! I can imagine parents playing along and adding to the drama, and young children hiding and squirming under their covers. I hope I haven’t scared you away from reading this book, it is a frighteningly good read and suitable for younger readers, I promise! And there is a really cool and funny ending too, I promise! This is a great book based on a really simple but innovative concept. Young children love spooky stories, and they will love this. Author Ron Keres and illustrator Arthur Lin have done such a fantastic job and I look forward to more of their collaborations in the future. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An innovative concept and a frighteningly good read. A GOLD WINNER and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back D.K. Wingerson Gary Greenbird Learns To Fly Book blurb... This is the story of Gary Greenbird and his struggle to overcome his fears. Being content to never leave the family nest and explore the world, he finds what it takes to finally learn to fly. He rescues his little sister and goes from being a timid little bird to a hero. Purchase here

< Back Jessica Pleuss Sharing My Family Sharing My Family is a heartfelt bilingual children’s book by Jessica Pleuss that introduces the concept of foster care to young children. Told through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy named Zee, the book follows his family’s story as they welcome two new foster children, Jackson and Emma, to their home. Their arrival brings significant changes to Zee’s life as the children disrupt his routine with unfamiliar habits and behaviors. Zee initially feels frustrated and perceives the situation as unfair, but his mother helps him to understand the situation from the foster children’s perspective. She explains the difficulties they have faced, from being separated from their family, adjusting to new rules, and leaving most of their personal belongings behind. This moment of empathy helps Zee see the behavior in a new light, leading to a deeper understanding of the challenges foster children endure. Written in both English and Spanish, the story is accessible to a diverse audience and provides a thoughtful exploration of the challenges and rewards of becoming a foster family. The book is beautifully illustrated, with vibrant and relatable images that complement the story. The inclusion of practical tips for parents and caregivers at the end of the book is a valuable addition. These tips provide guidance on discussing foster care with children, teaching empathy, and reassuring biological children about their place in the family. Jessica Pleuss draws on her expertise as a child psychologist and her personal experience as a foster parent to create a story that is both authentic and educational. The book is a compassionate and engaging introduction to foster care, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and family. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An excellent resource for families, educators, and anyone considering or navigating foster care. Purchase here

< Back C James Sweeney Sadie Sasquatch has Big Feet Sadie Sasquatch finds a sporting match. Sadie Sasquatch loves going to school and learning new things. She loves story time, and arts and crafts, and she especially enjoys nap time. But her favourite time is recess! She loves to climb and jump, swing and slide, spin and play. But, as a sasquatch (bigfoot) sometimes Sadie’s big feet get in the way. They get tangled in the skipping rope, smudge the chalk on the hopscotch board, and get in the way when she plays basketball. Sadie’s friends are not happy, and Sadie is sad they do not want to play with her anymore. Over in the field, Sadie notices a group of friends playing kickball and joins in. But when she is picked last for the team, Sadie thinks it is because of her big feet. When it is her time to kick, Sadie grits her teeth and kicks the ball as far as she can. She lands a home run and helps her team win the game. As Sadie teaches her dad her new skills, she soon realises kickball is the perfect sport for a little (and big) sasquatch. Sadie Sasquatch has Big Feet by C. James Sweeney is part of a book series about a little sasquatch and her adventures at school. Sadie is different from the other children, and sometimes feels like an outsider. In this book, Sadie realises that her big feet are not great for many activities. However, they do not stop her from joining in and having fun. As she tries lots of different activities, she joins a group of friends playing Kickball. Sadie learns that she has unique skills, and finally finds an activity that she likes and is good at. The book teaches children important life lessons about perseverance, self-acceptance, and the importance of harnessing one’s own strengths. It reminds children that it is okay to be different, and it will encourage children to find an activity that is a good match for their own unique qualities and talents. It will help to develop inner-strength and confidence amongst young readers. Sadie is a cute, funny, and relatable character, and her story and school experiences will resonate with many young readers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming picture book about a little sasquatch who finds her confidence and skills-match on the kickball field. Purchase here

< Back Lauren Brownrigg You Are...Volume One A beautiful collection of poems to share with our loved ones. You are…is a collection of four poems, written by author Lauren Brownrigg. Each poem is written in rhyme and explores a different theme. The poems are titled: You are loved, You are enough, You are kind, You are remembered. The first three poems are written from the perspective of an older character who is expressing their feelings towards a younger character. The characters are non-human, gender neutral and non-role specific. They could represent a range of roles and relationships (i.e., parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, aunt and niece, teacher and student, or any caregiving relationship). The fourth poem is a single character, who explores feelings of grief and discusses the importance of remembering those who have passed. Each poem is a reminder to the child that they are important, cared for, valued, and mean something to someone. Following each poem, there is a definition of the word, and a discussion point, to encourage further reflection and conversation. There is also a journal page, to add additional notes or reflections. This is a stunning collection of poems and picture book, that will help parents or caregivers express their feelings, show their love, and build nurturing relationships with a child or young person. Some people struggle to say how they feel and express their emotions, and this book will help them to open up and connect with others. The book will show children they are loved unconditionally and that just being themselves is enough. It will help them to develop confidence, self-esteem, and positive relationships. The watercolour style illustrations are exquisitely drawn, and the characters represented in each of the poems are adorable. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A stunning collection of poetry for younger children, beautifully illustrated. A perfect read-together picture book to share at bedtime. Purchase here