< Back Nicole Frankel What are bees good for anyway? Bennie learns the importance of honeybees for our planet and people. One day, Bennie is stung by a bee while playing in the garden with his brother and sister. Bennie hates bees after his brother was stung and had an allergic reaction, and after a colony of bees built a hive in his favourite tree. Bennie asks, What are bees good for, anyway? Bennie’s Aunt Beatrice takes him on a walk to learn about all the other wonderful things that bee’s do. Bennie learns how bee’s dance to communicate with other bees, how fast they flap their wings and travel for long distances, their anatomy and how they have two stomachs, and the importance of honeybees to the ecosystem. Aunt Beatrice also explains that bees are not naturally aggressive, and only sting when they feel threatened. As Bennie tucks into his dinner that evening, he talks about his walk with his Aunt, and how bees are important for life. UnBEElievable! What are bees good for, anyway? by author Nicole Frankel is an illustrated picture book about a little boy who doesn’t like bees, and his wonder when he discovers the importance of bees to our planet and people. This is a fantastic picture book for younger age readers, that will help children understand bees, and their contribution to the environment and ecosystem. With lots of interesting bee facts and figures (Did you know, bees have 3 million hairs on their bodies that attract pollen?!) this book will captivate and fascinate younger readers. The book introduces complicated words and topics, such as anatomy and ecosystem, in an engaging and accessible way for younger aged children. It will help younger children build new vocabulary and knowledge and will hopefully inspire a love for nature and conservation. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, entertaining and educational picture book, for young readers, bee enthusiasts and budding conservationists. Purchase here

< Back Ashley Wall Lucy and Her Unicorn Get a Sparkle Puppy Can Lucy and her best friend, Twinkle the Unicorn, show they are responsible dog owners? Lucy and her best friend, Twinkle the Unicorn, are going to get a new puppy from the dog shelter. The pair have been working hard to show Lucy’s parents they can be responsible dog owners, making sure they make their beds and clean up after themselves. When they arrive at the dog shelter, they meet a sparkly, Sparkle Spaniel puppy. Lucy is convinced Sparkle Spaniel is the one and convinces her mom to adopt the puppy. They take the puppy home and name her Zoey. Lucy and Twinkle soon realise that looking after a puppy is hard work and requires lots of patience, training and love. They play with her, and take her for a walk, but when they start to clean up their room, they discover the gate is open and Zoey is missing. They search everywhere, but Zoey is nowhere to be found. Eventually they find Zoey and Lucy has an idea to open up a Sparkle Spaniel Training School, to give Zoey the training and love she deserves. Lucy and Her Unicorn Get a Sparkle Puppy is a fun and sparkly picture book by author Ashley Wall about Lucy and Twinkle the Unicorn’s adventures with a new puppy, Zoey. While puppies look cute and are lots of fun, they are demanding and require lots of patience. Lucy and Twinkle must learn quickly to become responsible dog owners, and give Zoey the love, training and attention she needs to be a happy and healthy puppy. With lots of practical guidance for junior dog owners, and more than a handful of glitter and sparkle, this is a fun and entertaining picture book for readers who love imaginative stories, animals and adventure. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun and sparkly picture book for girls and boys who love unicorns, puppies and anything that glitters. Simply, sparkle-tastic! Purchase here

< Back A.M. Berkowitz Welcome Baby Wigglet! Book blurb... Get ready for a heartwarming celebration! Gigglet's adventure as the best, best, BEST big sister is finally HERE! Join Gigglet, Mama and Papa as they welcome little baby WIGGLET. With adorable wiggles and endless giggles, this delightful journey is sure to make you smile and cheer! This is the perfect book for early readers ages 0-6. Purchase here

< Back Bridgetta Tomarchio Monsters Don't Say Meep: Even the tiniest roar can make the biggest difference Book blurb... At Monster Scare Prep School, every monster is practicing their scariest roar. But when Meep tries, all that comes out is a squeaky little “meep.” The others laugh—until real trouble strikes, and Meep may be the only one who can save the day. Will he find his roar—or discover that being himself is more than enough? Funny, playful, and full of heart, Monsters Don’t Say Meep is a laugh-out-loud monster adventure about courage, individuality, and the magic of being yourself—reminding us that sometimes the smallest voice makes the biggest impact. Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, and storytime, this book will have kids (and adults) cheering for their own true voices. Purchase here

< Back Donna Wyland 'Twas the Night Before Jesus A rhyming celebration of the true essence of Christmas. ‘Twas the night before Jesus and all through the land, lived people not knowing that God would be man. 'Twas the Night Before Jesus is a skilfully crafted rhyming picture book, based on the famous festive poem by Clement Clarke Moore. Wyland refreshes the classic Christmas verse, to tell the story of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The book provides a great introduction to the life of Jesus Christ and is accessible for readers of all ages. It begins prior to Christ’s birth and follows his journey from Bethlehem, to Egypt and Nazareth. It ends with a modern-day scene of a family sitting by the fire and sharing a book on Christmas Eve. “Happy Birthday to Jesus!’ and to all a good night.” Written in rhyme, with delightful and funny illustrations by Courtney Smith, this book will captivate both children and adults. I particularly enjoyed the charming, cartoon-like illustrations, and the characterisation of the animals and the baby Jesus. Inspired by the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem, Twas the night before Christmas, the book pays homage to the timeless original while reminding readers of the true meaning of Christmas. The book follows a similar rhythm and meter to the original poem, and readers will enjoy reading / singing this aloud. It has a comforting familiarity, while offering a biblical perspective on the original poem. Overall, the book beautifully captures the magic and wonder of the festive season, while reminding readers of the true meaning of Christmas. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A perfect bedtime story to share with younger readers on Christmas Eve. Purchase here

< Back Angela Odusanya Amelia's Loose Part Art: A Day at the Beach Amelia has a special talent. She can create art anywhere, with anything. One day, she visits the beach with her parents, and plans to make loose part art with objects she finds by the shore. She picks up sticks, shells and seaweed, and finds a robins’ egg underneath a tree. The egg has fallen out of the nest, but the nest is too high in the tree to put it back. Amelia thinks hard and comes up with a plan to build a nest made of sticks and mud for the robin’s egg. She finds a fish stranded in a pool of water. She thinks hard again and decides to create a channel in the sand for the fish to swim back to the sea. Then, she uses her skills to help a boy build a sandcastle. Amelia didn’t the get chance to create loose part art at the beach, but she had lots of fun using her artistic skills, and loose parts, to solve problems and find solutions. Amelia's Loose Part Art: A Day at the Beach is a creative and interactive picture book by Angela Odusanya about a little girl who loves to create loose part art. In this book, Amelia takes a trip to the beach, but rather than create artwork, she uses her creative skills in other ways. Through several challenges, Amelia discovers that ideas are inside of her, and solutions are all around her. The book will help young children develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. With lots of additional resources at the end of the book, this book will inspire young children to create their own loose part art. A perfect book for little (and big!) artists . Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful picture book that encourages creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills, and art in all its forms. Purchase here

< Back Sasha Graham Whitney Wins Everything: A Tiny Ninja Book Competitive Whitney learns an important life lesson from her Tiny Ninja, from author Sasha Graham Whitney really does win everything. From football and roller staking, to running and jumping. She is the best at everything, and she knows it! Whitney’s Tiny Ninja tries to remind her that winning is not always the most important thing, but Whitney doesn’t always listen. Whatever it is, Whitney is determined to win. Until one day, Whitney is not invited to a party because her friends are worried that she will win all the prizes, and then her soccer coach changes the rules so her team cannot win the match. Whitney is confused but soon comes to realise that there are more important things than winning and maybe her Tiny Ninja was right after all. This is a charming children’s picture book, with a positive message about kindness and compassion. It reinforces the message that being kind and helping others to succeed feels good, and is just as rewarding as winning yourself. Some young children are extremely competitive by nature and hate to lose, and this book will remind them to focus their energies on having fun and building good friendships. An important life lesson for both children and adults. The illustrations by Angelina Valieva are colourful, whimsical, and extraordinarily detailed. Children will love to find the Tiny Ninjas hidden in the pictures. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A charming children’s picture book, with a positive message about kindness and compassion. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Clara Donis-Girma Clara and Mr. Milo's Adventures Episode 1 Clara Wanting a Pet Clara dreams of owning her own pet, by author Clara Donis-Girma Little Clara loves animals and would very much like a pet of her own. In Episode 1 Clara thinks about all the different ways she could own her own pet, and asks her mom if she could look after a pet that doesn’t have a home. Clara’s mom explains that owning a pet is a big responsibility, as they need feeding, cleaning, walking, and entertaining every day. Clara shows her mom how responsible she is by cleaning her room and helping out with the housework, and promises to take very good care of a pet. Her mom agrees that she is responsible and suggests they go to their local animal shelter to look at all the animals available for pet adoption. Clare is ecstatic and looks forward to her visit to the animal shelter, when finally, she might be able to take home her very own pet. In Episode 2, Clara goes to the pet shelter and chooses a little orange kitten. In Episode 3 she picks up pet supplies from the store and names the kitten Milo. In Episode 4, she takes the kitten home and in Episode 5, Milo settles into his new home. In Episode 6, Milo has his first visit to the vet, and in Episode 7, Clara celebrates her birthday with Milo and her friends. Clara and Mr. Milo's Adventures, by author Clara Donis-Girma, is a sweet picture book for younger children. The book introduces the reader to Clara, a little girl who dreams of owning her own pet. This book will help children and families learn the importance of responsible pet ownership and is ideal for anyone considering pet ownership and adoption. The illustrations by Lana Lee are simple, colourful, and delightful. Young children will love the charming main character, Clara, and the super cute Milo, and I’m sure they will look forward to more adventures from the pair in the future. Star rating: 5 stars Summary: A sweet picture book with a charming main character and delightful illustrations. Purchase here

< Back Teddy Biron The Lighthouse Keeper Saves the Bay Author and illustrator Teddy Biron shows the devastating impact humans have on the ocean and wildlife. An old lighthouse keeper wakes up early every day, to say hello to all the creatures that live in the bay. Nothing much happens in the quiet bay, he hangs out his laundry, and watches the boats gently drift in the dock. But, in the midst of darkness, as the lighthouse switches on its lights to protect the ships, there is an unwelcome visitor to the bay. He tips a vat of oil and trash into the ocean, and slips away again under the cover of darkness. When the lighthouse keeper wakes the next day, he notices the mess and the devastation caused to the bay and the sea life. He starts to clean up the mess straightaway, and is soon followed by others who join in the clean-up mission. Slowly, the creatures return, and the bay is brought back to life. Sadly, the old man knows it won’t be the last time he has to clean up someone else’s discarded trash. The Lighthouse Keeper Saves the Bay, by author and illustrator Teddy Biron, is a beautiful story, with an important message about the devastating impact humans have on the ocean and wildlife. It will encourage young children and adults to take responsibility for their own actions, and clean up after themselves. But it will also encourage positive action to help out when others fail to play their part in cleaning up their own mess. The illustrations are simply stunning and really bring the story to life. They beautifully capture the serenity of the bay, the magnificent wildlife, the horror of the face-less hooded man, and the devastation caused after the trash is dumped. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: This is a beautiful story, with an important environmental message and stunning illustrations. Purchase here

< Back Ben Askew This Monkey Lost A Banana A little monkey loses her beloved banana and embarks on a mission to find it, searching high and low in the jungle and savannah. Along the way, she encounters various animals and mistakes the horn of a rhino and the tusk of an elephant for her banana. These interactions are not only funny, but they also introduce children to different animals. The illustrations are magnificent and a standout feature of this book. They are colorful, dynamic, and filled with charming details that bring the story to life. The expressions on the characters’ faces, especially the monkey’s, are wonderfully exaggerated, perfectly capturing her frustration and determination. The rhyming text is simple and rhythmic, making it easy for young readers to follow along. The repetition of phrases and the playful tone make the story engaging and fun to read aloud. The book also carries a subtle message about resilience and the importance of not giving up, as the monkey continues her search despite various setbacks. This Monkey Lost a Banana written and illustrated by Ben Askew is a delightful, charming, and funny children’s book that takes readers on a colorful journey through the jungle and savannah. With its vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, the book captures the imagination of young readers while delivering a simple yet engaging message about perseverance, friendship, and kindness. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful, charming, and funny children’s book about a little monkey and a lost banana. Purchase here

< Back Lynsey Martin How to Get an Alligator Out of the Bathtub It is nearly bedtime and brothers Peyton and Bennett race to get into the bathtub. But much to their surprise they find an unexpected guest in the tub – a very green and very scary alligator! They discover that Alistair is not so scary after all, and in fact is quite a sophisticated alligator. Alistair is fed up with the filthy swamp and has decided to make his home in Peyton and Bennett’s clean tub. Peyton and Bennett try to think of ways to get the alligator out of the bathtub, but nothing works. When they learn that Alistair has lost his family and friends, the brothers decide to search for them. They search the dock, the swamp, and the beach, but they are nowhere to be found. Peyton and Bennett give up and head back home, wondering whether they will ever be able to have a bath again. But, when they arrive home, they find another surprise waiting for them on their doorstep. How to Get an Alligator Out of the Bathtub is a fun picture book by author Lynsey Martin. The book follows two brothers who desperately try to get an alligator out of their bathtub, after he takes up residence in their home. However, there is one big problem, he refuses to leave. The illustrations by Colleen Coggins are funny, bright and engaging, and young children will enjoy seeing the alligator in lots of silly scenarios. Young readers will enjoy the fun story and the amusing twists as the brothers find different ways to get the alligator out of the tub. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun and imaginative read, perfect for children who love silly stories and a little bit of mischief. https://mamabearbooks.com/ Purchase here

< Back Tracey Lear Eli’s Story What Makes Me, ME! Author Tracey Lear introduces Eli, a little boy with a big story. This is Eli’s story. Eli is a little boy with autism who gathers all of his friends together to tell them all about him. He reads his story aloud and explains what autism is, how he is very bright but sees the world differently from other children, and how some things challenge him. He describes his world, through his eyes. His feelings and emotions. The things he likes and things he finds difficult. Eli is proud of who he is and encourages his friends to embrace their differences. The book is based on the real-life story of Eli, whose mum wrote a poem about him and shared it on social media. Following a positive reaction, the poem was later made into this lovely picture book to share far and wide. Designed to raise awareness of autism, the book certainly achieves that. It is an insightful book, written from the perspective of the child. Eli’s story will provide inspiration to others and encourage them to share their own stories. The book will help to increase understanding of autism and encourage empathy and compassion. Beautifully written in rhyme by Eli’s mum Tracey Lear, with adorable illustrations from Matea Anic, the book will appeal to children and adults alike. This book is a great resource for parents, carers, and children to open up conversations about autism, equality, diversity, and inclusion. We look forward to hearing more from Eli and his mum, Tracey Lear. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An insightful and inspirational book, written from the perspective of a child with autism. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here