< Back Kate Shooltz Kate the Earthling Kate has just moved to a new town where she doesn’t know anyone. She misses her old home, but decides to go for a walk to explore her new surroundings. She wonders deep into the forest and meets a little mushroom. The mushroom tells Kate that its house is a mossy log, but the earth is its home. She continues into the forest and meets an owl who explains that the tree is its house, but the earth is its home. She also meets a beaver, a blue whale, and a giant sequoia tree, who all explain that the earth is their home too. The wise tree tells Kate that the earth is home to all kinds of plants, animals and humans, and all are earthlings. As Kate returns home, she realises that no matter where she lives, she will always be home. She is an earthling too! Kate the Earthling by Kate Shooltz is a sweet and gentle illustrated picture book that explores feelings of loss, change and belonging, through the eyes of a little girl named Kate. The author captures the bittersweet emotions of moving home, with compassion and sensitivity, while the dreamy, nature-filled illustrations by Winona Kieslich create a sense of calm and wonder. This is an ideal story for young children who might be experiencing a big move or transition. Star rating: 4 Stars Summary : An uplifting and empowering story that will help young children learn that they will always belong – no matter where they are. 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 Maya Krishnan Tiny Bites of Brave Tiny Bites of Brave by Maya Krishnan is a heartfelt and empowering children's story that gently introduces young readers to the challenges and triumphs of living with food allergies. The book follows Mila, a young girl who has always been careful about what she eats due to her allergies. The narrative opens with Mila at a birthday party, longing for a cupcake she cannot have, highlighting the everyday realities and emotional complexities faced by children with food restrictions. The story takes a hopeful turn when Mila's mother shares news about starting food allergy treatment with Dr. Harris. Through clear, child-friendly language, the book explains the concept of oral immunotherapy—practicing with tiny amounts of allergenic foods to build tolerance. This process is depicted as both daunting and courageous, with Mila's journey unfolding in small, manageable steps. The author skillfully captures the mix of fear, uncertainty, and hope that accompanies each "tiny bite," making the experience relatable for children and reassuring for parents. One of the book's strengths is its honest portrayal of bravery. Rather than presenting courage as grand or dramatic, "Tiny Bites of Brave" shows that bravery can be quiet and incremental. Mila's bravery chart, filled with gold, purple, and silver stars for each dose and hard day, serves as a visual testament to her perseverance. The story acknowledges setbacks and frustrations, such as Mila growing tired of the routine, but ultimately celebrates persistence and the gradual progress that comes from trying again. The illustrations and gentle tone create a supportive atmosphere, making the book accessible and comforting. The inclusion of a note from the author, who shares her own experience with food allergy treatment, adds authenticity and encourages empathy. By focusing on small acts of courage, the book empowers children to face their fears and celebrates every step forward, no matter how tiny. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A valuable resource for families navigating food allergies. The book offers practical insight, emotional validation, and a message of hope for young children. 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 Stacy Salomone Whitcomb Baby Munchkin A little girl is excited when her mommy and daddy tell her she is going to be a big sister. She is even more excited when she learns the new baby will be a girl. She is looking forward to playing with her and sharing her toys, and knows they will be best of friends. But her mommy and daddy cannot decide what to call the new baby. They think of lots of names, such as Olivia, Mia, Kristen and Grace. The little girl has an idea. She would like to call her sister Baby Munchkin. When the new baby arrives, she is disappointed and upset when her mommy and daddy call her a different name. The little girl adores her baby sister, and soon realises that her name does not matter a bit. Baby Munchkin is a sweet and charming illustrated picture book by Stacy Salomone Whitcomb, about a little girl who eagerly awaits the arrival of her new baby sister. Her mommy and daddy involve her in the preparations for the new baby, and encourage her to think of a name. She spends a long time thinking of the perfect name, but her parents choose a different name. This is a lovely book for any child preparing for a new sibling, and shows young readers that while it is okay to share ideas, sometimes grown-ups have to make the final decision, and that’s okay too. By the end of the story the little girl learns that she can still love her sister with all her heart. Star rating : 4 Stars Summary: A sweet and charming story to help young children understand change, decision making, and the loving role they play in a growing family. Purchase here

< Back Jamie McMahon The Handy Pandas There is a cottage hidden deep in the woods where the handiest panda friends live. The panda’s are so handy, they can fix the most impossible tasks. They work so hard fixing things together, but they also like to have lots of fun, climbing, sliding, tumbling and running. One day, while working hard in the garden, they are so exhausted they fall asleep. When they wake, it is dark outside, and they think the sky is broken. One panda has an idea. He thinks the sun has fallen down, and so the panda’s set out to find it. They search here, there and everywhere, but cannot find the sun. Another panda thinks the sun has gone down because it is unhappy, and so the panda’s try to make the sun go back up by making it laugh. The panda’s stay up all night, until something miraculous happens… The Handy Pandas is a joyful illustrated picture book for young readers by Jamie McMahon. The book follows a group of adorable and mischievous panda’s, who try their best to fix things, and sometimes try to fix things that maybe don’t need fixing! The story is sweet, silly and full of giggles. The illustrations are super colourful and full of fun, and children will laugh out loud at the cute panda bears and their wild ideas. Star rating: 5 stars Summary : A super sweet and funny picture book for young readers who like animals and enjoy silly adventures. Purchase here

< Back Stacy Byous Tattle Tails Tattle Tails is a charming and insightful children's book that tackles the nuanced difference between tattling and telling, a topic often encountered in homes and classrooms. Written by Stacy Byous, and brought to life with Maddie Kimber's vibrant illustrations, the book offers both a delightful story and a practical guide for parents, educators, and children. The story centers on siblings Skylar and Brodie, whose playful mornings quickly devolve into a series of tattles over minor infractions—spilled milk, extra cookies, and unwashed hands. Their parents patiently explain the distinction between tattling (reporting minor misdeeds to get someone in trouble) and telling (alerting adults to genuine problems or dangers). The narrative is relatable, capturing the everyday squabbles and misunderstandings that children experience. The story introduces the Tattle Tail, a cute, stuffed animal designed to listen to children's small grievances. This clever device empowers children to express their feelings without escalating minor issues to adults, fostering emotional awareness and self-regulation. The book even includes a step-by-step guide for adults on how to introduce and use the Tattle Tail, making it a practical resource for families and classrooms. The story is peppered with real-life examples, making the lessons easy to grasp and apply. Tattle Tails serves as a gentle tool for teaching empathy, kindness, and healthy communication. The book encourages children to reflect on their actions and consider the feelings of others, while also reassuring them that it's always right to seek help when someone is hurt or in danger. The inclusion of discussion prompts and practice scenarios further enhances its educational value. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thoughtful, engaging, and practical book that addresses a common childhood challenge with creativity and compassion. Purchase here

< Back DoodleFina Adventure Press Beatrice and Her Razzmatazz Beatrice the bee finds her voice, by author Renee Hodges Beatrice is an unusual and quite extraordinary bee. While most bees are yellow, Beatrice is plaid, with black glitter and has glow in the dark paint sprayed on her wings. She likes to wear sneakers and play the trombone. The other bees laugh and make fun of Beatrice because she is different. But Beatrice doesn’t mind, because she believes she has razzamatazz. She likes being herself and she likes to be different. One little bee is curious about Beatrice and loves her pizzazz. She asks Beatrice, how she might find her own razzamatazz. Beatrice explains she already has razzamatazz, it’s within her. The little bee finds her own unique style and feels much better for being her true self. Soon, all the other bees are admiring their razzmatazz! Beatrice and Her Razzmatazz, by author Renee Hodges, is an illustrated children’s picture book, about a special bee, Beatrice, who is unique, creative and different from all the other bees. Beatrice is a fun, effervescent and self-confident bee, and her story will entertain young readers. The other bees tease her, but she ignores them and stays true to herself. She doesn’t follow the crowd and she doesn’t hide away. She is able to express herself in a way that she chooses. She celebrates her uniqueness, and she encourages another little bee to do the same. This is a fun and entertaining picture book for younger readers that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. It teaches readers about the importance of being true to yourself and living the life you want to live. It will help to develop confidence and self esteem in young readers, and encourage readers to express themselves, in whatever way they choose. These are good messages to instil in children at a young age. The book is a great resource for parents, carers and teachers to open up conversations with children about recognising, respecting and celebrating each other's differences. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun and entertaining picture book for younger readers that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. 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 Laura Lee Rittman Lucky Ruby - A Hanukkah and Christmas Holiday Book The holidays are approaching, and Ruby’s mom and dad are busy decorating the house, but Ruby doesn’t feel as excited as she usually would. Ruby invited her friend, Violet, to her house for a holiday party, and Ruby overheard Violet talking to another girl about Ruby celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. Ruby is sad and wonders whether she did the right thing inviting Violet to her home. When Violet arrives, she is initially apprehensive, but soon gets involved in the celebrations. She enjoys cooking latkes with Ruby’s Bubbie, making Christmas Charade medals with Ruby’s cousin, helps Ruby’s mom light the candles on the menorah, and plays spin the dreidel with the entire family. Violet enjoys the party and recognises how lucky Ruby is to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Lucky Ruby - A Hanukkah and Christmas Holiday Book, is a sweet and charming holiday picture book for young readers, by author Laura Lee Rittman. The book follows the story of Ruby who is worried about her friend visiting her home after she overheard her talking about her celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. Violet is welcomed by Ruby’s family and joins in the celebrations, soon realising that celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas is not so weird after all. The author skilfully blends the two holidays, showing how Ruby’s family decorates the Christmas tree and also lights the menorah for Hanukkah. It is a wonderful introduction to the key holiday traditions of both the Jewish and Christian faiths, and shows how both holidays can be celebrated together. The illustrations by Cennet Kapkac are filled with warm and cosy family holiday scenes, which bring the festivities to life. This is a perfect picture book to share in preparation for the holiday season, and would also make a great Hanukkah or Christmas gift. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A sweet, charming and touching multi-cultural picture book, which celebrates friendship, family and faith in all its forms. Purchase here

< Back Nadja Springer The Big Adventures Of A Little Tree: Tree Finds Hope Can a little tree find new hope after a devastating storm? By author Nadja Springer The little green tree stands all alone by the shore, waiting for the spring to arrive. As the snow melts away, he looks forward to the day his friends will return and they can play together in the sunshine. But there is a storm brewing, and the tree’s brothers and sisters must huddle together and shelter from the wind and the rain. Suddenly, the tree is hit by a bolt of lightning, which snaps off his favourite branch. Tree is sad he is broken, and worried what the others will think. His siblings and friends tell him they don’t care how he looks, and that they love him just the way he is. His friends wait patiently for his sadness to pass, and remain by his side, providing comfort and support. Day by day the tree takes small steps to recover, and day by day he starts to feel a little brighter. Then one day, just as tree has learnt to accept his new self, he spots a tiny leaf growing from his broken branch. The tiny green shoot gives new hope and life to the tree. He knows he cannot replace his broken branch, but he is given a new sense of purpose and pride as he cares and nurtures the new life. Tree Finds Hope by author Nadja Springer, is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book, and the second instalment in The Big Adventures of a Little Tree series. The tree faces a new challenge in the second book, when he is struck by lightening and disfigured. He is sad and depressed, and thinks that no one will love him because of the way he looks. His friends care for the tree during this time, waiting patiently for him to recover and providing comfort and support when he needs it. This is a fun and engaging read, beautifully written in rhyme. The fun tree characters and broken-branch analogy will help young children understand complex issues, such as body image, inclusion and diversity, and self-acceptance. The book will help young children to understand the importance of self-acceptance, and of accepting others just the way they are. It will encourage them to show kindness and compassion to others, and to care for others in need. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautifully written and illustrated picture book about inclusion and diversity. Purchase here

< Back Betty Cetas Oscar and the Awful Horrible Smell Can Oscar the troll find the source of the stinky smell? Oscar the troll lives deep in the forest. He loves the forest and knows it very well. He even knows all the forest smells, the good smells, and the not-so-good smells! But one day, while out picking blueberries, Oscar notices a very unusual and very stinky smell. He can’t quite put his finger (or nose, rather) on the smell, so he sets out into the forest to investigate. He travels throughout the forest, and the smell gets stronger and stronger. It isn’t his armpits, although they are pretty stinky. It isn’t the mushrooms, which smell pretty terrible. Nor the dead fish inside the wolverine’s cave, which smell vile. What could it be? Oscar continues to search high and low throughout the forest, but still cannot find the source of the stinky smell. He decides to return home, but the smell even follows him into his house. As he puts his feet up to rest for the evening, he suddenly discovers the source of the foul smell! Oscar and the Awful, Horrible Smell, is part of the Troll Tales and Other Stories from Grandma’s Cottage series, by Betty Cetas. The book follows the adventures of Oscar, a rather grotesque looking, but loveable troll. This is an entertaining and funny book, and children will laugh out loud at Oscar’s antics as he tries to find the source of the smell. Children will enjoy searching with Oscar as he trundles through the forest and they will enjoy guessing where the smell might be coming from. There is a very funny twist at the end of the book, that will delight younger readers. Young children love silly stories, and the funnier, dirtier, smellier, and more gruesome the better! They will love this story and fall in love with the adorable (but rather smelly) Oscar. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A stinky, fun-filled adventure with a very loveable troll. Purchase here