< Back Marta Almansa Esteva Nurse Bear Does First Aid Nurse Bear Does First Aid is a super sweet picture book, with a great introduction to healthcare and first aid for younger children, from debut author Marta Almansa Esteva. Nurse Bear Does First Aid is a sweet story of a cute little bear who cares for, and helps others when they are unwell. Nurse Bear and colleagues, such as Duck the Doctor, Tiger the Radiographer, Monkey the Dietician and Bunny the Physiotherapist care for and treat patients in different situations and healthcare settings. The book describes a range of ailments and medical treatments, tests, and tools, supporting the development of basic first aid language, knowledge, and skills. Children will learn how to recognise some of the signs and symptoms of illness, and how to respond calmly and with empathy (and of course with the help of a grown-up!). There is also space for parents to add the ambulance service number and home contact details, which will help children learn how to contact the emergency services should they ever need to. This book is a great resource for parents, carers, and teachers to start conversations with younger children about healthcare and first aid, whether in preparation for a hospital visit, or when caring for minor ailments at home. The cute, gender-neutral, animal characters are beautifully handmade by Esteva using modelling clay. The characters will appeal to younger aged children and could inspire them to get involved in nursing and healthcare. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A sweet picture book, with a set of adorable clay animal characters, helping children learn important and potentially lifesaving first aid skills. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Tracey Smith Where's Grandma? A Child's View on Loss, Grief and Bereavement Jordyn looks for her grandma, but cannot find her anywhere. Her bed is empty, her wheelchair is abandoned, and her place at the table unoccupied. Jordyn’s mommy tells her that her grandma has ‘transitioned’, but Jordyn does not know what that means. Her mommy explains that Grandma is now in heaven with other family members. Jordyn misses her grandma and remembers good times spent with her, singing and dancing for her, watching movies together, and playing games. She remembers how her grandma like to spend time with the family, and cook big family dinners. Jordyn’s mommy encourages her to focus on happy memories of her grandma and turn tears of sadness into tears of joy. Jordyn knows that whenever she misses her grandma, she can look back at old pictures and videos, and remember the fun times they spent together. Where's Grandma? A Child's View on Loss, Grief and Bereavement is a heartfelt and touching picture book by Tracey Smith about a little girl named Jordyn who faces the loss of her beloved grandma. Struggling with sadness, Jordyn finds it difficult to understand where her grandma has gone. Her mom helps her to cope by gently remembering the happy times they shared. Through these memories, Jordyn discovers that although grandma is no longer there, her love will remain in her heart forever. The author handles the subject of death in a sensitive way that is suitable for young readers. The book includes helpful notes to help parents talk to children about their grief. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heartfelt and touching story about grief, and a valuable resource for families who may have experienced the death of a loved one. Purchase here

< Back Susan and Megan Downing Bradykin Unleashed: A Summer Camp Adventure Bradykin and his siblings enjoy a fun-filled summer at camp. Six pup siblings arrive at camp for a fun-filled, summer adventure. They settle into their lakeside cabin, and make up their bunk beds. During their week-long stay at the camp, the pups take part in many land-based and water adventures. The camp counsellors organise lots of crafts and activities, they build campfires and toast marshmallows, and sing songs together under the moonlight. Bradykin enjoys sailing on the lake and feeling the wind in his face, Baileykin likes the speed and thrill of waterskiing, Mattykin plays whiffle ball games on the sandy shore of the lake, and Megykin prefers the energy and zest of volleyball. The pups make lots of new friends at summer camp, develop new skills, and learn more about nature and the forest. Bradykin Unleashed: A Summer Camp Adventure is a sweet and charming picture book about a group of loveable, sibling puppies who go to summer camp together, by Susan and Megan Downing. The book explores the pups journey, as they experience the joy and wonder of camp together for the first time. While the siblings enjoy spending time together, each pup is unique and take part in different sports and activities. The pups make new friends, learn new skills, and make memories at camp that will last a lifetime. The colourful illustrations and depictions of camp-life are sure to captivate young readers and encourage them to try new things. This is a perfect book for any child attending summer camp for the first time, or simply looking for an entertaining summer read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful picture book, capturing the excitement and wonder of attending summer camp for the first time. Purchase here

< Back Kathy Anderson Bailey's Belly Battle: A Time Machine Veggie Adventure for Picky Eaters Book blurb... Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids, this engaging story uses humor, heart, and kid-friendly science to help children explore new foods step by step: look, smell, touch, lick, bite, and chew at their own pace. Purchase here

< Back Lori Hoffman Penna Catawampus: The Story of a Crooked Cat Catawampus was born with his front legs bent, so he stands on two feet. He lives all alone on the street, but he longs for a family of his own. One day, Catawampus is caught and taken to a cat shelter. The other cats at the shelter are mean, they laugh at his legs and tease him. So, Catawampus has an idea. He attempts to change his appearance, and disguise his bent legs. He thinks this will give him the best chance of being picked by a human and taken home. But his plan fails, and he starts to believe he will never find a new home. Then, a man sweeping up the trash at the shelter notices Catawampus. The man is old, grey and walks with a limp. He recognises himself in the cat and knows he just needs a friend. Will Catawampus ever leave the shelter? And will he ever find his forever home? Catawampus: The Story of a Crooked Cat is an illustrated picture book by author Lori Hoffman Penna about a stray cat with a physical difference, who unexpectedly finds himself in a cat shelter. The other cats are mean, and no-one wants to adopt a cat with crooked legs, but Catawampus is determined to find a new home. This is a heart-warming story about a beautiful, strong and determined cat. Just when he is about to give up hope, he meets a man who gives him the forever home he has been dreaming of. The book is a celebration of difference and diversity, and teaches young children the importance of acceptance, kindness, compassion and inclusion. A must read for children who love animals, and for anyone who has ever felt a little bit out of place. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A powerful and uplifting tale about a very special cat, and his journey from the streets to finding his forever home. Purchase here

< Back C. James Sweeney Sadie Sasquatch Goes to School How will a little sasquatch fit in at school? It is Sadie Sasquatch’s first day at kindergarten. She is excited to make new friends, but everyone stares at her. Her backpack is homemade and different to all the other backpacks. Sadie wonders why everyone is staring at her and decides to make her classmates laugh by passing gas. Some children laugh, but others do not, and Sadie’s teacher is not amused. Sadie is embarrassed but determined not to let it ruin her first day at school. Sadie enjoys art class but is told off again for picking her nose with a paint brush. At snack time, Sadie makes a big mess, but shares her favourite food with a boy who doesn’t have a snack. When Sadie arrives at home, she tells her dad all about her first day and has a few things to teach him too! Sadie Sasquatch Goes to School by author C. James Sweeney is an illustrated picture book about a little sasquatch’s (bigfoot) first day in kindergarten. This is a funny and engaging picture book, that will delight young readers. Sadie has never been to school, and quickly learns what is appropriate and not appropriate. Sadie is a sweet, adorable, and slightly mischievous character. Young children will laugh out loud when Sadie passes gas in the classroom and picks her nose with a paintbrush. Sadie is ridiculed by her fellow classmates for being different, but she is resilient and shows kindness to her classmates by sharing her favourite food with another child. The book has an important message about equality, diversity and inclusion, and will help to develop kindness and compassion amongst younger readers. The illustrations are bright, engaging and captivating for younger audiences. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun and laugh out loud picture book about a little sasquatch and her eventful first day at kindergarten. Purchase here

< Back Ken Waldecker Princess Ella and the Great Squirrel Chase One day, Princess Ella is playing on her swing in the grounds of the castle, happily enjoying the sucker her daddy bought her. When suddenly, the sucker flies out of her mouth and gets stuck in a tree. Poor Ella cannot reach the sucker. She sees a little squirrel and asks him if he can get the sucker out of the tree. Mr Squirrel climbs the tree and grabs the sucker. But rather than give it back to Ella, he starts to eat it! Ella chases the squirrel all over the castle grounds and through the forest, but the squirrel is way too fast. When Ella finds a net, she finally catches the squirrel. But, after the squirrel has drooled all over the sucker, maybe Ella doesn’t want it back after all! Princess Ella and the Great Squirrel Chase is a sweet and funny illustrated picture book by author Ken Waldecker. The book tells the story of Princess Ella, a little princess who enjoys playground adventures and even more so, sweet treats. Princess Ella is a cute and curious little princess, with a fun and bright personality. Young children will enjoy the colorful illustrations and reading about her adventures. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A sweet and funny illustrated picture book, with a charming protagonist and a very naughty squirrel. Purchase here

< Back Michael Michie Pablo Avocado Can a little avocado take on the fashion world? Pablo Avocado comes from a long line of accomplished avocado’s. His father was a salsa dancer, his grandfather was a sailor, and his great grandfather was so beautiful that he didn’t have to work a day in his life. Pablo is a handsome young avocado, but he is feeling a little lost in life. He wants to make something of himself, but he doesn’t know what to do or where to start. He isn’t even sure whether he is a fruit or a vegetable! Pablo sneaks into his therapists office, hidden under his ‘cloak of secrecy’ so nobody sees him. He settles into the cozy therapists chair, and suddenly has an idea. He dreams of turning the store isles into a colourful catwalk. He dreams of creating fabulous outfits for his fruit friends. He dreams of becoming the next big fashion designer. But Pablo doesn’t want to waste any more time dreaming. He knows just what he needs to do, and the first thing is to get out of the therapists chair! Pablo Avocado by author Michael Michie is a fabulous and fun picture book for young readers about an eccentric little avocado who is feeling sad and a little lost in life. Pablo wants to make a name for himself, just like his father and his fathers’ father, so he visits a therapist to help him make a decision about his future. But Pablo doesn’t need the therapists help, he knows exactly what he wants to do and how he is going to do it! With a little bit of focus and a lot of self-belief, Pablo finally finds his purpose. This is a simple and entertaining way of helping young children to open up and talk through their problems. This is a cute and imaginative story, with lots of humor and plenty of word play to entertain both children and their care givers. Young children will enjoy this adorable character and will laugh out loud at his antics, for example as he hides under his cloak and loses his belly button stone. They will enjoy the colourful illustrations and the fruit and vegetable characters as they feature in various unexpected scenes. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fabulously fun and fruity picture book about a little avocado with a big dream. Purchase here

< Back Kateryna Dronova Let's Look, Not Touch A curious little boy is spending time with his mom on the beach, when he sees a little starfish washed up on the shore. He wants to catch the starfish, but his mom reminds him to look, not touch. The next day, the little boy is hiking in the forest when he finds a snake hidden in the grass. He wants to catch the snake, but his mom reminds him again to look, not touch. As the boy goes on more wildlife adventures with his mom, he learns the importance of protecting and caring for wildlife, by looking only and avoiding touching creatures in their natural habitats. But when it is the boy’s birthday, he finally discovers something extra special he can play with all day long. Let’s Look, Not Touch is an illustrated picture book by author Kateryna Dronova, about a curious and adventurous boy who loves spending time in nature. He wants to play with every creature he meets, but his mom gently reminds him of the importance of not touching and looking only. The message is delivered in a warm and reassuring way and encourages children to make thoughtful choices. The colorful illustrations bring each creature to life and add a touch of humor to the story. Written in rhyme, and with plenty of repetition, this book will help young children learn the importance of caring for and protecting nature. Overall, a delightful and charming read that is both fun and educational, making it an excellent choice for young readers who love animals and adventure. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming picture book about a curious little boy who loves exploring the natural world. Purchase here

< Back Joseph L Licari Mia's Mouses Mia and her mouse friends learn about plural nouns. Mia is a curious little girl who loves to dance and play. One day, Mia meets three little mice, she names Squeaky, Nibbles and Speedy. When Mia calls her new friends ‘mouses’ her family explain that the correct plural of a mouse is mice. Mia is keen to learn more about plural nouns, and with a little help from her teacher she learns the rules for making nouns plural. Miss Jess explains that for some nouns, you simply add an ‘es’ or ‘s’ to the word to make it plural (like girl to girls, or fox to foxes). But, for other nouns, it is a little more complicated (like child to children, or mouse to mice). Mia enjoys learning about plural nouns and practices every day, as she dances and plays with her new friends. Mia's Mouses is a sweet and delightful picture book by Joseph L Licari that follows the adventures of a little girl as she discovers the fascinating rules for changing singular nouns to the plural forms. Written in rhyme, with cute and charming characters that will engage younger readers, this book introduces regular and irregular plural nouns in a simple, accessible and memorable way. The illustrations by Victor Nieto are vibrant and fun, capturing Mia’s playful and inquisitive nature. Both educational and entertaining, this book is a valuable resource for parents, carers and educators, and would make a great addition to any home or school library. Star rating: 5 stars Summary : An educational and entertaining picture book, with charming characters that make learning an enjoyable experience for young readers. Purchase here

< Back Vatika and Natalie Gulati Penelope and The Unicorns Penelope and the Unicorns: A Story About Saving the One-Horned Rhinoceros is a beautifully illustrated and heartfelt children's book by Vatika and Natalie Gulati. The book takes readers on a journey to the protected grasslands of Kaziranga in Northeast India, where Penelope, a timid yet brave one-horned rhinoceros, shares her story of survival and hope. The narrative is both engaging and educational, introducing young readers to the plight of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which was nearly driven to extinction due to poaching fuelled by myths about the magical powers of their horns. Through Penelope's voice, the book highlights the devastating impact of humanity on wildlife, while also celebrating the efforts of conservationists who worked together to protect these majestic creatures. The story is empowering, showing how collective action can lead to meaningful change. The illustrations by Petra Paliskova are whimsical and vibrant, perfectly complementing the text. Her artwork brings the grasslands of Kaziranga to life, capturing the beauty of the rhinos and unicorns while also conveying the emotional depth of Penelope's journey. The historical note at the end of the book provides valuable context, explaining the real-life challenges faced by the one-horned rhinoceros and the ongoing conservation efforts that have helped their population recover. This section encourages readers to think critically about wildlife protection. Overall, this book is perfect for children and families who want to learn about wildlife conservation while enjoying a beautifully crafted story . Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A touching and impactful picture book about the majestic one-horned rhinoceros and wildlife conservation. Purchase here

< Back Mariah Clark Skewes Never Pet a Penguin Nana said, ‘NEVER pet a penguin!’ Maddy knows she shouldn’t, but she really, really wants to pet a penguin. She goes out in search of a penguin to pet. She searches across her whole town, in the garden, in the fields, and in the woods. She even visits the animal shelter and the local zoo, but there are no penguins to be found. At schools she learns all about penguins and where they live on earth, but they are all far too far away. So, she tries everything she can to reach the penguins. She tries to build a boat, a hot air balloon, and even tries to make herself wings to fly to the penguins. But nothing works! Just as Maddy is about to give up all hope of ever petting a penguin, her Nana has an extra special surprise for her. Never Pet a Penguin is an illustrated picture book by Mariah Clark Skewes about a girl named Maddy - a little girl with a big dream – to pet a penguin. Maddy is a sweet and charming character, full of fun, imagination and adventure. Her journey begins at home, where she searches high and low for a penguin. Undeterred, she ventures across town, hoping that a penguin might be hiding somewhere unexpected. This is a fun and imaginative story that will captivate young readers who love wildlife and adventure. The illustrations by Phoebe Cho are simply delightful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A super sweet picture book, about a curious, determined and adventurous little girl and her search for a penguin. mariahclarkskewes.com Purchase here