< Back Adalgisa and David Nico Frogs on the Mountain: The Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs in Yosemite Adele is visiting Yosemite National Park with her mom and dad. But as she tries to settle down to sleep in her hammock for the night, she is kept awake by a strange ‘kraak, kraak, kraak’ sound. The next morning, Adele asks a ranger about the strange noise, and discovers the sound was from mountain yellow-legged frogs. The ranger explains that the frogs nearly became extinct when trout were introduced into the river and ate the tadpoles and frogs, dragonfly larvae, and other insects that frogs relied on for food. Adele learns about the frogs habitat, defense mechanisms, breeding patterns, and how tadpoles develop into frogs. The ranger explains how the frogs made a comeback in Yosemite, and how they thrived once the trout were removed from some of the lakes. Adele learns that the mountain yellow-legged frogs are connected to other creatures in the ecosystem, and each species is reliant on the others for survival. Frogs on the Mountain: The Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs in Yosemite is an illustrated children’s picture book by authors, Adalgisa and David Nico. The book provides a fascinating insight into the mountain yellow-legged frogs, an endangered amphibian species that can be found in the lakes in Yosemite National Park. With lots of fascinating facts, and glorious illustrations by Andy Atkins that capture Yosemite’s breath-taking scenery, this book brings the little known frog species to life. Through Adele’s exploration of the park, children will learn about the challenges these tiny amphibians face in their natural habitat and the importance of conservation. Adalgisa and David Nico do an excellent job at balancing a conservation message with an engaging storyline. A wonderful addition to any bookshelf. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An inspiring story, which will help children learn about these fascinating amphibians, the role they play in the ecosystem, and the importance of conservation. 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 Michelle Medlock Adams Dachshund Through the Snow Crosby saves Christmas, from author Michelle Medlock Adams Crosby is the world’s teeniest-weeniest Weiner dog. Despite his tiny proportions he has a big ambition – to compete in the Arctic Animal Olympics! He was prepared. He’d done the training. He was ready. But as race day arrived, Crosby started to have second thoughts. The bigger, stronger competitors laughed and taunted Crosby about his size. Poor Crosby, desperate to flee, dug and dug and dug deep into the snow until he stumbled across a cave. Inside the cave, he found Santa and his reindeer in desperate need of help. Rudolph was missing and Santa needed someone to find him. Crosby knew just what to do. Will Crosby find Rudolph? And can the world’s teeniest-weeniest Weiner dog save Christmas? This is a fantastic, festive picture book about a tiny little pup who finds the inner strength to carry on when all hope is lost. You can’t help but to love Crosby, he is the cutest, most adorable pup with miniature proportions and the biggest heart. With strength and determination, he proved to all those who doubted and mocked him, that he can achieve great things. This is a great message to all that your physical size doesn’t matter, it’s the size of your heart that really counts. We look forward to reading more from Michelle Medlock Adams and hope Crosby will feature in his own book series. The illustrations by Ana Sebastian are magical. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fantastic, festive picture book about a tiny little pup with the biggest heart. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Alan Claycomb Maisley's Moon A sweet picture book for curious children, with curious minds, from author A Joseph Claycomb One night, just before bedtime, five-year-old Maisley notices a big, bright full moon right outside her bedroom window. She asks her mom, Why is it there and where does it come from? Maisley’s mom explains that it is there to keep her company and to light up the night sky. Every evening, Maisley watches the pretty moon in the dark sky, but as the days and nights pass, Maisley notices changes in the moon – as a dark shadow casts over the moon’s surface, it appears to get smaller and smaller. Then, one day, Maisley can no longer see the moon and questions whether it is really there at all. Maisley’s Moon is a children’s picture book that explores complex topics of philosophy, faith, and Christianity, in a simple and accessible way that young children will understand and relate to. Just because one cannot see the moon sometimes, it does not mean that the moon does not exist. The book reaffirms Jesus and Faith and will encourage children to think about their own faith and the world around them. A lovely, read together, bedtime book for parents and children to learn about faith and the world around them. A great introductory book for those interested in religion and philosophy, or for anyone with a curious mind. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A lovely, read together, bedtime book for parents and children to learn about faith and the world around them. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Sarah Sparks The Bounciest Monster on Mill Street Becks bounces all the way to the stars and back. Becks is the bounciest monster on Mill Street. She loves to twirl and giggle, dance and giggle. She loves to have fun and never sits still. One day, Becks feels like she might explode. She bounces down Mill Street and through the playground. She bounces through the mud and splashes into the pond. She gets so excited, she bounces high into the sky, off the planet Mars, and zooms across space. She flies past the sun before crashing back down to earth with a bang. Poor little Becks is dazed and confused and has a sore noggin from all the bouncing. As she cleans up her mess, she thinks she needs to bounce a little less. She finds a new sport to work off all of her energy, and she even finds time to relax a little bit now and then. But Becks will be Becks, and she is still the bounciest monster in Mill Street. The Bounciest Monster on Mill Street is part of the Monster on Mill Street series by Sarah Sparks. This book follows the adventures of Becks, who like many children just cannot sit still. She has lots of energy and loves to bounce, but after a fun-filled day full of bouncing, Becks has a terrible headache. Becks learns that she needs to burn off a lot of energy, but she also needs to rest. Ultimately, she needs balance in life to stay happy and healthy. The book and the series teach young children important lessons in life. Beck’s story is a reminder to have fun, but to have fun safely. It is also a reminder to slow down occasionally and take those well-deserved breaks. The book is beautifully written in rhyme and has lots of alliteration that young children love. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming picture book about a little monster who cannot sit still. Purchase here

< Back Trevor Crafts, Aaron Burakoff The Apple That Fell Far From the Tree A little apple with a big family tree, and an even bigger imagination. A little apple has a big family tree. All of his 247 relatives are pretty much alike, but the little apple is different. He doesn’t enjoy bobbing in the pond like the other apples. He doesn’t enjoy rolling down the hill. He might look like all the other apples, but he doesn’t fit in. Unlike the other apples, he has a big imagination and big ideas. One day, the little apple decides to leave the orchard to find somewhere where he can fit in. After much searching, the little apple ends up in the Big Apple. In the big city, he meets lots of new friends who don’t look like him, but who have big imaginations and share similar ideas. The little apple finds new ways of expressing himself, and finally finds a sense of purpose and belonging. But when the little apple sees his family again, he does something totally unexpected. The Apple That Fell Far From the Tree is an illustrated picture book by Trevor Crafts and Aaron Burakoff about a curious and adventurous little apple who leaves home to find himself. He settles into big city life, and finds a new sense of purpose and belonging. When the little apple fulfils his dreams, he finally begins to understand who he really is and what he truly wants. The story shows children that stepping outside of our comfort zone might be necessary to fulfil our true potential. It also highlights the importance of family connections and reminds readers that while the journey to finding oneself might take them far away from home, they are always welcome back when they are ready. The book encourages children to follow their dreams, and embrace their unique qualities and differences. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heart-warming, inspiring and funny story for young readers, with a sweet apple character and themes of identity, self-discovery and belonging. Purchase here

< Back Ali Barclay The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City In an ordinary house lives Charlie Wags. Charlie Wags is just an average pup, but he has a secret. He likes to travel the world, just for fun. With a little wag of his tail, he can travel wherever he wants. In this book, he travels to New York City. He explores all the famous sights, including Central Park, where he visits the Central Park Zoo. He visits the Empire State Building, where he ascends to the top, and takes a moment to look up at the One World Trade building. He wonders the city, and has a bite to eat, before taking a cruise to the magnificent Statue of Liberty. He watches a play on Broadway and finally sees the bright lights on Times Square. The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City is an illustrated picture book, by author Ali Barclay. The book follows Charlie’s journey to New York, where he explores the sights and sounds of the big city. Written in playful rhyme, with an adorable pup character, this book will delight young readers. With additional information about each place he visits at the end of the book, it may even inspire young readers to embark on their own travels. Readers who love animal characters, and have a sense of adventure will love this book. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A tail-wagging triumph and a must read for budding explorers. Purchase here

< Back Bryan Mendoza Luzon Niko and the Mysterious Wave Book blurb... Niko loves spending time by the sea with his grandfather, Tonyo. But when he discovers a mysterious wave carrying a message from the ocean, he embarks on an unforgettable journey of courage, kindness, and environmental stewardship. Inspired by the beauty of the Philippines, this heartwarming story encourages young readers to care for the world around them while discovering that even small actions can create waves of positive change. 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 Joseph L Licari Mia's Marvelous Farm Adventure Mia and her three mouse friends—Squeaky, Speedy, and Nibbles—explore the farm and have fun learning new words. The author cleverly uses rhymes and wordplay to introduce children to the concept of homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. For example, the book explains the difference between ‘pear’ and ‘pair,’ ‘knight’ and ‘night,’ and many more. These lessons are woven into a fun and enjoyable story, making it an excellent resource for building vocabulary and literacy skills. Mia’s journey to understand homophones is guided by big sister, Pia, who serves as a wise and supportive mentor. This sibling dynamic encourages young readers to seek help and learn from others, fostering a positive attitude towards learning and problem-solving. Mia’s Marvelous Farm Adventure by Joseph L Licari is a charming and captivating picture book, and part of a series that aims to teach young readers important language concepts. The illustrations are vibrant and cheerful, perfectly complementing the tone of the book. The images bring the farm and its characters to life, making the story visually appealing and engaging for young readers. The playful depiction of the mice and their antics adds an extra layer of charm. The rhymes are catchy and memorable, ensuring that the lessons learned stick with young readers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A charming and captivating picture book that will entertain and educate young children, and spark a life-long love of language and learning. Purchase here

< Back Julie Young Be Careful What You Wish For A tiny black pollywog named Finn wishes he were a boy. His brothers and sisters laugh at him. When Finn spots a fishing hook bobbing in the water, he sees this as an opportunity to join the human world. He is reeled in by a little boy named Colten, who has plans to fry the little pollywog. Colten’s Papa suggests he takes the pollywog home to see if it grows into a frog. Colten puts the pollywog into a goldfish bowl, and watches it grow and change. But as Finn begins to look more frog-like, he becomes sad. He isn’t sad because he doesn’t look like a boy, he is sad because he misses his family. Colten notices the pollywog is sad and he returns him back to the pond. Colten misses the pollywog, but Finn is happy to be back home where he belongs. Be Careful What You Wish For is a sweet and charming children’s picture book about a little pollywog who has big dreams. Dissatisfied with his life in a pond, he manages to escape but soon discovers that life isn’t any better outside of the pond after all. Instead of becoming a boy, he is trapped in a goldfish bowl, lonely and confused, slowly turning into a frog. The book explores themes of identity, family and self-acceptance through the eyes of a tiny pond creature. Julie Young’s storytelling is gentle and warm, and the expressive illustrations guide young readers through the little pollywogs emotional journey of self-discovery. The book is filled with humor and heart, and the message is quietly powerful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A captivating picture book about an adventurous pollywog with big dreams. 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