< Back Marie Nichols We're Going to the Dinosaur Forest Bracken loves playing outside with his friends. But more than anything, he loves playing with his grandmother, Gram. One day when Gram comes to visit, they decide to go to the Dinosaur Forest. As they walk through the forest together, they stomp their feet and roar like dinosaurs. They climb up a big hill and search for dinosaurs, but there are none to be found. They continue their search and discover a stegosaurus. Gram is scared and freezes on the spot, but luckily they find a big tree to hide behind. They climb up an even bigger hill and find a triceratops. They hide behind another tree, as the triceratops strolls by. While Gram is scared and wants to go home, Bracken is keen to find a T-Rex. Will Bracken and Gram find a T-Rex? And will they make it out of the Dinosaur Forest safely? We're Going to the Dinosaur Forest is an illustrated picture book by author Marie Nichols. This is a fun and engaging story for young readers, that beautifully captures the special bond between a little boy and his grandmother. With a dinosaur themed adventure in the forest, this book promotes imaginative play and celebrates intergenerational relationships. The illustrations by Penny Weber are vibrant and full of life, and capture the warmth and love between grandparent and grandchild beautifully. This is a great read-together book, and I’m sure grandparents everywhere will enjoy sharing this book with their grandchildren. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A roaring, dino-mite adventure, where an ordinary forest turns into a Jurassic jungle. Purchase here

< Back Anna Finch Mellie the Mermaid: Is NOT Scared of ANYTHING Is there anything that will scare Mellie the Mermaid? Mellie the Mermaid is not scared of anything. Not little fish that bite and snap. Or giant clams that clap and trap. Mellie’s mum and dad warn her of the dangers in the sea, the creatures that might sting and bite, or strike and burn. They ask her to be careful when she is on her own exploring the ocean. Mellie is not deterred and ventures out into the deep, deep blue ocean to explore an old shipwreck. She meets a snappy, clappy clam, a bright blue octopus, a whale, a seal, an eel, and a turtle. No, Mellie is still not scared. But as she dives into the shipwreck, she meets a big, toothy shark. Mellie flees as fast as she can and does not stop swish, swish, swishing until she gets all the way home. Mellie realises maybe there are some things she is scared of after all! Mellie the Mermaid is a beautifully illustrated picture book by author Anna Finch about a confident, courageous and adventurous little mermaid who fears nothing. This is a charming and amusing picture book for younger children, featuring magnificent mermaids in glorious underwater scenes. Mellie is a cute and adorable mermaid character, who will delight younger readers. The book is funny and entertaining, but it also teaches children the importance of personal safety. The illustrations by Wathmi de Zoysa are magnificent. I particularly liked the characterisation of the mermaids and the sea creatures, and the underwater colour palette with hues of blue and purple. This is a great book for pre-schoolers and was a joy to read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming and amusing picture book for younger children, featuring magnificent mermaids in glorious underwater scenes. Purchase here

< Back Stefanie Jubert Stressed Little Bun Bun Takes a Deep Breath Stressed Little Bun Bun Takes a Deep Breath is a beautifully crafted children's book by Stefanie Jubert that explores childhood anxiety and stress. The story follows Little Bun Bun, a rabbit who is plagued by worries and feels overshadowed by his adventurous and fearless brother, Brave Mighty Bun Bun. The narrative is relatable for children who may feel anxious or left behind when others seem more confident. As Brave Mighty Bun Bun embarks on a daring adventure, Little Bun Bun is left to confront his fears alone. The story cleverly introduces various mindfulness and breathing techniques—such as Bunny Breathing, Wave Breathing, Bumble Bee Breathing, Choo Choo Breathing, and Dragon Breathing—each tailored to help Little Bun Bun (and the reader) manage specific moments of anxiety. The playful instructions are easy for children to follow and can be practiced in real-life situations, making the book a valuable tool for emotional regulation. Each challenge that Little Bun Bun faces, serves as an opportunity to introduce a new coping strategy. This not only normalizes feelings of fear and anxiety but also empowers children with practical skills to manage them. The story concludes with a message of growth and resilience, as Little Bun Bun discovers his own strength and returns home with the greatest treasure: newfound confidence and calm. Amber Orozco's illustrations are vibrant and engaging, perfectly complementing the text, and bringing the characters' emotions to life. The artwork also supports the breathing exercises, helping children visualize and participate in the calming techniques. The book is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and therapists seeking to support children's emotional well-being. Its combination of engaging storytelling, practical mindfulness exercises, and charming illustrations makes it both enjoyable and impactful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful book and resource for helping children navigate their own emotions and build lifelong coping skills. Purchase here

< Back Melitta Santos Fini: The beauty of a broken shell A little turtle finds her inner beauty, by author Melitta Santos One day, Fini the turtle is out walking when she trips over and breaks her shell. Fini thinks she is ugly, and no one will want to play with her because of her broken shell. Her friend, Jack the Jaguar, comforts Fini and offers to help her find someone to fix her shell. They meet Boris the Tapir who tries to fix Fini’s shell with an aquatic plant, but it is too big for the little turtle. Next, they meet Tim the Armadillo, who suggests a coconut shell, but it is too little for Fini’s shell. They meet Bea the Bee, but she can’t help and takes the to see Ana the spider. Ana has a solution, but it will take five long days to fix Fini’s shell. Fini and her new friends stay with Ana while she starts to work, and they have lots of fun, games, food and laughter. Ana makes Fini a magic nanduti, a brightly coloured, pretty lace cover for her shell. Fini is delighted with the nanduti, and Ana explains that it doesn’t fully cover her scars and reflects the inner beauty of the wearer. Fini not only has a beautiful nanduti, but also has four new friends. Fini: The Beauty of a Broken Shell by author Melitta Santos is a sweet and charming, illustrated picture book about a little pond turtle who goes in search of a new shell, when her shell is cracked after a fall. As Fini embarks on her journey, she meets lots of new friends, and soon discovers the importance of friendships, and that real beauty comes from within. The book teaches younger children about the wildlife and cultural heritage of Paraguay. With further information about each character and their values, and information about the nanduti, this book is a wonderful resource for parents, carers and teachers. The book will encourage young children to find their inner beauty and will help to develop confidence and self-esteem in young children. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet and charming picture book with important life lessons that will help to develop confidence and self-esteem in young children. Purchase here

< 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 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 Ruth Maile The Power of Encouragement Turning "I Can't" into 'I Can" Ruth Maille’s The Power of Encouragement is a heartwarming and empowering children’s book that explores the transformative impact of encouragement, courage, and kindness. Written with young readers in mind, the story follows Orbit, a lovable space character, as he visits a kindergarten classroom to help children discover their own inner strength and the value of supporting one another. The book’s central message is clear and uplifting - words of encouragement can turn self-doubt into confidence and help children face challenges with bravery. Through relatable classroom scenarios, Maille demonstrates how encouragement from parents, teachers, and friends can help children overcome fears - whether it’s riding a roller coaster, learning to read, or trying something new. Each child’s story in the book shows that even small acts of kindness and belief can spark big changes. Orbit’s character, complete with a Band-Aid as a symbol of resilience, makes the lessons accessible and fun. The narrative is peppered with gentle humor and real-life examples, making it easy for children to see themselves in the situations described. The illustrations by Pardeep Mehra are vibrant and engaging, further drawing young readers into Orbit’s world. The book teaches children not only to seek support but also to be encouragers themselves, fostering a classroom culture of teamwork and empathy. The book’s origins during the COVID-19 pandemic add an extra layer of relevance, emphasizing hope and connection in challenging times. Overall, The Power of Encouragement is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and caregivers. Highly recommended for any child learning to turn “I can’t” into “I can.” Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An entertaining story, and a valuable tool for nurturing self-belief and resilience in children. Purchase here

< Back Todd Angilly and Rachel Goguen The Adventures of Owen and the Anthem Singer Little pug Owen follows his dream, by authors Rachel Goguen and Todd Angilly Owen the Pug is a very happy little pup. He lives in Boston with his mom and loves lots of belly rubs and yummy treats. His favourite game is ice hockey, and he likes to play in goal with his other pup friends. Little Owen has a very big dream. A dream to drop the puck at a big hockey game. So, when Owen gets the opportunity to drop the puck for his favourite team, alongside his friend Todd who will sing the national anthem, he cannot wait! He practices his technique all week, but when the day finally arrives, Todd is nervous. He sees the large crowd of fans and worries he might make a mistake. But, with a little support and encouragement from Todd, Owen finally realises his dream. He drops the puck perfectly, and Todd sings the national anthem perfectly too. The crowd clap and cheer, as the pair join the other hockey fans to watch the game. Owen and Todd, proud of their own achievements, are welcomed and treated like stars by the adoring fans. The Adventures of Owen and the Anthem Singer by Rachel Goguen and Todd Angilly is a sweet and engaging picture book about an adorable little pug with a big dream. Owen is determined and works hard. He practices every day, and with a little help from his friend, finally achieves his dream. There are positive messages in this story about commitment, hard work and friendships. The book shows that hard work pays off, and will inspire young children to follow their own dreams. With bright, cartoon-like, digital illustrations, and an adorable pup character, this book will appeal to those who love dogs and those who enjoy sports, particularly hockey. A wonderful and entertaining read, with positive messages for children and adults alike. Star rating: 5 stars Summary: A sweet and engaging picture book about an adorable little pug with a big dream, with a positive message for children and adults alike. Purchase here

< Back Brett Gunning and Stacy Padula On the Right Path: Book One Book blurb... "The On the Right Path book series is a slam dunk! The stories are rich with important lessons that kids will enjoy reading. It belongs in every home." - Mike D'Antoni, NBA Coach. "The On the Right Path books belong in every school, library, and home, as they teach invaluable life lessons to children in an entertaining and relatable way." - Kevin McHale, NBA Hall of Famer. "The On the Right Path book series is one that should be read in every household. The life lessons shared through entertaining stories of basketball and faith are invaluable to young minds." - Joel Osteen, Pastor of Lakewood Church. Join Jayden, Jordan, their little sister Jasmine, and their friend Shai as the group experiences their first basketball camp and learns lessons about life along the way. Parents will love this uplifting book, which encourages children to love others and teaches the importance of making people feel welcome and loved. NBA Coach Brett Gunning and award-winning author Stacy Padula have teamed up to create the On The Right Path (OTRP) book series. OTRP is also a non-profit organization created by Brett Gunning to guide youth basketball players on the right path to achieving their maximum potential through education, mentorship, and skill development. The core principles of OTRP are guidance, inspiration, and creativity. The book series focuses on six life-skill pillars: Loving Others, Being Unselfish, Staying Healthy & Strong, Showing Respect, Showing Forgiveness, and Having Fun. Purchase here

< Back Joanne Russo Insull Sarah and the Crows Clean Up A wonderful book by author Joanne Russo Insull about Sarah and her incredibly special feathered friends. Sarah has a rather unusual and rather special friendship with a murder of crows. Sounds scary doesn’t it, but actually crows are beautiful, friendly birds with an incredible talent. Every day, Sarah feeds the crows peanuts and provides fresh water for them to drink. The crows recognise Sarah, and they show their appreciation by offering her all types of weird and wonderful gifts. A feather, a tiny piece of tin foil, bottle caps and even a chicken bone! Sarah has an idea. If a tiny crow can pick up small pieces of trash, then collectively, humans and crows could make an enormous difference to the environment. So Sarah brings her friends together to help the crows clean up the park and recycle the trash. Sarah is given a Good Citizenship Award from the Mayor and the crows are rewarded with a big box of peanuts. The book provides extraordinary insights into the behaviours of crows, and how humans can learn from their ingenious ways of collecting trash. Inspired by real life stories of crows that have been trained to pick up trash, the author presents a novel way to clean up the environment. The book will inspire children to take care of wildlife and the environment. With supporting notes and additional resources for teachers and parents, the book will prompt further discussions about wildlife, the environmental impacts of waste and the importance of recycling. Beautiful, soft pastel illustrations by Kelly Artieri. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘This book will change your perspective on crows forever. A superb, entertaining, and educational read for adults and children alike.’ A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Marlyn Bandiero Dante's Cool Wheels Book 2 Believe, Achieve A wheely adventure with a dog and his human best friend. Dante's Cool Wheels Book 2 Believe, Achieve tells the story of a dog name Dante, who cannot walk using his back legs, due to a spinal injury when he was young. Dante’s parents tried everything to help him walk, such as swimming and therapy, but nothing worked. One day, Dante was given a surprise set of wheels, and as soon as he got into the chair, he was able to walk and run again. The wheels changed Dante’s life, he was happy he could finally play and be himself. But it wasn’t easy for Dante at first, the other dogs didn’t know what to make of the wheels and were reluctant to play with him. When Dante meets a young boy named Freddie, who also uses a wheelchair, the two became best of friends. The two friends spend lots of time together, playing and exploring in the park. Dante didn’t let anything stop him from playing and having fun, and he inspired Freddie to play basketball. It wasn’t easy for Freddie, as other children didn’t want to play with him, but he soon found a wheelchair basketball team who welcomed him with open arms. Dante's Cool Wheels Book 2 Believe, Achieve by author Marlyn Bandiero is a heartwarming and inspiring picture book for younger aged readers. The book follows the story of a dog named Dante, and his human best friend, Freddie. Both human and canine use a wheelchair and experience similar obstacles, but their special friendship transcends their physical abilities. The duo support one another and help each other conquer their own unique challenges. Based on a real-life story, the book celebrates the special relationship between humans and canines, and shows that with love, determination and teamwork, anything is possible. Through Dante’s and Freddie’s story, young readers will learn about diversity and inclusion, and the importance of treating others with empathy, kindness, and respect. The illustrations are vibrant and expressive and beautifully capture the special bond between Dante and Freddie. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A heartwarming and memorable story of an inspirational dog named Dante, and his special friendship with a boy named Freddie. Purchase here

< Back Samantha Reynolds Help Me Be Me A thought-provoking picture book about children’s emotional well-being, by author Samantha Reynolds. Help Me Be Me by author Samantha Reynolds is an engaging, powerful, and thought-provoking picture book about children’s emotional health and well-being. The book serves as a valuable resource for parents seeking to understand and foster their children’s emotional wellbeing. Written from the child’s perspective, the book follows the journey of a child as they navigate the world around them, and the complex landscape of emotions they experience. The story is accompanied by vivid illustrations, which depict the child’s feelings, needs and emotions. Through the story, parents can initiate meaningful conversations with their children about their feelings and emotions. The book provides valuable advice on how parents can support their children to be themselves, and how to express and manage these emotions in a supportive and healthy way. The enchanting illustrations by Jessica Hiemstra, make this book a must-have for every parent’s bookshelf. Whilst the book is primarily aimed at parents, the engaging artwork also serves as an excellent tool for helping young children recognise and understand their own feelings. The language is clear and accessible, making it easy for both adults and children to engage with the material. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A nurturing guide for parents, offering tools and insights needed to raise emotionally resilient children. Purchase here