< Back Once Upon a Dance Franie's Wish: A Wander in the Wonder Another fabulous adventure in the Once Upon a Dance series Frankie’s Wish: A Wander in the Wonder, tells the story of Frankie, who lives on the magical island of Anorac. There is a legend on the island, that a magic blue feather would grant a birthday wish to the lucky person who finds it. On the day of Frankie’s special birthday, Frankie sets out on a quest to find the magic feather. Frankie’s wish is to become a famous dancer, and hopes to find the feather to make the wish come true. Frankie catches a ferry and arrives at a mysterious forest. With a little help from a number of forest friends, an eagle, a T-Rex, and a gorilla, Frankie must solve the clues hidden throughout the forest to find the magic blue feather. The final task is to ‘dance your journey’ and Frankie decides to dance the day from the beginning, from entering the forest, to meeting the forest creatures. Frankie reflects on the forest journey and realises that what is most important in life is friendship, family, and adventure. Will Frankie find the magic blue feather? And what will he wish for? Frankie's Wish: A Wander in the Wonder is a children’s picture book in the Once Upon a Dance series. Once Upon a Dance, is a unique and creative concept with Ballerina Konora narrating the story through movement and dance. Frankie is a gender neutral and relatable character, who will appeal to young children who love adventure and fantasy stories. Frankie learns important life lessons throughout the journey, which will encourage self-belief and confidence in young children. The digital illustrations are bold, bright, and engaging. Konora provides prompts and ideas for readers to act out the story, and encourages readers to use their own imagination and experiment with new movements. With photographs to accompany each movement, the book encourages active participation in the story through movement and creativity. This book is a great resource for children, parents and carers, and teachers, and will encourage readers to experiment with movement and dance. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fabulous interactive picture book, which will inspire movement and creativity in young children. Purchase here

< Back James Christopher Starry-Eyed Stanley: The Little Star Who Dared to Dream Stanley the star was born in a beautiful cloud of dust and gas. Stanley is a little star, but has big dreams to be the brightest star in the sky. A star that everyone looks up to. Stanley travels across the night sky, and meets a comet, a big gas planet, a moon, and the sun. As Stanley travels further through space, he meets a friendly alien, some tiny atoms, a meteoroid, a real life astronaut, and even a snowman and a cow! Each of his new friends tell him a joke, give him words of advice and encourage him to follow his dreams. Stanley’s journey through space teaches him important life lessons, which helps his own light to shine brighter. Starry-Eyed Stanley: The Little Star Who Dared to Dream is an illustrated picture book for children by author James Christopher. The book follows a curious little star who traverses the cosmos to follow his dream. During the journey, he encounters many galactic objects along the way. The book encourages young children to follow their dreams, but it also provides a great introduction to science and astronomy. Young children will laugh out loud at the space themed jokes, and will be mesmerised by the images of space from NASA and the author. Overall, a fun and insightful picture book for budding space explorers everywhere. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun and insightful picture book about a curious little star who traverses the cosmos to follow his dream. Purchase here

< Back Freya Novak At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride Freya Novak’s at the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride is a delightful and whimsical tale that takes readers on a charming journey through the bustling Ragtag Hotel. The story is centered around Dallas Dingo, the hotel’s cheerful and resourceful elevator operator, who navigates a sweltering day with a smile as he helps a colorful cast of animal guests reach the mysterious fourteenth floor. The story begins with Colin Capybara, who sets the tone with his humorous complaints about the heat. As the elevator fills up, readers are introduced to a diverse group of characters, including Oona Ostrich, Queenie Quokka, Tiny Tarsier, Amie Armadillo, and Oma Okapi. Each animal brings their own quirks and personality to the story, creating a lively and entertaining dynamic. The dialogue is playful and engaging, with each character greeting Dallas in their native language, adding a multicultural touch to the tale. Anastasiya Halionka’s illustrations are vibrant and full of humor. The expressive depictions of the animals and the bustling elevator bring the story to life. A perfect read for children and families, offering a blend of humor, vibrant illustrations, and a heartwarming message. The book’s playful tone and diverse cast of characters make it an engaging and inclusive story that will leave readers smiling. Freya Novak’s storytelling, combined with Anastasiya Halionka’s captivating illustrations, creates a memorable and enjoyable reading experience. Whether you’re looking for a fun bedtime story or a light-hearted tale to brighten your day, this book is a wonderful choice. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful and funny picture book for young readers, with a charming cast of characters, and super illustrations. Purchase here

< Back Betty Cetas Otto and the Lost Children Otto and the Lost Children is a charming children’s story set in the magical woods of Finland, where adventure, mischief, and kindness intertwine. Written by Betty Cetas and beautifully illustrated by Ugur Kose, the book transports readers to a lakeside cottage, where three children embark on a fishing trip that quickly turns into an unexpected journey. Otto is a clever and playful fish who delights in tricking fishermen. When he notices three young siblings heading out onto the lake without checking their boat’s gas tank, Otto decides to have some fun. He leads them from one fishing spot to another, always just out of reach, until they are far from their grandmother’s cottage and, eventually, lost. But, when the weather suddenly turns and the children realize they are lost with an empty gas tank, the tone shifts from playful to tense. Otto, having enjoyed his prank, feels remorse when he sees the children’s fear. Otto has a big decision to make, should he help the children return home, or leave them to fend for themselves? The book’s underlying message is one of forgiveness and doing the right thing, even after making a mistake. Otto’s decision models growth and compassion and will help young children understand the consequences of heir actions. The dedication to the author’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren adds a personal touch, making the story feel like a treasured family tale. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful adventure story that encourages curiosity, kindness, and the courage to make amends. Purchase here

< Back James Whitmer Leo & Lou: When We Grow Up Book blurb... Most children at some point think about what they will be when they grow up. Will they be a teacher, an athlete, a writer, an actor, a policeman, a dancer, a fireman, a priest, etc.? This is an imaginary story about the daily lives of Leo and Lou, brother and sister field mice, and their family. In playing together Leo and Lou suggest occupations and professions they imagine for themselves: a nurse, a cowboy, a pilot, a ballerina, an author, etc. As mama and papa learn of their interests, the mama reminds them of the saying: "Be what you want to be." Purchase here

< Back Michael and Nicole Collazo Cozy Critters on the Ark A contemporary twist on the Noah’s Ark story, for young readers. Rufi is a little mouse who believes that hard work makes a happy home. One day, the pipes burst in his house, and Rufi is forced to build a new home. As he searches for a perfect spot to build a new home in the forest, Rufi meets Noah. Noah explains that a storm is on the way, and he is building a big boat to keep all of earth's creatures safe during the storm. Noah invites Rufi to join him and help build the boat. Rufi wastes no time and gets straight to work on the boat. He works tirelessly to get the boat finished and the Ark sets sail, with a pair of all living creatures on earth. On board, Rufi works day and night to take care of all the creatures and becomes good friends with the humans and other critters. But one day, a pipe bursts on the boat and Rufi is nearly swept away. The critters put aside their differences and join together to help Rufi to safety. Rufi fixes the pipe and soon begins to realise that it is not hard work that makes a happy home, it is friendship and love. Cozy Critters on the Ark is an illustrated picture book for young children by Michael and Nicole Collazo, based on the story of Noah’s Ark. A lone, little mouse named Rufi unexpectedly finds his way on board the Ark. He works tirelessly to help all the humans and creatures on board, and makes lots of new friends. As Rufi finds a sense of purpose and belonging on the boat, all the humans and creatures learn how to coexist and live together. They put aside their differences and work together to save life on earth. The book is a great resource for parents and educators to help young children learn about the biblical story and core Christian values. The vibrant, cartoon-like illustrations bring the biblical story to life and the sweet mouse character will appeal to young readers. A captivating and entertaining read for young-ones and adults alike, and a poignant and timely reminder of the importance of friendship, unity, and collaboration. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An endearing little mouse collaborates with humans and other creatures, to build an Ark and save life on earth. Purchase here

< Back Brandon Moore Bridget Kimble Learns Self Control Bridget Kimble is looking forward to her first day at EnMotion elementary school and cannot wait to meet lots of new friends. She travels to school by bus and meets her teacher, Ms Widget. Ms Widget explains the school rules and asks each student to introduce themselves. But, when it is Bridget’s turn to introduce herself, a boy interrupts her. Bridget is upset but Ms Widget steps in and allows the boy to introduce himself first. Bridget stays quiet and when the boy has finished talking, she calmly introduces herself. Later, Ms Widget explains why she stepped in and praises Bridget for demonstrating self-control. Rather than reacting to the boy, Bridget processed the situation and made a decision to control her emotions. Bridget Kimble Learns Self Control is an illustrated picture book by Brandon Moore about a little girl’s first day at elementary school and the big feelings that come with it. When an interaction in the classroom doesn’t go as planned, her teacher gently guides her through a lesson in self-control and kindness. Moore skilfully captures the emotional highs and lows of a first day at school, offering readers a realistic and relatable experience. The story will help children learn that it is okay to feel sad or upset when someone doesn’t follow the rules, and how to pause, breathe and respond calmly. The anime-style illustrations by Mick Edrick M. Marcellana are vibrant and expressive, perfectly capturing Bridget’s experience and emotions. The book not only helps young readers learn important life skills, it also introduces them to this striking and expressive art-form. With additional creative content at the end of the book, this is a great resource for budding comic book or anime artists. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A sweet and empowering first-day-at-school story that will help young children learn self-control and important life skills. Purchase here

< Back Eliana Miao The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story is a beautifully illustrated children's book that seamlessly blends storytelling with science education. Written by Eliana Miao and the Pen & Pipette team, and illustrated by Johanna Gousset, the book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of the gut microbiome through the adventures of an orange fuzzy searching for a home and a village of blue fuzzies rebuilding after a storm. The narrative is both heartwarming and accessible, using the metaphor of a village of fuzzies to represent the diverse community of microbes living inside our bodies. The story explores themes of inclusion, resilience, and the importance of diversity—both in communities and in our own microbiomes. When the orange fuzzy joins the blue fuzzies, they create a stronger, more vibrant village together, mirroring how a diverse microbiome supports better health. What sets this book apart is its ability to make complex scientific concepts understandable and engaging for children. The science section at the end explains how microbes help digest food, communicate with our bodies, and even influence our mood and immune system. The book encourages healthy habits, like eating colorful fruits and vegetables, to "feed your fuzzies" and keep your internal village thriving. The watercolor style illustrations are warm and cozy, adding character and charm to the story. The book also includes real-life science facts, reviewed by experts, making it both educational and accurate. Created by a nonprofit of high school students passionate about science and storytelling, The Brave Fuzzy is not only a delightful read but also a valuable resource for sparking curiosity about biology in young minds. Overall, the book is an excellent choice for parents, teachers, and anyone looking to inspire a love of science in children. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An entertaining and education book, that delivers an important message about inclusion and health in a way that is both memorable and fun. Purchase here

< Back Kim Adams Billy Be Kind: My BIG Feelings Billy Be Kind helps a young girl manage difficult emotions. A young girl named Olivia is sad that her best friend, Maya, is moving away. Olivia hugs Maya and begs her to stay, but Maya has to leave with her family. Olivia’s feelings grow and grow, until she ‘blows’. She stomps on the floor, throws things to the ground, and cries, cries and cries. A tiny mouse named Billy Be Kind plays a game with Olivia to help her name her feelings. Olivia describes feeling angry, worried, sad and bad, and acknowledges she screams and shouts to let the anger out. Billy helps Olivia to breathe, count and calm down. By naming her feelings, and taking time to breathe, Olivia learns how to understand and better manage her emotions. Billy encourages Olivia to write a letter to Maya, and to remember all the good times they had together. Billy Be Kind: My BIG Feelings by author Kim Adams is an illustrated picture book about a little mouse, Billy Be Kind, who helps a young girl named Olivia to name, express and manage her emotions. Olivia is distraught and angry when her best friend moves away, and Billy provides Olivia with a range of tools and techniques to cope with difficult emotions. The book is a valuable resource for parents, caregivers, or educators, to help young children recognise and manage their emotions in an accessible and age-appropriate way. Written in rhyme and complemented by bright and dynamic illustrations, the book is an engaging guide to emotional literacy. The book will encourage young children to recognise and acknowledge their emotions, and provides practical tools to help them cope through difficult times. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A valuable resource and an engaging guide to emotional literacy, with practical tools and techniques to help children cope with difficult emotions. Purchase here

< Back Susan and Matthew Downing Bradykin's Snowy Adventure Fun and frolics in the snow, with pup Bradykin and his siblings. Bradykin, a Coton de Tulear pup, and his siblings pack up their winter gear and set out on a fun-filled, snowy adventure. They travel to a mountainside retreat where the pups enjoy playing arcade games and pool in the games room, skiing and snowboarding down the snowy slopes, and eating fondue by the warmth of the open fire. One pup takes part in a snowboarding race, twisting and turning at speed down the snowy slopes, while his siblings watch and cheer him on. The pups explore the snow covered trails on their snowmobiles, and gather by an outdoor fire pit to tell stories. As the pups return to their mountain retreat, they remember the precious times spent with their siblings in the winter wonderland. Bradykin's Snowy Adventure, by authors Susan and Matthew Downing is a fun, action-packed picture book for younger readers, about a little Coton de Tulear pup named Bradykin, and his siblings. In this book, Bradykin travels with his siblings to a mountainside retreat, where the pups have fun and frolics in the winter wonderland. This is a charming book, with an adorable group of canine characters, who enjoy adventures and spending time together. There is a core message of family, friendship and togetherness throughout the book. The vibrant illustrations by Chris and Maria Young bring the pups’ personalities and the snowy landscapes to life perfectly. Children who enjoy animal characters, thrilling adventures, and snow sports, will love this book. An excellent choice for a cozy, snowy day, by the fire. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun-filled, family adventure in the snow, with a bunch of charming and adorable pups. Purchase here

< Back Scott Smallwood Be Like Greg Be Like Greg is a heartfelt children’s book written by Scott Smallwood and beautifully illustrated by LemonGrenade Creative. The book is inspired by Greg Bisdorf from Hamilton, Ohio, a local hero known for his generosity and willingness to help others. The story follows Monkey and Goose, two rescue dogs who live with their family in Hamilton. The narrative is simple yet powerful, making it accessible and engaging for young readers. The story begins with Monkey and Goose noticing the positive impact their friends have on the community. Inspired by Greg, they set out to join him in his good deeds. Through a series of small but meaningful acts, such as planting flowers in the park, picking up litter, and helping a friend find her lost baseball glove, Monkey and Goose learn the value of teamwork, empathy, and community involvement. Greg Bisdorf is portrayed not just as a character, but as a role model whose actions ripple through the community, motivating others to follow his lead. The recurring phrase, “Be like Greg,” serves as both a tribute and a call to action for readers of all ages. The illustrations are vibrant and inviting, capturing the characters personalities and their joy of helping others. The book’s message is reinforced by the author’s personal dedication and the illustrator’s commitment to community values, making it a genuine and uplifting read. Overall, Be Like Greg is a gentle reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. It encourages children (and adults) to look for ways to help those around them, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility. This book would be a wonderful addition to any home, classroom, or library seeking to inspire the next generation of community-minded citizens. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A touching and uplifting story that will inspire readers of all ages to support their community. Purchase here

< Back Kate Powers Pip the Plover and the Dune Grass Path Pip the Plover and the Dune Grass Path is an illustrated picture book by author Kate Powers about a young piping plover, named Pip. After Pip hatches in a nest on the sand dunes, he learns essential survival skills from his mom, such as staying low and still to camouflage himself from potential dangers like human feet. But, when a group of children playing on the beach accidentally disturb the roped-off nesting area, Pip is in danger. One girl notices the warning sign and educates the other children, leading them to repair the boundary and ensure the birds' safety. Pip's journey from the nest to the shore teaches children about navigating a big, new world and overcoming fear with guidance and support. The story was inspired by the real piping plovers that nest near the authors beach cottage in New England. The book gently introduces the concept of sharing natural spaces and the simple ways humans can help protect endangered species. The story highlights the importance of kindness and empathy, and how thoughtful actions can help to protect vulnerable wildlife. There are further resources at the end of the book, including facts about real piping plovers, explaining why they are threatened or endangered and providing actionable steps for families and children to become "Beach Heroes". The charming illustrations by Abigail Powers, feature earth-toned artwork that brings the coastal world to life. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A heart-warming read-aloud picture book about the importance of empathy, shared spaces, and caring for the natural world. Purchase here