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< 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 Lori Rotter Best Chef in Town Best Chef in Town by Lori Rotter tells the tale of Chef Romi Rabbit, a confident and somewhat self-absorbed chef, and her hardworking sous chef, Sam. The story unfolds as Romi enters a high-stakes cooking competition, only to find herself unprepared and reliant on Sam’s quick thinking to save the day. The narrative is fast-paced and filled with rhyming verses that make it enjoyable to read aloud. Romi’s overconfidence and her initial disregard for Sam’s contributions set the stage for a humorous yet meaningful lesson about teamwork. The turning point comes when Sam, despite being overlooked, steps up to create a unique chocolate pasta dish that ultimately wins the competition. Romi’s eventual acknowledgment of Sam’s talent and her decision to share the spotlight add a heart-warming conclusion to the story. The illustrations by Vaughan Duck are vibrant and playful, and the expressive characters bring the story to life. Duck’s ability to capture the chaos of the kitchen and the tension of the competition adds humor to the story. The book also includes a fun recipe for chocolate pasta, encouraging readers to try cooking. This interactive element is a clever addition, making the book not just a story but an experience that families can enjoy together. A perfect choice for young readers who enjoy stories about food and cooking. It is sure to make them giggle and leave them feeling inspired. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful and engaging story about cooking, competition and the importance of teamwork. Purchase here

< Back Nadia Khan Zoey Wonders Why Zoey is proud to share her cultural heritage at her new school, by author Nadia Khan Five-year-old Zoey is starting school in September, but she is a little worried about the homework she has been set. The children have been asked to tell their family stories, and to share their culture and food with the class. Zoey is confused. Her parents are from India and Pakistan in South Asia, and Nigeria in Africa. Zoey was born in the United States, so she asks her mommy, What am I? Who am I? Zoey is confused and is worried she will not remember when she has to share her story with the class. When school starts, Zoey listens to the other children tell their family stories and is looking forward to tasting all the delicious food they have brought in to eat. She gets over-excited and disrupts the class, and the teacher sends a letter home to her parents. Her mommy talks to her, and explains the importance of staying calm and being kind. With a little help from her mommy, and her brothers Zaky and Max, Zoey prepares the food to share with her class, delicious samosas with aloo and rice. But, Zoey gets over-excited again and pushes her brother over to taste the food. The next day, its Zoey’s turn. She is proud to tell the story of her family, and shares her food with the class. Zoey Wonders Why by author Nadia Khan is a sweet story about a little girl who is daunted by starting school and sharing her family story with her class. She is proud of her rich cultural heritage, but it is complicated and confusing for a little girl to understand. As she learns more about her family history, she also learns about the importance of showing kindness to her friends and brothers. The book has several themes, ie, starting school, family culture and history, making and sharing food, relationships with brothers, behaviour at school. Overall, this is a lovely picture book, which will help younger children learn about different cultures and will encourage them to show kindness to others Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet picture book, with an important message about cultural diversity, and showing kindness to others. Purchase here

< Back Ashley Wall The Day I Had a Spaceship Luke and his friend Noah discover a real-life spaceship in Luke’s garden. Luke and Noah hop aboard and find their friends already inside. The friends are sent on an urgent mission to rescue a spaceball team that has crash landed on the Moon. They zoom to the Moon, experiencing zero gravity and the delights of space food. The pilot carefully manoeuvres the spaceship and lands safely on the Moon. The friends put on their spacesuits and explore the moon’s surface. They find a lunar rover and use it to try and locate the spaceball team. Will Luke and his friends find the spaceball team? Will the spaceball team make their tournament? And will Luke and his friends make it back home to Earth safely? The Day I had a Spaceship is a fun-filled, illustrated, picture book by author Ashley Wall, and part of the ‘The Day I Had…’ series. This book follows Luke and his friends as they find a spaceship and are sent on an intergalactic mission to rescue a stranded spaceball team. This is a playful tale, full of adventure, imagination, and a sprinkling of moon dust. The illustrations are full of energy, bringing to life space exploration, lunar landscapes and goofy alien creatures. With lots of fascinating facts and space insights, this book is perfect for curious learners, space enthusiasts and young explorers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun-filled, stellar adventure that will inspire young explorers and spaceball champs! Purchase here

< Back Joe Caruso In the Image of God - A Story of Identity and Value A fun, accessible and engaging book for younger children about Christian values, by Author Joe Caruso In the Image of God: A Story of Identity and Value by Joe Caruso is a beautiful children’s picture book filled with positive affirmations that will encourage young children to believe in themselves, just the way God does. The book will help children to understand they are unique, good, have spirit, speak the truth, are just, wise, creative, and have power and purpose. The book encourages children to show love for those who may doubt them, mock them, or hurt them, ‘With love you’ll deflate, all life’s hurt, hate and crime. With love change the world, one heart at a time.’ Beautifully written in rhyme, with charming illustrations by Alina Shabelnyk, this book is a fun, accessible and engaging way for younger children to learn about Christian values. It is a great resource for parents, carers and teachers and will help nurture kindness, compassion, confidence, and self-belief in young children. This is a wonderful, read together book and I imagine it will become a bedtime favourite, as young children will love to read aloud to ‘For you were made in the image of God. In the image of God, you were made,’ which is repeated throughout the book. The illustrations by Alina Shabelnyk are wonderful, and complement the positive messages in the book perfectly. We particularly enjoyed the diversity of the characters, and the wide range of activities presented, which will appeal to a wide and diverse audience. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Beautifully written in rhyme, with charming illustrations, this book will help nurture kindness, compassion, confidence, and self-belief in young children. Purchase here

< Back Brett Gunning & Stacy Padula On the Right Path: Book Two Jordan learns important life lessons at basketball camp, by authors Brett Gunning and Stacy Padula Jordan and his siblings are at basketball camp. Jordan is competitive, he wants to score the basket. He wants to win. But Jordan is so focused on the basket, he doesn’t see the opposition and he doesn’t see one of his teammates in a prime position to take the shot. He makes an error and loses the shot. Coach Pete takes the opportunity to remind Jordan and the rest of the team the importance of teamwork when playing basketball, and to always put the needs of the team before your own. Jordan listens carefully, and in the next game the team work more cohesively together and score many more baskets. Later that day, with Coach Pete’s advice still ringing in his ears, Jordan applies the same learning at the dinner table. This is a fabulous book to help instil the importance of teamwork in young children. It shows the power of basketball (and sport in general) to change peoples’ lives, through the development of teamworking skills and other core life skills. It also shows the great work that sport coaches do in developing and supporting young people through life. This book will appeal to boys and girls interested in basketball and other sporting activities, and would make a fantastic addition to any home or school library. We enjoyed the vibrant, detailed illustrations by Maddy Moore, and we particularly liked the diversity of images represented. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘More than basketball – this book shows the significant role that sport plays in developing and supporting young people through life. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Sarah Sparks The Messiest Monster on Mill Street Can Max escape from his huge pile of mess? Max is the messiest monster on Mill Street. He leaves paint on the walls, spills on the floor, crumbs in his fur, and dirt on his nose. Until one day the mess gets out of hand, and the dishes and pants, the socks, and clothes, topple onto Max and swallow him whole. Inside the gunky mess, fuzzy critters and creatures have started to grow. As Max kicks and cries, and tries to climb out of the mess, he promises to clean up if he ever gets out! Finally, he is free and true to his word, Max cleans up the mess, one task at a time. He tidies and scrubs and makes everything sparkly. He soon realises that cleaning is fun and turns it into a game. He promises never to let the house get so messy again, but he is still the messiest monster in the street. The Messiest Monster on Mill Street is an illustrated picture book by Sarah Sparks about a little monster, who can’t help but make a mess. He loves to have fun, and tidying up is not part of the game. Until one day, the mess gets too much and Max has to do something about it. He works hard to clean up and realises cleaning is not as tough as he thought. Max is an adorable character and young children will love to read his adventures, as he gets himself into a messy pickle. They will laugh out loud at the gunk and gloop he creates, and the tiny creatures that emerge from every surface. Parents will love this book; they will recognise the messy monster in their own children and hope (fingers crossed!) it will encourage their little ones to clean up their own mess at bedtime. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet and funny story about an adorable, but very messy little monster named Max. Purchase here

< Back Dr. Thomas Epperson Values Based Organizations: Aligning Culture and Strategy Book blurb... Why do Values Based Organizations matter? Organizational success today hinges on aligning values and culture—and companies that use this as a business strategy rise above the rest. InnerWill: The Five Practices of Values Based Organizations, the anticipated follow-up to InnerWill: The Five Practices of Values Based Leaders, is a transformative guide for aligning culture with strategy, ensuring all leaders and employees are united in purpose. This comprehensive framework highlights the Five Practices of Values Based Organizations, offering practical solutions for crafting strategy, strengthening culture, and uniting diverse leadership goals. Grounded in research and experience from industry leaders, this book is a catalyst for change, featuring real-world examples and in-depth stories. No matter the type or size of business, Values Based Organizations is a must-read for reinforcing your culture and revolutionizing your organization. Purchase here

< Back Gina S. Scheff Presidential Spirit: The True Story of an Airman Who Soared Above His Circumstances and the Woman Who Was the Wind Beneath His Wings Book blurb... Gina has no intention of marrying again following a disastrous divorce. She wants to focus on raising her son and building a career, not falling in love. But then she meets a spirited airman named David Scheff and everything changes. It doesn’t take long for him to convince her that marrying her soul mate might be a good idea after all. A member of the Air Force, David eventually becomes the flight chief for Air Force One, giving Gina the opportunity to shake hands with presidents William Jefferson Clinton and George W. Bush. It’s a great adventure! Still, once David retires from the military, they’re ready to enjoy a quieter life on a small farm in Ohio. Life has a way of throwing you off-course, though, and when David is diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Gina learns the true meaning of standing by her husband not only in health but in sickness too. As Gina struggles to not fall apart as they face one devastating let-down after another, David shows her how to have grace under pressure and that you don’t need actual wings or even a plane to fly above your circumstances. David always knew he had the spirit of an eagle. This story tells how Gina discovered just how right he was. Purchase here

< Back David James Escala's Wish (Tales of Valla) Book blurb... An action-adventure romantasy filled with intrigue, sharp banter, dangerous secrets, and real emotional stakes. Escala's Wish, the debut fantasy-romance novel by David James, launches the epic Tales from Valla series - where fey folklore, political tension, and forbidden love collide in a world shaped as much by choices as by power. In the realm of Valla, immortal courts trade in secrets, bargains, and influence. Escala is a mortal caught between forces far larger than herself - drawn into a conflict of shifting loyalties, hidden agendas, and a connection she never expected to feel. As alliances fracture and betrayals surface, she must navigate deadly intrigue, unfolding destiny, and a slow-burn romance built on trust, loyalty, and longing - not cliche tropes. This is a fresh, unique romantasy: no werewolves, no vampires, no 'bad boy' love interest, and no enemies-to-lovers arc. Instead, the romance is sweet, gradual, emotionally sincere, and reminiscent of classic fantasy love stories - an innocent slow burn that grows from shared trials and genuine connection. The heart of her journey is forged in action, resilience, found family, and moments of warmth and wit with the unlikely allies who choose to stand beside her. It's a tale of redemption, sacrifice, and love tested by impossible choices - where every decision carries a cost. Perfect for readers who love: * Fey / fae-inspired worlds rooted in folklore rather than heavy magic * Slow-burn romance with emotional depth and believable chemistry * Action-adventure fantasy with political tension and intrigue * Found family, loyalty, betrayal, and courageous choices * Banter and character-driven storytelling With its blend of adventure, political manoeuvring, and forbidden affection, Escala's Wish delivers a gripping romantasy where passion and peril walk hand in hand - and one mortal woman's choices could change everything. Step into Valla and discover how one wish sets an entire world in motion. 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 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