< Back Andrea Antico The Books That You'll Read with Leo the Lion, Your Library Guide Leo the Lion is a library guide, who will help young readers discover the wonder of stories and books. Leo takes readers on a tour of the library, and introduces readers to a wide range of books, children’s authors and their famous characters. Leo explains different types of books (including e-readers), how to borrow a book, and how to avoid a fine! He also helps children explore mobile library services (book bikes, bookmobiles). But there is much more to do in a library than borrowing books, children can also use laptops, find resources, use the space to do homework, and take part in activities, such as story time. The Books That You'll Read with Leo the Lion (Your Library Guide) is a cheerful and engaging picture book, written in rhyme, by Andrea Antico. This delightful book introduces young readers to Leo the Lion, a wise and gentle lion who serves as an informative library guide. If you ever wondered what happens inside a library, or just need a friendly face to show you around, look no further than Leo the Lion. The storytelling is engaging and informative, with illustrations that are bright and colourful. Leo is a loveable character who makes the library feel welcoming and exciting, especially for children who might be visiting the library for the first time. Perfect for pre-school readers, or prior to a first library visit, this book will help young readers develop a life-long love of reading. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun and friendly resource for young children, to help them navigate the wonder of libraries and discover the joy of books. Purchase here

< Back Jacqueline Priestly Life with a Tasmanian Devil Life with a Tasmanian Devil is a delightful children’s book by author Jacqueline Priestly that captures the chaos, humor, and love of parenting. Young Cam introduces his built-in best friend—a Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian devil has endless energy, which leads to messes, spills, and destruction. From stepping on Lego bricks to cleaning peanut butter off the walls, Cam’s journey with his wild companion is relatable to anyone who has experienced the unpredictable nature of parenting or caring for energetic children. The illustrations by Oana Gheorghe are filled with vibrant and playful artwork that perfectly complements the narrative. Priestly’s writing is engaging and rhythmic, making it perfect for young readers. The rhyming text flows smoothly, creating a fun and lively reading experience. The story is filled with humor, as readers are taken through the devil’s antics, from cereal flying like confetti to furniture being wrecked. Yet, amidst the chaos, Priestly weaves in a gentle lesson about finding creative solutions to challenges. Cam’s realization that his Tasmanian devil isn’t just destructive but needs help channelling his energy is a heart-warming moment that will resonate with parents and children alike. The inclusion of a fun quiz at the end of the book adds an educational element, allowing readers to learn more about the real-life animal that inspired the story. This interactive feature is a great way to keep young readers engaged and curious. Overall, the story is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of the challenges and joys of raising a child with boundless energy, cleverly personified as a Tasmanian devil. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Life with a Tasmanian Devil is a charming and relatable story that celebrates the ups and downs of parenting and childhood. 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 DoodleFina Adventure Press Beatrice and Her Razzmatazz Beatrice the bee finds her voice, by author Renee Hodges Beatrice is an unusual and quite extraordinary bee. While most bees are yellow, Beatrice is plaid, with black glitter and has glow in the dark paint sprayed on her wings. She likes to wear sneakers and play the trombone. The other bees laugh and make fun of Beatrice because she is different. But Beatrice doesn’t mind, because she believes she has razzamatazz. She likes being herself and she likes to be different. One little bee is curious about Beatrice and loves her pizzazz. She asks Beatrice, how she might find her own razzamatazz. Beatrice explains she already has razzamatazz, it’s within her. The little bee finds her own unique style and feels much better for being her true self. Soon, all the other bees are admiring their razzmatazz! Beatrice and Her Razzmatazz, by author Renee Hodges, is an illustrated children’s picture book, about a special bee, Beatrice, who is unique, creative and different from all the other bees. Beatrice is a fun, effervescent and self-confident bee, and her story will entertain young readers. The other bees tease her, but she ignores them and stays true to herself. She doesn’t follow the crowd and she doesn’t hide away. She is able to express herself in a way that she chooses. She celebrates her uniqueness, and she encourages another little bee to do the same. This is a fun and entertaining picture book for younger readers that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. It teaches readers about the importance of being true to yourself and living the life you want to live. It will help to develop confidence and self esteem in young readers, and encourage readers to express themselves, in whatever way they choose. These are good messages to instil in children at a young age. The book is a great resource for parents, carers and teachers to open up conversations with children about recognising, respecting and celebrating each other's differences. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun and entertaining picture book for younger readers that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. Purchase here

< Back Stacy Byous Tattle Tails Tattle Tails is a charming and insightful children's book that tackles the nuanced difference between tattling and telling, a topic often encountered in homes and classrooms. Written by Stacy Byous, and brought to life with Maddie Kimber's vibrant illustrations, the book offers both a delightful story and a practical guide for parents, educators, and children. The story centers on siblings Skylar and Brodie, whose playful mornings quickly devolve into a series of tattles over minor infractions—spilled milk, extra cookies, and unwashed hands. Their parents patiently explain the distinction between tattling (reporting minor misdeeds to get someone in trouble) and telling (alerting adults to genuine problems or dangers). The narrative is relatable, capturing the everyday squabbles and misunderstandings that children experience. The story introduces the Tattle Tail, a cute, stuffed animal designed to listen to children's small grievances. This clever device empowers children to express their feelings without escalating minor issues to adults, fostering emotional awareness and self-regulation. The book even includes a step-by-step guide for adults on how to introduce and use the Tattle Tail, making it a practical resource for families and classrooms. The story is peppered with real-life examples, making the lessons easy to grasp and apply. Tattle Tails serves as a gentle tool for teaching empathy, kindness, and healthy communication. The book encourages children to reflect on their actions and consider the feelings of others, while also reassuring them that it's always right to seek help when someone is hurt or in danger. The inclusion of discussion prompts and practice scenarios further enhances its educational value. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thoughtful, engaging, and practical book that addresses a common childhood challenge with creativity and compassion. Purchase here

< Back Julia Coldicott Just Being Fred A funny and charming picture book about diversity and inclusion, from author Julia Coldicott Frederick looks like a frog. He is green and slimy, has big bug-like eyes and can jump high in the sky. But more than anything in the world Frederick would like to be a duck. He feels like a duck on the inside, so why can’t he be a duck? Frederick’s frog friends disagree. They laugh at him and repeatedly tell him that he is a frog, and a frog he shall stay. Until one day, poor little Frederick, lonely and upset, talks to his mum and dad, and explains that he thinks he is a duck. His parents accept his desire to be a duck with open arms. “If you feel like a duck in your body, dear Fred, then a duck you shall be. It’s your life!” They both said. Brave Frederick returns to his friends beaming with confidence and tells them he will live as a duck just as he feels. Beautifully written by Coldicott, with sumptuous rhyme and repetition that younger will love. I imagine this book will be a bedtime favourite, as young children will love to shout aloud to ‘You’re a frog!’ ‘No, I’m not,’ ‘Yes, you are,’ which is repeated throughout the book. The illustrations by Lily Baron are adorable and funny. Young children will giggle at Frederick in some silly situations, and his many attempts to swim and fly like a duck. This is a sweet and charming picture book with an important message about equality, diversity, and inclusion. It will help children to understand the importance of self-acceptance, and of accepting others just the way they are. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A sweet and charming picture book, with an important message about equality, diversity, and inclusion. We loved it. Everyone needs to be more like Fred! A SILVER WINNER and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Charlene McIver Off to School in my Wheelie Chair Leigh’s fun journey to school in his super wheelie chair. Leigh is off to school in his super wheelie chair. With his four wheels, he zooms down the path, being careful not to ride over any bumps or cracks in the path. He splashes through puddles and tests his strength by spinning his wheels to the top of a hill, before cruising down the other side to reach his school. He scoots through the school gate and up the ramp, before arriving safely in his class. Leigh meets his friends, and settles down in class, where he is ready, willing, and ABLE to learn. Off to School in my Wheelie Chair is an illustrated picture book by author Charlene McIver, about Leigh and his adventures in his super wheelie chair. The book follows Leigh’s journey to school one day, as he splashes through puddles, avoids obstacles, climes a strenuous hill and freewheels down the other side in his wheelchair. The book is a positive story about a little boy who doesn’t let his wheelchair get in the way of his life or his learning. His journey to school in his wheelchair is a fun, enjoyable experience, albeit sometimes challenging. He is happy, confident, and included at school, he understands his strengths and he is ready, willing, and ABLE to learn. Leigh’s wheelchair is not a hinderance, but used as a tool to maintain independence. The book will help children who might be in a wheelchair, prepare for their first day at school. It will help other children understand other peoples’ differences and abilities. Beautifully written in rhyme, with charming illustrations by Winendra Adi, the book delivers an important message of acceptance, inclusion, and friendship. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful picture book about a remarkable young boy with a super wheelie chair and an infectious sense of fun and adventure. Purchase here

< Back Phyllis Harris The Gift Shop Bear A bear is for life, not just for Christmas! For most of the year, the little gift shop bear lives inside a box, in a dusty attic, above the gift shop. Once a year, at Christmas time, Annie takes him out of the box, to join in the Christmas festivities in the shop. Annie and the Bear fill the shop with fun and laughter, they help decorate the shop, drink lots of cocoa and listen to the Christmas carol singers. All the children that visit the shop want to take the bear home, but this special little bear is not for sale. He takes pride of place underneath the Christmas tree in the shop window. But, on Christmas Eve, the bear overhears a conversation that the gift shop is closing, and the bear is worried he might never see Christmas, or Annie, again. But the bear receives the most wonderful Christmas gift, as he finds a new home where he belongs and can be loved and cuddled, all year round. The Gift Shop Bear by author Phyllis Harris is a charming picture book for younger children about a little bear and his friendship with a little girl, Annie. The book will delight younger children, who will relate to the story, as they experience the joy of unpacking their favourite Christmas toys every year, and the sadness when they are all packed away. Beautifully written and illustrated by Phyllis Harris, this is a sweet, sentimental and nostalgic story, and I expect it will become a future Christmas classic. This book is a wonderful festive treat and would make the perfect Christmas eve story or Christmas gift. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet, sentimental and nostalgic story, about a little bear and his friendship with a little girl. Beautifully written and illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Purchase here

< Back Donna Wyland Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts A collection of twelve well-known psalms, written in rhyme for younger readers. Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts is an illustrated picture book for younger readers with a beautiful collection of twelve psalms, all written in rhyme, by author Donna Wyland. The book contains a selection of well-known psalms (Psalms 1, 4, 8, 15, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 29, 32, and 33), each presented in rhyming verse which beautifully captures the essence of the original text, while being accessible and enjoyable for younger audiences. After each psalm, there is a prayer that younger readers can reflect on and apply to their own life. Expertly crafted by Wyland, the rhymes translate complex topics into simple, joyful, and lyrical rhymes. The rhymes will help younger children understand and remember each psalm. Courtney Smith’s vibrant illustrations bring the psalms to life beautifully, and allow young readers to connect with each message. Wyland’s creative use of rhyme, and Smith’s vivid illustrations, make this book accessible and engaging for young readers. This is a great introduction to the Book of Psalms, and a wonderful resource for any teacher, caregiver, or young student. The book will help engage children in spiritual conversations, and will encourage readers to study the original psalms, which are also included for reference at the end of the book. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: This joyful collection of psalms would make a great addition to any home, school, or church library. Purchase here

< Back Chef Seff Canter Cuisine: Shetland Soup Book blurb... Join four friends, Rose, Hazel, Iris, and Daisy, and learn to cook alongside them! Daisy is feeling a bit under the weather (very under the weather, actually) and so the normal cooking lesson is shelved so her friends can cook were a warm chicken and lemon soup to make her feel better. However, ambiguity in the recipe leads to various interpretations, requiring the intervention of Chef Marigold to sort matters out. In the end, the girls learn good lessons and Daisy gets a nice hot bowl of soup, which does indeed make her feel better. Then follow the included recipe to cook and enjoy your own Shetland Soup! Purchase here

< Back Angela Odusanya Amelia's Loose Part Art: A Night at the Campsite Amelia’s Loose Part Art by Angela Odusanya is a delightful children’s book that celebrates creativity, teamwork, and the boundless imagination of children. The story follows Amelia, a young artist with a knack for creating art using unconventional materials, referred to as “loose parts.” Her room is filled with an assortment of items like rocks, sticks, buttons, and fabric scraps, which she uses to bring her creative ideas to life. When Amelia goes camping with her cousin Jayce and Auntie Teya, she is initially disappointed to find the campsite playground missing. However, her aunt encourages her to see the world as her playground and use her creativity to build her own fun. This sparks Amelia’s imagination, and she and Jayce embark on a journey to create their own playground using the loose parts they find in nature. The story beautifully illustrates the power of creativity and teamwork. Amelia and Jayce work together to build a teeter-totter, a slide, and even a swing, using natural materials and their ingenuity. The narrative emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness and problem-solving, showing children that they can create something wonderful with what’s available to them. The book also highlights the value of collaboration, as Amelia and Jayce learn that working together makes their creations even better. The illustrations by Dileema Medonza are colorful, detailed, and full of life, capturing the joy and excitement of Amelia and Jayce’s adventures. A perfect read for families, educators, and anyone who wants to nurture a child’s love for play and exploration. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A heartwarming and inspiring book that encourages children to embrace their creativity, work together, and find joy in the simple things around them. Purchase here

< Back Anna Kutishcheva Jake and Nick's Spooky Fall A spooky tale, with a couple of adorable canine characters from author and illustrator Anna Kutishcheva An adorable picture book about two canine friends and their fun-filled adventures. Jake wants to play. He is happy, confident, and energetic. He wants to jump and frolic in the leaves with his friend Nick. But Nick isn’t in the mood to play today. He is tired and a little scared. He sees monsters everywhere! In the closet, under the bed, and behind the shower curtain. Nick has nowhere to hide! Jake is not afraid of monsters. He reassures his friend there are no monsters, it’s just his imagination. But the dogs need to be on guard. Someone or something is stealing their kibble! Is it just Nick’s imagination? Or do monsters really exist? The story and the fear of the unknown will resonate with young children. Those sudden movements, unusual objects or unexpected sounds can often create such anxiety in little people. The book will provide comfort to young children that it is perfectly okay to be a little scared sometimes, but that not everything is as it seems. Things that might at first appear scary are usually nothing to worry about at all. Young children will love the adorable canine characters and their fun-filled adventures. They will laugh at Nick’s attempts to run away and hide as they discover the real identity of the ‘monsters.’ Kutishcheva’s illustrations are delightful. The whimsical, watercolour style illustrations bring the story and the characters to life, and will engage readers of all ages. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A super cute book, about two canine friends and their fear of monsters. A FINALIST and highly recommended. Purchase here