< Back A.N. Stewart The Shotgun Shack Kitties: Bill Bailey, Please Come Home A group of kitties embark on a musical adventure like no other. A group of kitties live in a beautiful little shotgun shack in Gentilly, New Orleans, with their human, Eartha. One day, when Eartha is at work, a cat named Bill Bailey is playing outside when a butterfly lands on his nose. Bill Bailey follows the butterfly down the street and greets his neighbors, but none of them can understand him. He meets a couple of elder cats, who tell him they have a secret way to make all humans understand cats. They explain that the secret is in the power and language of music. The elders offer to teach Bill Bailey, and all the other kitties, how to play music. The kitties meet at the old oak tree and choose their musical instruments. When Eartha returns home, she is surprised to find all the kitties are gone. Sad and worried, Eartha goes out to search for the kitties and sings a song to bring them home. As she sings, she hears music and finds the shotgun shack kitties moving through the neighborhood in the tradition of a brass band parade, playing “Bill Bailey, Please Come Home.” The Shotgun Shack Kitties: Bill Bailey, Please Come Home is a delightful picture book by author A.N. Stewart about the adventures of Bill Bailey and other kitties who live in a little shotgun shack in Gentilly, New Orleans. Based on a real cat named Bill Bailey and other cats who live with the author in a shotgun house in New Orleans, the book features the song "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey" written by Hughie Cannon in 1902. This is a sweet and endearing picture book, which provides a great introduction to New Orleans and jazz music. With an adorable cast of feline characters, and set in glorious New Orleans, this book will enchant readers of all ages. The book will leave readers tapping their toes and humming along to the sweet sounds of jazz music. The colorful, vibrant illustrations by Virginia de Mahy bring the characters and the sights and sounds of New Orleans to life. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming tale of feline musicianship, set in the heart of New Orleans. Purchase here

< Back D Burton Smith Quoth the Raven Author D. Burton Smith offers a fascinating insight into the world of a young raven. Named after an Edgar Allan Poe poem, Quoth the North American raven lives high up in a nest on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the ocean. He is one of three chicks, and his mom and dad take good care of him and his siblings. They keep their nest fresh, clean, and tidy, and bring food for the chicks every day. Until he is two or three years old, and finds a partner of his own, Quoth joins a rowdy group of young ravens, called the unkindness of ravens. He enjoys dropping and catching objects from the sky, and he catches small animals, like mice, to eat. He likes shiny things, and often picks up objects that have been left by humans. One day, he meets a raven named Viola. After courting for many months, Quoth and Viola build a nest together and prepare for their own chicks. Quoth the Raven is a delightful and beautifully illustrated picture book by author D. Burton Smith, about the life of a North American raven, named Quoth. The book follows his journey from before he was born, his life as a chick and a young adolescent, until he meets a life partner of his own. Burton Smith describes the behaviours and habitat of this beautiful, and often misunderstood, bird. While often associated with death and illness, raven’s are one of the smartest birds in the world. They can use tools, play games, and mimic animal, bird, and even human sounds. Ravens can even recognise people and hold grudges against those who have wronged them! The illustrations by Paul Hock are stunning. Each page is a work of art, with vivid colours and intricate details that bring Quoth’s world to life. Written from the perspective of the raven, this is a charming story that will engage readers of all ages. While primarily aimed at children, the illustrations and story make it a pleasure to read for adults and children alike. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful and beautifully illustrated picture book, that will spark children’s curiosity about the natural world and this magnificent species. Purchase here

< Back Adalgisa and David Nico Fish in the Desert: The Untold Story of the Death Valley Pupfish Adele’s adventure in the wetlands of Death Valley. Adele is visiting the Death Valley National Park with her parents. Unfortunately, Adele was injured playing soccer and her leg is in a cast. As she explores the salt crusted floor of an ancient lake, Adele cannot imagine anything could live in the Death Valley. But, when she notices pupfish swimming in the lake, she is keen to learn how they survive in the hot and salty conditions. Aquatic Ecologist, Marjorie, explains how the Salt Creek Pupfish are scientifically important creatures that have adapted over many years to the hostile environment. Of all the sea life creatures that once lived in the ancient lakes, the pupfish are the only ones to survive. Marjorie shows Adele other pupfish habitats and learns more about the endemic pupfish, and the many subspecies that live in separate islands of water. But there is still lots to learn about these resilient creatures, like how they manage to survive in the deep water caverns. Fish in the Desert: The Untold Story of the Death Valley Pupfish is a fascinating tale about the endemic pupfish that live in the Death Valley. The story is told through a young girl named Adele who visits the park with her parents. As the family explore the park, they are fascinated by the pupfish who survive in the wetlands, against all odds. They learn all about their history and habitat, and how they have evolved over many years into a variety of subspecies. With lots of interesting facts and figures, and further resources to explore, this book will educate readers about these fascinating creatures and the Death Valley National Park. The illustrations by Andy Atkins bring the stunning landscapes and creatures to life beautifully. The book will appeal to young readers interested in the natural world and conservation. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An insightful and fascinating book about the resilient pupfish, who survive against all odds in the inhospitable Death Valley National Park. Purchase here

< Back Charly Froh The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship Two unlikely friends must work together to find their way home, by author Charly Froh In the Emerald Kingdom, there are two fantastical cities, separated by the Marble Mountain. On one side live the fiery dragons in Cloud City. On the other side, the magical unicorns live in Sparkle Land. The creatures that live in these cities are happy and content in their own wonderful worlds, and are not aware of each other’s existence. Until one day, a storm strikes the kingdom, and the creatures are carried away far from home. Lost, alone, and far from home, Dan, a fiery dragon from Cloud City, stumbles across a strange and unfamiliar creature. The creature is Fran, a magical unicorn from Sparkle Land. Curious of each other, but with no time to spare to make new friends, and too afraid to ask for help, the two creatures try to find their own way home. But poor Dan’s wing has been hurt in the storm and he cannot fly, and poor Fran’s hoof is injured, and she gets stuck in the ice. The pair know that their only option is to work together and help each other find the mountain. As Dan rescues Fran from the ice, and Fran heals Dans wound, the pair start their perilous journey towards home, and on an adventure through the sky, across the sea and over the ice. Will Dan and Fran ever make it home? And will the two new best friends ever see each other again? The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship is a super, engaging, and entertaining picture book by author Charly Froh. With two cute and loveable characters, a wonderful fantasy world, and positive messages about friendship, resilience and teamwork, this book will appeal to young children who love magic and adventure. With lots of lovely alliteration and repetition, and many humorous scenes, this book is a fun read for the whole family. I’m sure young readers will demand to read more about Dan and Fran, and I hope there will be more books in this series! The bright, digital illustrations by Zuzana Svobodová really capture the humour, and bring the characters and their personalities to life perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A super picture book with two loveable characters, a wonderful fantasy world, and positive messages about friendship, resilience, and teamwork. Purchase here

< Back Timothy Frazier Lauren The Cow A little cow with a big dream, by author Timothy Frazier Lauren, a Jersey cow, lives on a farm in the countryside. When she grows up, she wants to be a jumping cow. But cows don’t jump, her mum tells her. Undeterred, Lauren is determined to become a jumping cow. So, every day, Lauren trains very hard and climbs up and down the hill to make her legs stronger. Tim the Fox helps Lauren train, and she starts to jump over small obstacles, starting with a single blade of grass. As Lauren becomes more confident, she attempts to jump over a fence. But she is not quite ready, and crashes into the fence, headfirst. Lauren is sad, and doesn’t think she will ever become a jumping cow, but with a little help and encouragement from Tim, she picks herself up and starts training again. The other farm animals notice her training, and cheer her on. Little by little, Lauren gets stronger and stronger, and her jumps get higher and higher, until eventually she jumps high over the fence. But Lauren doesn’t stop there! What will she jump over next? And how high can she go? Lauren the Cow is a charming, illustrated picture book, by author Timothy Frazier, about a little cow with a big dream. Cows are not made for jumping, everyone tells her. But Lauren is strong, confident and determined. She doesn’t listen to those who tell her she can’t do it, and she trains hard to follow her dream. But Lauren knows she cannot achieve her dream on her own, and with a little help from her friend Tim and the other farmyard animals, Lauren does eventually succeed. She perseveres when others tell her it is not possible, and she keeps going despite setbacks. The book demonstrates that hard work pays off, and will help encourage young children to follow their dreams. It will help to develop confidence, strength and resilience in young readers. Lauren the Cow is a cute character, and the illustrations by Meritxell Andreu are delightful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming picture book, with an adorable little cow, that will help to develop confidence, strength and resilience in young readers. 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 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 Ruthie Godfrey Grandpa's Lessons on Fishing and Life Lessons for fishing and lessons for life, by author Ruthie Godfrey Author Ruthie Godfrey describes her love of fishing in this wonderful picture book for younger readers. With thirteen key lessons for any budding fishing enthusiast, which include: planning and preparation, listening and learning from your teacher or guide, using the right tools, prioritising safety, keeping going when things get tough, staying patient, changing tactics if needed, not reacting too quickly, taking chances when you can, only keeping what you need, capturing memories, looking after equipment, and sharing wealth. These lessons will not only help youngsters preparing for a fishing expedition, but they will also help them prepare for other activities, or challenges they might experience in other areas of life. This is a wonderful picture book for younger children by author Ruthie Godfrey, which captures the joy of fishing in a simple, fun, and engaging way for young readers. Educational and entertaining, sweet and funny, this book was a joy to read. The watercolour style illustrations by Pable D’Alio are charming and funny. The special relationship between a boy and his grandfather, and the precious time they spend together fishing, is captured beautifully. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy fishing, and other outdoor adventures. It might also encourage those who have never tried fishing to give it a go. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful picture book about fishing and life, which is educational and entertaining, sweet and funny. A joy to read! Purchase here

< Back Jana L. Farris The Chicken on the Moon A little chick, dreams big. Little Chick was tiny on the day he was born, but he wanted to grow big and tall, so he ate all his corn. He dreams of travelling to outer space, but he is still too small. So, Chick studies hard, morning, noon, and night, and learns everything there is to know about space. One day, all of his hard work pays off when he is selected as an astronaut. But when they try to send him to the sun, Chick knows it is a bad idea, and he takes a detour to the moon instead! The Chicken on the Moon by author and illustrator Jana L. Farris is a fun, creative and quirky illustrated picture book for young children about a little chick who dreams of becoming an astronaut. The little chick is told he will never make it, but he never gives up hope and continues to follow his dream. The book will encourage young children to work hard and follow their dreams. If a little chick can do it, anyone can! This is a fun picture book, written in rhyme. Children will love the chicken characters and will laugh out loud at Chick’s amazing space adventure. The illustrations are cute, colourful, and quirky. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, creative and quirky illustrated picture book for young children about a little chick who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Purchase here

< Back Michelle Medlock Adams Dachshund Through the Snow 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 Marta Almansa Esteva Nurse Bear Does First Aid Nurse Bear Does First Aid is a sweet story of a cute little bear who cares for, and helps others when they are unwell. Nurse Bear and colleagues, such as Duck the Doctor, Tiger the Radiographer, Monkey the Dietician and Bunny the Physiotherapist care for and treat patients in different situations and healthcare settings. The book describes a range of ailments and medical treatments, tests, and tools, supporting the development of basic first aid language, knowledge, and skills. Children will learn how to recognise some of the signs and symptoms of illness, and how to respond calmly and with empathy (and of course with the help of a grown-up!). There is also space for parents to add the ambulance service number and home contact details, which will help children learn how to contact the emergency services should they ever need to. This book is a great resource for parents, carers, and teachers to start conversations with younger children about healthcare and first aid, whether in preparation for a hospital visit, or when caring for minor ailments at home. The cute, gender-neutral, animal characters are beautifully handmade by Esteva using modelling clay. The characters will appeal to younger aged children and could inspire them to get involved in nursing and healthcare. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A sweet picture book, with a set of adorable clay animal characters, helping children learn important and potentially lifesaving first aid skills. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Amy Landgraf Good Night, Sweet Peas Will Grammy and Grampy Pea ever get their little peas to bed? Five little and mischievous Sweet Peas have fun playing in the garden, swinging from the vines, rolling in the mud, building a fort and digging for bugs. As one excited little pea zooms around the garden, the other peas take chase and try to catch him. But as night falls, Grammy Pea calls time on the fun and the five little Sweet Peas must clean up all the mess they have created. Grampy Pea helps the little peas brush their teeth and Grammy Pea reads a bedtime story. As the peas squeeze into their pod, they drift off to sleep. But as the peas dream sweet dreams, they are suddenly wakened by a rather unpleasant smell! Good Night, Sweet Peas (A Rollie Pollie Pea Book) by debut author Amy Landgraf is a delightful and fun picture book for younger readers, about five cute but very mischievous, little peas. Landgraf has created a fun setting for a picture book series, and unique and adorable little pea characters: Brie, Lee, Tea, Capri and Rollie Pollie. This is a wonderful read-together book, that might encourage little ones to wash up, and settle down for a cosy bedtime story with their loved ones and caregivers. Beautifully written in rhyme, with bright and vibrant cartoon like illustrations, this book will become a bedtime favourite for children and adults alike. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun picture book, beautifully written in rhyme, with unique and adorable little pea characters. Purchase here