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< Back Dee Hale A Girls Only Club - No Boys Allowed! Holly and friends build a clubhouse just for girls. Friends, Anna, Kim, and Holly are having a sleep-over at Holly’s house. But it has been a long summer, and the girls struggle to think of something new and fun to do next. When the girls find Holly’s dad stacking old boxes in the garage, they have an idea. They want to do something fun without interference from Holly’s annoying little brother, Robbie. They decide to build a castle clubhouse from the old boxes in the garden, and paint a big sign that says, “No boys allowed!” Robbie doesn’t like tea parties anyway, so he doesn’t mind. The girls settle into the clubhouse and Robbie races around the garden on his bike, every time he gets a little closer to the clubhouse. But Robbie soon gets bored on his own, and he starts to pester the girls. They tell Robbie to go away, “No boys allowed!” So, Robbie has an idea. He builds his own clubhouse out of blocks. But when Robbie delivers tasty treats to the girls, they soon realise that it is much more fun when everyone can join in and play together. A Girls Only Club -No Boys Allowed! is a cute and charming picture book by Dee Hale about a group of girls who build a girls-only clubhouse. The girls need their own space to do the things that girls like to do, but they soon realise it is more fun when everyone is included. Both boys and girls will enjoy this picture book. Whilst it is important that girls (and boys!) have their own time and space, the book encourages children to be kind to others, especially the opposite sex! The illustrations by Remesh Ram are bright and colorful and capture the fun and mischief of children playing perfectly Star rating: 5 Stars. Summary : A fun, cute and charming take on the girls v' boys scenario, highlighting the importance of kindness, collaboration and inclusion. Purchase here

< Back Jennifer Welborn Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals Dr. Rosie finds alternative treatments for her animal friends. Rosie loves to help animals, just like her mom. She asks lots of questions as her mom treats and cares for the animals in her veterinary practice. She watches her mom treat a puppy with a cut on his ear, and then Rosie decides to go out and help real live animals. She uses her new skills to treat a rabbit with a poorly ear, a pig with a swollen tummy, a giraffe with a sore throat, an elephant with a stuffy nose, an ostrich with an injured knee, a crocodile with a painful tooth, an octopus with a bump on his head, a beluga whale with a nasty rash, a polar bear with a fever, and an owl with an allergy. Rosie uses natural remedies, including gel from the aloe plant, honey, salt water, a cold compress, and rest and water. But most importantly, she offers lots of kisses and cuddles! Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals by author Jennifer Welborn is a children’s picture book about a little girl who loves animals and wants to help care for them and make them better. This is a cute, engaging and funny picture book that will appeal to younger readers who love animals and nature. The book explores a range of animal symptoms, diagnoses, and natural treatments, informed by real-life veterinarians and scientists. The book will help children learn about different animals, their symptoms and natural remedy treatments. It will encourage children to show empathy towards animals and could inspire them to get involved in animal health and welfare, for example as a veterinary surgeon, nurse, or volunteer. I particularly like that the book focuses on natural remedies and could help to support further discussions about alternative treatments, for both humans and animals. I enjoyed the colourful illustrations by Rozillia MH and the diversity of the characters represented. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A cute, engaging and funny picture book for younger readers who love animals and nature. Purchase here

< Back Charlene McIver Squishy Sand Three friends invent a new monster wheelchair buggy and enjoy a fun filled day at the beach, from author Charlene McIver Leigh wants to play on the beach with his friends Cosmo and Tara, but the beach is inaccessible for his wheelchair. The friends think of lots of different ways to enable Leigh to enjoy the beach – such as getting the dogs to pull the wheelchair across the sand like a sled, adapting the wheelchair so it glides across the sand. But it’s no use, nothing works! Until Cosmo finds some discarded tyres and they transform the wheelchair into a monster dune-buggy. The friends take it in turns to whiz down the boat ramp in the new wheelchair buggy. They speed across the squishy sand and splash through the waves, enjoying the beach and sun. A fun-filled, perfect day out, where everyone is equal, and everyone is included. This is a sweet story about a group of friends spending time together and having fun at the beach. Despite the inaccessibility of the beach to wheelchairs, it doesn’t hold them back from having fun. The friends find a fun and creative solution to ensure all three can enjoy the sand and shore together. This book highlights some of the challenges faced by wheelchair users, reinforcing the importance of kindness, empathy, and compassion. But it is not primarily a book about disability, it’s a book about courage and true friendships. A fun-filled book which captures the essence of friendship, and beautifully illustrated by Caroline Keys. It was a joy to read, and we can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A sweet story about a group of friends spending time together and having fun at the beach. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

Book Reviews: Age 3 to 7 Sara Patricia Kelly 4 a.m. Raspberry Party: Childhood Poems Susan and Matthew Downing Bradykin's Snowy Adventure Susan and Megan Downing Bradykin Unleashed: A Summer Camp Adventure Michael and Nicole Collazo Cozy Critters on the Ark Karen B. Shea A Bug-Lightful Discovery Miranda Thomas Five More Minutes Sweet P Trevor Crafts, Aaron Burakoff The Apple That Fell Far From the Tree R.G. de Rouen Books For Benjamin Kim Adams Billy Be Kind: My BIG Feelings Jacqueline Crann Being Different Is The New Cool Allison Hill Lolly the Left Out Lobster Amelie Patel and Harriet Hessam Saachi the Angel LOAD MORE

< Back Ashley Wall The Day I Had a Dinosaur Luke and his friends have the best-osaurus day ever. Luke is playing in the garden with his dog, Bobo, when the ground starts to shake. He spins around and finds a real-life Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) in his garden. Luke and the T-Rex become instant buddies. But when the ground starts to rumble, Luke discovers his friend, Noah, riding a Brachiosaurus. Luke and Noah take their new dinosaur pals to the park, but the dinosaurs are way too big to enjoy the playground. So, they make their own playground instead, climbing up and sliding down their new dinosaur friends. They hear a roar, and their friends Emma and Mikey join in the fun riding their own dinosaurs, a Triceratops and a Pterodactyl. The friends decide to play hide and seek in the park, and soon realise it is not so easy to hide a dinosaur! They play fetch with the dinosaurs, using dinosaur sized tree stumps instead of sticks, they play basketball and baseball, and they even take part in a little dino-yoga – adapting each activity to make sure even the biggest dinosaurs can take part. The Day I Had a Dinosaur is an illustrated picture by author Ashley Wall about a young boy and his friends, who meet a bunch of dinosaurs and have the best-osaurus day ever, playing in the park. This is a delightful and fun picture book, featuring some of the most popular and famous dinosaurs in the dinosaur family. The illustrations are bright and playful, and the characters are charming. I liked the diversity of the characters and the adaptation of the activities, so all dinosaurs could take part. Perfect for young children who love dinosaurs and enjoy imaginative storytelling. Young people love dinosaurs, and they will laugh out loud at this dinosaur filled playground adventure. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A laugh-out-loud, fun-filled playground adventure, with a dino-sized twist. Purchase here

< Back Joe Ciccarelli When You Meet a Hangry Howard Meet a Hangry Howard, by author Joe Ciccarelli Have you ever felt angry and irritable as a result of hunger? Have you ever seen someone snap if they skip breakfast? Or, become bad tempered if they miss out on lunch? I’m sure you have, as it’s quite common for people to experience some irritability when they have not eaten in a while. That sudden, irrational rage when we are hungry is often referred to as "hangry" (a combination of "hunger" and "anger"). So, what do you do when you meet a Hangry Howard? How would you satisfy his hunger, and tame his temper? You could bake a delicious cake, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You could cook a three-course dinner, but I wouldn’t advise it. You could even provide a menu of scrumptious options, but that might not be the best solution. When it comes to Hangry Howards, only the fastest foods will do. Whether it’s beef stew, or cheese fondue; handmade strudel or homemade noodles; you better feed him, and feed him quick! When You Meet a Hangry Howard is a fun and entertaining picture book by Joe Ciccarelli, about the common phenomenon of feeling angry when you have not eaten. Written in verse, with lots of fabulous, tongue twisting rhymes, this is a fun book to read out aloud. Young children will laugh out loud at all the Hangry Howards, and may even recognise themselves too! There are some unusual foods listed that might not be familiar to younger readers, but there is a useful glossary at the end of the book to prompt further discussions. The cartoon like illustrations by Gary Ciccarelli are superb. Vibrant, eye catching and amusing, they capture the story and humour perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, fast-food filled book, for foodies 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 Marta Almansa Esteva Nurse Bear Does First Aid Nurse Bear Does First Aid is a super sweet picture book, with a great introduction to healthcare and first aid for younger children, from debut author Marta Almansa Esteva. 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 Donna Wyland 'Twas the Night Before Jesus A rhyming celebration of the true essence of Christmas. ‘Twas the night before Jesus and all through the land, lived people not knowing that God would be man. 'Twas the Night Before Jesus is a skilfully crafted rhyming picture book, based on the famous festive poem by Clement Clarke Moore. Wyland refreshes the classic Christmas verse, to tell the story of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The book provides a great introduction to the life of Jesus Christ and is accessible for readers of all ages. It begins prior to Christ’s birth and follows his journey from Bethlehem, to Egypt and Nazareth. It ends with a modern-day scene of a family sitting by the fire and sharing a book on Christmas Eve. “Happy Birthday to Jesus!’ and to all a good night.” Written in rhyme, with delightful and funny illustrations by Courtney Smith, this book will captivate both children and adults. I particularly enjoyed the charming, cartoon-like illustrations, and the characterisation of the animals and the baby Jesus. Inspired by the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem, Twas the night before Christmas, the book pays homage to the timeless original while reminding readers of the true meaning of Christmas. The book follows a similar rhythm and meter to the original poem, and readers will enjoy reading / singing this aloud. It has a comforting familiarity, while offering a biblical perspective on the original poem. Overall, the book beautifully captures the magic and wonder of the festive season, while reminding readers of the true meaning of Christmas. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A perfect bedtime story to share with younger readers on Christmas Eve. 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 Charlene McIver Medieval Mashup Leigh, Cosmo, and Tara are back for another fun adventure, from author Charlene McIver Three friends, Leigh, Cosmo, and Tara are planning their medieval costumes for the school fair. Cosmo wants to dress up as Robin Hood, and Tara is planning to dress up as Maid Marion. Leigh wants to dress up as knight in shining armour, but is worried it will be too heavy in his wheelchair and he might look silly. The friends joke and make silly suggestions for his costume, using a cardboard box, a plastic barrel, and pieces of wood. Fed up with all the jokes, Leigh confides in his friends that every day he looks different and all he wants is to look brave and strong. Tara and Cosmo reassure him, but question why he can’t be brave and strong, and also funny. So, Leigh decides to do something a little bit different, and to mash-up costume ideas to show his full personality. The friends join in the fun and three new medieval mash-up costumes are created. This book is the second instalment in the ‘Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures’ series, and it follows on from the first nice book nicely. Although, one doesn’t have to read the first book to enjoy the second. In the second book we see further development of the characters and their relationships. We learn a little bit more about Leigh’s personality, his worries, and anxieties. We also see the kindness and compassion of Cosmo and Tara, and whilst they like to joke and have fun, they are also very aware and sensitive to Leigh’s feelings. Another fun-filled instalment from McIver, with an important message of friendship and inclusion. With beautiful pastel illustrations by Caroline Keys, reminiscent of a time-gone-by. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A charming book about a young boy who just wants to fit in. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Cheryl Johnson Creatures of the Rainforest A guidebook about the rainforest, for young explorers. Creatures of the Rainforest is a reference book about the rainforest and the different creatures that live there. The book explores types of organisms in the animal kingdom, where they live, how they look, and how they act. It also includes valuable information about how readers can learn about these creatures, through observation and investigation. It includes lots of fun facts – did you know there are over 430 different kinds of mammals and over 2.5 million different insect species in the rainforest? Featuring some well-known species as well as some lesser well-known species, the book explains the importance of the rainforest and how it impacts on the entire planet. With lots of resources, including a biologist reference sheet, nature notes and fun facts about different species, and access to a free online activity pack, the book will encourage young readers to continue their discovery of nature and biology. On completion of the book, readers are awarded a ‘Junior Rainforest Biologist’ certificate. Creatures of the Rainforest by author and photographer Cheryl Johnson is an educational and entertaining guidebook for young readers. Well researched, full of interesting facts and figures, and sensational photography from Johnson, the book will appeal to anyone interested in nature, biology, and the rainforests. The book will increase awareness of the rainforest and the key issues affecting the rainforest and the creatures that live there. It will help to prompt further discussion and debate about environmental issues and conservation. Written in a simple and engaging way, with clean and clearly structured pages, this book is accessible for readers both young and old. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sensational portfolio of wildlife photography, with fascinating facts about the rainforest, this book will entertain readers for hours. Purchase here