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< 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 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 Sara Patricia Kelly 4 a.m. Raspberry Party: Childhood Poems A collection of eleven sing-along poems by Sara Patricia Kelly. 4 a.m. Raspberry Party: Childhood Poems is a collection of eleven poems for young children, by author Sara Patricia Kelly, featuring four characters: Flossie Bossy, Jammy, Jumperlina and Cat. The delightful ‘What are the Bubbles?’ explores the wonder and magic of bubbles in different forms, Bubbles are moments, shiny and bright; adventures in childhood, a magical flight. ‘Recipe for a Green Pea Monster’, explores the joys (and mess!) of cooking for, and feeding, a little one. My favourite in this collection is the title of the book ‘4 a.m. Raspberry Party’, with its clever use of rhyme, repetition and alliteration, this is a joy to read. ‘My Sister is an Owl’ is a sweet poem, about a girl who is adjusting to the arrival of a new baby sister ‘Coochi coo,’ the grown-ups ooh around the baby bed. I was number one before; now she’s the star, instead. 4 a.m. Raspberry Party: Childhood is a beautifully written collection of poetry for younger readers. The poems are silly, fun and a joy to read aloud, each capturing precious moments of childhood. The poems are accompanied with sing-along melodies on the authors website. The author encourages readers to sing-along and record musical versions of the poems, and to share their creativity online. The variety of poems introduces young readers to different poetic forms and styles, which will help to develop language skills and an appreciation for poetry. It is a book that children and their parents or caregivers can enjoy and sing-along together, creating precious memories that will last a lifetime. The delicate, hand painted water colour illustrations by Ella Elviana are simply stunning. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A sensational, sweet, sing-along collection of poems, which celebrates the joy and innocence of childhood. A must-have for every child’s library or bookshelf. 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 Michelle Medlock Adams Dachshund Through the Snow Crosby saves Christmas, from author Michelle Medlock Adams 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 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 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

< 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

< Back H. R. Manske Doppy and the Runaway Balloons Will Doppy Dopperton retrieve his special balloons? Doppy Dopperton, a very happy Dop, lives in Dop Town. One day he hops to the town and buys three brightly coloured balloons, blue, yellow and red. But poor Doppy trips and falls and loses his grip on his special balloons. The balloons float up, up, up, and away, far out of reach. Doppy chases the balloons, but they are blown further away by a bird, sent down the river by a frog, and snatched by a bunny. But fear not, little Doppy, there are other interesting things to explore in the sky. Doppy and the Runaway Balloons by author H. R. Manske is a fun, entertaining and uplifting illustrated picture book about a little Doppy who has a magical, fun adventure with three balloons. But when he loses the balloons, he goes on a challenging journey to retrieve them. While he doesn’t catch his balloons, he does find something very special instead. It is a beautifully simple and inspiring picture book, that will help teach young children never to give up hope and never to dwell on things when they don’t go to plan. Written in rhyme, with lots of alliteration, this is a great read together book. Young children will love the cute little Doppy character, and the brightly coloured illustrations. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, entertaining and uplifting illustrated picture book about a cute little character and his love of balloons. 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 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 Michael Michie Pablo Avocado Can a little avocado take on the fashion world? Pablo Avocado comes from a long line of accomplished avocado’s. His father was a salsa dancer, his grandfather was a sailor, and his great grandfather was so beautiful that he didn’t have to work a day in his life. Pablo is a handsome young avocado, but he is feeling a little lost in life. He wants to make something of himself, but he doesn’t know what to do or where to start. He isn’t even sure whether he is a fruit or a vegetable! Pablo sneaks into his therapists office, hidden under his ‘cloak of secrecy’ so nobody sees him. He settles into the cozy therapists chair, and suddenly has an idea. He dreams of turning the store isles into a colourful catwalk. He dreams of creating fabulous outfits for his fruit friends. He dreams of becoming the next big fashion designer. But Pablo doesn’t want to waste any more time dreaming. He knows just what he needs to do, and the first thing is to get out of the therapists chair! Pablo Avocado by author Michael Michie is a fabulous and fun picture book for young readers about an eccentric little avocado who is feeling sad and a little lost in life. Pablo wants to make a name for himself, just like his father and his fathers’ father, so he visits a therapist to help him make a decision about his future. But Pablo doesn’t need the therapists help, he knows exactly what he wants to do and how he is going to do it! With a little bit of focus and a lot of self-belief, Pablo finally finds his purpose. This is a simple and entertaining way of helping young children to open up and talk through their problems. This is a cute and imaginative story, with lots of humor and plenty of word play to entertain both children and their care givers. Young children will enjoy this adorable character and will laugh out loud at his antics, for example as he hides under his cloak and loses his belly button stone. They will enjoy the colourful illustrations and the fruit and vegetable characters as they feature in various unexpected scenes. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fabulously fun and fruity picture book about a little avocado with a big dream. Purchase here