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Finding Winnie: The story of the real bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
When veterinarian Harry Colebourn spotted a bear on a train station platform on his way to fight in World War One, he felt compelled to take the bear with him. Winnie would go on an incredible journey from the green fields of Valcartier, Canada via Salisbury, England before finding a home at London Zoo where Winnie would meet Christopher Robin whose father was A. A. Milne…
Page Count: 56
Genre: Historical, non-fiction narrative Themes: True story, animals, friendship, war 'a word about books' says…"An absolutely delightful read. A book that will be treasured and lovingly adored by any fan of the wonderful Winnie-the-Pooh."
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Florette
Mae loved living in the countryside with its “winding paths and leafy cubbies”. But she has had to move to the city and now lives amongst the tall buildings and the busy streets. Life in the city is different, surrounded by a concrete jungle there is little room for flowers and trees and plants and there are definitely none of nature’s treasures for Mae to collect for her special jar. Can Mae find a way to bring a garden to her new home...
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Life lesson, environment, nature, resilience, family 'a word about books' says…"A blooming marvellous story of a child in love with nature and a positive reminder that even in the concrete jungle there is space for nature to thrive."
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The Girl and the Dinosaur
Marianne loves spending time at the beach but not to build sandcastles. She spends her days down at the beach digging for bones. Bones to create a dinosaur. And when she falls asleep she wishes that her dinosaur will come to life and whisk her away on magical adventures…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Dreams, friendship, magic 'a word about books' says…”A book to unlock the door to imagination and to send readers off to sleep with a head full of dreams and endless possibilities.”
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The Girls
Under an apple tree, four of the very best friends meet. The tree was the perfect place to laugh and to cry and to share secrets, dreams, worries and schemes. The seeds had been sown for a friendship that would last a lifetime. As the girls became women and began to lead their own lives they would always have their friendship to keep them close together…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Friendship, growing-up 'a word about books' says…”Ace’s words and Løvlie’s charming illustrations make for a read that is overflowing with kindness, compassion and the joys of friendships that last a lifetime."
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The Goody
Chirton Krauss was the perfect child. He did everything he was asked, he even did things - only good things - that he had not been asked. He was so good, he even ate his broccoli which was something he didn’t like at all. His sister Myrtle was quite the opposite, she was bad, very very bad. Chirton was rather fed up with the whole situation. And that is when Chirton had his most goodest thought yet, “What is so good about being a Goody?”…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Humour, family 'a word about books' says…”A fun and engaging read. Child has created a very clever picture book that explores family dynamics and the often unintended consequences of child labelling."
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The Greatest Mistakes That Went Right
It would be awesome if everything we tried worked out right but often this is not the case. Mistakes happen, things go wrong and we can be left feeling frustrated. However, this doesn’t mean that we should stop trying because every so often something incredible happens. Colours and fruits, traffic lights and toys, medicines and medical devices, all began with a little slip-up…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Everyday life, true story 'a word about books' says…"Mistakes and mishaps reign supreme in this lively and engaging non-fiction narrative. Not only is it a great deal of fun, it is educational and delivers a fantastic message that will encourage children to give things a go and to celebrate their mistakes."
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Greta and the Giants
Greta lives in the forest with the animals. She strokes the foxes and holds the birds and is at one with nature. When the Giants come and start destroying the forest, the animals have only one person to turn to, Greta. But how can someone so small stop people so big? Can Greta and her plan change the ways of the Giants…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Environment, nature, politics, human rights, life story 'a word about books' says…"If this book inspires future generations to make positive environmental changes and join in with championing Greta Thunberg’s message then that can only be a good thing."
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Hansel & Gretel
Hansel and Gretel are causing trouble in the forest. They are eating Willow the witch's house, ruining a dinner, meddling in magic and playing with potions. Willow must stop the madness and the children are in for a surprise because sometimes even a good witch can be bad...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fairy-tale Themes: Adventure, humour, food, magic 'a word about books' says…”Bethan Woollvin has created a laugh-out-loud story and her re-telling of the traditional tale is a resounding success. Dark, delicious and absolutely delightful."
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Harry The Dirty Dog
It’s bath day for Harry, which is a problem as he hates baths. So there’s only one thing for it…hide the scrubbing brush and run away. Harry has a great day getting up to all sorts of mischief…getting dirtier and dirtier. But when Harry returns home his family don’t recognise him…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals, family 'a word about books' says…”A feel good story about a loveable dog. Readers will delight in Harry’s misadventures and antics as he goes from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots.”
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Hello Lighthouse
In the middle of the ocean on the highest rock stands a lighthouse. The job of the lighthouse is never-ending, sending its light out to sea and guiding the passing ships on their way. Inside the lighthouse lives the lighthouse keeper whose work is also never-ending. He cleans, he tends, he writes and he waits. Seasons come and go but the work of the lighthouse keeper is never done. But one day everything changes and the lighthouse keeper will have to find a new home…
Page Count: 48
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, seaside, historical 'a word about books' says…"Sophie Blackall tells an exquisite story. It is a wonderful tribute to lighthouse keepers and a book that shines as bright as the lighthouse that it is written about."
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Here We Are
Welcome to earth, and as Jeffers writes, “Make sure you look after it, as it’s all we’ve got.” For a little person the world can seem like a very big place. Get ready for a quick guided tour of earth and the incredible world in which we live…
Page Count: 48
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, inclusive, nature, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…"Packed with beautiful illustrations and facts. I have no doubt that it will leave the reader curious to find out more about certain things. This is a perfect introduction to earth.”
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How to Make Friends with a Ghost
Have you ever been visited by a ghost? If you have then you might be interested to know that it may have just wanted a friend. If you are visited by a friendly ghost it is important to be prepared as they have some very specific needs. Look after them and they will be the perfect friend…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Ghosts, humour, friendship 'a word about books' says…"I love this book, it makes the supernatural and often scary subject of ghosts friendly and funny and is absolutely delightful. A perfect read for the Halloween season that will have every child wishing for a friendly ghost in their life to look after."
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I Am Every Good Thing
There is a young black boy. He epitomises goodness and kindness. He is a scholar and a gentleman. He is polite and helpful. He is happy, he is funny and he is friendly. He is creative, he has questions, he has answers, he is keen to learn and grow. He gazes into his future, a future in which he sees big plans. He suffers setbacks but he gets back up. He will be successful. He loves his family and there is no doubt that he deserves to be loved…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Politics, human rights, personal & social issues, family, identity, BAME, diversity 'a word about books' says…”Black children need to see themselves represented in picture books and this one is superb. Will empower black children everywhere."
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I Want My Hat Back
Bear has lost his hat. So he sets out to speak to the other animals. Perhaps one of them might know something about its disappearance. Nope, no-one has seen it, not even rabbit. Or wait, is one of them lying? Maybe bear has seen his hat after all…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals 'a word about books' says…”Beautifully illustrated with a simple yet clever story. This is one of my favourite picture books, ever, and one that every child deserves to have access to. It is no exaggeration to say that Jon Klassen is a genius.”
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Iceberg
Spring time. Born from a glacier, something most beautiful…an iceberg. Over the next twelve months wildlife will come and go, witnessing it all, the iceberg which is rocked and pushed by the Antarctic winds. Slowly the iceberg is fading, slipping into the ocean, losing its battle to survive...
Page Count: 28
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Nature, environment, animals 'a word about books' says…"Iceberg is a masterpiece and is a book that I will be going back to time and time again to get lost in its powerful words and to immerse myself in the wonderful landscapes. Expect this book to be winning many awards in 2021."
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If You Go Down to the Woods Today
If you go down to the woods today you’re in for the most wonderful of surprises. Brown Bear Wood is teeming with nature and wildlife and there’s so much to see and do. There’s home-building to be done in spring, sport’s day fun in summer, campfires in autumn and feasts in winter. Join Bear on a magical journey into the woodland and through the seasons as he welcomes you into his home…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Poetry, interactive Themes: Animals, nature, friendship 'a word about books' says…”I cannot express how beautiful this book is. It is a completely magical read that is filled with friendship, fun and the wonder of nature."
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If You Miss Me
Wherever she is, Charlie loves to dance; pirouetting, gliding and sliding though life. Her favourite place to dance is under the moon with her grandma. When family tragedy tears Charlie’s world apart, she wonders if dancing will ever feel the same again. With the biggest show of the year approaching, she needs grandma more than ever. Will the words, ‘If you miss me, look at the moon,’ be enough for Charlie to find her dancing feet and to give the performance of her life…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, bereavement, grief, loss 'a word about books' says…”A tough subject is handled with so much care and sensitivity, Li Langrand offers comfort to readers who may be dealing with the sadness of losing a loved one."
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Iggy Peck, Architect
Iggy Peck loves to build. He has been building things since he was two and he will build using absolutely anything he can find. However, not everyone shares his passion for building and his grumpy second grade teacher looks to have kiboshed his budding building career. But when disaster strikes on a school trip, everyone looks to Iggy and his building talents to save the day...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: STEM, school, family, perseverance, rhyme 'a word about books' says…"Beaty and Roberts have done a great job in bringing the ‘cool’ to architecture. Children will be raiding fruit bowls and demanding pancakes for breakfast just so they have creative things to build with. I mean, who doesn’t want to build a pancake arch?"
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In My Mosque
The mosque is a place for everyone. From grandfathers who chant whilst thumbing their prayer beads to grandmothers who read lines from the Qur’an. From children who race around handing out prayer mats to the imam who tells stories of living peacefully together. Mosques are special places filled with friendship, community, togetherness and love and you are invited too…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Everyday life, religion, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…"A fabulous introduction to mosques and provides young children with the essential information about the second largest religion in the world."
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The Incredible Book Eating Boy
Henry is hungry for knowledge. So hungry in fact that he eats books. Because when he eats books he gets smarter. But when Henry eats too many books he has an almighty case of book-indigestion. Can Henry find a better way to learn from books…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Humour 'a word about books' says…”Reading is a joy that every child should experience. Whilst Henry finds a quick way to absorb knowledge, he discovers it is no substitute for the love and pleasure that can be found in a book.”
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Islandborn
Lola’s school is a wonderful mixture of children all from different places. They come from huge cities, small villages, places so hot that even the cactuses wilt and tropical jungles. Lola is from the island. When her teacher, Ms. Obi, asks the children to draw a picture of their home countries everyone is excited, everyone except Lola because she cannot remember the island she is from...
Page Count: 48
Genre: Everyday life Themes: BAME, diversity, differences, culture, family, friendship, identity, belonging 'a word about books' says…”A lovely picture book about celebrating who you are and where you are from and will no doubt leave many readers curious to find out more about their own family ancestry."
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It Might Be An Apple
A young child arrives home from school to find the most normal looking of objects on the kitchen table…a red apple. Or is it an apple? If it is not an apple what might it be? What it could be? What might it have been? What might happen to it? Join a boy and his wild, wacky and inventive train of thought as he tries to decide if in fact the object on his table is an apple...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Imagination, creativity, philosophy 'a word about books' says…”Brilliantly imaginative and imaginatively brilliant. Shinsuke Yoshitake is a unique talent and a superb creator of children’s picture books. It Might Be An Apple will delight and entertain readers both young and old."
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Izzy Gizmo
Izzy Gizmo loves inventing, the only problem is the things she invents seem to have a knack of malfunctioning. When Izzy finds an injured crow she wants to do something to help it, but inventing new wings is a tricky thing. Can Izzy’s new invention ‘take-off’?
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: STEM, family, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”Essential reading for any young child, particularly girls, who aspire to become inventors and/or engineers. Enjoyable, engaging and about the importance of never giving-up.”
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Last: The Story of a White Rhino
He used to live freely, roaming the plains with his mama. But then the poachers came, his mother was dead and he was taken in a box. Now his life is lonely and he feels as grey as the walls in which he is trapped. But someone is watching him, someone with the passion and power to take him back to where he belongs so he can roam freely in the place he calls home…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Animals, true story 'a word about books' says…”Nicola Davies never fails to deliver and this book has a message that should be roared and shouted from the rooftops. A must read for every child."
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Last Stop On Market Street
CJ longs for a world that is out of reach. A world of cars, and bikes, and technology. He doesn’t want to go to the soup kitchen in the dirty part of town. But CJ’s nana is determined to open CJ’s eyes and ears to the world he lives in and help him see the beauty that is surrounding him…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Inclusive, family, everyday life, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”A read to help children appreciate the smaller things in life. Celebrate what you have and don’t worry about what you don’t have. Beauty is everywhere if you open up your eyes.”
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