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The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors
Tired of beating their nearest rivals, three protagonists head out in search of the ultimate opponent. When they find each other there will be epic battles as brains, brawn and speed clash in a brutal fight. But who will come out on top. Will it be Rock, Paper or Scissors...
Page Count: 48
Genre: Humour Themes: Humour 'a word about books' says…”A riotously good read that is full of epic battles, trash-talking characters and epic battles. Illustrations are bold and bright and speech bubbles bring the protagonists to life and give them their own individual personalities."
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Like the Ocean We Rise
Our vast and beautiful planet is a thing of beauty with its green forests and blue oceans. But all is not well, our precious home is sick. Icecaps are melting, the air is polluted, seas are in peril, green spaces are disappearing, trees are being chopped down and extreme weather is leaving animals hungry, thirsty and homeless. The Earth needs your help and the time for action is now…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Rhyme, environment 'a word about books' says…”A wonderful introduction to climate change, the many problems the world faces and with plenty of practical tips. Kids will feel empowered to make a difference, to protest for change, to make their voices heard and to advocate for a cleaner and safer world."
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The Lion and the Mouse
When a mouse interrupts a lion’s sleep it looks like the mouse is staring death in the face. But the lion makes a life-saving decision and the mouse’s life is spared. And when the lion finds itself in desperate need, it is time for the mouse to repay her debt…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Fable Themes: Animals, myths, legends, friendship, life lesson 'a word about books' says…”An incredible wordless retelling of a classic fable. Friendship and gratitude play out through striking illustrations and delicate brushstrokes in a piece of storytelling that is a work of art.”
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Look Up!
Rocket loves looking up at the sky and dreams of being an astronaut like the first African-American woman in space, Mae Jemison. Today, Rocket is super excited as she is going to witness the Phoenix Meteor Shower. She plans on getting everyone in the neighbourhood to witness it too. But will people ‘Look Up’ or will the amazing sight pass by with no one there to see it…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Humour, science, space, family, life lesson, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”A wonderful read that should get children excited about space and the world around them. In a world where most of us spend too much time looking down, Rocket will get readers of all ages looking up and taking notice of the wonders found in the sky."
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Lubna and Pebble
Lubna’s best friend was a pebble. It was the middle of the night when Lubna first found her friend lying on the beach when she arrived at the strange new place covered in tents. Pebble was a great friend; it loved to listen, it always smiled and it gave Lubna courage when she felt scared. Lubna thought that she and Pebble would always be together but when a new boy shows up there is perhaps someone who needs Pebble more than she does…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Refugees, empathy, friendship 'a word about books' says…”A wonderfully simple picture book that provides the perfect platform for sharing the plight of refugees with young children."
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Madame Badobedah
Mabel lives at the Mermaid Hotel and likes nothing more than exploring the rugged coastline. One day, the most unusual guest arrives. She is old, rude, is wearing bright red lipstick and Mabel is convinced she is a supervillain who is on the run from the police. Time for Mabel to put her expert ‘spying’ skills into action and uncover the truth about Madame Badobedah...
Page Count: 56
Genre: Everyday life, adventure Themes: Seaside, friendship, family 'a word about books' says…”Sophie Dahl’s first book for children is beautiful. Her text is poetic and the soft watercolour illustrations by Lauren O’Hara are wonderful. In the hardback edition, the pages are thick and it just adds something extra to this already special book."
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Man on the Moon
Bob has a very special and unusual job…he is in charge of looking after the moon. He cleans and tidies it and entertains the tourists that visit it. Tourists are always keen to ask Bob about aliens and Bob has to tell them they don’t exist. If they did he would have seen them, right…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Space, aliens 'a word about books' says…”Man on the Moon is an out of this world story with space-tacular illustrations. Full of charm, warmth and some mischievous aliens this is a cracking introduction to science-fiction for younger readers.”
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Me and my Fear
When a young girl arrives in a new country she wants to fit in but is weighed down by her friend called Fear. The girl feels more isolated from the world as her Fear grows. Then one day she meets a boy and perhaps he can show her how to make her Fear just a little bit smaller…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Fear, friendship, immigration, moving home, personal & social issues, mental health 'a word about books' says…”A heartfelt story with important messages on fears and anxiety, and overcoming them."
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Meerkat Mail
Sunny lives in the Kalahari desert along with his family. They do everything together; work, play, eat and sleep. But life on the busy sand under the big blue sky has all become a bit much for Sunny and he sets off to visit his mongoose relatives to find a new home…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Animals, family, friendship 'a word about books' says…”Emily Gravett’s books are packed with creativity and imagination and always make for enjoyable reading. A must read for meerkat lovers.”
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Meet the Oceans
Oceans and seas make up much of the planet and provide a home for millions of different plants and animals. Look beneath the waves and there’s a rich world just waiting to be explored. From the chilly waters of the Arctic to tropical Caribbean Seas, the tourist hotspot of the Mediterranean to the shipping lanes of the South China Sea. It is time to dive in and meet the oceans…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Oceans, seaside, nature, environment, animals, geography 'a word about books' says…”Welcome to an underwater wonderland! Bursting with bite-sized chunks of information and dazzling fluorescent watery worlds, eyes will be popping on this terrific journey to nine of the world’s oceans and seas."
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The Midnight Fair
The fair is in town, bringing with it dazzling lights, sweet aromas and carnival music. It is not just the adults and children that are excited. Once darkness falls and the lights are turned off and everyone goes home, some unexpected visitors arrive for their turn. A pull of the lever and the ‘Midnight Fair’ is awakened from its slumber. It’s time for the woodland creatures to have fun…
Page Count: 48
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Animals, nature 'a word about books' says…”One hundred percent worth the admittance fee and a memorable night that children will want to experience time and time again. I know I’ll be going back soon."
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Milo Imagines the World
One Sunday a month, Milo and his sister take a long subway ride. While his sister occupies herself with her phone, Milo busies himself with his sketchbook, drawing the lives he imagines of those around him. But appearances do not always tell the whole story and when Milo reaches his stop he understands you cannot really know anyone just by looking at them…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, personal & social issues, diversity, BAME, feelings 'a word about books' says…”Thought-provoking and clever, this is an important book to explore with all children and to begin discussions around prison and its effects on families."
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The Misadventures of Frederick
When Emily spots a young boy watching her play from the window of his grand house she decides to invite him to play with her. But Frederick lives a sheltered life and his mind is full of mights and could's…he might break his collar bone, he could catch pneumonia or the hornets might sting him. Emily won’t be deterred but can she convince Frederick to come out to play…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Friendship, family, risk-taking, personal & social issues, mental health, nature 'a word about books' says…”Outdoors 1- 0 Inside. The beauty and enjoyment of playing outdoors definitely wins in this clever tale of a little risk-taking versus the comfort and safety of staying inside. Should help to settle the fears of any anxious children (and parents)!"
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Molly Rogers: Pirate Girl
Captain Firebeard and his rag-tag bunch of pirates love life aboard their ship the Horrible Haddock. They sail the high seas putting fear into everyone unfortunate enough to meet them. Boarding any ship they come across, they raid and they pillage, stealing everything from cooking equipment and silver to clothes and rum. But stealing Molly Rogers is a very big mistake...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Pirates, humour 'a word about books' says…”A great read full of pirate girl-power and one that pirate-loving children will thoroughly enjoy."
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My Butterfly Bouquet
When a little girl arrives home from hospital in the midst of winter she finds the garden outside her home is a blank canvas of white, devoid of colour. After a visit to a greenhouse packed with beautiful butterflies the girl and her family create their own garden in the hope of attracting butterflies in the coming months. Soon their lives are filled with colour and hope...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Animals, environment, family, illness, nature 'a word about books' says…”By the end of the book I was full of hope and positivity and had a great desire to go in search of my nearest butterfly garden. A beautiful book and a must read for any young nature lovers, particularly those with any interest in butterflies."
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My Name is not Refugee
When home is no longer safe, it is time to leave. It’s a long journey. It’ll be sad to leave but exciting too. It’ll involve walking, lots of walking. Sometimes it’ll be lonely. There’ll be people that we don’t understand and foods we have never tried. Are you ready to go…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Family, moving home, refugees, asylum, international 'a word about books' says…”Beautiful and moving. Constantly asking questions of the reader and for them to share in the experiences of the young boy.”
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My Two Blankets
Forced to flee from her home because of war, Cartwheel finds herself in a country where everything is strange. She feels lost, alone and does not feel like herself. When she is at home she finds comfort in her blanket. A blanket that has the memories of home and that makes her feel safe. Then she makes a friend who helps her stitch together a new blanket...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, moving home, refugees, asylum, international 'a word about books' says…”Kobald expertly explores the feelings and emotions that immigrant children experience as they are forced to move to a new country. The poetic prose are beautifully accompanied by evocative illustrations that are powerful and filled with emotion."
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Nell & the Circus of Dreams
Nell is not having the best of times on the farmhouse she calls home. Her mother is ill and Nell spends her days playing alone. When a chick she adopted disappears, Nell begins a frantic search for her friend across the meadows and out into the beyond where she stumbles upon a travelling circus community full of friendly faces, happiness, music, incredible performers and kindness…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Magic, family, friendship, animals, illness 'a word about books' says…”The delights of the big-top and travelling circus will dazzle and delight in a feel-good read that is filled with wonder, awe and amazement."
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Once Upon A Dragon's Fire
Dragon’s are terrifying right? They breathe fire, have terribly sharp teeth and will happily eat a kitten for breakfast. When an icy chill descends on the kingdom there can only be one explanation…the dragon. Two brave young children head off to find the dragon and put an end to his reign of terror, but when they find him he’s not anything like what the stories say…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Fantasy, adventure Themes: Loneliness, friendship, fear 'a word about books' says…”A lovely read that will warm your heart as much as the fire finally did for the dragon when it ignited inside of him."
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Orion and the Dark
Orion has tried lots of ways to overcome his fear of the dark but nothing has worked. One night, Orion shouts meanly at the dark as it watches him through the skylight. Everything was fine until the dark leaps into his room. Can the dark show Orion that it is not something to fear…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Fear, anxiety 'a word about books' says…”Wonderful for those who are fearful of the dark. You’ll see that the dark is nothing to be fearful of, in fact he is a rather friendly person if you give him the chance to let him show you.”
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Our Little Kitchen
Every Wednesday people gather in a small kitchen. Their purpose…to create a meal for those that need it. Using whatever has been donated and the produce that they have managed to grow the team of volunteers work together to cook up whatever they can in their little kitchen...
Page Count: 48
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Food, community, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”Food, glorious food. A wonderful read that is a joyous celebration of the strength of community spirit and the importance of helping those that are less fortunate than many of us."
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Over and Under the Pond
A mother and her young son head out onto the lake in a little rowing boat. Above the surface they glide through lily pads, rushes and reeds, and observe red-winged blackbirds, a moose and turtles. Then the boys asks, “What’s down there?” And with his mum as his guide he discovers a whole new world of incredible animals, plants and eco-systems…
Page Count: 48
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Nature, family, science 'a word about books' says…”This gorgeous book is a fabulous journey over and under the pond and is a must read for any aspiring naturalist. I’m off pond-dipping to see what I can find!"
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Pattan's Pumpkin
After Pattan replanted a forlorn looking plant a pumpkin started to grow and it never stopped growing. Eventually it was as big as the mountain! When heavy rains came, Pattan and his wife needed to leave their beloved farm behind but how could they save all of the animals and a seed from each of their crops. Could the huge pumpkin provide a solution to the problem…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Folktale Themes: Family, animals, food, nature, weather 'a word about books' says…”Chitra Soundar has adapted a folktale of the Irular tribe and tells a delightful story that embraces Indian culture and traditional storytelling."
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The Pirate Cruncher
Captain Purplebeard is thrilled when he learns from a fiddler about an island loaded with riches. But is setting sail to a place that no-one has ever returned from really such a good idea? The crew of the Black Hole, along with Captain Purplebeard, might be making a monstrous mistake…
Page Count: 36
Genre: Adventure Themes: Humour, pirates 'a word about books' says…”Mayhem and skulduggery aplenty in a fantastically funny pirate adventure which has a very surprising ending."
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The Pirates Next Door
When the Jolley-Rogers move into the house next to Matilda’s in Dull-on-Sea the locals are unhappy. The pirates don’t fit into the peaceful neighbourhood. Matilda sees differently and is determined to make a friend, and when the pirates leave they prove everybody wrong…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Humour, pirates 'a word about books' says…”Mischief, mayhem and pirates galore in this laugh-out-loud book. Don’t be fooled by the ooo-arrs, the cutlasses and the eyepatches…these pirates prove looks can be deceiving.”
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