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The Tunnel
There lived a boy and a girl who were always arguing. Tired of their squabbling, their mum sent them outside. At the waste land the brother discovered a tunnel. When he disappears inside and doesn’t come back the sister has a difficult decision to make…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Family, anxiety, fear, risk-taking, responsibility 'a word about books' says…”Anthony Browne has written many wonderful books and this is one of my favourites. Despite constant arguing, brother and sisterly love will always remain strong.”
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We Found a Hat
How do you solve a problem when there’s only one hat but there are two turtles? It’s difficult when you both want it and it looks good on you both. The best thing to do is probably to leave it and forget about it. But that’s easier said than done as these two friends discover...
Page Count: 56
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals, friendship 'a word about books' says…”It’s incredible that Jon Kalssen has conjured up a third triumphant tale about a hat. Shifty eyes, mischievous thoughts and a big decision to make…sheer brilliance.”
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We Want Our Books
Rosa’s mind is full of questions. Why do bees hum? Who invented doughnuts? Are some dinosaurs alive? The answers lie in the books at the local library but when Rosa arrives the doors are closed and the builders are moving in. Rosa and her sister try everything they can think of to bring the community together to fight for the library but with people too busy to care and join the campaign and the men in suits unwilling to listen, can little Rosa be the voice of change…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, politics, personal & social issues, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”A wonderful ode to the importance of libraries, the strength in community cohesion and the power of the younger generations to bring about change."
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When I Coloured in the World
How would you colour in the world? When a young girl is given a box of colouring crayons she sets about creating her perfect vision of the world by erasing all the badness and replacing it with with good. Through colour, hope and happiness will be spread across the world…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: International, inclusive, hope, diversity, BAME, politics, human rights 'a word about books' says…”A simple and unique book that portrays the innocence of childhood dreams. It is filled with kindness and positivity and visions of a better future for the world."
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When Lola Visits
Summer, the season of no school and for one young girl it means Lola is visiting. Summer with grandma is a whirlwind of wonderful smells and unbridled fun; Lola cooks mango jam, shares stories and sings songs in Tagalog. But as summer turns to autumn and the return to school beckons it is time for Lola to say goodbye. The smells will go, happy memories left in their place…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family 'a word about books' says…”This feast of scents, tastes and traditions is a wonderful love-letter to summer written with the happiness that only a 'Lola' can bring to a young life."
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When We Say Black Lives Matter
It is on the news, it is in the papers and it is all over social media. People have been marching on the streets, they have been protesting outside parliament buildings and sports stars ‘take the knee’. There’s even a Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington DC, USA. The Black Lives Matter civil rights movement is gaining momentum like never before but what does it all mean…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Politics, human rights, personal & social issues, diversity, BAME, hope 'a word about books' says…”Black Lives Matter needs to be more than just words and Maxine Benaba Clarke does a superb job in breaking down this powerful civil rights movement and what it means for readers of all ages. Deserves to be on every child's bookshelf."
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Where the Wild Things Are
Dressed in his wolf-suit, Max is ready to cause mischief but his mother is not in the mood. Sent to bed without supper, Max is feeling angry and upset. In his bedroom a forest grows and Max finds himself sailing to a place where he can be king, a place where the wild things are…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Friendship, monsters, feelings, family 'a word about books' says…”Creative, imaginative and full of childhood emotions. A classic picture book for young children that has stood the test of time.”
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While You're Sleeping
Have you ever wondered what goes on in the world while you’re fast asleep in bed? The sun may have set but towns, cities, roads and seas are a hive of activity as people and animals are all hard at work under the moonlight; baking, driving, sweeping, sorting, delivering, hunting, scavenging and cleaning are all happening close by. And around the world, other children spend their day playing, learning, reading and eating. You may be sleeping but lots of people are wide awake…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Everyday life, people, jobs, animals, community, night, bedtime 'a word about books' says…”In a fascinating and mesmerising read, author and illustrator bring to life a wonderful night-time world of activity that children might be completely unaware of."
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Why Do I Feel Like This?
Join a child and her thoughts as she walks home from school in a rather bad mood. She gets angry, upset, sad, and she wants all sorts of mean things to happen to those that upset her. She also has some very creative ways to try and improve her mood…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Personal & social issues, self-awareness, self-esteem, emotions, everyday life, monsters 'a word about books' says…”This quirky and clever picture book will help any little demon out of their bad mood or at the very least give them some ways to manage their emotions.”
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The Worst Sleepover in the World
Ramona’s friend Gracie is coming to stay the night. It’s their first sleepover and Ramona has been busily planning all of the things they are going to do; build a den, read stories, dance, play games, stay up all night and have a midnight feast. But when Gracie arrives she is fussy, demanding and nothing goes to plan. Can mum stop the girls from having the worst sleepover in the world…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Friendship 'a word about books' says..."Sophie Dahl's second children’s book is a great deal of fun and an incredibly accurate depiction of the good and the bad of having a friend stay the night."
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You're Snug With Me
Winter has arrived and it is time for Mama Bear to hunker down for the cold months that lie ahead. She curls up in her new home, waiting for her two cubs to be born. Like all young, the two cubs are curious about the world outside of the den and mama has lots of important advice...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Animals, environment, family, nature 'a word about books' says..."A lovely book that celebrates the nurturing of two young cubs and the special relationship between mother and offspring. The added bonus of informative and timely advice on the environment and delightful artwork makes this a hit of a picture book."
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You're Strong With Me
Being a giraffe calf is tough and there is much to learn; from personal grooming to the ways of the wild. Luckily, the giraffe calf is not alone and has a mother that is always on hand with the most timely and comforting of words, ‘You’re strong with me.’...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Animals, environment, family, nature 'a word about books' says..."It makes for a lovely bedtime story full of the gentle reassurances that young readers will find comforting. Parents will thoroughly enjoying sharing this with their children and giving them the message, ‘You’re strong with me’."
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