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Alma and How She Got Her Name
Alma has a very long name, so long in fact that it is sometimes hard to fit it all on one piece of paper. Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela is her full name and Alma definitely thinks that it is too long! But sometimes you are named for a reason and so Alma’s father tells her the story of how she got such a long name…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Identity, family, belonging 'a word about books' says…”A delightful story of heritage and about discovering the truth behind a name. Will have curious children wanting to know more about their own names."
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Be More Bernard
When Bernard is awake he acts like any normal rabbit should. But when he is asleep he dreams of less rabbity things. There’s more to being a rabbit than twitching your nose, pricking your ears and eating carrots. And Bernard is going to show his friends who he really is…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: Feelings, personal & social issues, animals 'a word about books' says…”Why blend in when you were born to stand out. A celebration of embracing your differences and being who you really are. Let’s all ‘Be More Bernard.’"
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A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Little Star and her mother have baked a delicious Mooncake and it has been carefully placed onto the night sky to cool. Promising not to touch the baked treat, Little Star heads off to bed. But it isn't long before Little Star is creeping out of bed and standing right next to the Big Mooncake...
Page Count: 40
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Science, food, celebrations, festivals 'a word about books' says…”I loved this picture book. It feels like a story that has been past down through the generations. The story and the illustrations are just perfect and I will definitely be seeking out more books by author Grace Lin after reading this."
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Billy and the Beast
Billy and Fatcat are walking through the forest when they hear a terrible rumble. In the forest is lurking a terrible beast, a beast with a hungry tummy who is gathering ingredients to make a terrible soup. With the furry forest creatures in danger, can Billy save the day...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals, friendship, diversity, BAME 'a word about books' says…”It is great to have a young black girl leading a narrative. Billy is a brilliant role-model and leads an empowering story with messages on being resourceful, problem-solving and the importance of standing up for our friends.”
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The Book That Did Not Want To Be Read
Whatever you do, do not read this book. It does not want to be read, it even says so in the title. If you dare to read this book all sorts of weird, strange, wonderful and wacky things might happen. Things that should never happen in a book, things that could lead to mischief and way too much fun. It is absolutely best if you put this book down, walk away and forget you ever saw it. Or is it…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Humour Themes: Interactive 'a word about books' says…”Following in the same vein as ‘The Book With No Pictures’, ‘The Book That Did Not Want To Be Read' is another fantastically funny and unique picture book that will leave children howling with laughter and adults with their tongues well and truly in a twist."
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Can Bears Ski?
Despite all of the noises, everything is quiet in Boy Bear’s world. It often sounds like everyone is saying the same thing to Boy Bear…”Can bears ski?” But surely this cannot be right. Hopefully a trip to a special lady can help Boy Bear find out what everyone is really saying to him…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, friendship, deafness, school 'a word about books' says…”Wonderfully insightful and perfect for developing empathy and understanding. This gentle and informative exploration of what the world can be like for a child with hearing difficulties will be welcomed by parents and provides comfort and reassurances."
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A Child of Books
A girl floats on a raft in an ocean, she is 'a Child of Books’. In a house lives a boy who is yet to discover. When the two meet, he will ascend mountains of make-believe, get lost in fairy-tale forests, defy monsters in haunted castles and dream on clouds of song…
Page Count: 40
Genre: Adventure Themes: Friendship 'a word about books' says…”An unusual and different type of picture book with the message that stories are wonderful and can take you anywhere, for the gift of imagination is priceless.”
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The Chocolate Monster
Watch out, watch out, there’s a chocolate thief about. He’s eight feet high, has huge hands and feet, and he has a bulbous twitching nose. Now, I know what you’re thinking…this chocolate thief does sound remarkably like the Gruffalo. Well let me tell you a little bit more. He has purple fur with streaks of pink and will stop at nothing to get his hands on those chocolatey treats...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals, family, food, monsters, rhyme 'a word about books' says…”A sweet read of a book that is sure to be gobbled up by all the chocolate-loving children out there."
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The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth
When the visitors have all gone home from The Curious Museum and are fast asleep in their beds it its time for the animals to enjoy themselves and when the clock strikes midnight the museum comes to life…get ready for the magic hour.
Page Count: 24
Genre: Adventure, fantasy Themes: Animals 'a word about books' says…”A rip-roaring adventure filled with incredible facts and beautiful lift-the-flaps. A truly gorgeous and engaging picture book.”
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Dave the Lonely Monster
Dave the monster’s days of being nasty are behind him and he is now retired. But Dave is lonely in his cave. Percival the Knight wants to challenge Dave but Dave is in need of a friend not a fight. Can the two become the best of friends…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: Monsters, feelings, friendship 'a word about books' says…”A heart-warming story of kindness and a guitar playing rock-and-roll monster. A lesson in never judging a person by their looks and how our words and actions can impact others.”
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Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It): A Story About Consent
Doug likes lots of things. But there’s one thing that he doesn’t like…hugs; not hello hugs, goodbye hugs or match-winning hugs. Hugs are too squashy, too squeezy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He’d much prefer a high five or a side five. Doug’s body is his and he gets to choose what happens to it because we all get to decide for ourselves whether we want a hug or not…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Non-fiction narrative Themes: Friendship, personal & social issues, everyday life, relationships, feelings 'a word about books' says…”Sweet, gentle, funny and with an important message, this is a brilliant look at how we all have different levels of comfort when it comes to physical contact."
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Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away
Evelyn Del Rey and Daniela are the best of friends. They live in flats on opposite sides of the street and know everything about the other’s home. They know the neighbours and the best places to hide things. But today everything will change as Evelyn Del Rey has to move away...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Friendship, moving home 'a word about books' says…"A tear-jerking and heart-warming story of friendship and adjusting to change. This lovely and sensitive read would be ideal for any child that is having to face the prospect of a friend moving away."
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Fergal in a Fix!
Fergal is off to Dragon Camp and he is not feeling too great about it. He is rather worried that all of the other dragons might not like him. So he comes up with a plan. Surely if he’s the best at everything then everyone will have to like him, won't they...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Emotions, humour, friendship, dragons 'a word about books' says…”Another delightful and charming read from Robert Starling in which Fergal learns another valuable lesson, you don’t have to be the best at everything, you just have to be the best version of you."
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Fergal is Fuming!
Fergal is a very pleasant chap, unless you try and tell him what to do. And then he gets incredibly angry. When Fergal gets angry he loses control of his temper and this leads to somewhat fiery situations and his friends are not impressed when his behaviour ruins all their fun. Can this hot headed little dragon learn to keep his cool…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Emotions, humour, friendship, dragons, animals 'a word about books' says…”I love Fergal, he is such a brilliant representation of those children who are a little bit hot-headed. Essential reading for all those fiery little dragons."
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Fergal Meets Fern
When Fergal gets a baby sister he is really not sure what to make of the situation. Everyone seems really happy with the arrival of Fern but Fergal is far from happy. He is feeling jealous, sad and worst of all…fiery. Can a chat with dad convince Fergal that having a little sister can be a wonderful thing or is fiery Fergal going to be fuming with Fern forever…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Life lesson Themes: Emotions, humour, family, dragons 'a word about books' says…”Perfect for any child who is experiencing a new arrival to the family and will encourage readers to talk about those feelings that they often keep bottled up inside."
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Float
A grey day, a small paper boat, one boy and his very big imagination. After making a paper boat a young boy steps out into the rain to ‘launch’ it in puddles. But when the boat floats away in a gutter stream the boy can’t keep up…
Page Count: 48
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Imagination, risk-taking, resilience, feelings 'a word about books' says…"Full of emotion which is conveyed through the clever artistry of illustrator Daniel Miyares. In a short read, Miyares manages to cover a whole range of emotions.”
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Fluffles: The Brave Koala Who Survived a Bushfire
Fluffles lived amongst the eucalyptus leaves in South-Eastern Australia. She would spend the days playing with her fluffy friends, munching on the tasty leaves and sleeping in the lofty branches. One terrible day everything changed when her home was engulfed by searing heat and fierce flames. With danger all around, Fluffles sought refuge at the top of a tree and trusted that everything would ok…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Animals, nature, true story 'a word about books' says…"A lovely book to use with young children to explore ideas of bravery, overcoming adversity, the importance of looking after nature and conservation."
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Footpath Flowers
There is a lot to be said about random acts of kindness, and on a journey around the city a small child makes small gestures and makes the world a whole lot brighter...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life Themes: Family, environment, nature 'a word about books' says…”Such a delightful book that captures the beauty of childhood and the importance of giving, and with a valuable lesson about taking the time to notice our environment and spotting the smaller things."
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Franklin's Flying Bookshop
Franklin loves books and loves to share the stories he reads but strangely no-one in the village is ever around to listen and when he does find a person they quickly disappear. Then one day Franklin meets a girl who loves stories just as much as he does and together they have an idea...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Dragons, friendship, books, reading 'a word about books' says…”A wonderful story that is a celebration of the power of storytelling and the magic of books and with the message that you should never judge a person, or in this case a dragon, by their cover."
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Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales
It is Franklin’s birthday but he’s worried that no-one has remembered as he hasn’t received any presents. Not to worry, Luna has a very special trip planned for Franklin but things go horribly wrong when they step inside a book. Will they make it back before the last page is turned...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Dragons, friendship, books, reading, fairy-tales 'a word about books' says…”Luna and Franklin quite literally show readers the joy that can be found when you step into a book. If this delightful duo cannot get children reading for pleasure then I don’t know what will."
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Garden Jungle
Bored at home, Tom’s mother suggests that he take a closer look out in the garden. Whilst making shadow animals using a sheet hanging on the washing line, Tom spots a brightly coloured butterfly and the butterfly leads him on the most incredible of adventures...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Everyday life, nature, animals 'a word about books' says…”A wonderful backyard adventure that is a celebration of the power of imagination and the wonders of nature. There should never be the time to be bored when there is so much out there that is still to be explored."
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Grandma Bird
It is summer and Noi is going to stay at his Grandma’s but he is far from excited. Grandma lives on her own on a small and windswept island with only the birds for company. With Grandma too busy to play Noi heads off on his own adventure and soon finds himself in danger...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Adventure Themes: Family, friendship, feelings, seaside 'a word about books' says…”This is a delightful adventure story with plenty of drama, danger and excitement. A charming and warm-hearted read that any child who enjoys spending time with Grandma will dearly love."
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Grumpy Frog
Frog is happy, most of the time. If everything is green, he is winning and he is hopping, he’s happy. He hates swimming, bouncing, losing, and he especially hates pink. Finding himself all alone, Frog has some thinking time on a log and meets a crocodile who likes green things too…
Page Count: 32
Genre: Humour Themes: Animals, friendship, feelings 'a word about books' says…”A lovely read about compromise. Perfect for getting young children to think about their own actions and the feelings of others. No-one wants to play with a Grumpy Frog.”
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Gustavo the Shy Ghost
Gustavo enjoys being a ghost, it is fun slipping through walls and making objects float. The one thing that makes Gustavo sad is that he doesn’t have a friend. No-one ever notices him and he is far too shy and timid to speak to any of the other monsters. Gustavo has a plan though. But he will need to give the performance of his life if everyone is to see him...
Page Count: 40
Genre: Fantasy Themes: Friendship, loneliness, bravery, ghosts, monsters 'a word about books' says…”A delightful ghostly tale that is not in the least bit scary and proves that everyone, even shy and quiet introverted ghosts, deserves to have a friend."
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Happy: A Children's Book of Mindfulness
Join a group of children as they take the time to really notice the world around them. As they listen to the sound of the trees, relax in grassy fields, splash in the stream, smell the air, notice nature’s treasures and slowly savour food they breathe deep and find their 'happy'...
Page Count: 32
Genre: Everyday life, life lesson Themes: Mental health, mindfulness, well-being 'a word about books' says…”Whether it be read during quiet time, at bedtime or at another time, this book is sure to bring calm and happiness to many a young reader."
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