These delightful books will astound and impress you! Tales with important messages, laugh out loud moments and superb illustrations. I always feel like a big kid when I read picture books and they are the best moments of my weekends. My children have a renewed interest in picture books this lockdown and we are thrilled with the ones recommended below!
Alone, written and Illustrated by Barry Falls, Published by Pavilion
Billy McGill loves quiet, solitude and calmness. He lives alone away from everyone and everything and seems very happy until a mouse squeaks his way into the quiet. Billy knows just what to do…but the chaos escalates on every page until it just gets too much for Billy to take. Re-finding his solitude, Billy needs to make some decisions…will he stick to solitude or welcome the benefits of friendship? A fantastic story with simply perfect illustrations. Provoking some interesting conversations about friendships, solitude and tough choices, children and adults will find much to chat about. I loved that the animals went from normal household pets to those stolen from the zoo, making this an impossibly funny story!
Never Mess with a Pirate Princess, written by Holly Ryan, illustrated by Siân Roberts, Published by Little Tiger
A rollicking, rhyming tale of a teddy bear stolen and a fiesty princess intent on saving her royal ted! Ted follows princess absolutely everywhere…even the royal loo so when ted is snatched, princess is not giving up. Taking matters into her own hands, princess and her trusty goat go on a journey to find the bear! It turns out princess wasn’t the only one who loves teddy bears! An adorable tale of teddy bears, feisty princesses and being brave. The superb illustrations lift this story off the page and into the hearts of the reader! It would be wonderful to see Princess Prudence back for more! This book will inspire plenty of young readers to be imaginative, creative and courageous.
Mammoth, Big Beast. Big City. Big Trouble written by Anna Kemp, illustrated by Adam Beer, published by Simon & Schuster
Mammoth has awoken to a new world where nothing is familiar, everything is strange and he misses his herd. This laugh out loud story will take readers across the fields to the big city, following in the giant footsteps he leaves behind. Feeling alone, uncertain and cross Mammoth finally finds a clue and gets all spruced up! The lovely and detailed illustrations are perfect for this tale of finding your place in the world. When Mammoth hears a familiar sound, he follows it and imitates it- finally discovering his herd! a happy ending to a tale of discovery for an ice age giant. This will resonate with readers wondering who their herd might be! A great read aloud for a class with firm messages about being yourself!
If my Dad were The Tooth Fairy written by Mark Sperring, illustrated by Matt Hunt, published by Simon & Schuster
Funny, silly and imaginative, this will have readers giggling through the entire story. A little girl imagines her Dad as the tooth fairy and thinks about his evening routines of flitting about taking teeth and leaving coins. The illustrations of a hairy Dad in tights and wings is a sight to behold and will be the height of giggles. As she realises her Dad would be busy during stories and bedtimes, she soon decides he is better off in his office job, but what it Granny had a special job? A perfect prompt for imagining Mums, Dads, aunts, grandparents as those roles we look forward to seasonally, this would ensure some great artwork and discussions!
Lionel The Lonely Monster, written and Illustrated by Fred Blunt, published by Oxford University Press
Lionel is sad, lonely and willing to give out free hugs but no one wants to go near him let along hug him! Feeling bereft, Lionel is surprised to find a dog wanting to play and be friends. Having had the best day throwing, chasing and playing, Lionel doesn’t want the day to end. Seeing a Lost Dog poster, Lionel and his kind heart make the brave decision to return the dog to his owner. Delightful and hopeful, this book will make readers think and empathise with Lionel. I adore the illustrations in this book and would want Lionel to be my friend!
Rabunzel, written by Gareth P. Jones, illustrated by Loretta Schauer, published by Egmont (now Farshore)
Rabunzel is a lovely bunny with incredibly long ears that cause no end of trouble, forcing her mother to keep her somewhere safe. There are hungry-eyed creatures lurking in the forest. So Rabunzel is moved into a tower and sadly looks out on her friends playing and having fun. When a surprise visitor calls out to to climb up her ears, Rabunzel is not one to be surprised or rescued! When hungry-eyed creatures come out to hunt, Rabunzel is more than ready! A brilliant new twist on a traditional fairy tale, where the young heroine sets out to save herself, not needing to be rescued by a dashing, impetuous prince!
DoctorSaurus, written by Emi-Lou May, illustrated by Leire Martín, Published by Little Tiger
Poorly (and healthy) readers will will feel better by giggling their way through this pre-historic tale. All of the dinosaurs know who to call for splinters, upset tummies and broken horns, Doctorsaurus. She zooms along in a jiffy ready to help where she can and she knows when to take cover…you’ll see why as you read! The illustrations are colourful and fun, the perfect accompaniment to a lively rhyming text. I love that DoctorSaurus is a female character and comes along to save the day just when she is needed. This will make a fantastic read aloud for young readers!
I am a primary school teacher, turned librarian. Now I have the title Reading Advocate for ASSET Education Trust, based in Suffolk.
I read constantly and have more books than bookshelves, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I celebrate reading every day at work and at home with my two children, aged 11 and 9.
I sit on the National Executive Committee for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and run an OU/UKLA Teachers as Readers group!
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My Shelves Are Full 