Fans of picture books unite! These stellar stories are perfect for sharing and reading aloud at any time of day! With special and positive messages threaded throughout and divine illustrations, these will suit so many readers!
Know It Owl by Emma Perry and Andrea Stegmaier, Published by Storyhouse Publishing
Owl is very excited to lend a helping wing to others throughout this story. Their exuberance comes across more bossy at first and Owl finds themselves banned from the den. Feeling hurt but understanding they went too far, they fly off to put things right. When the opportunity to help presents itself again, Owl has learned from past mistakes and offers some help. A brilliant book to share with excitable children who are learning to share, make friends and offer help in friendly and fun ways. Children will love Owl’s excitement and laugh at all the ideas but they will likely see where Owl has gone wrong and make adjustments in their ways too. Beautifully illustrated and full of wondrous details, children will be inspired to build dens and help friends.
Dave and Greta Make the World Better by Matt Carr, Published by Scholastic
What a fun and engaging way to inspire our youngest eco-heroes to get involved with saving the planet. Dave and Greta are best friends who love spending time together. When they learn about global warming, both set off to find ways to help. Dave thinks big and makes huge plans, while Greta does some research. Both bring their ideas back to the woods to share with their community. This rhyming story is brilliant to read aloud and certainly spreads the message that you are never too small to make changes. From turning out the lights, switching off the water and recycling, even small actions can have big impact. Matt Carr’s illustrations are bright and bold, offering some fun to this vital conversation.
I Would Rather Hug a Tiger by Lorna Scobie, Published by Scholastic
Who wants to do the boring things in life when there are adventures to be had? Small Panda doesn’t want to brush teeth, comb fur or help with dinner, she wants to tickle spiders, hug tigers and climb wolves. Adventures are so much more fun than grown up stuff. That is until, the adventures follow you home and want to continue the fun. Young readers will identify with this story and so will the adults asking for the boring jobs to be done! The illustrations are bright, fun and take the reader on a journey with Small Panda as she tries to avoid the boring stuff. An excellent book for bedtime with all ages!
Otters vs Badgers by Anna Glazer, Published by Oxford University Press
Food always brings people together, especially cakes, cookies and muffins. The Otters and Badgers do not get along and make a big show of not sharing the river or anything else. Francie is the best Otter baker around but when she accidentally strays onto the Badger side of the river, she is chased away. When her baking smells attract an argument between both sides again, Francie has had enough. It takes her reasoning and cookies to unite the sparring sides but can it work? Charming illustrations and a superb story will have readers begging to bake chocolate chip cookies.
Hot Dog by Mark Sperring and Sophie Corrigan, Published by Bloomsbury
A hot dog dreams of becoming a real dog, chasing, running and having fun on the beach! When the Mustard Fairy grants his wish, he runs and jumps around. The smell of warm sausage follows him around and so too do the others dogs on the beach. Who can save Hot Dog and what might happen if the other dogs catch him? A perfect seaside, sunshine book to share with young readers. Told in rollicking rhyme and with bright, fun illustrations , this is sure to be a hit with young readers. A fun, twist at the end will have readers giggling and creating!
10 Cats by Emily Gravett, Published by Two Hoots
Fantastically fun, this book of counting, colours and cats will entertain and engage young readers. When pure white Mama cat takes a bit of a rest, her adorable kittens do not. They have found three cans of paint which they splat, splodge snd spot all over themselves. Deceptively simple, the kittens mix colours to make new ones, all while Mama has a well earned rest. Award-winning author-illustrator, Emily Gravett, takes a simple concept and makes it beautiful and brilliant for readers. A fun read aloud, readers will love watching the kittens get up to all sorts of trouble. What will happen when Mama wakes up though?
Bob the Dog Gets a Job by Tracey Hammett and Angie Stevens, Published by Graffeg
A charming tale of Bob the Dog and her fun day selling ice creams! Bob the Dog likes to be busy and enjoys doing jobs, she always works hard and does her best. She is very excited to get a job in an ice cream on the ice cream festival day and promises to work very hard for Mr Flaky. When the cones run out and ice cream nozzle gets stuck, Bob needs to do some quick thinking to save the day. Save the day she does and just in time for photos with the mayor! Delightful and perfect for summer, this will have readers smiling and inventing their own ice cream concoctions. I loved Bob and her cat friend, Pat, who prefers a quiet day.
Lionel and Me by Corinne Fenton and Tracie Grimwood, Published by New Frontier Publishing
Maverick has a pretty wonderful life in his home with long walks, frolics in the sea and love all the time. Things change when Lionel arrives, though not at first. Slowly, over time, Maverick feels left out and unwanted. Lionel is smaller, cuter and the family seem infatuated with him. Walks take longer and Maverick is frustrated. When Maverick is sent out to the garden after being naughty, he hopes that Lionel will make a mistake and get banished as well. A lovely, beautifully drawn story of finding family, making friends and welcoming new people to the family. This would make a super book to share with a family welcoming a new puppy or sibling into the mix.
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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