Ruby the fox and Growl the wolf live deep in the forest. There’s just one problem – they hate each other…!

The story of one family's contribution to a huge undertaking: the planting of the Great Green Wall of Africa. Set in sub-Saharan Africa, an inspiring story of how one family and their community come together to plant a section of the Great Green Wall which will being hope and regeneration across the continent.

The story is set  in Mali and is about an exciting real life project to bring trees and growth into sub Saharan Africa. In a place where it is too hot to run around and where the children play in the shade a family help to plant young seedlings.

" These little trees will make life better for the animals , the birds and all of us. "says Uncle Cedric.

A beautiful book with appealing and colourful illustrations from Ken Wilson Max, showing to children across the world how they can actually make a difference to their world and the planet.

Ken Wilson Max is an award winning author and illustrator, with over 70 books to his credit. He was born in Zimbabwe and has a deep commitment to African regeneration.

Otter-Barry Books is an exciting children's imprint aiming to make a difference, push boundaries and publish books which children will love. They are one of my favourite publishers of children's books as each book tells a wonderful story.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Dog and Cat were happy living next door until a misunderstanding caused a real kerfuffle! Now they can’t stand each other any longer, so they start to build a wall between their gardens. The wall goes up and up and up.

One day a funny rabbit pops its head over. But whose garden will this new friend play in? Here’s another cause for chaos between neighbours! Finally a better idea for how to use the bricks finds three happy friends sharing the garden after all—until some pigs move in next door . . . .

From the creator of sensational lift-the-flap books about fairy tales and adventures comes a delightfully simple story about getting along with friends, which doesn’t put the lid on pandemonium.

Clotilde Perrin is an illustrator and author living in Strasbourg, France. She has published over 30 books including the international lift-the-flap bestseller Inside the Villains. Day in the life of Clotilde Perrin .

I really enjoyed this book with its wonderfully interactive 'lift the flaps' as part of the story and how eventually a resolution to the 'kerfuffle'.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

In this larger-than-life picture book, Eric the duck is nervous to swim in the lake for fear a monster might live there, but he bravely follows his friends and discovers something spectacular indeed lives beneath the surface

Four ducks are tired of their small pond and set out for an adventure in the big lake. Walking at the back, Eric isn’t sure. He’s heard there’s a monster in the lake, but his friends don’t believe a word of that old story! Eric reluctantly tags along, only to make a startling discovery and find himself in a wonderful underwater adventure.

This large-format picture book features a detailed fold-out underwater world of mechanical marvels and sea creatures. The story of a nervous duck who finds courage and the overconfidence of groups will resonate with anyone who’s nervously dipped a toe in unknown waters.

Author and illustrator is Belgian Leo Timmers,  who has written and illustrated some amazing books, including Bears Lost Glasses and Monkey on the Run.

Published by Gecko Press, who have a a portfolio of beautiful and intriguing children's books.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

A beautiful new collection of eight nursery tales - traditional stories for younger children, including all the favourite classics, delightfully retold and enchantingly illustrated by James Mayhew, internationally bestselling author and illustrator of Once Upon a Tune, A Symphony of Stories, the Mrs Noah series and many other much-loved picture books.

The stories included are: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (England), Little Red Riding Hood (Germany), The Billy Goats Gruff (Norway), The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf (England), The Enormous Turnip (Ukraine), The Tortoise and the Hare (Ancient Greece), The Gingerbread Man (North America), The Vain Little Mouse (Spain)

Using the same technique of colourful cut-outs and collage as in his best selling Once Upon a Tune: Stories from the Orchestra, James Mayhew has created another spectacular gift book, this time for a very young audience.

I love this book for its ability to engage with children and adults, so the book and the story can be read with the illustrations telling the story too, perfect!

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist 

The Other Side of the Rainbow is a magical and heart-warming adventure about change, resilience, and the beauty of the world around us – from internationally bestselling author and illustrator Beatrice Blue. 

Lucien has always been wary of change – whether it’s trying new foods, moving to a new home, or making new friends. He prefers the comfort of the familiar. But one stormy night, a gust of wind blows open his window and extinguishes his fire, leaving only a single ember still glowing. To his amazement, the ember transforms into a playful, dancing flame – a glowing boy who whisks him away on an extraordinary journey through all four seasons in a single day.

As Lucien explores sunlit meadows, autumn forests, icy lakes, and blooming spring landscapes, he meets new animal friends and begins to see the magic in the ever-changing world around him. Through this breath-taking adventure, he discovers that change isn’t something to fear – it’s a natural, beautiful part of life, full of exciting possibilities.

With its rich, immersive storytelling and luminous artwork, The Other Side of the Rainbow is a stunningly imaginative picture book that encourages young readers to embrace life’s transitions with courage and wonder. A timeless tale filled with warmth and adventure, this is a story to be cherished and shared.

Beatrice Blue is a talented author and illustrator of children's books. The illustrations are wonderfully imaginative and perfect for children to use to follow the story

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

"I’m hungry! Fish are boring! I want something new. Something soft… and fluffy!"

Meet a little penguin who is super hungry but totally bored of eating fish. An older penguin recalls hearing of a fluffy creature called a ‘bolar pear’, so the little penguin sets off on an adventurous mission to find and eat this ‘mystery’ creature.

On arrival at the North Pole, the penguin can’t see a polar bear anywhere and eventually turns back home, hungry as ever. Little does penguin know that an equally hungry polar bear is following right behind...

This story will have readers gleefully shouting ‘it’s behind you!’ as this hilarious story unfolds. The reader can follow oblivious penguin on every step of its journey as it narrowly escapes being gobbled up by the polar bear.

Karl Newson is a best-selling, multi-award-winning children's book author. Author of the award winning picture book I Am a Tiger, the best-selling I Really Really Need a Wee and The Same But Different Too, plus many more! His stories have been translated in 29 languages around the world. Karl grew up in Norwich, England, and was inspired to write his first story when his children were small… he’s been writing stories ever since. He lives in London now, in a wonky old house full of pot plants and books.

Nicola Kinnear is an illustrator, storyteller, designer and maker from Kent. Nicola loves illustrating books for children and gravitates towards the magical and whimsical in her work, and is greatly inspired by nature and folklore.

Happy Yak is an imprint of Quarto Books  new imprint that publishes preschool board books, playful picture books, and accessible nonfiction for kids ages zero to seven.

A super book for the winter season, funny and with a great story, it will be a favourite for many children.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Little People, BIG DREAMS, Louis Braille, explores the life of the remarkable man behind Braille, the tactile reading and writing system.

Little Louis was a curious child – always exploring and having adventures. Then one day, while playing in his father’s workshop, he had an accident with a tool and eventually lost sight in both eyes. It was tricky to get used to, but with help from his family and a local teacher, Louis continued to learn and explore.

Aged ten, he moved to Paris to start at the Royal Institute for the Young Blind. Unfortunately, the school used a system that was very tricky, and didn’t allow pupils to write. Disappointed with alternatives, Louis began to develop his own system. When he shared his invention four years later, his teachers and classmates were amazed – his system used just six dots in a tiny space that fit under his fingertip, and included a complete alphabet, with punctuation marks, numbers and mathematical symbols.

It took many years for his system to be widely used, but little by little it spread across the world and came to be known as Braille. Today, Braille is used by more than six million people and there are codes for more than 133 languages.

Little People,Big Dreams is a brilliant series of books, widely used in schools, homes and libraries. They provide real insights into people and are great for children and adults to start a voyage of discovery.

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is the author of the books.

Ana Albero, the  illustrator of many of the titles was born in Alicante, Spain. She studied Visual Communication at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and illustration at the University of the Arts Berlin.

Little People, Big Dreams is published by Frances Lincoln, children's books, part of Quarto and is an excellent place for resources and fascinating books.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Play hide and seek in the city with a boy, his animal friends and a dinosaur that’s surprisingly hard to spot. The brilliantly interactive follow-up to international bestselling picture book, Have You Seen Elephant?

David Barrow is a recent graduate of the Cambridge School of Art where he completed a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration and received the top prize, the Sebastian Walker award for most promising children’s illustrator.

Gecko Press  have an amazing portfolio of great books and are worth adding to your list of recommended publishers.  Stories children and parents will want to read hundreds of times, for ages 0 to 12 (sometimes infinity).

Have You Seen Dinosaurs? is a fun book with meaning!! Discover that the city is actually packed with dinosaurs, you just need to know how to see them!

A great book for the summer and a definite favourite to have and to share.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

When

With the help of Mr Moss, the caretaker, and the Green Team, the children clear the ground, sow wildflower-meadow seeds, and plant beans and hedge saplings. Then they wait… until… later that summer… something wonderful happens at Unity Street School!

We could all do with a Green Team full of inspiration and a way froward for the planet with young people at the helm. This delightful and inspiring story shows conservation and rewilding in action, as a group of children show the way to help our planet.

Full of ideas for conservation and would be a great project book for the summer holidays.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist