Anxiety-based school avoidance is a very real problem for a lot of children, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In Jellybean, many families will relate to the challenges faced by both Ellie and her parents as they try to get to the bottom of her worries and work out the best way forward. Ellie Bean (nicknamed… Continue reading Jellybean by Eve Ainsworth & Theo Parish
Autumn is my favourite season - new beginnings, cozy jumpers and so many special days! This fantastic collection of books will put you in the mood for crisp October weather and gentle spooks. Grumpkin by Nicola Edwards & Sian Roberts (Little Tiger - August 2025) Grumpkin made me smile the very first time I saw… Continue reading Looking Forward to Spooky Season!
The Great Nut Hunt by Karl Newson & Nia Havilliard (Scholastic - August 2025) There's something so delightful about squirrel stories! These cute, charming creatures are always on the go and always in some sort of trouble. In The Great Nut Hunt, Squirrel has collected too many nuts. When they won't fit in his tree,… Continue reading Delightful Picture Books
How to Save Your Granny from a Runaway Train created by the brilliant duo of Swapna Haddow and Jess Bradley is a super fun, science how-to book filled with fascinating experiments and accessible explanations. Written in a graphic novel style similar to Jess's A Day in the Life... books with Mike Barfield, it is so… Continue reading How to Save Your Granny from a Runaway Train by Swapna Haddow & Jess Bradley
The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam is a completely captivating quest story exploring precious family relationships, unending hope and finding those you've lost. Through a wonderful combination of realistic fiction and brilliant mythological fantasy, readers are challenged to create special moments with their family and hold on to special memories when our loved ones are no… Continue reading The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam by Annelise Gray
When the Storm Comes is a powerful and perilous story of courage, teamwork and trust. Incredibly thought-provoking, it challenges readers to consider the very real impact of climate change, their own survival skills and how they might respond in an emergency. Leadership, resourcefulness and the ability to put the needs of others ahead of your… Continue reading When the Storm Comes by Polly Ho-Yen
The Changeling Child is the thrilling sequel to the brilliant fantasy adventure Into the Faerie Hill. Magic weaves its way into every aspect of this wonderful story. Told from a dual point of view, Alfred (a demi-fae) takes readers back into Faerie as he strives to discover the truth about a missing child and his… Continue reading The Changeling Child by H.S. Norup
How to Get Magically Popular by Radhika Sanghani (Usborne - August 2025) Is being able to see the future a gift or a curse. Sabina just wants to fit in but struggles with popularity. Being the only Indian girl at her new school makes it even harder. She misses her friends and really doesn't want… Continue reading Discover the Magic
Nature Heroes by Lily Dyu (Nosy Crow - June 2025) Nature Heroes is a fascinating collection of twenty biographies about significant individuals who work hard to protect our world. While some humans are destroying nature through their actions, these heroes are standing up to the threats facing plant Earth and inspiring others to do the… Continue reading Making Connections with Nature
Rory and the Balloon Bicycles by Louisa MacDougall & illustrated by Giulia Cregut (Little Door Books - May 2025) Rory the dragon and his human bestie, Princess Flora, are back with another wonderful adventure. Happy in his bicycle workshop, Rory loves his unusual life. One day, when flying out to Crunch Canyon, Rory and Flora… Continue reading Engaging Chapter Books
Scope for Imagination 