Together is a beautiful picture book that teaches young readers that sadness doesn’t have to last – there is comfort in friendship and community. Being together is always better than being alone. This story follows a little gorilla alone in the jungle. Something big and scary comes along. It seems frightening but it’s actually a… Continue reading Together by Jane Chapman
The Week at World’s End has shot to the very top of my list of favourite books of 2021. Pulling me in from the very first line, it took me on a challenging, entertaining and eye-opening journey. I know a book is powerful when I keep going back to it, thinking about the story, characters… Continue reading The Week at World’s End by Emma Carroll
The Cartoons that Came to Life is a fun, unpredictable middle grade illustrated comic series. Finn Morris is always daydreaming and doodling. He much prefers to be in his own cartoon fantasy world than focusing on school. But when one of his drawings looks strangely similar to the school bully, things start to go very… Continue reading The Cartoons that Came to Life by Tom Ellen & Phil Corbett ~ Blog Tour
Lisa Thompson has created another empathy-fuelled story that will captivate and inspire readers. Anna feels different from her friends at school. Her family doesn’t have the money for lots of extra-curricular activities and life seems boring. When a new student joins their class, Anna is thrilled to be asked to be her buddy. But Ellie… Continue reading The Small Things by Lisa Thompson
The House of Serendipity: Sequins and Secrets is a charming story with a unique and refreshing voice. Two young girls from very different backgrounds find they share a dream – to design and create the most beautiful clothing. In 1920s London, fashion is everything for the young girls of the debutante season. The right dress… Continue reading The House of Serendipity: Sequins & Secrets by Lucy Ivison
The Neighbourhood Surprise is a lovely story of community, diversity, acceptance and love. Mrs Fig is moving to a retirement home. Koya and her friends, Hassan and Alex, love to spend time with her and are really going to miss her when she leaves. They decide to plan a leaving party to celebrate her and… Continue reading The Neighbourhood Surprise by Sarah van Dongen
Just Being Ted is the charming story of an incredibly creative dragon who desperately wants some friends. When he tries to play with the other animals in the forest, no one wants to spend time with him. They just make assumptions about dragons and think he’s going to eat them. Ted is lonely and losing… Continue reading Just Being Ted by Lisa Sheehan
We’re so excited that Holly Webb has joined the Barrington Stoke team with The Beach Puppy. A part of the Little Gems series for 5-8 year olds, it is full of bright illustrations, short action-packed chapters and a captivating story. It’s perfect for young readers who are ready to make a move from simple picture… Continue reading The Beach Puppy by Holly Webb & illustrated by Ellie Snowden
LOUD! is another wonderfully inclusive story from author/illustrator Rose Robbins. Abigail finds school difficult. Her ADHD means she can be disruptive in class, struggles to concentrate and becomes frustrated with herself and others. She doesn’t want to do writing. She’d rather scribble, fiddle and stare out the window. When things get too much, she finds… Continue reading Loud! by Rose Robbins
The Boys is a beautiful tribute to friendship and growing up. It has been created by Lauren Ace and Jenny Lovlie who also gave us the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize Winner, The Girls. Four young boys are as close as brothers. The bonds of their friendship are strong enough to last a lifetime. Through the… Continue reading The Boys by Lauren Ace & Jenny Lovlie
Scope for Imagination 