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A rhino is out in a zoo in the middle of a grey city, where all he can do is pace back and forth. He fears he may be the last of his kind.

Then one day, he is released back into the wild. Inspired by the true story of a white rhino called Sudan, this is an important book about conservation and caring for nature.

An intriguing book! There is so much to this picture book and it would be a wonderful resource for libraries, schools and  at home. I have spent ages looking at the illustrations which tell so much about the impact of being a last animal in a species ( how would we feel?) and what the world does or does not do to try and support endangered species.

Nicola has added a note at the front of the book;

'Forget that this task of planet saving is not possible in the time required. Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done and check to see if it was impossible after you have done!'

The book moves in the same way and eventually after being shut in a small space Sudan the white rhino is taken back to Africa and to a place where he can smell the grass, the earth and the fat rain and his life goes on.

Nicola Davies is the author and illustrator; she is a writer and a zoologist and was one the original presenters of the BBC children’s wildlife programme. The Really Wild Show. She has written a number of books including picture books and fiction and nonfiction titles, such as Ice Bear and Dolphin Baby.

Tiny Owl publishers are an independent children’s book publishers specialising in beautiful and original books which bring exciting experiences from across the world to children.

A wonderful story and a great book, definitely one to buy right away.

Sue Martin

 

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


Beautiful, lyrical, imaginative...

Opening this book was like opening a treasure chest, full of beauty and wonderful things. Jackie Morris brings her flair for dreaming and imagination to the world of nursery rhymes.

At a time when much effort is spent in decoding and information; this book is a journey into a creative imagination, to  worlds beyond and characters with such possibilities.

 

The Jackie Morris Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes, published on September 10th,  brings together 20 nursery rhymes that have been told for generations, such as Sing a Song of Sixpence  and Pop! Goes the Weasel. The exquisite illustrations by Jackie are complete works of art in themselves and you can be completely lost in the pictures for hours!

Children of course enjoy the books as much as I do and will find favourite  rhymes and pages to share with their parents at bedtimes. My favourite page is probably Grey Goose.

Jackie Morris is the illustrator and compiler of the collection. Jackie's fame has risen to new heights with the immense success of The Lost Words, for which she won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2019. She has numerous books in her portfolio and the illustrations always  tell as much of the story and adventure that lies in the words. In Jackie's introduction to the book she writes about the importance of nursery rhymes, for listening and feeling, and as the geography of childhood.

Otter-Barry Books are the publishers,  they have worked with Jackie Morris for many years.  They have an exciting range of books in their published lists. Check their website for a full list of options.

I  will enjoy having this book in my library and sharing with children around me, and then again, I may just spend time with it myself!

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


I was absolutely delighted to receive You're a Star, Lolo. It is so right for young children moving on to chapter books, the content, the length of each story and the pictures are just what's needed for children  making progress in  decoding words and finding the story. This wonderfully takes them into knowing words have more than just the instant meaning; they are part of the whole sentence and the whole story.

This is the third in the Lolo series. Each book consists of four short stories, with some beautiful black and white pictures from the author on every page. The stories are uniquely written on the same wave length as young children and they are full of known characters and life which is understood and recognised. The first two books are; Hooray for Lolo and Here comes Lolo.

Niki Daly has won many awards for his work, including Not So Fast and Songolo, a ground breaking picture book, paving the way for post apartheid South Africa children's books. Since then he has written many classic picture books and story books including surprise, Surprise! also published by Otter-Barry Books. Niki lives in Kleinmond. Western Cape,South Africa with his wife, author and illustrator Jude Daly.

Otter-Barry Books  are  unique and gifted publishers who continue to push boundaries and publish books that children love.

We thoroughly recommend You're A Star, Lolo and the series for young children ages around 5-7 years.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


‘The astronaut's cat is an inside cat. And she likes it like that.’

Good reason, too as she lives on the moon. So I guess no mice?

This is a great story and I would love to share with young children as the whole concept of inside and outside are in every page. Why would cat want to go outside if there is no air? Why would she want to go outside when it is so hot in the day and so cold at night? Definitely best to stay inside.

Then Cat dreams and in her dreams, she is outside on the Moon leaping and pouncing and looking at a blue planet in the sky from time to time. On that planet she dreams that she could go outside and meet with other creatures too. But this is only a dream and she curls up next to her astronaut at the end of the day.

A wonderfully whimsical, funny and surprising story of a very unusual 'inside cat' - by one of Australia's finest picture-book creators. Perfect for readers who are intrigued or inspired by the landscapes of the Moon and the Earth - or fascinated by the inner life of cats.

Tohby Riddle is the author and  is an international award-winning author, illustrator, and cartoonist, living in Katoomba, NSW, Australia. He has a number of well-loved picture books and Illustrated books to his name including Nobody Owns the Moon and Unforgotten.

Allen and Unwin are the publishers, based in Australia, you can buy their books all over the world.

 

Books Go Walkabout are great supporters of Allen and Unwin as they deliver stories across the world and make good books available globally.  They are worth checking out for their range and quality of books, especially Picture Books for young children and for older children too.

As a good start to our Summer Hols in the UK, try The Astronaut’s Cat and whilst some of us are still locked down inside it’s a great reminder of being thankful for what we have.

Sue Martin

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


Howler Monkey was one of the best climbers in the whole jungle.

He could swing, he could climb. He could impress his family and he show his friends just how to do amazing tricks in the trees.

And then one day, he fell. He damaged his tail which helped him to climb and swing so well.

He finds himself in despair and as the picture turn to a sepia tone, a older monkey talks with Howler Monkey about all the things he enjoyed about climbing and swinging, and do you know what he could still do some of those.

“ What a smart little monkey you are. Keep on being the best you can be. “says the older monkey.

Monkey’s Tail is the  third inspiring story from Alex Rance,the Tiger & Friends picture book series. This is a celebration of self-belief, family and caring for others by AFL Premiership player, Alex Rance, and talented children's book illustrator, Shane McG.

Howler Monkey was one of the best climbers in the whole jungle - until the day he landed on his tail with a big thump. He kept smiling and playing with his friends, but on the inside, he was very sad... What if he could never climb again? Can Howler Monkey get his confidence back and reset his sense of self? A gorgeous picture book about resilience and change, sharing worries and staying positive.

Alex Rance has played 200 games for the Richmond Tigers. The last three years have seen him experience the highs of a drought-breaking AFL premiership in 2017 and the lows of a season-ending knee injury in 2019. These experiences have inspired him to write his picture books Tiger's Roar (2018) and Rabbit's Hop (2019) and Monkey's Tail (2020). Using his passion for education and storytelling he hopes to inspire the next generation to realise their dream.

 Shane McG is an award-winning picture book illustrator. He has also exhibited in London and Melbourne.

Allen and Unwin are the Australian publishers making a big difference to children’s books through style, content and just choosing some great titles.

Monkey’s Tail is a book for sharing and reading alone at home and at school. I love it and it's great to be able to buy in the UK.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


You know the characters in some Fairy Tales which seemed stereotypical? Well this book changes that for characters like the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk, a servant boy in the Emperors New Clothes and the prince in Sleeping Beauty. A great way to portray a new look into the famous stories, which have lots to tell us about courage, strength, kindness and determination.

It makes a really good for reading alone for any age or for sharing with a class or at home. At the moment the book is in hard back, which makes it very resilient as I am sure it will be picked from the selves and read over and over again.

Susannah McFarlane , Australian author, is the creator and publisher of some of Australia's most successful children's book series. She is best known as the author of the bestselling EJ12 Girl Hero and EJ Spy School series, which have sold over 1 million copies. Susannah also created and co-wrote (with Louise Park, as Mac Park) the hugely popular D-Bot Squad and Boy vs Beast series and Fairy Tales for Feisty Girls.

Illustrators have been chosen to match each of the characters so you have a different slant on each separate story, they are; Brenton McKenna, Simon Howe, Matt Huynh and Louie Joyce.

Allen and Unwin are the Australian publishers who have produced this beautiful book.

Fairy Tales have huge potential and now even more so with this edition from Susannah McFarlane

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


Ever felt that you are different from the crowd and just need to find the right place to release your dreams?

Paris Cat is a sassy cat from the back alleys of Paris and she believes that she is different from all the other cats. Leaving her cat family behind she off to explore Paris. Cat meets legendary singer Edith Piaff, she meets a high fashion atelier and she uses the remnants of material to make her own outfits.

She goes the nightclubs and dances with infamous dancer Josephine Baker and her cheetah. Life is great! But is it? Paris Cat soon misses her home and her family and turns to creating a nightclub of her very own where all her cat friends can join her and dance the night away at the Cattacomb Club.

Dianne Hofmeyer is one of South Africa’s foremost writers for children, with picture books including Zeraffa Giraffa and Tiger Walk and novels like The Water Bearer. Her books have been translated into 18 languages and she has won many awards, including The Sanlam Gold Award for Youth Literature (twice).

 

Piet Grobler is the illustrator with beautifully crafted illustrations of cats, maps and places. Piet is also from South Africa and has written and illustrated over 80 books for children. He also established the International Centre for Picture Book in society, whilst he was a Course Leader for Illustration at University of Worcester.

Tiny Owl are the publishers of Paris Cat  and now a world leader in developing our understanding of children’s books across the globe.

Published on 9th July 2020, Paris Cat will be a book for any children and parents, whilst on holiday or at home. There is much to enjoy and learn and share together.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


A world full of colours through the  seasons in many diverse places. Celebration of the vibrancy of colour waiting to be found in all corners of the world.

From the white hot sands of the Sahara Desert to the soft pink blossoms of the Japanese countryside.

Colours to astound us at every corner, captured in text and illustration  in this beautiful book.

This book is a journey across the world,  Australia. the Antarctic and the Amazon for starters, children will be able to discover places and become travellers. There are many places to visit , full of fascinating creatures and scenery all with colourful theme matching the place. Red London buses and  green  rice fields in Vietnam .

Ben Lerwill, is an award winning travel writer who lives in Oxfordshire and had written for many travel magazines and websites, including National Geographic, Time Out and BBC Travel. It is great to see his work for children and the globe.

Alette Straathof lives  in Paris and grew up in a small town in the Netherlands and studied illustration at Willem de Kooning Academy. She was awarded a top illustration award in the Netherlands in 2019. What a joy to see her work in this children's book.

Words and Pictures , publishers, make imaginative and entertaining books for younger readers. opening the door to their imagination. One World, Many Colours certainly does this.

One of the most beautifully produced books for 2020 and as we are all grounded by a lack of travel and virus isolation this book is just right for the whole family to share and to love. And my copy is staying at home with me!

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


Discover how Astrid Lindgren grew up to become a best loved author, and creator of Pippi Longstocking, the character who never wanted to grow up. 

It is from Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Little People, BIG DREAMS series. We discover that at the age of four, Astrid met a whole new world of giants, fairies as a friend read to her and she discovered books.

Astrid did her best to learn to read as soon as she could, once she had exhausted the local library she started to write her own books. There was no stopping Astrid and she wrote many books including the much acclaimed stories of Pippi Longstocking.

Published  on March 3rd, this book is just in time for World Book Day on 5th March. It is a wonderful autobiography of Astrid Lindgren and contains a time line of important aspects of her life. There are now over 36 titles in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series and they are a great collection for any school or home.

Isabel Sanchez Vegara is the author and  she is excited by new concepts in children's' books and a creative way to enhance active learning.

Linzie Hunter is the illustrator, with a wealth of experience, including work for Apple, BBC and The Guardian. The illustrations are endearing and full of character.

A moving book, with a story to match with stylish and quirky illustrations, a great addition to the series and a great book for World Book Day.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


Felix hides all of his sorrows inside a large black suitcase that he carries with him wherever he goes. One day a small boy opens the suitcase and Felix wakes with all the tears he has been hiding inside for so long. Free from his tears and worries Felix journeys back into the world which is waiting for him with open arms.

A beautiful book, a wonderful story of how a child fills his world with sorrow and can not find a way back to being happy. Until somehow a boy manages to find a way in to opening the suitcase.

This story can be used  when children are feeling sad and can't deal with their emotions. A powerful way to delve right in to their thoughts without causing too much hurt.

Felix After the Rain from Tiny Owl Publishers, is  written and illustrated by Dunja Jogan and translated by Olivia Hellewell  from Slovenian into English and funded through a PEN Translates Award to Tiny Owl to bring this book to an English-speaking audience.

I had to write about this book as it is just right for a very special young girl I know , who is suffering from carrying too much hard stuff in her suitcase.

Publication date is February 24th. Definitely a book to have in school, at home and in libraries.

Sue Martin

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.