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Category: Featured children’s book

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Snake and Lizard live together in a burrow in the desert. They are such good friends that Lizard decides to display their names above the burrow entrance. But three small words can cause trouble between friends.

They must decide whose name should appear first. Then Lizard makes an unfortunate spelling mistake—he thinks it’s very funny but Snake is not laughing. Snake finds some spelling of her own that will teach Lizard a lesson!

The friends eventually find a way to put the argument behind them in this funny picture book that holds a mirror to our human flaws and reminds us that names and nicknames must be used with care.

Wonderful illustrations from Gavin Bishop which really show the characters and emotions of Snake and Lizard as they are challenged by each other. Gavin is a leading Maori illustrator living in Christchurch and award winning illustrator including the Ihaka award for lifetime contribution to Maori art and culture.

Joy Cowley, the author, has a wonderful way with words which show all the fun and annoyance of Snake and Lizard. Joy is one of New Zealand's best loved writers and winner of many awards including the Margaret Mahy Medal.

Living in the UK this is a great opportunity to purchase a book from New Zealand publisher through Gecko Press, who bring such great diversity across the world through children's literature.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

 


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.


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When little Maya meets a lost baby rhino in the city, it's the start of wonderful happenings.

Little Rhino is lost in the big city – no plants or jungle greenery. Little Maya befriends him, but what can she do to help? She finds a wonderful answer – the city can be transformed into a welcoming green space. which a child and a baby rhino can both call home. An enchanting story of what's possible from an internationally successful author.

Candy Gourlay  has written a huge number of successful books for young and older children and is an internationally acclaimed writer. Originally from the Philippines Candy now lives in London and w rites... ' Wouldn't it be lovely if we could make our world a place a baby rhinoceros could call home?' Check the website www.savetherhino.org

Jamie Bauza  is an illustrator, designer and crafter based in Manila, Philippines and is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University.  Little Rhino Lost is her first picture book for Otter-Barry Books .

I really enjoyed sharing this book with young children, it engages with them to share in compassion and concern about the rhinos in our world.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist


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.


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A super new book about Easter and why it is an important Christian Festival from Words & Pictures, part of the Quarto Group.

Sam and his siblings are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they prepare in the lead-up to the festival, bake Easter treats, dye eggs, attend Church, spot Spring flowers and new life, hunt for eggs and enjoy a wonderful Easter Sunday of food and fun with all the family. 

Along the way, you’ll learn all about this Spring-time festival, including:
The significance of Shrove Tuesday and the period of lent 

  • The importance of the Easter story and Jesus's sacrifice
  • The fun to be had baking Easter treats and dying eggs
  • The delicious food eaten and fun to be had on Easter day, from egg hunts to Easter lunch

. . . the joy and excitement of this Christian festival are brought to even more life with:

  • Instructions to make your own Easter basket
  • A recipe to make delicious hot cross buns
  • A fun quiz to try out all your knowledge

In this immersive exploration of Easter, kids join a practising family as they celebrate. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this special period.

Nancy Dickmann the author and Emma Randall the illustrator have a winning combination of words and pictures which makes this book an ideal read and activity before Easter.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

 


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.


Published on

 

A beautiful story of rescue and recovery in the hands of kindness. A sad, exhausted little hen is rescued from the crowded cages of the chicken farm and discovers the joys of freedom.

It's a hard life for the hens forced to lay eggs in crowded cages. But one sad, exhausted little hen is rescued, given a name, and discovers grass, worms, bugs, puddles, friends and freedom in her new home.

Now there's grass and freedom and the little hen is given a name, Gwen!  She is given a rainbow coloured vest to keep her warm whilst her feathers grow back. she is a very happy hen indeed.  And one day she gives everyone a big surprise...

This delightful picture book with captivating illustrations is a perfect gentle introduction to animal rights and well being.

Carol Thompson is the author and illustrator and Carol's work is a belief in the power of picture books and stories to show a child that there is 'someone else like me!'

Otter- Barry Books are a unique independent children's book publisher, really making a difference to children and books around the world

Sue Martin  Children's Literacy Specialist

 


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.


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My Mum is a beautifully illustrated, stereotype-busting celebration of all the everyday things one child's mum does to make her so wonderfully awesome!

My Mum says that when I arrived
I was like a star
drifting
down
from the sky
and into her life.

The story follows mother and child from before the child is born, celebrating the bond between mother and child even when the child is just a dream. With a wonderful inclusive feel, all mother and child relationships are celebrated in this story – whether biological or adoptive mothers.

A joyous spirit of adventure is present throughout the story, following mother and child as they take on life's big and small adventures – together. From sailing a ship around the garden and exploring forests, streams and meadows to telling stories in a cosy den and cuddling before bedtime, a child reveals all the simple yet amazing things she loves to do with her wondrously adventurous mum.

With lyrical text by Susan Quinn and imagination-filled illustrations from Sarah Mathew, My Mum is a joyous celebration of motherhood, perfect for enjoying together as mum and child – creating a special reading experience for children to treasure.

The perfect gift for new mothers, or Mother's Day, My Mum celebrates the unique bond between mother and child, no matter how this relationship starts.

A beautiful book that is staying with me for my granddaughter and Grandma moments!

Sue Martin - Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

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.


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Meet 38 extraordinary children: an electric child, a flying child, elastic, invisible, miniature, a child made of cake. Each child describes their characteristics, tells anecdotes, and presents the special powers that make them unique. A “class photo” brings everyone together with a quiz finale for readers to discover their own superpowers.

The Remarkables is a big book of fantasy and humour that entertains and provides a way to talk about emotions and identity. Through Clotilde Perrin’s unique imagination, this inclusive encyclopaedia celebrates individuality, strengths and differences, allowing every reader to explore what miraculous superpower they would wish for—or might have.

Known for her original lift-the-flap explorations of fairytale stories, Perrin here turns the lens onto her child readers, showing each one that they are a superhero.

Gecko Press publishes amazing books and The Remarkables is a book like no other. each page is packed with interesting and mind blowing concepts, designed to explore thoughts and places beyond every day life. I love it!

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

 

 

 


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.


Published on

Beautiful book of play rhymes, love the illustrations, perfect for young children to have fund and to learn new words.

Find hamsters, dogs, robins and unicorns, little cars and big diggers – and of course Big Red Dragon, in this brilliant collection of 15 action rhymes for young children and babies.

Rhymes celebrate festivals and special events, such as Easter, Halloween, Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year. With clear instructions to parents and carers, there are fun activities and lots of joining in for every rhyme, for babies, toddlers and older children too.

This book is a perfect companion to Jane Newberry’s very popular first collection, Big Green Crocodile, which was shortlisted for the CLiPPA award. At home, playgroup or nursery, the rhymes provide fun while also nurturing children’s responses to language, rhyme and images.

Illustrations by Carolina Rabei bring the poems to life with wonderful colours and characters.

Another excellent book from Otter-Barry Books, beautifully produced and delightful to read.  A book for nurseries, schools and at home too, perfect!

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

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.


Published on

A diverse and inclusive collection of original poems for younger children by a top performance poet.

Would you like to eat a caterpillar cake? Join a rocket race into space? See crazy crocodiles at the zany zoo or play with a furry, purry cat? Wherever these 16 fun-filled poems lead you, they will brighten your day.
Splashing at the seaside, story time at school, playing in the bath or riding home on Daddy's shoulders - this brilliant, read-aloud collection for young children has lots to join in with and lots to explore in the brightly coloured illustrations.

A wonderful feel good factor to this book from Otter- Barry Books published in early August. It is packed with poems and beautiful illustrations from Krina Patel-Sage. A great book for early years readers in nursery, school or home. Poems which children will remember and brighten everyone's day.

Matt Goodfellow tells you more about this book, really good and brings it alive!

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

 


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.


Published on

 

9781776575930fc

Such a beautiful book! The story develops through the illustrations as there are no words, the pictures say it all. It is an intriguing book with a whole range of stories for your imagination on every page.

Time for cake! But the eagle swipes up the blanket and flies away. The animals chase after to find all their stolen picnic things.

Thé Tjong-Khing’s visual storytelling slows us down and invites us to look more closely. Can you remember everything on the blanket? Hat, ball, doll, feather, cake? Who is hiding in the bush? What has the dog seen on the cliff? How will pig get back her sun umbrella? Why is the rabbit crying? And how can there be cake for everyone when the very hungry rat family has eaten it already?

Gecko Press are working with Thé Tjong-Khing. Interesting illustrator...

'Thé Tjong-Khing (born in 1933) is a children’s book illustrator based in the Netherlands. He was born in Indonesia, attended the Seni Rupa Arts Institute in Bandung, and moved to the Netherlands in 1956. As a child he was interested in the "Tarzan" comic strips of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Thé has won the Golden Pencil Award three times (a major Dutch children’s book award), and in 2005 the Woutertje Pieterse Prize for Best Dutch Children’s Book for his book Waar is de taart? (Where is the cake?), a wordless picture book which was also nominated for the German Youth Literature Prize in 2007.'

Collect all the missing objects, find out who they belong to, and come back home for more cake in this cheerful, wordless look-and-find story that culminates in the delightful reward of sharing.

A delight to read and share with young children and their powers of observation are superb.

Sue Martin

Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

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.


Published on
Following the international bestseller, Astro Girl and Eco Girl, an empowering story for young children about looking after the ocean and its wildlife .It goes straight to the heart of what it feels like to be a young child at the edge of the ocean and all the wonder and fear he feels.

 Aaron and his family live by the ocean. His sister and parents are ocean guardians. Aaron loves the sea. But he’s a bit scared of going under the water.

Then one day Aaron finds an octopus stranded on the beach. As he helps Dad return it to the water, something amazing happens… a moment of magic between the boy and the octopus. They look at each other eye to eye.
Can Aaron lose his fear and go underwater? Maybe now he can help look after the sea creatures and be an ocean guardian and… Aqua Boy!

A beautiful book from author/illustrator Ken Wilson-Max. Ken was born in Zimbabwe. He came to the UK to study design and ended up working in children's publishing. His first book was published in 1993 and since then there have been many, including The Big Yellow Taxi, Little Red Plane, and the Lenny and Max series.

Otter-Barry Books is an exciting independent children’s publisher aiming to make a difference, push boundaries and publish books that children will love. Aqua Boy is certainly a book that young children and adults too will absolutely love.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist

Part of Books Go Walkabout, Stories across the world.

 


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.