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Category: Featured children’s book

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Dragonkeeper book coverDragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson is published by black dog books, an imprint of Walker Books Australia

Dragonkeeper is the first book in The Dragonkeeper Trilogy

The stories are set in Ancient China and as the three books develop over time, the dragonkeepers are set challenges to ensure that the dragons are safe and free from harm.

In a country which has dragons at the heart of its culture there are all sorts of dangers and perils in which the dragons find themselves. They need a dragon keeper, but dragon keepers are born and have special characteristics. To be a true dragonkeeper is a destiny for only a few.

The Dragonkeeper is set in Ancient China during the Han Dynasty.

A slave girl, Ping, saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon make an epic journey across China carrying a mysterious stone that must be protected.

It is the story of a young slave girl who believes she is not worthy of a name but finds within herself the strength and courage to make this perilous journey — and do what must be done.

As a story of adventure and courage, this book has it all!
For all those setting out on an adventure in life, from childhood to adulthood, this gives some real insights into challenges, friendships and journeys.

At Books Go Walkabout we are pleased to be bringing this book to the year 5 students at Kellett School in Hong Kong, as part of their studies and literacy programme. We are even more delighted to be bringing Carole Wilkinson direct into their school by live video links to have a conversation and to talk with the children.
We'll keep you posted and this is just the start of our adventure in Hong Kong.

Sue Martin
Books Go Walkabout


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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Image 3Kaito is stronger that all the other boys in his village. Because no-one can beat him at wrestling, he sets off to the city to compete in the world famous Sumo wrestling tournament. But on his way he meets a girl called Hana, who is even stronger. Hana offers to train Kaito - with amazing results.

A great story, which challenges stereo typing and has some excellent illustrations which capture the actions of the words.

It's based on a famous Japanese tale from the 13th Century.

Jessica Souhami grew up in East London and her parents were descended from Russian Jewish immigrants, one of her characters in The Little, Little House includes a 'wise woman' which is based on her great, great aunt..She is also a great puppeteer and made shadow puppets with her company, Mme Souhami and Co, telling stories from centuries long gone.

The Strongest Boy is a great book to buy and is available on line and published by Frances Lincoln.

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books always on line


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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Image 2A bedtime adventure!! by Kathyrn Cave.

When Tom can't sleep, he tries counting sheep. But that's just the start of his adventures, as he goes on to count pirates and pythons, goats and ghosts.

The illustrations by Chris Riddell and packed with figures and detail, and some of the pictures are pretty scary for a bedtime story. So this is for the brave and those who need more than just a few sheep, endless hillsides and clouds to get them to sleep.

Published by Frances Lincoln this is a great buy for the half term hols.

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books always on line.


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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Image 1You know the favourite children's saying, "It's not fair!"

Well Ros Asquith has changed it into a It's Not Fairy. She flaps around all night, she's a fairy on a mission and you don't want to mess with this fairy.

A picture book for all the family and across the world, there are children everywhere declaring how unfair things are.But the fairy can get tired of complaints.

 

'I'm sick of your squawking,

Now give me a break.

Or I'll bake you all

In a Fairy cake."

Published by Frances Lincoln this is a good book to buy for the half term hols. Buy through Dolphin Booksellers to get the best price from Amazon.

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books always on line


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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Image 1Time to Read series

A brand new Early Reader series from Frances Lincoln Children's Books. The layout and size of the books is great and the balance between pictures and word will encourage reading from picture books into chapter books. Even the font style makes it easy to read and the 'a's are the right shape!

'Who Ate Auntie Iris' is one of the first four books, written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Hannah Shaw. There are some great character pictures and Auntie Iris lives a the top of the tall block of flats with some very interesting neighbours (all with sharp teeth!).

For a set of books for ages 5/6 'ish these are a good buy for parents and for schools alike.

You can buy direct from Amazon by clicking on the picture. All books bought through us support our work in Nepal with Kalpana.

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books always on line


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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What are you playing at?

Image 1

A great book challenging stereotypes and play activities.

It's produced by Marie-Sabine Roger and Anne Sol,published by Alanna Books.The format of the pages is designed so there is a hidden extra page which shows the other side to the statement.

Check out an example on www.Alannabooks.com.

The photographs are brilliant, with real live examples of boys who really do dance, of girls who really do play football and other things too!

Image 2

How great to have a book that is clear and non patronising. The images around ' Boys don't cry' are fantastic, the hidden page shows a famous footballer at the end of a match, crying with emotion so raw that you all know just how he feels.

A good book from a good independent publisher.

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books, always on line


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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Image 1Stories of Magic and Mystery from Scotland.

 

I just love the cover of this book and illustrator Cate James has continued the magic through all the stories.

Lari Don, an acclaimed story teller, has spent most of her life in Scotland, and she has compiled these ten magical and funny stories into Breaking The Spell.

They are all stories from Scotland told to children north of the border.

 

And with all stories, they change ever so slightly in the telling....and Lari hopes that these stories will come alive with whoever reads them and passes them on.

Stories include; The Selkie's Toes, The Witch of Lochlann and The King of the Black Art.

A great book from Frances Lincoln publishers, a magical present to share.

Sue Martin dolphinlogo2012imageright3

 

Dolphin Booksellers - the best

in children's books, always on line.


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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The Lost Prince from Jane Nissen Books - cover imageThese two classics are brought back to life by Jane Nissen Books, beautifully presented and a joy to read or to re read.

Bringing classic children's books back into print is the mission for Jane Nissen Books and as Jane says,' To enable a new generation of readers to discover for themselves high quality timeless titles that should not be lost'.

The Lost Prince is the story of two boys brought together by fate and given an enormous task of adventure to find different people across Europe. They set out with little money but high determination and courage.

 

 

 

King of the Wind from Jane Nissen Books cover imageKing of the Wind by Marguerite Henry is the story of the Godolphin Arabian, who travelled in around 1724 from Morocco to Cambridge.

It's a great story and more than worthy to be read.

Click on the book covers and buy both as a treat for Christmas... I bet you will find yourself reading at least one of them before you can get it wrapped!

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books always on


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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cardJackie Morris was in Covent Garden on 12th September, well actually, in the beautiful Swiss Church in Endell St, Covent Garden, to show her new Christmas card design and to talk about her life in writing and illustrating.

The talk was on behalf of Help Musicians UK and proceeds from sales of Jackie's designed card will go to support musicians of all ages and Jackie also donated prints of her work to be auctioned.

Jackie talked about how she includes all of her life into her art and writing, her walks at St David's and into the fields and with views across the sea and hares racing across the fields.

Engaging, creative and just beautiful,and sitting in the midst of the London hubbub, it is easy to drift away into that delight of the Pembrokeshire countryside and wish you were there.

JM hareHer latest book,The Song of the Golden Hare, published by Frances Lincoln is out in print in October. It's a must!

Follow Jackie's work through her blog and on facebook. You can buy the cards too from Help the Musicians and you can buy her books, details on her website.

We are pleased to work with Jackie on getting her stories and books to the children, who don't have much chance to see them.

Contact us to find out more about events and book do's!

 

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers - the best in children's books always on line


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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Image 1Kevin Crossley-Holland,celebrated author and President of the School Library Association, delivered an enchanting and beautifully crafted lecture:

'Footprints on the Grass: Speaking of Gardens and Children's Books' to a full house at Homerton College Cambridge on 6th September.

The theme of gardens was delicately drawn into ways in which children use imagination within places where there is space, beauty and security.

Kevin talked about John the Peddar from Norfolk, is journey to London following a dream about a pot of gold, only to turn back and return home where the pot was in his back garden.

' The greatest treasure in the world is on our doorstep, but you may have to go away and come back to find it.'

There were many references to Philippa's writing, and especially her most famous book, Tom's Midnight Garden.

Philippa Pearce died in 2006, but respect and affection for her writing is as strong as ever. In her memory, a series of lectures is now underway, each intended to celebrate excellence in writing for children.

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The inaugural Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture was held on 11th September 2008, at Homerton College, Cambridge, and focused on Philippa Pearce's own writing and contribution to children's literature. Subsequent lectures have ranged more widely and speakers have included Michael Rosen, Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman and Malorie Blackman.

The 2014 Lecture will be given by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Kevin's speech was filmed and will be available on the Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture website soon. http://www.pearcelecture.com


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.