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Category: Featured children’s book

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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.


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A really beautiful book...

Such a beautiful book and packed with all you would ever need to know about witches and sorcerers, an essential guide for anyone interested from 9 upwards.

Since ancient times, magic and witchcraft have inspired both fear and fascination. In this book you will uncover the meaning and history behind magical tools and symbols, cauldrons and pentagrams. Magic is often to be feared and there are times when it has been eradicated with stories of capture and harshness.

Many stories today have a base in magic, Harry Potter of course, Northern Lights, Merlin and many others. This book is part history and part spell book with some amazing insights into the loves of witches throughout time and all over the world.

Written by Julie Leger and Elsa Whyte and published by Wide Eyed Editions.

 

 


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 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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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I See, I See is a book of perspectives, you can read it either left to right or right to left. The effect is intriguing and is written as  a playful, rhyming call-and-answer conversation between two readers.

Each person views the page from a different perspective: I see water, I see sky, I see swimming, I see fly!

The story and pictures can be read right way up and upside down.

An innovative book which will delight young children who  will love to turn the book into different angles to see how it changes with different meanings.

Robert Henderson is the author and illustrator with a graphic design background that make perfect synergy in this book, I See, I See. He lives in Brisbane, Australia with his partner and two young children  and I feel sure we will see much more of his work in the future.

Allen and Unwin are the publishers and I See, I See joins their excellent portfolio of books for young children.

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.


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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.


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Trees, dogs, fishes, birds, water... they are all themselves. yet they fit together to make our living world. Mary Murphy's simple and beautiful words and pictures bring alive our the wonderful variety of our planet and the special nature of every living thing... including you!

Only a tree knows how to be a tree! But trees are just the start and everything and everyone is different with a special place in our world and shared lives together.This is a really exciting book with a simple yet profound message . Each page is beautifully illustrated  and I love the page of the earth and the animals, oceans and rivers.

Mary Murphy is an author/illustrator with a special gift for children' books and has been published across the world, including Japan, Mexico, Sweden and Taiwan.She studied in Dublin and has an Advanced Diploma in visual Communication, which is a huge part of her books.

Otter-Barry are the publishers of a wide and diverse range of books and Only a Tree Knows how to be a Tree is part of their wonderful collection of children's books for younger readers.

 

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.


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Rhymes to Play and Say, at any time throughout the day.

Devised to entertain and delight small children from breakfast to supper. Busy toddlers will love the pattern of rhymes and actions, it will fill their minds with new vocabulary and playtime activities.

Have fun with jungle animals, buzzing bees, tractors, rockets, aeroplanes and of course ... big green crocodiles.

Jane Newberry has spent many years working with young children, parents and carers. She has a wealth of play-songs, rhymes and activities that she has devised and Big Green Crocodile is a brilliant addition to her work.

Carolina Rabei always loved drawing and gained a BA in Graphic Design in Moldova and then went on to the Cambridge School of Art, Children's Book Illustration. her illustrations have a real appeal for young children and the colours and different creatures make every page a pleasure.

Published by Otter-Barry Books, publishers making a difference, pushing boundaries and publishing books that children will love.

We do love this book,  and I am about to Face Time a 3 year old with .... which one shall I choose ... Big Green Crocodile

A great big green crocodile lay down for a nap.

I lay down beside him until he went... SNAP!

A great big brown lion lay down on the floor,

I lay down beside him until he went...ROAR!

A small furry teddy lay down with a yawn.

I lay down beside him and slept until dawn.

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.