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Category: Featured illustrators

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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.


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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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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.


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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.


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There is a cat. A cat that couldn’t be bothered to do anything … anything at all. His friends ask him if he wants to play but he doesn’t feel like it. They invite him on adventures to far-off places, but he would rather stay at home. Until one day, a friend asks how he is doing, and the true reason why he’d rather do nothing is revealed. He is feeling sad.

This is a story about feelings, friendship and the importance of speaking to someone when you don’t feel right. This beautiful socially aware story:
Reassures children and adults too, that feeling sad sometimes is normal

  • Helps them understand others’ behaviour and promotes empathy
  • Encourages them to be more in touch with their feelings
  • Provides a sense of fun while also broaching a tricky topic

Both children and adults will love the quirky and hilarious cat’s refusal to take part in anything and the sweet and important message behind this story.
It’s never been more important to introduce kids to the importance of mental health. This bright children’s book is an easy way to talk about feelings and looking out for others. It provides an excellent jumping-off point for at-home and classroom discussions about emotional well-being and caring for others.

Author and illustrator Jack Kurland is a debut author-illustrator from Leigh-on-Sea in the UK. After graduating from Winchester School of Art in 2013, he spent seven years working as a graphic designer. He paused to go travelling for two years, where he realised he wanted to achieve an ambition he’d always had: to create children’s books.

Publishers are Frances Lincoln Childrens' Books  an imprint of Quarto  and one of my favourite publishers for quality and ideas.
This book spoke to me at a really sad time in my life! I love it when pictures speak louder than words.

Sue Martin Children's Literacy Specialist, BooksGoWalkabout 


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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Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a young girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival.

A stunning book with so much visual information, set around a young Chinese girl called Yue. Perfect for children around the world to celebrate and understand the beauty and joy of the Chinese New Year.

With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

The author/illustrator  Vikki Zhang  has amazing creative talents and her children's books are a part of a wider interest in design.

Each of the 12 double pages features 12 lift flaps, that's 144 in total!
Such as...
- Yue decorates the house with lucky red decorations
- Tidying the house to welcome in the new year
- Watching a special firework display
- Discovering which animal year it will be
- Making festive dumplings with Nainai (grandma)
- Reading a story about the zodiac with Yeye (grandpa)
- Watching a lion and dragon dance in the town square
- Making offerings to her ancestors
- And on the very last spread, a traditional family reunion new year on the eve of Lunar new year and exchange lucky red envelopes.

This book is as special as the little red envelopes children in China receive with many gifts.

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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Lenny Has Lunch written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max, is a wonderfully illustrated picture book for young children. Have fun sharing the book together and the everyday things that make life full of adventure.

Lenny and Daddy prepare a delicious lunch, looked on lovingly by the dog. Lenny uses the large blue spoon to feed himself. The games and songs help them  to work up an appetite and they have some great actions to  “Row Row Row Your Boat”.

Ken Wilson-Max is an award-winning author, illustrator and publisher of children’s books. He lives in London and was born in Zimbabwe. In 2020 his book Astro Girl won the STEAM award for early years picture books and Where’s Lenny was listed in the 50 Best Culturally Diverse Children’s Books by The Guardian. In 2017 he became publisher at Alanna Max which focuses on an inclusive approach.

Ken is a brilliant author,illustrator to have in school. In a session with Reception children in an inner city school in London, we had organised for an author event,he and the whole class painted some great pictures !

Lenny Has Lunch is a perfect book to share with your own children and to have in a nursery or school. And you can also just read and enjoy it yourself at the end of the day, when all is quiet!

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.