Nature – Dolphin Book Blog for younger readers

Counting in Green Ten Little Ways to Save our Big Planet by Hollis Kurman & Illustrated by Barroux

The DolphinMarch 13, 2023March 30, 2023

"What can we do
when Mother Earth needs our help?
From one to ten we’re counting green
to keep our planet safe and clean."

Super brilliant new book for young children and anyone who wants to find ways to help our planet survive, published 16th March 2023.

Follow a group of children as they discover how every small action can make a big difference and help to save our Earth. From one new tree and two breezy bicycle wheels to seven beach pick-ups, nine wild flowers and ten friendly neighbours.
Illustrated with the simplicity, warmth and charm which Barroux is famous for, Counting in Green is an inspirational picture book, encouraging young children and their families to push for change and keep our planet safe and secure for all living things.

Hollis Kurman is a multi-talented author ,and writing for children is just part of her talents. Counting in Green is part of Counting series. There are amazing activities to download and videos too.

Otter- Barry Books has a wonderful portfolio of books and Counting in Green is an excellent addition to their books which will make a difference to children's lives.

It is always a joy to receive a book from Otter- Barry Books and Counting in Green is a book which I will enjoy so much for sharing at home or for school visits.

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.

LAST The Story of a White Rhino by Nicola Davies

The DolphinSeptember 11, 2020January 15, 2021

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

Only a Tree Knows How to be a Tree by Mary Murphy

The DolphinApril 2, 2020April 2, 2020

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

Life on Earth: Ocean

The DolphinApril 10, 2018April 11, 2018

Ocean is part of the great new series of Life on Earth, from Wide Eyed Editions Publishers, with 100 questions and 70 Lift-Flaps.

The board book is sturdy and appealing to all young children. The illustrations are brilliant and the intriguing flaps reveal comprehensive answers to the questions...

How do fish breathe?
Why is the ocean salty?
Why is a whale not a fish?

Embark on an epic journey under the sea looking for fish and other ocean creatures beneath the waves, learn what shells are for, find out which sea creatures are the most dangerous, and take a closer look at a coral reef. This fascinating fact-filled book is the perfect introduction to life under the sea.

HEATHER ALEXANDER was born in New York City, and now lives in New Jersey. She began her career editing children's books such as Goosebumps and Fear Street, before moving into writing. She has written over 40 books for children.

ANDRES LOZANO is an illustrator from Madrid, who currently lives in London. He lists his inspirations as nature, architecture, Franco-Belgian comics and film noir. His work is characterised by overlayed colours, textures and strong line work. He has worked with The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, and Anorak.

Recommended for children ages 5 - 8 years

Sue Martin

Up the Creek and The Busy Beaver by Nicholas Oldland

The DolphinNovember 10, 2017March 25, 2018

Up the Creek.

There once was a bear, a moose and a beaver who were the best of friends, though they often disagreed.

A journey up river is not the best time to argue about who is steering and who is rowing, as these chums set out on a journey across rapids and fast flowing currents.

They finally agree and make the journey in the canoe to the end of the rapids. Once out of the water they have lunch and decide on the best route home, that's by walking!

A great story about friendship, cooperation and adventure. Nicholas Oldland is the writer and illustrator and the characters come to life in the pictures and the words.

It is from a new publishing house, Pikku Books, based in the UK, with a Finnish background. They are an engaging team with a passion to share in good books with good stories, and new writers, often from afar.

The Busy Beaver also by Nicholas Oldland and published by Pikku Books is part of the Life in the Wild series.

The beaver is so busy working and cutting trees down he doesn't notice all the damage he has made. That is until one day when he finds himself on the wrong side of a falling tree. Landing in hospital with bandages and wounds makes him think and he decides to do things differently.

He hauls off trees which were strewn across the fields, he used broken branches to fix leaking dams and he planted saplings to replace the trees that he has felled.

A delightful story and the Life in the Wild series would make a great purchase for home and school, lots to talk about and share, lots to do research on and explore the worlds of beavers, moose and bears.

Books can be bought direct from Dolphin or through Pikku publishers. We are really pleased to be working with this new publishing team in promoting good quality books that you can't always find in the stores.

Sue Martin

Illuminature by Rachel Williams and Carnovsky

The DolphinJanuary 13, 2017January 17, 2017

Happy New Year!

2017 is going to be a great year for children's books and for Dolphin Booksellers. Thank you for all the comments about the blog which reaches places across the world; schools, children, teachers, parents.... and people who just like good children's books.

Our blogs start this year with titles published in the last year and are simply amazing.

Illuminature by Rachel Williams and Carnovosky — View, review or purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk here...

Our first title is Illuminature!

You may already know that there are hidden secrets in different places. When you walk into a garden, you don't always see the spider in the hedgerow or the worm just inder the surface of the ground.

Illuminature is a remarkable book, it explores the hidden secrets of the world's most diverse environments. A three colour lens illuminates each page in a kaleidoscope of colour.

On each double page spread there are flora and fauna that co exist in each habitat. Use the species guide to identify and find out more.

As you travel through a jungle, a reef, a mountain, grasslands, woods and rivers you'll uncover a world that never sleeps - with the graphics of Carnovsky and Williams, the innovative Milan based design duo.

Rachel Williams is the award winning author of Atlas of Animal Adventures and she lives and works in London. Her titles can also be found through Good Reads.

Milan based duo, Carnovsky, was started by Silvia Quintanilla and Fransesco Rugi in 2007. They are published around the world in magazines and famous for their wallpaper designs.

Wide Eyed Editions is an imprint of Quarto Publishing and publishes beautiful and informative books.

Sue Martin

Dolphin Booksellers

It Starts with a Seed by Laura Knowles

The DolphinNovember 1, 2016January 4, 2017

It Starts with a seed cover image — Review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk here...

The story of a seed as it journeys from the branches of a tree into the ground and becomes first a young sapling and then a tree.

It is written by Laura Knowles and illustrated by Jennie Webber.

Words and Pictures, part of the Quarto group, have produced a simply beautiful book in a lyrical form about a factual story.

Excellently presented , It Starts with a Seed, has gold blocking on the front cover, textured paper and etching techniques handmade by Jennie throughout the book.

It introduces children to how the eco-system works, it teaches children about the life cycle of a tree, it has stunning artwork and words that easily engage the reader.

Laura writes books about animals and nature and lives in London.

Jennie is a visual artist, printmaker and animal lover with an eye to detail, especially on plants and with animals. Lots of chances for observation and concepts of conservation.

Ilustrator Jennie Webber explains her creative and artistic technique in this short film. Having a copy of this book is a great way to keep her artwork with you!

A beautiful book and a fascinating book to read.

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.