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Tag: Allen & Unwin

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The Katha Chest - cover image
A wonderful book about families...

A wonderful book about family and stories, tales of people in the past who are woven into the magic of the sari material into katha quilts.

Six-year-old Asiya loves to go to Nanu's house. Best among all of Nanu's treasures is the big old chest filled with quilts that tell the stories of the women in Asyia's family.

With gorgeous, fresh and beautifully colourful illustrations inspired by Bangladeshi katha quilts and traditional West Bengali pattachitra panel illustrations, The Katha Chest is a beautifully woven tale about the bonds of love, culture and memory.

Radhiah Chowdhury is the author, and she is passionate about stories that reflect all the magnificent, different facets and experiences of our community, and has been an advocate for representative publishing in her work as both an editor and an author. She lives in southwest Sydney, where she recreationally grows mutant potted plants, and is currently outnumbered by her cats.

Lavanya Naidu is an animator, designer and award-winning children's book illustrator, born and raised in Kolkata, India. She has illustrated for numerous children's books.

Allen and Unwin are the Australian publishers with a global reach and The Katha Chest is available in the UK and across 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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‘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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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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‘Hmmm,’ said the marsupial studying the map.

Quite doable, but we’d better get going right away.’

Mr Chicken was always ready for adventure, so off they went.

A wonderful book from Leigh Hobbs of all the places that Mr Chicken could have possibly have ever visited in that huge country of Australia. Never daunted Mr Chicken just gets straight on in there, visiting, stopping for lunch and dinner, going to all the famous places and many others beside.

From Wallaroo to Pinnaro, from Goondiwindi to Mataranka (spell check can take a break here!) and of course Sydney, Queensland and Tassie (that’s Tasmania to you and I from the UK!) and did I mention Melbourne, or isn’t that where Mr Chicken is from?

This is a great book and makes wonderful reading for children and adults too, with the amazing illustrations, which are true Leigh Hobbs style, published by Allen and Unwin

The book is dedicated to the many children, teachers and librarians Leigh Hobbs met as the 2016-2017 Australian Children’s Laureate.

Thoroughly recommended for children of all ages and for adults too. In the school, library and at home this a wonderful read and an adventure across Australia.

So join Mr Chicken on his latest adventure and be sure to book your ticket on Qantas!!

 

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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In our loft office on the edge of Cambridge, UK, I always look forward to receiving new books to review from Allen and Unwin of Australia. Two brilliant new picture books arrived in mid September, just right for starting our school year in the UK.

Our Little Inventor by Sher Rill Ng is about Nell, who wants to save the planet from extinction. She has a new invention that she is sure will save the world. But no one believes her.

"We don't have time to look at a child's toy," she is told at an important meeting in the city. But eventually, when no one can breathe anymore she is able to clean the air.

Beautiful story written and illustrated by Sher Rill Ng, who is based in Melbourne. Her illustrations are beautifully atmospheric and hew website if full of her images and stories, amazing!

Ivanhoe Sweet Left Home at Six by Jane Godwin and A.Yi is the adventure of Ivanhoe who decided that he needed to see the world and set off with a sandwich, a kite and how map of the world. The illustrations are full of a sense of a future and Ivanhoe eventually sees that once he has finished hos sandwich, crossed the river and found the edge of the sea that maybe it is time to go home!

A great book for reading aloud and for children to follow their own dreams of adventure.

Recommend Our Little Inventor and Ivanhoe Swift Left Home at Six  for ages 3- 7, children at home and in nursery and schools, libraries too!

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 CAt Called Trim - cover image and web link
Buy this great book here - free delivery on publication!

Trim was born in 1799 aboard the sailing ship Reliance, a cat born for adventure and seaward journeys. This is the story of a famous cat, Trim, who sailed with his master Matthew Flinders across the Indian Ocean and  circumnavigated Australia. Courageous, mischievous and full of ideas, Trim could be seen on the rigging, along the sails and more than once ended up swimming for his life.

A beautiful book full of wonderful illustrations and an amazing story  of characters, events and a way of life that is not known to us today. Except that showing kindness, being brave and trusting remain good characteristics for anyone.

Flinders and Trim were sailing back to England when they were forced to stop at the Isle de France, a fateful trip as Flinders was put in prison and one day Trim disappeared.

But they are always remembered through statues to Flinders and Trim all over the world, including Sydney, Port Lincoln and  Euston Station, London.

A Cat Called Trim is written by Corinne Fenton, illustrated by Craig Smith and published by Allen and Unwin of Australia, released on 5th September 2019.

Corinne Fenton is an award-winning Australian author,and a passionate creator of picture books for younger readers and a talented presenter of books to children. Craig Smith is a highly talented illustrator of many, many children's books and his amazing pictures have a real sense of story.

Book icon image and web link   Buy this book securely on-line from The Dolphin here...

I love this book, it has enormous appeal and would recommend for children from ages 5 upwards... no limit really! Order the book for dispatch on publication date of 5th September 2019.

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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Digger - cover image and web link
Buy this book here - free delivery

Digger is the story of one toy kangaroo, one Australian soldier,  Annie and Colette, set in two countries engaged in a world at war.

It is an amazingly poignant story and beautifully portrayed in text and illustration. 

It is  a tribute to the French school children who tended the graves of Australian soldiers and a quiet reminder of the casualties of the battle for Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918.

James goes off to war, leaving his homeland Australia behind and takes with him Digger, a toy kangaroo which Annie,  his sister, has lovingly repaired and named just for him. The pages turn over to show images of a soldier who is keen to help and fight for his own country and for others. He faces everything with courage.

Digger is always with him and  they both even survive a blast in the trenches.

Colette in France, helps to repair Digger and one day he is brought to Colette without James. He is sent back to Australia repaired and with a note for Annie...

Mike Dumbleton is the author and illustrated by Robin Cowcher another great book from publishers Allen and Unwin, Australia.

Buy this book - button image and web link

With tears in my eyes on the last page, I believe this book is truly amazing and will be a sad but good read for anyone, whether they are coping with loss, learning about the effects of war or just as a brilliant picture book.

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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Mr Badger
View, review or purchase from Amazon.co.uk here...

Mr Badger is always on hand to cope with many surprises at the Boubles Grand Hotel.

My favourite story is Mr Badger and the Missing Ape, Algernon who is usually kept stuffed in a glass case in the lobby. But Lady Celia's granddaughter is not happy with this gorilla and wants it sent away.

As she usually gets just whatever she wants the alarming disappearance one morning gives Mr Badger quite a task, but solve it, he does.

There are four stories in the one book, which is full of brilliant sketches and the characters really come to life.

Mr Badger is written by Leigh Hobbs, who has an amazing talent for writing and tfor illustrating too. He has a great website for a whole range of his books.

This year he has been appointed as the Australian Children's Laureate and there are whole host of great activities for children all over the world as well as Australia.

Mr Badger is published by Allen and Unwin, Australia but can be purchased on-line in the UK, from Amazon.co.uk, here.

A great book and we recommend for children 7+, especially for those who still get a lot from the images through each chapter.

Sue Martin Books Go Walkabout and Dolphin Book Blog


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.