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PICTURE BOOKS
No! Said Rabbit by Marjorie Henrichs Scallywag Press, £12.99
Parents and pre-schoolers alike will recognise little Rabbit's instant response to any new suggestion, 'Time to get dressed', 'Time for breakfast', 'Time to go outside' etc. But then, out of the corner of his eye, Rabbit spies something that makes what he is being asked to do actually rather appealing. Exciting new talent.
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C James Egmont £6.99
"I am a non-stop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference-maker. A leader." A fabulous, moving shout of positivity for all young readers. Click here for a YouTube reading of the book from Just Mister Chris.
What Did the Tree See? by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Sam Usher Welbeck, £12.99
Beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book that packs a millennium of history into the life of a mighty oak on the English coast. Local history, passing seasons, eco consciousness are all deftly covered in this engaging, gentle read that doesn't feel at all 'school-y'. 10p from each book sold goes to the National Forest.
Ceri and Deri: Get Your Skates On by Max Low Graffeg, £7.99
Outwardly cocky Dai the Duck doesn't like skateboarding (because he's not very good at it). His patient friends Ceri and Deri watch him try out a load of other things he thinks he would be really good at, before realising that it doesn't matter if you are rubbish at something if you can 'hang out with ... friends and have fun.. otherwise, what's the point?' Perfect for every 'I can't do it so I don't want to try' child.
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau by Jon Agee Scallywag Press £12.99
A re-issue of this old favourite about an artist whose paintings come to life, quite literally, and turn the stuffy art scene and the French court on its head. Perfectly nuts.
Slug in Love by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Nadia Shireen Simon & Schuster £12.99
One from last month but the story of Doug, a slug that no one wants to hug is not just for Valentine's Day. Roll on the days when we can all hug like mad.
OLDER CHILDREN
Fantastically Great Women Scientists and Their Stories by Kate Pankhurst Bloomsbury £6.99
First in a new series for older children, the fun cartoon-illustrated format works brilliantly for newly free readers. Get inspired by the exploits of eight world-changing women - from Marie Curie to volcanologist Katia Krafft. Heaps of fascinating anecdotes that will shed new light on these ground breakers for parents as well as children.
The Tindims of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Corry Head of Zeus £6.99
Second in the mother and daughter series about a community of tiny people who make things out of rubbish. Think The Borrowers meet the Wombles. Gardner's skills as a storyteller are matched perfectly by her daughter's characterful illustrations. As someone with severe dyslexia, Sally has always been passionate about reaching reluctant readers and everything about this series - words, layout etc - will help get children of 7+ involved. Or, if words themselves make stories a fog -- it is also available as an audio.
Murder on the Safari Star by M.G. Leonard, illustrated by Sam Sedgman Macmillan £6.99
Third story in the Adventures on Trains series. Get your children away from their screens and turn them into mystery solvers on this real life train journey through South Africa.
Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandy Prabhat Simon & Schuster £6.99
All Archie wants is everything to go back to normal, when his parents weren't arguing and his dad wasn't acting weird. His journey to try and make thing better - with his best mates - is a heart-warming, rainbow filled one. A joyous story about acceptance and tolerance from a hugely exciting debut from a brilliant new voice.
The Queen’s Fool by Ally Sherrick Chicken House £6.99
Set in the court of Henry VIII, Cath, who struggles with speech and language, becomes ‘fool’ to Queen Katherine and woven into true history inspired by two famous paintings hanging in Hampton Court. Fun, gripping and pacy story bringing history to life in the best way. Highly recommended. Ages 8–12.
POETRY
A Poem for Every Spring Day edited by Allie Esiri Macmillan £14.99
Just the cover of this lovely anthology is making us dream of Spring. It can't come soon enough. And what better way to mark its arrival (and the road out of Lockdown) than with a poem a day. Dylan Thomas is first up, for 1 March:
"We are not wholly bad or good
Who lives our lives under Milk Wood,
And Thou, I know, wilt be the first,
To see our best side, not our worst."
Emily Turner 18 Feb 2021
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