The second in this highly ambitious and creative bunch of class mates, Rosie is intrigued by the world of engineering and passes her days creating inventions to solve every day issues such as hot dog dispensing and hats for keeping cobras at bay. Disheartened by her Uncles reaction to her latest invention she decides that perhaps engineering isn’t for her after-all. However a passion so strong cannot be easily lost, her creative and inventive mind is activated once again when her Great Aunt Rose comes to stay and expresses her desire to fly…
This is the follow up to Iggy Peck Architect created by the dual talents of author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts, an inspiring read for all children.
Ada Twist didn’t utter a word until the day she turned three, but from that moment on there wasn’t a thing that was left unquestioned, her curious mind turns it’s attention to everything and anything. She sets out one fateful day to find out the cause of a most disgusting scent, is it dads cabbage stew or the cat? only one way to find out!! after an experiment that goes too far her parents loose their patience and Ada ends up on the thinking chair…but nothing can keep her mind from whirring.
The third in this series about an ambitious group of class mates, Andrea Beaty has created a strong set of stories with inspirational messages at their heart. Matched perfectly by David Roberts’ uniquely detailed illustrations these books are a joy to read for both children and adults alike!
Madame Chapeau is one of the finest hat maker that there’s ever been, she makes hats for everyone young and old, creating headwear perfectly matched to each personality. One night a year Madame Chapeau treats herself to a night out at her favourite restaurant as a birthday celebration, only on this outing a cheeky crow runs off with her bonnet, a bonnet that was made for her by someone very special. Madame Chapeau is offered every hat under the sun by kind and considerate folk that she passes in the street..will she find one suited to her?
A heartwarming tale written in Andrea Beaty’s unmistakable style, wonderful rhymes make this a captivating read. David Roberts is clearly in his elements having first trained to be a milliner before turning to illustration, this books offers plenty of opportunity to bring the two skills together!
For those familiar with this duo’s previous two offerings keep your eye out for Iggy Pecks parents and Rosie Revere’s Uncle.
We all know that feeling, however for Susanna it results in being whisked away to a dark and dangerous world, thankfully she eventually comes across the Hemulen and his associates Bob and Thingummy who help her to navigate her way to the safety of Moomin Valley
This was the last of Tove Jansson’s Moomin series originally published in 1977 and features some wonderfully expressive landscapes, also great fun to read out loud with the backwards language of Bob and Thingummy.
Tove Jansson’s timeless tales of the magical, mythical world of Moomin Valley have been enchanting readers young and old since their creation in the 1950s. Originally written in Swedish and published in 1977 The Dangerous Journey was re-published in 2010 by Sort of Books with a updated translation by Sophie Hannah.
If I was asked to pick a favourite book, it would be hard, but I think this would have to be it. Who will comfort Toffle? is a heart-warming tale of a shy and lonely creature who doesn’t know that to make friends all you have to do is say hello, not hide away. He journeys past eight contented whompses, each more jolly than the last and he trudges on whilst Hemulen lights fireworks and everyone eats pancakes stuffed with jam, cakes and macaroons. That is until he finds a message in a bottle, not addressed to him, but nevertheless he takes on the call for help as his personal crusade and it turns out that all Toffle needed was a Miffle who needed him too.
Jansson’s inimitable artwork is at its finest in this book with each page venturing further into the captivating world of Moomin Valley.
Tove Jansson’s timeless tales of the magical, mythical world of Moomin Valley have been enchanting readers young and old since their creation in the 1950s. Originally written in Swedish and published in 1960 Who will comfort Toffle? was re-published in 2003 by Sort of Books with a updated translation by Sophie Hannah.
Isabella is bound to the Isle of Joya, forbidden to leave, so she dreams of faraway lands. That is until her best friend disappears, guided by an ancient map and her knowledge of the stars, Isabella leads the search party navigating the islands dangerous forgotten territories.
The debut novel by young author Kiran Milwood Hargrave is a fantastic mix of myth, magic and monsters
recommended for ages 10+
“A spellbinding adventure from a wonderful new voice in children’s fiction. Beautiful storytelling” Abi Elphinstone
The Oceano is setting sail for a round the world voyage. As we peak beneath the sea in this wonderfully crafted pop up book we discover the ocean in all its glory, moving from the murky waters of the port where eels and mackerel dodge rubble and fishing nets, through a raging storm, to a beautiful lagoon where the Oceano drops it’s anchor, but where are all the crew? they’re under the sea swimming with the fish in its clear and sparkling water.
Designed and paper engineered by Anouck Boisrobert and Louis Rigard Under the Ocean is a beautifully illustrated exploration of the ocean. In respect of its subject matter it has been produced with environmentally soy ink on paper from sustainably managed forests.
Young folk know a lot, every day they are learning something new and they should feel very proud about it! “I know a lot” is one in a series of three books by Stephen Krensky with striking illustrations by Sara Gillingham which follow the young characters on their journey of discovery and learning.
Ideas can be tricky things to keep hold of, especially if you have so many like Sozi, her’s is a mind full of creativity and fun, but she doesn’t seem to be able to keep focused on and finish anyone of her brilliant thoughts, until along comes a book to help her to capture every last one. Her Idea is a brilliantly conceptual story about the struggle and triumph of making ideas happen, a story for all ages about getting to THE END!
Sozi is the alter-ego of illustrator / author Rilla Alexander, Rilla has been creating books since she was a little girl when her mom would type up the words for her and she would complete the books with illustrations, we’re very glad that she continued this passion into adulthood to bring us this and other amazing books.
“When I was born I had never seen the sun or a flower or a face. I didn’t know anybody and nobody knew me” Isabel Minhos Martins words and Madalena Matoso’s illustrations take us on a voyage of discovery as a child wonders at everything he see’s for the first time, all the things that we take for granted every day. Beautifully bold and high contrast colours with simple but poetic text, this book appeals to baby’s and preschoolers alike.
Isabel Minhos Martins and Madalena Matoso studied together at Lisbon College of Fine Arts, in 1999, together with Bernardo P. Carvalho they founded the publishing company Planeta Tangerina to make picturebooks. This edition was first published in English by Tate Publishing in 2010.
“Sally’s in the High Street and this is what she needs…” visit Mr Foggins in his sweet shop hopefully you’ll be able to cross a candy heart off Sally list and perhaps you’ll find a cherry tart in Mr Bottons bakery, in amongst the sticky doughnuts. What magical musical instrument can you find in Mrs Millards Music shop, a tin kazoo maybe?
Alice Melvin has created the kind of High Street that I dream of but rarely will you find today, how lovely then to join Sally on her journey and take a peak into all the different shops as each page fold outs to reveal the treasure contained behind every door. Sally’s world is brought to life by Alice’s inimitable style and imagination a treat for all ages.
A lady goes on a trip and checks her baggage at the station, everything makes it to the other end…apart from her dog, who has been replaced with a larger version!!
Baggage is a classic title from what has been termed “a modernist golden age for children’s books” first published in 1926 it was part of a post revolution push by both the government and the art world to “shape an ideologically new, modern Russian people” Author Samuil Marshark and artists Vladimir Lebedev collaborated on nearly 50 titles and were at the forefront of this movement in children’’s literature. A selection of these titles have thankfully been translated into English and published by Tate publishing in 2013.
NB Baggage is short poem, it is 8 pages long (with illustrations) the book includes a 2 page afterword by Sarah Suzuki Associate Curator, MoMA and the original text by Samuil Marshak in Russian.
In the forest the sloth sleeps, can you see him? he’s swaying in the branches and everything is green and full of life, but then the mechanical saws come to chop down the forest, will the sloth wake in time?
Wonderfully and delicately crafted by Anouck Boisrobert and Louis Rigaud, Sophie Strady’s story tells of the beauty of the rainforest, the dangers of it being destroyed by man’s mechanical saw and the joy of it being restored. This beautiful book is produced with environmentally soy ink on paper from sustainably managed forests.
As the Moon Man watches the people on earth dance he wishes he could join them, so he catches a lift on a shooting star. But all does not go to plan as the authorities witness this almighty crash and assume that the earth is being invaded, the soldiers and firemen are soon on the scene of the crash (thankfully along with an ice cream man to provide refreshments for the crowd) The mysterious invader is locked in a jail. Of course he manages to escape and he chances upon a costume party where everyone assumes he has come dressed as the moon, he enjoys himself very much until someone complains of the noise, which alerts the police and the chase ensues once again…
Another of Tomi Ungerer’s bizarre and unpredictable tales, with equally fantastical illustrations to accompany the story, Moon Man is a delightful tale originally published in German in 1966 and thankfully re published in English by Phaidon.
Pesky Little My has run away and is hiding from her sister Mymble, Moomintroll joins in the hunt for the tiny creature, looking in tin cans, avoiding being bitten by Gaffsie, searching through boulders piled up high and getting sucked up by Hemulens vacuum hose. They find Little My and the adventure continues, leaping from page to page through its die cut design you’ll be glad to know they end up safe and sound at home and drinking sweet pink berry juice. They can’t get through the last hole in the book and why? “cause we’re too big!!!” said little My”
Tove Jansson’s timeless tales of the magical, mythical world of Moomin Valley have been enchanting readers young and old since their creation in the 1950’s. Originally written in Swedish and published in 1952 The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My was re published in 2001 by Sort of Books with an updated translation by Sophie Hannah.
The first title in Luke Pearson’s Hildafolk series Introduces Hilda, an adventurous young girl who lives in an idyllic mountainous wilderness with her mother and deerfox companion, Twig. In her first outing, she encounters the enigmatic Wood Man and discovers a rock shaped suspiciously like a troll
Amazingly inventive characters and striking graphics ensure that this graphic novel appeals to all ages. Luke Pearson is an illustrator and comic artist and Hildafolk is just one of his comic creations – Hilda has now been into an animated series on Netflix