Wednesday 17 June 2020

Picture Book Party April - June Highlights

With Summer heating up as we speak, and bookshops opening once again, now is the perfect time to read with your little ones. Here are some of our highlights from the last few months! 

The Tale of a Toothbrush

Children use their toothbrush each morning and evening and get new ones every few months. That's billions of toothbrushes! What happens to them all when they're no longer needed? And if toothbrushes take thousands of years to break down, what does that mean for our planet? With a fun cast of plastic characters, from pirate-ship bottles to dancing shampoos, and even an inquisitive albatross, The Tale of a Toothbrush is a positive and heart-warming story to help children explore the impact their choices have on our planet.
My Red Hat

Grandpa's hat is full of dreams, secrets and stories and when it is handed down to a new owner, it can even spark new adventures. Explore all the possibilities that a treasured hand-me-down can bring and see how love is handed down with it. A tender tale about imagination, belonging and love between generations, perfect for reading as a family.

Follow Me, Flo!
Flo is a very mischievous little duckling who has a penchant for wandering off… She can't help it, her curiosity is always taking her off on new adventures! Luckily, Daddy Duck has a trick to make sure Flo stays by his side … he sings the FOLLOW SONG. But on the way to visit Auntie Jenna's house, Flo decides to sing her OWN louder, higher version of the Follow Song ... with surprising and catastrophic results!


The Best Place in the World

"Do you think this is the best place in the world?" Hare asks his friends, Rabbit, Bear, Duck and Owl. Certain there must be somewhere better out there, Hare sets out on an adventure that takes him to mountains higher than the clouds, sun-kissed beaches and starlit deserts. But even the most beautiful place isn't perfect without friends to share it with, and perhaps the best place in the world is actually closer than Hare thinks.



The Walloo's Big Adventure

On a small, rocky island, live the Walloos: Big Walloo, Spotty Walloo, Old Walloo and Little Walloo . Old Walloo loves to tell stories about his adventures, and Little Walloo can’t wait to have her first adventure, too! So when the family travel together to a tropical island, Little Walloo can't believe her eyes. WOW! The air is so moist and fresh, the plants so tall and green. But when some of the gang begin picking the island's leaves and plants, Little Walloo gets a funny feeling... Something is not quite right. What is that GURGLE-GURGLE-WURGLE sound? And is the island ... moving?


Karate Kids

Join Maya and all her friends as they get together at the dojo for their Saturday karate class! There are moves to remember, blocks to practise, and punches to perfect! Maya is a white belt, which means she’s still a beginner, but with focus, balance and determination – and a little helping hand from her friends – can she show Sensei what she’s got?



Don't Worry, Little Crab

In the rockpool above the sea, live two crabs: Big Crab and Little Crab. Today, they’re going for a dip in the sea. “This is going to be so great!” says Little Crab. But then Little Crab catches a first glimpse of the water... Oh. The waves! They're ENORMOUS. "Oh..." Will Little Crab be brave enough to go in?




All of the above are available to buy from all good booksellers!



Thursday 11 June 2020

Don't Worry Little Crab by Chris Haughton

From the multi-award-winning picture book maker of A Bit Lost, Oh No, George! and Shh! We Have a Plan comes a bold, beautiful picture book about working through anxiety and, with the support of a loved one, building up the courage to try something new.


In the rockpool above the sea, live two crabs: Big Crab and Little Crab. Today, they’re going for a dip in the sea. “This is going to be so great!” says Little Crab. But then Little Crab catches a first glimpse of the water... Oh. The waves! They're ENORMOUS. "Oh..." Will Little Crab be brave enough to go in?





Hollywood actor Tom Hardy recently read Don’t Worry, Little Crab as part of a week-long series of bedtime stories on CBeebies following the popularity of his appearance in 2016.

BBC iPlayer - CBeebies Bedtime Stories - 752. Tom Hardy - Don't ...

You can now watch Tom Hardy's reading here.

It's also a great idea to keep an eye on Chris Haughton's Facebook Page where he has been reading a number of his other titles amongst other online activities!

https://www.facebook.com/abitlost/

The wonderful team at Little Angel Theatre have transformed Don’t Worry, Little Crab into a puppetry masterpiece.

“A wee gem of a production.” – Review Numbernine




Activity Sheets

We have created some fun activity sheets to keep little ones entertained! These can now be found here.


 


We were delighted to hear that Don't Worry Little Crab has won the Indie Book Awards 2020 in the Picture Book Category.



Don't Worry Little Crab is now out in paperback and is available to buy from all good booksellers!




Monday 8 June 2020

Top Picture Book Picks for June!

Check out our top new picture books below where you can learn some new karate moves or be whisked away to the seaside - there is something for everyone!

1. The Walloo's Big Adventure by Anuska Allepuz

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On a small, rocky island, live the Walloos: Big Walloo, Spotty Walloo, Old Walloo and Little Walloo. Old Walloo loves to tell stories about his adventures, and Little Walloo can’t wait to have her first adventure, too! So when the family travel together to a tropical island, Little Walloo can't believe her eyes. WOW! The air is so moist and fresh, the plants so tall and green. But when some of the gang begin picking the island's leaves and plants, Little Walloo gets a funny feeling... Something is not quite right. What is that GURGLE-GURGLE-WURGLE sound? And is the island ... moving?


2. Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton

In the rockpool above the sea, live two crabs: Big Crab and Little Crab. Today, they’re going for a dip in the sea. “This is going to be so great!” says Little Crab. But then Little Crab catches a first glimpse of the water... Oh. The waves! They're ENORMOUS. "Oh..." Will Little Crab be brave enough to go in?

Now out in paperback and you can watch the trailer here.




3. Pawed Piper by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Chinlun Lee


The leading lady of this tale longs for a pet cat to cuddle and call her own – a furry fluffball, just like the one in her book. So, after studying her grandma’s cat, Hector, she lays a trail with all the things that she knows cats love – balls of wool, saucers of milk, cardboard boxes and catnip aplenty. And then she waits for a cat to come…



Now out in paperback.




4. Karate Kids by Holly Sterling 

Join Maya and all her friends as they get together at the dojo for their Saturday karate class! There are moves to remember, blocks to practise, and punches to perfect! Maya is a white belt, which means she’s still a beginner, but with focus, balance and determination – and a little helping hand from her friends – can she show Sensei what she’s got?


Now out in paperback and you can watch the trailer here.



Get your copies of our top picks of the month at all good booksellers!

Thursday 4 June 2020

Karate Kids by Holly Sterling

Written and illustrated by Holly Sterling, a karate champion and teacher, Karate Kids is a joyful and uplifting celebration of the sport and a must-have primer for any child hoping to be a karate kid one day too!



Join Maya and all her friends as they get together at the dojo for their Saturday karate class! There are moves to remember, blocks to practise, and punches to perfect! Maya is a white belt, which means she’s still a beginner, but with focus, balance and determination – and a little helping hand from her friends – can she show Sensei what she’s got?

Trailer


Activity Sheets

To help with all that's going on at the moment, Holly has created some FREE printables to help keep families occupied. Here are the first two activity sheets and the full set can be found here.



Karate Kids is out now in paperback and is available to buy at all good booksellers!