Follow the Track All the Way Back

Today is a big day for little Train ... he's going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time!

From Ben Mantle and Timothy Knapman comes the story of Little Train, who is going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time! But before he goes, his mummy and daddy remind him: “When it’s time to come home, no matter how far you are, just follow the track all the way back, where we’ll be waiting.” So Little Train heads off into the unknown with a clickety-clack… But, when night falls and the track runs out, will he remember what to do? Young readers will share Little Train’s trepidation and excitement in this uplifting and extraordinary read-aloud adventure, and rejoice in the gorgeously atmospheric artwork of illustrator Ben Mantle.


Check out the fun animated book trailer created by Ben Mantle below!

       

Timothy Knapman is a children’s writer, lyricist and playwright. His children’s books have been translated into fifteen languages and include Soon, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Time Now To Dream, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Dinosaurs Don't Have Bedtimes, illustrated by Nikki Dyson, and Can't Catch Me, illustrated by Simona Ciraolo. His titles are often featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. He lives in Surrey. Find him online at timothyknapman.co.uk and on Twitter as @TimothyKnapman.

Ben Mantle worked in animation, working on Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, before turning his hand to children’s illustration. He is the author and illustrator of the Dinostar series, The Best Birthday Present Ever! and The Best Christmas Present Ever!, and the illustrator of many other picture books. Born in Leamington Spa, Ben now lives and works in Sussex. Find him online at benmantle.co.uk and benmantleillustration.blogspot.co.uk, and on Twitter as @BenMMantle.

Top picture book picks for April

April showers bring...our top five picture book picks! Add some sunshine to your children's bookshelves with a forgetful mole, a hungry cat, and some beautifully-illustrated tales of the flora and fauna of our world. Check out our top picks for this month here!

Mrs Mole, I’m Home!

From Jarvis, the creator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, comes another unmissable, hilarious adventure about a daddy mole who has mislaid his spectacles. Morris can’t find them anywhere. So, he decides to go on without them, trusting his instincts to lead him home to his waiting family and delicious dinner of worm noodles. “Mrs Mole, I’m homeeee!” he sings, as he burrows right into some poor unsuspecting rabbit family’s hole. Oh dear. Without his spectacles, Morris really can’t see a thing – how will he ever get home? Jarvis will have all readers rooting for Morris and rejoicing in the idea that – glasses or no glasses – you can always make your way back to home sweet home.

Trees

Trees change through the seasons – springing to life, bearing fruit and losing their leaves. They clean the air we breathe, provide seeds and homes for creatures and extend their shade to everyone equally. Trees is a poetic picture book that invites the reader to take a closer look at the magnificent trees that surround us.

Lots

From the award-winning team behind Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes comes Lots, a beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of biodiversity for younger readers. There are living things everywhere: the more we look, the more we find. There are creatures on the tops of the tallest jungle trees, at the bottom of the coldest oceans, even under the feathers of birds and in boiling volcanic pools. So how many different kinds are there? One, two, three... lots! With beautiful words from Nicola Davies and exquisite illustrations by Emily Sutton, this groundbreaking book is certain to enchant and inspire children.

Town Is by the Sea

Stunning illustrations by Sydney Smith, the award-winning illustrator of Footpath Flowers, show the striking contrast between a sparkling seaside day and the darkness underground where the miners dig. The ever-present ocean and inevitable pattern of life in a mining town will enthral children and move adult readers, as a young boy wakes up to the sound of the sea, visits his grandfather's grave after lunch and comes home to a cosy dinner with his family, but all the while his mind strays to his father digging for coal deep down under the sea.

Can’t Catch Me!

A wicked, wild read-aloud romp from Timothy Knapman, author of Soon, and Simona Ciraolo, winner of the Sebastian Walker Prize, this is the story of Jake, the fastest mouse there ever was. NO ONE can catch him. Not the fox, not the wolf, not even the bear. “Can’t catch me,” teases Jake. “I’m the fastest mouse in the world!” But cunning Old Tom Cat has his eye on that sweet, young mouse for his dinner and he’s got a plan…








You can get your paws on all these books at your local bookshop. Happy reading!