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Find out moreThis is the perfect place to find storybooks on animals from across the world - from wild animals to our household pets.
In a gilded kennel lives a famous movie star named Mazy. While other dogs chase sticks at the park, Mazy chases her acting dreams. But then one morning Mazy's agent delivers bad news. They are only giving acting jobs to pedigrees now. Can Mazy embrace what it is that makes her special and find her perfect role?
From the creators of Mince Spies, Santa Jaws and Jingle Smells comes another hilarious romp that's guaranteed to make you laugh this summer! This is the story of a little hot dog who longs for just one thing: to be a real dog. But when the Mustard Fairy makes his dreams come true, will he be accepted by the other dogs? Or will he have to fight for his place in the sun? Packed with beaches, sunshine, ice cream and seaside silliness galore, this is the picture book of the summer!
When Lissa spends the summer with her dad on his boathouse, she can't help but feel a little lonely. She misses her mum and sister back home, and her dad's job means that he can't spend as much time with her as she'd hoped. Then one morning during a paddle boarding lesson she spots a lost seal pup in the river trying to find its way home. Lissa wants to help her, but can she protect the young seal without scaring her away? A heartwarming story about family from best-selling author Holly Webb.
This is adventure number six for the Bolds, a family of hyenas living happily in Teddington disguised as humans. Let’s hope there will be more too, because there are very few stories more joyful, cheering and entertaining than these and only Paddington to compare for characters as lovable and inspirational. If you’ve read previous Bolds books, you’ll know that they’re always ready to help other animals and to open their doors to those in need. Of course therefore they give homeless aardvark Annika a warm welcome and set out to track down her missing friends, escapees from the same zoo, Charlie the skunk and Fergie the fruit bat. The latter, we discover, have been camping out in Parliament Square with friendly eco-warriors. Can the Bolds find them somewhere permanent (and quieter) to live? This is the Bolds, so of course the answer is yes. Gloriously silly, genuinely heart-warming and beautifully plotted, it all ends with a special party for twins Betty and Bobby Bold, and an ‘au revoir’ to another friend, Fifi, the singing poodle superstar. She promises to return, ‘Wherever life might take me, my heart belongs with the Bolds.’ That will be true for all the dear readers too, this one included.
Rosie Raccoon was up to no good out and about in a grand neighbourhood. It seems Rosie is up to no good as she breaks into the houses of Bear, Flamingo and Snake, but when Officer Skunk catches her in the act all she has taken is junk! But Rosie has a plan to recycle these treasures and make something new. With a topical environmental theme, Lou's fantastic rhyming text and Julia's adorable illustrations, this picture book will be irresistible to young readers.
From Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlisted Robert Starling comes this new tale about the incredible places books can take us. Astrid’s family has just moved in to the mouse hole in the bookshop on Maple Street, and none of her new classmates believes the incredible adventures she has with her family. But when she invites each of them to the bookshop, they’ll see that there is a big, exciting world of possibilities there, just waiting to be discovered . . .
Albert is desperate to get a pet, so he’s really excited when Dad finally brings one home. There’s just one problem: it’s a potato. Potatoes can’t do anything a proper pet does . . .can they?! A funny story with a sweet, green-fingered resolution for any child who’s ever begged their parents for a pet!
Blaze the Phoenix is the third in a series of books set in a magical world of unicorns and dragons, running parallel with a normal world of family life and friendship. It follows the adventures of Rosie and Kat as they attempt to solve the mystery of a time turning phoenix in Starfall forest. The characters and creatures are imaginatively described, though if you have not read the previous books, you need a glossary to keep up with the fast developing plot! There is somewhat of an overload of creatures, magic crystals and flutterpuffs, all introduced quite quickly and a lot to absorb. The book is beautifully illustrated by Morgan Huff. What is clever is how Lockhart writes about the magical world seamlessly with the more mundane world of school, friendship, and the village fundraiser. The two worlds appear to blend quite effortlessly. Amidst the magic and adventure, there is also a more serious message, one of friendship, loyalty and growing up. As the two girls try to solve the mystery, they are learning valuable lessons in life skills and family life. Rosie is thought of as responsible and mature by the Magical Vet team but regarded by her parents and teachers as just a child. A feeling many young people feel as they are growing up. A fun, fast paced adventure story for all those animal lovers.
Jim has lived on a small tropical island since he was washed up there as a baby in a barrel of rum. There are no other humans on the island, but the animals there have done a very good job of bringing him up. The animals also run and maintain the island’s lighthouse, which has a dual purpose of keeping ships off the rocks and hiding the magical island altogether from the wrong eyes. They’re no ordinary animals you see, from Oskar the wise old orangutan, to Rafi the greedy raccoon and Maximus the millipede, they all play a part in keeping the island and Jim safe. Can they protect him though when pirates arrive set on reuniting the boy with his long-lost and not very nice father? The story is a wonderful mix of swashbuckling adventure and fun, the animals proving the best kind of family to have - brave, loyal, often a bit silly and always ready for a food fight. This will be much enjoyed by young readers – great illustrations by Ciara Flood too.
Part of the brilliantly silly series that includes You Can't Take an Elephant on the Bus, You Can't Let an Elephant Drive a Digger, You Can't Call an Elephant in an Emergency and You Can't Take an Elephant on Holiday, You Can't Let an Elephant Drive a Racing Car is a fabulous addition to Patrice Cleveland-Peck and David Tazzyman’s riotously engaging picture book partnership. “You Can't Let an Elephant Drive a Racing Car” – his vehicle will fall apart before he even makes it to the start! But this book isn’t only about the misguided elephant. Each spread features a fresh animal engaging in an activity that isn’t entirely appropriate. How about a walrus wonkily attempting to ride a bike? Or an excitable octopus playing table tennis? And what do you think would happen if a hippo tried to pole-vault? And so this delightful dance of absurdity continues, with a denouement that reminds readers that taking part and trying your best matters more than winning medals. With illustrations that’ll prompt laughter and discussion (“what are those silly monkeys doing? Look at the puma stuck on the diving board!”) and rhyming text that begs to be chanted aloud, this is one of those marvellous “again, again!” kind of books.
May 2022 Debut of the Month | Every page in this gloriously illustrated picture book exhorts readers to be wild and presents them with a series of unforgettable scenes to inspire them: a child carried on an elephant’s trunk, flying on the back of a swan, diving into the deepest blue. A text to stir the heart accompanies the illustrations and the final page leaves us standing with the child, arms flung wide under a sky full of stars. Truly beautiful, this is a book to summon up all that the world can offer and the possibilities in all of us for adventure, joy and discovery. Stunning.
Every page in this gloriously illustrated picture book exhorts readers to be wild and presents them with a series of unforgettable scenes to inspire them: a child carried on an elephant’s trunk, flying on the back of a swan, diving into the deepest blue. A text to stir the heart accompanies the illustrations and the final page leaves us standing with the child, arms flung wide under a sky full of stars. Truly beautiful, this is a book to summon up all that the world can offer and the possibilities in all of us for adventure, joy and discovery. Stunning.
