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Find out moreThe books in this section cover a range of PSHE topics including bullying, disability, family issues and adoption. There are both fiction and non-fiction titles and cover age ranges from Toddler to Older Teen.
Nobody captures young children’s body language and expressions better than Roald Dahl Funny Prizewinning author, Rebecca Patterson, who is inspired in this latest book by her own lived experience of growing up with a disabled sister. The delightful Connie is our narrator and uses a wheelchair, which is never mentioned until it is commandeered by bossy playmate Ada as her ‘Throne of Rolling Power’. Ada and Colin, the Beswicks from next door, interrupt the magnificent game of unicorn farmers that Connie and big sister Frankie had been enjoying. The glum expressions of the three children, including Ada’s long suffering little brother Colin, trying to follow Queen Ada’s instructions for how to play her games, are simply hilarious. But when they rebel and leave her behind, Ada burst into tears and Colin shares a few home truths with his sister before Connie the peacemaker suggests they all be good unicorns together and a whole day of unicorn play follows. Not only a lovely relatable message about how to play together so that everyone is happy, but a really positive depiction of sibling love and, most importantly, portraying a disabled central character full of agency and fun.
Framed in the context of a sweet grandfather telling a favourite tale to his library-loving granddaughter, Polly Ho-Yen's The Boy Who Grew a Tree is a pitch-perfect charmer for 5+ year-olds wondering what it will mean to have a new sibling. It’s also a beautiful book about the magic of nature, stories and libraries, and the coming together of a community, with Sojung Kim-McCarthy’s softly emotive illustrations adding further beauty and depth. Timi has always loved growing things, and now his mum is growing something too – his baby sister. While he imagines his sister “to be like one of his seedlings”, at the same time it was almost “impossible to believe there really was a baby in his Mum’s tummy”. Amidst this confusion, as the arrival of his little sister draws ever closer, Timi discovers something rather strange and magical in his local library – the little green shoot of a tree, which grows to an incredible size after he tends and waters it. Sadly, though, the library is due to close, but perhaps Timi, his friends, and the magic of the tree can convince the grown-ups to change their plans and protect both the tree and the library. Exquisitely simple and stirring, this will be a delight to share.
April 2022 Book of the Month | Bea, her big sister Riley and their mum have moved from London to stay with their gran in a small country town. All three are looking for escape after the sudden death of the girls’ father. Just before he died, the family attended London Pride – Riley had just come out as gay – and memories of a colourful, joyful day have taken on a special significance. As she starts to make friends, Bea is ever more conscious of her sister’s sadness, until she suddenly realises there is a way to bring Riley out of herself. Now the only obstacle is the town’s resident busy-body and general ‘do-badder’. It’s surprising what you can achieve though when everyone accepts one another and works as a team. As sunny and cheering as the rainbow design on its sprayed edges, this is a story that recognises the importance of standing up for what you know is right, and for others. In its depiction of grief and depression, it strikes just the right note and delivers a message of inclusivity and tolerance with the lightest touch.
Four fantastic new stories about everyone's favourite twins. There's always double trouble when these two are about, so get ready for more mayhem as they look after the school hamster for half term, have a competition to build the best snowman, raise money with a yard sale, and have a rollercoaster of a time at the local theme park!
Mia finds her little brother Jim really irritating. He follows her round, takes her things, embarrasses her in front of her friends. Then, during an argument, she accidentally throws his much-loved toy Rabbit onto the roof. Upset and guilty, Mia runs off to hide, not noticing that she’s been followed by two colourful, cheeky, and very friendly little creatures. She names them Miffkins and discovers Jim has been found by one too. Together, the Miffkins help rescue Rabbit, but more than that, they bring sister and brother together again. The story is very appealing, the Miffkins are very sweet indeed, and the message is delivered subtly and with real charm. A lovely book for families to share.
“When you’re in a funk, you need poetry and funk”. What a strapline, and this cornucopia of reverse Parent Trap mayhem and real-life problems certainly lives up to its instant appeal. With lively illustrations by Mya Mitchell, Tasha Harrison’s Clementine Florentine is perfect for fans of Tom Gates, especially kids with a penchant for writing. Clementine Florentine is a bundle of energy and a keen poet who’s well and truly flipped into a funk when her dad starts dating her archenemy’s mum. Not only is Callum a poet, but he actually said Clementine’s poem was rubbish, so how can she possibly welcome him into her home? Worse still, what if Dad gets “slushy-mushy” over Callum’s mum and he ends up being her step-brother?! It seems to Clementine that she has little choice but to do all she can to end this outrageous situation. As it turns out, Callum isn’t happy either. In fact, he insists that “my parents are going to get back together”. Then, while they’re both implementing Operation Bad Romance, Clementine meets wonderful punk legend Lyn (and her pet parrot) who helps her understand the situation, and put things right. Infused with a valuable feelgood message about it always being possible to make amends and learn from your mistakes, this is a fun, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining read.
This is the story of Maggie Sparks, a feisty little witch who is not thrilled with the arrival of a new baby brother. Her new little brother Arthur seems to be the centre of her parents’ world, and in her eyes she feels unloved. With the help of her pet chameleon Bat, and an understanding grandfather, she tries to deal with the issue in her own way. This is a lovely little story, dealing with the common issue of jealousy when a new baby arrives in a family. There are many picture books dealing with this issue, but it is unusual and refreshing to have a ‘story’ book written with a positive message for all those older siblings! It is written with both humour and understanding. Maggie’s references to her distaste for her mother ‘swapping a big tummy for a baby,’ to how she is far happier when the new baby is in its cage (cot.) Bat the chameleon is a loyal pet and manages to change colour not to match its surroundings but to match her moods. The whole family are witches, with the ability to cast magic spells, but none of them seem very able and various mishaps ensue as a result. Happily, all is resolved and peace reigns. The book moves at a good pace for young children, with short, well-paced sentences and lots of DINGS, POPS and YUMS, combined with expressive illustrations by Esther Hernando to encourage the child to read this book enthusiastically and for general enjoyment.
Grace and Jack have a plan - to find purrfect homes for purrfect pets! Nine-year-old twins Grace and Jack run the Forever Homes rehoming service. Whether it's a cheeky puppy or a shy kitten, they're determined to pair every animal with their perfect person - and have lots of adventures along the way! Tiger is a cute, adventure-seeking kitten. Everyone loves him and wants to take him home! How will the twins decide which home would suit him best? Fans of Zoe's Rescue Zoo and Holly Webb will love Forever Homes! Beautifully illustrated throughout by Sophy Williams, Forever Homes is the ideal series for animal-mad readers aged 5+.
A trip to the zoo is full of amazing experiences and unforgettable sights, but birthday boy Oliver nearly misses them all. His attention if fixed on the beautiful lollipop he asks for at the gate and all he can think about from then on is how delicious it will be. He’s so absorbed with his lollipop that he hardly notices the wonderful animals, though his little brother Louis does, and even turns down a ride on the carousel in case he drops it. When the lollipop is stolen by a cheeky giraffe though, Louis is able to comfort Oliver and, more than that, open his eyes to all he’s been missing, simply by whispering, ‘Look’. Oliver’s tears dry up as he sees instead the toucan, the flamingos and the lions. The book delivers its message about living in the moment elegantly, text and illustrations both equally vibrant. This is a picture book to remember.
Saffy's Angel really deserves the top honours. This heavenly little book tells the story of Cadmium, Saffron, Indigo and Rose, siblings who are each as colourful as their exotic names suggest. Saffy's Angel is written with a simple, understated elegance that allows the reader access to the kind of family we would all, secretly, love to belong to. Each character is drawn with an enviable artistry coupled with, one suspects, a tongue-in the cheek that adds a sharp realistic air to a modern household with a heart of pure, old-fashioned gold. And it is these fabulous characters who lead the unfurling of the story, easing the reader through the pages with an irresistible wit and warmth that smartly avoids cosiness but nonetheless leaves a soothing rosy glow. Hilary’s real strength lies in her understanding of young people and her ability to evoke them very simply.
February 2021 Book of the Month | A Tangle of Spells is book three in Michelle Harrison’s series of stories about the Widdershins sisters and just as magical as the first two, which is really saying something. The three girls have moved to a new village and though it seems idyllic, beneath the surface something dark is lurking. When eldest sister Fliss falls under a strange enchantment, it’s up to Betty and Charlie to save her and in the process to break the spell that’s affecting the whole of Pendlewick too. The story crackles with magic and just the right level of spookiness and jeopardy. The three sisters are some of the liveliest, most individual and most appealing characters you’re likely to meet, and reading about them is like being part of the family. For readers who love fairytale fantasy and adventure, it doesn’t come better than this. Books in A Pinch of Magic Adventure Series: 1. A Pinch of Magic 2. A Sprinkle of Sorcery 3. A Tangle of Spells 4. A Storm of Sisters
November 2020 Book of the Month | Ayesha Harruna Attah’s The Deep Blue Between, her debut for younger readers, is a rich historical, dual-narrative story of the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. With a steady, captivating style, it’s rich in details of everyday life in late-nineteenth-century West Africa and Brazil, and the broader cultural landscapes of the Gold Coast and South America. It’s a thoughtful - and thought-provoking - novel, threaded with love, hope and determination. “In 1892, when I was ten, I was forced to live on a land where the trees grew so close together, they sucked out my voice.” So Hassana sets the scene at the start of her story. Following a raid on her home, she’s been separated from her twin sister, Husseina, but senses they’ll find one another again. Even more so when she finds the protection of a stranger: “I was learning things from Richard that I was sure would make it easier to find Husseina. Richard had been in what he called “the Gold Coast” to study plants to find out what could be used to treat sicknesses. He was going to put everything he found in a book.” But the sisters’ paths take hugely divergent turns. While Hassana makes it to Accra, Husseina flees to Brazil, way across the deep blue ocean they both dream of. Fans of Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone will relish reading about West African religion and culture in this context, and it’s also highly recommended for readers who love Jamila Gavin’s elegant, character-driven historic fiction. It provides vital insights into the impacts of European imperialism, and the connections between Africans and Brazilians of African descent, through a distinctly moving human story.
