Sal wants to be a real cowgirl – brave, strong, wild, smart, kind, fierce, a good friend. Sal feels safe and strong at home, or out riding with her pony, but she finds going to school scary and isolating. Her friends, both pony and human, help her to feel brave and build her up to feel all the wonderful things they can see in her. Sensitively illustrated and written by a talented young author, this is a heart-warming story about being yourself and finding bravery through friendship.
Whenever Isla’s mother brings out her small blue doll box, Isla knows she will hear the stories of the women in her family’s past. Their incredible tales of immigration, war, and fighting for their rights show Isla the strength she has in herself and lead her on a journey of self-discovery. Inspired by the author’s own family, The Doll Box is a testament to the power of our personal histories, and the spirit of the many women who had to overcome incredible odds to achieve their dreams.
In Superheroes for a Day, three Autistic friends – Max, Daniel, and Natalie – use their unique abilities to save their school from endless maths. They navigate their distinctive traits and reveal them as strengths. This engaging story normalizes the experiences of Autistic kids in an entertaining and accessible way, making them the heroes and offering a refreshing perspective on neurodiversity.
Nobody likes Monday – and she has the letters of complaint to prove it. But wait, what’s in that sparkly envelope? Nobody Likes Monday uses humour and vibrant illustrations to tell a story that encourages self-acceptance and embracing our differences. It aims to show that we all have value, despite how we may see ourselves. Everybody has negatives in their lives, but when we take a moment to consider our own gifts and talents, it becomes clear that we all have positives too.
The award-winning team of Glyn Harper and Jenny Cooper share this poignant story about a Vietnam veteran and his relationship with his granddaughter. While the relationship is a positive one, the young girl senses her grandfather’s pain and is curious to find out the cause of it. As she innocently seeks answers, she unknowingly opens old wounds and discovers her grandfather’s sadness is a legacy of the Vietnam War and his experiences there.
This is a sensitive exploration of the lingering cost of war and of the PTSD so many returned servicemen experience. Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Khe Sanh (the Vietnam War’s longest battle), it also sheds light on a war that is not always remembered in the same way that the world wars and other conflicts are. Many who served experience a sense of betrayal at the treatment they received on their return, as the conflict came to be regarded as the ‘unpopular’ war, and this is covered in a child-friendly way in a note at the back of the book.
My Grandfathers War has won the Children’s Book Council’s Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Award for 2019.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 245 x 255 mm / 9½ x 10 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages |
When Nova realizes the artwork she created for Dad’s birthday present is missing, her tummy flip flops and her heart ker-thumps. She and her dog, Harley, turn the house upside down, searching absolutely everywhere, but the missing masterpiece is nowhere to be found. Nova loses her temper but Harley remains calm and content. Can Nova learn from her dog, calm herself down and find her Dad’s present in time for his birthday party?
SPECIFICATIONS: 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
Butterfly Girl is a charming and sensitively illustrated book about friendship and making space for animals, even in an urban environment. Olivia, who loves butterflies, has to leave her home in the countryside and move into a city apartment. Feeling lonely without her fluttering friends, she realises she needs to transform her bare balcony if she wants her friends to visit — and that turns out to be a great way to meet her new neighbours!
In Two Rabbits, Little Brown Rabbit and Little Grey Rabbit have had an argument. As they go their separate ways into the night, the wind whispers around them to remind them of their sharp words. Will they be able to come back together and find a way to save their friendship?
The story portrays the physical and emotional journey of two best friends as they experience feelings of anger, sadness and loneliness. Young readers will learn that friendship can overcome differences and disagreements.
Xander and the Pen is the story of a boy who loves to draw superheroes, and the pen he buys from a mysterious market stall. He soon learns that the pen has a magical power: whatever he draws, happens! At first the pen helps Xander improve his family’s fortunes, but there are many unintended consequences and soon everybody is angry at Xander. With problems galore, Xander has one big decision to make — should he use the pen to draw one more picture?
Max is horrified to find that younger brother Liam has learned nothing from their previous adventure. Once again Liam opens an app on Miss McBoob’s phone, and this time the brothers travel through time. Without leaving their town they find themselves in the Stone Age, the Roman Era, the Middle Ages and finally in the age of the dinosaurs! Will they be able to work together to solve the riddles and return to their own time before the battery runs out? Or will that irate mammoth get to them first?
When rebellious Liam starts playing ‘Shrinkle’ on his babysitter’s phone, he has no idea what he’s letting himself in for. The app shrinks Liam and his brother Max to the size of a minifigure! Their safe home has suddenly become a treacherous landscape. Can they scale sofa mountain, escape Miss McBoob’s snoring mouth and outsmart the now-giant pet cat? And will they stay tiny forever?
When Grandma Burnt Her Bra uses humour to tell the story of feminism and women’s rights, exploring how, throughout history, both men and women have broken down barriers. The illustrations help convey, carefully and quirkily, the complex message that things were not always equal — and that they are not yet equal — which means that each generation faces the continued fight for equality. The call to action is to carry the flame forward. And best of all, this book has dinosaurs!
The world of the shallow ocean seabed is brought to life in this story of an amazing animal, the mimic octopus. The illustrations give a realistic picture of the sea creatures in this environment and how perfectly the octopus impersonates and outwits them. For the reader, the fun is in the guessing — what is the real shape of the master of disguise that Meet Mim introduces us to?
Ruby and the Pen is the story of a 12-year-old, cartoon-drawing girl who buys a pen from a mysterious market stall. She soon learns that the pen has a magical power: whatever she draws, happens! Initially the pen protects Ruby from the meanest girls at her new school, but over time the pen’s power becomes dangerous. Soon, Ruby has problems galore and one big question to be answered — should she fix all of her problems with the stroke of a pen?
Birdie the penguin believes she is the chosen one who lights up the world every night with her song. Her zoo friends believe this too. When the sky lights up without her one evening, she is left feeling lost and confused. Birdie tries to learn the work of other zoo animals, without much success — until her friends help her realize her true purpose.
Packed with worm facts, Harriet’s Hungry Worms is the ideal companion for worm warriors and curious composters keen to roll up their sleeves and put their kitchen food scraps to good use. Before they know it, young readers become equipped with the basic information they need to start putting their own kitchen food scraps to good use!
Award winning author uses backyard chickens to give us a child’s-eye view of early-onset dementia. As Mama loves and cares for her chickens, her kids learn lessons about disability and acceptance. Children will relate to the endearing chickens, while the author uses her own experience to depict early-onset dementia in a realistic but age-appropriate way. Dementia doesn’t only affect the elderly; this story shines a supportive, much-needed light on a reality many families face.
In this sensitive tale, Tug and Ship are connected by bonds of love despite being oceans apart. In a world where so many parents are separated from their children for periods of time due to work and/or living arrangements, sometimes the sense of attachment can feel a little vulnerable. Anchored is a reassuring book, reminding children that their attachment with their parents/caregivers can sustain time apart: they are firmly anchored in each other’s hearts.
“A comforting picture book about separation and reunion”
Easy Peasy follows Ruby, who has just received sparkly roller skates as a present from her dad. Ruby is convinced it will be easy to learn how to roller skate and dismisses her dad when he offers to help her. But after a few tumbles, Ruby realizes it isn’t as easy as she thinks and that she might need his help after all! Embracing themes of independence, perseverance, and family relationships, Easy Peasy is a fun, engaging story for children learning how to do something for the first time.
Far below the rain forest canopy, a grub feels that his body is about to change. Wondering what he will turn into, he looks to his insect friends for answers. With lush illustrations full of realistic detail, Grub immerses us in the world of the forest floor as we take a journey of discovery on the way to the final, surprising, metamorphosis. Click here to view Teacher’s Notes.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781922539267 | 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books