Here is a selection of some of our favourite new picture books with stories we hope you and your child will enjoy sharing and want to return to.
We hope they will also stimulate conversations about the characters, themes or illustrations, inspire story play or spark children’s curiosity to find out more.
The Big Dreaming
Michael Rosen, Daniel Ignéus
Bloomsbury
Age 3-5
It will soon be winter and Big Bear and Little Bear are getting ready for ‘The Sleep.’ Little Bear is worried that he won’t have enough dreams to last him until Spring and so he sets off to collect some from his animal friends, finding dreams of happiness, safety and hope. With a gentle text, a repeated chorus and a story and illustrations full of warmth and love this would be a lovely story to read aloud to young children. A cosy bedtime read which may also prompt discussions about dreams and animal hibernation.
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Gina Kaminski saves the Wolf
Craig Barr Green, illus. Francis Wilson
Little Tiger
Age 5- 7
When Gina Kaminsky’s support worker reads her the story of Little Red Riding Hood, she thinks the ending is awful and the girl and the wolf made some big mistakes. She decides to visit fairy tale land and fix them.
This is an amusing take on a familiar story with a determined, resourceful and very appealing heroine. The patterning in the story; with three problems to solve, three items to pack and three messages for Granny, echoes the narrative style of many familiar traditional tales. This story also offers an interesting insight into the minds of children with neurodivergence suggesting their different ways of looking at the world could enable them to solve problems and be the hero. The illustrations perfectly match the text, and the use of emoticons helps us see how Gina uses this coping strategy.
Halima Superhero Princess
Emily Joof, illus.Asa Gilland
Floris Books
Age 5-7
Halima has been invited to a superhero and princess party. But her friends tell her she can’t dress up as Elsa or Pippi Longstocking because she doesn’t look like them. Her mum reassures her that she can be whoever she wants to be and there are lots of inspiring women of colour she could choose from including Mae Jamieson space explorer and Misty Copeland ballerina.
In the end, Halima creates a unique superhero princess outfit and is ready to amaze the guests at her friend’s party. A reassuring and affirming tale with a delightful heroine and similarities to Mary Hoffman Amazing Grace.
The back of the book includes an alphabetic gallery of the women Halima’s mum mentions in the story.
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Jonty Gentoo
Julia Donaldson, illus. Axel Scheffler
Alison Green Books
Age 5-7
Jonty Gentoo is a young penguin who lives happily in a zoo. But when he is told about the South Pole, a land with thousands more penguins just like him, he is determined to find it and sets off on an adventure. His travels take him across the oceans and far north to the Arctic before finally heading south and reaching his destination.
With Julia Donaldson’s trademark rhyming text this would be a great story to read aloud with lots to talk about in Axel Scheffler’s detailed illustrations. Information at the back of the book encourages young readers to find out more about penguins and other amazing birds.
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We have activity pages for several books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler on Lovemybooks including The Snail and the Whale
Monster Post
Emma Yarlett
Walker Books
Age 3-7
‘You are Dinner!’ says the Beast when he catches the boy. Beast decides to invite his monster friends to a special feast and serve ‘Dinner.’ Luckily ‘Dinner’ devises clever ways to avoid being eaten. He shows the Beast he can have more fun if he starts seeing the boy as a friend and not as his dinner.
A darkly comic story with great illustrations. Children will enjoy opening the fold out letters from Beast’s demanding monster guests. The end papers are packed with recipes and menu suggestions for a monster feast. Great fun.
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See our activity pages for more stories about monsters and scary things
The Seal on the Beach
Mara Bergman, illus. Brita Granström
Walker Books
Age 5-9
Maggie’s aunt and uncle take her on a seaside holiday while her baby brother is in hospital. She has lots of seaside fun with them. One day she finds a seal pup on the beach. It seems to be stranded, and Maggie is very worried about it. She hopes it will be able to return to the sea, just as she secretly hopes her baby brother will get better and she can be with her mum again. What can she do? Fortunately, there is help at hand.
A beautifully written story with lovely illustrations and a very positive and hopeful conclusion.
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Slug Life
Moesha Kellaway
Rocket Bird books
Age 5-7
Stevie, the World’s grumpiest slug is sent to self-esteem classes to find out reasons he should be proud to be a slug. We follow his experiences as he learns about their role in the food chain and superhero powers such as being able to walk on ceilings. Stevie is convinced that slugs really are superheroes and decides to write a book about them for small humans…
Crossing the divide between fact and fiction this is a highly entertaining celebration of slugs, challenging the generally accepted view that slugs are revolting creatures and showing they are in fact – SUPER!
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A Symphony of Stories
James Mayhew
Otter Barry Books
Age 7-9
From the creator of Once Upon a Tune this book introduces children to the stories and ideas which inspired six more musical works. It includes familiar pieces such as Carnival of the Animals and The Planets as well as less familiar works such as The Butterfly Lovers which is based on a Chinese legend. The artwork is beautiful throughout with handprinted collaged papers contributing to the striking design. The cover artwork, illustrating the story of The Firebird is stunning.
There is information at the back of the book about how to access recordings of the musical works featured. A wonderful fusion of storytelling, poetry, music and art. This book is clearly a labour of love which would make an ideal gift.
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Tiger it’s Snowing!
Daisha Ma
Post Wave Children’s Books
Age 0-5
Tiger is excited to see snow for the very first time and eager to get out and play. Mei is reluctant because it is so cold, but Tiger persuades her. Together they wonder at the beauty of the snow-covered landscape and have exuberant fun together making footprints and snow angels and rolling down the hill. There’s a big tiger hug for Mei when she starts sneezing and a warming bowl of soup when they get home.
With delightful illustrations, this is an appealing story about the magic of experiencing snow for the very first time.
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